I didn’t choose to review Day of the Accident based on its description. In fact, having read the description I nearly dismissed the book. I mistrust too entangled stories. There’s always a risk that the author created a head-spinning start that will not be graciously untangled in the end. That is not the case with Day of the Accident. Every bit of this story about a family tragedy, a woman after coma and a missing person gets explained.

What I liked in the book

The writing

What drew me to the book was the provided excerpt. From the first lines I trusted the author and I knew she will tell the story well regardless of the story itself. The writing flows. There’s no silly suspense that interrupts an action, there are no simplistic dialogues, no unnecessary details.

The voice of the main character

It is real. Her emotions are genuine and raw. In thrillers it’s usually the story that grips you but in Day of the Accident it is also the main character’s voice and your wish for her to be fine.

What I liked less

Implausible choices

I had problems with the choices some characters made. Even with all the background information it was hard to imagine a person who would behave this way in provided situations.

Melodramatic moments

I predicted all twists long before the book was over. That’s why I found some of the dialogues dragging and melodramatic. In literature characters tend to sound dumb when a story is obvious to everybody but them.

Final thoughts

Day of the Accident is way better than many other thrillers I recently read. It will be enjoyed by anybody who’s looking for a gripping fast-paced story, and of course by those who value high quality narrative. I’m giving the book solid four stars.

Day of the Accident will be available for purchase on February 21st, 2019. I’m thanking the publishers for my copy that I received in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

What will happen if something as innocent and usual as dreams is placed in the middle of an apocalyptic story? What if dreams can change your life and who you are? The Dreamers by Karen Thomson Walker shows you such story. The book is much deeper than just a catastrophe scenario. It makes you question your own beliefs and reality. The ideas stay with you even after the book is finished.

The Dreamers is so seamless and complete it’s hard to dismantle and analyse it, but I’ll focus on some details. I loved how the characters are never explained or described. Everything you learn about them you learn from their actions. That’s why they are able to genuinely horrify or amuse you. Even though you never feel like you know them completely, you feel real emotions towards them.

The writing style is a unique element of this book. The sentences have their own rhythm that build a particular atmosphere for the book. It feels like slumber. The last time I watched an author use a language so skilfully was in the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Perfectly created visuals constantly change, so although you feel no dynamism of actions, the story itself is progressing. This too makes it feel more like watching a dream rather than reading a book.

I’m sure The Dreamers would make a wonderful movie. It could be similar to Interstellar, but better because it would have a concise and solid plot.

The Dreamers is for those who are looking for more than just a story. I also think everybody should read it just to experience a book that has its own unique melody. The book will be available for purchase in January 2019.

I’m very grateful to the author for such a beautiful book, and to the publishers for providing me with the copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I will be looking forward to other works by Karen Thomson Walker.