In this supernatural novel, which the author dedicates to
her mother, a young blind woman named Loreena Picket lives with her uncle, a
pastor at a community church, serving its congregation as pianist. However, she
has a sinister ability, which is to end lives by touching others. While her
uncle considers this a blessing in shepherding others into the afterlife,
Loreena has a guilty conscience, with her ability, for one thing, allowing
temporary recovery of her eyesight. She ultimately reveals her ability to her
older brother when she saves him from a drug dealer, although she’s quickly
drawn into a world that will test her resolve.
The main action of the narrative opens in 1967, with
exposition that the reverend’s residence stands twenty-two steps from the back
door of Stillwater Christian Church, and Loreena remembering what the house she
and her uncle occupies looks like, a hint at the aforementioned temporary
recovery of her eyesight. Among the early recipients of her mortal touch is a
lung cancer patient named Russell Pearson, with her Uncle Don insisting her
power is a kind of merciful euthanasia. Her brother comes home early on, with
the incident involving the drug dealer inciting the chief action of the
storyline.
Story’s novel for the most part does a nice job fleshing out
the primary narrative, with the perspective mostly being third-person limited,
given the looks into Loreena’s mind, and will give those such as this reviewer
who very much value their eyesight a nice insight into the psychology of the
blind. The author likely did research as well into the lifestyles of the blind,
as she acknowledges after the storyline ends the National Federation of the
Blind and one of its conventions she attended years ago. Overall, this is very
much a recommended novel to those seeking an enthralling, relatively contemporary
supernatural narrative.
Colleen M. Story writes imaginative fiction and is also a freelance writer, instructor, and motivational speaker specializing in creativity, productivity, and personal wellness. Her latest novel, "Loreena’s Gift," was released with Dzanc Books April 12 2016. Her fantasy novel, "Rise of the Sidenah," is a North American Book Awards winner, and New Apple Book Awards Official Selection (Young Adult). She is the founder of Writing and Wellness (writingandwellness.com) a motivational site for writers and other creatives.
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