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A review by crankyraconteur
Vs. Reality by Blake Northcott
4.0
Set in an alternate timeline, Vs. Reality is the story of a group of young people with extra special powers on the run from a super secret organization looking to capture them because they have extra special powers. Though it may sound like every comic book that has ever been released since the days of Stan Lee, Vs. Reality actually has a little something that makes it different; heart.
I know, that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. You can tell that Blake Northcott put a lot of heart into her characters. And why shouldn’t she? Vs. Reality is her first novel, so it’s obvious that each of her characters is special to her. Donovan Cole, the down on his luck MMA fighter is exhibited superbly as the wannabe hero who accepts his destiny right off the bat. Dia Davenport is the beautiful yet fractured heroine who would rather live a life of running and stealing to survive than stand up to her pursuers and actually have a life. Govinda, the mysterious master-of-puppets out to capture Donovan and Dia. Nearly every scene with these characters is enjoyable and fun to read. Unfortunately, not all of them worked out so well. Many of the book’s supporting cast come off as bland and 2-dimensional, becoming less like characters and more like plot devices. Which is fine, in my opnion. Not all characters should be given the same spotlight, but I would have liked to see a little more, especially from the more important supporting characters.
The premise behind the story is good; yes, these people have extra special powers, but not all the time. They require a rush of adrenaline to access those powers, what Blake calls “manifesting”, and once that rush fades, the powers go with it. A neat little concept for a book about super heroes, I think.
Blake’s writing in Vs. Reality is a little flat. I’m not saying that Blake can’t write; if you’ve ever been to her website, www.blakenorthcott.com, it’s obvious that she is an excellent writer. But her prose comes off as stoic, which, again, makes since for her first novel. She is trying to convey her story in such a succinct and understandable way that she style has gotten lost. My hope is that for future novels, which luckily there will be for Vs. Reality, Blake decides to relax a little and let some of her own voice shine through.
All in all, Vs. Reality is a great read from a new writer. I admire Blake’s determination to write, edit, and publish her own novel, as well as her hard-work in marketing it herself. She has created an excellent product which is worthy of the attention it gets. I know that I’m in for the sequel.
I know, that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. You can tell that Blake Northcott put a lot of heart into her characters. And why shouldn’t she? Vs. Reality is her first novel, so it’s obvious that each of her characters is special to her. Donovan Cole, the down on his luck MMA fighter is exhibited superbly as the wannabe hero who accepts his destiny right off the bat. Dia Davenport is the beautiful yet fractured heroine who would rather live a life of running and stealing to survive than stand up to her pursuers and actually have a life. Govinda, the mysterious master-of-puppets out to capture Donovan and Dia. Nearly every scene with these characters is enjoyable and fun to read. Unfortunately, not all of them worked out so well. Many of the book’s supporting cast come off as bland and 2-dimensional, becoming less like characters and more like plot devices. Which is fine, in my opnion. Not all characters should be given the same spotlight, but I would have liked to see a little more, especially from the more important supporting characters.
The premise behind the story is good; yes, these people have extra special powers, but not all the time. They require a rush of adrenaline to access those powers, what Blake calls “manifesting”, and once that rush fades, the powers go with it. A neat little concept for a book about super heroes, I think.
Blake’s writing in Vs. Reality is a little flat. I’m not saying that Blake can’t write; if you’ve ever been to her website, www.blakenorthcott.com, it’s obvious that she is an excellent writer. But her prose comes off as stoic, which, again, makes since for her first novel. She is trying to convey her story in such a succinct and understandable way that she style has gotten lost. My hope is that for future novels, which luckily there will be for Vs. Reality, Blake decides to relax a little and let some of her own voice shine through.
All in all, Vs. Reality is a great read from a new writer. I admire Blake’s determination to write, edit, and publish her own novel, as well as her hard-work in marketing it herself. She has created an excellent product which is worthy of the attention it gets. I know that I’m in for the sequel.