Review of Onto a New World

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Onto a New World" by David Swan.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Onto a New World by David Swan is a book that is hard to box into one genre because of its uniqueness. On one side, it reads like paranormal thriller; on another, it reads like human drama. Both of these genres blend to deliver the story that is so good; that it promises to tuck at your heart’s strings. It follows the story of a young girl who just experienced the heavy loss of a loved one and now is dealing with grief and trying to go on with her life, amidst the uncertainty of it all.

The book opens with Emily and her family by the side of her ailing father. While the moment they all have been dreading has certainly arrived, it is all hard to take in. Emily realises that her father wants to tell her something, so she leans close so she can hear better. He tells her, ‘369.’ That’s it. That’s the last thing he says to her before the doctor switches off the life support machine. Emily is confused by this. It didn’t sound like a confession and certainly didn’t sound like an instruction of some sort. It’s just a number, one that means nothing to her, at least yet.

Emily is now left with her mother Catherine in the house. Things are different, as can be expected. They are both dealing with this immense loss in their own different ways. Catherine, as a parent, feels protective of her daughter, but she understands sometimes space is something she needs. This is when Alan comes to visit Emily and keep her company. Emily keeps him at arm’s length, but she does not mind his company. It’s all cool until 369 starts appearing in places that Emily doesn’t expect. What is this number? Why did his father tell her about it? Does it have a higher meaning? If so, what?

What a fantastic book this was. The description of the book allured me to it, but I wasn’t ready for what I found inside once I started reading. The book more than met my expectations; it exceeded them greatly. The concept felt fresh, unique, and new. It was all because of the way the author chose to tell it. The author used unconventional ways that brought a different favour to the art of storytelling.

I liked how the author set the stage from the beginning. When the story commenced, it was not a happy scene, to the contrary. The characters were uncertain and were not ready to let go. As if it wasn’t bad already, the whispering happened. As you can see, this was such an outstanding way to introduce the characters to the reader while setting the stage and making sure everything is familiarised before the story can even go further. This was executed tastefully, and I am sure anyone who picks it will agree.

The way characters felt real and human-like-like was another good point for the book. Emily is a character anyone, especially teenagers, who have been through some kind of loss in their lives will feel relatable to. Her relationship with her mother and close friends was the shining point of this novel. It was like the author was telling the reader that no matter what one might go through in life, as long as they have people they love and feel safe around with in life, then anything, no matter how hard and thought it may seem, can always be overcome. The supporting characters did just that—support Emily through her trying times.

The plot was another aspect that was filled with surprise. When I had got comfortable, thinking the book was only about loss, it took a turn I never saw coming and started talking about other stuff. This made me stay alert and read with care because things could change faster than I could blink. The plot was complemented by narration and dialogue that balanced each other to deliver a story that was both telling and revealing at the same time without focusing too much on one without the other.

What I disliked about the book, which was a huge let-down about it, was the presence of grammatical and punctuation errors. This gave me the idea that the book was not professionally edited at all, and this was a bummer because the book had the potential of being the best, with its unique plot and lovable characters. The book’s conclusion was satisfying, which is all I can say about it. That’s why I rate this book four out of five stars. I recommend the book to people who love novels that are about loss and moving on from it. Another round of editing would make it perfect.

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Onto a New World
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[Nneka Bridget]

Onto a New World by David Swan offers a compelling blend of paranormal thriller and human drama. The exploration of grief through Emily's journey is both touching and relatable, making for a heartfelt read. Despite some editing issues, the unique plot and strong character development shine through. Great review!

[Priya Murugesan]

I wish the book gets another round of editing. The plot sounds fantastic!

[zakia el melyani]

This review of Onto a New World praises the book’s unique blend of paranormal thriller and human drama. The story of Emily coping with her father’s death and the mysterious number “369” is engaging, with relatable characters and a surprising plot. However, the book is held back by grammatical and punctuation errors. Despite this, the reviewer finds it satisfying and recommends it to readers interested in stories about loss and healing.

[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

The number that drives the plot. It would be a shane if it ended up being moot. Emily seems like a character that many teens can relate to. Great review!

[Mary John 10]

Onto a New World by David Swan blends elements of paranormal thriller and human drama to tell the poignant story of a young girl grappling with grief after the loss of a loved one. As she navigates her sorrow, the story explores her emotional journey and the uncertainty of moving forward, offering a deeply moving experience that tugs at the heartstrings.