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| 314 - Author's Picture |
It's too late to buy physical copies for Christmas presents, but there is still time to buy Kindle editions. 314 (The Widowsfield Trilogy) is a great series by A.R. Wise. For a while, I was reading it once a year. I need to read it again and reading it one time only is not possible, in my opinion. Something new "jumps out at you" every time you sit down to read it. The following descriptions were taken (verbatim) from Goodreads.com, the series itself, and my own thoughts.
Book 1
Alma Harper has been trying to forget what happened in Widowsfield 16 years ago. She has a good life as a music teacher now, and might rekindle her relationship with her one true love. However, the number 314 haunts her, and threatens to bring her back to the day that her brother disappeared. When a reporter shows up, just days before March 14th, Alma realizes that her past is coming back to haunt her. What happened on March 14th, at 3:14, 16 years ago? No one but The Skeleton Man can remember. (Goodreads)
Book one satisfactorily sets up its primary characters and puts them on the road to Widowsfield. Key thought: "Widowsfield lives perpetually within only a few minutes of time." (The Skeleton Man speaking to Paul).
Book 2
Alma Harper and her friends are lost in Widowsfield. They're trapped in a lie created by The Skeleton Man, and even death provides no escape. As they struggle to discover the truth about the once sleepy town, a new evil emerges: The Watcher in the Walls. As the lies are exposed, the liars are revealed, and the only way out of the maze is to fall into the lies and disappear.
As Alma struggles to find a way out of Widowsfield, a new character comes to town. Her name is Nia, and she is a gifted young woman that can pull memories out of the world around her. Of course, the true memories of Widowsfield are lost behind the lies. As she gets closer to the truth, others will attempt to exploit her gift.
All the while, The Skeleton Man plans his escape. What if he gets out? (Goodreads)
Book two introduces a new set of characters and gives more insight into The Skeleton Man, The Watcher in the Walls, and lies that abound beginning with something that occurred on March 14 at 3:14. Key Thought: The Skeleton Man spins lie after lie, but he wants out of Widowsfield - will he escape?
Book 3
Alma Harper and her friends have been struggling to figure out the puzzle of lies weaved in the town of Widowsfield. They've escaped the grasp of The Watcher, but now The Skeleton Man is free as well, and no one's certain what he's capable of. The Watcher in the Walls is forced to craft new lies, and weave a new nightmare in Widowsfield, but he longs for the return of the Harpers. As his world crumbles, he knows that the ones he's influenced will return, and that everything can begin again. As the clock ticks down, and March 14th approaches, all will be revealed. The true conspiracy will come to light, and each player will learn their role. The Skeleton Man will have his revenge. (Goodreads)
Book three brings the mystery of March 14 at 3:14 to a conclusion, if not a completely satisfactory conclusion. Key thoughts: The Skeleton Man and The Watcher are as active as ever, the main characters attempt to stop them, and the ominous history of 3:14 is revealed.
