Review of Seven at Two Past Five

[Austin Sheppard]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Seven at Two Past Five" by Tara Basi.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Abi, an old button maker, begins her day the same way she has always remembered, waking up at
random times, but always before “Two Past Five”. Her awakenings are a blessing to her, for she is able to escape the “Terrors” that come for her every night like clockwork. What these Terrors are is unbeknownst to Abi, but they have always occurred for as long as she can remember. Until one day she wakes up from a sleep free from those awful Terrors. Abi is filled with joy as she continues on with her routine, yet her whole existence is about to unravel. Witness the unfolding of judgments against Abi as she traverses the unique land that is chaotic yet orderly, abnormal yet natural, and depraved yet humane.

Seven at Two Past Five by Tara Basi captures the reader instantaneously and is unforgiving in the convergence of what seems real and symbolic. There will be many times that you question what will happen next as the main protagonist, Abi, delves deeper and deeper into the strange landscape in search of justice with her guide, Zero. The author has embedded so much meaning and metaphor into every scene and every character of this book that it will make you think and draw connections between what is written and what you believe. The fantastical element that the author imbues with subjects such as law, religion, and society makes this work of fiction a one-of-a-kind exploration.

A positive thing about this book is the unique ideas that are presented throughout the pages. The ever-switching between biblical stories, courtroom drama, and our understanding of our own world
compared to the world in which Abi resides creates a psychological labyrinth for the reader that is a pleasure to get lost in.

I have no negative aspect of this book, every page was an astonishing testament to the brevity that the author used for this story. The book was exceptionally edited and free from any errors that I could find.

With these things mentioned, I would have to give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. This book was a fantastic read and I am even considering a rereading of this book. Yet I must warn that those who are more sensitive to topics such as religion, politics, and societal issues might not enjoy this read. However, if such topics and prying at them with a slightly cynical view is more your style, then this book would be a perfect fit.

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Seven at Two Past Five
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