Chronicle of Lies: Part 1: The Dark Sculptor Review

 

Book:  Chronicle of Lies: Part 1: The Dark Sculptor
Author: Abraham Carson
Pages: 782
Hard Core Scale: 2.5/4
Normal Scale:  8/10
Publish Date: 2024


About:  A schizophrenic awakes after a car crash in a body and world not his own.  Between the voices and the dragon like body what is ultimately real? And can Vincent get out of this with his sanity intact or without comprising his true self?

Review:
In all honesty I am on the fence about this work. Perhaps being more jaded with age. A debated prologue needing a more further edit with its repeat structure. Small stuff like numbers and some bad tell moments early on. A chapter also has uneededed page breaks. These get swept away as Carson takes his stride.  Most of the work is a fine solid style. The alien world fun and engaging. His world design top notch. A living world is a fun world and a goal for any writer. Its story what I find fickle.  There is a split in the mental capacity that aides the work and distracts from it. A plot point makes it a moot point and it is only through Vincent bringing it up in self-defense often that it maintains its course. Vincent himself is an excellent foil, albeit abrasive personality makes him a difficult person to root for. The peaceful culture he finds himself in and the brownie moniker he finds himself with prevents any altercation to this which is an odd circle jerk in sense of danger of disbelief. The Isekai layer and the revoked chosen one, ancient evil major plot elements are problematic per usual with their potential for plot holes and simple resolutions. Tropes are though often what you do with them and Carson teeters the balance act in fun ways. This first book ends with great sequel hooks that walks over the pitfalls of the genre.  A lot rests in unsolved mystery and stacked decks and the counter weight for that means Carson in the sequels has very difficult work to do. A long slow burn, but an enjoyable reader that has avoided self-sabotage so far and for that I need to nod my head in respect.

                                                                Cover by Royz, 2024

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