14
“Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches.
There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment.
Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much.
At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s.
Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends.
Or the end of everything…” – Publisher’s Description
I haven’t been this excited about a book or recommended it so confidently half way through as I have been with 14. Unfortunately there is very little I can say in terms of the plot and plot devices included without giving away too much of the story. The key to 14 is to let it unfold for you — suspend belief for 370 pages and enjoy the ride! 14 will start out like a basic urban fiction, then transition itself in to a LOST style investigation and adventure into the paranormal, move itself into the land of Fringe along the way and then end as a pulp science fiction adventure before returning to a basic fiction again. Try to keep up!
Since giving too many (any) plot details would ruin the book and the story, I will avoid them entirely here. The only thing I will say is that you shouldn’t try to predict the story! I used to make this mistake when watching LOST many moons ago and tried here, thinking I knew where things would be going and who certain characters would end up being in the overall story but was thrown a curveball — just like the old days! This is by no means a bad thing, however, and served to keep me honest and riveted to the story not knowing what was coming.
As for the characters, we’re introduced to a very diverse, yet lovable group of misfits who inhabit the Kravach Building. None really stand out as individuals, but they are unique individuals. There is the computer “nerd”, quirky artist, country girl in the big city, biochemistry student with her Hollywood laborer husband — you get the idea! It makes for a fantastic chemistry among the residents as they investigate their mysterious building and the personalities develop within the group dynamic and individually well and it’s very believable (something authors often have trouble with). There is a fun thread of the residents as the Scooby-Doo gang that runs throughout and many subtle references and nods to popular science fiction that often made the little geek in me smile.
Overall, 14 was a quick and fun read that I was able to knock out in a weekend because is was so engaging and entertaining. If you’re looking for pure fantasy or hard sci-fi then this isn’t for you. If you like getting lost in intrigue and mystery in a science fiction setting, then go for it. I think that 14 in this way is very accessible to sci-fi fans and non-fans alike.
Many thanks to Permuted Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a copy of 14.
Five out of five stars.
