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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First third of the book was fantastic. Then it became rote and tired.
I looooove his Darktown Series so I was eager to read this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a quick read with an interesting futuristic premise. The mystery was fairly compelling but I don’t think this book will stay with me. I didn’t feel like I got a strong sense of place and only a few characters seemed fleshed out. Disappointed because this was just ok - not brilliant like some of his other books.
A near-future world where the entire population must rely on technology to see. Mullen illustrates the offshoots and impacts of the catastrophic event to bring the story to life. The story is reminiscent of José Saramago's Blindness, at least in as far as it explores the breakdown of society and how we as humankind would adapt and be changed by such a scenario. From there, Blind Spots moves on to a world several years past The Blindness event, and a Black Mirror-esque string of murders with one connection: the perpetrators are somehow able to blank themselves out of witnesses' vision. I really enjoyed this book, and found myself caught up in the reality it presents - particularly how different groups adjusted to the new reality, and the social ramifications of technology that is not universally available being essential for life as we once knew it to continue.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Having been through the pandemic, the way The Blinding is described is palpable, you can feel the panic, the desperation. The way it divides the difference people, some wanting to do the best for people and others wanting to take advantage to get the best for themselves.
I found the book somewhere between slow to medium paced until about half way through and then it picked up. I liked how the author presented different twists to keep me guessing, but maybe Id have enjoyed the pacing more if the twists were more tense and actionpacked, rather than contemplative. I've seen some reviews say the abrupt POV changes stunted the flow, but for me it felt more like in an action film when the pan to a different perspective which helped the pacing in some places.
I liked the use of the language, how eyes and vision were in the names of companies but also there were more clever references like "glaucoma of clouds obscuring the sun". I felt the author did well to illustrate how you rely on your sense differently when blind too. Without giving spoilers I feel this was darkly comedic in relation to the deacons towards the end, exaggerating what most would think.
I enjoyed the ending how it open and in a way left room for growth in a way, but a selfish part of me wishes for more closure. I enjoyed that Mark found some closure and was shown clearly to be starting a new chapter
It does make me worry about our future with technology and how easily we can be manipulated, but to me that's a single of a good speculative fiction.
I found the book somewhere between slow to medium paced until about half way through and then it picked up. I liked how the author presented different twists to keep me guessing, but maybe Id have enjoyed the pacing more if the twists were more tense and actionpacked, rather than contemplative. I've seen some reviews say the abrupt POV changes stunted the flow, but for me it felt more like in an action film when the pan to a different perspective which helped the pacing in some places.
I liked the use of the language, how eyes and vision were in the names of companies but also there were more clever references like "glaucoma of clouds obscuring the sun". I felt the author did well to illustrate how you rely on your sense differently when blind too. Without giving spoilers I feel this was darkly comedic in relation to the deacons towards the end, exaggerating what most would think.
I enjoyed the ending how it open and in a way left room for growth in a way, but a selfish part of me wishes for more closure. I enjoyed that Mark found some closure and was shown clearly to be starting a new chapter
It does make me worry about our future with technology and how easily we can be manipulated, but to me that's a single of a good speculative fiction.
I went into Blind Spots blind (cheesy I know) and was absolutely blown away by Thomas Mullens ability to transport me to a world with no sight. The idea of the blinding is a terrifying especially as we creep out of a pandemic, but as a listener it elevated the intensity of the story. I felt the plot was well flushed out and the characters engaging. I always had someone to root for and that is important to me for storytelling. As an audio listener I do like to check the speeds and this one topped out at 2.0x speed for me so good job to the narrator for being clear.
Thank you Minotaur Books & Macmillian Audio for this audio ARC!
Thank you Minotaur Books & Macmillian Audio for this audio ARC!
Thomas Mullen explores the ways our perceptions of reality can be manipulated in his latest novel, Blind Spots.
The cover and premise are what caught my attention and I ignored my hesitation about reading a book set in the near future and focussed in on the ‘detective mystery’ classification. Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to think I have an open mind, (1) the sci-fi and dystopian aspects didn’t appeal to me and I struggled to pick up this book to continue reading, (2) the characters were given odd descriptors, (3) the beginning felt as though it had been written by someone else, and (4) the abrupt breaks in the narrative (POV and tense) broke the flow.
I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t for me. Please, read other reviews on this book and make your own informed decision. I hope this book finds the right reader.
If you enjoy sci-fi and crime stories, this one will interest you.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a review.
The cover and premise are what caught my attention and I ignored my hesitation about reading a book set in the near future and focussed in on the ‘detective mystery’ classification. Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to think I have an open mind, (1) the sci-fi and dystopian aspects didn’t appeal to me and I struggled to pick up this book to continue reading, (2) the characters were given odd descriptors, (3) the beginning felt as though it had been written by someone else, and (4) the abrupt breaks in the narrative (POV and tense) broke the flow.
I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t for me. Please, read other reviews on this book and make your own informed decision. I hope this book finds the right reader.
If you enjoy sci-fi and crime stories, this one will interest you.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a review.