Heather’s Bookshelf: Shallow Ends
Author: David James Keaton
Released: 09/24/24
Genre: Dark Comedy Suspense/Thriller
“Shallow Ends” introduces a group of college friends meeting up to celebrate a birthday party by means of a firetruck turned party bus. The converted ride has everything one would want for a killer party- a pool, a hot tub, and great music. Everything’s going great, until the ride won’t stop.
The driver will not stop, the passengers can’t reach anyone, and they can’t find a way out. Personalities clash in a sea of alcohol as they try to find a way out. The pasts of each of the passengers are revealed- many not so flattering and all somehow interconnected.
As the truth is revealed, college friends turn on each other, old problems resurface and new ones are formed. Everyone fights and no one trusts each other as they become more and more afraid of what might happen to them. Their nightmares become reality as they soon realize not all of them will make it off of this party bus from hell.
Trigger Warning: violence, adult language, sexual situations, murder
Overall, I enjoyed this book for being something unique and interesting. It’s written in a character-forward, dialogue-centric, and quick-paced manner that keeps you on your toes. There’s a lot of sarcasm, too many pop-culture references to count, and a levity throughout that manages to cut through some of the more serious content and themes. The main difficulty with this book? Way too many voices and characters. I think this was highlighted by listening on audiobook. It’s challenging keeping up, knowing who is who, and how each of them interact. Don’t get me wrong, the voice actors/narrators are fantastic, just a bit confusing following along at times. The structure is a series of flashback/told tales intertwined with present-time horror that pushes the tale forward while also providing a ton of back story and personality. Essentially the whole story I asked what was happening and why. While some answers revealed themselves (I liked the prank call thread) the ending felt largely unfinished. I literally finished the book and said, “No way that can be the end!”, but it was. I loved the mini-stories within the tale but that’s exactly what it felt like- a collection of short stories lacking a common thread and the “why” of combining so many voices. I loved the ride…hated the ending… pun intended.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A wild ride- fast-paced, and comical throughout. Too many characters and a disappointing ending failed the rest of this highly entertaining tale.
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