It took me over three months to
finish Harken by Kaleb Nation. It wasn’t the worst book I have ever
read, but it didn’t hold my attention and I kept being distracted by other
books and reruns of television shows. I think part of the reason that this book
was such a letdown was it was really hyped up in the BookTube community and on
book blogs. The writing was only mediocre, it sounded like someone who was used
to just writing blogs and reviews online, the language wasn’t fluid enough for
me. One of the things I hate most about many new and young authors is how
pretentious they try to sound in their writings. That was something that
unfortunately happened with Mr. Nation’s first novel.
The plot is a great one that was
full of potential. Its one of those stories where a teenager finds out he has a
great destiny foretold in prophesy or unknown family lineage. It’s set up like
a Percy Jackson novel or one of the Heir Chronicles. Unknown origins, that
leads to epic battles and growth. I feel like I should have loved this novel,
but again the writing was just a little to difficult to get through.
Michael Asher has the ability to
see people’s true emotions. When he looks into their eyes he knows what they
are thinking and hiding. He made his money from spying on couples that suspect
their significant other of cheating and lying. One night while investigating a
possible affair, a man attempts to assassinate him. Turns out, Michael is the
reincarnation of a warrior who is tasked with riding the world of evil beings.
His adventures lead him to finding
his two protectors, also reincarnations, who have tried to protect him
throughout all of his lives. Those who are trying to kill him feed stories to
the news about Michael being a terrorist, not hard to fake since Michael keeps
being in places he shouldn’t be. Plane crashes, burning houses, and killed law
enforcement agents are only a few of the things that are being pinned on
Michael.
The end of the book was a decent
one. Enough open ending plots to make the second book a smooth transition of
story, but not enough of a cliffhanger that I will buy the book. I really
wanted to like this book, but again it was only a mediocre read. Three months
to finish a novel? That usually isn’t a very good sign, but at least I finished
it. It wasn’t bad enough for me to give up on. I can understand why people
liked it, there are some great battle and fight scenes, but the writing was a
little to pretentious for me, and Michael was a little to whiney for my taste.
I would recommend this book to
anyone who likes suspense and light conspiracy theory novels. Books with heroes
who have special abilities, novels similar to the Heir Chronicles, books
by Cat Patrick or The Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard.
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