Book Review: Hours in Forever by Vincent Hollow

ours in Forever by Vincent Hollow Book Review

Hours in Forever by Vincent Hollow concludes the poignant story of the Aquarius Astronaut as begun in The Weight of Black Holes. Read my book review of The Weight of Black Holes here.

Hours in Forever opens with aching dialogue about love discovered only to be torn away. Threads of emotion make each line bittersweet. The dialogue ends on a hopeful note alive with determination and drive: the astronaut will reunite with his lover, be it in the flesh or “the ghosts/behind my haunted eyes.”

With an implanted artificial voice for his only companion, the astronaut drifts in space at the mercy of the strange currents of galaxy that pull him ever closer to his destination.

The artificial companion’s stark voice offers moments of poetic clarity, breaking into the dreamlike haze of the narrative to offer assurances that thought has not yet become reality and that the sensations and immersions the astronaut encounters, however strange and mystical, are real.

While it is his vessel that steadfastly carries on, it is the astronaut’s ties to the memories of his lover; his Lucy that keep him sane. He falls in love with her in every poem and contemplates the thread of her presence he faithfully follows into the unknown corridors of space. “An echo/always starts/as a voice.”

She is waiting for him. He knows this against all science.

Hours in Forever by Vincent Hollow is a compelling narrative you will easily lose yourself in. Each poem is grounded in cosmic imagery and is alive with interpretations of love. The visual layout of the book adds another dimension to the concept of time. “You and I/are traders/of time.”

The book touches on lovely rhythms of song and movement; the word flow is lyrical and pretty, building imagery and posing quiet questions to the inner self.

Hours in Forever is a soulful conclusion to the story that started in The Weight of Black Holes.

The ending echoes hollow and beautiful. As told in the final pages laced with a crystalline sprinkle of sadness, mortality transforms into a new beginning and the end-of-life experience becomes a doorway to the next stage of humanity.

You will find yourself wondering if the astronaut ever was in space. Perhaps he lost himself to the myriad landscapes within himself. Has he found his lost lover, or has he deluded himself into believing his reunion with Lucy is real?

The answer is left to the reader. What you believe is possible will play a role in your answer. Yet, whether you decide on tragedy or fortune, you will be left with a taste of happiness finite on your tongue.

Hours in Forever weaves what we know into a galactic picture that is not alienated nor strange to us as we are immersed in the story. Vincent Hollow merges science with word and creates a story the poetic at heart cannot help but relate to.

If you are so called, pick up a copy of Hours in Forever through Amazon. Check out Vincent Hollow’s website for a further glimpse into his world of words and poetic emotion.

Looking for more amazing books to read? Check out my Reviews category.

How did Hours in Forever connect with you? What concepts and emotions did you love? Tell me below!

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37 Comments

  1. Raji (@journeyintofantasy)

    Great review! This sounds like such an interesting read. Leaving the ending up to the reader’s imagination can be risky, but in this case, it sounds like it worked quite well!

  2. Life Simile

    As you correctly stated, the artificial companion’s stark voice provides moments of poetic clarity, breaking through the narrative’s dreamlike haze to assure the astronaut that thought has not yet become reality, and that the sensations and immersions he encounters, however strange and mystical, are real. Thanks!

  3. Ashley Spills

    Ooo I need to check this one out 🔥

  4. ellegracedeveson

    This sounds like such a interesting book, thank you so much for sharing it with us. You’ve shared a great in-depth review which I always appreciate when going to buy a new book! Xo

    Elle – ellegracedeveson.com

  5. Charity

    Sounds like a great and interesting book! Thanks so much for sharing your review of it!

  6. Karalee

    This book sounds really intresting with the combination of poetry and science and cosmic elements. Thank you for sharing your review!

  7. Emily

    This is a great book review! Thanks so much for sharing!
    I’ve noted down the name and author for when I’m next browsing book stores 🙂

  8. readandreviewit1

    Great review! This sounds like such a powerful read; I love how emotive it sounds and the ambiguity of the ending… Books like that always seem to stay with you! Thank you so much for sharing a lovely review x

  9. thetravelvine

    There’s definitely something difference about this book that piqued my interested. I love the fact that he might not know if he went into space, or if the whole thing is just his imagination regarding his relationship with Lucy.

  10. Mel

    oh wow this book sure does sound intriguing! I haven’t read in ages so will have to add this to my list!

  11. Mariann Yip

    Love this review. So good. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Her Digital Coffee

    What a beautiful and heartfelt review Jaya! This sounds like such a powerful and majestic read. I definitely feel called to pick this up. Thank you for the recommendation!

  13. Jacqui Murray

    That sounds so unusual. I am intrigued. Clicking through…

  14. Jeff Flesch

    A wonderful review. The book seems mystical, poetic, and scientific. A wonderful combination! This, I adore, ‘“You and I/are traders/of time.”‘ How true that is. We trade in time everyday, even when unaware. Makes the concept of time, a perplexing and very pragmatic trading piece. For instance, do we trade love for time, or time for love? Amazing, post, Jaya!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Jeff! I love your varied thoughts on the concepts in this book.

      1. Jeff Flesch

        You’re welcome, Jaya! It’s always my complete pleasure.

  15. navasolanature

    Sounds interesting and I like the ideas and style you discuss so makes it feel like being on the list to read!

  16. Lauren

    This is a lovely review Jaya. This book actually sounds really intriguing and not something I would usually pick! Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren

  17. Corinne

    It’s quite interesting how the ending is left to the reading. I sure that would leave me longing to know more, though!

    Corinne x

  18. Stephanie

    I remember reading about the first book on your blog a while back! It’s wonderful that it’s a duology filled with so much depth and meaningful dialogue. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

  19. Jenny in Neverland

    This sounds like a really interesting read! Fantastic review x

  20. Plane Beauty (@Planebeautyblog)

    Thank you for this amazing review! I’ve never heard of this book before but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it if I see it!

  21. According to Chren

    I think we’d like this book. Plus, this cover is amazing!

  22. Soffy

    I haven’t heard of this book before but it definitely sounds like something I’d enjoy. Thanks for sharing xxx

  23. Daphny Aqua

    I really loved your review of the ending, the way you created a confusion of what the actual ending might be. It also sound like a very relatable one with real life, not the usual corny romantic novels, it sounds much more closer to reality and the pain of loosing someone. Looking forward to get my hands on this one. 🌸

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you for such a lovely read, Daphny!

  24. GWT

    Your review so emotive, reaching for a copy has got to be my next action. And what a title?

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love that you enjoyed this review! 😍

  25. Giulia

    Sounds like a fascinating read! Thanks for sharing Jaya.

  26. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    Wow! You made me think that this book is just like a trip and that the space can also be the dept of human soul. Everytime I hear about astronaut’s I cannot stop my mind going back on David Bowie’s voice singing his top famous song about.
    So I think that I would read also poems with the music soundtrack in my mind, and this could only be fantastic!
    Thank You Jaya!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Lovely, Claudia, the way you connected with this book!

  27. Lucia’s Fiction

    Awesome review: I enjoyed reading!

  28. Michele Lee

    Two topics of great interest to me: sci-fi and poetry… combined. Cool! Thanks for the review. I will check out the book.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I’m delighted to hear it, Michele!

  29. Cindy Georgakas

    what a great review Jaya! 👏👏👏

  30. Ingrid

    A wonderful review, Jaya: this does sound interesting!

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