Review of Alaska Deadly
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Md Mamun Hossain
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Review of Alaska Deadly
[Following is a volunteer review of "Alaska Deadly" by J.L. Askew.]
“Alaska Deadly” by J. L. Askew can be best classified as a crime thriller, with a rather liberal addition of supernatural horror and thrillers, a Northern Cold adventure, and even a few elements of black humor. This blend of the different genres results in a rather interesting and engaging story that will be of interest to readers who are anxious for something different. Race Warren, the leading male character of the book, is not your rugged, exotic male detective. Oh yeah, he is tough and determined all right, but there is something likable and downright resourceful about a young guy that prevents him from becoming a stock character. In this aspect, Askew does a brilliant job of subverting cliches and transforming Race into a protagonist one can support.
This Alaskan setting is not simply part of the plot but is a character and behaves as one. As with many things Askew does, his use of descriptions is vibrant and vivid—a depiction of a land that is as magnificent as it is deadly. As laid out in the grim setting, the stories of legends are intertwined with the real world, where it becomes difficult to differentiate between the two. This blending between realistic and fantastic leaves you considering for a moment: is the main threat human or some creature? Race’s journey isn’t a solitary one; it is part of an interconnected whole that reflects reality. He meets many interesting people in the book, starting with the rustic ex-cop with a vested interest and ending with the intelligent native who knows the terrain well. This aspect is gripping because the relationships between characters evolve and motives are not always clear. Such strategic ambiguity helps Askew minimize the clear identification of the main characters as heroes and villains and leaves you alone with the problem of recognizing who is right in this complex system of lying.
Thus, one cannot unequivocally categorize ‘Alaska Deadly.’ Though it begins as a mystery, there are aspects of action, suspense, and even horror in the plot. This is quite an attractive strategy as it constantly changes the genre, which increases the element of surprise. The introduction of the supernatural felt slightly unbelievable to some readers, but overall, it works well and provides an exciting and suspenseful feel. The strong tendency toward mixing different genres can be viewed as the book’s weakness, as some readers may find they want more concentration in a specific area. This high action and complexity sometimes bring reprisals, plus some storylines’ conclusions may look hasty. However, these are mere nitpicks in the overall huge roller-coaster that this book is.
Thus, the rating for “Alaska Deadly” will be 5 out of 5 stars because it is a thrilling roller coaster that has the readers flipping through the pages. This book is ideal for those who like mysteries mixed with action and twists to a certain extent. The editing was also tight, without a single flaw or error. Askew did not make any mistakes, and the usage of various genres in the story adds to the masterful experience one gets while reading. All you have to do is prepare yourself to have your beliefs challenged as you move through the treacherous land of Alaska and all the things people do not know about it.
******
Alaska Deadly
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Alaska Deadly” by J. L. Askew can be best classified as a crime thriller, with a rather liberal addition of supernatural horror and thrillers, a Northern Cold adventure, and even a few elements of black humor. This blend of the different genres results in a rather interesting and engaging story that will be of interest to readers who are anxious for something different. Race Warren, the leading male character of the book, is not your rugged, exotic male detective. Oh yeah, he is tough and determined all right, but there is something likable and downright resourceful about a young guy that prevents him from becoming a stock character. In this aspect, Askew does a brilliant job of subverting cliches and transforming Race into a protagonist one can support.
This Alaskan setting is not simply part of the plot but is a character and behaves as one. As with many things Askew does, his use of descriptions is vibrant and vivid—a depiction of a land that is as magnificent as it is deadly. As laid out in the grim setting, the stories of legends are intertwined with the real world, where it becomes difficult to differentiate between the two. This blending between realistic and fantastic leaves you considering for a moment: is the main threat human or some creature? Race’s journey isn’t a solitary one; it is part of an interconnected whole that reflects reality. He meets many interesting people in the book, starting with the rustic ex-cop with a vested interest and ending with the intelligent native who knows the terrain well. This aspect is gripping because the relationships between characters evolve and motives are not always clear. Such strategic ambiguity helps Askew minimize the clear identification of the main characters as heroes and villains and leaves you alone with the problem of recognizing who is right in this complex system of lying.
Thus, one cannot unequivocally categorize ‘Alaska Deadly.’ Though it begins as a mystery, there are aspects of action, suspense, and even horror in the plot. This is quite an attractive strategy as it constantly changes the genre, which increases the element of surprise. The introduction of the supernatural felt slightly unbelievable to some readers, but overall, it works well and provides an exciting and suspenseful feel. The strong tendency toward mixing different genres can be viewed as the book’s weakness, as some readers may find they want more concentration in a specific area. This high action and complexity sometimes bring reprisals, plus some storylines’ conclusions may look hasty. However, these are mere nitpicks in the overall huge roller-coaster that this book is.
Thus, the rating for “Alaska Deadly” will be 5 out of 5 stars because it is a thrilling roller coaster that has the readers flipping through the pages. This book is ideal for those who like mysteries mixed with action and twists to a certain extent. The editing was also tight, without a single flaw or error. Askew did not make any mistakes, and the usage of various genres in the story adds to the masterful experience one gets while reading. All you have to do is prepare yourself to have your beliefs challenged as you move through the treacherous land of Alaska and all the things people do not know about it.
******
Alaska Deadly
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: A Row with Two Chairs by Scott Laurence Mocha
