Constructive reviews (COMPLETED)

Review: Dungeon by @Ablazeisaleo

Author: Ablazeisaleo

CHAPTERS CONSIDERED FOR REVIEW: 1 - 12

SPOILERS AHEAD

This globe-trotting espionage thriller starts off following the protagonist, Bryan, who is haunted by nightmares which seems too real. As a down on himself orphan with a disdain towards police officers, his unassuming life takes a turn when confronted by one and pulled into a mission with sprawling stakes threatening to escalate to levels that nobody could've foreseen.  He also has to deal with his own inner demons as past threatens to catch up and disrupt any sense of normalcy as anything but a calmness before the storm, with himself at the epicenter of it.

The book starts of gradually with the introduction of the central character and thrusts him into a position where he is in a way forced to make hard decisions with a great impact. Though he reluctantly joins in the mission with an intent of nothing more than getting the promised clarity into his past, he quickly learns that even with personal stakes, the mission in hand was bigger than any of them. The book does a great job in convincing the teenaged protagonist has the knack for the detective game. He is shown to have a keen eye for detail essential for this line of work. The use of deduction and some quick-thinking from his end is shown to the reader early suggesting that he is no slouch. He is also shown to be perceptive and research oriented. Bryan is a walking duality in personality. Calm and collected in his work, prone to temper tantrums and aggressive behavior when pushed. The brawls he has is aptly violent and conveys his anger well. Bryan comes across as erratic but also real in that way. He also has a sharp sense of humor.

The book really opens up after the first six chapters. Just like when we as readers move from closed room conversations to outdoors, the book metaphorical breaks free from the shackles of a board room setting to truly capture the scale it intends. There is a great buildup of intrigue towards the end of each chapter. I really liked the way real world history was incorporated into the book at certain points making it feel authentic and making the best use of the book's setting. There is a diversity in the cast of characters which was nice. Bryan and Jessica are beginning to click together as a team despite how dissimilar they are in some regards. Even though the story shifts suddenly in tone half-way in (with respect to published chapters at the time of review), it does steady itself and let the atmosphere build up and tensions manifest organically. I liked how the Paulo character was handled. 

The minor nitpick would be how Arnold, the  mentor-figure Policeman is unabashedly playing favoritism to Bryan, despite how understandable it is as to where his sympathies lie. It gives off the chosen one vibe even when the book demonstrates why he isn't just that. Turning a blind eye to workplace assault even if upon provocation is not a good look to him. I hope the book will address why this level of dangerous work is being assigned to young adults and how the adults in the department are content to just hope that these kids have what it takes. Even if Bryan has talent for being a detective, he doesn't have the training nor the skills to be on the ground handling these situations. At least it's not shown till now that he underwent this kind of regimen.  The parts between him getting enrolled in the station and the eventual observance test (which was great) went on for a bit longer than I expected. Due to this, the story couldn't smoothly transition into the big threat and the connection with his past.

I would like to highlight the intuitive ways images are integrated into the story line. It doesn't distract from the storyline.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this. It is adding intrigue as the chapters go on. It is entertaining as well. It seems like a well thought out mystery/thriller and so far, has been worth the time I spent on it.

Thanks for sharing it with me.