Review by moomawpw -- Guardian of Deceit
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moomawpw
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Review by moomawpw -- Guardian of Deceit
[Following is a volunteer review of "Guardian of Deceit" by William H. Coles.]
William Coles' novel, Guardian of Deceit, falls under the rubric of coming-of-age tales. The novel's protagonist, Darwin Hastings, has been living with an aunt after his parents' death. Then she grows too old and ill to care for Darwin. He is shipped off to live with his uncle, a professional football player named Luther Pinnelli. The uncle is willing to take Darwin in. He doesn't, however, want to have to be a parent to him. Darwin, whose father was a physician, has assumed that he will get a good education, go to medical school, and wind up practicing the healing art himself. Now he will essentially have to raise himself, although he will have help from some of the other people around him.
The book then takes Darwin through college, medical school, a first marriage, and on into adulthood. Along the way, he has to learn to deal with relationships and the demands of life. Most important, he has to learn how to deal with himself.
Guardian of Deceit is well written. The story wanders and hops around at times, but it keeps moving forward and carries the reader with it. There is some violence, including a murder, and a couple of episodes of explicit sex. Characters are well developed, with interesting personalities. There is Luther, who is a winner on the field but pretty much a loser in other parts of his life. There is Sweeney Pale, Luther's lover, who is a wildly successful pop singer, but who has no faith in herself. There is Adam Malverne, a physician who takes Darwin under his wing for his own selfish reasons. There are Malverne's daughters, Coral, who lives for her passions, and Helen, who has no passions to speak of. There is Laszlo Forgash, who handles security for Pinnelli, and who relates to Darwin in a toughly caring way.
An additional plus is that the book is very well edited. The plot bounces around through multiple points of view without getting the reader lost, which speaks to some good story editing. There are also no typographical errors or issues around grammar and usage.
Guardian of Deceit is, overall, a good read. The story moves well. The characters are well fleshed out and believable. It will appeal to anyone who likes a tale where people have well-defined personalities. It will especially connect with readers who have had to deal in their own lives with loss, and with finding their way through complicated relationships. That probably means most of us. It earns a rating of 4 out of 4.
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Guardian of Deceit
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
William Coles' novel, Guardian of Deceit, falls under the rubric of coming-of-age tales. The novel's protagonist, Darwin Hastings, has been living with an aunt after his parents' death. Then she grows too old and ill to care for Darwin. He is shipped off to live with his uncle, a professional football player named Luther Pinnelli. The uncle is willing to take Darwin in. He doesn't, however, want to have to be a parent to him. Darwin, whose father was a physician, has assumed that he will get a good education, go to medical school, and wind up practicing the healing art himself. Now he will essentially have to raise himself, although he will have help from some of the other people around him.
The book then takes Darwin through college, medical school, a first marriage, and on into adulthood. Along the way, he has to learn to deal with relationships and the demands of life. Most important, he has to learn how to deal with himself.
Guardian of Deceit is well written. The story wanders and hops around at times, but it keeps moving forward and carries the reader with it. There is some violence, including a murder, and a couple of episodes of explicit sex. Characters are well developed, with interesting personalities. There is Luther, who is a winner on the field but pretty much a loser in other parts of his life. There is Sweeney Pale, Luther's lover, who is a wildly successful pop singer, but who has no faith in herself. There is Adam Malverne, a physician who takes Darwin under his wing for his own selfish reasons. There are Malverne's daughters, Coral, who lives for her passions, and Helen, who has no passions to speak of. There is Laszlo Forgash, who handles security for Pinnelli, and who relates to Darwin in a toughly caring way.
An additional plus is that the book is very well edited. The plot bounces around through multiple points of view without getting the reader lost, which speaks to some good story editing. There are also no typographical errors or issues around grammar and usage.
Guardian of Deceit is, overall, a good read. The story moves well. The characters are well fleshed out and believable. It will appeal to anyone who likes a tale where people have well-defined personalities. It will especially connect with readers who have had to deal in their own lives with loss, and with finding their way through complicated relationships. That probably means most of us. It earns a rating of 4 out of 4.
******
Guardian of Deceit
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress by Gustavo Kinrys, MD
