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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
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.
***** I received this book as a free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
How important is sight? When all sight is gone people have different ways to correct it. However, some technology could be used in bad ways! Even in murder!
This book has a very futuristic feel. It is a mystery that looks at sight and how it can be manipulated. It was a very different type of book than I typically choose to read.
As I am reviewing the audiobook, I will mention the narration was easy to listen to.
How important is sight? When all sight is gone people have different ways to correct it. However, some technology could be used in bad ways! Even in murder!
This book has a very futuristic feel. It is a mystery that looks at sight and how it can be manipulated. It was a very different type of book than I typically choose to read.
As I am reviewing the audiobook, I will mention the narration was easy to listen to.
4.5/5, but given a 5 because an average of 3.61 is far to low for this book.
This book reads like a movie. The world building felt very similar to Minority Report.
I could easily picture someone like Idris Elba in the lead role. The pacing, the story, the characters are all very cinematic.
My only real complaints were it was a bit slow out of the gates, and I'm not sure that I really believe that the character who provides the twist towards the end could actually pull it off. The ending was also a bit abrupt.
With that being said I would totally dive into another novel based in this world.
This book reads like a movie. The world building felt very similar to Minority Report.
I could easily picture someone like Idris Elba in the lead role. The pacing, the story, the characters are all very cinematic.
My only real complaints were it was a bit slow out of the gates, and I'm not sure that I really believe that the character who provides the twist towards the end could actually pull it off. The ending was also a bit abrupt.
With that being said I would totally dive into another novel based in this world.
3.5 stars
This was a very unique dystopian/post-apocalyptic story. Everyone in the world lost their vision in recent years but only some people were given devices/implants that allow them to approximate sight. In this backdrop, detective Mark Owens investigates a murder that hits close to home on more than one level. The suspense built from the start, with a well-crafted resolution at the end.
My main complaint about the book (aside from the narration) was that it served two masters— explaining the setting/world building while also investigating the murder mystery. It flipped back and forth a lot and was at times difficult to adjust with the transitions.
*Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance audio copy for review.
This was a very unique dystopian/post-apocalyptic story. Everyone in the world lost their vision in recent years but only some people were given devices/implants that allow them to approximate sight. In this backdrop, detective Mark Owens investigates a murder that hits close to home on more than one level. The suspense built from the start, with a well-crafted resolution at the end.
My main complaint about the book (aside from the narration) was that it served two masters— explaining the setting/world building while also investigating the murder mystery. It flipped back and forth a lot and was at times difficult to adjust with the transitions.
*Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance audio copy for review.
What if the next pandemic meant the entire population went blind? That is exactly what happened seven years ago – it took a matter of months but then it was complete darkness. Even babies were being born without their sight. Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blinding, but he lost his wife. The world adapted by creating a device called a “vidder” which allowed people to see via an implanted device. Since the device came out criminals have been complaining they couldn’t see the suspect, or their device blacked out, but no one has every believed them, including detective Owens. That is until he sees it as well. As Owens heads down the rabbit hole, he wonders if he will be able to figure this out when he can’t even trust himself.
This book was fun and held my interest. I didn’t really enjoy the pacing at the beginning as I felt like it was building rather slowly, but then it picked up towards the second half. I didn’t want to put it down as I wanted to know what happened. Besides the pacing this story worked really well. It was an original plot and the twists were enjoyable.
Special thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @stmartinspress for my advanced e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This one isn’t out until next April 4th but start preparing for it now. It’s a real page turner.
This book was fun and held my interest. I didn’t really enjoy the pacing at the beginning as I felt like it was building rather slowly, but then it picked up towards the second half. I didn’t want to put it down as I wanted to know what happened. Besides the pacing this story worked really well. It was an original plot and the twists were enjoyable.
Special thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @stmartinspress for my advanced e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This one isn’t out until next April 4th but start preparing for it now. It’s a real page turner.