Book 1 in a trilogy, 7th Son started out as a podcast series (found here) and is boasted as the most popular one in history. Now, they are being published by St. Martin’s Griffin.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before and this probably won’t be the last time either, but there is a lot to be said about the readability of a novel. J.C. Hutchins’ 7th Son: Descent was a very readable novel. It had me going from the very first page and had me interested until the last. That doesn’t mean it didn’t have its flaws, but 7th Son: Descent was a fun read throughout.
A four-year-old murders the President of the United States and people are scrambling for answers. How could a 4-year-old do such a thing? The government has some ideas, but likes to keep its secrets under wraps. Thus brings together 7 people who happen to look very similar to stop a killer in a murderous conspiracy that directly involves each of them.
Hutchins’ book reads like a movie almost at times and this has its benefits as well as detriments. While adding to the readability, it would also make the bad guys read like James Bond villains, which the book ironically refers to as well.
It made the characters seem a little overdramatic when the villains were doing some seriously bad stuff. I also thought the 7 “brothers” were going to shout “Go Team!” at times and because of this movie-esque feeling, I felt it took away from seriousness of the situation.
Mostly self-contained, 7th Son: Descent delivers an exciting finale that left me a little disappointed. It seems like it is mostly a set-up for what’s to come in the further installments, which leaves me excited to read (or listen to) the rest of the trilogy.
One last gripe, I promise, but there seemed to be an unnecessary amount of profanity. I may delve into this at another point on the blog, but I really feel like this dumbs down a novel and I’m just not a fan.
Who should read this?
If you’re in the mood for a fun, fast-paced novel you may want to give this a go. It was filled with conspiracy theories and technology that was both interesting and believable.
3.5/5 Stars for the Cover Art
Thanks for the kind review, Seak! I'm glad you enjoyed the book!
ReplyDelete--J.C.
Definitely. I'm excited for the rest of the trilogy. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've seen this book mentioned in a few places and have been curious about it. I also really dislike a lot of unnecessary profanity in books, such as in The Lies of Locke Lamora and The Blade Itself. I'm glad to know what 7th Son is about, though I think this is a book I'll be passing on.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with Lies and Blade, even though I really liked the stories and characters. I'm glad I was able to inform. :)
ReplyDeletei hardly read sci-fi books but this has an interesting premise--a 4 year old killing the president? wow!
ReplyDeletethank you for checking out my blog and taking time to comment :)
Chelleyreads,
ReplyDeleteThat's the same thing that hooked me and it's interesting when you find out how it happened.
And your blog is great. I'm always a fan of goals, etc., and I support making them always. There's a good quote that says if you don't learn to make goals and achieve them, you'll reach a ripe old age and look back only to realize you reached but a small part of your full potential.