David Wong (1) (1975–)

When a new drug called “Soy Sauce” is unleashed on a group of unsuspecting users, its effects start a mind-altering chain reaction that has those impacted wondering what’s real, who is Korrok, and what is his endgame. Creatures, alternate universes, and strange occurrences threaten friends John and Dave as they try to figure out how to save those they care about most.

Witty, strange, and well-written John Dies at the End starts promisingly enough as Dave sits down with journalist Arnie Blondstone to tell a fever dream-sounding series of events since ingesting “The Sauce.” The writing is imaginative, the banter quick-witted, and the dialogue is top-notch. Plotting, however, stalls a little over halfway through the novel.

The last forty percent or so is perhaps a few too many strange occurrences that made me wonder if there would be a resolution. I won’t say questions are answered in the end, but the story comes back around in a way that feels well thought out and interesting enough to pull me into the next novel in the series.

A fun read recommended for fans of The Tales from a Gas Station series, which is similarly humorous and horrific without the mid-novel lull. I’ll be taking a break from the John Dies at the End series before jumping into book two, but I’m curious what Dave and John might get up to next. 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for excellent writing.… (meer)