Review: The Roach

The Roach by Rhett C. Bruno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Roach wasn't just a novel; it was an experience. The story is centered around a vigilante known as The Roach, who has been broken and forgotten by the city he helped make safe. The book's description had me expecting some type of superhero version of Ironside, but what I actually read was something so much better. The Roach has gone from a fear-inspiring legend to a crippled drunk. But this isn't some happy ending story of redemption and rehabilitation; it is a gritty and realistic journey through the damaged psyche of a broken man.

I make the story sound pretty gloomy, but it actually is full of different emotions and hits you on a few levels. It's part gritty drama, part dark comedy, and part psychological thriller. I laughed out loud, I got goose-bumps, I shivered, and I, honest-to-god, teared up at one point. The characters come to life, the plot is thick and unpredictable, and the premise is fresh and exciting. It's the best book I've read in 2021, and I'm pretty sure it's going to stay on top for a long, long time.

The audiobook is performed by R.C. Bray, and no one I've heard could have been a better Roach. It's like the character was written for Bray to narrate (spoiler alert: it actually was). If you are a fan of R.C. Bray, this book will be worth it for that alone.

Special thanks to Aethon Books, who provided me this book free of charge at my request.

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