Echo

by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

[Quirky Cat]

There are a lot of reasons why I really wanted to read Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. First, the cover reminded me of Wool, a book (well, series) I've been thinking a lot about lately. For another, the opening scene reminded me of a popular graphic novel/television series.

Nick Grevers wakes from a coma to learn the bad news: Augustin is missing and presumed dead. He went missing in the same climbing accident that put Nick in a coma, so he can understand why people have such glum assumptions on the matter.

Yet Nick knows the truth – a truth he refuses to share with anyone. He can't talk about how he and Augustin were drawn to the mountains as if by magic. Nor can he speak of the thing that was waiting for them when they finally arrived.

"Don't you know the stories? Death birds are said to guide the souls of fallen climbers out of this world. If you believe what the old guides and mountain folk say, at least."

Fans of horror should make a note of Echo. This novel won't disappoint; I am thrilled to say. It's dark and tense, building slowly yet steadily towards a harrowing climax. It's the sort of novel that sticks with you. At least, it's going to stick with me. I just know it.

Admittedly, I think that the introduction is the most substantial part of Echo. To be clear – I don't mean that to sound like a negative. It immediately sucked me in and captivated me with its mystery. I almost wonder if the mystery would have been better left, you know?

The pacing for Echo is a bit slow, but that works well with the horror elements included here. That, combined with character-driven moments and many twists, kept me invested. I also really appreciated the representation in Echo. We need to see more of that.

Thanks to Tor Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks