Review: Parallel World Fantasy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2013
I received a copy of Eden Forest in exchange for an honest review. The novel is a parallel world fantasy that centers on Sarajane Anderson, whose mother has mysteriously disappeared. Everyone believes Sarajane's mother is dead but Sarajane cannot accept that conclusion and continues searching. The parallel world is Saskia, where magical powers are commonplace--everyone one has a particular gift--and everyone has a prescribed role to play. Kidnappers take Sarajane to Saskia, where she learns what really happened to her mother and encounters evil in the form of Queen Bellona.The story's concept is compelling. The characters are believable and the parallel world is well-imagined. However, I found Eden Forest a difficult read. The narration uses first-person POV and switches between various characters. The switching was disconcerting at times. I think a close third-person POV that changed from character to character would have been more effective. The repeated use of simple, declarative sentences gave the prose a plodding feel. Another round of editing and revision might have improved the writing. If you're looking for a parallel world fantasy with a bit of romance and you can look past the lackluster writing, you might enjoy Eden Forest.