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Balm Riverview
A prodigal son. An Indian legend. Pirate lore. The swamps of south Florida hold treasures and terrors alike. This sweeping debut novel from Wes Gow follows wayward souls on a journey of absolution and atonement that will test the furthest boundaries of everything they’ve ever known and believed. When the past is haunted, healing is hard-won. Learn more balmriverview.com / wesgow.com
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2020
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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July 24, 2020
Wes is a friend of mine and when I saw he published his own book, I figured I’d give it shot…honestly not expecting it a whole lot (sorry Wes!). However, I often had to remind myself while reading, “I actually know this author!” This being his first book blew me away. I just spent over an hour catching up with Wes and diving more into the book so I needed to get this review out before it leaves my mind.
Characters to me are the most important element of any book. You have to love them, or sometimes hate them because they remind you of yourself. Wes has done a great job with this. The characters are each unique with their own strengths and struggles. Barry the former high school and college superstar athlete trying to figure out what he’s doing with his life and if anything he’s ever done is of value. Joe, a recovering terrible father that’s moved on from the past, but not really. Ellie, the support that most of the people around her need. Blake, the experienced town sheriff who needs facts and is having a hard time grappling with what’s going on around him. Even Ben was great, the loyal high school buddy who jokes about everything and it takes almost nothing to convince him to do something crazy. I could say so much, but I think you get the point.
Another good spot with the characters were not just that they are unique, but you understand WHY they are the way they are. I think of Blake and his interactions with people at a crime scene and how he thinks through his gained experience in a few short lines. Here’s a sample:
““Joe,” Barry said, “Where’s Joe?” A younger deputy would’ve fumbled the moment, making it worse. God knows Blake had a long list of his own mistakes in such situations during his early years: dropping the eyes, offering condolences, failed attempts at redirection. Now, he looked straight into Barry’s earnest stare and met it with an honesty and confidence that kept the emotions from escalating worse than the flames. “Barry, we don’t know.”
The town. It’s real! Wes grew up here so he really understands what it feels like to live here. He brings it to life what it’s like with the pace of a small town, the childhood activities and dreams, the desire to escape, but also return, for people in a place like this. It’s a small inner Floridian town that stands juxtaposed against the image of white sand beaches and Disney world attractions that we all think of Florida and you can feel that. If you’re from Florida, I especially can’t imagine you not liking this book.
Plot and Story. This is not my typical preferred genre, so I won’t say it’s one of my favorite books, but it was a page-turner. There’s just the right amount of information being revealed and withheld throughout the book to keep you wondering but not frustrated. Wes and I also had a long discussion about the “loose ends” at the end of the book. There are some, but that’s intentional! I can say that I still felt satisfied that the story was “concluded”….at least for now.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Characters to me are the most important element of any book. You have to love them, or sometimes hate them because they remind you of yourself. Wes has done a great job with this. The characters are each unique with their own strengths and struggles. Barry the former high school and college superstar athlete trying to figure out what he’s doing with his life and if anything he’s ever done is of value. Joe, a recovering terrible father that’s moved on from the past, but not really. Ellie, the support that most of the people around her need. Blake, the experienced town sheriff who needs facts and is having a hard time grappling with what’s going on around him. Even Ben was great, the loyal high school buddy who jokes about everything and it takes almost nothing to convince him to do something crazy. I could say so much, but I think you get the point.
Another good spot with the characters were not just that they are unique, but you understand WHY they are the way they are. I think of Blake and his interactions with people at a crime scene and how he thinks through his gained experience in a few short lines. Here’s a sample:
““Joe,” Barry said, “Where’s Joe?” A younger deputy would’ve fumbled the moment, making it worse. God knows Blake had a long list of his own mistakes in such situations during his early years: dropping the eyes, offering condolences, failed attempts at redirection. Now, he looked straight into Barry’s earnest stare and met it with an honesty and confidence that kept the emotions from escalating worse than the flames. “Barry, we don’t know.”
The town. It’s real! Wes grew up here so he really understands what it feels like to live here. He brings it to life what it’s like with the pace of a small town, the childhood activities and dreams, the desire to escape, but also return, for people in a place like this. It’s a small inner Floridian town that stands juxtaposed against the image of white sand beaches and Disney world attractions that we all think of Florida and you can feel that. If you’re from Florida, I especially can’t imagine you not liking this book.
Plot and Story. This is not my typical preferred genre, so I won’t say it’s one of my favorite books, but it was a page-turner. There’s just the right amount of information being revealed and withheld throughout the book to keep you wondering but not frustrated. Wes and I also had a long discussion about the “loose ends” at the end of the book. There are some, but that’s intentional! I can say that I still felt satisfied that the story was “concluded”….at least for now.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Displaying 1 of 1 review