The Devil's Alphabet by Daryl Gregory
The Devil's Alphabet by Daryl Gregory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am torn on how to rate this book. Do I rate it on just what is there, or what *could* have been (and I wish was) there? It should probably get a 3.5, but since I can't, I have to go with a 3.
I have to start with the good - I blew threw this book! I really, *really* wanted to know what happened next, and the little bits of tantalizing information kept pulling me on. Definitely a good read in that respect. Unfortunately, I feel like by the end I had been dropped on my face, and all the foreshadowing just lead no where. :( There were so many questions left unanswered that it was frustrating! Which theory on the origination of TDS is correct? Was it ever figured out? Why do the betas breed so fast and will they out populate the other clades? Why aren't the alphas reproducing at all/do they start? What is the real and actual purpose of the charlie vintage in the scheme of their race/species? Does TDS continue to spread? Does the town get out of quarantine or are they eliminated? Does the main character ever get past his "uncomfortable in his body" feeling and find meaningful relationships? All these things were points that were set up in the book but never resolved. There was no grand THIS IS HOW IT ALLLLLL WORKS! answers at the end. Hell, had the book ended with a "To be continued..." message I would have been happier because at least then I would have a chance for my questions to be answered! The biggest issue was the these questions were what the plot was built on, so to have them unresolved detracts mightily from the book overall.
I wanted to see a grand resolution, maybe have the clades not be as separate as they thought, but all meant to function together as a new kind of nuclear unit (a la Dreamsnake bu Vonda McIntyre). If not a "happily ever after" ending, at least some forward as to how things turned out, even some vague and nebulous idea that left readers with a sense of closure would have upped this books value exponentially.
In the end, story was good, writing was decent, but the book didn't meet its potential and left me feeling flat.
View all my reviews
1. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
2. Raising Stony Mayhall by Daryl Gregory
3. The Devil's Alphabet by Daryl Gregory