January 2015: The Month the Reader in Me Died

Every month on here, I like to spend my time talking about the books I read the previous month.

The amount of books I’ve read every month depends on what I read, obviously. For example – if I read a Stephen King novel, it’s very likely I’ll be reading that and one more book at max that month.

But then if I get sunk into a new author who puts out some incredible page turning books? Then I could do at least 10-15 books a month. I recently experienced that when I started reading Harlan Coben books.

However in the month of January, 2015 I managed to set a whole new record for myself:

I completed zero books.

That’s right. I completed absolutely zero books. Why? Because I started a new book, and it was so bad it put me off reading. I refused to stop reading it – I just HAD to finish it – but it was the most trying period for me and it took until early February before I managed to finish it. And even then – it was only by skimming to the end trying to ignore it all.

That book?

Die Twice, by Andrew Grant.

If you are unfamiliar with Andrew Grant then there’s only one thing you need to know about him – he’s Lee Childs brother. You know Lee Child right? Author of the Jack Reacher novels?

So seeing his brothers success, Andrew also decided to start writing novels. His first book was called Even and starred a character called David Trevellyan.

Now a lot of people hate Jack Reacher – they think he is too over the top, too “supermanish” or whatever. But let me tell you – in this scenario, Jack Reacher is like Clark freaking Kent compared to Trevellyan.

To say Trevellyan is over the top would be an understatement. It’s like Grant read the Reacher novels and thought “He isn’t quite powerful enough”.

Despite that, I actually LIKED the first Trevellyan novel, Even. It was a pretty good story, and more importantly it had a really awesome writing style. Each chapter would have Trevellyan have a flashback to earlier in his life – as a kid, in the military – whatever, and it would coincide with what was going on in that chapter.

It was a really neat style.

So I purchased the second book, and sat down ready to read it.

And I just died inside.

It is complete and utter trash. Trevellyan is even worse here and so over the top – he will take on numerous bad guys at once, full of confidence and spouting off lines like Arnie in the 80s. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

What’s worse is the plot. Trevellyan has interaction with one main character throughout the book – his boss, who is bossing him around. And you’re sitting there thinking okay the obvious twist is that this guy is a bad guy too. But he’s made it TOO obvious, it’s clearly a red herring or there’s more twists to come.

Nope.

The twist is what it appears to be. I don’t like giving out spoilers but I want to do everything I can to stop you from reading this book.

So many plot holes and just so stupid.

So thanks Andrew Grant – this is the first time I’ve went a month without completing a book since I was probably 3 years old.

Oh well – onwards and upwards. I don’t think I’ll be reading the third Trevellyan novel – this one was just too bad. But I’m going to try and get back on the reading train soon. Unfortunately it’s February 19th and honestly I haven’t even STARTED to read another book yet.

Reacher says nothing – hopefully from now on, Andrew Grant writes nothing.

One Response to “January 2015: The Month the Reader in Me Died”

1. Bmack: 9 years ago

   Thank you for the warning.

   I recently read a James Patterson collaboration that had this effect on me. A slightly different variation. It was so bad I was fascinated. Just how bad could it get. I felt like it must be in Guinness world records. I mean being the worst piece of garbage ever within has to be worth something? It was like to finding a nasty smell on your finger but for some sad humiliating reason you keep sniffing? I have read some James Patterson before and although never very good, I read them without pausing to look at the cover to be sure I had the right book. The book is “Alert” . yow! It sends a chill up my spine just repeating the title. It’s supposed to be a best seller? I am stunned. “I said”
   But to go to even greater heights of insult I bought the audible version so my wife and I could listen on some long road trips, “we said”. There were at least 2 voices. One was easily the most amateurish reading I have ever heard. Before 10 miles we were mimicking the tape every couple of seconds. I do not have the verbal communication skills to covey the excruciating pain it was to listen to this (no word in the English language). For some sort of sick entertainment, look it up on audible and listen to the sample. I am concerned that I imagined the whole thing. Whatever?

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