Above His Station [Kindle Edition]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written and is one of the few books I've read that ACTUALLY made me laugh. Some of the subject matter is serious, but the style and several of the characters make it hilarious. Some of the scenes are absolute works of art. And believable within the context of the story. I hated to put it down when exhaustion kept me from keeping my eyes open and couldn't wait to get back to it. The second time I didn't put it down until I was finished.

There were a few points early on that bordered on failing to suspend MY disbelief, but I was so hooked on the characters and the style that I kept reading anyway. And I'm sure glad I did. I've discussed what bugged me with the author (whom I do not know personally and only have had contact with as a result of his response to my review of an earlier work of his) and basically it is me being overly obsessive... nothing new there. I really doubt the average reader would pick up on any of what disturbed me. And I have even stronger doubts that anyone else would be perturbed by the type of dashes used or the spaces around them. That's part of the baggage of my editor past that sometimes gets in the way of my happiness.

So all in all I strongly recommend this book. It is one of the best-edited and best-written self-published books I've seen so far. Craske is an author that clearly is capable of pulling off self-publishing. He has my applause for his great work and at least one fan eagerly awaiting the sequel.

A very funny and well written book with many plot twists. The main characters find themselves in such interesting and humorous places it had me laughing for ages. The whit of one of the characters is fantastic.

I am already halfway into the sequel I enjoyed this book so much

On another note I thought I would read other peoples reviews after reading the book, but before writing this review – PHEW lucky I did – I understand everyone’s opinions vary and some people might not like this book but I find it unbelievable that one of the other reviewers actually gives the whole plot away……..!

I have read all the authors books, I have enjoyed each and every one, this book is no exception, it,s full of good homour, the characters are well described, and the storyline keeps you wanting to read. Bring on the next book.

Really enjoyed this quirky book.... Shades of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, China Mieville's Un Lun Dun stirred up with a healthy dose of Douglas Adams' Hitch Hiker series with a deft touch of some Pratchett tongue in cheek humour. Didn't know where this author was leading me as I delved into it, but after a couple of pages, bam what a rollercoaster of a ride. Few authors surprise me like this, most enjoyable. Can't wait to read book 2, highly recommend this !

The Station Guard of Regal Street is running away from his past.

With his wife gone and his children having lives of their own, he lives at home in a bungalow, filled with memories of his late wife. Wanting to escape his past and the memory of Molly where ever he goes, he accepts a new post.

The only thing is, he can't tell anyone where the new post is, what the station is for or for whom he is working. This suits him fine as all he wants to do is hide from himself and enjoy his life underground.

The problems begin when the Station Guard hears a voice belonging to someone he can't see tells him that he's in trouble and that the tiger has scented him. The Station Guard looks around but is told to look down.

Looking down, the Station Guard takes in the presence of a rather foul mouthed talking rat. As if that weren't enough, the rat tells the station guard that something has happened above ground, something to which he is oblivious to, being so far below ground.

The Station Guard knows that he must head above his station, but the rat reminds him of the tiger, the tiger that has scented him and is coming for the Station Guard, with no hope of escape in sight.

Well, that's not strictly true. The problems really begin when the Station Guard tries to get above ground and has to confront a pack of wild wolves, flamingo car drivers, armadillo and tree frog policeman, a musical number with back up singers and a whole host of other problems.

Least of which is a musical number, a trip out of this world and the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. Now would be a good time for a chocolate digestive biscuit if you have any...
My meager plot summary does not really cover the whole plot of Above His Station.... It only really scratches the surface. Why is that? Well, that's because Above His Station is one of those rare gems, one of those lovely, incredible books that you can no way summarize without giving everything away.

Instead, it is meant to be delved into, head first, until you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I read Above His Station twice in three days. I finished it in a day and a half and enjoyed it so much that I immediately went back to page one and started all over again.

I love Darren Craske's work quite a lot but with Above His Station he has outdone himself not only in characters (at which he excels) but also with plot (at which he is also ace). What sets Above His Station apart is that it is unlike anything you will ever read or will ever read again.

During the first chapter, I thought I was in for a right treat of a mystery of sorts...until I got to the talking rat. Then things went woky, went more wonky still and by that point, I was having a grand old time. I laughed out loud on the bus, laughed out loud in public and just kept flipping pages madly, engrossed completely in the world that Craske has created.

Though books of this sort normally require a huge suspension of disbelief, Craske eased me into the world so slowly that I didn't really notice things had gone completely crazy until it was too late. Or not late enough. Either way, I haven't enjoyed a book this much in years. The only other book I have read twice in a row is Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. That ought to tell you something.

Craske has really outdone himself with Above His Station. His Cornelius Quaint Series is amazing, his novel The Lantern Menace incredible, but I feel as if all of his writing, all his work, has been leading up to this book, Above His Station.

It is quite simply the best time I have had reading a novel in years. To read Above His Station is to let yourself be taken on an incredible journey.

The problem is, you might not want to come back. An awesome read from start to finish and back again, Above His Station is required reading for anyone who loves a good book, period. Read more ›

Ok - so apologies for the poor reference to Mr. Craskes previous Cornelius Quaint books, which you should download if you haven't already! This story takes a different track from that series of books (I've done it again, I should be on the stage...), but I chose to read it because of his clever story telling, with some occasional well observed references & humour. This book didn't disappoint me and I look forward to Mr Craskes future endeavours! It also helped that he is giving it away free for a short period of time, but having read it, I would happily pay him for it, or would at least buy him a drink as recompense if I were to ever meet him!