What do you think?
The Journals of Bob Drifter
Bob Drifter is a substitute teacher with a secret. He seems like no more than a polite young man who loves to read and mentor students in his free time. Yet, on the side, Bob takes part in some rather strange extracurricular activities that soon attract the attention of local police. For some reason, people have a way of dying around him.It’s not his fault. Maybe he just hangs around people who are already dying. Maybe he has bad timing. But Bob knows better. He has a secret mission that must be completed before he ends up in prison or raises the ire of the most frightening individual in the supernatural world. No pressure.A terrifying new force has set foot into Bob’s life, and a string of ghastly mutilations follows this figure wherever he goes. Now, Bob has to keep his own secrets, protect his students, and fulfill his mentor’s wishes. Welcome to the world of those who watch over the dead.
- GenresParanormalMystery
412 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 15
About the author
M.L.S. Weech
19 books69 followersM. L. S. Weech was born in August 1979 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He fell in love with fantasy and science fiction at an early age. His love of writing quickly followed when he tried to write a sequel to his favorite movie. He didn't know what copyright infringement was. He can't remember a time he wasn't working on some sort of project from that day on. He wrote for a junior high project. The only way his freshman English teacher could get him to settle down was to let him start writing a book. He completed what he calls his first manuscript when he was 17. He got a ton of feedback that was honest, helpful, and not much fun to listen to, but instead of quit, he simply wrote another, and then another.
He fell in love with reading in high school when he was introduced to Timothy Zahn and the Star Wars novels. Then he was handed Anne McCaffrey, Robert Jordan, Dean Koontz, Brandon Sanderson and so many more. He went from reading to complete homework to reading more than three books a month.
He joined the U.S. Navy as a journalist in 2005. He served on aircraft carriers and destroyers. He served in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan. He finished his Navy career in 2015 at the Defense Information School, where he still teaches journalism as a civilian instructor. When he wasn't taking pictures or writing features or news stories, he was writing fiction. Photojournalism was a hobby he enjoyed getting paid for, but writing fiction has been and remains his true dream.
His first book, The Journals of Bob Drifter was published March 3, 2015, and he’s published more than ten since. He’s happily married and a father of three wonderful sons.
He fell in love with reading in high school when he was introduced to Timothy Zahn and the Star Wars novels. Then he was handed Anne McCaffrey, Robert Jordan, Dean Koontz, Brandon Sanderson and so many more. He went from reading to complete homework to reading more than three books a month.
He joined the U.S. Navy as a journalist in 2005. He served on aircraft carriers and destroyers. He served in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan. He finished his Navy career in 2015 at the Defense Information School, where he still teaches journalism as a civilian instructor. When he wasn't taking pictures or writing features or news stories, he was writing fiction. Photojournalism was a hobby he enjoyed getting paid for, but writing fiction has been and remains his true dream.
His first book, The Journals of Bob Drifter was published March 3, 2015, and he’s published more than ten since. He’s happily married and a father of three wonderful sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 3, 2015
Bob Drifter is an inconspicuous substitute teacher, who would hardly raise an eyebrow or garner a glance if he were to walk by you on the street. He’s a genuinely nice guy, who cares for his students. Yet, as usual, things aren’t always what they seem. Bob is much more than he appears to be. He’s a journeyman, someone who helps souls cross over to the other side. The problem with a secret identity, though, is that eventually someone is bound to discover who (or what) you really are—especially an identity like Bob’s. You can only be spotted at the scene of so many deaths before it raises suspicion. When the police take an interest in Bob, his life becomes complicated. Add in a nasty grim-reaping villain who threatens not only Bob, those he cares for, and the souls of all humanity, and the police quickly become the least of Bob’s worries.
I absolutely adored The Journals of Bob Drifter! This book was nothing like I expected. It was much darker than I thought, but it was also thought-provoking and heartwarming. It actually made me cry in public, which is something that doesn’t happen often! Bob Drifter was a story that was full of hope, but oh, so sad! It was well-written and except for one or two brief slowdowns, was nicely paced. The majority of the characters do their job to suck you into the story, and the dialogue and interesting plot keeps you hooked throughout. Bob is the perfect character to carry a story like this. He wants to do the right thing and be more than he is. He wants to make a difference. There is sense of sadness that hangs over him that makes you so badly want him to succeed. To say I was emotionally invested in the outcome is an understatement. I started Bob Drifter on vacation. I brought three books with me, but I couldn’t put this one down. The rest all were left untouched because Bob and his troubles kept pulling me back. The author built the tension steadily, making me as nervous as I was anxious to reach the end and discover Bob’s fate.
I found The Journals of Bob Drifter to be a rousing emotional breath of fresh air. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an immersive paranormal read.
I absolutely adored The Journals of Bob Drifter! This book was nothing like I expected. It was much darker than I thought, but it was also thought-provoking and heartwarming. It actually made me cry in public, which is something that doesn’t happen often! Bob Drifter was a story that was full of hope, but oh, so sad! It was well-written and except for one or two brief slowdowns, was nicely paced. The majority of the characters do their job to suck you into the story, and the dialogue and interesting plot keeps you hooked throughout. Bob is the perfect character to carry a story like this. He wants to do the right thing and be more than he is. He wants to make a difference. There is sense of sadness that hangs over him that makes you so badly want him to succeed. To say I was emotionally invested in the outcome is an understatement. I started Bob Drifter on vacation. I brought three books with me, but I couldn’t put this one down. The rest all were left untouched because Bob and his troubles kept pulling me back. The author built the tension steadily, making me as nervous as I was anxious to reach the end and discover Bob’s fate.
I found The Journals of Bob Drifter to be a rousing emotional breath of fresh air. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an immersive paranormal read.
November 4, 2020
This is a great read.
I truly enjoyed this book. It was creative and the world building was subtle but real. The characters were also real and grounded - heroic when called upon in a quiet way, not the showy way we are all so used to these days. I also loved the relationships and the hints to the past lives; although I might have liked to see more, I didn't feel cheated. It got four instead of five stars from me due to some grammatical errors, but, honestly, a great read. I am so glad I discovered this book.
I truly enjoyed this book. It was creative and the world building was subtle but real. The characters were also real and grounded - heroic when called upon in a quiet way, not the showy way we are all so used to these days. I also loved the relationships and the hints to the past lives; although I might have liked to see more, I didn't feel cheated. It got four instead of five stars from me due to some grammatical errors, but, honestly, a great read. I am so glad I discovered this book.
January 18, 2018
This book is amazing. It's my favorite take on reapers.
Short chapters make the book a fast read, despite length.
Short chapters make the book a fast read, despite length.
March 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was different than any other book I’ve read before. Having individuals required to be near a spirit when they die to Deliver that soul on presented many challenges. Then add an evil Grim Reaper to the mix makes it even harder.
November 19, 2015
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In The Journals of Bob Drifter, protagonist Bob Drifter isn’t your ordinary substitute teacher. People around him keep on dying, for a very good reason, but this could make Bob’s life surprisingly complicated when the cops become suspicious of the high amount of dead people that cross his path. When his secret becomes endangered, Bob struggles to accomplish his task, fulfill his mentor’s wishes while at the same time protecting his students and just about everyone else.
What a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read. It’s an amazing, fast-paced book that doesn’t slow down until the end. Bob is an intriguing character, very brave, cares a lot about others, and I also loved the fact he’s a teacher. The world building was intriguing and I enjoyed getting to explore this world.
If you love paranormal thrillers, I highly recommend this one.
In The Journals of Bob Drifter, protagonist Bob Drifter isn’t your ordinary substitute teacher. People around him keep on dying, for a very good reason, but this could make Bob’s life surprisingly complicated when the cops become suspicious of the high amount of dead people that cross his path. When his secret becomes endangered, Bob struggles to accomplish his task, fulfill his mentor’s wishes while at the same time protecting his students and just about everyone else.
What a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read. It’s an amazing, fast-paced book that doesn’t slow down until the end. Bob is an intriguing character, very brave, cares a lot about others, and I also loved the fact he’s a teacher. The world building was intriguing and I enjoyed getting to explore this world.
If you love paranormal thrillers, I highly recommend this one.
January 4, 2016
I was given a audible version in exchange for a honest review
I really enjoyed this book. The narrator was fantastic and captivating. It was fast paced with an array of interesting characters. The story flowed organically and didn't seemed forced. I had a ton of questions in the first few chapters but I was quickly filled in and enjoyed the adventure. It is a unique point of view and a tough topic. It made me stop and look back at my life thinking I need to spend a little more time appreciating what I have. It is intense and thought provoking. My favorite character was Bob of course. He was brave, compassionate and selfless. It is a great fantasy, paranormal thriller. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast paced thriller and willing to take a chance on Bob.
I really enjoyed this book. The narrator was fantastic and captivating. It was fast paced with an array of interesting characters. The story flowed organically and didn't seemed forced. I had a ton of questions in the first few chapters but I was quickly filled in and enjoyed the adventure. It is a unique point of view and a tough topic. It made me stop and look back at my life thinking I need to spend a little more time appreciating what I have. It is intense and thought provoking. My favorite character was Bob of course. He was brave, compassionate and selfless. It is a great fantasy, paranormal thriller. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast paced thriller and willing to take a chance on Bob.
November 17, 2015
Such a deep story! Action packed and interesting. Very thought-provoking too. I will definitely recommend this one to my young adult readers. Woven into the fantastic storytelling are a few very good life rules for everyone to learn.
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock, this is a departure from my usual as while it does have a sprinkling of romance throughout, that is definitely not the main theme of this story. I give it five fangs for being a great page turner and involving enough to bring tears at those proper moments.
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock, this is a departure from my usual as while it does have a sprinkling of romance throughout, that is definitely not the main theme of this story. I give it five fangs for being a great page turner and involving enough to bring tears at those proper moments.
April 4, 2016
I was provided an audible copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Before I get nitpicky, let me say that I did enjoy this story. The main character was likable and I wanted to see him come through the conflict alright. I do discuss aspects of the plot so there are some slight spoilers, but I try not to give away anything important.
I listened to the audiobook, and the quality was lower than most audiobooks, but no worse than a typical podcast, so it didn’t bother me. The narrators did well for the most part. There was a male and a female narrator. This might make sense with a novel where the POV switches regularly between male and female characters, but the vast majority of this novel is told from the POV of men, so it seemed unnecessary. It also created a bit of a problem when the two narrators read dialogue from the same character differently.
Two female journeymen appear, but I feel they are underutilized. The book comes very close to failing the Bechdel Test. Now, I don't think that a story has to pass the test to be good, but it’s something to be aware of if it matters to you. The one conversation that causes it to pass is tacked onto a long conversation about Bob. (It might actually fail the Bechdel Test, depending on your criteria. If I’m remembering correctly, one of the women was never named.)
I did like the visceral language used to describe the dark souls. I could feel their menace. The villain, on the other hand, felt less and less menacing as the story went. He is seeking power throughout the story, and I didn’t feel like he had become powerful enough to pose a genuine threat to the protagonist by the end. Also, the identity of the villain was very predictable.
This may be just me, but I love exploring the rules of a universe. I want them laid out from me over the course of a story and I want them to make sense. I enjoyed learning about the journeymen and their difficult job, but many questions were left unanswered. As journeymen, they don't like being called grim reapers, they are tasked with transporting souls to… whatever's next. It’s made clear that failure in this is a very very bad thing. But, to every reader it should become clear that without superpowers, which they do not have, they should fail in this task frequently. People die alone all the time. And, the problem of mass death is completely ignored. This is particularly frustrating because part of the story is set in New York State very shortly after 9-11.
Despite these nitpicked points, I did enjoy the story. I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists in the story. I became emotionally invested in the lives of several of these characters and felt the impact of pivotal events. The world in which Bob lives is and interesting one that I wanted to explore and learn about. If you are a fan of supernatural fiction and like supporting emerging writers, give Bob Drifter a shot.
Before I get nitpicky, let me say that I did enjoy this story. The main character was likable and I wanted to see him come through the conflict alright. I do discuss aspects of the plot so there are some slight spoilers, but I try not to give away anything important.
I listened to the audiobook, and the quality was lower than most audiobooks, but no worse than a typical podcast, so it didn’t bother me. The narrators did well for the most part. There was a male and a female narrator. This might make sense with a novel where the POV switches regularly between male and female characters, but the vast majority of this novel is told from the POV of men, so it seemed unnecessary. It also created a bit of a problem when the two narrators read dialogue from the same character differently.
Two female journeymen appear, but I feel they are underutilized. The book comes very close to failing the Bechdel Test. Now, I don't think that a story has to pass the test to be good, but it’s something to be aware of if it matters to you. The one conversation that causes it to pass is tacked onto a long conversation about Bob. (It might actually fail the Bechdel Test, depending on your criteria. If I’m remembering correctly, one of the women was never named.)
I did like the visceral language used to describe the dark souls. I could feel their menace. The villain, on the other hand, felt less and less menacing as the story went. He is seeking power throughout the story, and I didn’t feel like he had become powerful enough to pose a genuine threat to the protagonist by the end. Also, the identity of the villain was very predictable.
This may be just me, but I love exploring the rules of a universe. I want them laid out from me over the course of a story and I want them to make sense. I enjoyed learning about the journeymen and their difficult job, but many questions were left unanswered. As journeymen, they don't like being called grim reapers, they are tasked with transporting souls to… whatever's next. It’s made clear that failure in this is a very very bad thing. But, to every reader it should become clear that without superpowers, which they do not have, they should fail in this task frequently. People die alone all the time. And, the problem of mass death is completely ignored. This is particularly frustrating because part of the story is set in New York State very shortly after 9-11.
Despite these nitpicked points, I did enjoy the story. I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists in the story. I became emotionally invested in the lives of several of these characters and felt the impact of pivotal events. The world in which Bob lives is and interesting one that I wanted to explore and learn about. If you are a fan of supernatural fiction and like supporting emerging writers, give Bob Drifter a shot.
December 31, 2020
I have been following this author for a while (if you haven't checked out his book Caught, you need to!) and when I found out about the Journals of Bob, I had to read it.
This was admittedly a long book to finish. It's not from lack of want though. The book captured you from page 1 and keeps you hooked. This is a stay-up-all-night type of book. You become emotionally invested in the main character and his trials/tribulations. I spent the first little bit trying to figure who (or what) Bob was. Was he a normal man who just seemed to be everywhere? A supernatural being? An angel? Demon? *no spoilers on anything*
By the end of tbe book, I wasn't really ready to say goodbye to the characters in the book but alas all good things must come to an end.
This is a highly recommended book to read. Very engaging and well paced. Pick it up, you won't regret it!
This was admittedly a long book to finish. It's not from lack of want though. The book captured you from page 1 and keeps you hooked. This is a stay-up-all-night type of book. You become emotionally invested in the main character and his trials/tribulations. I spent the first little bit trying to figure who (or what) Bob was. Was he a normal man who just seemed to be everywhere? A supernatural being? An angel? Demon? *no spoilers on anything*
By the end of tbe book, I wasn't really ready to say goodbye to the characters in the book but alas all good things must come to an end.
This is a highly recommended book to read. Very engaging and well paced. Pick it up, you won't regret it!
November 2, 2016
3.5★ Audiobook⎮ Son of a gun. That ending made me want to tear up. I love it when a storyline comes full circle.
This was one of the most unique concepts for a plot that I've seen in a long time. There was good character development and its storyline was well explained, if a little "dumpy" (as in information dumping).
It took me a while to get through because the subject matter (death) is very heavily concentrated. The Journals of Bob Drifter was a rather dark and psychologically heavy story, which aren't always bad things. But I can't help wishing this had been rationed into series format. I quickly found that the story was easier to process in pieces, which is why it took me nearly a month to finish. I had to alternate between this and cozy mysteries for the sake of the balance.
With that said, I was very impressed with Weech's imaginative storyline. The concept of Journeymen was very well thought-out and executed. The underlying themes in The Journals of Bob Drifter were beautiful and thought-provoking.
Narration review: The narration of The Journals of Bob Drifter was just okay for me. Gary Furlong narrated the majority of it. I found his narration to be somewhat bland and disengaging. It couldn't manage to hold my attention very well and, unfortunately, made listening seem like a chore. Concentration was made easier during Clark's periods of narration. However, I still appreciate the dual-narration style. In my opinion, that's always a plus.
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its author, M.L.S. Weech, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, M.L.S.!
This was one of the most unique concepts for a plot that I've seen in a long time. There was good character development and its storyline was well explained, if a little "dumpy" (as in information dumping).
It took me a while to get through because the subject matter (death) is very heavily concentrated. The Journals of Bob Drifter was a rather dark and psychologically heavy story, which aren't always bad things. But I can't help wishing this had been rationed into series format. I quickly found that the story was easier to process in pieces, which is why it took me nearly a month to finish. I had to alternate between this and cozy mysteries for the sake of the balance.
With that said, I was very impressed with Weech's imaginative storyline. The concept of Journeymen was very well thought-out and executed. The underlying themes in The Journals of Bob Drifter were beautiful and thought-provoking.
Narration review: The narration of The Journals of Bob Drifter was just okay for me. Gary Furlong narrated the majority of it. I found his narration to be somewhat bland and disengaging. It couldn't manage to hold my attention very well and, unfortunately, made listening seem like a chore. Concentration was made easier during Clark's periods of narration. However, I still appreciate the dual-narration style. In my opinion, that's always a plus.
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its author, M.L.S. Weech, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, M.L.S.!
August 18, 2015
The Journals of Bob Drifter is a thought-provoking novel that, through a thrilling and imaginative plot, encourages readers to live life to the fullest, never taking anything for granted.
Bob is no ordinary school teacher. His students love him and he has unique ways of making learning fun, but Bob also has a secret. He helps transport the souls of dead people and when a local cop becomes suspicious Bob's life becomes complicated. With his secret in jeopardy, Bob struggles to complete his tasks while evading the police when he discovers something sinister at play. Something that endangers the souls of everyone on earth. Can Bob and the other Journeymen stop the evil Grimm before it's too late?
The Journals of Bob Drifter is a thrilling fantasy that's never short on action. I enjoyed the array of interesting characters which I found well developed and credible. The author also has a gift for storytelling and creates a captivating and unique tale that is hard to put down.
I highly recommend picking up a copy.
Bob is no ordinary school teacher. His students love him and he has unique ways of making learning fun, but Bob also has a secret. He helps transport the souls of dead people and when a local cop becomes suspicious Bob's life becomes complicated. With his secret in jeopardy, Bob struggles to complete his tasks while evading the police when he discovers something sinister at play. Something that endangers the souls of everyone on earth. Can Bob and the other Journeymen stop the evil Grimm before it's too late?
The Journals of Bob Drifter is a thrilling fantasy that's never short on action. I enjoyed the array of interesting characters which I found well developed and credible. The author also has a gift for storytelling and creates a captivating and unique tale that is hard to put down.
I highly recommend picking up a copy.
July 16, 2015
I really loved this book.
This is my attempt at a review without any spoilers. As we meet all of the characters, we begin to fall in love with them. At times, the reader is left on the edge of his/her seat because it becomes obvious early on the reader knows people will die in this book. We wonder who it is going to be. You end up caring so much about the characters that you may feel guilty in hoping it is one over the other because you love each person to a certain degree.
I could see people I've known or cared about in the characters in this book, one in particular.
After we've met the cast of characters, the second part of the books delves into a fast-paced adventure, pitting good against good against evil.
Finally we see the results of each person's actions and find out where they each go from here.
Sequel maybe????
This is my attempt at a review without any spoilers. As we meet all of the characters, we begin to fall in love with them. At times, the reader is left on the edge of his/her seat because it becomes obvious early on the reader knows people will die in this book. We wonder who it is going to be. You end up caring so much about the characters that you may feel guilty in hoping it is one over the other because you love each person to a certain degree.
I could see people I've known or cared about in the characters in this book, one in particular.
After we've met the cast of characters, the second part of the books delves into a fast-paced adventure, pitting good against good against evil.
Finally we see the results of each person's actions and find out where they each go from here.
Sequel maybe????
June 8, 2016
Bob the Drifter…
I enjoy a book that makes me wonder and makes me have to guess and keep reading to learn if my theories were right or wrong. Thus book did just that. It created a world, and pulled you in. the main character is not your usual hero he is more of the guy next door that has no clue he is a hero he instead views himself as somewhat evil.
The secondary characters are so well developed that the melt into the story seamlessly. As I listened to the audiobook I would close my eyes thinking of what the movie would look like and think this is one of those books if done right that would be more of a mini series type story.
It makes you excited, and sad, and joyous, and mad as you live the emotions that the characters go through.
Well written well laid out. and what twist in the end… but I will not give that away as I do not want to spoil any if this amazing book!!
I enjoy a book that makes me wonder and makes me have to guess and keep reading to learn if my theories were right or wrong. Thus book did just that. It created a world, and pulled you in. the main character is not your usual hero he is more of the guy next door that has no clue he is a hero he instead views himself as somewhat evil.
The secondary characters are so well developed that the melt into the story seamlessly. As I listened to the audiobook I would close my eyes thinking of what the movie would look like and think this is one of those books if done right that would be more of a mini series type story.
It makes you excited, and sad, and joyous, and mad as you live the emotions that the characters go through.
Well written well laid out. and what twist in the end… but I will not give that away as I do not want to spoil any if this amazing book!!
May 23, 2015
This was a free book from the Goodreads Giveaway. Bob is a substitute teacher who is really a Journeyman who transports souls from dying people. This tale is full of plot twists and two very romantic love stories. It has a horrible monster Grimm who keeps showing up. The story begins getting very weird when Bob moves to a new school, in Syracuse, New York. I only live an hour away, so that made it pretty neat for me. This book is way off from my comfort zone, but strangely enough, if you like strange drama-this is the ticket. The author signed my book and gave me this advice. "Live". That makes a lot of sense when you read the novel.
May 25, 2015
I won this book in a giveaway and I'm glad I did. Split into three parts, each plot line leaves you curious as to what is around the corner for the protagonist Bob Drifter. This book combines a little of everything with a touch of romance, drama, crime and fantasy surrounding Bob's life. His career as a substitute teacher is only the tip of the iceberg and this book has a dense plot with plenty of action to keep the reader engaged at every step of the way.
I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more from M.L.S Weech!
I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more from M.L.S Weech!
May 26, 2015
*Received free via Goodreads First Reads giveaway*
Very enjoyable.
Very enjoyable.
May 27, 2015
Great concept with some real humanity in the main character. Full review here http://www.garbage-file.com/2015/05/b...
May 10, 2017
This book is a very good read from a promising author, M.L.S. Weech. The main character, Bob, is a journeyman; it is his job to help people who are dying to cross safely over to the other side. There is just an awful lot to like about Bob. He is a well-conceived, fully fleshed out character that you can’t help but admire and root for. He may not fully understand what his true purpose is, but still he navigates through his life, and through the lives of others he is bound to help, with a strong code of ethics, and a deep yearning to help others.
There is also a strong cast of compelling characters in this book, not the least of which is the big bad, Grimm. While I wouldn’t classify this book as a horror novel, Grimm could easily come straight off the pages of one. It got to the point where I was so creeped out by Grimm and his cronies, I found myself concerned about the dark shadows lurking in my own home, trying to stay well away from any potential gathering of dark souls.
I am rating this book a 4. The book had a somewhat slow start and it took until about a third of the way in before it found its stride. Once it did though, it really had me spellbound and remained a page turner almost all the way to the end. The ending of the book could have been stronger and provided clearer answers to some of the book’s bigger questions. I also felt that the journal entries that are peppered throughout the book should have let us into Bob’s thoughts and feelings more. These all the reasons the book didn’t get a 5 from me, but I would still highly encourage people to read about Bob in this very original story exploring and expounding on themes of light versus darkness, and good versus evil. He has a lot to say about personal accountability, and standing up for what you believe in, even when it’s very, very hard.
There is also a strong cast of compelling characters in this book, not the least of which is the big bad, Grimm. While I wouldn’t classify this book as a horror novel, Grimm could easily come straight off the pages of one. It got to the point where I was so creeped out by Grimm and his cronies, I found myself concerned about the dark shadows lurking in my own home, trying to stay well away from any potential gathering of dark souls.
I am rating this book a 4. The book had a somewhat slow start and it took until about a third of the way in before it found its stride. Once it did though, it really had me spellbound and remained a page turner almost all the way to the end. The ending of the book could have been stronger and provided clearer answers to some of the book’s bigger questions. I also felt that the journal entries that are peppered throughout the book should have let us into Bob’s thoughts and feelings more. These all the reasons the book didn’t get a 5 from me, but I would still highly encourage people to read about Bob in this very original story exploring and expounding on themes of light versus darkness, and good versus evil. He has a lot to say about personal accountability, and standing up for what you believe in, even when it’s very, very hard.
September 16, 2016
When one journey ends, another one begins.
Death comes for us all, and none can escape their fate, not even Bob Drifter. As a Journeyman, Bob is drawn to death, forced to watch, powerless to interfere, or so he was taught. Now Bob is ready to challenge these long held tenets, earning him the ire of the others and the local police. Hemmed in, Bob narrowly averts one tragedy, only to face another, the dark secret no Journeyman will speak of.
At first the story seems typical of its genre: a looming threat, an unassuming protagonist, setting the stage for their eventual conflict. What follows seems less like a novel and more like an anthology of short stories, united by a single character, and the mysteries that surround him.
Gradually the story unites its diverse threads, but the main conflict is always overshadowed by its subplots. The lingering pace and alternating perspective diffuse the tension of the story, even as they emphasize the underlying question; what meaning can life have, in light of its inevitable end? Sprinkles of humor keep the tone light-hearted, making this a good relaxing read, particularly for anyone who believes in the simple beauty of life.
+Strong Ideas
+Strong, humorous, relationship driven subplots
*Strong but familiar characters
*easy read, mellow, slow pacing
-predictable main plot
3/5
Death comes for us all, and none can escape their fate, not even Bob Drifter. As a Journeyman, Bob is drawn to death, forced to watch, powerless to interfere, or so he was taught. Now Bob is ready to challenge these long held tenets, earning him the ire of the others and the local police. Hemmed in, Bob narrowly averts one tragedy, only to face another, the dark secret no Journeyman will speak of.
At first the story seems typical of its genre: a looming threat, an unassuming protagonist, setting the stage for their eventual conflict. What follows seems less like a novel and more like an anthology of short stories, united by a single character, and the mysteries that surround him.
Gradually the story unites its diverse threads, but the main conflict is always overshadowed by its subplots. The lingering pace and alternating perspective diffuse the tension of the story, even as they emphasize the underlying question; what meaning can life have, in light of its inevitable end? Sprinkles of humor keep the tone light-hearted, making this a good relaxing read, particularly for anyone who believes in the simple beauty of life.
+Strong Ideas
+Strong, humorous, relationship driven subplots
*Strong but familiar characters
*easy read, mellow, slow pacing
-predictable main plot
3/5
March 16, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, it had a wonderful premise and it started strong, but for me it fizzled out fairly quickly.
Bob is a substitute teacher, a great substitute teacher with a way to get kids to want to learn, sure his methods are unorthodox and involve copious amounts of chocolates without regard to diabetes concerns for some kids and peanut bans, but it works. But Bob has a secret: he also collects souls. Local cops link him to certain deaths and his life starts getting complicated.
And it's a great idea and everyone else seemed to like it, but I couldn't get over the fact that the female characters are nothing more than plot devices to motivate the men. None of them have any real personality and are only there as rewards to be won, Karen, through developing confidence or a mere idea to round out a male character, "Lovely" Linda.
Bob is a substitute teacher, a great substitute teacher with a way to get kids to want to learn, sure his methods are unorthodox and involve copious amounts of chocolates without regard to diabetes concerns for some kids and peanut bans, but it works. But Bob has a secret: he also collects souls. Local cops link him to certain deaths and his life starts getting complicated.
And it's a great idea and everyone else seemed to like it, but I couldn't get over the fact that the female characters are nothing more than plot devices to motivate the men. None of them have any real personality and are only there as rewards to be won, Karen, through developing confidence or a mere idea to round out a male character, "Lovely" Linda.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews