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Walking Barefoot
Set in a futuristic London in a world ravaged by war, Walking Barefoot explores the life of Will, past and present. The cocksure eighteen year old who, in a bid to find himself, goes travelling and the city-living adult, who despite his well paid job, upper quadrant apartment and sexy girlfriend, struggles to be happy. When nightmares begin to haunt his sleeping and waking life Will is unsure whether he is suffering from the illness that killed his father or being led by unseen forces to uncover a city-wide conspiracy. As his paranoia heightens he must ask himself - is he willing to lose himself to find the truth?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 28, 2017
Hmm, a 3.33 stars. Since I don’t know how to mark it a third of a star I debated if I should give it a three or a four. But since the last time I did a 3.33 I gave it a four I will this time.
The book is very slow to start but once it get going it’s a whole lot better. There could be reasons for her slow opening. Grace works with a well used idea of the future but she places her twists to it and makes it hers. In other words she has a very interesting and well designed future world. You discover more and more as the story goes on as you discover Will’s past, and that is good. Her ending is melancholy, which is all I will say, except to add that it fits the plot which to me makes it a good ending. The plot is solid too.
I cut down the stars though because of the long slow opening and that it isn’t my usual type of story, and the whole novel is kinda of slow for me-even though some readers may like that. Her descriptions could be better even though in many places you can still “see” the action.
August 8, 2017
I went into this book totally blind. I know that I must have been interested in reading it, after reading the description, since I requested a copy. I don't remember what it was about, though, and I didn't read the book description again before starting it. Sometimes I love going into books like that though!
I really liked this book, but some things about it bugged me.
The author did a good job with world building, and it was a very unique premise for a story. Some aspects of it almost reminded me of 1984. It sucked me in, but I would have loved for there to be more about Will's travels. I also think it ended very abruptly. I would love for the author to write a sequel and address many of the questions that this book left unanswered.
I really did enjoy reading this book, the end just left me asking questions and wanting more. That could have been the author's intent, but I like getting my questions answered.#1stWorldProblems
Overall, it was a really good book, and I raced through it! I had class during the day all weekend and homework at night, and I still finished it in 3 days.
I will definitely be looking for more books by Grace Coleman, and I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian books.
I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this any many other review on my blog: Meet Your New Favorite Book
I really liked this book, but some things about it bugged me.
The author did a good job with world building, and it was a very unique premise for a story. Some aspects of it almost reminded me of 1984. It sucked me in, but I would have loved for there to be more about Will's travels. I also think it ended very abruptly. I would love for the author to write a sequel and address many of the questions that this book left unanswered.
I really did enjoy reading this book, the end just left me asking questions and wanting more. That could have been the author's intent, but I like getting my questions answered.#1stWorldProblems
Overall, it was a really good book, and I raced through it! I had class during the day all weekend and homework at night, and I still finished it in 3 days.
I will definitely be looking for more books by Grace Coleman, and I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian books.
I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this any many other review on my blog: Meet Your New Favorite Book
April 25, 2017
Will is the kind of character you grow to understand; he's also the kind of character you become invested in once you get to know him. He's exactly like this book in fact in that regard. Walking Barefoot is complex - my favourite kind of book. It starts off in such a way that I was utterly determined to find out what on Earth was going on - this World is not like ours, although not entirely different if you put aside the time machine, with lots of things to discover. I wanted to understand how the world had advanced in certain ways, whilst still being vulnerable to a lot of similar corruptions. But most of all, I wanted to hear more about the time travel!
The story flicks between past and present versions of Will. One version of Will is confident and determined, with a need to travel. His story helps you put the pieces of Will together to eventually figure out what's happened to him, and his family, in his past which somehow impacts upon his present. The other version has everything anyone would want, but just isn't satisfied; constantly ravaged by nightmares he can't help but be influenced by which plague his waking moments.
This is a clever, intricate book which you need to pay close attention to - it really made me think. It is slightly slow moving, however this is nicely broken up by the time jumps and relatively short chapters. Most of all though, it is beautifully written. Coleman definitely knows how to world build! A fun and different book which I would happily pass on to a friend.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of Walking Barefoot for review.
The story flicks between past and present versions of Will. One version of Will is confident and determined, with a need to travel. His story helps you put the pieces of Will together to eventually figure out what's happened to him, and his family, in his past which somehow impacts upon his present. The other version has everything anyone would want, but just isn't satisfied; constantly ravaged by nightmares he can't help but be influenced by which plague his waking moments.
This is a clever, intricate book which you need to pay close attention to - it really made me think. It is slightly slow moving, however this is nicely broken up by the time jumps and relatively short chapters. Most of all though, it is beautifully written. Coleman definitely knows how to world build! A fun and different book which I would happily pass on to a friend.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of Walking Barefoot for review.
July 22, 2017
Walking Barefoot by Grace Coleman *3.0 stars* 07/21/2017
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I received an ebook copy of Walking Barefoot from the author Grace Coleman through #thechainreview hosted by @olivia
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I was expecting more of this book. I think much more could have been done to the story. I was all the time feeling divided because I didn't really liked Will’s past stories, nothing really happened there, and when finally got a little bit more interesting, he stopped with his memories. On the other hand, while I liked Will’s adult present life, I had a really hard time picturing the world he lives. I was not surprised with the end at all, actually it was my first guess. I think that was given away by a little detail on the beginning of the book and also by following his story, little by little, you start to figure it out. On the other hand there are unanswered questions regarding other matters that are not Will per se. The writing per se wasn't bad, I liked the vocabulary but the pace didn't help me like the book more. Even though the book wasn't how I expected, I liked the idea behind this book and I also liked that the books wasn't the size of a brick. Overall 3 stars.
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I received an ebook copy of Walking Barefoot from the author Grace Coleman through #thechainreview hosted by @olivia
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I was expecting more of this book. I think much more could have been done to the story. I was all the time feeling divided because I didn't really liked Will’s past stories, nothing really happened there, and when finally got a little bit more interesting, he stopped with his memories. On the other hand, while I liked Will’s adult present life, I had a really hard time picturing the world he lives. I was not surprised with the end at all, actually it was my first guess. I think that was given away by a little detail on the beginning of the book and also by following his story, little by little, you start to figure it out. On the other hand there are unanswered questions regarding other matters that are not Will per se. The writing per se wasn't bad, I liked the vocabulary but the pace didn't help me like the book more. Even though the book wasn't how I expected, I liked the idea behind this book and I also liked that the books wasn't the size of a brick. Overall 3 stars.
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May 6, 2017
This is a novel that rather defies genres because you have elements of of thriller, horror, sci-fi and hints of romance. You have to just dive in and go with it and let the story take you...
April 25, 2017
pooled ink Reviews:
Thank you Grace for reaching out to me for a review of your thrilling book!
The plot had me curious and as I turned each page I found myself growing more and more unsettled. It flicks between two different times, both focused on pivotal moments in Will’s life. It takes a little bit to settle into the story and feel oriented but just as you think you understand it everything begins to twist and sputter.
This book was a quick read and I enjoyed it. Walking Barefoot sent chills down my spine, spun my head like a top, and knocked me down the endless corridors of a maze as we stumble behind Will uncovering the dark truths of his world. I look forward to seeing where Grace Coleman will go in her literary pursuits.
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/04/25/walk...
Thank you Grace for reaching out to me for a review of your thrilling book!
The plot had me curious and as I turned each page I found myself growing more and more unsettled. It flicks between two different times, both focused on pivotal moments in Will’s life. It takes a little bit to settle into the story and feel oriented but just as you think you understand it everything begins to twist and sputter.
This book was a quick read and I enjoyed it. Walking Barefoot sent chills down my spine, spun my head like a top, and knocked me down the endless corridors of a maze as we stumble behind Will uncovering the dark truths of his world. I look forward to seeing where Grace Coleman will go in her literary pursuits.
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/04/25/walk...
April 24, 2017
This really isn’t my usual type of read. The writing style is distant and very much tells you what’s going on as we watch Will go through life. It’s quite filmic in tone. Personally, I prefer to get inside characters’ heads, feeling and experiencing the story with them, rather than watching. Despite that, I found this a strangely compelling read that dragged me into the deepening mystery of Will’s life. I’m not a big fan of mysteries as the main plot of my reading, I don’t mind questions popping up as we go, but I like answers – and this book doesn’t really bother with them.
However, if you love a dystopian mystery where it is very hard to tell what’s really going on and how you should be feeling about anything, then give this a go. Especially if you like making up your own mind about what’s happening and why things are the way they are. Personally, I find that kind of stressful when I prefer to read to relax, but if you like to be challenged by books, this could well be for you.
I don’t mind being challenged by a book, but I’m quite lazy as a reader and prefer an ending to be written by the author, not made up by me. Especially when there are just too many questions left unanswered in this, like: Everything about the end of this book left me rubbing my head and wondering if I was just too plain tired for this or if it really was so sparse on details I was supposed to be left swearing at it.
I like details. I like complicated worlds and characters and am not adverse to riddles, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, but I need a key to unlock it all!
It’s not badly written, by the way, it’s just completely not what I would normally choose to read. I was also led to believe it was a New Adult book and it really isn’t. For most of the book we’re dealing with Will in his mid-thirties as his mental state and life starts to unravel. We do see flashes of him at eighteen, but the main focus is adult-Will and his quest for answers – and the mystery of whether he’s just having a breakdown, there is genuinely something amiss at his work or both and more. I have a few theories on these things, but the lack of concrete answers left me a little frustrated.
So if you like tales told to you that are full of mysteries and unsolved questions, that aren’t afraid to leave readers completely baffled as to what’s happening, has a dystopic, futuristic setting, a main character whose mind may be betraying him and will definitely require a lot of focus to pick up some of the more obscure clues, then give this a go. It might not have been quite my cup of tea, but it was still a compelling read.
ETA: I was given an advanced review copy of this book. According to the author some parts of the book have since been changed to make things a little clearer in terms of the end. So hopefully you won't be left quite as confused as I was. If that was all that was putting you off, wonder no longer and grab yourself a copy.
(ARC provided by the author.)
However, if you love a dystopian mystery where it is very hard to tell what’s really going on and how you should be feeling about anything, then give this a go. Especially if you like making up your own mind about what’s happening and why things are the way they are. Personally, I find that kind of stressful when I prefer to read to relax, but if you like to be challenged by books, this could well be for you.
I don’t mind being challenged by a book, but I’m quite lazy as a reader and prefer an ending to be written by the author, not made up by me. Especially when there are just too many questions left unanswered in this, like: Everything about the end of this book left me rubbing my head and wondering if I was just too plain tired for this or if it really was so sparse on details I was supposed to be left swearing at it.
I like details. I like complicated worlds and characters and am not adverse to riddles, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, but I need a key to unlock it all!
It’s not badly written, by the way, it’s just completely not what I would normally choose to read. I was also led to believe it was a New Adult book and it really isn’t. For most of the book we’re dealing with Will in his mid-thirties as his mental state and life starts to unravel. We do see flashes of him at eighteen, but the main focus is adult-Will and his quest for answers – and the mystery of whether he’s just having a breakdown, there is genuinely something amiss at his work or both and more. I have a few theories on these things, but the lack of concrete answers left me a little frustrated.
So if you like tales told to you that are full of mysteries and unsolved questions, that aren’t afraid to leave readers completely baffled as to what’s happening, has a dystopic, futuristic setting, a main character whose mind may be betraying him and will definitely require a lot of focus to pick up some of the more obscure clues, then give this a go. It might not have been quite my cup of tea, but it was still a compelling read.
ETA: I was given an advanced review copy of this book. According to the author some parts of the book have since been changed to make things a little clearer in terms of the end. So hopefully you won't be left quite as confused as I was. If that was all that was putting you off, wonder no longer and grab yourself a copy.
(ARC provided by the author.)
April 25, 2017
Imagine being able to transport yourself to the place of your dreams in the blink of an eye. A bit like time-travel without the whole time-space continuum aspect of it all. In a world full of constructed reality and a life lived nearly entirely inside glass walls, it is no wonder some people try to live vicariously through others and any means possible.
Will has decided to do the equivalent of a gap year before settling down to the dreary business of life. He is fascinated by the places and countries his father once visited.
Continents, countries and towns that are virtually non-existent in the history books, the minds and memories of people. Places slowly deteriorating, decaying and disappearing from sight and mind. Will wants to walk in his father’s footsteps. To smell the fresh air and to experience new worlds.
Years later, as his career is ascending into the higher echelon, his mental health starts to deteriorate. At first he thinks it is just stress and pressure, but then Will starts to question things. What is reality and what is fantasy?
You know what they say, it’s not paranoia if they are really out to get you. Will is convinced that there is something untoward going on. He is determined to get to the bottom of things, except he isn’t entirely convinced that his fears and hallucinations aren’t just an indication of mental health issues.
Coleman has created a world built on dreams within conceptual hallucinations. It is a futuristic story with a very subtle dystopian undertone. Think Matrix with a side-order of end of the world angst and a tiny slice of horror. Although the author brings the story to a conclusion, I do think a sequel could be a possibility, then again that may just be wishful thinking on my part.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the author.*
Will has decided to do the equivalent of a gap year before settling down to the dreary business of life. He is fascinated by the places and countries his father once visited.
Continents, countries and towns that are virtually non-existent in the history books, the minds and memories of people. Places slowly deteriorating, decaying and disappearing from sight and mind. Will wants to walk in his father’s footsteps. To smell the fresh air and to experience new worlds.
Years later, as his career is ascending into the higher echelon, his mental health starts to deteriorate. At first he thinks it is just stress and pressure, but then Will starts to question things. What is reality and what is fantasy?
You know what they say, it’s not paranoia if they are really out to get you. Will is convinced that there is something untoward going on. He is determined to get to the bottom of things, except he isn’t entirely convinced that his fears and hallucinations aren’t just an indication of mental health issues.
Coleman has created a world built on dreams within conceptual hallucinations. It is a futuristic story with a very subtle dystopian undertone. Think Matrix with a side-order of end of the world angst and a tiny slice of horror. Although the author brings the story to a conclusion, I do think a sequel could be a possibility, then again that may just be wishful thinking on my part.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the author.*
April 25, 2017
War-torn
I enjoyed this well-written futuristic story about Will. He has his whole life ahead of him, and things are going well in his life, yet, he is not happy. Even he is unsure if what he is suffering from is a mental illness dragged on with paranoia or a real conspiracy. It's a tantalizing story and very enjoyable. It's the kind of story that will set the reader for page-turning at its most intense. Great story. Look forward to more work by Coleman.
I enjoyed this well-written futuristic story about Will. He has his whole life ahead of him, and things are going well in his life, yet, he is not happy. Even he is unsure if what he is suffering from is a mental illness dragged on with paranoia or a real conspiracy. It's a tantalizing story and very enjoyable. It's the kind of story that will set the reader for page-turning at its most intense. Great story. Look forward to more work by Coleman.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews