Where do I begin? I found myself in a bit of a quandary because the first two thirds of the book itself had me completely confused and absolutely riveted at the same time. Greachin was quite the enigma and I’m not entirely sure all my questions about “it” (which I say because I’m not sure if Greachin is actually male, female, neither or both) were answered completely. Red Tash, you’re going to have to write a second book now because there is so much there that has to be finished. You left the story so open for so much continuation that I’ll be powerfully disappointed in you if you don’t write another one. Please? Pretty, pretty please? (Hint, hint.)
I have to say without further adieu that I love Red’s writing style and the aura and mystery that surrounds the work. She gave just enough detail to keep me guessing and just when I thought I had it all figured out, it was as if she reached up through the pages of the book, smacked me upside the head and said, “Haha, you haven’t got it all figured out!” There were several places in the book that I felt could’ve used more detail but had they actually had that detail, it would’ve taken away from the compelling mystery of the storyline itself. See my dilemma here?
She touched on such ideas as time travel and heavily theoretical concepts, not the least of which is the star over Bloomington that doesn’t show up any place else and I loved the look into her soul and all that she believes because I’ve had my questions about it. I simply don’t ask anyone about their faith because I feel it’s none of my business but that doesn’t mean I’m not itching to know more or ask questions from time to time. There were deeply faith based ideas in This Brilliant Darkness that would’ve been considered horrifyingly heretical even twenty years ago and I have to admire and respect her courage in writing about them openly.
In having to give a star rating, because most who know me would know that I don’t believe in them but I’ll do it anyway because I’m forced, (under duress, I tell you) I’d have to give a four star rating because there is just so much in the story that’s left entirely to the reader’s interpretation. Now, if Red will be so kind as to write a continuation of the storyline itself, I might just be compelled to retract that four star and make it a five star. In short, I really liked This Brilliant Darkness and will be looking and hoping for a sequel and will not only buy it, but be there with bells on and first in line. I’m impressed, Red Tash but you have to write more, my friend. You can’t leave me hanging like that! Have a little mercy, woman!
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