Today I’m featuring reviews of Trial Run from three bloggers:
- Amy Brock McNew
- Tina Hunt
- Steve Hilton
Amy Brock McNew, on her blog, Guts on the Page
Trial Run is a techno-thriller, and one of the few I’ve read that truly lives up to the name.
While there is a lot of technical jargon, the author explained it in a way that I felt I had a general idea of the concepts, which is really all that is required to understand the story. Though, I must admit, there were times that I may have wandered over some of the scientific description a bit. If you don’t enjoy such jargon, parts of the story may seem tedious to you.
When I first started Trial Run, I was curious how the myriad of characters would blend together. It didn’t take long to find out. This story wound the players together in a way that was believable and realistic, despite the extraordinary nature of the concepts and happenings.
Each character was fully developed with a distinct voice and presence. Some I loathed, some I loved, which was the intent. Of course, I have my favorites, (Charlie and Elene). Though Trial Run is plot-driven, I felt that all of the characters played their roles beautifully, which is rare in a plot-driven story.
The further I got into this book, the more I loved it.
Trial Run was like a rolling wave that didn’t just plow you over, but swept you up in its wake, taking you exactly where it wanted you to go.
You have no choice but to hang on for the ride. As the plot folded the characters together and weaved each bit and piece to slowly reveal answers, I was unable to put it down. I had to see what came next.
All in all, a very solid and entertaining book. It may not be a light and easy beach read, but it is exactly what it is intended to be. A thriller. A story that requires you to give a little as well. Trial Run is the kind of immersive read that I enjoy.
Tina Hunt, on her blog, Pot of Manna
In the beginning, this book reminded me of a 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle: not easily put together, but worth the effort. I trust Thomas Locke (Davis Bunn). I know him to be a crafter of amazing stories. And Trial Run is no exception.
As with so many of his other books, the author does a masterful job of developing the personalities of the characters. I could relate to their struggles and fears.
One of my favorite lines: “…my heart says, we have all been drawn together for purposes beyond our wildest dreams.”
This is my first book to read and review in this genre. I found it to be fast-paced, with enough twists to keep me interested. And the subject was intriguing. It kept me thinking as well as entertained.
Some readers were put off by the “non-ending” to the story. Knowing there was more to come did the opposite for me. I’m ready for more.
Steve Hilton, on his blog, Doc’s Doin’s
This is not your typical suspense / thriller novel. Because Thomas Locke is not your typical novelist. You may find yourself (as I did) putting the book down and walking away from it for a few days. But rest assured – you’ll be back.
You may find yourself (as I did) starting the book over. That’s ok, too. Quite frankly, there really is a major “learning curve” involved, if you are not quite up to speed with the space – time continuum, particle physics and / or quantum computing.
Which merely serves to demonstrate how truly diverse Thomas Locke (you may know him as Davis Bunn) really is.
There is a line from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, describing one of the characters:
“He knows everything, and is fascinated by the rest.”
When I think of Thomas Locke, that’s the statement that comes to mind.
Perhaps you can recall the “space race” of the late 1950s, when everyone with the necessary money and technology competed to “win” the edge, gain the advantage, and reap the rewards that went along with it.
In Trial Run the race continues. Only this time, it’s all in your mind.
Or is it?
Dr. Gabriella Speciale has assembled a team of elite scientists with one goal in mind – to create, and control, out-of-body experiences that transcend the limits of time and space.
Reese Clawson is looking to take the same science and harness it for military use.
Trent Major is a gifted grad student whose unsettling dreams have placed him right in the middle.
In the end, one warning remains clear: what you don’t know CAN kill you!
With the two considerations firmly in mind, one should be prepared for the ride of the century in Thomas Locke’s Trial Run!
5 stars for an edge-of-your-seat thriller.
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