Official Review: Cryptic by Erik Dean

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 05 Sep 2018, 09:33

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Cryptic" by Erik Dean.]

4 out of 4 stars

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You wake up and find yourself naked, in a body bag, with military dog tags in your mouth. When you manage to break free from the black, rubberized fabric, you are bombarded with the stench of rotting corpses that have been stacked up all around you. This is what happened to Bradley after he suffered a deadly brain injury during the Vietnam War. A test drug, MC11, had been administered to him and brought him back from death's grip.

Cryptic by Erik Dean is an intoxicating tale, for sure. There is not a dull page in this book. It is the sequel to Garbageman, and it stands pretty well on its own. Admittedly, I would like to read the previous book because it is referenced quite a bit.

Many years after Bradley's miraculous return, a man named David Turley would receive the refined version of MC11, now called Neurogen. Dr. Newton has been working on perfecting this drug since he was first introduced to it in Vietnam and has so far only administered it to two patients, seeing successful recoveries from otherwise fatal brain wounds in both. However, renewed brain function is not the only benefit of Neurogen. The patients also discover they have telekinetic abilities. For David, this means being able to form Garbageman, an entity covered in trash that is also somewhat of a vigilante. David and his companions are being stalked by the serial killer known as the Fisherman, but he is the least of their worries. Dark forces, created by a wicked recipient of Neurogen, have gathered in Arizona. David and his allies must work together to defeat this darkness before it consumes humanity.

This book mixes horror with Native American culture in Arizona (specifically, the Hopi tribe), and the two aspects are interweaved flawlessly. It is a classic story of the battle between good and evil with a modern twist. Technical errors are almost non-existent in this work. I believe I highlighted three in total. The only drawback is the unrealistic dialogue between characters. The language is extremely formal amongst characters who have fairly casual personalities and job titles. Informal English is typically used in everyday conversation, and I feel that this book is lacking the improvised dialogue that makes characters more relatable to readers. This, however, is only a small hitch in an otherwise superb story, and it is deserving of its rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

I admire authors who can mix history and culture with the paranormal, and this is precisely what we have in Cryptic. Here is a fair warning to readers who may be squeamish: there are descriptive incidences of violence and death, and this story is pretty gory. For example, a considerable amount of detail goes into the serial killer's gruesome methods. Aside from that, this book would probably be enjoyable for a wide range of readers; however, it is without a doubt unsuitable for children. If you are looking for a novel that is fast-paced and thrilling but still has substance, Cryptic by Erik Dean is for you.

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Cryptic
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kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 06 Sep 2018, 09:47

Cryptic sounds a little too dark and gruesome for me. The Garbageman sounds like a very odd sort of vigilante. Interesting review.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 06 Sep 2018, 10:32

As you mention, it takes skill to mix cultural topics with paranormal events and do so successfully. This seems like a very intriguing book! At first I thought it was about the consequences of war, but apparently, there´s much more to it.
As a thriller fan, I´ll add it to my to-read list. Thank you for your review!

Sahani Nimandra · Post by **Sahani Nimandra** » 06 Sep 2018, 11:53

Wow! Your synopsis just dropped a bomb on me. I can understand how this book must have kept you engaged as your review did with me. Thank you for sharing this book through your review.

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 06 Sep 2018, 12:31

kfwilson6 wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 09:47 Cryptic sounds a little too dark and gruesome for me. The Garbageman sounds like a very odd sort of vigilante. Interesting review.

It was a bit dark, so you might want to pass if it is not something you're into. Thanks for the comment!

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 06 Sep 2018, 12:31

Lunastella wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 10:32 As you mention, it takes skill to mix cultural topics with paranormal events and do so successfully. This seems like a very intriguing book! At first I thought it was about the consequences of war, but apparently, there´s much more to it.
As a thriller fan, I´ll add it to my to-read list. Thank you for your review!

Thank you. I hope you enjoy the book if you decide to read it.

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 06 Sep 2018, 12:32

Sahani Nimandra wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 11:53 Wow! Your synopsis just dropped a bomb on me. I can understand how this book must have kept you engaged as your review did with me. Thank you for sharing this book through your review.

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the review.

Sakilunamermaid · Post by **Sakilunamermaid** » 06 Sep 2018, 16:32

Telekinetic abilities, vigilantism, mysterious treatment for brain injury/ death... I'm sold. This sounds pretty awesome.

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 06 Sep 2018, 16:33

Sakilunamermaid wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 16:32 Telekinetic abilities, vigilantism, mysterious treatment for brain injury/ death... I'm sold. This sounds pretty awesome.

It was a fun read!

Espie · Post by **Espie** » 06 Sep 2018, 16:49

Thank you for your well-written and compelling review. You've clearly emphasised the book's possible minute drawbacks to potential readers. Yet, you've surely built it up into an interesting, worthwhile, and nearly technically-flawless piece of read worthy to be checked out by its genre's fans. Another instalment blend of history, mystery, medical science, and fantastical elements, it's also good that this sequel could even stand on its own.

melissy370 · Post by **melissy370** » 06 Sep 2018, 17:37

Ok, this one perhaps is a little too odd for me. A vigilante named Garbageman? Horror mixed with Native American culture? I will probably pass on this one, but I am glad you enjoyed it.

trajoe1206 · Post by **trajoe1206** » 06 Sep 2018, 21:06

Your first sentence had me hooked. You wrote a great review. There is a lot of action in this book and it seems to be a book that one would find hard to put down. Great job

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 07 Sep 2018, 01:25

Espie wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 16:49 Thank you for your well-written and compelling review. You've clearly emphasised the book's possible minute drawbacks to potential readers. Yet, you've surely built it up into an interesting, worthwhile, and nearly technically-flawless piece of read worthy to be checked out by its genre's fans. Another instalment blend of history, mystery, medical science, and fantastical elements, it's also good that this sequel could even stand on its own.

I think fans of the genre will enjoy this one.

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 07 Sep 2018, 01:26

melissy370 wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 17:37 Ok, this one perhaps is a little too odd for me. A vigilante named Garbageman? Horror mixed with Native American culture? I will probably pass on this one, but I am glad you enjoyed it.

Haha it is odd, for sure!

JuliaKay · Post by **JuliaKay** » 07 Sep 2018, 01:26

trajoe1206 wrote: ↑06 Sep 2018, 21:06 Your first sentence had me hooked. You wrote a great review. There is a lot of action in this book and it seems to be a book that one would find hard to put down. Great job

Thank you!