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The Interval
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy
ARC was provided by Reedsy Discovery. The following represents my honest reading experience.
When the incomprehensible happens, how do we move forward? That is the fundamental question Neil Powell asks in his science-fiction novella The Interval. To answer that question, Powell creates the Passers, a collection of massive, disk-shaped objects reaching miles into the sky that roll along their mile-wide edges in slow patterns over the surface of the earth. To mankind, they are unfathomable and insensible. They do not appear to be aware that life exists. Whatever their rolling edges touch vanishes from existence. As they make their slow arcs across land, governments and communities are forced to adapt in unforeseen ways, both to the immediate danger and to the larger implications the Passers bring with them.
Powell uses the enigmatic nature of the Passers as a pretext to examine real-world processes that are indifferent to the existence and survival of civilization, like pandemics, climate change, or natural disasters like a volcanic eruption. He does so in beautifully spare prose. Some chapters contain passages that border on free verse poetry. Others resemble lists, with bald facts stated in plain language, stark in their lack of detail but terrifying in their proximity to each other. This style of writing adds tension, wonder, and even a modicum of horror to the story’s atmosphere.
Recalling other speculative works like World War Z, The Interval presents its story through a mosaic of viewpoints orbiting a handful of recurring characters whose perspectives are critical for understanding the story. General Redding offers a pragmatic view based on analyzing and defining the world around him. Lena Ortiz takes a technical approach, or lack of one, since the Passers seem to defy science. Dr. Elise Halverson provides clues to the broader purpose and patterns of the Passers. Caleb Marsh, a minister, brings thoughtful evaluation from a spiral view as he examines mankind's relentless efforts to find meaning in the unknowable. These characters offer viewpoints only. There is no development with them. Instead, the action of the story is carried by the Passers and civilization’s efforts to understand their presence.
This structure of overlapping and collaborative viewpoints amplifies the “thought experiment” nature of the book. Occasionally, narratives will cross, usually at a tension point designed to push the story forward. Powell employs a clever trick here. By diffusing focus across four different narratives rather than centering everything (in fact, some chapters have no point of view at all!), the novella mirrors how real societies fragment and reform. Quiet moments of reflection and contemplation carry the most emotional weight. Even at the end, when a twist in the story reveals a deeper purpose to the Passers, Powell employs some of his most spartan writing in the book, leaving us with more questions than answers.
If you enjoy thought experiments and beautifully written prose, this book will not disappoint you! Three stars.
When the incomprehensible happens, how do we move forward? That is the fundamental question Neil Powell asks in his science-fiction novella The Interval. To answer that question, Powell creates the Passers, a collection of massive, disk-shaped objects reaching miles into the sky that roll along their mile-wide edges in slow patterns over the surface of the earth. To mankind, they are unfathomable and insensible. They do not appear to be aware that life exists. Whatever their rolling edges touch vanishes from existence. As they make their slow arcs across land, governments and communities are forced to adapt in unforeseen ways, both to the immediate danger and to the larger implications the Passers bring with them.
Powell uses the enigmatic nature of the Passers as a pretext to examine real-world processes that are indifferent to the existence and survival of civilization, like pandemics, climate change, or natural disasters like a volcanic eruption. He does so in beautifully spare prose. Some chapters contain passages that border on free verse poetry. Others resemble lists, with bald facts stated in plain language, stark in their lack of detail but terrifying in their proximity to each other. This style of writing adds tension, wonder, and even a modicum of horror to the story’s atmosphere.
Recalling other speculative works like World War Z, The Interval presents its story through a mosaic of viewpoints orbiting a handful of recurring characters whose perspectives are critical for understanding the story. General Redding offers a pragmatic view based on analyzing and defining the world around him. Lena Ortiz takes a technical approach, or lack of one, since the Passers seem to defy science. Dr. Elise Halverson provides clues to the broader purpose and patterns of the Passers. Caleb Marsh, a minister, brings thoughtful evaluation from a spiral view as he examines mankind's relentless efforts to find meaning in the unknowable. These characters offer viewpoints only. There is no development with them. Instead, the action of the story is carried by the Passers and civilization’s efforts to understand their presence.
This structure of overlapping and collaborative viewpoints amplifies the “thought experiment” nature of the book. Occasionally, narratives will cross, usually at a tension point designed to push the story forward. Powell employs a clever trick here. By diffusing focus across four different narratives rather than centering everything (in fact, some chapters have no point of view at all!), the novella mirrors how real societies fragment and reform. Quiet moments of reflection and contemplation carry the most emotional weight. Even at the end, when a twist in the story reveals a deeper purpose to the Passers, Powell employs some of his most spartan writing in the book, leaving us with more questions than answers.
If you enjoy thought experiments and beautifully written prose, this book will not disappoint you! Three stars.
Review of advance copy
Based on the available information and positioning, The Interval by Neil Powell presents itself as a reflective, concept-driven work suggested by both its title and format, one that appears to focus on transition, pause, and the meaning found between major life moments. Even ahead of publication, the framing signals a thoughtful, literary approach likely centered on introspection, timing, and human experience.
Books built around a unifying concept like “the interval” often resonate strongly with readers who appreciate layered interpretation and emotional nuance. With its concise length and upcoming release timing, the book is well positioned to attract readers looking for a focused, meaningful read that invites reflection and discussion.
Books built around a unifying concept like “the interval” often resonate strongly with readers who appreciate layered interpretation and emotional nuance. With its concise length and upcoming release timing, the book is well positioned to attract readers looking for a focused, meaningful read that invites reflection and discussion.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews