desertcart.com: Blackbirds: Miriam Black, Book 1 (Audible Audio Edition): Chuck Wendig, Emily Beresford, Angry Robot on Brilliance Audio: Audible Books & Originals Review: well worth reading - Miriam is doing all she can to run away from the inevitable deaths she sees whenever she touches another person. She doesn't really have any redeeming qualities- she's a foul-mouthed, violent thief who is more comfortable with lies than with the truth. She uses her gift, being able to see how someone dies, in order to rob them. Yet you can't help but cheer for the lost little girl who is just looking for her place in the world. She believes that fate will do what fate will do, and nothing she can do will stop the deaths she sees, yet her nightmares show the immense guilt she feels for not trying to save people. A very complex character. Ashley is a con artist, and finds out about Miriam. He then blackmails her into working for him. He wants a bigger score than the cash she takes off of the dead bodies. Unfortunately, he's also on the run from a ruthless business man Ashley recently stole some drugs from. He's another unlikable character, but makes a good counterpoint to Miriam. You feel bad for Miriam, and want her to be able to stop fate, but you don't feel the same for Ashley. He's a user, and lacks the conscience that Miriam seems to have. Miriam is drifting through life when she meets Louis. When she shakes his hand, she sees his death. he's going to be murdered, and when he dies, he's going to be calling out to Miriam. Shaken, Miriam knows that she can't save him. Once she is blackmailed by Ashley, Louis also reenters the picture. Miriam knows there is nothing she can do to stop fate, but this time she doesn't want to let fate win. Once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down, so that certainly says something about the book. The writing style more than anything sucks you in. I found myself marveling over some of Wendig's similes and metaphors. They were simply brilliant. The liberal dose of foul language wasn't there for the sake of being there, but rather helped to enhance the story. Although some scenes made me a bit squeamish, it was pretty necessary to the overall story. Wendig has a way of saying a lot with only a few words. I liked it: the writing, the characters, the uber-violence. Review: A witty and great read. - Miriam Black can see the future. With a simple touch she'll witness, like some sick Hollywood production, when and how the touched will die--right down to their last gurgling breath. When a chance encounter with a late-night trucker reveals an unexpected twist, her life's downward spiral loses control until she's forced to confront her past, present and future--whether she wants to or not. And thus begins Chuck Wendig's story that will drag you kicking and screaming to its twisted and violent end. Books come and books go and some of them I'll soon forget and others, like BLACKBIRDS, I'll remember long after tucking it away in the attic. What makes a book memorable you ask? For some it may be a complicated process: literary depth (blue curtains meaning more than just blue curtains), the number of syllables in a word, an author's extensive use of every word in the dictionary, how many times the word "suddenly" is used, and the list goes on. Fortunately, I'm simple. I don't care if you have an extensive vocabulary, or spend your days writing literary prose with words that no human being will ever speak. I want to be entertained. Entertain me with clever characters and clever scenes. Like Stephen King once said: I can read a clunker as long as the engine runs. Wendig's BLACKBIRDS is not only clever, but filled with witty writing, great characters and an outstanding female lead in Miriam. Many scenes stood out, but my personal favorite is when Miriam is first introduced to Frankie and Harriet: Miriam crumples it up, goes to throw it, and finds herself face-to-face with a gawky, bony Italian-looking dude in a trim black suit. "Jesus Chris," Miriam says. The Italian nods, though he is clearly nobody's Lord and Savior ... Miriam sees a small woman approaching, a short chubby thing with black eyes like hot coals and a set of bangs that look like they were cut with a hedge trimmer and a ruler. "Evening," the woman says. "Scully," Miriam says to the woman. To the man, she nods: "Mulder." Simple. Funny, easily recognizable and the scene before sets it up perfectly. I loved it and laughed out loud. I mean, who doesn't enjoy a witty reference to unrelated characters they know and love? So let's talk about the elephant in the room for a minute. You did see the elephant, right? How can a guy, who's a guy's guy none-the-less, write a female lead and pull it off? Probably a lot easier said than done. While some readers may not see past a man writing a female lead, Wendig does it with a style and class that's certain to please those who give it a chance. Miriam is a strong, witty (tired of the word "witty" yet? Tough. It's my blog: witty witty witty witty witty) and self-aware woman. And while most women can't see the future, I'm certain they'll be able to relate to her being misjudged as a weak individual and the strengths she's been forced to gain as a result. Miriam is NOT a pushover. She will fight when confronted, be sexual when it suits her, smoke cigarettes and drink beer when she damn well feels like it. She's not one to be messed with and Wendig does a great job bringing her to (believable) life. BLACKBIRDS is a riveting and fantastic read that will keep you glued to the pages and longing for more. This is a MUST-HAVE on your summer reading list.
K**R
well worth reading
Miriam is doing all she can to run away from the inevitable deaths she sees whenever she touches another person. She doesn't really have any redeeming qualities- she's a foul-mouthed, violent thief who is more comfortable with lies than with the truth. She uses her gift, being able to see how someone dies, in order to rob them. Yet you can't help but cheer for the lost little girl who is just looking for her place in the world. She believes that fate will do what fate will do, and nothing she can do will stop the deaths she sees, yet her nightmares show the immense guilt she feels for not trying to save people. A very complex character. Ashley is a con artist, and finds out about Miriam. He then blackmails her into working for him. He wants a bigger score than the cash she takes off of the dead bodies. Unfortunately, he's also on the run from a ruthless business man Ashley recently stole some drugs from. He's another unlikable character, but makes a good counterpoint to Miriam. You feel bad for Miriam, and want her to be able to stop fate, but you don't feel the same for Ashley. He's a user, and lacks the conscience that Miriam seems to have. Miriam is drifting through life when she meets Louis. When she shakes his hand, she sees his death. he's going to be murdered, and when he dies, he's going to be calling out to Miriam. Shaken, Miriam knows that she can't save him. Once she is blackmailed by Ashley, Louis also reenters the picture. Miriam knows there is nothing she can do to stop fate, but this time she doesn't want to let fate win. Once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down, so that certainly says something about the book. The writing style more than anything sucks you in. I found myself marveling over some of Wendig's similes and metaphors. They were simply brilliant. The liberal dose of foul language wasn't there for the sake of being there, but rather helped to enhance the story. Although some scenes made me a bit squeamish, it was pretty necessary to the overall story. Wendig has a way of saying a lot with only a few words. I liked it: the writing, the characters, the uber-violence.
D**L
A witty and great read.
Miriam Black can see the future. With a simple touch she'll witness, like some sick Hollywood production, when and how the touched will die--right down to their last gurgling breath. When a chance encounter with a late-night trucker reveals an unexpected twist, her life's downward spiral loses control until she's forced to confront her past, present and future--whether she wants to or not. And thus begins Chuck Wendig's story that will drag you kicking and screaming to its twisted and violent end. Books come and books go and some of them I'll soon forget and others, like BLACKBIRDS, I'll remember long after tucking it away in the attic. What makes a book memorable you ask? For some it may be a complicated process: literary depth (blue curtains meaning more than just blue curtains), the number of syllables in a word, an author's extensive use of every word in the dictionary, how many times the word "suddenly" is used, and the list goes on. Fortunately, I'm simple. I don't care if you have an extensive vocabulary, or spend your days writing literary prose with words that no human being will ever speak. I want to be entertained. Entertain me with clever characters and clever scenes. Like Stephen King once said: I can read a clunker as long as the engine runs. Wendig's BLACKBIRDS is not only clever, but filled with witty writing, great characters and an outstanding female lead in Miriam. Many scenes stood out, but my personal favorite is when Miriam is first introduced to Frankie and Harriet: Miriam crumples it up, goes to throw it, and finds herself face-to-face with a gawky, bony Italian-looking dude in a trim black suit. "Jesus Chris," Miriam says. The Italian nods, though he is clearly nobody's Lord and Savior ... Miriam sees a small woman approaching, a short chubby thing with black eyes like hot coals and a set of bangs that look like they were cut with a hedge trimmer and a ruler. "Evening," the woman says. "Scully," Miriam says to the woman. To the man, she nods: "Mulder." Simple. Funny, easily recognizable and the scene before sets it up perfectly. I loved it and laughed out loud. I mean, who doesn't enjoy a witty reference to unrelated characters they know and love? So let's talk about the elephant in the room for a minute. You did see the elephant, right? How can a guy, who's a guy's guy none-the-less, write a female lead and pull it off? Probably a lot easier said than done. While some readers may not see past a man writing a female lead, Wendig does it with a style and class that's certain to please those who give it a chance. Miriam is a strong, witty (tired of the word "witty" yet? Tough. It's my blog: witty witty witty witty witty) and self-aware woman. And while most women can't see the future, I'm certain they'll be able to relate to her being misjudged as a weak individual and the strengths she's been forced to gain as a result. Miriam is NOT a pushover. She will fight when confronted, be sexual when it suits her, smoke cigarettes and drink beer when she damn well feels like it. She's not one to be messed with and Wendig does a great job bringing her to (believable) life. BLACKBIRDS is a riveting and fantastic read that will keep you glued to the pages and longing for more. This is a MUST-HAVE on your summer reading list.
F**P
Un bel libro; è ovvio che Wendig sa quello che sta facendo, e la sua Miriam non è tosta perché è violenta e priva di scrupoli, ma è tosta come una donna vera. Mi è piaciuto molto, solo che dopo tutte quelle recensioni entusiastiche mi sarei aspettata uno stile un po' più particolare - anche se non è assolutamente monotono o scontato. Ha un ottimo ritmo.
J**L
I'm a fan of Chuck's blog, but it took me a while to come around to this as I don't usually do fantasy or paranormal or...whatever this genre is called. However, the grittiness of the characters certainly grabs you by the throat and the the story evolves with a masterly mix of inevitability and surprise. It's black. It's cynical. It's anti-social. But it does offer a glimmer of hope. Now on to the next in the Miriam Black series....
L**T
This is my first Wendig gig and it won't be my last. This novel is not for the weak of heart, gut, spleen or scrotum. Miriam grabs you... you are compelled to read on, if only to see what more poetic filth will come dancing from her bleeding lips. I loved it! Great plot... a wonderfully twisty dance between several threads that keeps the reader wanting to fast forward to see how each thread plays out, but then the next scene grabs you once again by the short and curlies and you are forced to wade further into the gore. Miriam is so deeply f****ed it seems there is no redemption, but she's so likeable, so caught in the mess that seems to have been poured onto her from fate's chamber pot of delights, that you can't help but want to invite her in and give her a bath and bowl of warm soup. And maybe a bar of soap for her mouth. Yes, to Blackbirds. Please sir, can I have some more?
K**N
And that is deliciously morbid, with complex, broken characters, hilarious descriptions and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Saying that a book is so great, that you can't put it down seems so cliché, but since I got the book yesterday and am already through... well. Holding the book in my hands, I thought: "Might as well start to read.", not knowing I could kiss my sleep goodbye. Blackbirds is not the type of story I normally read, but I read Chuck Wendig's blog religiously and love his writing advice, so I thought I would just give it a try. Miriam knows when and how you will die, all it takes is a touch. Just imagine seeing everyone you ever touch die? Friends, family, kids, everyone. I am quite surprised that she is as sane as she is. Also, Miriam has a foul mouth, can throw a punch and is pretty badass overall, a strong heroine, yet you can still see glimpses of vulnerablity underneath all those inventive swear words. Anyway, read the reviews of the book, the authors nailed it pretty perfect. Blackbirds is not a pretty story, it is dark, gritty and violent, but a fun read at the same time. One of those books that keeps you thinking.
P**N
Blackbirds is a dark, brutal, intensely written joyride of a book. Enjoyed it so much after the first 10 chapters I bought the second book of the series. Miriam Black is a young woman with an extraordinary curse, by touching someone skin to skin she can immediately see their final moments before death takes them, in explicit detail and written with such harrowing detail that every moment is memorable. Miriam lives from day to day at the arse end of society, drifting from town to town, reduced to finding scores from the unfortunates whose time is almost up. She runs into a trucker named Louis and with some horror see's that she is there at his macabre killing. Thrown into turmoil, does she attempt to save him and divert fates hand or does she let it ride out knowing that if she gets involved she could well be the cause of his death, as has happened before every time she's tried to intervene. Miriam is a compelling and likeable antihero, tough as nails, she drinks and smokes like there's no tomorrow, she's cold and has a sharp tongue with a wit to match. A truly riveting character with so many flaws, its hard not to be totally drawn in by her. In fact all the characters are relevant, memorable and multi-dimensional, the lines between good and evil are blurred to some extent. Everybody has a reason for doing what they do, everybody has a past ands its an interesting, emotional journey discovering all their story's. The story is laid out in short impact chapters, I'm a big fan of this as my personnel ocd is to always stop reading at a chapters end, not that I check my back doors locked 20 times before I go to bed its just the way I like to read There are chapters containing Miriam's grim and vivid dreams, her past, the violence that surrounds her and the supporting cast including some particularly nasty individuals as they chase Miriam and the people she runs with all in pursuit of a caseload of drugs. The change's between past, present and dreams give an amazing insight into Miriam and the different characters without breaking up the pace and flow of the story - a credit to the author. I must admit I've never read anything like this, Wendig's writing style is sharp, distinctive and every word packs a sledgehammer of a punch, nothing's padded out and I have to thank the author for not toning anything down to fit a YA profile. I don't read many Urban Fantasy novels but coupled with the horror elements make this a fantastic read. Highly recommended
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