I am currently in the middle of an international move, so this post has been pre-scheduled.

Mercurial Shifts, by Elena Alexandrescu
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Release Date: December 23, 2015

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Buy Links: Publisher / Smashwords

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Blurb:

Kazimir is used to getting his way and has the resources to ensure it. Even getting cleared of arson and murder charges is just another day at the office for a man who has always lived at the top of organized crime. Until he’s betrayed by one of the few he counted a friend, and handed over to a supplier gang out for revenge.

But he also wakes up to his old tattoo artist, a man he hasn’t seen in eighteen years but who hasn’t aged a day… a man Kazimir is starting to fear doesn’t actually exist…

My Review:

What is real and what is not? What is insanity, and what is magic? Mercurial Shifts is a short novel that follows Kazimir, a crime lord who finds himself questioning his sanity and everything he knows to be true. Mythology mixes with crime drama and mystery to make an intriguing tale.

There were a few times when I found myself confused about what was going on. Scenes would jump suddenly, and I’d have to pause and backtrack, or wait a few paragraphs for an explanation. It was a bit jolting, but the overall story was still interesting.

I do struggle with novellas, though, and I think this one failed to convey a lot of information and characterization that I really wanted to see more of. While the plot was a fascinating one, there just wasn’t enough depth for me, and the relationship between Kazimir and Hades would have been fantastic with more shown.

An interesting read, for sure!