M. J. Engh

This is a hard book to rate and review for me because I honestly couldn't tell you if I liked it or not.

From a technical standpoint, it's very well written - probably some of the best sci-fi I've ever read. However, from a plot standpoint, you need to take your brain out and not think about it too hard because otherwise you'll drive yourself mad.

As for the characters... I don't know. I don't think the author did a good enough job in making me understand why the two POV characters (Franklin Bond and Hunt Morgan) do what they do for Arslan. The idea of a child falling in love with his rapist is an interesting one, but I don't feel that Engh knew herself why a victim would feel that way, and so struggled to tell the story from Hunt Morgan's POV. And towards the end when Franklin Bond and the rest of the town helped and accepted Arsland I was majorly let down. WHY do they let him live in peace? A man who raped and murdered and destroyed their lives? Yes it works out for them when Arslan helps protect the women of the town from gang rape, but one of the first things he did in the book was rape their children in public. And you're telling me not one person decided to kill him when they had the chance? As if.

So yeah, well written, but both the plot and the character's actions require you don't think too hard.… (mere)