3.5 Atypical

Here is an unusual novel when I think "Thriller"! Indeed, the fantasy takes a relatively large part of the story, even if it serves only as a means, and the investigation is a search for identity on the part of the narrator.
Everything starts with Blake, ex-soldier who, by accident, by chance, a lack of exchange or ... something else, fall on an ancient artifact and coveted ... something that makes it almost indestructible because it allows him to heal even if it does nothing to his face deeply burned.
He will return to his home in Yumington, or some neighborhoods are real cut-throat. Disoriented, uncomfortable and unwelcome, Blake is crystallized passions and violence.
Quickly, neighborhoods ablaze and Blake will make decisions.

This character is a catalyst, larger issues loom on each "small" decisions he makes and his personal goals serve more drawings. Policy mix, economy and civil war, Blake through his city as a bulldozer without really worrying about it or damage it causes. Yet little by little, a form of consciousness emerge in him and leads him to no longer be an animal, a creature of instinct, to think and defeat his opponent on his land: intelligence.

Pawn in a war that goes beyond, Blake will be helped and guided by a mysterious man. More concerned with its secrets that Blake, that character will remain mysterious until the last pages, and the player will lose conjecture to try to discover the truth. But it was also he who will guide and Blake will evolve from a simple soldier to be powerful and influential.

Roman masculine or descriptions are brief and unadorned, everything is done to put pressure to the drive and plunge into despair and this world of violence.
The character is not meant to be endearing, it is even more pathetic during the major part of the plot, yet we end up worrying about him and think about his future.

Adding the fantastic remains discreet for my taste, and helps put into perspective the notion of Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This key, although present, is a way for the author to develop his character and precipitate in the final confrontation. Fortunately, because otherwise I think the novel has lost its own identity.

Atypical, this novel is truly unique and strangely addictive.