I'm not sure if it's the original writing or the English translation to blame, but this book falls flat for me. The premise (neatly summed up in the title) is interesting, but there is far too much telling, rather than showing. The timeline is jarring and the characters do not come alive for me. The author is the lead-singer of a French band, who apparently writes novels in conjunction with concept albums. It feels like the storyline of a concept album.