Review: DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

Jason Tanner’s life has always been different from the ordinary citizen’s. It started when he was an infant and his parents were only teenagers. A computer science prodigy, Lloyd attended MIT but left a pariah in the eyes of the school’s dean—but a computer physics genius in the eyes of his primary investor. Then his theories and ideas created a holographic machine and their world shrunk as contact with the outside world became less and less frequent. A computer prodigy now himself, Jason is about to learn that the world never waits for you if you have the ability to change it: it will come for you.

Detective Bruce Durante has been handed the case of the Comfort Killer, a serial killer so named because he appears to abduct terminally ill patients before returning their corpses to their families in refrigerated coffins. When he picks up the trail, it leads straight to the home of Lloyd Tanner.

Jason has been living life through the world of Lloyd’s invention and wishing he could carry on a relationship with Boston, the beautiful girl next door. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, he is brought back to reality in a hurry. He is forced to destroy all of the planted evidence—and finds he is being targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. But the secrets of his father’s invention run deep and Jason, his brother Isaac,Boston, the Comfort Killer, and Detective Durante hurtle towards one another on a deadly collision course that leaves everyone’s life hanging in the balance.

***First off, I'd like to thank the author for giving me a copy of DiSemblance.***

DiSemblance is a fast paced, utterly suspenseful, thriller filled with a variety of exciting elements ~ murder, mystery, the incredible advancements of technology, and a hint of the paranormal. It’s nearly impossible to tell what world is real and what is merely a figment of the imagination or, more likely, the result of very talented software programming. A real brain scrambler, DiSemblance will keep your eyes locked onto each turning page until the very last word.

There is no denying the unbelievable pace this novel sets for itself. Reader’s are taken right to the middle of the action, which includes the whole murder/mystery aspect I’ve mentioned, leaving you searching to the next pages for more information. Who’s the killer? What does it have to do with Tanner’s invention? What the heck is going on?!? The fast pace was grasping, but for me, it also left something to be desired in regards to the characters and their relationships.

I’m a character driven reader, so maybe I’m a little more judgmental when it comes to character building, but I didn’t feel that connection to the characters ~ I want to know them to the point that I could carry on a conversation with them. Weird, I know, but that's the type of reader I am. There wasn’t much time spent on revealing the personalities and emotions of the character. I couldn’t feel the truth of their words and actions. And as for the relationships… The turmoil between Bruce and his wife and the budding attraction between Jason and Boston felt rushed. What led up to Bruce’s downward spiraling marriage? And where is that turning point that makes the relationship change direction? And how does Boston come to trust Jason so completely? He saves her from an atrocious situation, but is a complete jerk afterward ~ I don’t know as it merits the complete and unconditional faith that Boston seems to have in him.

I guess I like a lot of background when it comes to characters and how they relate to each other ~ conversations and inner-dialogue that allows you not only to get to know the characters, but to understand what they are feeling and who they are to each other.

Now don’t get me wrong, this really isn't a big deal when it comes to the story itself ~ the focus is on the storyline more than it is the characters… and the storyline ROCKS! The mystery is perfectly set, and the little clues and gradual revelations keep readers engaged throughout the whole novel. Totally has that "OMG" factor that we all love so much ;).

You never can tell what’s real and what isn’t, and it’s that question that is so freakin’ intriguing. Could you imagine being in a world you think you know so well, only to discover that what you’re seeing isn’t the truth? The lines of reality and lies are blurred until the end is revealed a little at a time. “Good books don’t reveal their secrets all at once…” :) It’s because of the holodeck that the author is able to create this world of alternate realities.. You know, Star Trek? You can create any kind of world you want in a tiny little room… Ahhh, technology...

I totally want one :)

All in all, very fun read.. As I said, there’s a little hint of paranormal, but you’ll just have to read it to find out what that is ;).. I know ~ it’s torture…but I have to give you something to wonder about :)… Great potential for this author ~ look forward to future endeavors!

3.5 out of 5 stars from this reader :)


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~