Teal’s Reviews > The Helios Syndrome > Status Update

I saw this, and was like... well, if you're going to have a necromancer character, I guess having them solve crimes is the most interesting use for them. But it's still a necromancer, so...

And that reminds me that I need to add this to my "necromancers" shelf...

I'll see how this goes for you, but necromancers are on my list of just "ugh, not interested" for no reason I can articulate. Like anything where characters have to compete in a "tournament" or probably a dozen other things, I just see the word and my interest plummets.

I know what you mean. There are plenty of topics that are instant interest-killers for me. Like, coffee shop, bakery, chef, food show? Big fat no. The word "damaged" used in the blurb to describe an MC? Hard pass. Omega? Get that shit away from me. And of course the ultimate interest-killer: Parenting. 😴💤💤💤💤💤

For what it’s worth, I loved her previous books but the blurb on this one left me with a solid meh. Bummer, though, that it’s not working for you!

I have to admit, I barely looked at the blurb. It was a couple of rave reviews by two authors I like that lured me in. That and the fact I could borrow it from my library. Right now I'm feeling very glad I didn't spend money on it!

For what it's worth I liked it and finished it today because K.J. Charles put it my way. I wasn't especially wowed but it did it's job for a novella. Would I have liked a little more world-building? For sure! Would I have liked more Romance(TM) - or any, really? Yep. But I thought it was competently done and I enjoyed it.

Just my two cents :-)

Thanks, Duck. KJC was one of the authors whose praise influenced me. But I dislike the voice, which makes for rough going.

Teal wrote: "Thanks, Duck. KJC was one of the authors whose praise influenced me. But I dislike the voice, which makes for rough going."

I had a struggle with the voice as well. But this was one of the rare instances that I didn't mind present tense because everything is just that urgent. It really is.

But, yep, nope, not perfect by a long stretch but I'm so between books by my favourite authors and I - need - to - read!!!

I'll take it. Competently done, at the end of the day. A little rushed in the end but I'm not going to tell you whether it's worthwhile finishing.

Ok, so I'd send this back with a sticker like "Very promising first draft for a novel. Needs more world building. But keep at it!"

WhatAStrangeDuck wrote: "I had a struggle with the voice as well. But this was one of the rare instances that I didn't mind present tense because everything is just that urgent. It really is."

I didn't even notice it was present tense! Apparently I've now read so much in that tense that it doesn't even register with me anymore unless it's particularly poorly done.

I just don't like the smart-alecky voice of the narrator. It keeps reminding me of 1950s & 60s-era science fiction, where that was pretty much the default narrative voice. But I'll give it another try, maybe after a 2 or 3 day break.