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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Review: Blackbird

Blackbird (Blackbird, #1)

Blackbird by Anna Carey is a story about a girl on the run. She wakes up on the train tracks at a subway station, with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Next to her is a knapsack with a thousand dollars and a note telling her not to contact the police. And she has a tattoo of a blackbird on her right wrist. As she struggles to find out who she is where she comes from, she finds herself the target of someone trying to kill her. She meets a boy named Ben who tries to help her, and she finds safety for a while- he names her Sunny, half in jest due to her personality, as she doesn't even know her name- but always they seem to find her, people who are hunting her- but to what purpose?

She calls a number in the knapsack and is told to go to a location- but when she gets there she finds herself framed for a crime. Now she truly is on the run- from the police as well as from the mysterious people hunting her. She finds herself being followed, but when a woman is about to kill her, the man following her saves her life. What does it all mean? The action escalates from there and Sunny has to find a way to stay alive.

Blackbird was a good, fast read. The story is told in a second person perspective, and while some reviewers have taken exception to that, it didn't both me at all. I got used to it right away and it didn't distract from my enjoyment of the story. The story itself has a bit of a Jason Bourne feel to it- Sunny just instinctively knows how to do certain things, like breaking a lock or disarming someone- and always she is on the run, having to outwit her shadowy pursuers. She starts to get snippets of memory, flashbacks and clues to her past as the hunt intensifies- but will Sunny survive long enough to learn the truth?

I liked the book for the most part. I did have a hard time suspending my disbelief at times. Sunny mostly makes good decisions, but there is one she makes at the end that I didn't understand (spoilers below). And the ending is rather abrupt- not only is nothing resolved, but there's a twist that just seems unrealistic. Even so, I liked this story a lot and am anxious for the next one.


I found the subplot with Celia Alvarez to be interesting I just don't see Celia helping her that way, even though I was glad she did. Towards the end, when Sunny shoots Goss -i was surprised she didn't at least knock him out. Granted Izzy had just been shot, and she wanted to get her away, but leaving Goss free to come after her just seems like a bad decision. And if she can call to report Izzy being shot, shouldn't she just call Celia- the only one she trusts?

10 comments:

  1. I've heard mixed reviews on this, mostly because of the style of writing. Second-person perspective, okay, different, but if the plot is good I could get used to it. You did apparently and enjoyed it. Thanks for the honest review.

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    1. I did too, actually, and wasn't sure how I would react to it. Turns out the 2nd person didn't really bother me, I got used to it quick, but i know that's not the case for everyone. I did like the plot and the whole story behind it, which is hinted at- we will find out more in the next one I'm sure. I thought it was good.

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  2. I have read a lot of mixed reviews on this as well. It sounds promising but I don't think I would like the open ending feel and unrealistic twist.

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    1. I liked everything except maybe the ending- it was a little abrup, and the twist at the very end left me a little cold. Just seemed out of nowhere, and I could have used a little more resolution. Other than that I thoguht it was good.

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  3. I have this book and look forward to giving it a try.

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  4. Good review, Greg! I'm not a fan of 2nd person, but this does sound interesting. I think my TBR list is long enough right now, though. ;-)

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  5. Good review Greg! The 2nd person doesn't bother that much so I'm really curious about this book.

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    1. Thank you! Some people hated the POV but I didn't really mind- it worked for me. It's a fun book.

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I've been really wanting to try this out because of the 2nd person, so I'll have to see if my library has a copy sometime soon!

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    1. I do recommend it. It's fast paced and fun Some people hated the 2nd person but I was fine with it.

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