Review of Alliance (The Paladin Prophecy #2) – Mark Frost

Why does it not surprise me to learn that Frost helped create Twin Peaks and the Fantastic Four movies? There is certainly something cinematic about his writing, and he has something of a talent for vivid description… but I am getting ahead of myself. First, let’s admit that I hadn’t read book one of the Paladin Prophecy, and that even with a massive data dump near the start, the thing is so damn complex that I had difficulty figuring out what was going on.

This introduction certainly grabbed my attention: “Lyle Ogilvy had trouble staying dead” is a great first line, but then the tension and the interest drop rapidly into a confusion of conspiracies. We have the Center, a Hogwarts for genetically enhanced teens, we have a castle with a vast ancient city in a cavern below, we have demonic critters trying to break through and take over the Earth, Native American weirdness, adults with dubious morality and Nazi philosophies… it’s all just a bit too much for one story. And some of it really strains the boundaries of credibility.

Sometimes more is less, and perhaps that is a lesson for writers too. If you are intrigued by this series, I suggest you go read the first book, The Paladin Prophecy, first, it might make more sense.

Corgi

Supplied by Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jacqui