The Un-Noticeables by Robert Brockway

The Un-Noticeables by Robert Brockway is... something. It's by far one of the most bizarre, unique books that I've read, and to be honest, I'm not totally sure how to describe it.

This novel takes place in two different time periods from various perspectives. We spend time in 2013 Los Angeles, California with our heroine, Kaitlyn, while also following the trials and tribulations of a man named Carey in 1977 New York City. Kaitlyn is a tom-boy stunt woman with an extra finger that is pulled into this bizarre world of flammable tar creatures, humans left empty obedient shells, and very nonbenevolent Solvers. "There are angels. There are demons. They are the same thing (cover). Carey, the central character if there is one, is a crass punk rocker that swears, bullies, and drinks like there's no tomorrow, and yet seems to be the only person with any answers. I'm not going to lie; it is difficult to push past the obscenities and the truly obscure diction, but it is loyal to the characters and well worth it for the plot. They are so individual and though crudely so, expressive in an admirable, weirdly loveable way.

The plot is difficult as well, as it bounces around in time and none of the characters really know what is happening or why, however, it is so absolutely fascinating. The excerpt on the back cover explains the complex conflict much better than I can. "There are angels, and they are not beneficent or loving. But they do watch over us. They watch our lives unfold, analyzing us for repeating patterns and redundancies. When they find them, the angels simplify those patterns and remove the redundancies, and the problem that is "you" gets solved"(cover). Once a person is "solved", they become one of various monstrosities: Empty Ones, Un-Noticables, tar monsters, or angels. But no matter the outcome, the cycle continues and it falls to Kaitlyn and Carey to end it, to save the future of the human race.