4 out of 4 stars
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A suspenseful crime novel, Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise by John K Danenbarger is a multidimensional book that keeps the reader on their toes from start to finish. Full of intrigue and delicate storytelling, the reader must read carefully to comprehend how the story is knit together in intricate, but beautiful confusion.
The story begins in the present day when Geena receives a letter announcing the death of her elderly father. The next chapter jumps back in time, and the author introduces a series of main characters including Geena's parents, Kevin and Beth, and her adopted brother, Davis. The author goes into great detail in describing each person's back story and building their traits. For example, we learn about Beth's turbulent teenage years. Facing homelessness, poverty and a drug addiction, she is saved by Joe Tink, a gay stripper. He helps her get back on her feet and gets her a job on a yacht that is sailing to Bermuda. Unbeknownst to Beth, her employers have sinister plans for her.
Danenbarger does an excellent job at keeping the reader in agonizing suspense. The reader is thrust into the lives of the characters so deeply we can clearly comprehend their emotions. We feel Beth's pain and chilling fear when she was in Bermuda, fleeing for her life. We understand Kevin's anger and despair when he was being abused by his drunken father while his mother remained silent. There are more tragedies explored that the reader can empathize with, but I won't go into the details as to avoid spoilers. In every chapter, the author has meticulously explored all the individual roles and conveyed their stories by tying it all together in the most brilliant way.
There are many positive aspects about Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise. First, the use of time was perfectly executed. The non-linear timeline added suspense and mystery to the entirety of the tale. Also, to avoid confusion, each of the five parts of the book were labeled with the time period that part is written in. Second, the third person point of view added a layered perspective that illustrates the plot's entanglement. Again, each chapter is clearly titled with the character's name specifying which character's point of view the chapter will be in. The only one that is written in the first person is Davis. Thus, this gives each character a deeper breadth of realism.
Third, each main character is thoroughly explained and their flaws add to their authenticity. The character development is outstanding that I could actually empathize with Kevin and Davis even though they committed immoral acts. Lastly, it's admirable how the theory of quantum entanglement is seamlessly woven into the storyline. I especially like the quirky sentences such as "remember the future" and "silently carry her back to where she has never been." Normally, these sentences would make zero sense, but knowing that time is not linear makes them somehow normal. Overall, the author wrote a powerful story that transcends time and gives the reader an emotional ride with a well-rounded conclusion that equals to a must read.
This book did not contain anything that I disliked and I found no grammar errors so I would say it is professionally edited. Based on my reading experience, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It has all the literary elements necessary to create a fascinating plot with realistic characters and a unique, unifying theme. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a satisfying novel about the lives of seemingly normal people who are inextricably entangled. There is some sexual content and profanity so I would say it is not suitable for children or teens.
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Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
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