Blind Sight Comparison

Synopsis:

A blind girl drawing is abnormal even on the magical island of Edaion where leaves brush themselves into piles in the middle of the night. As an immigrant, Leocardo is not biased by accepted rules of magic and determines that Odette’s drawings are premonitions. Aniela grew up with magic and knows premonitions are impossible. She determines Odette is a medium channeling voiceless spirits. 

Review: 

As I have mentioned in the past couple of days I was super excited about reading a story told from two different characters perspectives. My only real concern was that the book was written by two separate people. I wondered if two people could write characters similar enough to be identifiable in both. In both books there are characters that are in both books, so for me it was super important that the characters in both books stayed true to who they were in each of the books respectively. I have to say that I was impressed at the ability for the two authors to create a world that was so cohesive and characters that worked in both books. 

That being said comparing the two of the books, I have to say I enjoyed the pace of Leocardo's story more than Aniela's. Leocardo's felt like it had a better pace to it from the beginning whereas Aniela's started off a little bit on the slow side. I also think that maybe you should read Leocardo's story before Aniela's because there were some instances where I think I would have had more information if I had chosen to read Leo's first and not Aniela's. 

I liked both stories in their own right though. I think what I like the best is that they are both good on their own and then together it comes together so well. When you have already read one of the books and then move on the next, you start to have these "Oh that's how that happened" moments, or you have an "Ah ha" moment. It's really fun to find those moments and think back to the first book and think to yourself, "I totally get it now". That being said you don't necessarily need those "ah ha" moments and you can read the books on their own if that is your choosing. But you can also read them both without the worry that they get super repetitive or aren't fun rides in their own right, because they are both fun reads. 

You can tell the difference in writing styles, but it's not a bad thing. It doesn't detract from anything actually. I think it is part of what helps with keeping them each fresh in their own right. Both books leave you wanting to know what is going to happen next in the series, which is a strong indication of them both being good. 

Blind Sight- Leocardo by Ermisenda Alvarez

Synopsis:

A blind girl drawing is abnormal even on the magical island of Edaion where leaves brush themselves into piles in the middle of the night. As an immigrant, Leocardo is not biased by accepted rules of magic and determines that Odette’s drawings are premonitions. Aniela grew up with magic and knows premonitions are impossible. She determines Odette is a medium channeling voiceless spirits. 

In this volume: Snatched out of their life in Spain, Leocardo and his blind sister Odette find themselves on an island with no recollection of the trip. After foiled attempts to escape, Odette’s strange behavior gets worse. Even after learning the island has bestowed magic upon them both, Leocardo faces the possibility his sister is having a mental break down. Just as he thinks he is settled in, job and romantic life stable, Odette disappears.

Review:

On Sunday I reviewed Blind Sight from Aniela's point of view, and now I am reviewing the same story but from the eyes of Leocardo. While the premise of two books that essentially are the same story but told from a different perspective was an exciting one, I have to admit I was a little worried that I would start comparing them and not really allow myself to get lost into the world the author created, or the characters. It's human nature to remember stories that are similar to draw parallels, but the story is a good one. I might however recommend reading something in between the two perspectives so it's not super fresh on your mind when you start on this perspective if you have read the one before. 

Leocardo is an interesting perspective, because he and his sister Odette are arriving on the island as newcomers. When you are new somewhere it presents a lot of challenges. You have to establish a whole new life in a whole new unfamiliar place. The upside to Leocardo being new on the island is that as a reader you get to experience everything new with the characters. Whereas when you start with a character who already knows the world, you have to pick up the world through bits and pieces, because the character already has the knowledge. 

As for the writing, it was really good, and it starts off strong. I can't tell you how much I appreciate a strong opening, because when it starts off slow I have to keep telling myself to finish the book, instead of wanting to finish the book because I couldn't put it down. Not only did the book start off strong but it had a really good pace to it. There wasn't anything that made it feel too slow, and there wasn't nothing too fast that it felt confusing. It was the perfect amount, it made me excited to turn the page, and want to know what was going to happen next. 

I also have to say that I may have enjoyed the relationships between the characters more than I enjoyed the characters themselves. That is not to say that the characters aren't strong on their own, but they are made so much more when they are put with other people. It gives the characters way more depth, and it helps to bring the reader into the fold. 

The book also has a bit of humor in it, it's used sparingly but it is used in a manner that helps with cut the drama in the book. Like I said before the book is fast paced, but the humor breaks up the fast pace in a way the reader can appreciate. 

I like Leocardo as a character. I think he is a good guy with a good heart and is a protective person by nature. I like all those things about him, it makes him likable for the reader. His personality traits compliment his relationships with others as well. 

I have said before on this blog that I am not a huge fan of YA books, but this book can easily be read by either the YA reader or the adult reader. I think the book suites either type of reader. It's a fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy, and you should also consider reading the other perspective of this story as well. I will compare the two of the book on Thursday on my blog, so stay tuned!