Brief synopsis - Kingdom follows three key characters: Dylan, the fairly debauched and despondent son of a former politician; Campbell, the disgraced and redemption-seeking one-time genetecist; and Morrison, the head of a corporate genetics corporation. Set in the near future, Kingdom follows the three leads in the separate quests for answers, redemption and domination, and finding that their paths and fates are inextricably linked.
It took me a surprising amount of time to read this, and I think I finally figured out why. The journey through a book is much like a physical journey - whether it be a brief stroll through something light and airy, or an arduous trek through a barren desert.
Kingdom is like a walk through a rainforest. The scenery is breathtaking (by which I mean the quality of the writing), but there's so much that it bogs you down and slows your journey.
O'Donnell is a fantastically talented writer, with some beautiful turns of phrase, great dialogue, and wonderfully evocative descriptions. He crafts his characters well, turning reprehensible ones into people who can be identifed and empathised with.
O'Donnell has his own voice, dark and angry, used to condemn a bitter and bleak future with aspects of our own which have attracted his wrath. However, he's also intelligent and creative, bringing in genetic manipulation, political wrangling, addiction, and studies of the soul, to create a fascinating piece. Remeniscent, at times, of Philip K Dick.
Interestingly, although I started off curiously detached from the lead characters, they do grow rapidly and subtly into investable people. Very well handled.
However, O'Donnell's biggest strength is also his biggest weakness. The writing is gorgeous, no doubt. However, there's just so damn much of it. In brutal honesty, the text could have done with a harsher edit, and losing 25-33%. I can understand why not, as what's written is so well delivered, but it does affect the pacing, and impact on what's being told at times. Tough choice to make.
The other problem is the old "information dump" issue. Whilst O'Donnell has crafted this wonderful world, has a real knack for dialogue and whatnot, on the occasions where information needs to be dumped it is literally dumped. In a huge chunk of text.
Honestly, I would love to see more from O'Donnell, but in a leaner, tigher-paced book, with less description. For what is, essentially, a slim novel there is too much descriptive padding. More story (and please note, I am in no way suggesting there isn't enough story here, because there is, and it's well written), and an expansion of his world would be great.
For a debut novel, this is outstanding, and I'm positive O'Donnell will be one to watch in the future. Recommended.
