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The Vicious Circuit #1
The Unnoticeables
From Robert Brockway, Sr. Editor and Columnist of Cracked.com comes The Unnoticeables, a funny and frightening urban fantasy.
There are angels, and they are not beneficent or loving. But they do watch over us. They watch our lives unfold, analyzing us for repeating patterns and redundancies. When they find them, the angels simplify those patterns and remove the redundancies, and the problem that is "you" gets solved.
Carey doesn't much like that idea. As a punk living in New York City, 1977, Carey is sick and tired of watching strange kids with unnoticeable faces abduct his friends. He doesn't care about the rumors of tar-monsters in the sewers or unkillable psychopaths invading the punk scene—all he wants is to drink cheap beer and dispense ass-kickings.
Kaitlyn isn't sure what she's doing with her life. She came to Hollywood in 2013 to be a stunt woman, but last night a former teen heartthrob tried to eat her, her best friend has just gone missing, and there's an angel outside her apartment. Whatever she plans on doing with her life, it should probably happen in the few remaining minutes she has left.
There are angels. There are demons. They are the same thing. It's up to Carey and Kaitlyn to stop them. The survival of the human race is in their hands.
We are, all of us, well and truly screwed.
There are angels, and they are not beneficent or loving. But they do watch over us. They watch our lives unfold, analyzing us for repeating patterns and redundancies. When they find them, the angels simplify those patterns and remove the redundancies, and the problem that is "you" gets solved.
Carey doesn't much like that idea. As a punk living in New York City, 1977, Carey is sick and tired of watching strange kids with unnoticeable faces abduct his friends. He doesn't care about the rumors of tar-monsters in the sewers or unkillable psychopaths invading the punk scene—all he wants is to drink cheap beer and dispense ass-kickings.
Kaitlyn isn't sure what she's doing with her life. She came to Hollywood in 2013 to be a stunt woman, but last night a former teen heartthrob tried to eat her, her best friend has just gone missing, and there's an angel outside her apartment. Whatever she plans on doing with her life, it should probably happen in the few remaining minutes she has left.
There are angels. There are demons. They are the same thing. It's up to Carey and Kaitlyn to stop them. The survival of the human race is in their hands.
We are, all of us, well and truly screwed.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
241 people are currently reading
5594 people want to read
About the author
Robert Brockway
16 books496 followersI am Robert Brockway. I wrote The Vicious Circuit trilogy from Tor Books. I wrote Rx: A Tale of Electronegativity. I wrote Everything is Going to Kill Everybody. I am but a man.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
May 1, 2021
There was an orchestra of reverberating chimes harmonizing over a dull, roaring static. It was like a thousand beautiful voices singing to drown out a million more screaming.
The Unnoticeables follows two main story lines and a smaller third.
In 1977 we find Carey, a young punk in New York, as he and his friends fend off Angels and their forced human minions: the empty ones, tar men, and the unnoticables. Then in 2013, we have Kaitlyn, an out of work stunt double in Hollywood. She finds herself in the middle of a cosmic takeover when she meets a grown child-actor possessing evil superpowers and her friend suddenly goes missing. With the help of none other than a much older version of our 70s punk Carey, she sets off on a journey to reclaim her friend and kick anyone's ass who gets in her way.
The characters are the highlight of this book. Carey is hilarious and Kaitlyn is a full-on action hero.
This is boring, my brain said; nothing to see here. Let’s do something else. Let’s start a fire
The story is dark yet funny, full of excitement, foul humor, and filthy celestials. This genre mashup won't be for everyone but it pulled me in at the very beginning and never let go. This won't be the last novel I read from this author.
The Unnoticeables follows two main story lines and a smaller third.
In 1977 we find Carey, a young punk in New York, as he and his friends fend off Angels and their forced human minions: the empty ones, tar men, and the unnoticables. Then in 2013, we have Kaitlyn, an out of work stunt double in Hollywood. She finds herself in the middle of a cosmic takeover when she meets a grown child-actor possessing evil superpowers and her friend suddenly goes missing. With the help of none other than a much older version of our 70s punk Carey, she sets off on a journey to reclaim her friend and kick anyone's ass who gets in her way.
The characters are the highlight of this book. Carey is hilarious and Kaitlyn is a full-on action hero.
This is boring, my brain said; nothing to see here. Let’s do something else. Let’s start a fire
The story is dark yet funny, full of excitement, foul humor, and filthy celestials. This genre mashup won't be for everyone but it pulled me in at the very beginning and never let go. This won't be the last novel I read from this author.
July 29, 2016
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/07/29/...
What does a scraggly 1970s punk rocker in New York City have in common with a down-on-luck Hollywood stuntwoman in 2013? In this earthy mind-bending tale that spans time and geography, Robert Brockway takes readers on a strange, scary trip through the dark and twisted underbelly of the paranormal.
The Unnoticeables follows three different points of view. In 1977, Carey is a blithe young punk content with simply hanging out with his friends. But life suddenly gets weird. Disturbing rumors of “Tar Men” in the sewers are being whispered around the Manhattan punk scene, and then these strange kids with unnoticeable, forgettable features start cropping up all over the place. All he wants to do is drink and chase girls, but as the threat looms closer and his friends start disappearing or dying, Carey knows the only way to stop the madness is to bring the battle to the monsters.
Running in tandem with Carey’s storyline is another that takes place in 2013, which follows a struggling stuntwoman named Kaitlyn trying to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. One night at a Hollywood party, she meets a former teen heartthrob named Marco, who was her childhood celebrity crush back in the day when he was still the star of her favorite family sitcom. But when Kaitlyn finds herself alone with Marco in his car later that night, he turns into an inhuman creature and attacks her. Shaken, Kaitlyn barely escapes with her life, but then finds out that her best friend has gone missing after she was last seen at the same party.
The third point of view is much less defined. Interspersed throughout the novel are brief chapters from the perspective of an unidentified character, speaking about their own transformation. The purpose of these chapters will be unclear at first, but as events unfold this person will start providing a lot more context into what’s happening. Furthermore, as connections between Carey and Kaitlyn’s threads start to form, this mystery person will also help us understand and bridge the gap between the present and the past, showing how everything is related.
There’s a lot to love about The Unnoticeables. At first, it’s easy to mistake this one as quirky urban fantasy, with its portrayal of Carey and his group of burned out vagabond 70s punk pals, not to mention the bizarre, almost parodic picture of present day Hollywood through Kaitlyn’s eyes. But as the plot moves forward, the narrative ultimately slips into horror territory, becoming progressively darker and grimmer. The novel’s modest page count belies its heavier, more nihilistic themes and it is certainly not all sunshine and unicorns as more and more we are exposed to the increasingly graphic and gruesome violence in both Carey and Kaitlyn’s storylines.
And speaking of our protagonists, they were marvelous. I especially enjoyed Kaitlyn and her audacity and spirit. I loved her line about not having too many marketable skills, but hey, if you want to know how to jump out of a moving car going at fifty miles an hour, or need someone to fall down a flight of steps without breaking her neck, be sure to give her a call! Then there’s Carey, bringing a fascinating slice of the 70s youth subculture to life with his full-on Johnny Rotten-type persona. A novel starring a kickass stuntwoman and a punk rocker as its two protagonists? Nope, things don’t get much cooler than that.
Carey and Kaitlyn don’t know each other at the start of the book, but of course the best part was finding out how the two of them get together and team up. We alternate between his story and her story, going back and forth between 1977 and 2013, until they meet in Kaitlyn’s time. Carey, now much older, is a vagrant who collects cans in her neighborhood, but his own run-in with the Angels, Tar Men, and the Empty Ones more than thirty years ago makes him a formidable ally for Kaitlyn in her quest to save her friend. I had my doubts about the structure when I first started, but those were dashed as soon as the story picked up, and I saw what the author was trying to do. Let’s face it; so many things could have gone wrong with this format, with the potential to wreak absolute havoc on the story’s overall coherency and pacing, but I was surprised and impressed at how well it worked in the end, with Brockway nailing it without missing a beat.
I’m really looking forward to more of his writing. The Unnoticeables is a great start to a new series, and I’m very pleased that I got to read this just in time to dive into the sequel, The Empty Ones.
What does a scraggly 1970s punk rocker in New York City have in common with a down-on-luck Hollywood stuntwoman in 2013? In this earthy mind-bending tale that spans time and geography, Robert Brockway takes readers on a strange, scary trip through the dark and twisted underbelly of the paranormal.
The Unnoticeables follows three different points of view. In 1977, Carey is a blithe young punk content with simply hanging out with his friends. But life suddenly gets weird. Disturbing rumors of “Tar Men” in the sewers are being whispered around the Manhattan punk scene, and then these strange kids with unnoticeable, forgettable features start cropping up all over the place. All he wants to do is drink and chase girls, but as the threat looms closer and his friends start disappearing or dying, Carey knows the only way to stop the madness is to bring the battle to the monsters.
Running in tandem with Carey’s storyline is another that takes place in 2013, which follows a struggling stuntwoman named Kaitlyn trying to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. One night at a Hollywood party, she meets a former teen heartthrob named Marco, who was her childhood celebrity crush back in the day when he was still the star of her favorite family sitcom. But when Kaitlyn finds herself alone with Marco in his car later that night, he turns into an inhuman creature and attacks her. Shaken, Kaitlyn barely escapes with her life, but then finds out that her best friend has gone missing after she was last seen at the same party.
The third point of view is much less defined. Interspersed throughout the novel are brief chapters from the perspective of an unidentified character, speaking about their own transformation. The purpose of these chapters will be unclear at first, but as events unfold this person will start providing a lot more context into what’s happening. Furthermore, as connections between Carey and Kaitlyn’s threads start to form, this mystery person will also help us understand and bridge the gap between the present and the past, showing how everything is related.
There’s a lot to love about The Unnoticeables. At first, it’s easy to mistake this one as quirky urban fantasy, with its portrayal of Carey and his group of burned out vagabond 70s punk pals, not to mention the bizarre, almost parodic picture of present day Hollywood through Kaitlyn’s eyes. But as the plot moves forward, the narrative ultimately slips into horror territory, becoming progressively darker and grimmer. The novel’s modest page count belies its heavier, more nihilistic themes and it is certainly not all sunshine and unicorns as more and more we are exposed to the increasingly graphic and gruesome violence in both Carey and Kaitlyn’s storylines.
And speaking of our protagonists, they were marvelous. I especially enjoyed Kaitlyn and her audacity and spirit. I loved her line about not having too many marketable skills, but hey, if you want to know how to jump out of a moving car going at fifty miles an hour, or need someone to fall down a flight of steps without breaking her neck, be sure to give her a call! Then there’s Carey, bringing a fascinating slice of the 70s youth subculture to life with his full-on Johnny Rotten-type persona. A novel starring a kickass stuntwoman and a punk rocker as its two protagonists? Nope, things don’t get much cooler than that.
Carey and Kaitlyn don’t know each other at the start of the book, but of course the best part was finding out how the two of them get together and team up. We alternate between his story and her story, going back and forth between 1977 and 2013, until they meet in Kaitlyn’s time. Carey, now much older, is a vagrant who collects cans in her neighborhood, but his own run-in with the Angels, Tar Men, and the Empty Ones more than thirty years ago makes him a formidable ally for Kaitlyn in her quest to save her friend. I had my doubts about the structure when I first started, but those were dashed as soon as the story picked up, and I saw what the author was trying to do. Let’s face it; so many things could have gone wrong with this format, with the potential to wreak absolute havoc on the story’s overall coherency and pacing, but I was surprised and impressed at how well it worked in the end, with Brockway nailing it without missing a beat.
I’m really looking forward to more of his writing. The Unnoticeables is a great start to a new series, and I’m very pleased that I got to read this just in time to dive into the sequel, The Empty Ones.
June 24, 2015
WOW!
This was F***ING AWESOME!
Think The World's End meets The Strain.
Gloriously brutal and gore, darkly humorous and absolutely unputdownable. What a freaking wild ride! If you like sharp wit, fast-paced action, ominous and somewhat existential themes mixed with some seriously whacked-out scifi monsters, you will literally gobble this book down. I know I did!!!
I didn't think much about this book when it first arrived at my doorstep. Well, I did think that the cover was pretty badass, but I haven't heard anything about the novel or the writer behind it, so I didn't know what to expect. I picked it up merely to read a couple passages and get an idea what it was about (at that time, there was only one vague Goodreads review and I thought the official book synopsis made this story sound heavy, convoluted and maybe even annoyingly surreal). I got sucked in immediately. The writing style (the awesome alternating points of view placed in two different timelines that blended together seamlessly towards the end of the book), the characters (probably two of my favorite characters EVER), the head-spinning action, the impressively complex and deliciously quirky plot line and, finally, the vividly painted backdrop of 1977 punk scene sent me into a reading frenzy. And it was one roller-freaking-coaster ride, people!
The Unnoticables is both madcap and ingenious. It's like the perfect blend of dark comedy and gut-twisting horror visuals that accomplishes what very few other books or movies manage to accomplish - it makes you laugh like a maniac while terrifying you to the core at the same time. There are many scenes in this book with this kind of dual effect on the reader, but the one I'm most in love with takes place in the sewer tunnels. There is so much intensity there, that when the characters do or say something funny, you literally choke out laughs that sound like very high-pitched whimpers. It's maddening, but also oddly addicting. I want more of that stuff, please.
Undeniably, this probably isn't a book for the faint of heart. There are many scenes here that can twist your stomach into a knot and make you shudder with disgust (and we are talking people raped to bloody pulps, broken limbs, etc). The author does not fixate on those, nor does he elaborate on them unless it is necessary, but still, for many readers it will still be too much. I didn't mind *shrugs*. Maybe that calls in question my own mental stability, but I actually enjoy horror (even gore horror) done right, and this one here is one of the finest ones I've ever read.
In my opinion, The Unnoticables is simply phenomenal. An astonishing genre mash-up that is both heartfelt and entertaining. Sporting a charismatic cast of characters and unique atmosphere of hilarious dread, it deftly avoids the typical horror book cliches in favor of more savory mix of supernatural thrills and B-class gore. I can't rave about it enough. If you enjoy a good scare and an even better belly-laugh, you simply must read it.
This was F***ING AWESOME!
Think The World's End meets The Strain.
Gloriously brutal and gore, darkly humorous and absolutely unputdownable. What a freaking wild ride! If you like sharp wit, fast-paced action, ominous and somewhat existential themes mixed with some seriously whacked-out scifi monsters, you will literally gobble this book down. I know I did!!!
I didn't think much about this book when it first arrived at my doorstep. Well, I did think that the cover was pretty badass, but I haven't heard anything about the novel or the writer behind it, so I didn't know what to expect. I picked it up merely to read a couple passages and get an idea what it was about (at that time, there was only one vague Goodreads review and I thought the official book synopsis made this story sound heavy, convoluted and maybe even annoyingly surreal). I got sucked in immediately. The writing style (the awesome alternating points of view placed in two different timelines that blended together seamlessly towards the end of the book), the characters (probably two of my favorite characters EVER), the head-spinning action, the impressively complex and deliciously quirky plot line and, finally, the vividly painted backdrop of 1977 punk scene sent me into a reading frenzy. And it was one roller-freaking-coaster ride, people!
The Unnoticables is both madcap and ingenious. It's like the perfect blend of dark comedy and gut-twisting horror visuals that accomplishes what very few other books or movies manage to accomplish - it makes you laugh like a maniac while terrifying you to the core at the same time. There are many scenes in this book with this kind of dual effect on the reader, but the one I'm most in love with takes place in the sewer tunnels. There is so much intensity there, that when the characters do or say something funny, you literally choke out laughs that sound like very high-pitched whimpers. It's maddening, but also oddly addicting. I want more of that stuff, please.
Undeniably, this probably isn't a book for the faint of heart. There are many scenes here that can twist your stomach into a knot and make you shudder with disgust (and we are talking people raped to bloody pulps, broken limbs, etc). The author does not fixate on those, nor does he elaborate on them unless it is necessary, but still, for many readers it will still be too much. I didn't mind *shrugs*. Maybe that calls in question my own mental stability, but I actually enjoy horror (even gore horror) done right, and this one here is one of the finest ones I've ever read.
In my opinion, The Unnoticables is simply phenomenal. An astonishing genre mash-up that is both heartfelt and entertaining. Sporting a charismatic cast of characters and unique atmosphere of hilarious dread, it deftly avoids the typical horror book cliches in favor of more savory mix of supernatural thrills and B-class gore. I can't rave about it enough. If you enjoy a good scare and an even better belly-laugh, you simply must read it.
January 14, 2018
Good concept, entertaining and witty occasionally, but really lacked any oomph or ah-ha moments. Felt very YA-ey and kind of elementary.
Dick art, drinking Swine, botched date rape, warning farts, and the lube that greases the gears of the universe.
Not bad. Not great. Just kind of meh. Bummer.
Dick art, drinking Swine, botched date rape, warning farts, and the lube that greases the gears of the universe.
Not bad. Not great. Just kind of meh. Bummer.
September 20, 2015
Okay, in truth, this book wasn’t quite as good as I’d been expecting. I won this in a giveaway, and I was crazy excited to sit down to read it. Unfortunately, when it came down to it I spent my time battling between three and four stars. In the end, I couldn’t quite give it the four stars.
In truth, I think there was too much focus upon sexual activities. In no way am I a prude or against this in books (hell, there are some bad ones on my read list) but I felt as though it was constantly on the side-lines and seemed to be dragging attention away from the story. It was sort of like saying ‘oh look at the monsters, they’re so cool, but we’d rather watch the sex’. Okay, it wasn’t quite like that but such is the feeling I was left with.
So, not at all what I was expecting on that front.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting concept. I feel as though it could have been taken much further, though. I guess if there had been a wee bit more I would have been able to give the full four stars rather than the three, but we did seem to miss out some.
Overall, a fun read for a giveaway win but not my favourite read of the year.
In truth, I think there was too much focus upon sexual activities. In no way am I a prude or against this in books (hell, there are some bad ones on my read list) but I felt as though it was constantly on the side-lines and seemed to be dragging attention away from the story. It was sort of like saying ‘oh look at the monsters, they’re so cool, but we’d rather watch the sex’. Okay, it wasn’t quite like that but such is the feeling I was left with.
So, not at all what I was expecting on that front.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting concept. I feel as though it could have been taken much further, though. I guess if there had been a wee bit more I would have been able to give the full four stars rather than the three, but we did seem to miss out some.
Overall, a fun read for a giveaway win but not my favourite read of the year.
November 15, 2018
This book was crazy, goofy, gory, fast-paced, and a lot of punk rock fun. What more could you want?
February 13, 2016
This book took me a while to finish. While I would like to say that it had something to do with the fact that I have spent the past few weeks anxiously anticipating settlement of my first home, and then spent a week peeling wallpaper, painting, and moving, but I don't think it is. As the book continued I found it harder and harder to finish. There was no motivation for me to keep reading, as the whole story did not really seem to make much sense to me.
The story focuses on Carey, a New York punk from the 1970's, and Kaitlyn, an aspiring stuntwoman in 2013. Both characters come into contact with 'angels,' as well as beings they call the Empty Ones, and both have had people they care about kidnapped by these beings and try to get down to the bottom of what is happening. I don't really understand why these two times were used, what makes Carey and Kaitlyn so special that they seem to be targeted, and what these beings actually wanted with them. Firstly, I don't think this book was long enough to really develop the characters. Carey was stronger than Kaitlyn by far, and I felt that he was the protagonist here, as the story seemed to revolve around him in almost all respects. But I didn't care about either of them. Whether they lived or died, I couldn't have cared less.
I think there were too many elements to really explain in a short space of time. There were the angels, the Empty ones, the Tar Men, the great bundle of gears (I have no idea what that was even about), and a man called Gus, who was apparently their leader...or something like that. It wasn't that the ideas weren't good, they were just poorly executed. How was it that Kaitlyn was able to break the angel, and succeed where so many others had failed?
I'm not explaining this right. I wasn't moving, but there was motion and sensation and...Look, I jump through windows and serve sandwiches for a living. I'm not a poet, I've certainly never had to explain being removed from existence before, so cut me some goddamned slack, okay?
There were parts of this book that were written really well, mostly those that were noted as being by 'unnamed, unknown.' Some thoughtful prose and clever thinking, but this was not really reflected in the rest of the story. The best idea was the thought of humans being something to be fixed, like we are some kind of broken code, and there are some problems that cannot be solved. It is like a search for perfection, but not everyone is perfect, and what does 'perfect' even mean? While this was a great idea, it wasn't reflected in any other part of the story.
There are also fundamental elements of what we are inside - spiritual, psychic, psychological, what have you - that are being expressed inefficiently. Our parts are too complicated. They can be reduced. They can be solved.
Human beings have a solution.
This book was often confusing, disjointed, and I found it difficult to really associate with either of the main characters. Perhaps if this book focused on either Carey or Kaitlyn primarily and really allowed the reader to get to know them, much more could be given to the story. There was some occasional humour, nothing laugh out loud funny, and it changed between taking itself seriously and a more tongue-in-cheek approach. I don't think this book really knew what it wanted to be, and in the end there wasn't enough time to tell a story with so many different characters and ideas.
The story focuses on Carey, a New York punk from the 1970's, and Kaitlyn, an aspiring stuntwoman in 2013. Both characters come into contact with 'angels,' as well as beings they call the Empty Ones, and both have had people they care about kidnapped by these beings and try to get down to the bottom of what is happening. I don't really understand why these two times were used, what makes Carey and Kaitlyn so special that they seem to be targeted, and what these beings actually wanted with them. Firstly, I don't think this book was long enough to really develop the characters. Carey was stronger than Kaitlyn by far, and I felt that he was the protagonist here, as the story seemed to revolve around him in almost all respects. But I didn't care about either of them. Whether they lived or died, I couldn't have cared less.
I think there were too many elements to really explain in a short space of time. There were the angels, the Empty ones, the Tar Men, the great bundle of gears (I have no idea what that was even about), and a man called Gus, who was apparently their leader...or something like that. It wasn't that the ideas weren't good, they were just poorly executed. How was it that Kaitlyn was able to break the angel, and succeed where so many others had failed?
I'm not explaining this right. I wasn't moving, but there was motion and sensation and...Look, I jump through windows and serve sandwiches for a living. I'm not a poet, I've certainly never had to explain being removed from existence before, so cut me some goddamned slack, okay?
There were parts of this book that were written really well, mostly those that were noted as being by 'unnamed, unknown.' Some thoughtful prose and clever thinking, but this was not really reflected in the rest of the story. The best idea was the thought of humans being something to be fixed, like we are some kind of broken code, and there are some problems that cannot be solved. It is like a search for perfection, but not everyone is perfect, and what does 'perfect' even mean? While this was a great idea, it wasn't reflected in any other part of the story.
There are also fundamental elements of what we are inside - spiritual, psychic, psychological, what have you - that are being expressed inefficiently. Our parts are too complicated. They can be reduced. They can be solved.
Human beings have a solution.
This book was often confusing, disjointed, and I found it difficult to really associate with either of the main characters. Perhaps if this book focused on either Carey or Kaitlyn primarily and really allowed the reader to get to know them, much more could be given to the story. There was some occasional humour, nothing laugh out loud funny, and it changed between taking itself seriously and a more tongue-in-cheek approach. I don't think this book really knew what it wanted to be, and in the end there wasn't enough time to tell a story with so many different characters and ideas.
August 14, 2016
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if there's something Cracked.com has given me, asides from the awesome articles and hilariously interesting factoids, is a veritable cornucopia of excellent novels from some of their staff of regular writers.
This one, the first novel I got from Mr. Brockway, is no exception: I just couldn't put it down from start to finish, devoring the digital pages of my kindle one after another. The presentation is excellent, the world-building is superb and I just love how interconnected the two narrators (one, a punk kid in a 70's New York; the other, a female stunt-double in present-day Los Angeles) become, as well as how their narratives are structured. Also: Wash is awesome, and should be in every book, ever made.
Some passages are really gorey, in a borderline-pornographic, body-horror sort of way which elicits the same reaction from the characters as it does the reader: impact, mind-snapping-shut, a refusal to keep on watching and just wanting to turn back (the pages after reading them, of course). Others are plain hilarious, in that special brand of humor I thoroughly enjoy.
And the mythos that carry the plot forward! The Angels, the Tar Men, the Unnoticeables, the Empty Ones... I want to keep on reading about them, about their history, their relation with the Mechanic, their past and future and their interactions with that pesky unsolved equation called humanity.
My only complaint, and the one reason this one won't end up in my favorites shelf (even though I was so certain it would, for most of the journey), is that I found the novel's ending to be rather subdued when compared to the romp-stop that is the rest of the journey. Almost as if Mr Brockway was either more of a tease than your regular playmate cover, or as if he decided to cut some content in hopes that it can be made into a second volume.
I'd rather not imagine the author's naked body artfully covered with sand on some anynomous beach. So I'm crossing my fingers its the second, because I'd really really love to delve deeper into this world.
This one, the first novel I got from Mr. Brockway, is no exception: I just couldn't put it down from start to finish, devoring the digital pages of my kindle one after another. The presentation is excellent, the world-building is superb and I just love how interconnected the two narrators (one, a punk kid in a 70's New York; the other, a female stunt-double in present-day Los Angeles) become, as well as how their narratives are structured. Also: Wash is awesome, and should be in every book, ever made.
Some passages are really gorey, in a borderline-pornographic, body-horror sort of way which elicits the same reaction from the characters as it does the reader: impact, mind-snapping-shut, a refusal to keep on watching and just wanting to turn back (the pages after reading them, of course). Others are plain hilarious, in that special brand of humor I thoroughly enjoy.
And the mythos that carry the plot forward! The Angels, the Tar Men, the Unnoticeables, the Empty Ones... I want to keep on reading about them, about their history, their relation with the Mechanic, their past and future and their interactions with that pesky unsolved equation called humanity.
My only complaint, and the one reason this one won't end up in my favorites shelf (even though I was so certain it would, for most of the journey), is that I found the novel's ending to be rather subdued when compared to the romp-stop that is the rest of the journey. Almost as if Mr Brockway was either more of a tease than your regular playmate cover, or as if he decided to cut some content in hopes that it can be made into a second volume.
I'd rather not imagine the author's naked body artfully covered with sand on some anynomous beach. So I'm crossing my fingers its the second, because I'd really really love to delve deeper into this world.
July 18, 2022
I F*CKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
If I had to describe it in 3 words I’d say The Unnoticeables is cool, wacky, and exhilarating. Robert Brockway has an incredibly unique writing style and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The Unnoticeables is a dual timeline novel that flips between two very unique perspectives. Our protagonists are Cary, a 1970s punk rocker who spends his time in dive bars while busying himself with girls, booze, and a good time; and Kaitlyn, a young stunt double living in 2013 Los Angeles constantly looking for her next gig to make ends meet. These characters could not be more different but what they share in common is an approach to life marked by complete and utter reckless abandon.
What I loved about this book is that it is absolutely UNHINGED from the get go. Cary and Kaitlyn both experience similar crossings with the type of monster that only a deeply disturbed author could fathom. Their journeys, although set in vastly different timelines, converge fairly early as Cary joins Kaitlyn in her quest to save her friends from the wrath of The Angels and their army of Unnoticeables. What’s super cool about the dual perspectives is that Cary has been fighting these monsters for decades leading him to provide solutions to many of the situations that Kaitlyn finds herself in. Brockway will flip back to Cary’s timeline after some wild shit happens to Kaitlyn and we get to learn how Cary discovered these tactics in the first place.
While incredibly complex and layered, this book was such an easy read for me. The first quarter or so I was literally lost and debated putting it down because I just could not understand what the hell was happening, but once everything was explained and more details came to light I was sold. I found myself pulling this book out anytime I had even 5 minutes to spare because I just couldn’t wait to immerse myself in this bizarre and fantastical universe.
It’s rare to find a book that ticks all of your boxes, but I really found a perfect ‘Lannerz read’ in this one. I live for an urban fantasy/dystopian that’s fast paced and exciting but is still character driven without the majority of the plot being carried by characters just having conversations with each other.
If you’re into novels that are atmospheric, rock and roll inspired, sex fuelled, creepy, gothic, and weird as shit - you should absolutely get your hands on this one.
5 ⭐️
If I had to describe it in 3 words I’d say The Unnoticeables is cool, wacky, and exhilarating. Robert Brockway has an incredibly unique writing style and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The Unnoticeables is a dual timeline novel that flips between two very unique perspectives. Our protagonists are Cary, a 1970s punk rocker who spends his time in dive bars while busying himself with girls, booze, and a good time; and Kaitlyn, a young stunt double living in 2013 Los Angeles constantly looking for her next gig to make ends meet. These characters could not be more different but what they share in common is an approach to life marked by complete and utter reckless abandon.
What I loved about this book is that it is absolutely UNHINGED from the get go. Cary and Kaitlyn both experience similar crossings with the type of monster that only a deeply disturbed author could fathom. Their journeys, although set in vastly different timelines, converge fairly early as Cary joins Kaitlyn in her quest to save her friends from the wrath of The Angels and their army of Unnoticeables. What’s super cool about the dual perspectives is that Cary has been fighting these monsters for decades leading him to provide solutions to many of the situations that Kaitlyn finds herself in. Brockway will flip back to Cary’s timeline after some wild shit happens to Kaitlyn and we get to learn how Cary discovered these tactics in the first place.
While incredibly complex and layered, this book was such an easy read for me. The first quarter or so I was literally lost and debated putting it down because I just could not understand what the hell was happening, but once everything was explained and more details came to light I was sold. I found myself pulling this book out anytime I had even 5 minutes to spare because I just couldn’t wait to immerse myself in this bizarre and fantastical universe.
It’s rare to find a book that ticks all of your boxes, but I really found a perfect ‘Lannerz read’ in this one. I live for an urban fantasy/dystopian that’s fast paced and exciting but is still character driven without the majority of the plot being carried by characters just having conversations with each other.
If you’re into novels that are atmospheric, rock and roll inspired, sex fuelled, creepy, gothic, and weird as shit - you should absolutely get your hands on this one.
5 ⭐️
September 2, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
As soon as I saw the word « angels », I was intrigued by the story. Moreover, I must say that we have a fairly specific vision of these beings and they are often always kind and caring. It’s true that it was quite surprising that the author did not play on this table and at the same time, this is what is the most intriguing. It’s a completely different story from what we usually have.
We follow in this novel three different points of view, although it is actually two. I will start ith the first of them which appears infrequently. These chapters do not last very long and are spread out on a few pages. It must be said that it is quite difficult to really locate this character. The name is never given and everything remains rather vague but we understand that the protagonist is evolving through a phase that will change him forever. As I said these passages are difficult to pinpoint, but as we advance in the story we understand a bit more about what’s going on.
But now back to the two other points of view that we actually follow throughout history. We first follow a young punk, Carey, evolving in 1977, a street boy who only thinks of girls and of drinking beer all day. But everything changes the day he discovers that some strange creatures live in the city, creatures that seem to kidnap and kill some of his friends. Refusing to let go, Carey is determined to understand what is happening and to place himself in the path of these anomalies to complicate their task.
Secondly, we follow Kaitlyn, a young woman living in Hollywood in 2013 and who wishes to become a stunt unlike many girls working there. Things start to get weird when she realizes that an angel lives not far from her street but everything messes up when at a party, she meets with her childhood idol. Marco has it all, or that is certainly the case until he starts acting strangely… Because of that, our heroine tries to avoid him like the plague. Moreover, as her best friend disappears, Kaitlyn will end up just like Carey in a world she does not know about. But fortunately, the young woman will cross the path of Carey to help her in her quest.
I loved to follow this story. It was interesting to play between the past and present protagonists. Carey is found in both parts while he passes from a main to a secondary character and it’s true that it was interesting to see what he became and what happened exactly. We easily like both and we stay passionate by all the events they go through to understand more about these strange angels. I found that the author had perfectly created an unusual atmosphere for his novel and the story itself is very different from what I’ve read so far.
Yes I was quickly carried away by all this and I had a great time with the whole novel. I am curious to read more about the writings of the author at present.
My English review
As soon as I saw the word « angels », I was intrigued by the story. Moreover, I must say that we have a fairly specific vision of these beings and they are often always kind and caring. It’s true that it was quite surprising that the author did not play on this table and at the same time, this is what is the most intriguing. It’s a completely different story from what we usually have.
We follow in this novel three different points of view, although it is actually two. I will start ith the first of them which appears infrequently. These chapters do not last very long and are spread out on a few pages. It must be said that it is quite difficult to really locate this character. The name is never given and everything remains rather vague but we understand that the protagonist is evolving through a phase that will change him forever. As I said these passages are difficult to pinpoint, but as we advance in the story we understand a bit more about what’s going on.
But now back to the two other points of view that we actually follow throughout history. We first follow a young punk, Carey, evolving in 1977, a street boy who only thinks of girls and of drinking beer all day. But everything changes the day he discovers that some strange creatures live in the city, creatures that seem to kidnap and kill some of his friends. Refusing to let go, Carey is determined to understand what is happening and to place himself in the path of these anomalies to complicate their task.
Secondly, we follow Kaitlyn, a young woman living in Hollywood in 2013 and who wishes to become a stunt unlike many girls working there. Things start to get weird when she realizes that an angel lives not far from her street but everything messes up when at a party, she meets with her childhood idol. Marco has it all, or that is certainly the case until he starts acting strangely… Because of that, our heroine tries to avoid him like the plague. Moreover, as her best friend disappears, Kaitlyn will end up just like Carey in a world she does not know about. But fortunately, the young woman will cross the path of Carey to help her in her quest.
I loved to follow this story. It was interesting to play between the past and present protagonists. Carey is found in both parts while he passes from a main to a secondary character and it’s true that it was interesting to see what he became and what happened exactly. We easily like both and we stay passionate by all the events they go through to understand more about these strange angels. I found that the author had perfectly created an unusual atmosphere for his novel and the story itself is very different from what I’ve read so far.
Yes I was quickly carried away by all this and I had a great time with the whole novel. I am curious to read more about the writings of the author at present.
September 18, 2016
Good book. Maybe a little too "busy" with the plot at times to give its fantastic cast of characters the necessary breathing room to shine through, but definitely a good book nonetheless. I preferred the contemporary timeline to the 1977 one exactly because of that. The scenes were slower, more atmospheric and the bad guy Marco, had this terrifying charisma to it. I liked THE UNNOTICEABLES much better for its cast than for its overarching plot of balance between good and evil. These two concepts are largely the same in every novel but it's how people react to it that makes a novel interesting or not and Robert Brockway understands that.
The idea of a "greater moral order" and people who may or may not fit it is very moving to me and I thought it was where THE UNNOTICEABLES truly shined despite its rigid structure. Beautiful and accessible novel that can be read both as mainstream entertainment and as an ethical allegory. I dug it.
The idea of a "greater moral order" and people who may or may not fit it is very moving to me and I thought it was where THE UNNOTICEABLES truly shined despite its rigid structure. Beautiful and accessible novel that can be read both as mainstream entertainment and as an ethical allegory. I dug it.
February 27, 2018
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Part horror, part fantasy, part sci-fi, and one hundred percent entertaining, The Unnoticeables is a punk rock opus, where the creepy, the graphic, and the humorous come together to create something ever so delectable. Robert Brockway’s delicious tale of the paranormal doing its very best to encourage you to come unhinged – but only in the very best of ways.
Three different points of view drive this story. In New York City’s punk rock scene of 1977, Carey is a young punk, happy to chase after his next girl and his next beer all day long. But things change when he witnesses a “Tar Man” up close. This urban legend coming to life before his eyes; the unbelievable rumors of these weird creatures kidnaping and killing people suddenly not complete garbage anymore. And when these damn things begin coming after his friends, Carey decides to do what he does best: be a royal pain in the ass.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, California circa 2013, Kaitlyn is a young woman trying to become a stunt woman in a city filled with wannabe actors. Other than her career going nowhere, she can’t complain about her current situation too much (though a tragic incident from the past does still haunt her). That is until one night at a Hollywood party she bums a ride home off Marco, a former teen heartthrob, whom she once had an adolescent crush on. This person revealing himself to be something inhuman, terrifying Kaitlyn to the core, and causing her to instantly fear for her best friend who does not return home from the same party.
The third point of view is a mysterious person. Unnamed at the beginning. Unidentified until much later. The brief interludes with this individual providing context to the creepy entities both Carey and Kaitlyn find themselves facing, bridging both the distance and the gulf of time between 1977 NYC and 2013 LA.
What Mr. Brockway has accomplished with The Unnoticeables is difficult to articulate. Honestly, going into my read, I was expecting a gory urban fantasy, a punk rock horror-fest, a quirky paranormal adventure, or some combination thereof; all entertaining options to be sure. Instead, I found myself reading a genre blending piece of literature which made me laugh at punk pals trying to pull girls, sneer at the eye rolling idiocy of Hollywood, be shocked by unexpected Tar Men, watch in horror as I learned about Empty Ones, and cringe in shock at the gore and nihilistic plans for humanity. The shortness of the novel allowing me to rush from one emotion to another without a break, mimicking the emotional surges of a fast paced, adrenaline filled theatrical presentation.
A great deal of my fondness for this story is tied to the lead characters. Carey is exactly the type of smart-ass punk I always find myself cheering for, and Kaitlyn’s spirited stunt woman persona was a great balance to her belligerent co-star and a great viewpoint to witness the City of Angels really turning into a “city of angels of death.” The constant back and forth structure of the narrative allowing me to enjoy each of these very different people handling eerily similar problems without ever growing tired of either.
If our protagonists brought The Unnoticeables to life the creepy Tar Men, Empty Ones, and other inhuman denizens were the driving force of this bizarre, mind-bending trip into the land of angels, demons, and worthless humanity. The unseen and unrecognizable entities terrifying in their gradual introduction, mesmerizing in their growing mythos, and borderline horrifying in their nightmarish purposes. Mr. Brockway handling these unearthly denizens with an unerring hand, nailing their portrayal and developing them into antagonists many readers will find it hard to forget.
I really enjoyed this introduction to Robert Brockway’s writing and the Vicious Circuit series. Definitely an author I want to read more from in the future . . . which is great, considering I’m currently finishing off the next book two, The Empty Ones!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Part horror, part fantasy, part sci-fi, and one hundred percent entertaining, The Unnoticeables is a punk rock opus, where the creepy, the graphic, and the humorous come together to create something ever so delectable. Robert Brockway’s delicious tale of the paranormal doing its very best to encourage you to come unhinged – but only in the very best of ways.
Three different points of view drive this story. In New York City’s punk rock scene of 1977, Carey is a young punk, happy to chase after his next girl and his next beer all day long. But things change when he witnesses a “Tar Man” up close. This urban legend coming to life before his eyes; the unbelievable rumors of these weird creatures kidnaping and killing people suddenly not complete garbage anymore. And when these damn things begin coming after his friends, Carey decides to do what he does best: be a royal pain in the ass.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, California circa 2013, Kaitlyn is a young woman trying to become a stunt woman in a city filled with wannabe actors. Other than her career going nowhere, she can’t complain about her current situation too much (though a tragic incident from the past does still haunt her). That is until one night at a Hollywood party she bums a ride home off Marco, a former teen heartthrob, whom she once had an adolescent crush on. This person revealing himself to be something inhuman, terrifying Kaitlyn to the core, and causing her to instantly fear for her best friend who does not return home from the same party.
The third point of view is a mysterious person. Unnamed at the beginning. Unidentified until much later. The brief interludes with this individual providing context to the creepy entities both Carey and Kaitlyn find themselves facing, bridging both the distance and the gulf of time between 1977 NYC and 2013 LA.
What Mr. Brockway has accomplished with The Unnoticeables is difficult to articulate. Honestly, going into my read, I was expecting a gory urban fantasy, a punk rock horror-fest, a quirky paranormal adventure, or some combination thereof; all entertaining options to be sure. Instead, I found myself reading a genre blending piece of literature which made me laugh at punk pals trying to pull girls, sneer at the eye rolling idiocy of Hollywood, be shocked by unexpected Tar Men, watch in horror as I learned about Empty Ones, and cringe in shock at the gore and nihilistic plans for humanity. The shortness of the novel allowing me to rush from one emotion to another without a break, mimicking the emotional surges of a fast paced, adrenaline filled theatrical presentation.
A great deal of my fondness for this story is tied to the lead characters. Carey is exactly the type of smart-ass punk I always find myself cheering for, and Kaitlyn’s spirited stunt woman persona was a great balance to her belligerent co-star and a great viewpoint to witness the City of Angels really turning into a “city of angels of death.” The constant back and forth structure of the narrative allowing me to enjoy each of these very different people handling eerily similar problems without ever growing tired of either.
If our protagonists brought The Unnoticeables to life the creepy Tar Men, Empty Ones, and other inhuman denizens were the driving force of this bizarre, mind-bending trip into the land of angels, demons, and worthless humanity. The unseen and unrecognizable entities terrifying in their gradual introduction, mesmerizing in their growing mythos, and borderline horrifying in their nightmarish purposes. Mr. Brockway handling these unearthly denizens with an unerring hand, nailing their portrayal and developing them into antagonists many readers will find it hard to forget.
I really enjoyed this introduction to Robert Brockway’s writing and the Vicious Circuit series. Definitely an author I want to read more from in the future . . . which is great, considering I’m currently finishing off the next book two, The Empty Ones!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
March 27, 2016
Too many things slapping around
Preface: Here's my personal rating guide:
- Five stars is when you read a book to the end, put it down, take a deep breath, pick it up and start reading it all over again
- Four stars is when you tell yourself : ”This is good, this is well-written, this is full of interesting ideas/characters/plot points”, but you know you will never read it again
- Three stars is when you read it to the end, put it down and proceed to forget all about it in the next instant
- Two stars when it's so bad that it makes you laugh and want to write a review, but you can't remember the name of the book so you don't.
- One star when you can't read past chapter 3, even as penance for your sins.
I need a new category for this book: Two stars for when you think there's maybe a book in this somewhere, but there's so many problems with it, and you know you'd like to say something positive to reinforce the author, and maybe help them, but can't shake the frustration of how to review it.
There are some good elements in this book. The non-human entities, how they come to be, what they represent, the spunk & humor of the protagonists, and more.
It's just that they are entwined like so much spaghetti in a whole mess of other things that distract from making this an enjoyable read. I'm not going to write the spoilers, but the pasttime of the non-humans got SUPER TIRING to read about, and it never, ever provided any back reasoning to the plot arc. It's like that pasttime was simply a writer's exercise to see how much of this he could put into a book & get away with it.
Secondary characters were not developed enough for me to care about what happened to them, and so the primary character's motivation was always insufficient for me.
And on and on.
The positive thing to say about this book is that there is a book in here somewhere. But it's pretty much just like the Empty Ones - a lot of words, spoken with very little connection to the hearer / reader.
Preface: Here's my personal rating guide:
- Five stars is when you read a book to the end, put it down, take a deep breath, pick it up and start reading it all over again
- Four stars is when you tell yourself : ”This is good, this is well-written, this is full of interesting ideas/characters/plot points”, but you know you will never read it again
- Three stars is when you read it to the end, put it down and proceed to forget all about it in the next instant
- Two stars when it's so bad that it makes you laugh and want to write a review, but you can't remember the name of the book so you don't.
- One star when you can't read past chapter 3, even as penance for your sins.
I need a new category for this book: Two stars for when you think there's maybe a book in this somewhere, but there's so many problems with it, and you know you'd like to say something positive to reinforce the author, and maybe help them, but can't shake the frustration of how to review it.
There are some good elements in this book. The non-human entities, how they come to be, what they represent, the spunk & humor of the protagonists, and more.
It's just that they are entwined like so much spaghetti in a whole mess of other things that distract from making this an enjoyable read. I'm not going to write the spoilers, but the pasttime of the non-humans got SUPER TIRING to read about, and it never, ever provided any back reasoning to the plot arc. It's like that pasttime was simply a writer's exercise to see how much of this he could put into a book & get away with it.
Secondary characters were not developed enough for me to care about what happened to them, and so the primary character's motivation was always insufficient for me.
And on and on.
The positive thing to say about this book is that there is a book in here somewhere. But it's pretty much just like the Empty Ones - a lot of words, spoken with very little connection to the hearer / reader.
May 23, 2020
A fast, gruesome but very funny read to be sure, Brockway delivers! The story oscillates between the NYC punk scene in 1977 with the MC being a great big, bloody asshole named Carey, and 2013 in LA with the MC being a stuntwoman/waitress named Kaitlyn. In both places, the world is inhabited by things which seem like people, but they are 'unnoticeables'-- you cannot really see them or remember them, but they seem hell bent on taking out Carey and Kaitlyn. There are also 'tar men', who dissolve your flesh for no good reason, and 'angels' made of bright light who 'fix' people by solving their problems by destroying their brain/being or accidentally turning them into more unnoticeables and tar men. All the monsters named take pleasure by shoving people them into machines that turn them into bloody mist.
This book had me laughing through out, even in the most gruesome parts, primarily due to the antics of Carey, who is one of the best characters I have read in some time. So many great scenes packed into a rather thin volume it is impossible to describe them here. Loved the punk references (I saw the Ramones in concert in the early 80s and Brockway has the punk scene down to a tee) and the snarky rip of contemporary Hollywood. An excellent first installment in a trilogy.
This book had me laughing through out, even in the most gruesome parts, primarily due to the antics of Carey, who is one of the best characters I have read in some time. So many great scenes packed into a rather thin volume it is impossible to describe them here. Loved the punk references (I saw the Ramones in concert in the early 80s and Brockway has the punk scene down to a tee) and the snarky rip of contemporary Hollywood. An excellent first installment in a trilogy.
April 12, 2023
The Unnoticeables sets up the reader for a roller-coaster ride, swooping between two (and sometimes three) characters and time periods without losing momentum, building up to a spectacular and satisfying conclusion. It was fascinating to follow Carey and Kaitlyn as their stories slowly intersected and became one woven skein of story. The "unnoticeables" of the title are truly disturbing and scary, and the way Carey, Kaitlyn and others react to them is extremely believable, pulling the reader farther into the story as it becomes easier and easier to identify with the characters. I laughed out loud at one character (Marco) even while finding him very creepy. Great read. This is the first I've heard of Robert Brockway, but now I want to read everything by him that I can find.
June 24, 2016
This is just a horrible book. Bad writing, bad plot, bad characters.
It's so bad it's funny to see just how much worse it can get.
It's so bad it's funny to see just how much worse it can get.
November 24, 2017
The only thing prohibiting me from including that 5th star is that drag on ending - I grew a little impatient and that is my fault alone, not the authors! I also added the splatterpunk tag- as I think this read deems worthy! We have punks and gore – so comeon! lol
! We started with a big punk scene- reminiscent of the 70s in NYC, and introduced the supernatural villains, I thought that all characters were very interesting and unique. I enjoyed how the author fleshed them out, but we really didn’t get to know them too well- but that’s ok. This was more about action then character study!
The dialogue was pretty much all Dark witty humor, which is totally my cup of tea!
Standout scene: Hello Zombie Orgy! Lol pardon my love for all things trash, but – ok, let’s admit that was hot. HAHAH
Without giving too much away, I can see how symbolic this book is in regards to Hollywood stars. They are truly the Empty ones in real life too.
! We started with a big punk scene- reminiscent of the 70s in NYC, and introduced the supernatural villains, I thought that all characters were very interesting and unique. I enjoyed how the author fleshed them out, but we really didn’t get to know them too well- but that’s ok. This was more about action then character study!
The dialogue was pretty much all Dark witty humor, which is totally my cup of tea!
Standout scene: Hello Zombie Orgy! Lol pardon my love for all things trash, but – ok, let’s admit that was hot. HAHAH
Without giving too much away, I can see how symbolic this book is in regards to Hollywood stars. They are truly the Empty ones in real life too.
November 25, 2022
3.5* rounded up. Feels kinda like a slighter John Dies at the End. I actually felt like the humor worked slightly better than JDATE, but the plot was slightly less robust, making them kinda neck and neck. A quick, fun read.
May 20, 2021
"There are no angels, there are devils in many ways." X "The World's a Mess, It's In My Kiss"
OK, so maybe X got it wrong. There ARE angels, but they are definitely not the sitting on your shoulder and steering you in a heavenly direction. They're more the "hollow you out and turn you into a mockery of humanity" type of creature.
Definitely not something you want to run into in the 70s or the current time.
The Unnoticeables takes place in two times and places -- NYC at the height of the punk scene and LA now. We follow punk poster boy Carrey and stunt-woman Kaitlyn. Each has to deal with the Unnoticeables, parodies of humanity which are impossible to describe, even when you are looking right at them, as their friends are stolen by them to feed...
...well, let's not get into spoiler territory.
Brokway does an amazing job of capturing both time frames. Each of our main characters fully encapsulates the time that they inhabit. Kaitlyn has all of the modern sensibilities of a woman living in modern California. Carrey reminds me of the punks that I hung out with growing up. The various antagonists that they encounter are truly terrifying.
To put this in perspective, I paused writing this review to get the second book in the series.
OK, so maybe X got it wrong. There ARE angels, but they are definitely not the sitting on your shoulder and steering you in a heavenly direction. They're more the "hollow you out and turn you into a mockery of humanity" type of creature.
Definitely not something you want to run into in the 70s or the current time.
The Unnoticeables takes place in two times and places -- NYC at the height of the punk scene and LA now. We follow punk poster boy Carrey and stunt-woman Kaitlyn. Each has to deal with the Unnoticeables, parodies of humanity which are impossible to describe, even when you are looking right at them, as their friends are stolen by them to feed...
...well, let's not get into spoiler territory.
Brokway does an amazing job of capturing both time frames. Each of our main characters fully encapsulates the time that they inhabit. Kaitlyn has all of the modern sensibilities of a woman living in modern California. Carrey reminds me of the punks that I hung out with growing up. The various antagonists that they encounter are truly terrifying.
To put this in perspective, I paused writing this review to get the second book in the series.
December 5, 2016
Honestly, I can't think of a complaint about this book. It was fast, fun, interesting, and pretty original, as far as I'm concerned. That's all I need in a book. The inclusion of punk rockers was simply a bonus at this point. I was very happy with it.
EDIT: After a few days have passed, I have decided to lower my rating to 3 stars after all. It seems that I didn't like it THAT much.
EDIT: After a few days have passed, I have decided to lower my rating to 3 stars after all. It seems that I didn't like it THAT much.
July 16, 2020
It felt like a cheap knock off of john dies at the end. The story was pretty convoluted and confusing. I honestly have no clue what I just read.
December 17, 2020
This was honestly everything I wanted from this book it was wild and fun and had so much attitude!
April 12, 2025
Punk rock, Hollywood and Cosmic horror? Yes, please! Robert Brockway's 'The Unnoticeables' trilogy is a chaotic, violent and darkly hilarious ride.. It's not every day that a book (let alone a whole trilogy) pulls me into its universe this quickly and with so much intensity.
This first book sets the tone: two timelines, two main characters - Carey, a grimmy, foul-mouthed punk living the rebellious life in 1977, New York; and Kaitlyn, a struggling waitress/stuntwoman in 2013, LA. They both find themselves entangled in a horrifying cosmic mystery involving a hierarchy of monsters:
🧌The Tar Men (aka The Sludges) - man-shaped monsters made of black acid;
♟️The Unnoticeables (aka The Husks) - purposely forgettable, hollow shells that look human, but lack identity and empathy;
🔥 The Angels (aka The Flares) - glowing devices 'employed' by the mysterious Mechanic (God? Algorithm? Something worse?)
These entities distort reality - and people - with cold, mechanical precision. They aim to 'maintain the ever-pumping engine of the universe', erasing and transforming humans as they see fit. What follows is a gritty, surreal and sometimes shocking emotional journey of survival and resilience.
I really enjoyed Brockway's writing style - raw, vivid, brutal and hilarious. His portrayal of the punk culture of the 70s is thoroughly entertaining. The trilogy perfectly and unexpectedly blends this punk rock energy with hollywood culture and cosmic dread - broken but brilliant, these characters will summon every ounce of strength and defiance for the fight of their lives.
This first book sets the tone: two timelines, two main characters - Carey, a grimmy, foul-mouthed punk living the rebellious life in 1977, New York; and Kaitlyn, a struggling waitress/stuntwoman in 2013, LA. They both find themselves entangled in a horrifying cosmic mystery involving a hierarchy of monsters:
🧌The Tar Men (aka The Sludges) - man-shaped monsters made of black acid;
♟️The Unnoticeables (aka The Husks) - purposely forgettable, hollow shells that look human, but lack identity and empathy;
🔥 The Angels (aka The Flares) - glowing devices 'employed' by the mysterious Mechanic (God? Algorithm? Something worse?)
These entities distort reality - and people - with cold, mechanical precision. They aim to 'maintain the ever-pumping engine of the universe', erasing and transforming humans as they see fit. What follows is a gritty, surreal and sometimes shocking emotional journey of survival and resilience.
I really enjoyed Brockway's writing style - raw, vivid, brutal and hilarious. His portrayal of the punk culture of the 70s is thoroughly entertaining. The trilogy perfectly and unexpectedly blends this punk rock energy with hollywood culture and cosmic dread - broken but brilliant, these characters will summon every ounce of strength and defiance for the fight of their lives.
February 29, 2016
This book is a variation on an invasion story. It is told over multiple time periods and I really enjoyed the multiple narrators used in the telling of the tale. It is part horror, part action, part sci-fi, and part philosophical tale. So, it has all these parts and I like all these parts. So, why didn't I like the book more? I think the reason is that so much feels unexplained. Yes, our heroes are heroic, but ultimately, I really don't know what they were fighting or why the invasion was taking place. I don't know if this is part of a larger tale, but it feels like there must be something else to fill in the gaps. Good effort, but I wanted more.
02/28/16 Quick addition: My friend is reading this now and I recalled some things that I believe are very noteworthy. First, the book is very funny. There is more than a few spots that make you laugh out loud. The other thing that I was remiss in relating is that Brockway does an incredible job changing his writing to match the narrator. There are three and all of them are distinct and memorable.
Finally, I have also recently learned that this is to be a series. It is very likely that I will read more because of the comments I have just added.
02/28/16 Quick addition: My friend is reading this now and I recalled some things that I believe are very noteworthy. First, the book is very funny. There is more than a few spots that make you laugh out loud. The other thing that I was remiss in relating is that Brockway does an incredible job changing his writing to match the narrator. There are three and all of them are distinct and memorable.
Finally, I have also recently learned that this is to be a series. It is very likely that I will read more because of the comments I have just added.
February 13, 2017
Audible version: I had less than an hour left to finish this book and I didn't care enough to finish. I can see that this might be a good read for those into this genre, but it just wasn't for me. I initially liked the characters, but the story went off the rails for me. Again, someone who likes horror films or gore might like it, but if you're into character development and a deeper meaning to a story, this one doesn't have it.
April 1, 2024
This was a mixed experience. I can definitely say that Brockway has created something interesting here. The clashing story of Carey and Kaitlyn is funny and charming, as much as a story about cosmic human reduction can be. Their lives and the urban horror-fantasy world which they inhabit have their own charming logic. I loved the vivid descriptions and clever turns of phrase that helped me imagine the trippy punk rock world contained in the book. However the company of characters I spent the adventure with were really irritating and the edgy, gory humor and shock got really old after a while. Most of the characters in Carey's punk group were difficult to invest in, (other than Sammy Six) and I found myself rolling my eyes at their contributions to dialogue and plot to be really boring at times. I found Kaitlyn's commentary on the Unnoticeable threat invading Hollywood to be a lot more interesting, but in the end it didn't reveal much about the world other than a larger scale of the incident that happened between Wash, Gus and Carey. Overall it was a fun, shlocky romp but I don't think that i'm going to be continuing this trilogy.
September 24, 2017
Dear Kelly,
When I first finished this book, I rated it four stars. I wrote a couple reviews, erased them and wrote them again. I don't think I was satisfied with the four star rating.
So I changed it to five stars and I feel so much better! (Actual rating would be 4.5-4.75 stars)
What was good:
Dark humor!
Violent fights!
Witty banter!
Wash, Carey &Jezza
All the 1977 chapters
What wasn't:
The 2013 chapters characters were a little less interesting.
I had a little confusion in the final chapters of the book about what was exactly going on. I had to go back and reread a couple sections. Twice.
I'm not sure if this type of book is really your thing (angels=gag) but the dark humor and witty banter amongst the 1977 Punks made the book!
When I first finished this book, I rated it four stars. I wrote a couple reviews, erased them and wrote them again. I don't think I was satisfied with the four star rating.
So I changed it to five stars and I feel so much better! (Actual rating would be 4.5-4.75 stars)
What was good:
Dark humor!
Violent fights!
Witty banter!
Wash, Carey &Jezza
All the 1977 chapters
What wasn't:
The 2013 chapters characters were a little less interesting.
I had a little confusion in the final chapters of the book about what was exactly going on. I had to go back and reread a couple sections. Twice.
I'm not sure if this type of book is really your thing (angels=gag) but the dark humor and witty banter amongst the 1977 Punks made the book!
August 15, 2015
I picked it up because the premise sounded much like a tabletop rpg that I enjoyed. And because it sounded like a good fantasy/horror read overall, with edgy settings and an intriguingly unlikely team of main characters. I'm sorry to report that the novel is lifeless. The characters are devoid of personalities. There is a string of events, but not plot development. Throughout reading, I kept thinking, wow, where were the world's editors when this thing was published?
July 22, 2015
I liked it. Sort of Nick Harkaway/Petrovich-style Simon Morden, but not quite as good as either.
I know what happened, but I'm not entirely sure why and I wasn't left with any impression that the author did. Maybe he'll explain in a later book.
I know what happened, but I'm not entirely sure why and I wasn't left with any impression that the author did. Maybe he'll explain in a later book.
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