Official Review: Strange Times on Zzyzx Road

[Bluefirerose]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Strange Times on Zzyzx Road" by Carlo N. Samson.]

---

2 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Have you ever been driving and saw an unknown road? Did you wonder where that road led? This story attempts to answer that question. Strange Times on Zzyzx Road by Carlo N. Samson takes the reader on a mix of The Twilight Zone and Goosebumps where they can choose their own fate. Set in present day, three friends are on a road trip after high school graduation. Their whole lives ahead of them, they decide to go explore one of those curious side roads...and that's where things get interesting.

First of all, I'd like to preface this by saying that as a kid, I loved the 'choose your own adventure' style books, so I was rather excited to see one to be reviewed. However, I must admit I was a bit disappointed in this book. I am guessing that this is geared toward a younger audience, which might be why I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

There were things I did like about this book. For example, it was an easy read. No large words or complicated jargon (unless it was explained in the story itself) to have to look up in the dictionary. Also, the choices that were given were realistic. If my friends and I were captured, trying to get away is an option. I'm glad the author didn't give something like 'pull out your dagger you happen to have on you and fight your attackers' kind of copout in any situation.

My main issues with this book both have to deal with length. Some of the endings are real cliffhangers. It's almost as if the author had two or three story lines in his head and couldn't decide which one to make into a whole book, so he just turned it into a 'choose your adventure book' and didn't finish the story lines he had in mind. They just sort of drop off with no real end. Also, the entire book was too short. The author tells you that there are 13 endings, and I was able to reach all of them in about 2 or 3 hours. Granted, I was able to just sit and read it straight through, which not everyone has the time to do.

In conclusion, while this was an entertaining read, I would only recommend it to someone who didn't have a lot of time to actually read a detailed book. Maybe if they had some time to kill between classes or doctor's appointments, this book would fit the bill. All things considered, I have to give this book 2 out of 4 stars. There is potential for a good story line, but as it is the story just feels unfinished.

******
Strange Times on Zzyzx Road
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Bluefirerose's review? Post a comment saying so!

[cnsamson]

Hey, much thanks for the review! I admit that the book was written relatively quickly, so you make fair points. My next book in the series will defintely be longer, and the endings will be real endings.

[Bluefirerose]

A series?! That would be awesome. I was telling my boyfriend about this and he had said that maybe you were going to make it into a series...I'll have to keep an eye out for the next installment

[cnsamson]

Cool, thanks! The next book will be unrelated, but I may revisit the world of "Zzyzx" somewhere down the line.