Pale
by Chris Wooding
Paperback, 72 pages
Expected publication: September 10th 2012
Publisher: Stoke Books
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
*eCopy received from netgalley.
Synopsis via Goodreads:
The Lazarus Serum can bring you back from the dead. Only thing is, it turns you into a Pale. Jed can't imagine anything worse, but then the choice is taken out of his hands...
~My Review~
First of all, I had no idea this author wrote so many novels. That's cool. And the genres in which he writes in are some of my favorite so that's a plus as well.
Now, with that aside, let's talk about the awesomeness of this great but short lived story.
Pale was interesting from beginning to end, no matter how quick. I know I'm stressing on its lightness but that's only because it was so entertaining that it should have gone on longer. I loved the premise on which the story's built. Wooding wasn't just describing a world where people "returned" from the dead, but he also detailed how they were treated, not as people, but as irrelevant and unwanted in society. There's definitely the aspect of bullying; in fact, the main character, Jed, enabled and participated in bullying along with his friends. Funny how the tables turn on him. I believe the appropriate verbage is "KARMA."
Jed had a lot going for him. He came from a well-off kind of family, and he had a blossoming relationship with Sadie, his girlfriend. It was all good up till one terrible moment took everything away from him. Jed is brought back into a form he's dreaded for so long. "...I'd rather die" was his final remark before his dramatic return.
After which, everyone he thought loved and cared about him changed. He was no longer accepted within his family, and his friends turned their backs on him. Even his girlfriend, bitch, the one who had something to do with his situation, was too ashamed to be seen with him. Indeed, everything was going downhill until Jed started connecting with the Pales and learning more about their group.
His new found friendship will change his views on a lot of things, and suddenly Jed becomes more understandable, tolerable to the people he formerly loathed.
This is a story that I believed was dystopian/romance focused but once I got into it that completely faded. Again, my only disappointment is how short it was because I truly enjoyed it. My question is, will there be a spin-off or some sort of continuation? Never mind, do not hesitate. Be sure to get a copy on release day!
About the Author
Chris Wooding grew up in a small town in Leicestershire, where not much of anything happened. So he started to write novels. He was sixteen when he completed his first. He had an agent by eighteen. By nineteen he had signed his first book deal. When he left university he began to write full-time, and he has been doing it professionally all his adult life.
Now thirty-two, Chris has written sixteen books, which have been translated into twenty languages, won various awards and been published around the world. He writes for film and television, and has several projects in development.
Chris has travelled extensively round the world, having backpacked all over Europe and North America, Scandinavia, South East Asia, Japan and South Africa. He also lived in Madrid for a time. When he wasn’t travelling on his own, he spent his twenties touring with bands and seeing the UK and Europe from the back of a van.
He also learned not so long ago that his family tree can be traced back to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, which has no bearing on him whatsoever but it’s kind of interesting anyway.
Chris lives in London.
Oh, I'd never heard of this before so thanks for bring it to my attention! x) The concept sounds really interesting and I'm in love with the fact that it's told from a males POV! YAY for it not being the typical dystopia/romance as well :P Fantastic review! Will definitely be looking out for it when it's released :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! yes, i also like that's a guy narrating cause those aren't very common. It really was a good story.
DeleteI own one of Chris Wooding's books but haven't had time to read it yet...this one sounds amazing too!
ReplyDeleteIt is. I actually like the plots he comes up with. I'm definitely gonna start paying more attention to his work.
DeleteWow this sounds really interesting, the idea that people can be brought back form the dead is really cool! 72 pages is really short though! Still, it sounds like a good book :)
ReplyDeleteYea it's short but the story is good. Check it out!
DeleteIt's always a good sign if you were disappointed it had to end. :) I've been curious about this book so it's helpful to read your review. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Shane! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you glad i motivated you to check it out.
DeleteI've never heard of this book before, but it sounds absolutely wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed it this much, Shane even though it's a short read!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. :)
I read some of his other work and I quite liked it. I saw this one on Netgalley, but I decides to skip it (because I already have so many other books waiting for me :p) It does sound very good, so I might give it a try later - if it's still available. Thanks for the nice review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I strongly recommnend.
DeleteWow!! This book sounds awesome :) Great review!!
ReplyDeleteNow it's on my To Read list...which seems to be growing by the second!! #bookbloggerproblems