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Joe - ABNA 2013 Entry (2013)

by H.D. Gordon(Favorite Author)

4.21 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

review 1: As Joe begins we make certain panicked assumptions about how this story will unfold. Each chapter is written with the aim of increasing our fear, making turning the page both addictive and unbearable.For readers in the UK who remember the awful tragedies of Hungerford or Dunblane and those in the US who shared in the sadness of Sandy Hook or Columbine, H D Gordon’s story is particularly poignant. However, she attempts to present the facts about the controversial issue of gun crime, without swaying her reader’s opinion.When we are first introduced to ‘The Decider’ his horrifying intentions are clear and though we know he is a psychopath there are no obstacles to him obtaining guns or bomb-building materials. H D Gordon also reveals how easily personal details about ... moreprevious infamous gunmen can be obtained on the internet, suggesting that these atrocious crimes are too highly publicised, rather than appropriately condemned.Although Joe clearly offers the reader this social commentary, H D Gordon counteracts the sense of realism with Joe’s clairvoyant power.As the title suggests Joe is the story’s main character, even though its events actually revolve around Danny’s actions. Aside from her ‘talent’ Joe is thought of as strange; she has a stutter, prefers her own company and her black hair and silver eyes mean her appearance is striking,H D Gordon takes a different approach with the novel’s narrative, composing it of internal thoughts of a group of characters who are all connected by what is to come. It would be easy to become confused by everyone’s identity, but each one has a very individual ‘voice’. As the story progresses we feel as though these characters are sharing important parts of themselves with us. This only helps to increase our sense of trepidation because we become aware that each person is looking towards an event in their near future.Apart from Joe, whose ‘present’ story is told in the first person, there is a third person narrator. The chapters from Joe’s perspective are written in a stream of consciousness style; she procrastinates with herself, asking multiple questions. On the other hand, Danny’s narrative is written in short sentences and cuss words are frequently used. All of H D Gordon’s techniques affect how we react towards these characters and help direct our emotions.By the point at which I reached Monday in the story I was honestly unsure whether I wanted to read on because of my own fear. Although I was tempted to skip to the end I stayed with the story, not knowing what an emotional wreck I would be at the end.As the pace of the story quickens the chapters merge into one another and each character’s feelings overlap, increasing our need to continue reading. I reached a point where I was aware of myself shouting ‘NO’, but by then I was so lost in the plot that this was genuine horror.Joe is clever, moving, distressing and awesome. As soon as I recovered from the book’s aftershock and my sobbing, I purchased its sequel. This is definitely a recommendation but prepare to be sucked in and spat out by the tornado H D Gordon creates. This is simply a masterpiece!
review 2: I very much enjoyed this novel, and would both recommend it AND am excited that it's a series (and that book two is already out - no waiting around, hooray!) Joe Knowe is a likeable character - quiet, reserved, and precognitive. She wants to do the right thing, but her fear of failure (and guilt from past failures) is almost crippling at times. The book is titled "Joe," but this isn't just Joe's story. The author weaves eight different perspectives throughout her narrative and alternates the POV between these characters who are all connected. Some of the connections were fleeting (two of the characters are lab partners; one of the characters is a student of the professor's) while others were more in-depth (like Michael and his interest in Joe). Joe herself is very likeable and appeals to readers who don't quite "fit the mold." I did have a little difficulty keeping the various characters straight at first, mostly because I wasn't expecting the multiple perspectives. I hadn't read any reviews of this book beforehand, just the blurb and excerpt, but I think if I'd known ahead of time that the story is told from multiple POVs they would have been easier to keep track of. I also would have liked to have seen an unlikeable (although not evil) character amongst those featured in the novel. All of the characters whose lives come together in the final conflict are good, decent people; a less-than-admirable character whose life would also be affected by the upcoming potential bloodbath would have provided a nice contrast. The author does get a lot right, however. This novel provides interesting insight into the mind of a psychopathic would-be mass murderer as he outlines the steps for his plans to propel himself into infamy. The pacing as the story moves towards the climax is almost spot-on; as the conflict draws near, the chapters get shorter which really helps to speed up the action and heighten the tension. Ultimately, as the conflict itself is happening, the chapters not only shorten but actually merge into one another, with the thoughts of one character blending into the thoughts of the next as the author shares each person's view of the events. I really liked this technique and thought that it worked very well. Also, the author has no qualms about "killing her darlings" – literally.This fast-paced supernatural thriller is definitely worth reading. less

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