Customer Reviews

Blindfold

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are actually a wealth of ideas and conspiracies in this quick read. I like that the author used both sci-fi /fantasy ideas to form the general premise - an inhospitable world terraformed by pilgrims struggling to survive in the outer reaches of the known universe / feudal system with landholders who scrap by on dwindling resources and slave labor while being kept in line by mind reading testtube babies. Overall, Blindfold reads more like a fantasy novel with feudal infighting, intrique and conspiracies. The sci-fi elements border on the simplistic - there is a trip to space which reads about like following a russian astronaut to the ill-fated Mir Space Station. So, do not read this if you are looking for sci-fi. In fact, the meat of this novel is an exploration of the human condition. In the face of extinction, why do influencial people still resort to petty manipulations and meaningless power plays?

After speaking with Kevin Anderson in San Francisco at a German restaurant about his new book with Brian Herbert (Dune: House Atreides), I asked him, if there were any book that he'd ever written before that he would recommend(one that he was very proud of). He told me to pick up a copy of Blindfold, if I could find a copy. Luckily, I was able to thanks to Amazon.com and I read it this fall. It is, in a word, remarkable. The story is put together like a masterpeice and I loved it from beginning to end. I hope that other lovers of Science Fiction will search and find this book as well because it is well worth your reading time. Good luck finding a copy folks. You can't have mine!

After speaking with Kevin Anderson in San Francisco at a German restaurant about his new book with Brian Herbert (Dune: House Atreides), I asked him, if there were any book that he'd ever written before that he would recommend(one that he was very proud of). He told me to pick up a copy of Blindfold, if I could find a copy. Luckily, I was able to thanks to Amazon.com and I read it this fall. It is, in a word, remarkable. The story is put together like a masterpeice and I loved it from beginning to end. I hope that other lovers of Science Fiction will search and find this book as well because it is well worth your reading time. Good luck finding a copy folks. You can't have mine!

Blindfold is an intriguing story about a colony world where justice is meted out by telepaths who are under the influence of a drug, Veritas which allows them to see the truth in people's minds. There are no lengthy appeals, no costly lawsuits, just perfect justice- every time. Every time that is- until someone starts tampering with the drugs, and the truthsayer's esp begins to fail them.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of this book, and found it well narrated. The story rotates between 5 major characters, a newbie truthsayer girl, Kalliana, a young hapless boy-nextdoor type,Troy, the villain, and the leader of the truthsayer's guild, Tharian oh and a sociopathic murderer. My favorite character was the leader of the truthsayers, Tharian. I felt he was well developed and interesting. The plot was somewhat predictable, there is a wealthy landowner who plots to take over the colony. He does it by cruel and despicable means, despite the fact that he seemed charismatic enough to win the affection of the people, with his charm and charisma alone. His motivation felt weak, as did the major characters who all seemed to be easily suckered by him.

I also felt the characters were a bit unlikeable. Kalliana was a bit cold, and far too easily rattled. Years of training should've made her stronger, not quite so weak or vulnerable. She later, blames the tampering of the drug for failing to judge Troy properly, when it seemed to me she owned part of the blame. Not taking responsibility made me think less of her. I also would think that if guild members were expected to judge murder cases, and see horrific visions, they would need more training and extensive training to handle the trauma. Kalliana gets none. Seems somewhat implausible to me. Surely this is not the only horrific murder on Atlas.

Troy was also somewhat annoying. He starts off as a bit of a stooge, and ends up not growing that much. I like my characters to grow a bit and to do something to justify their happy ending. I mean- don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, but all he does is daydream his way through his job, and then make a huge mistake, and then stuff juts happens to him. He never really is a mover or shaker really.

This was a fairly good bit of sci-fi. I would've liked it more if there weren't so many pov switches and the characters were more sympathetic. I also wish the author had done something different with Tharian. He was a cool character.

BLINDFOLD IS ONE TOUGH NOVEL. ANDERSON TELLS US THE STORY OF A COLONY WORLD WHERE TELEPATHS CAN TELL WHEN A PERSON IS GUILTY OF A CRIME. THIS SYSTEM IS FOOLPROOF UNTIL A MAN IS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF MURDER. WHAT INSURES IS A THRILLER FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS!

Kevin Anderson's _Blindfold_ is a highly entertaining novel. This is a book which constructs the scenes clearly in the reader's mind, yet doesn't feel like a film-script novelization. This is hard sci-fi at its best.

Like other great sci-fi novels, this one spins a wonderful yarn, at the same time leading the reader to ponder questions of ethics, society, and other issues. _Blindfold_ is a fast-paced, exciting book, one which is difficult to put down.

A look at what happens when you set telepaths up to be judge and jury. Said psionics rely on drugs to have strong enough abilities. This, of course, can be manipulated. It is, in the case of one young woman. Forced to go on the run with a luckless city worker.

Fairly ordinary execution, but still somewhat interesting.

All in all the book was involving and left me wanting more. The story line and setting was fairly different and the descriptions and characterizations were well done. The main characters were portrayed a bit weakly at first compaired to the fast action they went through from the middle to the end of the book. My biggest complaint is that it was setup a bit obviously for a sequel - i.e. the denowment left me feeling unsatisfied. So where is the sequel?

This page turner displays Anderson's wonderful capabilities for writing science fiction and fantacy masterpieces