Blind Cerulean by Gene KendallMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unfortunately, much as I tried to enjoy this pacey, violent and graphic thriller, I had to read almost half of the book before I really had much idea of its plot. In fact I had to read the novel’s blurb twice to get some kind of handle on where it might be going. Maybe it was a generation thing because I found the general style of writing tiring and irritating. There were times when it appeared to be a film script, so clipped and staccato-like was much of the narrative. Annoyingly, the point of view moved from person to person, from chapter to chapter, and there were so many missing verbs, pronouns and punctuation marks it made my head spin.
No! In the end I cannot say I enjoyed ‘Blind Cerulean’ and I was glad to reach the epilogue. The author did attempt to explain a lot of the plot within the epilogue but I thought even that was too trite and annoying. I considered perhaps a lot would be explained when I listened to the audio sample, and there was a very comic book or radio play feeling from the novel’s reader. I have no doubt that the idea of a teenage girl super-hero cleaning up the sordid streets of Arcadia city would appeal to many, probably very many, young adults. But then too many pop idioms from the USA added to my confusion. Overall, the written delivery of the narrative was the single most negative point for me. Kendall attempts to engage the reader as the other principal character in the novel, which often came across as a surprise that I did not like. I have read many books where the author may speak to the reader from time to time, by way of an explanation or apology for example, such as Trollope or Scott; and it can be helpful or even amusing. In this book I found it a little hackneyed as I mentioned above. My positive stars are for the ideas within the plot and Alley as a great main protagonist; but the delivery was not for me.
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