The River by Michael Neale

Andy Andrews, the best selling author said of Michael Neale's first novel "The River is a story that will transform how you see yourself and the world" setting me up to expect a story larger than life.

Gabriel Clarke was born by the river, and for the river just as his grandfather and father were.  When his father John loses his life to the river attempting to save another man, young Gabriel is relocated from the majesty of the river canyons to Cairo, Kansas to live with his mother.  I was hungry for more information.  Why had his parents separated years before?

With my questions unanswered I continued on, watching Gabriel struggle to deal with memories, fears and a darkness that would overtake him.  But as we had been told, he was made for the river and to the river he returned.

There is adventure in these pages and romance.  There is raw emotion.  The story was quick to read, but I never experienced the depth I was promised.

I wish I had encountered this book before reading any of the hype.  I suspect I would have expected less and enjoyed it more for the simple story it is.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.