And yes, that's it, I just let go of the word thriller. The Chattamistes of the hardest faction often incense author in this genre. It was known indeed in his excellent trilogy of Evil, which I personally loved and devoured.
But it is forgotten that the first kind in which the author became known under the pseudonym of Maxim Williams, was fantastic, with the fifth kingdom. And one thing is for sure, even if we felt it dawning accents to Stephen King, the fact remained that for a first novel, Chattam was doing pretty well.
And now Maxime renews his writing in this genre. And here we already hear the blast cries of those who think that Maxim wanders, Maxime ran aground in a genre that does not suit him, Maxime written a novel far below what he is capable to do.
Nay, dear readers. Maxime simply offers something different. But "different" means for many "less good." Well not in my case. I enjoyed this new novel, although some points have me a little annoyed. So I go into the details ...
The subject of Otherworld did not initially attracted me, I must confess: a Great Storm in the evening of 26 December, launches its blue flashes on the world. Long electrical filaments, as provided weird fingers, just dig the Earth and the Manhattan skyline ... Again, a small side Stephen King's Storm of the Century style (and indeed, I think the author -even is amused because he does not hesitate to place in the hands of his hero a teacher's book King in person ...). But again, the comparison stops there. After the storm, everything changed. Nothing will be the same on Earth. Since the latter rebelled and only children can now claim their place in this new world.
And this is where we find the same ingredients as for his first fantasy novel: adolescent hero. What seems to be the element that apparently dislike most aficionados Chattam.
Still, it has managed to make an endearing hero, Matt, assisted by his friend Tobias, and no ordinary dog, Feather. Small Group which will appoint a third character, and with which the Alliance of three, subtitle knew novel will be.
So for once, it's true an Other World would be closer to children's literature. But as I am a regular reader of this kind of book, I completely adhered to the history and the built world. One recognizes the inventiveness of Chattam the evil creature that seems to pursue Matt, or in the enemy, Cyniks, Wolverines or Echassiers ...
The first part of the book I was completely packed. The "Chattam touch" is there: short chapters that are linked in a breathless pace.
The second part, on the island, is slower, and sometimes I found some lengths, but also found it a real mastery of suspense. Although some turning situations are either fairly predictable, or rather agreed. But all has a certain originality, like a new Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
The set is really nice to read, and I think that really, even when Maxime Chattam exchange genre I like. I am now waiting to see more, because for the moment, some plot elements are still somewhat unclear and I do not see where Chattam Maxime wants to take us. But I trust him. I'm sure he'll concoct a trilogy with onions. I too will follow beetles ...
Other World is a novel that can therefore offer at teenagers no problem, but that adults should not sulk either. I took really a lot of fun with this novel. And for me, without question, the fantastic is a genre that perfectly befits the master of the thriller.
Who said when excelled in one area, it was bound to be worse in another? After all, the style is Chattam. The universe is Chattam. The Chattam is pending. What you ask for? We should not always want to be more royalist than the king ...
Just one more thing: what is the fantasy of the editor to have left a margin that seemed absolutely huge between the top and the beginning of typeset text? Certainly, the work would have involved fewer pages. I see a response, which is to think that really, one is afraid of scaring fans: Chattam has a habit of concocting cobblestones ... Would it have been afraid that the work is thinner?
Come on, fans and other readers Chattam not yet conquered: fi prejudices and treat yourself ...
