EDITOR’S CHOICE
A wildly inventive and clever time travel adventure, filled with humour, memorable characters, unexpected twists, and thought-provoking themes. Brilliantly crafted!
Gordon Bonnet’s Lock & Key is a refreshing dive into the chaotic world of temporal paradoxes, blending time travel with a dash of dark humour and existential philosophy. From the moment Darren Ault gets shot in the head during an ordinary dinner, his life takes an extraordinary turn – not just surviving the bullet, but inadvertently erasing the rest of humanity. This premise sets the stage for a wildly unpredictable adventure through time.
Bonnet excels at crafting eccentric yet memorable characters. Darren’s encounters, whether with Vikings or the enigmatic Archibald Fischer, are simultaneously absurd and captivating. The Library of Timelines is a particularly ingenious creation, a cosmic bureaucratic hub amusingly managed by Fischer, whose foul-mouthed tirades add a sharp edge to the narrative.
The story juggles humour, pathos, and intrigue effortlessly, though its intricate time travel logic can feel overwhelming at times. It’s clear Bonnet has a knack for balancing the fantastical with relatable human experience, showcasing Darren’s struggles to mend past mistakes while retaining his humanity in a distorted reality.
That said, the pacing occasionally wavers, with some sections dragging unnecessarily. While the whimsical elements are delightful, the darker tones of the cult’s philosophy and salvation through pain are somewhat underexplored, which might leave readers wanting a deeper dive into such themes.
Overall, Lock & Key is an inventive, thought-provoking romp through time with plenty of surprises. Fans of time travel novels and sardonic humour will find much to appreciate here. It’s witty, clever, and manages to keep you hooked until the last page. Recommended!
