The Trueblood trilogy i

Counterclockwise is an awe-inspiring novel that drew me in so subtly that I became deeply immersed in its world without even being aware it. When I finally realized how far I had wandered and how much I had gained – knowledge, emotions, musings – I was already at the penultimate chapter. This realization, having come so late, felt especially powerful and magical. I got the surreal and almost eerie feeling that I had really just traveled to a different world, had been a different person for a while, and stepping back into reality was like, if you will excuse the dramatic word choice – a kind of rebirth.  

I can’t count the number of favorite lines I had, but the imagery, diction, and syntax were always sizzling. I would often read a line and then re-read it aloud or just savor it on my tongue. This would have to be one of my top ten: Troy tried to remember when this enterprise had started, this process of searching out the addicts, the hookers, the hopeless, and listening to their dreams, their heartaches, and where it had all gone wrong. (p.35) And this line: Weeds had waged a full-court press, and dandelion tendrils floated on the evening breeze in a miniature ballet of insurrection.  (p. 189)

These characters’ struggles and adventures, which were described with stunning vividness and say so much about life’s pains and wonders, are enough for me to ponder for a long time. The broader theme of the story, the importance and almost poetic beauty of going backward to move forward… and weaving it together with language that was so and dialogue so true and evocative… I couldn’t get enough of it.   

Thank you for this incredible story. It was an unforgettable ride that has left me with much to think about. It’s definitely one of those journeys I can return to, re-discover, and fall in love with all over again. I was expecting a skillfully cooked meal only to find an entire gourmet-level buffet. As I stated at the outset, genuinely awe-inspiring.  ~~"Sunny"