Ingenious in a way that is all Jasper Fforde

⭑⭑⭑⭑  Was this book odd? Yes, it was. Did it leave the reader wondering what was happening from the first? Why, yes, it did. Was it a brilliantly bazaar tale completely worth reading? Absolutely! If you've read Jasper Fforde before, you know what you're in for - off the wall hi-jinx in a well devised, ingenious story, much like his Thursday Next series. If this is your first outing with the charming Mr. Fforde, this is world building at its best, solidly constructed in a twisted logic kind of way. Let us discuss...

In Early Riser we join Charlie 'Wonky' Worthing, a novice of the Winter Consul in a world where people hibernate through excruciatingly cold winter months. Here, specifically, we are in Wales. The Winter Consul's job is to stay awake during winter to safeguard those catching some Zzzs and generally keeping things running smoothly. Sounds pretty straightforward, though it's anything but. There's quite a lot that can go wrong - nightwalkers, villains, winsomniacs, wintervolk, the dodgy mega corporation HyberTech, not to mention the other people awake too. There are many interesting characters and a lot to keep track of.

There's quite a lot of background information handed out in a casual, off-hand way. It can be rather daunting initially but just roll with it. It does come together and makes weirdly wonderful sense with time.

Early Riser is a fun read full of adventure, good humour and a fair amount of cheeky laughs. I'm so please to have read this. It's been a while since I enjoyed a book so purely original and thought provoking.