The Bedlam Stacks

DNF - PG (fewer than I should probably have read to be doing this, let's just say:) single digits.

Why?

Lightning really doesn't strike twice. So, I actually really, really loved Watchmaker from the very start. Mostly (like 85%) because of Thaniel. He was an amazing character and there was just this warmth and comfort about him. First introduction to the main character in this story (Merrick, apparently, but more on that later) and I was already somewhat put off by him. He's a stereotypical lead in your older adventure novels, not the least because he was shot and walks with a cane. (And suffers from PTSD.)

What I didn't realize when I said I wanted to read this book, was that it is first person. This seldom actually works for me, and a story that is written mimicking the great adventure tales of yesteryore is a perfect example of why it doesn't work for me.

‘Once my heart was convinced there was no gunfire, I tried to slide my cane out from under the dog.‘Gulliver.' I gave it a tug.‘

‘The cliffs leaned towards each other until the river was more of a creek.‘

‘I found a me-sized dip in the roots and sat with my sketchbook to wait.‘

Honestly, with my immediate problems, reading why other people didn't like the story, and my general hatred of Pepperharrow, I am likely done with this author.

(If anything doesn't look right, forgive me. I visited the eye doctor this morning and everything is still rather fuzzy.)