Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Relativity

SERIES:  Lateral Parallax, Book 1

AUTHOR:  Carole Cummings and Andrew Q. Gordon

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  429 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 12, 2022

BLURB:

We’re not alone. There are an infinite number of universes and no two are the same.

For Nathan Duffy, life involves several truths—he has an iron grip on his talent, he will never walk again, and he will never stop putting his best friend Camilo Almenara ahead of his own well-being. In a world where talent can kill or save, Nathan’s nearly did both at the same time. When a drunk driver T-boned Cam’s car, Nathan lost control of his talent. He saved his best friend and nearly killed himself.

Nathan thought the accident that left him with lifelong mobility issues was the worst pain he would ever experience. He was wrong. After years bottling up his talent, it finally breaks through. The hallucinations he experiences induce pain beyond anything he’s felt. It also means he is a danger to everyone he is close to.

For Cam, life has its own truths. Nathan only had the power to save one of them, and he chose his friend. Cam walked away without a scratch, but the guilt is never far. He’s spent the years since the accident taking care of Nathan—or at least trying to. Now something is happening to his best friend and Cam can’t help. So he goes to the one person who can–his father, Colonel Caesar Almenara, a walking legend whose talent has no equal. And who also refuses to help.

If Cam and Nathan don’t find a cure fast, Nathan will quickly find himself drugged, drafted, and shipped off to war. Desperate and angry with his father, Cam takes Nathan to the one person he thinks can help, a friend of his deceased mother who helped work on a top secret military project that could be behind Nathan’s condition. A project Cam’s father led.

When Cam’s father tracks them down, Nathan is out of time. He offers to go quietly, but the Colonel has other plans. One that includes the other personality that keeps taking over Nathan’s mind. If the Colonel succeeds, Nathan has a chance at a better life. If not….

REVIEW: 

Relativity is the first book in a new mind-bending, urban fantasy, paranormal series, Lateral Parallax, by Carole Cummings and Andrew Q. Gordon (aka Andy Gallo, his MM Romance pen name).  Relativity is a fascinating tale of alternate universes, magical/paranormal powers called “talents”, and war.  This is not an M/M romance although our protagonists, Nathan and Cam, have a romantic story arc that will span two books, as does the storyline.  Your mind will get twisted up with the possibilities of this story, and then we’ll have to wait until next year for book two, Deliverance, to get the resolution of so many open questions.

The writing in Relativity is terrific, particularly in the internal monologues of Nathan, and in Nathan and Cam, the authors have created two complex, intriguing characters. The storyline has an X-Files crossed with X-Men feel to it.  It’s easy to want to follow the journeys of Nathan and Cam as they race against time to cure Nathan’s mysterious, debilitating condition and his uncontrolled, burgeoning powers. You will want to understand the nuances of his “talent”, his relationship with Cam, unlock the secrets surrounding Cam’s family, particularly his father the Colonel, and understand what is going on in Nathan’s head.  What are these other universes?  Who is taking over his personality?

This story requires an investment from the reader.  It’s a long, highly detailed book with complex characters and an even more complex plot. It takes time and patience to get through. The pacing is slow and reveals are slow to come.  It’s dense, but it’s a puzzle you will want to solve.

Nathan and Cam are likable characters with a complex relationship exhibiting clear affection, if not love, for each other.  Yet all is not sunshine and roses for them, as they grapple with the best way to help each other.  They are not always in agreement on what that looks like.  The author’s portrayal of the myriad layers of their life long friendship/love is well-done.

Overall, Relativity is a book that takes effort and time, but the content is worth it.  It is likely not the story for you if you are looking for a romance-focused book, a quick read, or a light storyline.  But if you like a meaty plot with texture, detail and substance, Relativity is a worthy investment.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon