Pendulum, Book 1
Synopsis: Eric Albright is a twenty-six-year-old journalist living in London. That is to say he would be a journalist if he got off his backside. But this luckless slacker isn’t all bad—he has a soft spot for his sometimes friend Stuart Casey, the homeless old drunk who mostly lives under the railway bridge near his flat. Eric is willing to let his life just drift by…until the day a small red door appears on the graffiti-covered wall of the bridge, and a gang of strange-looking people—Eric’s pretty sure one of them is a giant—dash out of the door and rob the nearby newsagent. From that day on Eric and Case haunt the arch, waiting for the door to reappear.
When it does, both Eric and Case choose to go through…to the land of Levaal. A place where a mountain-sized dragon with the powers of a god lies sleeping beneath a great white castle. In the castle the sinister Lord Vous rules with an iron fist, and the Project, designed to effect his transformation into an immortal spirit, nears completion. But Vous’s growing madness is close to consuming him, together with his fear of an imaginary being named Shadow. And soon Eric may lend substance to that fear. An impossibly vast wall divides Levall, and no one has ever seen what lies beyond. Eric and Casey are called Pilgrims, and may have powers that no one in either world yet understands, and soon the wall may be broken. What will enter from the other side?
Review: The synopsis immediately intrigued me when I saw it. Indeed, here the author presents us a strange mix of characters from our world and fantasy characters. You can imagine that the confrontation will be brutal. I was so curious to see how it would be conducted.
Eric and Casey are two men who let themselves be led through life without really having a goal. When one day a door appears under a bridge, they were immediately intrigued, especially when people come through wanting to rob the newsagent. Strange, is not it? When the door reappears later, Eric and Case do not hesitate to embark on a new adventure, hoping to finally experience something new. Beginning their quest each on their side, they will realize that this world is filled with many dangers they didn’t know about. Indeed, they will both have to adapt to the characters, magic, creatures and plots. But Case and Eric, by their start, will have quite differing views on the events and different confidence to the characters who seem strangely interested in their survival. This world reserves them many surprises, women who might make them succumb, a sleeping dragon that everyone talks about, a lord who wishes to become a god and a wall that some want to maintain while others want to destroy to see what coexists behind.
I enjoyed following these two characters who are very different from each other and see how they were able to adapt to a world they do not know at all about. Their dialogue, their actions, their clothes are strange for this place yet they may well decide that they would like both to stay and live a new life. However, even though I loved the two main characters, I had a little more trouble with all the secondary characters. By cons I have to say that the world was well created and the creatures that are present are fascinating and it was very interesting to discover everything. The adventures of our two characters are just beginning and I’m sure there will be many more. Many things are initiated here and I’m curious enough to see what will happen afterwards.
It was a good novel even if it is true that I may be expecting a little more about the story. However I must admit that the mix of two genres as the author presents it here is undeniably original and I took pleasure in discovering everything.
Tracy Terry
The cover alone makes me want to pick this up and read it and then there’s the thought of such a mixed bunch of characters. I’m away to add this to my wish list.
Melliane
I hope you’ll enjoy it, it’s original.
blodeuedd
This looks so cool! I am intrigued
Melliane
I liked the idea
Jennifer Bielman
the cover is badass but not something I would read though.
Kirsty-Marie
So it’s kind of like two worlds collide type of thing? Reminds me of a show, I watched years ago but can’t remember the name, haha. Sounds fun though, even if it isn’t perfect. 🙂
Melliane
well two characters from our world in a fantasy one, it’s fun to see.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
First of all, LOVE That cover, it’s very cool:) Second, I’m glad the two protagonists were successful for you, but it’s too bad the secondary characters weren’t quite as fleshed out and well done. Maybe that will change as the series continues though, and eventually they’ll be as strong as the protagonists!
Melliane
yes we’ll see how it is with the next one.
Silvia
It sounds like an interesting idea with lots of potential. The cover also looks quite catchy and very cool! I’ll check it out 😉
kindlemom1
I am glad the two genres mixed so well, that doesn’t always happen.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Heidi
What a cool cover. I like that it is original and different even if it wasn’t a complete wow read. still worth checking out, right?
Melliane
yes it’s still interesting.
Brandi Breathes Books
Seeing the characters learn to get together being so different
Tanja
This mix sounds really interesting. I’m not sure that this genre is actually for me but I like the idea. I’m really glad that you’ve enjoyed this one. Great review, Melliane 🙂
Lola
There seems to be a good friendship in this book. But it doesn’t seem to be any romance so I’ll have to pass (NEED ROMANCE.^^) Great romance!
Melliane
ah no, you’re right, no romance
LilyElement
Sounds pretty good, thanks hun!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I almost forgot I had this too (though I won it in a giveaway and didn’t request, so maybe that’s why it slipped my mind!) I remember LOVING that gorgeous cover…I still do, as I look at it now. Thanks for reminding me I have to read this!
Melliane
yes the cover is really nice. I’m curious to see what you think of it I confess
Lupdilup
Interesting… Maybe something worth keeping and eye on and see if the how the story develops. The idea does sound very original.
Thanks Mellaine 🙂
Melliane
yes the idea is, it’s what intrigued me at first.
kim { Book Swoon }
I’m intrigued by both the sound of Eric and Casey, whom seem completely different, and find themselves in this enchanted land. I’m glad you enjoyed the mix of elements in this story, and hopefully the secondary characters will be fleshed out more in the next book. Was the Dragon in it what you hoped it to be? Thanks for the wonderful review, Melliane 🙂
Melliane
We hear about the dragon a lot but we don’t actually see it, maybe in the next one.
kimbacaffeinate
The cover is fantastic and I can see exactly why the synopsis drew you in. The blending of genres is pretty cool.