BACK WITH VENGEANCE

I have this weird “sexism” condition with novels written by women; maybe I am over-critical, maybe jealous, maybe I’m just weird, maybe it’s all three.  All the same, I haven’t read a book written by a woman that has made me go “wow”, maybe I haven’t read enough. 

CJ Carver has a website, (http://www.caroline carver.com), and she talks about her passion, I quote: “For me, it doesn't matter who the writer is (male or female) as long as the book thrills…by believable characters, a tight plot, an unrelentingly fast pace and lots of realistic action.”, my goodness, I couldn’t have said it better myself (ahem).  So, such is the nature of writers worldwide, they write about what they like to read, and Carver has delivered this admirably in her novel. 

I have read books that have an interesting plot, but wooden characters, I have also read books that have a wooden plot but interesting characters.  I have said that I actually prefer the latter (with no other choice), however, a strong plot and a cast of personalities has always been my favourite reading matter, and this certainly fits the bill. 

Carver’s story starts slowly, setting the scene, but builds the tension up as Jay encounters people who gradually help her get her memory back, sometimes with medical help and TLC, but more often with frightening flashbacks when meeting someone who was partly responsible for her missing 5 days.  I’ve noticed with other stories I’ve read that amnesia is a particularly difficult subject to tackle, and very difficult to hold together whilst keeping the reader’s interest and avoiding “obvious” clues.  

Although the heroine is an ex-soldier, she isn’t the female version of Rambo; she is very human in her reactions, and extremely feminine at times, stripped of her strength and mind despite having seen military action, and, doubtless, the horrific aftermath, in diverse places.  This may sound unrealistic, but you can’t be subjective if the very horror is happening to you.