Reviewed by Wency
TITLE: The Rest is Illusion
AUTHOR: Eric Arvin
PUBLISHER: Booklocker.com
LEGNTH: 192 pages
BLURB: A coming of age story with a supernatural bent, “The Rest is Illusion” is set on the campus of Verona College, a small liberal arts school that overlooks an ancient river valley. The story centers on five students at critical points in their lives. Sarah, a young woman at odds with everything her parents stand for; Ash, a mysterious genius; Dashel, a young man with a mysterious illness; Tony, a closeted football star; and Wilder, a manipulative hopeful politician. Their individual stories run in and out of each other in the course of a week. Personal problems are further complicated by an unseen force that surrounds the college, living deep in the woods. As this entity begins to more fully touch the lives of the characters, things begin to unravel. For some this is a needed change, but for others this is a catalyst to a terrifying end.
REVIEW:
I’m really glad that we’re featuring Eric Arvin’s books on the blog this whole week and that I chose this book to read or else I wouldn’t have encountered this amazing book sooner. I enjoyed this one immensely, if not for the demand of my duties I could have finish this in one sitting.
Everything in this book is purely brilliant for me. The story has this depth, making you look on the inner self of every character which are all well written for me. Everyone has this struggle within themselves and that makes them all connected. The flashbacks and multi-point of view should have bothered me, but it never did. I guess it’s because every one of them has a great story to tell; making you listen to them and understand their struggle.
Dash, he is the strong for me. I think if meet someone like him, in his very position, I would have cried because of his courage and strength. I mean, how could he do it? Just accept it that one day his life on this world would be taken much sooner from him? That’s true courage. And for me, he was the hero in this book, my hero. He was the glue that bind all the characters together. He never let is illness stop him from doing what he wants, instead it became the reason for him to finish what he have to finish because tomorrow might not come for him. He is always the adventurer, the seeker.
Wilder, his character has a dark shade in this book. I hated him the moment I saw his true self but as continued reading my hate develop a pity for him. His childhood and upbringing played a large part on his actions and on who is now. He always want to be in control of his surrounding and be superior to everyone. But once that control is taken away from him, his world starts to crumble.
Tony, he is a closeted football jock. I admired how he handled the truth. It takes great courage to do that. And what he had in a fleeting moment and lost, he still had his happy ending.
Sarah and Ash,I really love their characters. I probably stressed this more than enough but I got them. I understand their own demons. But together they fought if off and stayed strong.
I’m not really one for longer reviews, I might bore you but I really just can’t help it. And have a lot say. I love the writing! Very poetic and thought provoking. I’ve been highlighting like crazy. The ones I’ve highlighted really touched me and made me think that yes, it’s true. Then I would share on it facebook. Those passages will always stay with me.
For me, what this book wants to tell me is that, you have to continue living and accept the things you have no control of. Reconciled with it and cherish every moment you still have. And to those you have lost, remember them not from the loss, but for they have touched your life.
This is my first book from Mr. Arvin and it sure won’t be the last. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I did.
RATING: 