Review: Intelligent Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 22, 2012
I finished this story a while ago, but have only just sat down to 'attempt' writing a review. The problem is... this is such an intelligent, well crafted and multi-layered plot, I don't really know where to start.Right from the off you can tell that the author of Sirene is probably on a Mensa list somewhere or possibly works covertly for a world superpower. He writes with style, shows a keen eye for detail in both the characterisation and the plotline, appears to be fluent in more than one language and made me smile at points where I really didn't expect to.Take the villain of the piece, a hit man of some considerable skill. When he has his victim in his grasp and is busy calculating the best possible way of disposing of said unfortunate (and the risks attached to each method) I'd expect to be on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out what his final choice is (which I was). What I didn't expect was the character to suddenly get frustrated over 'Blasted Health and Safety!' - THAT surprised a laugh out of me.This book is full of moments like that - quirks, asides and observations that jump off the page to give added depth and a more enjoyable read.I also think I should mention that this is a 'quality' kindle title. I often get frustrated if there is no contents page on a kindle book - no worry of that with Sirene. Not only is there a contents page provided, but the overall formatting is excellent and I only spotted one typo in the whole thing.Oh yes, and THAT ending... for a moment I thought I was going to have to write to the author and complain because things didn't go the way I wanted them to. I needn't have worried though - there was an alternative ending available! Pretty cool.I also liked the info given at the end of the book. Deleted scenes, notes on the story, the author and the soundtrack that keeps popping up within the plot. As I said at the beginning of this review - this author has a keen eye for detail and I think, in the end, that's what elevates this story above the average.Needless to say, I've bought his other two books...