Black Creek by Dan Kemp
Black Creek, a time-spanning novel featuring a battle between powerful beings who roughly equate good and evil, without it being that simple. Also has dinosaurs. Sound good? Here’s my take.
Worldbuilding
The story spans many time periods, from the birth of the planet right up to its post-apocalyptic near future. A sizeable part is set in the Old West (or East), and it rings true to what I know of the time period. The author also dips into the dawn of humanity, but spends most of his time in the post-apoc world, which is mostly small pockets of people trying to fend off religious cults who worship either the protagonist, James, or the antagonist, Martin. And did I mention the dinosaurs? While it sounds a bit weird that dinos inhabit 21st century Pennsylvania, the author does explain their presence well enough. The magic is a kind of cool elemental type, while the idea that the Earth responds to James’ needs is also good. Otherwise not amazing, but okay.
Score – 3/5
Characters
I think this is where the author falls hardest. He does a decent job trying to create a grey morality for both James and Martin, but their stories are only okay. I think Martin has a more interesting arc, but he is underused in the story. Dorian and Jess have their moments, but they border on stereotypes when all is said and done. There are other characters who get “screen time,” but they seem surplus to requirements. Others, such as Hope, are almost afterthoughts, despite deserving more. Then there is the name-changing. This annoyed more than anything else. Because the novel spanned millennia, there is some name-changing that is somewhat unnecessary and distracting. Even the author falls foul of his own vehicle, as he mixes up names on occasion.
Score – 2/5
Plot
Okay. The plot, like the characters is all over the place, jumping around from time period to time period and throwing in characters who have no obvious role in the grand scheme of things. When it gets down to the nitty gritty – Dorian’s struggle to keep Black Creek afloat while James searches for Martin, it’s rather good, but there is far too much toing and froing, and at times I contemplated throwing in the towel before it settled down. To be honest, if the story was just about cop Jess taking down vigilante Dorian, I would have enjoyed this way more.
Score – 2.5/5
Writing
Plot aside, the writing is good for the most part, if a little text book.The descriptions are solid,while the dialogue can be enjoyable at times, although it can be repetitive too. I don’t remember any editing booboos, which is always pleasing, and seems to be becoming a rarity, even amongst traditional published works.
Score – 3/5
Personal Enjoyment
It was okay. I certainly didn’t hate this, but I didn’t particularly love it either. I reckon the author could have knocked off 100 of its 475 pages or so, and the book would have been all the better for it.
Score – 2.5/5
Verdict
Some of you will love it, but I wasn’t one of them.
Total Score – 13/25
