Review: The Lake House

Before I really begin, let me just highlight something When the Wind Blows was first published in 1998. This book, its sequel, in 2003. In the intervening years, James Patterson has published 11 (yes, that’s right, 11) books. Occasionally this shows, as with here.

As I say, this is a sequel to When the Wind Blows, which must of course be read first, in which veterinarian Frannie O’Neill and FBI agent Kit Brennan rescued six amazing winged (yes, winged) children from a horrendous human testing laboratory dubbed "The School" and exposed its activities to the world. The Lake House begins shortly after those events, and, at first, everything appears fine. The devastating genetic experiments have ceased, the inhuman tortures stopped. Or so everyone thinks. But, unbeknownst to everyone, there is another project currently underway, known as Resurrection, run by a Dr Ethan Kane (which, I’m sorry, but I think is a tremendous name for a villain). But Max, the eldest of the children, has learnt of the project’s existence, and that puts her and those around her in mortal danger. Through her immense fear for herself and her friends, she says nothing, keeps it a secret.

But, Kane knows that she knows. And because of that, she cannot be allowed to remain free. So the vicious hunt to bring the children back to captivity begins anew.

If you hated When the Wind Blows, you will hate this. Loathe it, even. No doubt about it. Because it’s really just more of the same. If you thought it was ludicrous, silly, childish, pointless, then The Lake House ain’t gunna change your mind one bit. However, if you enjoyed the prequel (as I did, but only as an entertaining piece of hokum) then there’s a definite chance you may like this too. It’s fun, it’s enjoyable for the most part, the pages fly by as usual and you finish it very quickly (although, I have come to realise that this means most of his books are very forgettable because of this pace. Indeed, I can hardly remember a single detail of The Jester, which I read but a few months ago.) Mainly, I liked the experience, it’s imaginative, amusing, and entirely innocuous.

However, it has big flaws. Thin characters, needless emotional garbage that doesn’t fit and would make even Danielle Steele cringe (he should save this lovey stuff for his occasional romance novels) and, finally, a conclusion that leaves the reader unsatisfied and with a sense of anti-climax. Everything just seems to fade away. Things aren’t actually explained. Certainly, almost nothing is Project Resurrection, how it works, what it’s really for, and many other things. I still have big questions I want answered.

So, really, although I enjoyed it myself, I can’t really recommend it, except to anyone who liked When the Wind Blows, or anyone who is just incredibly liberal with their choice of reading matter and is open to anything. This is a James Patterson novel, so of course it will soar from the shelves, but I sense that there are going to be some disappointed fans out there.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Fiona Walker

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: The Lake House

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.