Title: Third Loch from the Sun
Author: Rex Burke
Genre: Sci fi, Humour
Rating: ★★★★☆
Source: ARC from the author
Blurb: Jake has left it late, and the only summer job he can find is on the remote Scottish island of Elsay. Still, that sounds fine – the work isn’t too hard, the pay’s all right, and the scenery is great.
But he soon has second thoughts about staying. His boss, Fraser, is clearly a bit of a rogue, while Fraser’s cute but snippy daughter, Alva, takes against him from the start. And the oddball characters in the local pub aren’t exactly welcoming.
Then Jake stumbles on an extraordinary secret that changes everything that’s known about the universe. A secret he can scarcely believe. A secret that Alva and the island recluse, Ruan Strang, have sworn to protect at all costs.
As the mystery deepens, the questions only mount – and none of the answers make any sense. Plus, Jake’s falling for Alva and she still hasn’t so much as smiled at him.
One thing’s for certain – he’s not going anywhere until the full, fantastic truth is revealed.
Review: Oh, this book is fun. I fell in love with the title – I was a huge fan of Third Rock from the Sun – and really liked the premise. And both deliver in spades.
Jake is a student who’s left it too late to apply for a summer job, and the only one he can find is set on a remote Scottish island. He applies and seems to get it without an interview, which would have raised a red flag for me, but he’s young and desperate, so he accepts the situation.
He goes up to Elsey and is introduced to a plethora of characters that just leap off the page. I particularly loved the multi-named band who had a different genre for each name. Central to the story are Jake’s “boss” Duncan, his daughter Alva, and the island crackpot, Strang.
The story starts slow. Everything appears normal, except that the job doesn’t appear at all and Duncan has Jake doing all sorts for vague promises of money. He reminded me of Del Boy, probably on purpose. But having loads of free time gives Jake the opportunity to explore the island and literally fall into the discovery of Strang’s “wee folk”, who turn out to be aliens and not fairies.
I absolutely adored the Trogians (I think I’ve spelled that right!) They’ve learned English from watching Downton Abbey and Dad’s Army, so talk in a weird, upper class fashion that seems at odds with their tiny height, but is so funny. However, they’re stuck on Earth and now Jake has to keep them secret along with Alva and Strang.
So you have sweeping descriptions of stunning Scottish countryside, tart conversations with Alva, and then a madcap adventure with knee-high aliens. On paper, it doesn’t sound like it should work, but my goodness it does.
I think my only niggle with Third Loch from the Sun is the romance. I know Burke says it’s only “a little Rom” but Jake and Alva’s relationship kind of comes from nowhere and doesn’t feel well developed.
On the whole, though? I loved this book and will be reading more from Burke for sure.
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