Review of Invitation: Harbingers Cycle One

I was initially drawn to the uniqueness of the way that this book was written.  There are 4 different authors - friends who decided to try something new and write a book in the style of a TV series.  This first cycle contains four "episodes", each written by a different author and from a different character's point of view.  While there is an overarching storyline, each story revolves around its own mystery to solve.

Something intrigues me about characters with powers and how they might use them to help others.  The main characters in this story use their gifts to solve mysteries.  A harbinger is a person or thing that signals the approach of another.  Each episode in this book presents a mystery that foreshadows a supernatural darkness descending on the Earth.

So how did this new writing style work out?  In my opinion, it left a lot to be desired.  While the characters are likeable and the storyline holds some intrigue, there simply weren't enough pages to sufficiently develop each episode and bring it to completion.  With each of the stories I felt like it began well, caught my interest, and then came to a rushed conclusion.  The mysteries were never completely solved.

Another problem with writing in this style is the length of time between books in the series being written and published.  Would you watch a  TV series with only 4 episodes per season?  The storyline has come to a pause when its barely just begun.

If you like short stories and the supernatural, you may enjoy Invitation and the Harbingers series.  However, I think I will stick to full-length novels.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.