I think I went in with the wrong expectation - I was thinking this would be more horror than it really is. Not spooky but still interesting. ( )

Kenyon has a lucid and compelling narrative voice, and the characters of The Reach are agreeably likable or repellent. He also sews up each character's motivation nicely so I never said to myself ‘that person wouldn’t do that.’ While entertaining, most readers will be struck by the similarities to King’s Firestarter , Carrie, and a little Silence of the Lambs thrown in for good measure. I don’t think this is a lack of imagination on Kenyon’s part, but a new artist working from what he’s learned from a master. Leonardo’s earliest know painting is an Annunciation, a stylized manner he outgrew as he came into his own. And Kenyon will, he’s already got style and determination and, most importantly, taste. Techno thrillers with supernatural overtones, a’la Preston/Childe, may be his forte.

An enjoyable, thrilling book with real power and one that lets the reader root for the good guys.

It would be a bit too cruel to say, "I liked this book better when it was called _Firestarter_." But only a bit. ( )

The scariest thing about The Reach is the front cover, and that's really saying something. The first 150 pages were very slow, detailed and boring. Mostly psychobabble and character introduction, and it grew annoying very quickly. I didn't develop any interest in any of the characters and only stuck it out to find out what Sarah's powers truly were. The pace picked up the last 125 pages and the storyline became decent, but I was never wowed and never truly enjoyed myself. The Reach is absolutely not a horror book, and I don't recommend it at all. ( )

Once I read his debut novel, Bloodstone, I thought I may have found another author that I know I'll read with each new publication. After reading his follow up, I have no doubt. Nate Kenyon makes it look easy flowing from a supernatural horror tale in his debut to this techno thriller. He has a real talent for character development. Unlike his first book where he lets the story unfold slowly, The Reach is a fast paced, exciting read. Well done and highly recommended. ( )