Perfunctory Affection

by Kim Harrison

[kimbacaffeinate]

PERfunctory AfFECTION was different. An unreliable narrator and events that unfold will leave the reader pondering what they have just read. Some will say horror, some will say psychology thriller and still other will declare it fantasy or paranormal.

I am not going into any details, because I went in blind and I think it is better that way. When I first met Meg I wasn’t sure what to think. She obviously has some issues. She lost her mother and has some PTSD from a car accident involving her boyfriend Austin. She suffers from depression and teaches art at the local university.

The tale began rough for me, but slowly pulled me in. I struggled a bit trying to figure Meg out and that made it hard to sink into the story. Don’t expect to like her. She feels needy, unsure and at times childish in her mannerisms, but there is an unlying strength that emerges.

Part of the problem was the narration, which I will get to next. Once, Meg befriended Haley I was hooked. The story reads like a psychological thriller with a fantasy or supernatural vibe. It all depends on what or who you believe.

Traci Odem narrates and as I stated above I initially struggled with her narration. On reflection, I think the disconnect was me trying to settle into the story and identify with Meg. Around the 25% mark I had no complaints with either the story or the narration.

Depending on your perception at the end of PERfunctory AfFECTION there could be another book or it was one heck of an ending. Either way, it is one you will reflect on, talk about, and conjure. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer