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Echohead
Ivy Q. can read your mind - she can live your entire life, in fact. And normally, she would add your memories to her stash, like any addict stealing a fix. But right now, she’s distracted. A little obsessed with someone…
Set in Houston, Texas, Echohead is the story of a mind-reader obsessed with a televangelist, and her attempt, against her own better judgement, to uncover the preacher’s innermost secrets. This is a novel about life, music, and belief in the bayou city.
Set in Houston, Texas, Echohead is the story of a mind-reader obsessed with a televangelist, and her attempt, against her own better judgement, to uncover the preacher’s innermost secrets. This is a novel about life, music, and belief in the bayou city.
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Published January 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 20, 2021
Echohead drew me in from the first couple of pages and I could not stop reading until the surprising end!
Waas' debut novel racks up a few distinctly impressive accomplishments. First, it captures the feel of Houston, Texas like nothing else I have ever read. I spent many years in Houston and Echohead takes the reader all over the sprawling city. Additionally, Waas becomes a historian of the very recent past. Waas gives us a glimpse of life and the changing dynamic of the US in the latter half of the 2010's like a well-researched journalist. He also has an uncanny ability to boil down an entire life into a manic, stream-of-consciousness episode that makes the reader feel connected to the unimaginable power of his protagonist. The novel is densely packed with the varied experience of these lives.
Finally, I was entranced by Ivy's journey through the layered world of religion in megachurch country. Ivy's ability and how she uses it leads to an understandably complex view on religion well before she finds herself in the middle of the controversial world of holy celebrity. The philosophical discussions in Echohead are nuanced, contentious, and entertaining without being judgmental. This kind of thoughtful exploration of humanity and religion is something I seek out in literature and Waas tackled these heady subjects as well as anyone I have had the pleasure of reading.
I will be waiting eagerly for any future T.C. Waas novels.
Waas' debut novel racks up a few distinctly impressive accomplishments. First, it captures the feel of Houston, Texas like nothing else I have ever read. I spent many years in Houston and Echohead takes the reader all over the sprawling city. Additionally, Waas becomes a historian of the very recent past. Waas gives us a glimpse of life and the changing dynamic of the US in the latter half of the 2010's like a well-researched journalist. He also has an uncanny ability to boil down an entire life into a manic, stream-of-consciousness episode that makes the reader feel connected to the unimaginable power of his protagonist. The novel is densely packed with the varied experience of these lives.
Finally, I was entranced by Ivy's journey through the layered world of religion in megachurch country. Ivy's ability and how she uses it leads to an understandably complex view on religion well before she finds herself in the middle of the controversial world of holy celebrity. The philosophical discussions in Echohead are nuanced, contentious, and entertaining without being judgmental. This kind of thoughtful exploration of humanity and religion is something I seek out in literature and Waas tackled these heady subjects as well as anyone I have had the pleasure of reading.
I will be waiting eagerly for any future T.C. Waas novels.
March 23, 2022
The Mentalist
This book is a challenging read. The language is beautiful but complex, especially in the first chapter. I found myself using the Kindle app's dictionary feature quite often while reading this book. I don't think that's a bad thing. There are also a number of voices to follow but that is one of the things that make this book so interesting.
Ivy Qualiana has the ability to "read" people. She can get inside their minds. Essentially, it's a memory dump, but more than that. And that is where things get interesting. It's a little bit sci-fi, a little bit mystery and a lot about the human condition. There's a lot more to this book but I don't want to give anything away.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is a challenging read. The language is beautiful but complex, especially in the first chapter. I found myself using the Kindle app's dictionary feature quite often while reading this book. I don't think that's a bad thing. There are also a number of voices to follow but that is one of the things that make this book so interesting.
Ivy Qualiana has the ability to "read" people. She can get inside their minds. Essentially, it's a memory dump, but more than that. And that is where things get interesting. It's a little bit sci-fi, a little bit mystery and a lot about the human condition. There's a lot more to this book but I don't want to give anything away.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2025
The first chapter of Echohead had me frozen—not with suspense, but with sheer confusion. It felt like the author was using fifty words when six might have done the trick—but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what those six words would have been. It was dense, poetic, and puzzling.
Then I hit Chapter Two. Something shifted. The pieces began to fall into place—slowly, deliberately—and a story started to emerge around Ivy, our main character. I found myself leaning into the rhythm, appreciating the unique prose and the almost meditative pace. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a slow stroll through language and layered meaning.
And then… bam. The middle of the book hit like a brick wall and spun everything in a completely different direction. A full 180. I won't spoil it for you because, honestly, it's something best discovered as you read.
If you like your fiction a little challenging, a little mysterious, and a whole lot different, Echohead might be your next read. Just give it time—and trust that the confusion might just be part of the plan.
Then I hit Chapter Two. Something shifted. The pieces began to fall into place—slowly, deliberately—and a story started to emerge around Ivy, our main character. I found myself leaning into the rhythm, appreciating the unique prose and the almost meditative pace. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a slow stroll through language and layered meaning.
And then… bam. The middle of the book hit like a brick wall and spun everything in a completely different direction. A full 180. I won't spoil it for you because, honestly, it's something best discovered as you read.
If you like your fiction a little challenging, a little mysterious, and a whole lot different, Echohead might be your next read. Just give it time—and trust that the confusion might just be part of the plan.
June 23, 2021
Wow. I agree with Zach. Like Ivy, I too became immediately addicted to observing all of these lives play out. Each one felt very familiar and personal to me. The insatiable hunger in Ivy to consume more and more people, the man of god haunted by demons, the estranged son caught up in the sins of his fathers’: all smack dab in the middle of the greater Houston area in the early aughts! Have I been spun?? I’m starting to think someone might be in my head right now experiencing everything Iv experienced because this novel hits very close to home. Like, inside the loop, close.
I enjoyed it a lot and I look forward to see what comes next from Mr. Waas
I enjoyed it a lot and I look forward to see what comes next from Mr. Waas
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
This book was an adventure. I was curious just from the books description and I am so glad I read it! This book had interesting characters and an intriguing plot but what was really epic about this book was the writing style. It felt different but completely enhanced the story. I wish I could describe it but if you read this book (and you should), you’ll totally understand what I mean.
I received this book from the author through Voracious Readers Only and I reviewed it because I really enjoyed reading it!
I received this book from the author through Voracious Readers Only and I reviewed it because I really enjoyed reading it!
March 26, 2022
A free book from Voracious Readers thank you
How unusual...people watching to an unthinkable depth! Brilliantly told through the eyes of Ivy who can read your life! The twists with the religions musings intertwined with the hard core evangelism illustrates how all address right and wrong, greed, power and control.
An intriguing read
How unusual...people watching to an unthinkable depth! Brilliantly told through the eyes of Ivy who can read your life! The twists with the religions musings intertwined with the hard core evangelism illustrates how all address right and wrong, greed, power and control.
An intriguing read
August 18, 2024
Remarkable read, I finished the book a week ago and still am thinking about it daily. Waas’ writing style is engaging and inspiring. I found this book in a little free library and it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Looking forward to whatever else this author creates in the future
June 12, 2023
Found this at half priced books and was immediately drawn in. It was great. Super enjoyable and readable.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews