I honestly had no idea what to expect when I picked up Slip by Michael Pogach. I know him as a thriller author, so a fantasy was a bit of a divergence. Except, it wasn’t at all. And it was a fantastic read.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Byron, welder and sculptor, as she returns home to deal with the death of her father, whom she hasn’t seen for seven years. But in dealing with his estate, there are things she can’t quite get around. Like the fact that he left most everything to his friend, David. Or questions about her mother. Her missing friend, Chase. And the fact that her ability to slip a few seconds into the future appears to be morphing? Yeah, that’s a problem, too.
This book is one part fantasy, three parts mystery, and an equal amount thriller. I was fascinated with the plot twists and the various pieces that twined together to really make this book interesting. It had a lot of details, and while that could, in the hands of other authors, be overwhelming, I think Michael Pogach managed to pull it off expertly. I will say that I did figure out the murderer right near the halfway point, but I didn’t mind in the slightest.
2. Thoughts on the characters
Byron has got snark in spades. I love her snark. It’s two degrees shy of outright cynicism, but is definitely in that category. And why not? As we learn in the book, things are not always what they seem and she’s had a hard life. I appreciate her attempt to reconnect with her past, as well as forge a new future. And while initially she comes off as difficult, it quickly becomes apparent that she is far from it; she is defending herself against a cruel world.
As for the other characters, I think there were only a couple I wanted to know more about. Namely, her father. Why she was considered the intellectual heir to the Romantics, little details about his life. Nothing too extreme, just a couple of things to fill in the very few gaps that there were. On the whole, though, I think all the characters were exceptionally well done.
3. Favourite part
The ending, where things all get sorted out. I like that Byron gives no quarter, despite being in trouble already, and doesn’t let up until things are fixed.
4. Critique
The only critique I have is that I wanted more. Alas, the book had to end somewhere and I think it ended in the right spot. Still.
Overall, I would say that Slip is an excellent mix of fantasy (though more paranormal than true fantasy), thriller, and mystery. I would highly recommend this book.