Most of us are resigned to Fate – a mediocre existence whereby we don’t concoct a cure for cancer or play violin at Carnegie Hall or write best-selling novels; we just sail along the path of life, not really accomplishing much that could be called noteworthy. Ah, but there exists among us those who do those things that influence others’ lives in some major way, change the world. Those lucky few are on the path of Destiny. Some people have it in them, and some don’t.
Fabio – the name Fate has chosen for himself – finds himself breaking all kinds of rules: falling in love with a human, meddling in people’s lives (changing their fates, upgrading them to Destiny material), getting on God’s bad side. Fabio begins to wonder whether he is fated to do his job of keeping the average on their way to mediocrity, or is he destined for something greater? This question dogs him throughout the second half of the book. And it’s a good question.
The ending freaked me out.
The characters in FATED are abstract notions/attributes personified: Fate, Destiny, Gluttony, Love, Sloth, etc. It’s a clever device, though it was something of a distraction for me as I over-thought a few things.
S. G. Browne’s second book does not disappoint. He has written a solid book, a great follow-up to his thoughtful zombie novel Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament. I recommend FATED and believe you can find it in your local bookstore or order it here
Thanks, Scott, for another fun read!
