124) Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig

The Blurb :

Miriam is trying. Really, she is.

But this whole "settling down thing" that Louis has going for her just isn't working out. She lives on Long Beach Island all year around. Her home is a run-down double-wide trailer. She works at a grocery store as a check-out girl. And her relationship with Louis--who's on the road half the time in his truck--is subject to the piss and vinegar Miriam brings to everything she does.

It just isn't going well. Still, she's keeping her psychic ability--to see when and how someone is going to die just by touching them--in check. But even that feels wrong somehow. Like she's keeping a tornado stoppered up in a tiny bottle.

Then comes one bad day that turns it all on her ear.

My Thoughts :

It wasn't that long ago that I came across a book called Blackbirds. The cover made me want it. The blurb made me read it. I absolutely loved it and now a few months later the sequel is gracing us with its presence. Mockingbird makes Blackbirds look tame. Which I didn't think was possible. The sequel has all the dark and wonderful content of the first book but manages to be darker and even more wonderful.

The concept is a unique one. When Miriam Black touches a person she sees how they will die. She also sees when. If she tells you that in 9 months you are going to get run over by a cow driving a tractor she is most likely pulling your leg (she's like that) but the fact remains, she knows. Of course Miriam has been trying not to touch anyone. It isn't a nice 'gift' but there is an itch and she has to scratch it sometimes.

As is natural in Miriam's life, things kind of go to hell one day at work and things just seem to cascade and avalanche from there on. The journey Miriam takes this time is full of hurt, blood and a huge cheeky potty mouth. This may sound extremely 'not your thing' but to be honest I didn't think it was really my kind of thing. However now I am ready to say I heart Miriam! She maybe totally messed up and sometimes annoying but she kicks ass and totally rocks.

This is definitely a book (and series) that many readers will find offensive. Some will want to stop reading within a few pages. However the fact is that the majority will keep reading till the end because Chuck Wendig has an amazing talent. He can write an extremely compelling story. Once you pop open this one you won't stop.

So read this. Borrow, beg or steal a copy if need be but you really need to meet Miriam and see her for what she really is. A person like you and me. She has just adapted to her situation and is dealing with it the same way we all would if we were her.

Gritty and dark but still managing to shine, Blackbirds and Mockingbird are destined to both be in my top ten reads for 2012. I want more and I can't see where Miriam's antics take her next. Highly recommended all that is left for me to do is quote my Blackbirds review "All Hail Chuck Wendig!".

*** Chuck Wendig is my author guest this week.


Click here to win a copy of Blackbirds and read more about the author! ***