This novella is written around a very interesting concept. It’s about a bar (with no name) where patrons pour out their drinks and then good things happen to them. However, if one breaks the rules by talking about the bar, or mentioning the good luck it brings, everything quickly goes south. Patrons can be barred; servers can be safed. Intriguing? It is, and I really enjoyed the idea behind the story, but there are a lot of holes that need filling in. I do enjoy the paranormal and the unexplainable, but on occasion I find that I need a little more detail, and unfortunately I didn’t receive that in this novella. Much is left unsaid: What are the lights? How does the pouring work? What is the safe? While allusions are made, there is no concrete evidence given, and I need something that I can toy with and state, “this is what I think happened.” Instead, I finished this novella with a bit more questions than answers or even ponderable ideas in regards to the meaning or explanation behind these things. While some people really do enjoy not knowing, I feel like a little too much was left unexplained for me to really grasp the novella, but perhaps that’s the point?
I'm not sure what to think about this book. Perhaps another read or some time to let it settle will clear that up. What I am sure of is that it is well written, with descriptive and flowing prose. The main premise is engaging and unique, but left me with unanswered questions. The main characters are interesting, but a bit shallow. It would have been nice to get to know them a little better. Even with those issues, which may be my own, I give it four stars for the unique premise and the strong writing. I will definitely give it another read and hope to see more by this author.