Westlake Soul, by Rio Youers is a powerful book and not
for the timid. Westlake
is an overachieving adventurous soul until a surfing accident leaves him brain
damaged to the point where everyone thinks he is a mindless shell. His mind and
soul are however far from dead. Instead he has gained super powers. He can
travel anywhere in the world and may be the smartest man alive. The problem remains
that he still can not move or escape from his body's coma-like state.
Like all good superheroes, he had a nemesis, Dr Quietus. Quietus is the
Grim Reaper that has come calling on the life that he feels he is owed and Westlake must do battle
with him often.
Although Westlake
has many powers in other respects he remains helpless, unable to move or
communicate with the people he loves. The book becomes a race to see whether he
will discover a way to wake up his body before death finally does make his last
call.
As I said, this book is very powerful. It is also a tear jerker. I made
the mistake reading this book mostly on my lunch breaks at work, which was a
bad idea. Hopefully none of my coworkers so me looking all weepy eyes. So yeah,
maybe read this one is a safe place. Not a good airplane book, guys.
Chizine continues to amaze me and earn my respect with novel after novel
making me want to devour anything they publish, which I have already gotten a
pretty good start on.
Downsides could include the heart wrenching aspect. If you don't like
tear jerkers... well this could be too much for you.
The book was a big page turner. Right away you are thinking come on Westlake, come on Westlake.
You want him to succeed so badly, but I will let you figure out for yourself if
he does.
Michael D. Griffiths