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The Participants #1
The Participants
Zack Vernon is an immortal Observer sent to watch the world on behalf of the Creator. When his suicide attempt fails spectacularly and earns him a spot on the national news, the other Observers are drawn to him.
They believe Zack to be the reincarnation of a rebellious Observer from a previous world. Several of them plan to punish him for the sins they believe he committed. One of them wants back the man she has loved through hundreds of worlds. But Zack remembers nothing before the present. All he wants is a chance to end his life.
They believe Zack to be the reincarnation of a rebellious Observer from a previous world. Several of them plan to punish him for the sins they believe he committed. One of them wants back the man she has loved through hundreds of worlds. But Zack remembers nothing before the present. All he wants is a chance to end his life.
- GenresFantasy
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
6 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 1, 2014
Interesting, original take on the God myth. An enjoyable read. I do wish it had been longer, though.
September 9, 2017
4.5stars unique concept to me and well delivered, part stark portrayal of human behaviour and part epic love story
September 12, 2016
This is the first book of a trilogy, and this trilogy is brilliant!
It’s more than a week since I read it and I’m still thinking about it - mulling over certain points. And yes, there are three books you need to read in order to get the full impact. They are relatively short, and I would argue that they should be three sections of one book.
I’m sure you already know what this first book is about: The Creator sends Observers to, well, observe the world, and then report back to him (or her).
The Observers believe that Zack is an Observer, who chooses to participate, that is, to interfere with events, instead of observe. This is a violation of the Divine Command.
It’s a fascinating story. Revelations come slowly through stories of the characters’ lives in different worlds, to bring you to understand what is really going on. So there is a lot of jumping back and forth between worlds and concurrent stories.
And, as others have already mentioned, there are violent sections. But it’s worth it to push through these sections, because this story makes you think about really big things.
It’s a story to make you think about the universe’s endless possibilities, about the nature of good and evil, about time, about God, and about love. And this is why I’m labeling it as brilliant - it made me think about things beyond the actual story.
I received this entire trilogy (combined under one title – The Participants) from Goodreads.
It’s more than a week since I read it and I’m still thinking about it - mulling over certain points. And yes, there are three books you need to read in order to get the full impact. They are relatively short, and I would argue that they should be three sections of one book.
I’m sure you already know what this first book is about: The Creator sends Observers to, well, observe the world, and then report back to him (or her).
The Observers believe that Zack is an Observer, who chooses to participate, that is, to interfere with events, instead of observe. This is a violation of the Divine Command.
It’s a fascinating story. Revelations come slowly through stories of the characters’ lives in different worlds, to bring you to understand what is really going on. So there is a lot of jumping back and forth between worlds and concurrent stories.
And, as others have already mentioned, there are violent sections. But it’s worth it to push through these sections, because this story makes you think about really big things.
It’s a story to make you think about the universe’s endless possibilities, about the nature of good and evil, about time, about God, and about love. And this is why I’m labeling it as brilliant - it made me think about things beyond the actual story.
I received this entire trilogy (combined under one title – The Participants) from Goodreads.
October 29, 2015
As good a story as they come
The pretext is unique, writing well crafted and edited. What's not to like? Good work Brian Blose. See you next iteration.
The pretext is unique, writing well crafted and edited. What's not to like? Good work Brian Blose. See you next iteration.
June 28, 2021
Great Concept
This story has a great concept about “people” observing each world and it’s inhabitants. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
This story has a great concept about “people” observing each world and it’s inhabitants. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
October 31, 2013
I received this free in return for an honest review.
The Good...
This story kept me turning pages, wanting to solve the mystery of the Observers and how they were different from the Participants. Each new chapter either dangled yet another piece of the puzzle in front of me or asked yet another question I wanted to know the answer to. This was perfect for someone like me who enjoys working out the whys and wherefores of an enigma.
The characters are well-developed and distinctive. Some, like Eric, actually scared me. Others, like Lacey, made me want to slap them until they acquired some sense. The tension and fear in Zach felt real and kept me rooting for him through the entire story.
I also enjoyed the twist at the end. It's rare that an author can surprise me. Either I've figured it out long before the end or the twist comes off like a gimmick, but that is not the case in The Participants.
The Not-so-good...
I only have two complaints. The first is that the story is too short. I enjoyed reading it so much and invested so much energy into the characters that, by the end of the book, I was ready to find out what would happen in the next incarnation -- or if there would even be a next one. Along with that was the disappointment that there isn't a book 2. I would have loved it if either the story was longer or there was at least the promise of another book.
My second complaint is that there was more foul language and brutality than I am personally comfortable with. While I understand that serial killers are more likely to curse and their very nature necessitates brutality, I don't have to enjoy it. I prefer torture and murder to happen off stage.
As for the cursing, it wasn't just the serial killer. There were at least two others who swore more than I thought was necessary. Had the characters been in some kind of gang or had some other reason for speaking in such low terms, then I might have been able to overlook it.
The Overall...
I highly recommend The Participants by Brian Blose to anyone who enjoys a good puzzle with a plot twist, but beware that there is plenty of onstage brutality and swearing.
The Good...
This story kept me turning pages, wanting to solve the mystery of the Observers and how they were different from the Participants. Each new chapter either dangled yet another piece of the puzzle in front of me or asked yet another question I wanted to know the answer to. This was perfect for someone like me who enjoys working out the whys and wherefores of an enigma.
The characters are well-developed and distinctive. Some, like Eric, actually scared me. Others, like Lacey, made me want to slap them until they acquired some sense. The tension and fear in Zach felt real and kept me rooting for him through the entire story.
I also enjoyed the twist at the end. It's rare that an author can surprise me. Either I've figured it out long before the end or the twist comes off like a gimmick, but that is not the case in The Participants.
The Not-so-good...
I only have two complaints. The first is that the story is too short. I enjoyed reading it so much and invested so much energy into the characters that, by the end of the book, I was ready to find out what would happen in the next incarnation -- or if there would even be a next one. Along with that was the disappointment that there isn't a book 2. I would have loved it if either the story was longer or there was at least the promise of another book.
My second complaint is that there was more foul language and brutality than I am personally comfortable with. While I understand that serial killers are more likely to curse and their very nature necessitates brutality, I don't have to enjoy it. I prefer torture and murder to happen off stage.
As for the cursing, it wasn't just the serial killer. There were at least two others who swore more than I thought was necessary. Had the characters been in some kind of gang or had some other reason for speaking in such low terms, then I might have been able to overlook it.
The Overall...
I highly recommend The Participants by Brian Blose to anyone who enjoys a good puzzle with a plot twist, but beware that there is plenty of onstage brutality and swearing.
July 19, 2014
Pretty good.
Interesting take on the idea of God. The story was paced well and was engaging enough to keep you reading. The writing was slick, unobtrusive, and occasionally beautiful.
The characters were a little lacking. The portrayal of women, in particular, was passe and limiting. Everything was about their appearance, their value as possessions, their need to be protected, constant threats of rape, etc. Even without checking the cover you'd figure out quickly this was written by a man.
Obviously the author has a degree of interest in the ideals of self sufficiency, libertarianism, with a nietzschean twist, which is fine if you're into that sort of thing.
If you're an American male, biological determinist, with a fondness for handguns, this is probably the love story for you.
Elements of the writing and premise were good, but it wasn't for me.
Interesting take on the idea of God. The story was paced well and was engaging enough to keep you reading. The writing was slick, unobtrusive, and occasionally beautiful.
The characters were a little lacking. The portrayal of women, in particular, was passe and limiting. Everything was about their appearance, their value as possessions, their need to be protected, constant threats of rape, etc. Even without checking the cover you'd figure out quickly this was written by a man.
Obviously the author has a degree of interest in the ideals of self sufficiency, libertarianism, with a nietzschean twist, which is fine if you're into that sort of thing.
If you're an American male, biological determinist, with a fondness for handguns, this is probably the love story for you.
Elements of the writing and premise were good, but it wasn't for me.
October 27, 2013
Interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews