Audio Book Review: Glass Town

Glass Town

By:  Steven Savile

Publish Date:  December 5, 2017, Audiobook Release December 5, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs 39 mins
Narrated By:  Steve West

Genre:  Science Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy

Series:  Stand-alone

Impression:  A family feud and obsession that's gone terribly far.

Synopsis:
A brilliantly rendered story about obsession and one man's attempt to unravel the mystery that destroyed his grandfather's life, set against a magical and intricately woven cityscape.

Steven Savile has been an international sensation, selling over half a million copies of his novels worldwide and writing for cult favorite television shows including Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Stargate. Now, he is finally making his US debut with Glass Town, a brilliantly composed novel revolving around the magic and mystery lurking in London.

In 1926, two brothers both loved Eleanor Raines, a promising young actress from the East End of London. But, along with Seth Lockwood, she disappeared, never to be seen again. Isaiah, Seth’s younger brother, refused to accept that she was just gone.

It has been seventy years since and the brothers are long dead. But now their dark, twisted secret, threatens to tear the city apart. Seth made a bargain with Damiola, an illusionist, to make a life size version of his most famous trick, and hide away part of London to act as a prison out of sync with our time, where one year passes as one hundred. That illusion is Glass Town. And now its walls are failing.

Reminiscent of Clive Barker’s Weaveworld and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, Savile brings out the magic in the everyday. Glass Town is full of gritty urban landscapes, realistic characters, conflict, secrets, betrayals, magic, and mystery.

First Sentence:
Obsession is difficult to explain to someone, especially if they don't share it.

Purchase At:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Audible, Audiobook.com 


My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Steve West is a new narrator for me, and I'm impressed from the very beginning. Steve is well adverse in emotions through his voice. I enjoyed the feeling I got of him reading the letter from Joshua's great-grandfather at the opening of the story. There felt to be true heart in every word written. And it continues as we live through Josh in the book. He even does slight tone differences for females. He also does differences in male voices, oh they fit the characters personalities that implied in the writing.

This is one crazy, messed up family history. And I love it! There is always something in our family's past and this is one that's very catching.

We get a few different point of views in this book - Josh, Seth, Julius, and Taff. The best part is it holds the suspense on makes me curious as Steven (the author) gives me more details and hints. Each character has a part to play here, and each part is full of hints. Well done! I wanted to hear from all their views as I wanted ALL the scoop they know, learn, see.

Then, when we knew all the details, I couldn't stop because I wanted to know who would die and how. I had to follow the story through as I was 100% invested!

This story was of a premises that was different and catching for me. Glass Town is a place hidden away, by an illusion. The best part is how it's all done and what it's connected to. This was a magical creation that brings a touch of paranormal to the story. The story blends a touch of 1929 London to current London. I like this creation.

I found Steven Savile had a smooth writing that blended any history remembered by the characters to what's happening now, not cutting the story to tell it. Steven kept me drawn to the story, wondering what terrible thing Seth would do next and what Josh will come up with. I wasn't sure there was any answer to all Josh wanted to do. But there is.

Oh man did I love this book. I wanted everyone to leave me alone so I could continue listening. The end leaves me with a small thought, regarding Josh. What will he do with his life? What did he expect to happen with that small deed he did?

I read the free first chapter with the narration. There was so much information and hints placed here that I was drawn to the story. I didn't want to miss anything! Then the second chapter opened a door in my mind with all sorts of possibilities flowing in and out. All about Glass Town, Eleanor, Seth, and Isaiah then what could Joshua find? I was sold without pause on this book. There was a mystery presented, someone seeming to want to hide something, and then we get hints of a magic that created some place. Yep, I was quickly hooked.

****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!