Review: Nobody True by James Herbert

Nobody True – James Herbert

I read this book again over the festive period. It was a book I had loved before, and I thought of it again a few months ago and could not find it. Until I noticed it on my parent’s bookshelf! So I read it again and I have to say it was an experience.

Nobody True tells the story of a man who worked as a graphic designer and co-founded a marketing company. He also has the ability to have OBEs, out-of-body experiences which he can control. After an argument with his business partner while working on a new pitch for a client, he had one of these OBEs. Only to return to his body to discover he’s been horribly murdered.

Set adrift, not a person anymore and not a ghost either, James True must solve his own murder to stop it from happening again. A tale of betrayal, murder and consequences that takes many twists and turns.

I enjoyed the book as much on a second reading as I did the first time. The main character is flawed but generally a good person and it’s interesting to follow his thought process as he deals with his situation.

The story really highlights how little we actually know about people. Even people that are close to us can have secrets. It also shows how twisted someone can become after a lifetime of rejection.

There are some extremely tense and uncomfortable moments, and some revolting things happen as well. The book does go to some dark places, but it takes you on quite a rollercoaster of emotions alongside the main character.

James Herbert is a skilled author capable of making you feel really tense and scared, throwing horrible things at you and making you uncomfortable. Which is why you would be reading a horror novel, right? This isn’t my favourite of his books but it is a story that had a profound impact on me. It really makes you think about how you treat people and react to things.

5 stars from me and definitely worth a read if you like this kind of genre. You’ll enjoy it and unravel the mystery. Even on a second reading, when I know what happens and the plot twists, you see how hints were scattered throughout the whole novel.

Book Review: When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker

 When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker

 

This book is a fantasy romance, and book one of a duology. It follows two main characters, one an assassin and the other a King and dragon rider. The story follows them as they uncover the truth and create upheaval in their world.

It’s okay to read and the world building is very detailed. Maybe a little too detailed. I found myself very confused a few times, as things were stated but not explained in the story. I found that the ebook version has a detailed glossary at the end, which explained a lot of it but I feel like it could have been included more in the book itself.

The main character Raeve could be quite frustrating at times as well, she had a tendency to really get in her own way a lot. Some of the wording of things felt really jarring, using ‘male’ and ‘female’ instead of man and woman felt clinical. Other word choices felt like they were chosen just to sound ‘different’ and ‘unique’.

There’s a little spice, which is fine. Spice isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it was pretty well written. I’m not sure whether I will read the next book, I’m intrigued enough to want to know how the plot will end. However, great worldbuilding doesn’t mean much if it’s not included in the prose, and I think working in some of those details would make it easier to understand.

 The massive infodump is an issue for me, it’s not something I like to see. You shouldn’t need to include a massive glossary and explanation of the world building at the beginning of the book, which is what the print version is like. And it’s worse because it is hidden at the end of the ebook version. I don’t think it’s included at all in the audiobook. The worldbuilding should be revealed in the story, and not having that is an accessibility issue.

An average read for me, I don’t know if it’s entirely my cup of tea. The reviews are quite polarised, but there were a few issues for me that made me cringe or pulled me out of the narrative. Three stars from me, because the world building is interesting even if it’s not well explained through the text.

Emi the Cat Lady 😽