Review of The Devil Pulls the Strings

[Anna Bookowski]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Devil Pulls the Strings" by J. W. Zarek.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Devil Pulls the Strings by J. W. Zarek is one big adventure from the very beginning to the last page. We meet Boone Daniels while he's taking a part in a Renaissance Festival. During the joust, he accidentally hurts his best friend, Flynn. As a result, he makes a promise to the injured man: he agrees to take his place on a music gig in New York. After arrival, he's supposed to contact professor Stone, but when Boone reaches the place of appointment, the professor lands dead next to him on a sidewalk. At the same moment, he stumbles upon Stone's young assistant, Sapphire. In a few seconds, strange men with guns appear. The situation gets out of hand in a mind-blowing tempo and they need to run. From one page to another, Boone and his new pretty companion are on a breath-taking adventure.

The plot develops very quickly. Chapters are short (there are 47 of them) and packed with action. Boone and Sapphire are on a quest of collecting three pieces of Paganini's sheet music that according to what is believed, are a powerful tool to summon a Devil when played in the right circumstances. More people would like to use them. There are legendary and evil creatures involved, too. Things get complicated. Weird visions haunting Boone since he was six might seem a curse, but now they may prove very useful. The story is full of magical beasts from fairy tales and folk stories, there are travels in time and space. The book is extremely dense with happenings and plot twists.

I liked the main character a lot. As a person with childhood trauma, anxieties, claustrophobia, fear of darkness, and his very own demon, he's got a lot to overcome. Sent on a dangerous quest, he must fight his weaknesses. Even when put in the most extreme situations, he wouldn't give up. He's brave and has a heart in the right place. I liked Sapphire too, especially her incredible talent as a violin player and enormous sensitivity to the beauty of music. Also, I found it interesting how magic and fantastic creatures were incorporated into the story – like it was the most obvious and natural thing. There was no attempt to explain crazy things or encounters. They just happened. The moments I found most exciting were when a wendigo, demon chasing Boone for years, was about to appear. I liked the chill I felt every time I thought a creature like that might exist and go after me forever.

What I also enjoyed in the story, was how Zarek used the figure of Paganini. Never before had I heard the stories about his alleged deal with the Devil. I've learned from the book that it was even believed that it was his mother who sold his soul in exchange for his otherwordly talent. I found this very fascinating and the way that the author used this plot in the story was really cool. I could feel Zarek's passion for music and I found it very inspiring.

There were a few small things I didn't like. The author's tendencies to repetitions were sometimes annoying. There were many sentences where one word was repeated few times, like: "I stare at where the cave should be, but it's gone, gone, gone. My parents and Berkeley are gone, gone, gone." or "I drop to one knee and play, play, play." I understand it's a part of Zarek's writing style but it just didn't appeal to me. The other thing I found a bit irritating was the impression that almost everyone was "pushing the air" through their teeth, which sounded just weird to me. I also must admit that there were moments when I had to take a break from reading because so much was happening I started to feel tired. The book was so filled up with action that, at some points, I just felt exhausted. I felt like there should be at least a few slower moments to take a breath.

The Devil Pulls the Strings was a good, fast-paced fantasy book. It was also well edited, with only a few errors that didn't impact the quality of reading. The language was friendly, without any serious vulgarisms and there was no erotic content at all. I gladly rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. The tiny things I didn't like were not enough to deduct the star. I recommend the book to all fans of fantasy, magic, time travels, and fantastic beasts. Readers who enjoy action and the quick tempo of narration will be in heaven. The book may not be proper for those more sensitive, as there were some bloody scenes and scary moments, and quite a lot of fight scenes. Besides that, it was a crazy and entertaining story, which I can easily imagine as a movie on Netflix.

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The Devil Pulls the Strings
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[markodim721]

I like the psychological moment that appears in the book. Thanks for the good review.

[NISSE]

I am glad that you were able to enjoy this book. The way you have written the review and the given ratings are a justification to that. Great review!

[Anna Bookowski]

I like the psychological moment that appears in the book. Thanks for the good review.

Yes, there was more than just action, the psychological aspect made Boone more real and likable. Thanks for your comment!

[Anna Bookowski]

I am glad that you were able to enjoy this book. The way you have written the review and the given ratings are a justification to that. Great review!

Thank you very much!

[Bigwig1973]

I've read this book and must say that you present a really nice summary and a good argument for the book. I also liked Sapphire, but noticed near the end of the book that Boone is the one taking a lot of the risks! Apparently, there is a film on Paganini, which I have not seen! Nice review!

[Anna Bookowski]

I've read this book and must say that you present a really nice summary and a good argument for the book. I also liked Sapphire, but noticed near the end of the book that Boone is the one taking a lot of the risks! Apparently, there is a film on Paganini, which I have not seen! Nice review!

Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind comment!

[Unsullied]

Quite a mysterious book as per your review. It seems fascinating too and I definitely would like to read it now.

[Janet Kimetto]

This is just my kind of book! I love fantasy, magic and otherworldly creatures. Thank you for your recommendation, I enjoyed reading your wonderful review!

[Anna Bookowski]

Quite a mysterious book as per your review. It seems fascinating too and I definitely would like to read it now.

If I'd had to describe the book with only one word, I think it would be "crazy" It's full of mysteries and action, and for sure a fascinating one. Thanks for your comment.

[Anna Bookowski]

This is just my kind of book! I love fantasy, magic and otherworldly creatures. Thank you for your recommendation, I enjoyed reading your wonderful review!

That's so nice of you. Thanks for the kind comment!

[yomide]

Wow! I mean, wow! this is the kind of story I would love to read. Its a really good review you gave, it has me all excited.

[yomide]

Wow! I mean, wow! this is the kind of story I would love to read. Its a really good review you gave, it has me all excited.

[Anna Bookowski]

Wow! I mean, wow! this is the kind of story I would love to read. Its a really good review you gave, it has me all excited.

Thanks so much! Such a great comment! I'm glad to make the book exciting to you!

[Feliceness]

Than you for the review. Sounds like it has a lot of action. I'm adding to my bookshelf.