Review of A wildflower in the Dark
Posted: 01 Feb 2024, 02:23
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A wildflower in the Dark" by Michael E Kozak.]
Gretan Hutchen (Gret), born in the year 2160, is a survivor of the War of the Century, also known as the War of the Apocalypse. He was abandoned by his birth mother, died twice when he was born and was revived. He was diagnosed with minor epilepsy and possible autism. Later, he was adopted by a family that had recently lost two sons in the 2158 war. One day, when he was 10, his adopted mother went to work and never came back. She was later found dead, and the cause of death was asphyxiation. Her death affected his adopted father a lot, leading him to make a decision that left Gret with his grandmother. On January 3, 2192, his grandmother died of stage three lung cancer, leaving him yet again as the last man standing in his life.
Meanwhile, Gret has been having a series of dreams, all of which seem so real. After his grandmother's death, he discovered something about his adopted family—a secret that has been passed down for generations. Then he found out that he could see the dead. He had not been told or prepared about this, so he had to find out and learn everything by himself. In the middle of all that, his attention is caught by a particular dead young woman who seems to be in danger. Will he be able to help her? Get a copy of A Wildflower in the Dark by Michael E. Kozak to find out.
What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be! I went into it expecting a frightening horror story but found myself engrossed in a thrilling tale of suspense instead. The plot kept me guessing right up until the climactic finale—just the kind of page-turner I love. But more than the storyline itself, I was impressed by the author's skill at characterization. Both major and minor characters were crafted with care, evolving realistically over the course of the novel. Claire, in particular, won me over despite her occasional mean streak. Her complexity made her feel like a real person, and I couldn't help caring deeply about her by the end.
Another fascinating aspect of this book is the author's inclusion of his own dreams, transformed into nightmarish sequences for the protagonist, Gret. These vivid dreams are prefaced by poems that act as the perfect prelude, setting the scene for what's to come. I was enthralled by how seamlessly the author wove his real-life dreams into the larger narrative, using poetic verse as a bridge between reality and subconscious imagination. The poems themselves are a treasure; they convey so much emotion and meaning beyond just the words on the page. I've always loved poetry for its ability to communicate on multiple levels, and this book demonstrates that power beautifully.
Overall, this book showcases the author's talent for suspenseful plotting and excellent character development. I'm so glad I decided to give it a chance instead of writing it off as just another scary story. It proved to be a satisfying and thought-provoking reading experience that will stick with me for a long time. I would recommend this book to those who love reading mystery books. I did not dislike anything about it, and it was well-edited, which is why I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.
******
A wildflower in the Dark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Gretan Hutchen (Gret), born in the year 2160, is a survivor of the War of the Century, also known as the War of the Apocalypse. He was abandoned by his birth mother, died twice when he was born and was revived. He was diagnosed with minor epilepsy and possible autism. Later, he was adopted by a family that had recently lost two sons in the 2158 war. One day, when he was 10, his adopted mother went to work and never came back. She was later found dead, and the cause of death was asphyxiation. Her death affected his adopted father a lot, leading him to make a decision that left Gret with his grandmother. On January 3, 2192, his grandmother died of stage three lung cancer, leaving him yet again as the last man standing in his life.
Meanwhile, Gret has been having a series of dreams, all of which seem so real. After his grandmother's death, he discovered something about his adopted family—a secret that has been passed down for generations. Then he found out that he could see the dead. He had not been told or prepared about this, so he had to find out and learn everything by himself. In the middle of all that, his attention is caught by a particular dead young woman who seems to be in danger. Will he be able to help her? Get a copy of A Wildflower in the Dark by Michael E. Kozak to find out.
What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be! I went into it expecting a frightening horror story but found myself engrossed in a thrilling tale of suspense instead. The plot kept me guessing right up until the climactic finale—just the kind of page-turner I love. But more than the storyline itself, I was impressed by the author's skill at characterization. Both major and minor characters were crafted with care, evolving realistically over the course of the novel. Claire, in particular, won me over despite her occasional mean streak. Her complexity made her feel like a real person, and I couldn't help caring deeply about her by the end.
Another fascinating aspect of this book is the author's inclusion of his own dreams, transformed into nightmarish sequences for the protagonist, Gret. These vivid dreams are prefaced by poems that act as the perfect prelude, setting the scene for what's to come. I was enthralled by how seamlessly the author wove his real-life dreams into the larger narrative, using poetic verse as a bridge between reality and subconscious imagination. The poems themselves are a treasure; they convey so much emotion and meaning beyond just the words on the page. I've always loved poetry for its ability to communicate on multiple levels, and this book demonstrates that power beautifully.
Overall, this book showcases the author's talent for suspenseful plotting and excellent character development. I'm so glad I decided to give it a chance instead of writing it off as just another scary story. It proved to be a satisfying and thought-provoking reading experience that will stick with me for a long time. I would recommend this book to those who love reading mystery books. I did not dislike anything about it, and it was well-edited, which is why I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.
******
A wildflower in the Dark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
