A review by merricatadamtine
The Cipher by Kathe Koja

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 A book review four years in the making.... ICYMI: I heard about The Cipher by Kathe Koja from a list on the now defunct Unbound Worlds, a great site that had recommendations for all kinds of fantasy/sci fi and horror. I couldn't find it anywhere... so it festered away in my mental TBR pile... Last September it was re-released in paperback, so I could finally read it aaannnnnddddd----- It's not bad. I think at the time it was originally released (1991) it might have been more unique, but House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski borrows heavily. I find it's influences towards Lovecraft (unnamed horrifying oppressive presence), Stephen King's short story I Am The Doorway, published in his book Night Shift (hand specific transformation) and William Burroughs (Naked Lunch particularly) . I know people balk at Koja's description of the characters of Nick and Nakota (mostly classifying them as addicts) but they actually take very few drugs, and I think the author does an excellent job of capturing the gritty, desperate times many of us had in our 20's.. These are people on the edge and looking for something that will transcend them beyond their existence... The Funhole will do that, but it exacts a price. Also, I will say, that I see the author getting knocked quite a lot for how... graphic? dirty? vile? she portrays the characters, but honestly I have seen the same done in the book John Dies In The End and that guy was hailed as a maverick.... sexism or what? Are only men allowed to write disgusting characters? I thought the book was a great metaphor for the gatekeeper mentality as well as addiction. Nick could easily stop the Funhole by moving or staying away (it only appears when he is there) but for some reason he can't... some pulls are inexplicable... Overall, glad I read this book, but more glad I didn't pay 60$ for it...