Saturday 27 August 2016

Lost in the Echo by Jack L. Pyke


Book Information:




Story blurb:


Three days. Three questions. Three answers.

Kidnapped, blindfolded, and bound to a bed, running away isn't an option any more for Will Chambers. Despite being a linguistic tutor and having every conversational tool at his disposal, all Will wanted to do was fade into the background, become lost in the echo of wild heath and harbour. But now someone wants to put his body and mind on full display, force Will to find his voice—answer three questions, over three days. All Will has to do is provide three... simple... answers.

My thoughts:

This is going to be one of those ‘o my God, I want to say all the things but I can’t give anything away’ sorta reviews. This story blew me away. It had me wondering and guessing what exactly was going on from the start and the answers and revelations were nothing short of stunning.

This is a story about grief and (not) dealing with it. It’s about a man, Will, who has shut himself down. He actively avoids feeling and dealing with what has happened and doesn’t realise—or refuses to see—that this road will lead him to more rather than less loss and pain.

Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for another is break them down to their basics so that they can find a foundation to build themselves up again. Sometimes the questions you least want to answer are those that will allow you to move forward, if only you find the courage or incentive to face them.

I loved how this story was written. Exactly what is going on, what has happened and how it relates to what is happening in the present is only slowly revealed. The reader has to pay attention; every word is important, every action has a reason and every thought reveals more than is clear at first glance.

There’s darkness, fear, anger, and despair in this story but ultimately this is a story about hope, about bonds that can’t be broken and turning your gaze to the future rather than allowing the past to swallow you whole.

I’m sorry. I know I’m being very vague here, but trust me when I say that I do so on purpose, be it reluctantly. You’ll want to experience this story. A large part of the magic this tale weaves lies in the fact that the reader only slowly discovers what is happening and why. You’ll just have to trust me when I say that you should read this book and allow the mystery to reveal itself as you turn the pages. It is impossible to do so without feeling the pain, experiencing the fear, and hoping that feelings that have been ignored for too long are still strong enough to forge a new future.


This was my first book by Jack L. Pyke but it most certainly won’t be my last. This author has a unique voice and a magical way with words. It was impossible not to be drawn into Will’s experience and emotions. Last night I went to sleep thinking about this story and this morning it was the first thing I thought about when I woke up. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the same thing happened again tonight. Lost in the Echo is a worthy addition to my list of extra special books. I can’t wait to find out if the other books Jack L. Pyke has written will affect me in a similar fashion.

6 comments:

  1. Great review Helena thanks for no spoilering I'm reading this at the moment

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Truus! I try to never 'spoiler' anything when I review.

      I'd say 'I hope you'll enjoy the book' but I'm pretty sure you will.

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a must read <3

    ReplyDelete