Hidden Echoes

Rating:
Summary: Interesting concepts regarding journey mapping and time.
Review: I thought this was quite an interesting book depicting parallel worlds. I think it provided just enough escapism without getting too intense although some parts of the book really fed my imagination!! I used this book to "rest" between the serial books I prefer to read. I liked the mix of character personalities and the beasties. I keep looking for a follow-up book as the ending left just enough of an opening to for a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Tries too hard and doesn't really get there
Review: I usually like to write something positive in a review but I'm finding it difficult this time. It's hard to define what's wrong with Hidden Echoes: the idea is good, the characters reasonably original - but you can't help feeling it's lacking something. The writing is stilted and seems to be trying to describe everything and still remain slick, which it fails to do. And some of the dialogue honestly makes you cringe. Apart from that, it's a basic fantasy novel, if not a wholly original concept - this world and others will end if some mighty task is not completed by certain people - with some interesting bits and descriptions which catch the eye.