Title: The Blind Mirror [on Amazon | on Goodreads]Series: None
Author: Christopher Pike [Facebook | Goodreads]
Genres: Thriller/Mystery, Sci-fi, Supernatural, Horror
Year: 2004
Age: 18+
Stars: 5/5
Pros: Tightly plotted, darkly atmospheric, with a brilliant and shocking twist. Effortlessly blends mystery, sci-fi and the supernatural.
Cons: Rather dry writing. Lots of unpleasant (though almost always interesting) characters.
WARNING! Some heavy gore (graphic cultist murders, among other things). Two characters get badly burned (off page). Hardcore Christians might find a certain aspect of the story deeply disturbing.
Will appeal to: Those who like books that mess with their brain.
Blurb: David, a twenty-eight-year-old artist, is recovering from a bad breakup with the mysterious and beautiful Sienna when he discovers a woman's dead body half-buried on the beach. Soon the dead woman is identified as David's ex-girlfriend, and he becomes the prime suspect in her murder. But Sienna can't be dead; she keeps leaving messages on his answering machine. And no matter how badly their relationship ended, he couldn't have killed her. In self-defense, David begins his own investigation, trying to find out who the dead woman really is and what's behind the satanic murder. David's search for Sienna and the truth about her disappearance take him from coastal California to New York City to Florida - and into the darkest night of his soul. (Amazon excerpt)
Review: Christopher Pike seems to thoroughly enjoy blending the supernatural with sci-fi concepts - but to be honest, he also has a flair for it. Of course, if you don't like the mix to begin with, you might not be the right audience for this one. I have to say, though, that the sci-fi aspect here is not particularly daunting...more like haunting 😉.
A book featuring an elusive ex-girlfriend who (allegedly) left without an explanation, and now is leaving messages on an answering machine - except she should be dead? You're probably thinking it's too dated to be worth a read. But to me, there's something to be said for the lack of technology. As much as I used to like CSI, I'm a sucker for books where cell phones, the internet, GPS and other modern devices don't make an appearance, because those stories are able to create a layer of mystery that is so hard to achieve nowadays, with basically the whole world at the top of your fingers. Even if I weren't a Christopher Pike fan, I would have wanted to read this book for the premise alone. The funny thing is, The Blind Mirror ended up being a whole different novel that I had envisioned after reading the blurb. But in a way, it was even wilder and more intense/deranged than I thought it would be, and I loved the completely unpredictable turn it took. [...]
I won't lie: there aren't a ton of likeable characters in this story (though you have to root for the protagonist), not to mention the ones who ultimately turn up to be plain evil - and I can't elaborate further, because the whole book is like a potential spoiler minefield. But every single one of them serves a purpose, which is not an easy feat when you have so many of them. Then again, even when characters are truly innocent and I care for them, personally I'm not averse to seeing them sacrificed (whatever it means - there are thing worse off than death in a book) in the name of a good story and/or a phenomenal plot twist, which is exactly what we have here. I didn't even mind the suspension-of-disbelief level required by the general frame of the novel and the would-be science, because the payoff was immense (not to mention, the sci-fi and supernatural aspects are very well balanced here, and if you can suspend disbelief for the latter...🤷♀️).
Practically every single Pike novel has got foreshadowing of his future stories, or hints at the plot of some of his past ones, which is really cool. But they usually feature a story-within-the-story too, and those aren't always linked to the main plot - it's like Pike is bursting with ideas and can't contain himself, so he has to plant more than one of them at a time. TBM, though, is one of the few happy exceptions, because the story-within-the-story (an unusually detailed one at that, but don't worry, it's told in snippets) ends up being relevant to the plot. Also, I was delighted to find out that it reads like an alternate, more somber and adult version of Pike's own Thirst series (different main character, but still the oldest female vampire on Earth), and for a fan like me it was exciting to compare the two of them and see how the same premise could have played out in a different context. Anyhow, even if you're new to Pike (or to his vampire series), you'll get an interesting bonus story that's integral to the plot - just one additional level of enjoyment to what is, for all purposes, a tense, wacky, balls-to-the-wall book.
For more books by Christopher Pike click here.
For more Adult books click here.
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
A book featuring an elusive ex-girlfriend who (allegedly) left without an explanation, and now is leaving messages on an answering machine - except she should be dead? You're probably thinking it's too dated to be worth a read. But to me, there's something to be said for the lack of technology. As much as I used to like CSI, I'm a sucker for books where cell phones, the internet, GPS and other modern devices don't make an appearance, because those stories are able to create a layer of mystery that is so hard to achieve nowadays, with basically the whole world at the top of your fingers. Even if I weren't a Christopher Pike fan, I would have wanted to read this book for the premise alone. The funny thing is, The Blind Mirror ended up being a whole different novel that I had envisioned after reading the blurb. But in a way, it was even wilder and more intense/deranged than I thought it would be, and I loved the completely unpredictable turn it took. [...]
FOR PLOT'S SAKE
I won't lie: there aren't a ton of likeable characters in this story (though you have to root for the protagonist), not to mention the ones who ultimately turn up to be plain evil - and I can't elaborate further, because the whole book is like a potential spoiler minefield. But every single one of them serves a purpose, which is not an easy feat when you have so many of them. Then again, even when characters are truly innocent and I care for them, personally I'm not averse to seeing them sacrificed (whatever it means - there are thing worse off than death in a book) in the name of a good story and/or a phenomenal plot twist, which is exactly what we have here. I didn't even mind the suspension-of-disbelief level required by the general frame of the novel and the would-be science, because the payoff was immense (not to mention, the sci-fi and supernatural aspects are very well balanced here, and if you can suspend disbelief for the latter...🤷♀️).
EASTER EGG
Practically every single Pike novel has got foreshadowing of his future stories, or hints at the plot of some of his past ones, which is really cool. But they usually feature a story-within-the-story too, and those aren't always linked to the main plot - it's like Pike is bursting with ideas and can't contain himself, so he has to plant more than one of them at a time. TBM, though, is one of the few happy exceptions, because the story-within-the-story (an unusually detailed one at that, but don't worry, it's told in snippets) ends up being relevant to the plot. Also, I was delighted to find out that it reads like an alternate, more somber and adult version of Pike's own Thirst series (different main character, but still the oldest female vampire on Earth), and for a fan like me it was exciting to compare the two of them and see how the same premise could have played out in a different context. Anyhow, even if you're new to Pike (or to his vampire series), you'll get an interesting bonus story that's integral to the plot - just one additional level of enjoyment to what is, for all purposes, a tense, wacky, balls-to-the-wall book.
For more books by Christopher Pike click here.
For more Adult books click here.
Some truth to your ideas about technology. Sometimes, I think of all the tech we have, and how they make things a lot easier, thus, they sort of cut a story in half, you know? "Oh, where is she? Hey, I have an app for that." <-- where's the fun in that? Unlikable characters are ok for me, if, like in this case, the plot is so well done. Glad this was such a stellar read for you. I savor all 5-star books.
ReplyDeleteExactly! There are stories that just can't be told anymore, or you have to conveniently set them in some post-apocalyptic future where we have lost all our fancy apps and stuff LOL.
DeleteI agree about the technology- I like reading stories (especially mysteries/ thrillers) set in a time before cell phones etc were ubiquitous. It just adds something. And ooh the cult/ supernatural elements sound pretty awesome and spooky. I should maybe check this one out. I love the idea of them finding a body but the person is leaving them messages. Creepy!
ReplyDeleteI know! The old stuff was so creepy and satisfying to read LOL. I already knew from your blog that you read classic mysteries too - it's nice to find a kindred spirit!
DeleteI hope you'll pick this one up eventually!
I always think when I see old BtVS episodes that there wouldn't be a show now. Instead of running across town to save each other they could just text lol
ReplyDeleteOf course, a lot of the tech now is scary too and doesn't always work (like when I'm hiking in the scary isolated woods).
Karen @ For What It's worth
That must be why some nostalgia-based shows like Stranger Things fascinate millennials. They see something completely alien where ANYTHING can happen.
DeleteLOL, there are such woods, indeed. I remember your little adventure 😉.