Nilesh Jasani's Reviews > Birnam Wood

"Birnam Wood" attempts to blend eco-activism with the thriller genre. The novel has promise but ultimately falls short due to a prolonged build-up and a perplexingly abrupt climax.

The novel's pacing is perhaps its most significant flaw. The author spends an inordinate amount of time having her characters’ interactions and backstories that feel meandering with only a few having implications later. The pace also works against the story's momentum. Somehow, it also takes the sting out of the villainy – in partially humanizing him or building a suspense around his motives, the author also makes the villain almost powerless compared to the resources at disposal.

The climax, contrastingly, is diminished by the abruptness with which it concludes. Like this!