RADIO

When I asked around for indie book recommendations to review for SPFM, I specified I was looking for an unusual, underrated book aimed at an adult audience. It had to be well written, well edited and preferably a debut by an author who chose to self-publish. RADIO was the first and the only recommendation I received that fit my pre-requisites and was not based on the author's popularity.

I had come across this book last year during SPFBO 6, but didn't add it to my TBR, probably having lost interest when I read it was set in 1928 Paris, a location and time period I had no interest in, but I took the author's lack of popularity as a good sign and decided to give RADIO another chance.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw the story opens with a conversation between Apollo, Artemis and Marduk. Not only that, their characterisation was great!

Marduk's character is everything one can expect of a ‘god' trapped inside a mortal's body. His conversations with Del and especially with Bernard are excellent. Nothing in the narrative felt contrived or unpolished.

RADIO not only ticked every criteria on my list, its quality surpassed my expectations and remained high throughout.

This is a well thought out book with well-rounded characters, engaging dialogue and a clever plot. The setting fits the narrative perfectly and, despite my preferences, it did not affect my enjoyment of the story. My only complaint (if it can even be called a complaint) is that it dragged on a bit too much at times, especially when dealing with Del's addiction. This was pertinent to the plot and character development but I felt that the constant meanderings into the effects of withdrawal, although respectfully and accurately portrayed, detracted from the main narrative. The ending makes up for it though. I figured a twist of some sort was coming, but failed to predict it all and was pleasantly surprised.

Genre bending and unique, RADIO is a work of heart and mind, not ego, and it deserves more attention.