– For me, author voice is almost everything, and it will make or break a novel and my enjoyment of it. I need to hear originality and know that the author is not trying to sound or write like someone else, but is telling HIS story in a whole new way, whatever that story may be. I feel like I can smell a fake a mile away, and believe me I’ve read my fair share of books from authors who are ‘trying’ to emulate better, more accomplished authors in their genre. What impressed me the most here was that I thought that Mr Coles writing style has the confidence and delightful quirkiness of a seasoned pro… I wasn’t surprised to see that he has written several other books and is a multi-award winning author, but I was a bit surprised to see that for most of his life he was a doctor, not an author (although that does explain his keen insight to the medical field).  The interweaving plotlines had that elusive ‘flavor’ that only comes when they are fully realized and fleshed out, something that is not easily done, especially in a novel of this depth and magnitude of complex issues. A great read, and will be looking for the next one from him. Recommend for adults. (5 stars) 
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– I think it is fairly safe to say that no one will ever accuse William H. Coles of not having an extremely vivid and wild imagination and talent for writing stories that really touch the deepest parts of all ranges of human nature, from the really good to the really bad! This was one of the most provocative and moving books I’ve read in recent memory, and half the time I felt like I was on some sort of wild literary acid trip (in a good way!), how we never knew what was in store from one chapter to the next. The way the action came together and all the characters it kept me captivated, even though there were times where I worried the story had gone off track. It always managed to get reeled back in, and by the last quarter or so of the novel my fingers were turning the pages like crazy! I had to see what would happen next and even though I was hoping for a bit more of a different ending, the resolution was appropriate (a bit anticlimactic maybe). I’d recommend this book for fans of modern literary dramas, but it would also appeal to readers who like anything different that makes them think outside their normal comfort zone for a bit and with beautiful writing and an interesting experience with strong, memorable leads. (4-5 stars)
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– “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles was a different type of book for me as I’m not a huge literary fiction reader, although I do enjoy the genre. But I’d recently read another book my Coles and loved it! So I thought I’d give this a try and see how I liked it. That said, here are my thoughts: I liked that it was very well written and had tons of crazy action and unexpected twists, especially for a long book. Everything felt “unique” from the characters, the world, the relationships, the social mechanisms, the experiences, the scenes and detailing of everything from sports to schooling to romance… It wasn’t predictable at all… and it kept my attention the whole way through. Had some really dark moments, but some pretty amazing ones as well. I don’t think I was able to stop reading the last 30% or so! Some complaints were there were many characters, and I don’t always feel like they were all that developed. At one point it just seemed like “names” doing the talking/action but I had no real concept of the individual personalities, looks, etc… There were times that I grew weary of reading about inconsequential details that added little to the progression, especially when frequently repeated. But I did appreciate the intelligent, multi-layered plot – it forces you to pay attention and think – actively engage with the story. So not some easy breezy fluff beach read, but to my surprise I found myself really sucked into the story, so much so that I shed a few tears and may have cursed a few characters along the way. Was happy with the ending and even a little bittersweet (love Granny!!). I felt so invested in this world and these characters. Overall an enjoyable read that I’d recommend to others, and I’m really glad I gave it a shot. Will read more from this author anytime. (4-5 stars)
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– I think that William H. Coles just made a new fan out of me!! Normally I stick to more contemporary thrillers/mysteries, but this was such an incredible book I had a hard time putting it down at night. Admittedly in the beginning I felt completely over my head, and was confused at a lot of things that were going on, with what Darwin was going through – there wasn’t a big obvious hook right away which normally I need in order to get (and stay) interested.  But I found that things smoothed out the more I continued on, and after a slower intro (to really ground us in the world-building) Mr. Coles does an admirable job of ramping up tension and giving the characters some pretty complicated, almost impossible obstacles to overcome. And speaking of world building… it is brilliant, and even a little frightening, but in a good way.  I can totally see this being a movie, although it probably wouldn’t be as good as the book anyways. It just felt like such a big story, one that I’ll remember for a long time. Recommend for adults as there is language and some mature scenes. A must read for fans of literary sagas and drama. (5 stars)
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– This book has it all. Great writing, characters who feel real and are flawed and fascinating – each one bring something new to the table, from Darwin to Luther to Granny and Pearlstein and everyone else in between… Profound and emotional and exciting all rolled into one with lots of OMG moments (especially with Luther and well, just about everyone!). Great story line and incredible detail throughout. One thing I noticed that was different about this book as opposed to others in the genre I’ve read, was that in this one it didn’t feel ‘safe’…. I never had the feeling that everything was going to be just fine, and it certainly wasn’t. It was this constant subtle tension that was believable—not contrived—that really sold it to me. To be honest, I’m not sure what to make of the ending… seemed a bit abrupt and almost anticlimactic after all that had happened. Not terrible, just felt flat…but I like the overall storyline and glad things ended up the way they did. But the whole experience overall was definitely one worth having. Best suited for mature readers probably. (4 stars)
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– “Guardian of Deceit” had such great FLOW from beginning to end. Never a dull moment, and every scene smoothly transitioned to the next, making it really hard to ever put down, as I was always totally engrossed in this story. And wow, what a creative and original plot! Every time I think I can tell what’s going to happen with Darwin, or Luther or any of the other characters, I was thrown for a loop. Even though we know Luther is no good I was still surprised by the level of his depravity. I’m so impressed with this author William H. Coles, and I love how he brings so many cool elements together in an awesome mesh of complex emotional and intellectual drama, action, authentic settings and characters, and a great cohesive storyline tying it all together which is no easy feat, especially with a novel on this scale and magnitude. If you are looking for something that will take you away to another time and place and make you FEEL something… love, anger, horror, satisfaction.. this one will not disappoint. This is the second novel I’ve read from him and they have both been very impressive. Hope to read more from Mr. Coles soon. (5 stars)
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– Woah, what a ride! From the description summary I was a little confused just what to expect, but I’d just finished reading another novel by Mr. Coles and really loved it! (“The Spirit of Want”) So I just dove on in. Well I was stunned not only at the level of detailed and imaginative world building, and strong and compelling characters, but also the sheer amount of twists and turns that were in store for us …I usually lose interest in books like this (I have a short attention span unfortunately) But I think that “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles is one of the more well thought-out and entertaining books I’ve read in a while. I loved how he writes very descriptively and with great energy and detailing. I kept wondering how it would all wrap up, and if it would work out… and (no spoilers) while I was happy with some things, I was disappointed with others. But that’s what made it so good I guess.  Note, this has some “adult’ scenes. Not gratuitous at all, but definitely intense. Just a fair warning. Recommend. (4 stars)
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– As I read this book by William H. Coles I found myself completely taken away from my ‘real life’ and transported to another world, completely forgetting where I was (for better or worse). An epic-feeling literary novel with more tangents and sub plots than many others I’ve read, with a large cast of characters each of whom have their own stories to tell and conflicts to overcome. Gritty, honest, deep, intense, disturbing, shocking, uplifting and empowering… Way too much to delve into here, but this is a book I won’t soon forget, and if you are looking for a unique take on drama and relationships and family conflicts with a darkly psychological and intellectual literary vibe, look no further. The only weak spot for me was the pacing and some editing. But other than that it was great. Ready for more! Best suited for ages 18+ only (4 stars)
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– Like his other books I’ve read, “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles was so much fun to read, with one of the most interesting and enjoyable ensemble of characters I have encountered lately. From villains to love interest, friend to foe and the relationships with the characters and the creative world-building Coles creates is downright phenomenal and truly more profound and with much more substance and introspective take on humanity and our place in it all… not just some mindless cliché murder mystery/drama/romance book, but deeper, touching but also fun. Covers such a wide range of subjects, from Darwin’s education and coming of age, to Luther’s ‘sins’ and the mystery of Betsey…and so, so much more. An enjoyable experience, one that actually teaches us something about life and the human condition and shows us the ‘bigger picture’. An unexpected treat, and I look forward to more from William Coles soon. Recommended for mature fans of literary fiction. (5 stars)
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– William H. Coles is most definitely one of those authors I’ve had the absolute privilege of discovering lately. I do read a lot of books by lesser known authors (I like to give them a chance and maybe discover a new favorite). But inevitably I’m left disappointed more often than not. But even if Mr. Coles’s novel “Guardian of Deceit” isn’t perfect, it absolutely delivers an entertaining ride with complex ideas and you become emotionally invested whether you want to or not. This one was impactful and about as different as it could be from anything else I’ve ever read. I literally cannot think of another type of book to compare it to! It does need better editing, (at times the dialogue is so fast and I can’t tell who the speaker is, and a few other minor glitches), but the literary skills were all there, the imaginative world that stretches the bounds of imagination, the descriptive scenery, witty dialogue, the heart-pounding moments, the shocking twists and sweet moments…  I enjoyed it all the way through and thought it was a great piece of lit fiction/drama that I’d recommend. (4 stars)
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– “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I guarantee it won’t be the last! In the beginning I was a little worried because it seems to just have a bunch of conversations and characters but without much grounding of context, so I was a little lost. But I kept reading and before long I became more familiar with the setting, the characters, and who was what, and it was highly entertaining—-almost addicting. There are interesting, dynamic characters across the board  and like that each has distinct personalities that really stand out. The prose is very strong and descriptive, and I think Mr. Coles writes with energy and passion that really shines through on each page. The only thing that bugged me was sometimes I felt there was too much focus on things that were extremely trivial, and then at other times something really juicy would happen and it was totally glossed over; quickly ‘narrated’ in a paragraph or so, while other times there’d be pages of dialogue that added little.  I feel like a great copy editor could have really polished it up, but the real meat and heart of the book was amazing anyways. But the way it all comes together in the end is terrific and even though it felt a little abrupt, all the elements were definitely handles to my satisfaction. No cliffhanger or open threads. thankfully. Recommend for adults only. (4 stars)
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– The pace of “Guardian of Deceit” is like a slow burn that gets hotter and hotter, then simmers, and then explodes. Despite the multitude of characters, the story was pretty easy to follow throughout. But I am a real fan of William H. Cole’s writing style –sometimes epic character novels are boring to me, but not his!! And even though there was a lot of action and drama constantly happening, and so many characters that come and go and shift our focus along the way, I never once felt lost or confused. Instead I felt swept away as the metaphorical pot boiled over again and again. I thought Darwin made for a great lead even though the focus shifts to other characters, it is really his viewpoint that we connect with throughout. I loved how easily I was able to escape into this world for a while, and it is so intelligently written so as to keep my full attention until the (amazing) end. I am giving this one 5 stars because I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like, and I’d definitely keep reading more of William Coles’s novels. Recommend for adults who like intelligent, profound stories with creative characters and an impactful, intelligent view… Some language and adult situations. (5 stars)
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– I really appreciate how simply and effortlessly William Coles can tell this intoxicating, multi-layered story with well-developed world building and still manage to make a literary drama novel feel so fresh! A less talented author would probably over-write or over-dramatize to the point of being totally unbelievable. But even with the dramatic and multilayered storyline we are all in, hooked on every scene, as the world building always follows its rules which is so important in books like this. At first it took me some time to acclimate and get the feel of the different characters and their backstory… was confused on a few things, but stuck with it and it all became clear. A fun read all through to the end, even though some parts are heart wrenching and you will definitely be upset more than once.  Really loved the different characters that Coles created, the perspectives on life, love, humanity, morality… so much covered it’s so hard to even address in such a short review. But one thing I know, I would definitely like to read more from William Coles!!  (4 stars)
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– “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles is a really good read with an interesting and plausible concept. And just when I thought I was done with lit-fiction forever and had read every possible angle and storyline it could possibly take. I was so wrong! Make no mistake, there are some familiar themes and standard literary tropes happening here, (rags to riches to rags… abuse… fish out of water, coming of age, etc…) but done with a sense of newness and unique to this storyline that is incredibly unusual and even groundbreaking in a way. At times I almost felt like it was too much, although Coles describes it very well, and I know it’s instrumental to the plot and with what is happening with the characters. It’s just sometimes the conflict seemed like overkill when I would’ve preferred to maybe see a deeper emotional relationship build between the characters instead. I just didn’t ‘feel’ the connection I was supposed to. But I can say that the writing is excellent —  very descriptive and evocative. Needs light editing however. This is a very dense read with a great balance of dialogue and narrative, but is memorable and entertaining and absolutely worth the time. (4 stars)
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– Oh my, where to begin…seriously, this is a super hard book to just sum up my feelings in a few sentences. Well, I read it in one week if that’s any indicator, and I have extremely limited reading time. But who needs sleep? I’ve read a few books by William H. Coles now and they have all been excellent in their own way. He writes in such a way that we just get pulled in and lost in the story right away, and see everything unfold around us. It’s a slow building explosion of unpredictable events and unique characters that are believable, yet act in unbelievable ways at times (like Luther). I only have one gripe seemed weirdly anticlimactic to me for some reason, like the emotion was sucked out of the ending even though it was the most dramatic. And it felt so “summed up” at the end. The narrative is tight and focused, but needs a proofreader. Great, authentic dialogue and some of the most clever, genuine characters I’ve read in a while.  This is a book that when you are done reading it you feel different.. it almost changes you, how you feel and think. But in a good way. I like a book that challenges me outside my normal comfort zone and “Guardian of Deceit” did it in spades. I for one am ready for more from this talented author soon! (4-5 stars)
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– Oh wow, I loved this book and read the whole thing in one week, which is fast for me, because I’m a slow reader. But it just seemed to go by so fast and I never wanted to stop reading it, even late into the evening. I was mesmerized by the world William Coles creates, one so realistic and authentic we feel like we are there with Darwin as he goes off to live with his cousin, and his life will never be the same. One thing I love about Coles’s writing is how he manages to pack just so much ‘story’ inside one novel.. in a way it might be intimidating for some readers, as this book doesn’t have A plot… it has several. The focus will shift throughout, so while it may be on Darwin at times, it will change to Luther, Granny, even Betsey and Laszlo. Coles does a terrific job with detailing, from conversations about medicine, to moral dilemmas, to romance and money… really adds flavor and authenticity needed to really bring the characters and story to life. Great writing, too. Love how fast paced it is, even when its being narrated. Usually that slows it down, but not here. Too much happens in this book to cover properly in a short review so you really just have to read it for yourself… you will not be disappointed! (5 stars)
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– I knew by the 20% mark that I would really love this book and it would go on my “favorites” shelf, and I was right! I admit I had no real expectations when starting it, seeing as how I’d never read the author before and the description felt a bit “wide-reaching” to me. Wondered if he’d pull it off, and I truly believe he did! I was so immersed in this book and impressed with the level of detailing on almost every single aspect. A lesser author would have glossed over some of these scenes that William H. Coles carefully and masterfully brought to life in a memorable way. This is a longer book, so be prepared to invest some time. But it is mighty worth it. Recommend. (5 stars)
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– When I read “literature” books, usually I either like the dialogue, and the narrative seems flat (or too ‘telling’ and long-winded) or the prose is good, but the conversations seem contrived and stiff, or the plot is completely forced. But I loved how seamlessly everything flowed in “Guardian of Deceit” as this made it feel authentic and well- paced, like we are watching a movie or something. It had it all, seriously…love, drama, sports, murder, family life, friends, enemies… takes us on an unforgettable, and ultimately fulfilling rollercoaster ride that I won’t soon forget with characters that will touch your heart and leave a mark. William H. Coles manages to take a multitude of different scenarios that are ripped from real life and create an emotionally engaging story that is both highly readable and entertaining. Has its very dark moments as well, but serves well with the plot. Mild language and adult situations but suitable for mature teens on up. (5 stars)
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– For me “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles was a bit convoluted at times, and took a while to really get going and get me hooked, only because there were several different characters that kept coming into play and I wasn’t sure where the real focus was. But I definitely do think it kept  getting better as it went along and the roles became more defined, even as they expanded. I wouldn’t say that this is written in the standard way, because the story seems to evolve and the focus on the characters changes as the storyline develops, instead of just staying on the main characters the whole time. Unusual, but not bad – just different. I am a big fan of “the Great American Novel” type books, and it I appreciate the lengths the author went through to make his book stand out from much of the typical fare out there these days, even if for me it seemed to lose its focus occasionally. I liked the eclectic and diverse cast of characters, the complex, intelligent plotlines, and the overall message. I felt that reading this was time well-spent and would recommend to mature fans of dramatic literature. (4 stars)
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– I personally thought “Guardian of Deceit” by William H. Coles was totally amazing, and this is really not normally the type of book I’d gravitate to! And in the beginning, I admit that I really wasn’t sure where the story was going but once I was about 25% in I was totally hooked and didn’t want to stop until I’d reached the end. I would describe this as a drama, but there is LOTS of action and crazy plot twists, so you will definitely stay interested. And I like how Coles writes in a way that you can totally picture everything, almost like we are watching a movie. It’s told in 3rd person, so you see a lot of perspectives, and even though the head-hopping was a bit confusing at times, I think for the most part it worked well. Very happy with the ending as well. Ready to read another Coles’ novel ASAP! (4.5 stars)
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– This is the second novel I’ve read by William H. Coles and it was fantastic!  He has such a great way of capturing slices of life over several pivotal years with wonderful details and drama. But what I loved most about the novel was the relationship between the various characters and especially  what they do in moments of great challenge or adversity. Do they rise to the occasion or fail? Are they heroes or cowards? Are they loyal to the people we love most or do we betray them? What is truly important to us, and are we doing the right thing? Coles explores these questions with probing finesse and great heart. He does a great job with characterizations, but I thought that Darwin was particularly well-crafted and loved Granny too. A definite recommended read, as are the other novels by William H. Coles. You really can’t go wrong with any of them… (5 stars)