Assessment:

Plot: Csortos’s plot may feel straightforward at first, but the tale quickly unfurls in unexpected ways, bringing readers on an exciting journey into an unknown small town and the realms of fantasy that lay much closer than expected.

Prose/Style: The story is told largely from protagonist Officer Travis Wheeler’s point of view, never shying away from delving into flashbacks, memories, or dreams. The prose closely follows the character’s thought and speech patterns, leaving readers with a very digestible novel.

Originality: A unique exploration of family relationships, violence, and small-town secrets plays out in unique fashion. Readers are kept on their toes as tangible police investigations give way to the wholly unexplainable, though certain dream-like, surreal sections may be more difficult to parse for some readers.

Character Development/Execution: Protagonist Travis Wheeler is an intriguing figure, remaining a bit of an enigma through most of the novel, even to himself. The small cast of supporting characters come to life, making the tiny town of Fennfield come to life, though some character's actions aren’t as well explained as others and may leave some readers with lingering questions.

Date Submitted: August 09, 2021