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Location: United States

Member Since: March 23, 2013

Debra Armbruster

Smashwords book reviews by Debra Armbruster

Permanent Winter on March 30, 2013

Permanent Winter by Grant Palmquist This story had real potential. There were classical references (Nepenthe,The Hero's Quest), time-honored themes (coming of age, questions of faith), and glimpses of sophisticated vocabulary (aphotic was a new one for me and perfect for a book dealing in shadows!) - all hallmarks of books I enjoy. But the references were a bit in-your-face, the themes touched on but not fully explored, and the vocabulary a flirtation which crept into play about halfway through the novel. Grant Palmquist has the makings of a talented author, and this is clearly an early book. Sexual references abounded (I now have a pretty good idea of how to get into a peepshow... and how to score the grand finale), but they were more sophomoric than titillating. Joshua's (character) angst felt very real, but also a bit young, and I waited in vain for his psychotic break (budding schizophrenia?). Characters flitted in and out, and anyone could be killed off at any time, so it was difficult to become attached. Everything was gearing up for the war between Mallory and Ron to begin, and then the story abruptly ended. Tension built but met with ambiguity rather than resolution. Kind of a let down. Then again, maybe I'm not the intended audience. I'm picky (particularly in horror/fantasy), and have look for a certain elegance in horror. But it is easy to critique and not so easy to write. I applaud Mr. Palmquist for adding to the cannon of vampire tales, and doubt that this will be the end of the saga or the characters of Permanent Winter.