Let me start off with the "nitty gritty" kind of things. Firstly, there was at least one grammar/spelling mistake (the word "wait" where "with" made sense, and "wait" did not). But I'm not one to judge a book based on the spelling/grammar, because I am notorious for making those mistakes myself. On the plus side, the framing devise used is incredible! The 'structure' of the book is like this: two men talking in a cafe, introducing the reader to the atmosphere and the scene; then a novella, told first person by way of a 'if-you're-reading-this-I'm-dead' journal; then back to the present with the guys in the cafe; then on to the second novella and another first-person recounting of events; followed by a Coda, with our two guys from the cafe. Now the second novella is where the POV was kinda 'meh' for me.
Overall the POV shifts were fine, and totally clear, but there were some parts in the second novella "the man in yellow" that were kind of confusing. The POV is actually that of one Father Ward (one of the guys in the cafe) retelling to his friend something that was said to Father Ward. So it's kind of like a first-person recounting of a first person event. Like me telling you what it was like for my grandpa growing up in Philly. For the most part that did not distract from the story, but there were some places where it just wasn't needed.
Now, on to the fun stuff.
The story was great. And the perfect balance of suspense and mystery. There were enough twists to keep you on your toes, but not so many that you had 'whiplash' trying to keep up. Even the most unexpected turns were eased to the reader for an overall 'smooth ride'.
"Sophan" was an interesting little trip. I say it like that because I seriously felt like it was the kind of thing we would read in a Mr. Lucia class (which should be a high compliment to the author). There was so much that was symbolic. I actually went back and re-read the parts about what the diffrent dragons meant, and which boy drew which tile. It was fun, as was drawing parallels between all the characters. There were just enough questions (what did ever happen to Mr. Trung? Is/was he the Chiao?) which, to me, is more enjoyable than when an author spells out the ending.
To be totally honest, I liked "the man in yellow" better than "sophan" probably because of the ending. At the end of "sophan" we are left with a sort of speculative (and a little cliched) ending of "this is how I think it will end". Which leaves the reader to question, does it end that way? Also, the character development of the main character is just not 'real' enough for me. Oh, you had this bat-sh*t crazy thing happen to you as an adolescent, so you wave it aside, like nothing ever freaking happened. Then, years later, you just accept the fact that the ghost of your childhood 'frenemy' is jumping around all frantic? And this guy accepts, without a shadow of doubt or any questioning, that he is meant to go die, just like his 'frenemy' when they were younger? Not to mention that the whole relationship between Nate and Jake fits in with the 'perfect literary foil' of two characters with many similarities in their past and how one turns out good, the other, not so good (in my experience it has been one character is good, the other is insane).
Now, "the man in yellow", where to begin? I liked it. Although, when I started reading it, I was just like "oh great, we have a pastor's son who's all rebellious and 'God sucks' who has a disease... and I can just see where this epic 'battle-of-faith' is going from here". I was, very happily, proven wrong. my favorite part probably being when the main character, Stu, is all "so the fate of my whole town rests on me resisting the call right? I need to be this dramatic hero and save everyone by sacrificing myself?" and the big bad monster (the man in yellow) is just like "no. actually, it doesn't matter what you do now, because I have what I need and I'm taking your town to Hell, with or without you."
As a reader, my jaw hit the floor. That was totally unexpected, from my perspective. The sudience was being built up for this (cliched) epic conflict. The hero rising from the ashes (I'll bring that point back later) and all that happy crap. So when the protagonist has to find another way to stop the big bad man in yellow, so close to the end of the book too. Just wow.
But then, Lucia isn't done throwing twists at you yet. Oh no, no, no. You see, there is still one last twist at the end. Stu, who did triumphantly win by burning down the church. Is now living a normal life when he tells Father Ward of his plights. But then, Stu has a sudden realization. Maybe due to his finally recounting his tale to someone else, or maybe he just knew. But Stu actually becomes one to the monsters that he had tried so desperately to conquer.... and then he scuttles off to the woods, never to be seen again.
So, the book was overall amazing! I can honestly say that I will never be able to read 'Curious George" to my cousin again (The man in the yellow hat, the man in the yellow suit, I just can't handle it). And I think the greatest compliments that I can give are these:
1) I read the ehole book in three sittings
2) my Mom found the cover so creepy that I "wasn't allowed to read it in the family common area, unless the cover is covered"
and
3) It is going on my bookshelf, right next to my Harry Potter's, which are my favorite books in the whole universe (and I've read some pretty good books)
To conclude: Five Stars for Mr. Lucia, and I can't wait to see if any more comes out of Clifton Heights!
