Mordechai‘s A Crack in the World sequel The Reckoning is a trip back to the 90s and you’ll feel like you had never left Gino and Carter and the horrors of Meren-Ptah at all. And yet again, the story starts with an appropriately eerie event in 1941 thus setting the tone for the story to happen in 1996. 

After the events of A Crack in the World, the first book, Gino and Carter found themselves dealing with cases of rather mundane nature and Gino, particularly, was itching for something a bit more fitting to his particular skills. Something to tantalize him. And as the saying goes about being careful about one’s wishes, Gino gets what he asks for and more. 

Carter on the other hand is still trying to find his feet with everything that is supernatural, but due to his relationship and professional ties to Gino, is unable to turn his back to the RPI, the Royal Paranormal Institute. Not when Gino, and the world, still have need for his muscle. 

Whilst Carter provides the brawl, even at the cost of his personal life suffering, Gino has a different personal conundrum. He is getting old, and morbid, and he feels like he needs to pass down his wealth of knowledge to someone who can take on his mantle. Does he find an apprentice? And does preparing for the future mean that Gino will not survive past this book? I mean… *shrugs* Maybe, maybe not. The one thing we can always be certain of is that nothing ever goes to plan and when you think you know what to expect, you’ll be proven wrong. 

The Reckoning is engaging and upon first glance perhaps not scary in a way that a serial killer horror would make one feel in comparison, but The Reckoning creeps up on you. Sinister is not always loud and gory. Sometimes, the sinister comes quietly, quickly and messes with your head just enough to not really ever lose the sense of uncomfortable at something unseen and ancient. 

Mordechai‘s writing is one I would describe as descriptive to create just the right atmosphere and tension without being overbearing and becoming arduous. The Reckoning has a sense of confidence and a sure stride about it as it explores what it means to be a mere human in a world where greater evil can simply wipe you from existence. Our characters will be set against the fact of human fragility as well as limited mental and physical capabilities, and are made to wonder what comes next, after they themselves are gone? Makes you think that whatever great and cosmic forces humanity faces have always been there, waiting for their moment to awake or be awakened. And in that very sense, the horror in the book is presented with perfection. 

That said, The Reckoning doesn’t hold back from throwing our characters into danger and action, as we are dealing with a fast paced tale which weaves 2 connecting story-lines in the same fashion it did in the first book. There is an air of mystery about the story as Gino and Carter are set on a path to solve a huge problem through detective work, during which their own relationship dynamic is explored in a way that says they care about each other without actually saying it out and rather using the more basic emotions such as fear and anger. 

My most anticipated part about The Reckoning was a chance to dive into the past through Amiclare’s diary entries, and I was pleased to see the Intermezzos peppering the story, tying the events of 1941 to 1996. I find, the Intermezzos set the vibe, and further cement the occult knowledge and atmosphere of the book. They pad out the mysterious element of the arcane, of something that is as old as time, and make the unseen, cosmic horrors feel unbeatable, and the human life next to the paranormal seem tiny in comparison. And really, even though Amilcare is long dead, he feels like a true character that you look forward to reading about again. He’s interesting and he’s seen things and been to places in a time that the world was in turmoil. All of which is a testament to Mordechai‘s writing. It simply evokes such musings, and feelings of attachment to story and characters. 

Simply put, I love the occult vibe of the A Crack in the World books, I love the way Mordechai takes the reader to 90s and beyond, in this life and beyond. The emotional roller-coaster of our characters and the dangers they face on this plane and beyond… I love the paranormal, the scientific, the explainable and unexplainable. The way Mordechai doesn’t rush his stories, and how he doesn’t waste words. You pick up a Mordechai book and you’ll know who’s leading this dance. He sets the tone and cranks the dial to take you back in time magically, cosmically. The Reckoning is a capsule and you will be entrapped in it until it is done.