Review of "Provoking The Lost" - Book 1 of the Broken & Condemned Trilogy

 

When I began reading the book 'Provoking the Lost', I initially assumed it would be a story involving vampires. I refrained from reading any reviews because I prefer forming my own opinions when reading a book. The presence of the word 'Lost' in the title brought to mind the 1987 film 'The Lost Boys' directed by Joel Schumacher. While some may consider the vampire theme overused in literature, there remains potential for fresh angles, different viewpoints, and unique storylines. Thus, the connection seemed logical to me.

It appears that I was completely wrong. Aside from the bear's fangs as it tried to scare off salmon thieves, there were no other fangs in this book. Despite the upset bear, one thing I got right was the fresh and unique narrative style that the book presented.

The contemporary dialogue in the book is so natural that it feels like you're eavesdropping on the characters, making it very engaging. The characters are strong, realistic, and relatable as they deal with their human doubts, dilemmas, passions, and fears. This makes it clear why the supernatural element is drawn to the main character, Lily. The Bayne family, especially the brothers, hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of carefree summer holidays spent with cousins and friends during my adolescence. 

As I frequently mention, a well-written book has the remarkable ability to evoke feelings and memories. S. A. Claremont masterfully achieves this in a genuinely unpretentious way that I adore. One character who particularly intrigued me was Ethan. The reason I find him so captivating is crystal clear - he comes across as someone who artfully conceals his true self in plain sight. His ostensible extravagances are simply a charming distraction that begs for deeper exploration.

While the entire cast of characters is noteworthy, due to the length of this review, I will reserve discussing them for the subsequent books. However, before concluding, I would like to address two additional points. Firstly, I feel compelled to mention our main character, Lily. What truly resonated with me about Lily was her relatability and how effortlessly I could envision myself befriending her without any preconceptions or biases. She comes across as a character on a journey of self-discovery, doing her utmost to navigate through challenges and finding herself in difficult situations. I admire the author's portrayal of her character and eagerly anticipate further development.

The final topic I want to discuss is the conclusion of the book. Instead of describing it with words, let me paint a picture for you: Picture yourself watching a football/soccer match on TV. Your favorite team is playing in a fast-paced game. They have possession, sprinting down the field, evading opponents. They reach the goal, the player takes the shot, and it's a sure goal - but suddenly, all the lights go out! Naturally, you might utter a few colorful words in frustration. This scene mirrors how the book concludes. Personally, I found this ending intriguing and refreshing due to its unexpected nature, which I believe adds to its appeal.

In conclusion, would I recommend this book? Absolutely. S.A. Claremont's unique and engaging storytelling style makes every word and sentence compelling to read.