LONDON: a network of living symbols threatened by the digital tentacles of an alien power spreading throughout the capital.
Denys and Judith, Xaos Dave, Bloody Mary and Priesty John are a ragtag team of chaos sorcerors who have determined to fight this rising power: against the backdrop of a spectral metropolis these urban mages muster their forces for a final confrontation... only drink and incompetence stand in their way.
They called themselves the Invisible College and hatched plans to overthrow capitalism with magic.
High weirdness in squats and patches of land by canals; rites and ceremonies under railway bridges and in underpasses; old gods called in echoing, empty warehouses.
Barbaric names ululated in woods and public parks after the gates were locked.
...... Inner front cover.
FIRST SENTENCE (Page 11): My Deare One.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The fact that the exact same words on pages 72 to 73 are repeated on pages 115 to 116 OR how about on page 28 'Microsleep' a seemingly random word, the only one on the page, typed right in the centre. PW
MY THOUGHTS: A 2 out of 5 rating as far as a group read goes as without a doubt, given the right mix of readers, this is a novel that will provoke much debate, however as a personal read I'm struggling to rate it as anything other than a zero. *
Far too full of gimmicks (the binary code, the pages containing as little as one word, the sentence structure itself), strange as it may sound, this is perhaps better described as a piece of modern art than a novel.
Then of course there is all of the sex and expletives. OK, so not used overly frequently but when they are used they are used at some length, the sex scenes crude and very graphic.
Most definitely not as it turns out my kind of read, in my opinion the author sets out to be different, to be unique. All very well but not when the cost is good story telling.
* This rating relates to NewBooks magazine who as well as a personal read rating also require an rating as to how well a book would do as a reading group read.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine. I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
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8 comments:
When I read the inside cover blurb, i didn't think it sounded like your typical book. I had to read it three times before it made sense to me. Lately I have been reading pre-teen magical books and this would fit well with them, though i am still confused by the first line of the inside cover; symbols?
I tend to really like the odd and experimental as I think that we have plenty of conventional writing to choose from.
On the other hand the very unconventional can lead to a literary train wreck, Based on your commentary it sounds like the author was straining to be clever and odd without a good reason to do so.
While not a book that particularly appeals to me, I'll admit I do find the cover fascinating. Something about it makes me think of the Bride of Frankenstein!
Hmm... this sounds like it wouldn't be my kind of read, either, although I'd approach it with an open mind, like you. The cover is intriguing,as Kelly points out.
Not a big fan when the author tries so hard to be unique and original that the plot suffers. Well done on being able to finish it, as it doesn't sound worth your time!
Hi Tracy,
I have read a couple of books where the presentation, editing, vocabulary and indeed content value, have been dubious to say the least.
Whilst I do try to make allowances for some of the new ways of displaying a book's storyline, I can't help but feel slightly cheated by some of these methods.
I always try to highlight the positive elements of a book, however 'A New Science Of Navigation' sounds like it has gone just a step too far to be encouraged!
Those are a couple of very diverse and selective storylines that you have read and reviewed back to back and you have remained remarkably objective throughout, thanks for some good and honest thoughts about both of them.
Let's hope that your next book gets a big thumbs up and makes you a happy reader again!
Yvonne
Definitely not my kind of read either from what you've said on your thoughts ..and frankly from the blurb, sounded too complex.
i really appreciate your nice review, tracy.
definitely not my kind of book either, but i do find the cover intriguing.
xx
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