Fractal Noise

 

I won a print copy of Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini in a Goodreads Giveaway.

This book is difficult to review. Based on the writing style and story line it is excellent. The reader is taken on an arduous journey of exploration on a foreign planet. Subplots are tight, conflicting motivations are well developed as are the characters in general. The writing kept me engaged through the entirety of the tale. It was not a quick read for me because the story was very dark and depressing. It was difficult for me to stay in it for long periods, but I was engrossed while reading. While the story was singularly focused on the exploration, there was enough variation to hold the readers interest.

So, you may be asking at this point: What is so difficult? Well, for me, the climax was seriously disappointing. In fact, in my humble opinion, there was no real climax. It is obviously the ending the author intended (he wrote it after all), but I have to admit: I don't get it. It was, if anything - anticlimactic. It just sort of ends. After hanging on for the long strenuous trek across a desolate yet violent landscape it felt like "okay we're done now". That was it, For me, Very unsatisfying. So, apparently I missed the point. Not something that usually happens to me. I have not read any other of this authors work, perhaps it is part of his style I don't know.

Anyway, Fractal Noise is not a waste of time by any means, but be prepared for a different kind of ending.

Enjoy!

Mike