Constructive reviews (COMPLETED)

Review: Lost Eden by @Bluelovesdeep and @BlackCatPandora

CHAPTERS CONSIDERED FOR REVIEW: TILL "DEAD BODIES ON A QUIET MORNING" AS OF 26 APRIL,2023

SPOILERS AHEAD

"Dark night" was an event that happened ten years prior to the current events that shape the story. Lives of Alexis, Krysta and their family took a wrong turn when the TV host reported the outbreak, beings called immortals infecting the normal people, making more of them. In current day, people are afraid to leave their homes after the sun sets, fearing for their lives. Not only from an onslaught by the immortals but from kidnappings. How long will the false sense of security behind barricades last? Were the people right in putting their trust on the so-called "hunters" who were supposed to keep things safe? Can a person remain unchanged when brutality and misfortune perpetually stares right at them?

CHARACTERS 

Characterization and the bleak atmosphere the book creates are it's biggest strengths. The writing is ultra realistic and the feeling of dread, eerie and ever present. One can almost visualize the scene that is on paper. Something about this book is so effective. 

Alexis: When we are introduced to the childhood of Alexis and Krysta whom seem to be raised differently by their parents,  the way Alexis feels not being able to live up to her younger sibling, the way she yearns for her parents to smile at her... it feels so realistic. How Alexis is shaped by her mother's sacrifice when things go sideways, the love she has for her sister and her sense of responsibility to keep everyone around her safe is vividly portrayed. The simple gestures of making her sister's hair, buying her food that they can't normally get and the selflessness displayed is almost poetic. The way she takes it on herself to train and enroll as a hunter to make their ends meet and to not let harm their way again is admirable.  She urges her sister to be self sufficient and makes her realize the danger that they are facing without stressing her out. She's emotionally distant and keeps it to herself as her sister and their found siblings cannot see her vulnerability. She does her best to keep the group connected and happy.

After what feels like bit of a time skip in the story, her character evolves into a much self-assured, gritty and confident hunter who's skilled and efficient. She is calm and collected, making the tough but right choices under taxing circumstances. On a lighter note, she develops sass and a social circle. I am curious to what this character does next. Intrigue is built on the promise that she made to her parents regarding her sister.

Krysta:  Even though if a bit naïve and emotional compared to her older sibling, she cares for everybody deeply. She is good with people, able to engage and console a mourning child and keeping the group cheerful. Even though she knows that everybody around her wants her protected, she doesn't take advantage of it. She shares responsibility with Millie and looks after Tommy by entertaining his ambitions. She's even sympathetic to their leech-like guardian. But as she realizes that she needs to step up and fill the void of her sister and become the protector of her family, she does mature and make tactical decisions. She is curious which was evident the way she acted when her sister was hiding stuff from her. Her determination to not be babied around was also portrayed well in a well written sequence. She is appreciative and proud of Alexis's achievements and trusts her abilities to do the best for them.

As of the final chapter she is dealing with the darkness that was her past in a vengeful state. Her current whereabouts is unknown and I cannot wait to find out. She has never caught a break in this story. 

Tommy was a delight to read, Sophie's arc was a realistic portrayal of depression. Millie is the emotional support of the group and an endearing character. The new hunter cast of characters are fun and their banter screams friendship. Penelope as a vain, self-centered character and her dynamic of friendly rivalry with Alexis stands out in this regard. Flirty undertones with Alexander was fun as well. This book delivers the whole spectrum of emotions. 

Spectrum includes the bad end of it. Michael is introduced as a character who everybody would love to hate, but the authors maneuvers him into likeability and then into a irredeemable monstrosity, all backed by an emotional punch. Even though it was predictable, the execution was great and it landed. 

The pacing was gradual and it was comforting to read. Never felt rushed. Time was taken to flesh out the emotion between the characters, without which this story couldn't have worked as well as it has. The plot is still developing and this is an on-going book. But the seeds have been planted well so far.

Writing was solid even from a technical standpoint. I did not observe any noticeable issues with it. There were some editing mistakes which can be easily fixed. Hope the authors find the inline comments helpful for the same.

This book is a binge-read. It's best enjoyed that way is what I feel like. It's a slow-burn if I say so myself.

Thanks.