Review of On the Wings of Ideas
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
-
Claudia Angelucci
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 460
- Joined: 04 Aug 2023, 15:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 148
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-claudia-angelucci.html
- Latest Review: The Virtuous Physician by Elliott B. Martin, Jr.
Review of On the Wings of Ideas
[Following is a volunteer review of "On the Wings of Ideas" by Gabriella Balcom.]
"On the Wings of Ideas" transports readers into a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. It is a captivating assortment of short stories spanning sci-fi, fantasy, children's fiction, poetry, horror, romance, and real-life drama. From the opening notes of "Gertrude," a poignant blend of sci-fi and fantasy, Balcom grips us with the heartache of loss and the whisper of possibility. Gertrude, grappling with the loss of her husband to Alzheimer's, discovers an Area 51 ID card at her library job. This discovery leads her on a daring journey through a time-travel portal, driven by a mix of memories and hope to rewrite their shared history.
Yet, it is “Bobby – You'd Never Guess” that lingers most hauntingly in the corridors of my mind. Told in the first person by Bobby, it is a mix of horror and psychological thriller. "What I Miss the Most" presents a simple, suspenseful, and satisfying narrative around Sandy, a scarred woman haunted by memories of her emotionally abusive ex. Things change when she encounters a man dressed as the Grim Reaper. Conversely, "Nun or Not?" left me cold with its awkward romantic storyline, failing to resonate as deeply.
Throughout, Balcom's storytelling charms with wit and warmth, creating tales that pulse with life and unpredictability. The brisk pace is matched with a poet's touch, revealing layers of time travel, aliens, conspiracies, personal tragedies, philosophical insights, and more. The collection stitches together a patchwork of suspense and sorrow, where every turn of the page promises new revelations and unexpected truths.
Yet, tread carefully among these pages. The book does not shy away from the darker recesses of human experience—serial killings, self-inflicted wounds, and the jagged scars of violated trust. While some themes may be distressing, the collection navigates them with sensitivity.
In sum, "On the Wings of Ideas" emerges as a read that challenges as much as it entertains. Its breakneck pace occasionally threatens to overwhelm. The book seems professionally edited with only a few minor, debatable oversights. There’s nothing in this collection that really gets under my skin; some stories hit harder than others. But then again, that’s just my own twisted preference.
For its daring spirit and resonant storytelling, I award this collection 5 out of 5 stars. "On the Wings of Ideas" has the power to both thrill and provoke contemplation long after the final page has turned. I recommend it to anyone seeking stories that blend imagination with profound human experience.
******
On the Wings of Ideas
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"On the Wings of Ideas" transports readers into a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. It is a captivating assortment of short stories spanning sci-fi, fantasy, children's fiction, poetry, horror, romance, and real-life drama. From the opening notes of "Gertrude," a poignant blend of sci-fi and fantasy, Balcom grips us with the heartache of loss and the whisper of possibility. Gertrude, grappling with the loss of her husband to Alzheimer's, discovers an Area 51 ID card at her library job. This discovery leads her on a daring journey through a time-travel portal, driven by a mix of memories and hope to rewrite their shared history.
Yet, it is “Bobby – You'd Never Guess” that lingers most hauntingly in the corridors of my mind. Told in the first person by Bobby, it is a mix of horror and psychological thriller. "What I Miss the Most" presents a simple, suspenseful, and satisfying narrative around Sandy, a scarred woman haunted by memories of her emotionally abusive ex. Things change when she encounters a man dressed as the Grim Reaper. Conversely, "Nun or Not?" left me cold with its awkward romantic storyline, failing to resonate as deeply.
Throughout, Balcom's storytelling charms with wit and warmth, creating tales that pulse with life and unpredictability. The brisk pace is matched with a poet's touch, revealing layers of time travel, aliens, conspiracies, personal tragedies, philosophical insights, and more. The collection stitches together a patchwork of suspense and sorrow, where every turn of the page promises new revelations and unexpected truths.
Yet, tread carefully among these pages. The book does not shy away from the darker recesses of human experience—serial killings, self-inflicted wounds, and the jagged scars of violated trust. While some themes may be distressing, the collection navigates them with sensitivity.
In sum, "On the Wings of Ideas" emerges as a read that challenges as much as it entertains. Its breakneck pace occasionally threatens to overwhelm. The book seems professionally edited with only a few minor, debatable oversights. There’s nothing in this collection that really gets under my skin; some stories hit harder than others. But then again, that’s just my own twisted preference.
For its daring spirit and resonant storytelling, I award this collection 5 out of 5 stars. "On the Wings of Ideas" has the power to both thrill and provoke contemplation long after the final page has turned. I recommend it to anyone seeking stories that blend imagination with profound human experience.
******
On the Wings of Ideas
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Virtuous Physician by Elliott B. Martin, Jr.
