The book took a while to arrive and had a different cover from that advertised. In my opinion that cover I received from the publisher was much better and fitted the story more. The first thing I noticed, however was what a weighty tome it was.
Told through a mix of complex characters and their interlinking relationships, both good and bad, the author has done an admirable job with a complicated plot and a large cast of individuals. The characters' experiences of National Service and Doom City is an interlinking aspect woven through the book and all of their individual stories over time. The characters are flawed, developed and, for the most part, completely believable and you can create an image of each one in your mind as you read. The threat of nuclear war and the fear it creates for the characters, specifically Drum, is very real and very scary. Mental and physical health is affected, as can be imagined.
The story takes place over several decades, with pop references interwoven into each of these eras, making it seem more real to the reader and also the illustrating the sheer amount of research the author has done in order to recreate each era admirably. A great, but at many times, scary read for the ages.
Told through a mix of complex characters and their interlinking relationships, both good and bad, the author has done an admirable job with a complicated plot and a large cast of individuals. The characters' experiences of National Service and Doom City is an interlinking aspect woven through the book and all of their individual stories over time. The characters are flawed, developed and, for the most part, completely believable and you can create an image of each one in your mind as you read. The threat of nuclear war and the fear it creates for the characters, specifically Drum, is very real and very scary. Mental and physical health is affected, as can be imagined.
The story takes place over several decades, with pop references interwoven into each of these eras, making it seem more real to the reader and also the illustrating the sheer amount of research the author has done in order to recreate each era admirably. A great, but at many times, scary read for the ages.