Touched by Choi

Rating:
Summary: Original and Memorable
Review: Set aside your initial impressions of "Touched by Choi." Yes, the cover and title are woefully inadequate at capturing our attention, and, as usual in a self-published novel, the editing mistakes are too numerous to mention. The story, though, is told with imagination and insight.

Jonas Swazool is the engaging protagonist. He draws caricatures on the boardwalk of a California beach town, fancying himself as a Bohemian loner. Jonas provides necessary touches of humor for this dark morality tale. When he agrees to a suspicious money-making scheme, he finds himself involved in an alien invasion by an ancient evil. What seems to be a local and minor problem soon escalates into a society-threatening force led by greed.

"Touched by Choi" is a difficult story to define. Imagine a twisted rendition of "The Midas Touch," and a contemporary retelling of "Animal Farm," then add elements of suspense, sci-fi, and mystery, and you will come close to capturing its essence. The author throws in a final surprise or two, but never lets us forget that greed and human avarice will lead to ultimate downfall.

With an original idea and a memorable protagonist, this book deserves to be read and discussed.

Rating:
Summary: Original and Memorable
Review: Set aside your initial impressions of "Touched by Choi." Yes, the cover and title are woefully inadequate at capturing our attention, and, as usual in a self-published novel, the editing mistakes are too numerous to mention. The story, though, is told with imagination and insight.

Jonas Swazool is the engaging protagonist. He draws caricatures on the boardwalk of a California beach town, fancying himself as a Bohemian loner. Jonas provides necessary touches of humor for this dark morality tale. When he agrees to a suspicious money-making scheme, he finds himself involved in an alien invasion by an ancient evil. What seems to be a local and minor problem soon escalates into a society-threatening force led by greed.

"Touched by Choi" is a difficult story to define. Imagine a twisted rendition of "The Midas Touch," and a contemporary retelling of "Animal Farm," then add elements of suspense, sci-fi, and mystery, and you will come close to capturing its essence. The author throws in a final surprise or two, but never lets us forget that greed and human avarice will lead to ultimate downfall.

With an original idea and a memorable protagonist, this book deserves to be read and discussed.