Blinded by Kim Pritekel

Blinded
by Kim Pritekel
Pages: Unknown
Date: November 15 2016
Publisher: Sapphire Books Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: August 8 2016

*I received this book from NetGalley and Sapphire Books Publishing in return for a fair review.*

This is the second story I’ve read by this author. I had loved the first one I had read, so was quite happy to see a new one pop up. Though there was/is a certain amount of confusion generated by odd twists of fate – the nature of the previous book I had read, the cover of this current book, and the title of the current book.

I went in knowing that the book involved a rising television reporter, Burton Blinde, who was involved in a tragic accident that forced her to flee. I learned more, obviously enough, but I’ll get to that in a bit. Combining that snippet of information with the cover, shattered glass as if a bullet had been shot through it, plus wide open startled eyes, in addition to the ‘Blinded’ part of the title, and combing the first with the prior work I’d read I had this vague idea that the reporter might have been blinded by the tragic event. The prior work involved a blind report, though I believe that one was born blind.

Right, so, I’m not actually sure why the title is ‘Blinded’, nor, for that, why there is that specific cover implying someone got shot (what with the reporter who had been, relatively recently, within the last three years?, been shot while on air, combined with the shot glass, I assumed that is how Blinde would end up in that tragic accident – shot). Blinded, could be taken like when something happens that remind people of someone else, and say that they have been ‘Last Named’; or it could mean literally that someone had been blinded and are now blind. Neither works in this instance.

Why am I rambling on like this? Simple, for the longest time I wasn’t sure what exactly I was reading, where we were going. The book starts with Blinde being a rising television reporter for a local Denver television station, the kind who has acquired awards for her work. And the kind who had just secured a contract to leave that local station for the big time – with CNN. Things were advancing along, some odd little things were occurring here and there (both in terms of things that flowed with the story, unexplained post cards and vodka bottles arriving at Blinde’s work), and those things that were just odd (occasionally the point of view, I assumed, would switch and ‘things’ of no importance, nor obvious reason would be revealed (a unnamed man and woman are in an old studio and fiddle with some of the buttons and . . scene; a woman arrives in a helicopter, goes down some stairs, talks with some people and . . . scene – there was never any explanation for either scene). Then a tragic accident occurs that left a limp and other injuries (I’ll otherwise leave that vague – the injuries and the situation; though will include the bit wherein Blinde was not blinded), and Blinde flees.

Years later, while working a side job for a private investigator, she makes some comment about these odd things she had been receiving. One thing leads to another and Blinde’s off to some tiny island nation, Chilvokia, off the coast of Russia that may or may not be involved in a civil war or other war related issue.

It kind of felt like, rightly or wrongly, that something like 90% of the book was from Blinde’s point of view, though there were a few other point of views filling out the rest of the book (hmm, wording it that way, maybe Blinde had 75% of the book). One of the other points of view was a young woman by the name of Lilli, and she is the other ‘important’ character in the book. Though I believe she only first appears 22% into the book (and I’m not 100% sure that is her). Lilli has the second largest percentage of the book, though her parts were super rare, just not as rare as the few other people who got POV’s.

There was a bit of action/adventure/investigation/damsel-in-distress going on – quite interesting. Not always clear what was going on (in terms of why certain things were occurring when they occurred (though, except for two specific instances, the ‘confusing’ things were later explained), like why postcards from Chilvokia were landing on Burton’s desk; not in terms of a confusion foggy plot).

I liked the book well enough. For most of the book I had in the back of my mind that I was reading something that I’ll eventually rate between 3.8 to 4.2, and by the end found to be a good solid 4 star book.

August 8 2016

The Flaw in Logic by S.Y. Thompson

The Flaw in Logic
by S.Y. Thompson
Pages: 279
Date: August 15 2016
Publisher: Sapphire Books Publishing
Series:

Review
Rating: 3.5
Read: August 29 2016

*I received this book from NetGalley and Sapphire Books Publishing in return for a fair review.*

I do not exactly understand the cover. Right, sorry, shouldn’t lead off with that.*

Imagine, if you will, a Conan the Barbarian type, but in a science fiction setting. Now make Conan female. That is not exactly accurate, but it is both the vibe of the book and of the book cover. (I would have gone with Xena in space, but it really did have more of a Conan vibe than Xena; maybe because there were more princesses in Conan’s stories – something). Okay, I do not know the Conan story well enough to continue this idea, so let’s move on before I embarrass myself.

There’s a criminal who has fled from the Amalgam space and landed on a ‘primitive’ planet – one where everyone but the rulers are ignorant of both the nature of the universe, and their own origins (as in: 1) there are other planets out there that have life on them, human life; 2) they are not native to the planet (though that one I’m less sure about as it comes up during the book that there are ‘stories’ and ‘legends’ about the ‘bad air’ and how lots died and stuff, so they might actually know they are not natives).

That criminal has landed on that planet with stolen materials from the Amalgam (I’m not actually 100% sure what the ‘Amalgam’ actually is, I think it is the name of the alliance of planets, though I could be wrong, I know it isn’t the name of a planet). A group of bounty hunters are sent out to track down this bad guy and recover him. Two things of note of this specific individual before moving on to the hunters – 1) the guy was a colonel in the military (and therefore, presumably, has some military know-how); 2) is related, brother, to a ‘Senator’).

The bounty hunters are lead by Commander R’cey Hawke (pronounced ‘Hawk’ like the bird; heh, no, I meant pronounced ‘R.C.’ like the cola (the R’cey part), though I kept reading it, for whatever reason, as ‘Racy’). There’s a bunch of young hot, strong, gifted, etc. etc., under Hawke’s command, but none of them matter beyond being people to grieve over – since they all die within moments of being introduced to the story. All but Hawke. So – imagine, if you will, a ship broken into tiny pieces on a ‘primitive’ world with 4 dead bodies, and one severally damaged one reclining near them. We shall leave Hawke here for now.

The other main point of view/impetus to the story is a young woman named Princess Thalia Dumont (I’m reminded of people whose parents name them things like ‘Major’, or ‘Sergeant’, then things get confusing if they actually go into the military, and end up having conversations like ‘Private Major! Clean your shoes!’ – wait, Princess isn’t a name but a title. I’m being vaguely weird in this review. No idea why).

Let’s start that part again.

The other main point of view is a young woman named Thalia Dumont, a princess of a specific kingdom on the planet (there are several, presumably). We first meet Thalia as she sneaks out of her room/castle and visits with an assassin, for she plans to assassinate her father, King Lotar. Great way to meet someone, eh? Heh. Well, apparently Lotar is this super evil guy who is acting like a tyrant, destroying the people under heavy taxes, death and imprisonment.

One thing leads to another and this assassin, instead of killing the king, puts him into a deep deadly coma. Now Princess Thalia must rush out on a quest to find someone to help save the king (who, now it turns out, had actually been operating under the influence of someone else, and hadn’t actually been naturally evil. Just forced evil). I’m being indirect here as I wished to set some things up before I got to the fantasy part of the science fantasy tag. For the ‘evil’ influence is a literal evil spell/curse placed upon the king. And the quest for ‘someone to help’ is for a ‘powerful sorcerer who can try to help lift the curse’. For, you see, the people of this planet can do that. Magic. And stuff.

So, Thalia heads off on her quest with four soldiers and told that if she went a specific direction she might run into someone who could help. In a ‘if you don’t do this and get their help, your task will be a failure’ kind of ‘go that direction’ type of helpful hint.

And so they do – Thalia and her four companions. Head in a specific direction. Where-upon they find . . . demons. Well, recall if you will that most of the people on the planet are unaware of the true nature of the universe and the part wherein there are other humans out there on other planets. Doesn’t help that R’cey is wearing a power suit that morphs and hides her appearance.

One thing leads to another and Thalia’s quest party expands by one, with the addition of R’cey. And then the really long trek continues and unfolds.

The book is only 279 pages but it feels longer. Stuff happens. Then more stuff. Then when I think everything is ready to be wrapped up even more stuff happens. I know why the ending had to be the way it was – because of the nature of the situation the author put everyone into (‘primitive’ planet, only leaders know truth, hard for an off-worlder and a princess to have a relationship under these circumstances; roadblocks to a happy situation put in place; something needed to be done to ‘remove’ these roadblocks without completely undermining the whole point of having this be a ‘primitive’ planet’ with a ‘high-tech bounty hunter’ running around on it; in that sense the ending worked; in another I kind of felt like I was in the ending of fantasy films like Lord of the Rings, which had, like, an hour of extra filming that were just ‘climaxes’ over and over again – but not really).

I feel like making some reference to another book I read this year with ‘magic’ in a science fiction setting that involved lesbians and power suits, and a quest and stuff (well, running around in swampy/jungle-y areas), but can’t think of a way to make that comment. So I won’t. I’m referring here to Paladins of the Storm

Right, okay then. Interesting enough book. A little long feeling. A book I’d say would be something around a 3.48 to 3.63 star book. Not sure I’d specifically wish to read another book in this specific story universe, but I’ll definitely read another book by this author. I’m even currently eyeing one.

* - I'm probably just over thinking things and/or not noticing the correct things.

August 30 2016

Deep Water by Betsey Odell

Deep Water
by Betsey Odell
Pages: 128
Date: October 15 2015
Publisher: Sapphire Books Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Read: April 11 to 28 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Sapphire Books Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Earlier this month I found myself looking at various options on Netgalley. Specifically at the books in the ‘Read Now’ section of the LGBT category. I noticed ‘Deep Water’, this book here, and noticed that it was a rerelease (I think). So I checked Amazon to see if there was a sample. And there was. So I started to read a tiny portion, then got dragged along to the end of the sample. Really, I was just going to read a few paragraphs to test the writing. But got pulled to end. So, naturally, I decided to ‘Read Now’.

And . . . something got messed up in the process. I couldn’t get the book to open on my Kindle, despite that being an option, and several attempts to download and send the book along.

Tried a new download last night and it worked. So, read the book today, as in the 28th of April, 2016 – not the today of whenever you are reading this review. Unless you are reading it on the 28th.

Characters
Mattison Burr is an 18 year old high school senior who starts the book on the edge of her senior year at high school in North Carolina. For unclear reasons, though potentially connected to her feelings for another girl and how she’d rather kill herself rather than tell her, the book also opens with Mattison trying to kill herself in a hurricane. She fails (I’m not being joke-y, I’ve read more than one book that involved someone who spent the majority of the book as a ghost). Mattison then proceeds to spend the rest of the book bouncing around kind of insanely, with a huge desire to lose her virginity. She’s unsure who to lose it to; and does not she really care. Just get rid of it already. Also, she’s not really sure if she likes girls, boys, or both.
Of Importance: twin brother Blake; love interest BFF Kym; boyfriend Stanley; new friend Samantha; two parents, one male, one female.

Kym Kascer is a high school senior who has moved a lot in her live. Her father is an ex-actor who may or may not be attempting to start a political career. Her mother may or may not be insane. She’s apparently straight though on the borderline. She’s a popular kid in school.
Of Importance: parents, Mattison.

Stanley is a new student at the school. And a senior. He fancies Mattison. Who fancies Kym. Who fancies Stanley.
Of Importance: unknown.

Blake Burr is a high school senior and Mattison’s twin. Slightly older by six minutes. Has a girlfriend. And is an art major (confused by that, do high schools have ‘degrees’ now?)
Of Importance: parents, twin Mattison, girlfriend Becca.

Samantha new senior at the high school. Makes Mattison wet her panties. Gives Mattison hand-made gifts despite only, apparently, talking to each other once.
Of Importance: parents.

Plot
Mattison’s senior year of high school is just about to start when the book opens. Also, her best friend forever has just moved back to town. So, Mattison tries to kill herself in a hurricane. The reasons are unclear. I’ve a vague feeling that she did that because she was beginning to have feelings of a sexual nature about another girl – and that’s just wrong. And she’d rather kill herself than tell the friend.

Since Mattison’s attempt failed, the book turns to scenes of school, mixed with drunken/drugged scenes of parties. And Mattison wetting her panties over boys and girls at both school and parties.

Mattison is in a kind of bad situation to be figuring out if she’s bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual. What with living in North Carolina and all. Land of bigots. At least according to current RL news coming out of North Carolina. And according to various people Mattison talks to. Her favorite teacher outright tells Mattison that “you can’t be successful and a dyke at the same time. . . who is going to hire you if you are a dyke?”

Still, Mattison doesn’t know what she is. Or what sex is. Or what two women together do. Or anything. So naturally she decides to hump both boys and girls. At the same time. What, is not spoiler, it’s in the book description. Actually, new paragraph needed.

My comment made me actually look at the book description. ‘Mattison develops an unhealthy girl crush on her best friend and rejects the boy her parents always dreamed she would be with.’ I’ve a feeling it’s more than just favorite teachers, parents, and North Carolina lawmakers who are bigots. ‘Unhealthy’ girl crush? Well, technically it is unhealthy. Not the girl crush, just the situation. Mattison is kind of insane; Kym shows every indication she prefers boys. Using ‘Unhealthy’ and having all these bigots in the book, doesn’t help matters though. Funnily enough that wasn’t the part I wanted to comment on. It was the ‘rejects the boy her parents always dreamed she would be with.’ WTF? The parents always dreamed she would be with Stanley? Always? Really? How? He just now arrived as a new student. How the fuck could the parents have always dreamed of him hooking up with their daughter? (and eww, seriously, eww, parents dreaming of their children’s sex lives? Eww; not the thinking about, but the dreaming about). Since I’m being nitpicky ‘Mattison Burr jumps off a pier’ . . . she did not jump off a pier. She got knocked into the ocean by . . um . . the wind? A runaway piece of wood? Something. She didn’t jump. Though she had planned to do so.

Right, sorry. Plot: girl goes to high school. As a senior. Girl tries to handle and deal with the concept that she might like girls. While she continues to also check out boys. The concept of lesbianism is shown, in the book, to be deeply disgusting to the people of her town; the concept of bisexuality, naturally, is unheard of.

Overall
This is a book that was all over the place. Mattison is kind of a hard person to follow, an odd mix of selfishness (two examples – she instigates a three-way sexcapade because she just needed to be with her BFF, and knew the only real way to bring that to reality was to involve a boy who the BFF wanted (and the boy wanted Mattison); while BFF’s life is imploding, Mattison ‘needs to connect to her now that’s she’s been traumatized and humiliated’ instead of, you know, needing to actually try to help her) and selflessness (she doesn’t like bullying, and when all the gym people are lined up to be weighed, and the mocking begins, Mattison stands up for the mocked one (though the mocked one is then, after Mattison stands up for them, shown to get red with embarrassment).

On one level, as a young woman of 18 who is unsure of her own sexual desires and nature, in a state that is apparently still quite bigoted – the somewhat ‘messed up’ and ‘crazy’ situation that is shown in this book is both somewhat kinda expected and seemed to be written well enough to show someone full of themselves attempting to look smart by using certain words and phrases, even if used incorrectly – a know it all teenager. On another level, and this is my own fault, I do not particularly like reading about messed up confused people – or at least, it isn’t my favorite thing to read. So the book was somewhat difficult to get through.

There were a few things that seemed vaguely odd, though, that occurred in this book. Mattison’s twin brother, Blake, is described as being an art major. When did high schools start having majors? Is that a North Carolina thing? Also, just one more example, Kym’s parents popping over to London for a bit, then popping back was treated as if they’d just moved a state over (as opposed to being in a country across an ocean). I do not know, I’m probably reading into things.

Two last thoughts – on the one hand, I like how Mattison didn’t actually, as I kind of expected to have happen at some point, come out as a lesbian – she came out to her parents, and others, but as someone interested in girls sexually (which is different than coming out as a lesbian, because it leaves the door open to her possibly being bisexual), on the other hand . . . um . . . I do not know why I started that off as ‘on the one hand’. Right, second last thought – people sure are bigoted in North Carolina, eh?

I would tentatively recommend this book, though only if the person understands what they are getting themselves into. They possibly could love the book or hate it. It seems to be that kind of book. Despite saying that, I find myself in the middle. At about 3 stars out of 5.

April 28 2016