Review of The Devil Pulls the Strings

[Scott Miller 3]

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

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Devil Pulls the Strings by J. W. Zarek is a must-read for any fan of fantastic literature. The protagonist of this fresh and original urban fantasy is Boone Daniels, who promises to fill in for his injured friend at a New York City event after the latter is injured in a jousting accident. In accepting this job, Flynn has no idea that he is becoming embroiled in a centuries-long war between two terrifying secret societies. Boone learns that three mysterious musical compositions can be played together to summon the Devil, and that this is at the heart of the feud. Due to this feud and Boone's untimely arrival in the city, the fate of the world will fall on his shoulders.

When compared to other fantasy novels, this one's plot didn't feel as forced or unbelievable. There is depth to the story and it is written in a way that is interesting and captivating. There is a lot of originality in the character growth, but at the same time, the reader will find themselves relating to them. In fact, there were times when I found them rather endearing. An excellent author who knows how to write a character and develop a story will be able to make the reader feel the way the author has made them feel. A masterful work, and I look forward to reading more from Zarek in the future.

My enjoyment of this book is directly related to the fact that fantasy is one of my favorite genres to read. Zarek is a brilliant storyteller who skillfully combines fantastical elements with characters and beings from different cultures to tell an original tale that, with any luck, will be the first in a fantastic series. I think it's awesome that he included everything from a wendigo to the Slavic witch Baba Yaga. It's a very clever and novel addition. His world-building is superb, and I'd love to see it expanded upon in future novels. I didn't have any issues with the pacing or the writing's clarity. From the very start, the story had my attention. Once I picked up The Devil Pulls the Strings, I had a hard time putting it down. If you enjoy fantasy and appreciate well-developed settings, you will enjoy this book. You should pick it up right away because it's a fantastic book. In other words, this is a purchase you won't be sorry you made!

4 out 5

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The Devil Pulls the Strings
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