Book Review: Gateways

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Gateways     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
F. Paul Wilson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Science Fiction   Supernatural
Series: Repairman Jack # 7
Forge, Nov 2003, $25.95, 336 pp.

Repairman Jack is trying to find a way to be a citizen again ever since he found out Gia was pregnant with his child. Since the government does not know he exists, they cannot be legally be married. Jack ponders a way to live up to his reputation as the "fix-it" man, his brother calls. He tells Jack that their father was in a car accident in the Everglades and is in Novaton Community Hospital.

When Jack flies down to Novaton he does not realize he is going to be in another battle for his life. Hidden in the Everglades are two sinkholes that at the equinoxes give off an otherworldly light. The light mutates humans and animals and all other living creatures. Semelie, the leader of the inhabitants with the power to control the twisted life of the sinkholes, is responsible for the accident of Jack’s father. Still she cannot get at Jack because a neighbor woman with much power is able to hold the forces of darkness at bay for the moment. When she is overcome, Jack and two surprising allies fight back knowing it could mean their deaths.

Fate has something very big in store for Repairman Jack and the author slowly, novel by novel, reveals parts of the plan in which the Ally (Jack’s side) battles the Otherness. Readers learn more about Jack’s relationship with his father and why the Other has let him live. This is a very enthralling and mesmerizing tale because it is very possible that the dark side will win and the protagonist knows it.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner