The Leaping

This is such a weird book. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, beyond an instinctive liking. The fractured language, the way the world is presented - everthing just works for me.I'm not so sure it'd work for many other people though - after years and years of avid reading, much in the fantasy and horror genres, my tastes have become very specific. I guess that when you've read many thousands of books in your lifetime (I estimate around 10k plus from the age of 13) that you start craving books that at least try to do something interesting with language and plot, even if they don't entirely succeed. This tries, and I think it succeeds.

This is such a weird book. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, beyond an instinctive liking. The fractured language, the way the world is presented - everthing just works for me.I'm not so sure it'd work for many other people though - after years and years of avid reading, much in the fantasy and horror genres, my tastes have become very specific. I guess that when you've read many thousands of books in your lifetime (I estimate around 10k plus from the age of 13) that you start craving books that at least try to do something interesting with language and plot, even if they don't entirely succeed. This tries, and I think it succeeds.

The Leaping follows a close knit group of colleagues as a new love interest begins to fracture their friendship. As two of them start an off-kilter relationship they move to a semi-derelict house and the second half of the novel explores a potentially supernatural element from that locale. The Leaping keeps its cards very close to its chest and depending on the readers own interests within the horror genre the finales will either be a welcome twist or a bitter disappointment. The build up is first class whereas the second half is stilted with too many red herrings and an untidy action sequence. Fletcher has evidenced an ability to create really strong group dynamics and future works might be able to deliver that amongst a stronger plot show more - that would make a recommended read. show less

I got to part 2 and decided that I could care less what happened to the characters, actually I kinda was rooting for the whatever was going to start killing them to start killing soon.