Review of Vision of Power by Charlee
James
What often catapults a story from very good to outstanding
is the underlying comparison of what is a well-balanced, utopian societal family
that is compared to characters who are enslaved because of psychological or
moral trauma. In Vision of Power by
Charlee James, we have page-after-page of engaging trauma without the energizing
contrast.
Lead characters Kinley Wright nee Miller, a detective, and
Easton Adair, an FBI agent, have enough personal trauma to overwhelm an entire
college of social workers plus psychologists. In addition to them, a serial
killer who first tortures young girls before ending their lives. The only one
to escape is Kinley. The reader is spoon-fed this information in a lengthy
prologue that for all intent and purposes dulls the story’s overall suspense.
Like sugar, the horror would’ve had greater effectiveness if sprinkled in like
Easton’s backstory.
The plot is simple and straightforward. Without a spoiler,
it’s the so often common thread of a woman in peril seeking justice that
borders on revenge. There are threats, e.g. a note under a car wiper blade,
left vague by no detail, as if handwritten (spur-of-the-moment) or typed (planned
and premeditative). There is a woman found dead, murdered, in a Victorian
house. While this may have been an opportunity to connect society to the
characters, it doesn’t. Kinley refers to the house as the “Addams Family House,”
but the out-of-balance sitcom was not known for its crime drama.
If the reader loves high-speed car chases, you’ll find them
a constant companion, even if it glosses over the injuries caused by flying
glass. The verb “loves” in the prior sentence was deliberately chosen. Trauma, car
chases, and murders overpower the interjected romance between Kinley and Easton,
often presented as tingling, unadulterated lust.
In sum, a dark, intense, non-stop read that won’t answer
your exam question about the big bang theory.
Author Donan Berg received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and he's leaving this review voluntarily.
He's the author of twelve novels, the latest a Gold Award fantasy entitled Lucia's Fantasy World that is available for free on KindleUnlimited at www.amazon.com/dp/B09YCVQ4JD.
The above link will lead you to his other award-winning titles.
