Review: The Last Storm

The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last Storm, by author Tim Lebbon, is a beautifully brutal collision of horror, science fiction, fantasy and environmental awareness. The characters are rich and complex, the plot is unique, and the structure is engaging.

In the Last Storm, the reader is first introduced to Jesse—a man who, through genetics and a hand-made apparatus, is able to conjure rain. His power is a reflection of the world at large, so unlike his mother and grandmother (who were able to produce gentle showers in a kinder world), Jesse’s creations are fraught with scorpions and spiders that accompany a rain of water and blood. The world is succumbing to climate change, and the power of the rainmaker has become destructive and angry. Jess realizes he can no longer allow himself the luxury of practicing his craft, but his daughter, Ash, has inherited the ability. In a time that is increasingly dangerous, when earth is warming on a global scale, Ash’s belief that she can control the rain and save those in peril leads her into a storm that threatens to envelope her and the world at large.

Lebbon’s characters are well developed, with rich backstories that bring them to life. Jesse and Ash are believable even in the throes of something as far-fetched as making the heavens cry. Jesse’s almost hermit existence and the touch of madness that inhabits the mind of Ash, are revealed through the consistent integrity of their behaviors. Jesse reacts to life and those around him in ways that remain constant; Ash moves through life growing in her self-awareness. Neither ever offer any dialogue or actions that betray who Lebbon has groomed them to be. It is in this consistency that the reader loses a sense of needing to suspend disbelief and falls into the story with a conviction that yes, there ARE rainmakers. Of course there are. It’s a brilliant technique that garners and maintains reader investment.

As a reader of post-apocalyptic lit, Lebbon’s approach is a refreshing change. This isn’t an EMP taking out the grid, or a nuclear blast poisoning the earth. It’s a gorgeous, almost poetic retelling of a time in the future when death is a casual occurrence that strikes increasingly more often and with utter disregard for the sanctity of life. The devolution happens so slowly that it’s accepted as the new normal—a sobering look at a terrifying scenario resulting from global warming. The single distraction, for me, was the narrative that led to the construction of Ash’s rainmaking apparatus. It felt forced and was the only point in the book where a fourth wall came down and removed me from the action. On the other hand, the horror Lebbon unleashes through the conduit of Ash is absolutely numbing in its grotesque depiction. I actually had goosebumps and felt the need to look over my shoulder on more than one occasion.

Finally, the structure here is built in chapters that rotate between perspectives of various characters. When their stories finally intersect, the tension is positively palpable. It’s always a risk when an author attempts to build a number of storylines that eventually come together. Readers can find it difficult to follow and keep track of the changing narrative. Lebbon doesn’t suffer in his approach, as it is meticulously built in a way that makes the transitions seamless.

This is a definite must-read for those looking for something innovative, frightening and fantastical. Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC for review. Publication is slated for July 19, 2022.

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Review: Below

Below by Kev Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Below by author Kev Harrison is a delicious slice of horror that will have readers all over the world sleeping with the lights on.

The story is that of Nick Jones, a man whose life has been in many ways shaped by the grandfather he knew only through the stories told to him. Nicholas Jones was a twenty eight year old miner when he heroically spirited fellow workers to safety during a mine collapse. As his turn to exit the mine arrived, the entire shaft disintegrated, burying he and two other miners alive. Nick has heard the stories all of his life, stories that sparked his own interest in mining and led to his pursuit of a PhD in mining engineering. The mine where Nick’s grandfather perished was never reopened, and Nick is on a funded mission to reopen the entrance and retrieve his grandfather’s remains—remains that have been in the collapsed mine for over sixty years. Nick is accompanied on his journey by upwardly mobile influencer Jess and camera operator Sophia.  Together they descend into the darkness, where they discover that they are not alone.

Harrison’s strength is in creating a setting that is claustrophobic, dark and disturbing. The reader is immersed in this underground world, and it isn’t difficult to feel as if the walls are closing in. As the three explorers descend into the bowels of the mine, the tension builds in an edge-of-the-seat way that is physically experienced by the reader.

The weakness in this book, however, destabilizes reader engagement. The characters are two-dimensional—never fully explored or developed enough to warrant investment. I wanted to know more about Nick particularly, and of the specifics in the stories he had been told. I wanted his background so that I could feel some sort of emotion regarding his experiences in that mine. I also felt like the relationship between Jess and Sophia was forced as a way to make the story seem “woke” and on pointe with contemporary culture. It just wasn’t organic enough to be believable, a shortcoming that would be easily remedied by the inclusion of their back stories.

Overall, an atmospheric book that is a quick read—preferably with the lights on.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing me a free copy for review. Below is available now at major booksellers.

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Review: Movieland

Movieland by Lee Goldberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Movieland is one of those books that requires a solid block of time in which to read, as you will not want to put it down until the final page is turned. The characters are familiar, the plot is rife with suspense and the path to the conclusion is one of enough twists and turns to keep even the most veteran readers of the genre guessing.

Lee Goldberg has once again breathed life into Detective Eve Ronin, an LASD detective who was catapulted to popularity when video emerged of her single handedly taking down a well known arrogant and abusive actor who had built his reputation through a series of movies in which he played the “invincible Deathfist”. Ronin’s story continues here in Movieland, this time battling the thin blue line she once courageously exposed for widespread corruption, whilst also attempting to solve murders that may be the work of a serial shooter. Her jaded and bristly partner Duncan is back as well, winding down to retirement and giving Eve parting advice and support as they tackle what is to be their final case together.

Goldberg is the master of character development, and Movieland provides a sparkling showcase of this particular strength. In spite of this being the fourth of the Eve Ronin series, Goldberg lifts each character off the page and stands them in front of you, even if you are meeting them for the first time. The necessary background is seamlessly integrated into the storyline, so followers will appreciate seeing familiar faces, while newcomers will also be instantly engaged and invested. If you’ve read other serial novels, you know this is a difficult tightrope walk, but Goldberg makes it look as easy as a walk in the proverbial park.

The plot itself does become a bit convoluted as it unwinds, and at times it was distracting to see Goldberg straying with minutiae that adds to the flavor but not the storyline. Cameos by Eve’s mother and father seemed forced, as did the inclusion of several other bit players. In the long run, however, it was more a minor irritation than a dealbreaker. Goldberg’s ability to grab you by the collar truly makes the pages seem to turn themselves.

I hope this won’t the last we see of Ronin, as the trajectory for her growth has been forged—loose threads that demand further attention and will leave the reader longing to find out what’s next. Four bright stars for an author who is quickly becoming a favorite.

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