THOUGHTS…

Black begins a series of epic proportions, building a bridge between this world and one of the far future. The unique story blends the modern day and fantasy in a way unlike any have done before. Flip-flopping back and forth from world to world could have been a confusing experience, but it is handled with such care that there is time to adjust to the nuances of the storytelling technique. As action builds over the course of the book, the reader is able to take it in stride, right up to the cliff-hanging climax. The modern-day storyline is fast paced with plentiful action while the story taking place in the other world is slow by comparison. This approach was wise as it allows the reader to fully explore and appreciate the intricately designed world, but it also has a downside. At times, the difference in pacing between the storylines can be uncomfortable, and it sometimes feels like the fantasy story is being stretched simply to spread out over the full runtime of the modern-day story. Additionally, it is incredibly obvious when Mr. Dekker is writing about topics of which he does not have sufficient knowledge. A glaring example of this is when the story involves government agencies or the military. This gripe is certainly captious in nature, but it is a pet peeve for me because of my background. Nevertheless, despite a few detractors, intriguing characters, engrossing worlds, and a captivating storyline make this book a solid choice for anyone interested in the genre.