Friday, 4 October 2013

Lightpoints by Peter Kassan (Paranormal/Fantasy/Thriller, 7/10)



 March 2013, Melange Books, 218 pages, Ebook, Review copy

Themes: extraordinary powers, near death experiences, feeling different, long stay in hospital, keeping secrets, power hungry people, gangsters, grief, revenge, life of an artist, meditation, taking things too far

Content: occasional adult situations, some strong language, some moderately dark death/torture scenes, a few laughs

Summary from Melange Books

What if you suddenly discovered you had a sense—and powers—that almost no one else in the world did? 

When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light—but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they're the happiest they've been.

But not for long. All over the world, people who've been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them—some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows—and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life.


Nayuleska's thoughts 
Most of the book is awesome but the end was quite the opposite. I really enjoyed this book until the end when Amanda was in enemy territory. I loved reading about her long stay in hospital where she was able to get to grips a little with her new power. I liked the difficulties she faced because of it. I loved the mob type plot thread, as it added to the tension especially near the end.

Yet it's the end I have issues with. One or two characters had their own viewpoint in the story, but other than being there for info there wasn't a link with Amanda (I did read this when tired so its possible I missed something). The end was flat:Amanda was in barely any danger, the threat felt significantly less than when it had all kicked off; it was way too easy for her to triumph, there wasn't enough peril that had me thinking she might not make it, and what she chose to do at the end was too callous. The ending itself felt a bit abrupt, I'd expected a little more to see if Amanda survived after the event and didn't go crazy or anything. Also the summary of the book which gave the plot away at the front implied there was another character with her own story that crossed with Amanda's and there wasn't. I do still recommend it as it is mostly a thrilling read. 

Hop over to Peter's website to find out more. 

Suggested read
For another gripping read which is one of my favourites in the genre check out Dark Swan Rising by Lee Caroll (Young Adult, dark urban fantasy, 10/10E)

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