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Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Eternal Prison by Jeff Somers (view source)
Revision as of 16:11, 29 August 2020
, 16:11, 29 August 2020no edit summary
And I do think another draft was needed to make things a lot clearer. It wasn't just part two, as further on I was left scratching my head a little. I lost confidence in Somers here, unfortunately. I still saw enough of a plot and intrigue to keep me going, and enough to make me wonder if there would be a fourth book in the series (yes, there will), but here seemed to be an author stretching himself too far.
On the positive side , there remains the fact this is neo-noir of some distinction. I didn't see much of Cates as he was in book two, as there is much less of a moral dilemma for the man. He carries on with his active, bullish, brutal way of life, but he seems to have aged another generation beyond the immediate prequel, and is left hardened, agingageing, more world-weary, and less worried than ever if he survives.
The fact Cates is moving on in life shows this series will not outstay its welcome - although the ending suggests the fourth in the series, announced under the title "The Terminal State", will follow immediately on. The drive of the plot(s) here is successful enough, the narration a welcome, controlled style. I just needed a lot more help in unravelling what was going on when things from the two worlds of the book combined.
