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by Katarina Kovcin

Arrival: Detective & Alien World

Arrival: Detective & Alien World
by Katarina Kovcin

Arrival by Alex Slade

I must admit I was quite intrigued by this book before I’d even picked it up. While I hadn’t read anything from Alex Slade before Arrival, the intriguing genre blend of science fiction and crime fiction appealed to me as much as its gorgeously designed book cover.

STORY

The first character we meet is our protagonist Jake Westbrook, a mysterious and determined homicide detective who closes all his cases. Together with the younger and ambitious detective Tom, he finds that the newest case is something else entirely though, as they both get caught up in a slew of increasingly bizarre disappearances. Nobody knows where the missing persons are, and nobody has any clue about where they could possibly be found. It’s as if they’ve simply vanished. Who or what is taking them?

More anti-hero than hero, Jake has some flaws, and the novel drops hints that something dark happened in his past – little of which is shared with the reader. Slade has created this character in a manner that makes him multi-dimensional and more “human” – the kind of person with which the reader can easily empathize.

WORLD BUILDING

Arrival uses a unique structure to great effect. We find each chapter written in the perspective of alternating characters. At some point, we also see how this new character is somehow related to a missing person. It’s a dizzying pattern, by which we’re led deeper and deeper into the book’s central mystery. The author has chosen to name each chapter according to the title of the introduced character. For instance, we have The Pilot, The Teacher, and The Thief. Slade rarely brings in something that is unrelated to the plot, and we come to realize that these professional titles have a significance of their own. As the story unfolds, we discover more about the characters of Arrival – their histories and their personalities. We also learn that whilst their uniqueness is what sets them apart, it is also what they have in common.

Jake’s own sense of what is real starts to fall apart when he is able to talk to Frank (The Thief) – the only missing person who somehow made his way back home. Frank reveals something of the strange and awful horror of the “other” place – a place he is convinced is not of this world. He believes he was abducted by aliens – and while Jake at first is skeptical, it turns out Frank is right.

Meanwhile, more and more main characters disappear.  The novel plunges the reader into the overwhelmingly unfamiliar scenes of this very same alien planet. We find it populated with creatures who have been somehow also taken from their homeland. In some parts of the planet, there is a firm kind of order, with rules to be respected and a certain hierarchy. However, on other parts there’s complete anarchy, where species wage a constant and bloody war against each other. Slade is an imaginative writer when it comes to creating original and fantastical settings.

WRITING

While Arrival deals with many sci–fi themes, the author avoids the kind of complex, technical writing which could alienate some audiences (pun not intended). His clear and simple language ensures that readers’ attention is focused primarily on plot and characters. The scenes and chapters are kept brief, but with many twists and turns between them.

The ending leaves the reader with major questions unanswered, and with many characters’ stories unexplained. This may end up being more a “teaser” than a frustration however, as Arrival could be the first book of a sci-fi saga. Slade sure has the material to explore, and readers won’t get bored on the journey with him. If you enjoy TV shows like X–Files, Stranger Things, or books like The Eerie Silence by Paul Davies, then I’d recommend you to put this book on your reading list.

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Katarina KovcinKatarina Kovcin
Writer, Photographer, Videographer. Founder & Editor of ALTEREA. Always looking for art in everything. Proud Slytherin.

17 comments

Robin Masshole Mommy says:
December 27, 2016 at 12:20

I don’t read, but I know this was a movie recently and I am super excited to see it. I love stories like this, so I am sure it will be good.

Reply
candy says:
December 27, 2016 at 14:05

I will have to go find this for my daughter. She loves to read and reads anything and everything. This will keep her entertained and busy for a several hours.

Reply
Ali says:
December 27, 2016 at 14:14

This looks like an intriguing book. Your right, it is a great book cover! This might be a good one to keep in mind to read over summer vacation.

Reply
Jacqui @FlightsFancyMom says:
December 27, 2016 at 15:11

This book sounds right up my alley. I love books like this. That’s great that the author doesn’t use all the lingo people wouldn’t understand. I love a good one, but it gets tiring looking words up lol.

Reply
Heidi Dee says:
December 27, 2016 at 17:42

It has been far too long since I’ve picked up a book and this one combines two of my favorite genres! The teaser part scares me though as I get obsessed and have to finish!

Reply
Vera Sweeney says:
December 27, 2016 at 18:07

This book sounds like it is right up my alley!!! I am going to have to find this, would be a great read for my next flight.

Reply
Pam says:
December 27, 2016 at 20:29

Multi-perspective novels can be so fun. This one sounds like a really thrilling and exciting read. I love books like this.

Reply
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says:
December 27, 2016 at 23:53

This sounds like such an amazing book. I am definitely a fan of cuddling up with a great book in front of the fire and getting lost in it!

Reply
Kerri Olkjer says:
December 28, 2016 at 00:15

This definitely isn’t something that I would normally pick for myself. It sounds really good though!

Reply
lisa says:
December 28, 2016 at 00:49

This sounds like a great book to pick up this holiday season. We keep ourselves low key during the holidays and I would love to take the time to read this!

Reply
Liz Mays says:
December 28, 2016 at 03:29

Now this sounds like the kind of Sci-fi story I might like. The protagonist sounds like a very complex and interesting character to follow.

Reply
Rebecca Swenor says:
December 28, 2016 at 14:28

This book sounds like a great read and would be a great gift idea for my sister too. I love the science fiction with crime fiction which is indeed amazing and makes for an awesome read. This book I am really going to have to check out for sure. Thanks for sharing a great review.

Reply
Terri says:
December 28, 2016 at 16:00

I’m such a bookworm, I look for book reviews on a daily basis. This one sounds right up my alley and I’ve just added it to my book list.

Reply
Kendall says:
December 28, 2016 at 18:55

Sounds like such a fabulous read! Adding this to my list for some quality reading time in the New year 🙂

Reply
Tonya says:
December 28, 2016 at 19:31

I’m not big on sci-fi but my mom is and trying to keep her in reading material is quite the challenge. I bet she would really enjoy this one.

Reply
CourtneyLynne says:
December 29, 2016 at 05:42

Omg this looks like one awesome book! I really need to add it to my winter reading list!

Reply
Sara says:
January 1, 2017 at 13:25

My son loves to read. I am definitely getting this book for him, he would love the excitement. I am more a chick lit reader, but reading is so important!

Reply

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