Customer Reviews

A Matter of Perspective (Doctor and the Witch)

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This entry is the second part of a three part series. (The first book being, "A Question of Balance.") It picks up with the aftermath of the ordeal that Lady Tarish and Dr. Pendargroom survived. By its nature, it's not quite as exciting as the first book. It deals with the fallout of the first adventure. How both Tary and Arthur (especially Tary) are dealing with and recovering from the terrible things they experienced and endured in the first book. However, this approach is very important as it fleshes out the characters and provides a better insight into how and why they react the way they do in the upcoming adventure. So while the book takes a while to build on the characters, it does set the stage for the next series of events. Once the action begins, the book takes off quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what is going to happen next. Furious page flipping, as in the first book. There are some unexpected twists and turns to keep us interested and wondering. The turn of events takes us into the darker regions of what humans are capable of and it's not very pleasant. Even Tary is not above doing what she feels is absolutely necessary to survive. Although she's aware of the "greater good", Tary must make some very difficult decisions and take some very extreme measures to get through this grueling ordeal. On some level, we can all relate to this dilemma. The depth of the character development allows us to experience Tary's pain, turmoil and inner struggle. Without giving away too much of the story (you have to read it for yourself), suffice to say that you'll be relieved to know that our herione and hero survive to tell their tale. And it's a grim one, indeed. It's not your typical happy ending where everyone lives happily ever after, however as there is another installment ahead. Stay tuned for what horrible plan Malcolm unleashes upon our heroic couple next ...

In this entry into the Doctor and the Witch Series, the situation has grown darker, more personal and even more desperate.

"The dark power in the end perishes of its own darkness. For evil must itself fall at the very moment when it has wholly overcome the good, and thus consumed the energy to which it owed its duration."
From the I Ching

This reading from the I Ching in lieu of the prologue page hints that Tary and Arthur will never be the same after their confrontation with evil incarnate and sets the mood for the story that follows. As we watch their desperate plunge into the abyss, we realise that there is no way for them to win victorious in this battle. The author goes from fast moving action to psychological terror without slackening the pace of the story. From the beginning to the very last page expect the unexpected. I enjoyed this book even more than the first, though it took a different turn than I had anticipated. I really came to care for the characters and was sad to see them lose so much.

But it is a series and there will be other adventures. At least I hope so.