Author: CJ West
Genre: Science Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2010
Personal Rating: 4.5/5 (excellent)
Yearly Count: 81
After awakening from a 4-year-long coma, Michael discovers that the penal system has changed - dramatically, and as a criminal he is in the thick of it. Michael (and 2 million other convicts) was released from prison and placed into a reeducation program. As Michael tries to navigate his way around this new system, he discovers that everything is not what it appears to be.
Being that I read Sin & Vengeance a little over a month ago, I decided to do a comparison of the two books because I rated them both 4.5/5, but for different reasons.
Suspense
Both Books: They both vaulted from my "night-read" (iPad eReader) to "any-time-of-the-day" read. Woo!
Sin & Vengeance: Intense. There was an incredible amount of surprising, sometimes shocking action.
The End of Marking Time: I was more curious with where this one was going. I did not read any reviews so nothing was revealed to me about the plot. My curiosity kept the suspense high.
Readability
Both Books: They both contained every day, common language; easy to read.
Sin & Vengeance: This book had a high cringe factor, making it sometimes difficult to read a scene.
The End of Marking Time: A much softer approach was used in this one. There were 2 mild gun shooting scenes with no blood and guts. It had more of a psychological bent to it than violence.
Afterwards
Both Books: They were both extremely creative. I love the way CJ West thinks (and writes). I definitely want more.
Sin & Vengeance: I remember feeling a little anxious. The action was packed in, and it felt like I had just gotten off a wild ride. Fun, but still a little harried afterwards. Also, I wasn't so sure if I liked the ending. I accepted it, but truly wondered where it was going to go as a series. The main character was questionable. (CJ has assured me that the next book has a very different tone.)
The End of Marking Time: Believe it or not - surprise was what I was left with! I'm actually surprised that I was surprised. It wasn't big, but it was a surprise none-the-less. Also, the idea of this type of penal system was extremely interesting, and I'm still mulling over the possibilities and ramifications.
Ratings
Both Books: I rated them the same, but feel different about them. For some reason, I haven't felt compelled to rate books high this year (I'm assuming that's because they didn't move me in some way), but both of these moved me.
Sin & Vengeance: I rated it a 4.5/5 mainly because of the suspense created such a desire in me to pick it up.
The End of Marking Time: I struggled a little with the rating on this one because it didn't leave me with a WOW feeling, but a more thought-filled "OH!" I enjoyed being alongside the character as he explained in detail how he processed his new life, and it made me think and ponder whether a system resembling the one depicted in the book could really work.
CJ West put some spark back into my reading, and I'm grateful!
Wow, you've made me want to run right out and buy one of West's books!!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very cool way of reviewing these two titles and now you have me wanting to read them!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely adding this one to my to-read list. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you've done this comparison! I'm adding The End of Marking Time to my list.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your Wolverine quartback has looked amazing!
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful comparison. I seldom see reviews that are so well-crafted and it is a joy to see the effort you took to create this post.
ReplyDeleteYou touched on something here about my work. My books all tend to have a different tone. I seem to get caught up in what I'm writing and that carries me in different directions. With Sin & Vengeance a lust for revenge made the book really intense. In The End of Marking Time, I was exploring the nature of crime and criminals - and how we can help them - and that made the book much more psychological in nature.
I'm glad you enjoyed my work. Thanks so much for this great post.
CJ
Thanks you so much for such a thoughtful comparison. Rarely do I see a review so well-crafted.
ReplyDeleteYou touched on something about my books in your review. I feel like the subject matter of each book takes me in a different direction and makes the tone of that book unique. The lust for revenge in Sin & Vengeance made that book really intense. In The End of Marking Time I was exploring crime and criminals, more specifically how we can help them. This exploration made the book more psychological in nature. The same seems to be true for my other books as well.
Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed my work and I really appreciate your effort creating such a great post.
CJ
That's exactly how I felt. It's like you read my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ I hope you give his work a try.
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ You know me - I don't like to say too much about a book, but when I started typing out my thoughts for this one - comparisons kept emerging. This was just an easier format.
Alisonwonderland ~ Oh good! I hope that you get a chance to read it.
Stacybuckeye ~ Thank you. :) The book has a dystopian/science fiction aura, too. I have continued to think about it.
Oh yes . . . Shoelace! :) I had some indirect contact with Denard this past Spring, and he demonstrated some great character. I'm impressed and look forward to a brighter season than last year. I'm definitely back in the "can't wait for Saturday" mode! I'm sure you are, too.
CJ West ~ It's so much fun to receive comments, but when an author leaves one, then apparently has to retype it (I'm assuming you didn't think it went through), it makes it all the more special. Thank you for taking the time. :)
ReplyDeleteThe difference between the two books was incredibly interesting to me. I'm really intrigued by your versatility and can't wait to read more.
And, thank you for the compliments regarding this post. I am not a writer (and certainly don't claim to write "reviews"), but these thoughts are what kept coming to mind. I'm glad you liked it.
BTW - I've added your name to my sidebar list titled Official Author Websites. Check out your company! :)
Nviolette ~ Welcome to Thoughts of Joy! I'm glad that you feel like I expressed your thoughts as well. :) Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDelete