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Dew
Orella Truvail, a girl of only seventeen, awakens one morning to find her home destroyed by an unknown disaster. A strange--and perhaps untrustworthy?--man shortly offers his help, and she finds herself on a journey towards an unknown destination in the hopes of saving herself from the looming apocalypse.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 2, 2016
I'm more or less re-posting my initial review from Amazon, but with some updates. I gave the book a reread, and want to note that there is a lot of good that's going on here, especially in the department of characterization. My review is specifically about a first novel, not the polished work of someone who's an old hand in the publishing business, and I believe that's how "Dew" should be rated and treated.
Skip your fancy coffee drink today and put the money toward this delicious pseudo-sci-fi adventure novel instead. I promise it will taste sweeter, warm you more profoundly, and leave you craving Laith's next project more than Americans crave "pumpkin spice" flavoring in the fall.
Set in a world both like and distinctly unlike the one we know, this story reads like a parable, delving into topics frequently skirted in mainstream media in a way that's simultaneously enlightening and entertaining. Issues of racial tensions, mental health, and religion play strongly through the narrative without becoming preachy or exclusive. As much as I love the natural, honest way in which these themes are handled, the highlight of the tale is the realness of the two primary characters and their relationship. The protagonist is one of the most authentic high school girls I've read, strongly influenced by her culture but also self-aware and analytical. The genuine interactions between the sole two primary characters make the story.
The setting can be vague, with a strange mix of the modern and the fantastical that sometimes makes the world difficult to visualize. However, the physical and even cultural setting is less significant to the heart of the story than the strong character details and philosophical themes. That said, as zen as the read is, it lacks structure or a driving plot. Future works would benefit from a more dynamic outline, as well as greater conflict to really show off the depth and range of characters, because it's clear Laith can create some good ones.
In short, this book and this author deserve your attention. More than the plot, mythology, and location, read for the characters and their interpretation of subjects that our world seems to struggle with handling. You will not regret taking a walk with Orella and Cayliss. Plus, they're pretty cute, but you didn't hear that from me.
Skip your fancy coffee drink today and put the money toward this delicious pseudo-sci-fi adventure novel instead. I promise it will taste sweeter, warm you more profoundly, and leave you craving Laith's next project more than Americans crave "pumpkin spice" flavoring in the fall.
Set in a world both like and distinctly unlike the one we know, this story reads like a parable, delving into topics frequently skirted in mainstream media in a way that's simultaneously enlightening and entertaining. Issues of racial tensions, mental health, and religion play strongly through the narrative without becoming preachy or exclusive. As much as I love the natural, honest way in which these themes are handled, the highlight of the tale is the realness of the two primary characters and their relationship. The protagonist is one of the most authentic high school girls I've read, strongly influenced by her culture but also self-aware and analytical. The genuine interactions between the sole two primary characters make the story.
The setting can be vague, with a strange mix of the modern and the fantastical that sometimes makes the world difficult to visualize. However, the physical and even cultural setting is less significant to the heart of the story than the strong character details and philosophical themes. That said, as zen as the read is, it lacks structure or a driving plot. Future works would benefit from a more dynamic outline, as well as greater conflict to really show off the depth and range of characters, because it's clear Laith can create some good ones.
In short, this book and this author deserve your attention. More than the plot, mythology, and location, read for the characters and their interpretation of subjects that our world seems to struggle with handling. You will not regret taking a walk with Orella and Cayliss. Plus, they're pretty cute, but you didn't hear that from me.
December 22, 2014
Although I'd read this in draft form, I was excited to see it actually published. The world (not our world) is ending, and two young people are traveling together. Their conversations become a philosophical response to change. It's all quite esoteric and zen, more of a meditation than a plot. Back in my day, the praise would be, "That's heavy, man." Indeed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews