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Black The Fall is a special game. The prodigious range of puzzles and platforming mechanics present rival that of a game ten times longer than it, and the visual and auditory treat on offer elevates that gameplay to an incredibly high standard.
Black the Fall is a fairly short platformer, mostly monochromatic but with splashes of other colours like red and yellow where emphasis is needed, featuring a lone worker using platforming to escape from his life in a dystopian, industrial, people-used-as-parts-in-a-machine hellscape.The problem with making a game that's easily comparable to Inside — in terms of the look, the mechanics and some of the themes — that comes out now is that Inside itself only came out a year ago, received praise from everywhere, and became hugely recognised to boot. 2017's answer to Inside is still Inside itself. So your game had better do everything better than Inside did. Sadly, Black the Fall doesn't quite manage it.
And I thought the praise for Inside got a bit excessive.The premise for Black the Fall is more compelling than Inside's, to be fair. Black the Fall's developer Sand Sailor Studio is based in Bucharest, and the game is inspired by the experiences their families and the people of Romania had under the (surprisingly recent) communist dictatorship there. As you escape, you pass conformity and uniformity, shown in different ways: rows of men, identical to yourself, providing power through rows and rows of bicycles stretching away from the screen; a line of workers slowly advancing through a door under the eye of an overseer; a room full of countless open coffins. And you see behind the curtain, to a forgotten back room full of old portraits, and a half collapsed building that, inside, is a sudden glimpse of aristocratic gilded splendor, while everything outside is grey.As you go on, you get more tools to use, including a kind of robot dog, and something that looks like a Move controller with a light beam — there are some good puzzles where you must reflect its light off shiny surfaces. You can use it to control your fellow workers. You can make them open doors for you, but you don't free them. You don't take them with you.
Maybe there just wasn't a way to. Sometimes they collapse and start crying, briefly, and in those moments I wondered what, to them, was the difference between Black, the protagonist, and one of the shouting overseers with guns.But though Black the Fall has some very good ideas, there is a lack of precision in some of the execution. Controls and new systems, for example, are worked into the environment as signs, almost like the ones you see in workshops, showing you it's a bad idea to touch the giant sander directly with your hands via a stickman showing perturbation that he touched the giant sander. This is a great concept, but sometimes the angle or a bit of scenery obscures the image, so you have to do more squinting and trial and error than you're prepared to.Likewise,some of the controls can frustrate your efforts.
Black operates on a single invisible line through the game. You never need to turn; Black apparently knows where he's going and will make the turns himself as he reaches them. But you can make him go backwards and forwards or up and down, and sometimes it seems like the controls are working against you. The jump is hard to gauge (and in a game with platforming elements it needs to be easy) resulting in a couple of puzzles relying on more luck than judgement. Black can climb up, but not down, and sometimes isn't sure which bit of a ledge he should be grabbing. It becomes frustrating, getting stuck in a loop of reloading, getting spotted by a camera, getting shot, reloading again.Listen, as dystopian and mostly monochrome platform puzzlers go, Black the Fall isn't bad. But I can't tell you it's great either.Developer: Sand Sailor StudioPublisher: Square EnixAvailable on: PlayStation 4 reviewed on, Xbox One, PCRelease date: July 11 2017.
I actually just finished reading book 1 (Angel Killer) in this series (Why read in order?) and now I'm kind of bummed that I have no more Jessica Blackwood books to read since this series have become a personal favorite of mine. Each book has stories that it will take ex-magician now FBI agent Jessica Blackwood to solve since the bureau needs someone that can think outside the box and that she can.Black Fall has the best opening of all the three books I have read, with the missing town in I actually just finished reading book 1 (Angel Killer) in this series (Why read in order?) and now I'm kind of bummed that I have no more Jessica Blackwood books to read since this series have become a personal favorite of mine. Each book has stories that it will take ex-magician now FBI agent Jessica Blackwood to solve since the bureau needs someone that can think outside the box and that she can.Black Fall has the best opening of all the three books I have read, with the missing town in Colorado. I mean WOW, what happened here? And, then the story shifts focus as Jessica is pulled into a new case when a young woman turns up at her doorstep clutching a baby and threatens to kill it. If that is not bad, long time dead physicist Peter Devon seems to be able to predict upcoming natural disasters in videos that go viral.
Could this have something to do with Warlock? However, he's behind bars, not could even he mastermind this.?This book is great, really really great. I love everything from the opening to the mystery of the dead physicist professor to the town that disappeared. And, Damian, Jessica oh so secret 'boyfriend', who is wanted by the FBI, but is always there when Jessica needs him (even if she always alert FBI about it). Jessica Blackwood has become a favorite character of mine and this book is so engrossing.I really, really hope there will be more books in this series! First Sentence: When she saw the telephone pole with the yellow plastic base again, Olivia Fletcher slammed on the brakes of her mail truck, bringing it to a skidding halt.FBI Agent Jessica Blackwoods boredom on stakeout is irrevocably broken by a woman appearing at the door threatening to kill the baby shes holding.
The same day a major earthquake hits the East Coast, and a video is televised of well-known Peter Devon, dead for eight years, predicting the location and date of the earthquake, First Sentence: When she saw the telephone pole with the yellow plastic base again, Olivia Fletcher slammed on the brakes of her mail truck, bringing it to a skidding halt.FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood’s boredom on stakeout is irrevocably broken by a woman appearing at the door threatening to kill the baby she’s holding. The same day a major earthquake hits the East Coast, and a video is televised of well-known Peter Devon, dead for eight years, predicting the location and date of the earthquake, promising more predictions to come. But for Jessica, the critical question becomes who is pulling the strings of the building chaos.There’s nothing like a really good opening. An entire town disappearing is a really good opening.Jessica Blackwood is a fascinating character; as is the author himself—do read his bio. You know a book about a woman whose father and grandfather were magicians, as she also was before working in law enforcement, is going to be different. However, it only takes a few pages before you also realize how intense is the action.Mayne has a wonderfully readable voice; he’s a natural storyteller. He has done an excellent job of having created a completely believable female character.
He moves the story along at a rapid pace, but doesn’t rely on any one device. Yes, there’s suspense, but the story is also filled with Jessica’s memories, historical information, her observations, and even her insecurities—“I bought this outfit three years ago, and I’m sure I didn’t see a single person with the same lapel style in the entire FBI building in the last twelve months. It’s stupid stuff like this that drives me nuts. I’m hung up on it because I think other women may be hung up on it.
It’s a vicious cycle.”More than a mystery, the story is filled with fascinating ideas in information—“Almost five hundred years ago, John Wilkins, a philosopher and bishop, pushed heavily for the written language to adopt an upside-down exclamation point at the end of a sentence to indicate irony. Think of how many online feuds that could have prevented.” While some authors cause one to seek a dictionary, Mayne prompts visits to Wikipedia.Damian is an intriguing character about whom we’d like to know more. Yet, we realize we probably won’t.
It is that mystery that keeps him so intriguing.Mayne is frighteningly spot on with some of the events happening today. This makes the book both fascinating and terrifying—“The ammunition is rumor, innuendo, misinformation, and leaks. The delivery vehicles are ordinary citizens, journalists, media personalities, and politicians.” As much as I tend to dislike prologues, the connection to it is very well done later in the story.Good dialogue, natural-sounding dialogue, can make all the difference to a story even when it’s a monologue to a horse—“Alright, boy.
If you don’t hear from me in ten minutes, go get help.” Silverback stares at me blankly. “And get me a grande latteum, and a cowboyblue eyes, independently wealthy, not too rustic.” I pat Silverback on the flank, which he interprets as a signal to start walking. I chase after him and grab the reins. Not yet.” Silverback stops and gives me another of his looks: Seriously, lady?”“Black Fall” has excellent suspense, and twists; great characters, and very relevant themes.
It is, so far, the best book in the series. Yes, at times, it’s over-the-top and there are plot holes, but one doesn’t really care.
Once embroiled in the story and the series, it doesn’t let go. One simply, impatiently, waits for the next book.BLACK FALL (Pol Thriller-Jessica Blackwood-US- Contemp) – VG+Mayne, Andrew – 4th in seriesHarper Perennial – March 2017. Once again the most magnificent, stupendous, heroine FBI Agent of our day has saved the United States from the bad guys. She pulls her gun plenty of times in this book but never, ever, has to pull the trigger. She gets stabbed, leaves the hospital early, and still manages all this with some mild discomfort.
She is still as humble as Mother Teresa downplaying all recognition for her unsupervised heroic deeds because her only drive in life is to; 'get the bad guys'. To do this she will habitually Once again the most magnificent, stupendous, heroine FBI Agent of our day has saved the United States from the bad guys. She pulls her gun plenty of times in this book but never, ever, has to pull the trigger. She gets stabbed, leaves the hospital early, and still manages all this with some mild discomfort.
She is still as humble as Mother Teresa downplaying all recognition for her unsupervised heroic deeds because her only drive in life is to; 'get the bad guys'. To do this she will habitually break direct orders and put herself in harms way. She has constant nagging warnings going off in her head, which she ignores in her attempt to 'get the bad guys'. Hopefully in a future book she will learn to trust those warnings because they usually turn out to be real.I've got to quit making so much fun of these books because I really do enjoy them. With our current political situation, protest rallies, and fake news (2018) parts of this book were extremely interesting.
Except for the parts where Blackwood's stupidity gets to be too much; like her habitual habit of rushing into danger without any given thought and then mentally over analyzing every possible thought and move she makes. But I do enjoy these books and shouldn't write reviews like this. It's just so stink'n fun and easy I can't resist. Good thriller with our protagonist, now in the FBI, formerly a cop, and raised by a well-known magician, bringing her many skills to bear on a complicated case. The beginning is a tad slow but the book really picks up at the mid-way point once the disparate pieces of the story start to really take off. The main character is a delight; she has so much going for and against her that it's worth reading just to figure out what she is going to do next within the parameters of the story.
This plot is Good thriller with our protagonist, now in the FBI, formerly a cop, and raised by a well-known magician, bringing her many skills to bear on a complicated case. The beginning is a tad slow but the book really picks up at the mid-way point once the disparate pieces of the story start to really take off. The main character is a delight; she has so much going for and against her that it's worth reading just to figure out what she is going to do next within the parameters of the story. This plot is far-flung but not that far-fetched; current events have made the author a bit of a soothsayer himself. I received my copy from the publisher through edelweiss.
I have been reading this series from the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the next book featuring Jessica Blackwood. Black Fall definitely didn't disappoint!
This time around, Jessica gets involved in a weird convoluted case involving catastrophic predictions from a dead man and riots on the streets of Washington DC. That is just the tip of the iceberg.What I have loved most about this series is Jessica.
She comes from a family of magicians and uses her knowledge and her experience to her I have been reading this series from the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the next book featuring Jessica Blackwood. Black Fall definitely didn't disappoint! This time around, Jessica gets involved in a weird convoluted case involving catastrophic predictions from a dead man and riots on the streets of Washington DC. That is just the tip of the iceberg.What I have loved most about this series is Jessica.
She comes from a family of magicians and uses her knowledge and her experience to her advantage while solving cases. She is also pretty tough and tends to want to do things her own way. This ends up getting her in trouble more often than not.
I felt like we got to know her a little more in this one. I also got to know her fellow agents on her team more. They seem to be settling into a more comfortable 'family'. The only character that I wanted more of was Damian. He barely shows up in this book. So I was a bit disappointed.I'm not going to talk plot.
There are too many twists that given way would ruin the story. I will say that there are a few tense scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Dark hallways and unknown noises will always give me the creeps. In the end, the author has managed to have me eagerly waiting the next book. If you haven't picked up this series yet, definitely start with the first book Angel Killer.
I feel like you need that background before you go into Black Fall. Due to the vagaries of eBook pricing, I read this book without the benefit of either of its predecessors.I was overall impressed. The author filled us in on the necessary bits of Jessica's life without sounding like a book (or police!) report.
The first-person POV was pulled off pretty smoothly, and Jessica's character was likable and internally consistent as far as that goes. The side characters were two dimensional, but I won't be too judgy there. The story was reasonably well plotted and Due to the vagaries of eBook pricing, I read this book without the benefit of either of its predecessors.I was overall impressed. The author filled us in on the necessary bits of Jessica's life without sounding like a book (or police!) report.
The first-person POV was pulled off pretty smoothly, and Jessica's character was likable and internally consistent as far as that goes. The side characters were two dimensional, but I won't be too judgy there. The story was reasonably well plotted and moved at a decent pace. At first the story itself was at least within the realm of believability: smarter-than-your-average-bear cultists / terrorists cleverly utilize natural disasters, social media, and of course the news media itself to bring the US itself to the brink of a coup.Scary stuff.
But then.they full-stop and commit mass suicide. For reasons that are Never adequately explained, and are actually barely hinted at. The world goes back to normal.Oh sure, there are suggestions that this Warlock fellow (clearly the primary nemesis of the prior two books) was at the back of it.
But this 'explanation' leaves much to be desired. What it really felt like was that the author had no stomach, or at least scope, to actually bring things to a logical conclusion. Suffice to say the ending left much to be desired.I Might go back and check out the previous Blackwood books, should they appear at or under the $3 price point.
But my expectations are set at 'fun, but not necessarily great, read.' Black Fall is the best Jessica Blackwood novel yet! The story captured me right away and I couldnt put it down.Our favorite magician turned FBI agent is back to solve another seemingly impossible case.After an earthquake hits the east coast, a video appears online of physicist Peter Devon correctly predicting the date and location of the earthquake. Peter has been dead for 8 years. How did he know? Who else is involved?
Is this a trick?During her investigation, Black Fall is the best Jessica Blackwood novel yet! The story captured me right away and I couldn’t put it down.Our favorite magician turned FBI agent is back to solve another seemingly impossible case.After an earthquake hits the east coast, a video appears online of physicist Peter Devon correctly predicting the date and location of the earthquake. Peter has been dead for 8 years.
How did he know? Who else is involved?
Is this a trick?During her investigation, Jessica is attacked by members of a religious cult. What is their involvement? Why do they want her dead?She is led to a MISSING town in Colorado that may or may not hold the answers she is looking for.There are several intriguing characters along the way that keep you guessing about their potential involvement.The biggest question Jessica has through it all: Is the Warlock involved?I absolutely recommend Black Fall to anyone. Fans of the series and Andrew Mayne will love the latest installment. Those new to the series will certainly become fans. Happy reading! Im a fan of the Jessica Blackwood books in general.
But by the third book, certain issues have me obsessing more on whats wrong than whats right. I wont even bring up that the beats of the plot and character challenges are exactly the same from book to book because, lets face it, that happens a lot in these types of thrillers. Except I cant think of another series quite where its such a template. Again, thats not even what I have a problem with. Or I should say Im not faulting Andrew Mayne for I’m a fan of the Jessica Blackwood books in general.
But by the third book, certain issues have me obsessing more on what’s wrong than what’s right. I won’t even bring up that the beats of the plot and character challenges are exactly the same from book to book because, let’s face it, that happens a lot in these types of thrillers. Except I can’t think of another series quite where it’s such a template. Again, that’s not even what I have a problem with. Or I should say I’m not faulting Andrew Mayne for it. I still went with it and had enough fun. I do think, however, that this is my last trek with either Jessica Blackwood or Andrew Mayne.
It’s hard for me to square how good some of Mayne’s ideas are, how well researched, and yet how poor his actual writing tends to be past a certain point.For example, Mayne does not trust his readers. I remember he has an actual background in magic. I remember seeing a TV show he did back several years ago because I’ve always had a passing interest, too.
The way he writes his books reminds me of that over didactic way magicians have of taking you step by step through a trick. They’ll underline what they’re doing, go over it again, and remind you what they did later on, in case you forget. In a trick, they do that to upset your expectation in he execution of the trick. I suppose Mayne could be doing that here, too, but in a novel, it comes off as patronizing. Worse than that, it’s boring and frustrating.Every time I read a book like this, I wonder why I bothered to read the previous entry when I could have had it summed up in one paragraph in the following sequel.It never fails where something happens in the story and Jessica Blackwood has to explain why it’s horrible or why it resonates or whatever the impact is.
By now we’re all VERY intimate with Blackwood because of how often Mayne does it. Not everything needs explaining. It’s more powerful if you let your work come to fruition and allow the reader to fill in the blanks. By then Mayne had fully trained us in Blackwood’s voice. We expect her guilt.
Her self destructive drive.That’s the other thing. Blackwood started as a highly likeable character in the first book. Her flaws made her even more endearing. Her police superpower, being a magician, also is a cross to bear because of the cheesy celebrity it brought her.
She had rough edges being a newbie.In this book, Blackwood is three years in the FBI and, if anything, she comes off as even MORE green. She doesn’t behave like a grown up. She’s more like a thin skinned teenaged girl. Plenty of male cops in books shirk captain’s orders or whatever - because I wondered if my problem was in any way a sexist double standard.
We love when John McClane or Mitch Rapp or whoever guns his way into blind situations like an 800 pound gorilla. But these guys own up to their shortcomings and to being antisocial a-holes. To being territorial with a “fire me” attitude.With Blackwood, she keeps making things all about her to the point of putting a schoolyard of kids in danger (hello, call for back up anyway?). She throws off protective gear and self righteously charges into possibly radioactive medical labs “because there is NO TIME,” forget that it’s actually a petulant lack of patience. She constantly puts herself in bad situations only followed up with “I’m so stupid. I want to live.” Pages and pages of it.Blackwood’s boss at one point sends another agent on a mission rather than her on a tech based mission (Blackwood admittedly is wrong for it) and yet still confronts him for punishing her by not sending her instead.
But Mane insists she’s a team player.If I knew this chick in real life, I don’t think I’d like her. I don’t think the people around her would be so reverent as Mayne write them as.
So that’s another flaw in Mayne’s storytelling. Something rings very false there.In retrospect, I wish I’d stopped at the first Blackwood book, which is fun and worth reading. I’m left wondering how good a writer Andrew Mayne really is if he’s running dry this early into his publishing career. The author gallivants across creative fields like a crazed rabbit.
(Do rabbits gallivant?) Magician, filmmaker, inventor, writer. I'm not sure which one he should have stuck with, as few of his products have impressed me. Same with this overly long, overly wrought, thin detective story.
He does create a female protagonist with a background in magic, but he dilutes her with his superficial constantly running interior dialog. Looks like he has several books featuring this character.
One was The author gallivants across creative fields like a crazed rabbit. (Do rabbits gallivant?) Magician, filmmaker, inventor, writer. I'm not sure which one he should have stuck with, as few of his products have impressed me. Same with this overly long, overly wrought, thin detective story. He does create a female protagonist with a background in magic, but he dilutes her with his superficial constantly running interior dialog.
Looks like he has several books featuring this character. One was enough for me. An earthquake rocks the east coast and a video surfaces of a man predicting it. One small problem, he's been dead for eight years. To the layman, the act would appear supernatural. Fortunately, the FBI has Jessica Blackwood, magician turned agent. She's tackled other larger than life cases in the previous two books, and quickly dismisses the prediction as a trick.
But it's just the first of many, and she's the only one equipped to figure out what is going on and who could be behind it.Some An earthquake rocks the east coast and a video surfaces of a man predicting it. One small problem, he's been dead for eight years. To the layman, the act would appear supernatural. Fortunately, the FBI has Jessica Blackwood, magician turned agent. She's tackled other larger than life cases in the previous two books, and quickly dismisses the prediction as a trick. But it's just the first of many, and she's the only one equipped to figure out what is going on and who could be behind it.Some events (fake news leading to civic unrest) could easily be ripped from current headlines, giving this novel an extra suspenseful feeling.
All of the story seems plausible, even if not necessarily likely to happen. The pace is ratcheted up nicely throughout, and by the last quarter of the book I just ended up reading straight through.This series, and this book in particular, put a unique spin on detective stories. From natural disaster predictions, to cults, to secret government facilities, there's a lot to take in with Black Fall. The events and crimes just look impossible to explain, until Agent Blackwood uses her background and knowledge to reverse engineer the perplexing mysteries. I full expect the Jessica Blackwood stories to hit TV or movies at some point.Black Fall stands alone quite well.
I believe you'd enjoy this more by reading the previous two books, but it's not required to understand the plot nor the major players. The ending here makes Black Fall feel more 'complete' than the others in my opinion. Though a future story is set up, it's a satisfying ending and perfectly in character. I didn't walk away from this thinking 'you can't end it there!' As I have in many of Andrew Mayne's other books (not that has to be a bad thing!).Finally I want to say I think one of Mayne's greatest tricks in his writer's toolbox is his use of prologues to jump start a story with intrigue and inevitably connect what seem to be unrelated stories to the larger plot at hand. It's done exceedingly well again in Black Fall and I'm consistently impressed with how he structures his stories in the way that he does.I highly recommend Black Fall. If you like a good thriller or mystery or crime story, I think this will be right up your alley.
And of course, if you've read Angel Killer and/or Name of the Devil this is a no-brainer. I won a copy of Black Fall from a Goodreads Giveaway.I've been reading this series from the start and always felt the premise had amazing potential. My issues had always been that the bizarre and stupendous tricks poised to stump authorities in the previous novels, forcing Jessica Blackwood's involvement in the cases were generally too unbelievable to believe.Also, I never really took to Jessica. I don't hate her or dislike her, I just don't admire her. Despite her unconventional life as the I won a copy of Black Fall from a Goodreads Giveaway.I've been reading this series from the start and always felt the premise had amazing potential. My issues had always been that the bizarre and stupendous tricks poised to stump authorities in the previous novels, forcing Jessica Blackwood's involvement in the cases were generally too unbelievable to believe.Also, I never really took to Jessica. I don't hate her or dislike her, I just don't admire her.
Despite her unconventional life as the granddaughter of a charismatic grandfather magician and the progeny of a more stable father, she lacks the allure and appeal I would have expected from a former child prodigy of the magical arts.She's not dumb, she's just kind of bland. Her personality is weak and boring, especially as she struggled in earlier books to find a place in law enforcement, where she whined about her early years in the shiny spotlight of her grandfather and father, but fail to admit that very unorthodox upbringing granted her a special set of skills that have allowed her to succeed in an unconventional career.In the third book of the series, Jessica is now working for the FBI. On the same day she is tracking a female serial killer and accosted by a knife wielding maniac holding a baby hostage, an earthquake rattles the East Coast. The assailant escapes, Jessica is visibly shaken and soon after, a strange video is released on social media, a mathematician named Devon predicting said natural disaster.
Too bad he's been dead for eight years. Ailes, Blackwood's superior, calls her in to lend her unique expertise to these new and unforeseen turn of events.
Miracle or magic? This review has been crossposted from my blog at. Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.Jessica is an FBI agent with a difference her training as a Magician and her knowledge of tricks is the reason for her placement at Quantico with three other technonerds. When a long dead scientist starts predicting natural disasters, its up to Jessica to debunk the predictions.I was pretty excited about the missing town! How was this one going This review has been crossposted from my blog at. Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.Jessica is an FBI agent with a difference – her training as a Magician and her knowledge of tricks is the reason for her placement at Quantico with three other technonerds.
When a long dead scientist starts predicting natural disasters, it’s up to Jessica to debunk the predictions.I was pretty excited about the missing town! How was this one going to be explained? And of course there was a fantastic explanation! The other parts about the set up of the underground rooms seemed predictable and boring in comparison. Because I knew Jessica could solve any problem, it wasn’t exciting anymore.There was very little Jessica-development and a lot of racing around with nothing to show for it.
A couple of potential dinner dates and a couple of potential friendships. Oh and a couple of close calls on death, but nothing that her oldest brilliant buddy can’t fix.I’m not sure this novel had the same pizzazz as the first two novels (Angel Killer and Name of the Devil).
It all happened too quickly and I found it difficult to trace the clues for myself. I’ll still give it 5 stars, but it’s heading down towards 4 stars.
I’m going to keep reading the series in the hope that it will return to its awesomeness. An interesting enough mystery with some magical elements that made it a bit different. The protagonist is a former magician turned FBI agent which is not something I've come across before.Unfortunately, the protagonist has little in the way of personality. Despite being an FBI agent, there were some bizarrely basic things she didn't know, especially regarding technology. Uh, excuse me?Also, love (as in hate) that the two female FBI agents had no idea about the inane pop culture conspiracy that An interesting enough mystery with some magical elements that made it a bit different. The protagonist is a former magician turned FBI agent which is not something I've come across before.Unfortunately, the protagonist has little in the way of personality. Despite being an FBI agent, there were some bizarrely basic things she didn't know, especially regarding technology.
Uh, excuse me?Also, love (as in hate) that the two female FBI agents had no idea about the inane pop culture conspiracy that Paul McCartney had died in the 60s, but the one dude totally knows about it. What human with access to the internet would not know this?Then the protagonist, despite years of experience, ties the wrong knot and drops her standard issue phone in a cave. She sounds like the kind of FBI agent a writer create with no knowledge of how law enforcement works.But worse is that the writer writes his protagonist like what he thinks a woman would be like. So she's clumsy, but super attractive. She cries easily about her job. She can't keep a stable relationship because how can a woman possibly be good at her job and have a life?
And she's already worrying that she's missed the boat for having children. How old is she? Are you kidding me??There were also some weird discussions about police violence which were dangerously close to problematic. What was the point of that?I like a good mystery as much as anyone else but I'm not going to be reading more of this series. Andrew Mayne ups the ante with each Jessica Blackwood book, and the series' third installment - Black Fall - is no exception.
This novel throws natural disasters, government distrust, conspiracy, and religious cults at the reader, weaving a tale that zigs, zags, and ultimately ties into the previous installments in a satisfying way.By combining elements of mystery with magic - Mayne is a magician himself, as is protagonist Jessica - Mayne is able to do things few others in the genre can. Andrew Mayne ups the ante with each Jessica Blackwood book, and the series' third installment - Black Fall - is no exception. This novel throws natural disasters, government distrust, conspiracy, and religious cults at the reader, weaving a tale that zigs, zags, and ultimately ties into the previous installments in a satisfying way.By combining elements of mystery with magic - Mayne is a magician himself, as is protagonist Jessica - Mayne is able to do things few others in the genre can. There are no true shocks in this book, but as a result, you will find yourself guessing as the pages turn.An entire town just disappears.
A protester appears to have been murdered my a cop at point-blank range. An old underground government facility appears to have facilitated in stoking public panic. But nothing is ever as it seems, nothing is as it appears. The beauty is that, as smart and capable as Jessica is, she never figures everything out just because. Not once do you feel like she only knows something simply because she's the protagonist.
Sometimes, she's as in the dark as you are.This is a character and a series that grabbed my attention from the get-go, and the third book in this series didn't disappoint. If you're a mystery fan looking for something a little different, this series is for you.And if you're not? Try it anyway. You might be surprised. Getting better and betterI have read all 3 Jessica Blackwood novels in a row and they keep getting better and more suspenseful, I can't wait for the next one! Jessica Blackwood is a strange but likeable character, an anti-hero in the style of Bruce Willis' John McClane in Die Hard - the person who doesn't really want to be there and doesn't want the spot light, yet is just that much smarter than everyone else, they don't have a choice if they want to fight and ultimately catch the bad guys.
The Getting better and betterI have read all 3 Jessica Blackwood novels in a row and they keep getting better and more suspenseful, I can't wait for the next one! Jessica Blackwood is a strange but likeable character, an anti-hero in the style of Bruce Willis' John McClane in Die Hard - the person who doesn't really want to be there and doesn't want the spot light, yet is just that much smarter than everyone else, they don't have a choice if they want to fight and ultimately catch the bad guys. The theme is dark, yet very current and continues to make you think where we as humans are heading with the explosion of modern technology.Andrew Mayne is either a genius or does A LOT of research because every time I checked any fact in the book (be it about computers, historic events or magic) it panned out. Reading his books makes me trust the internet less than ever before and makes me want to take down my Facebook page!If you think about picking up a Jessica Blackwood novel, do yourself a favor and start with Angel Killer and read them in order. You won't regret it if you enjoy a good mystery with lots of drama but enough 'comic relief' from the sarcastic and funny protagonist's thoughts and comments to lighten the mood. Sometimes Fake News Is FakeI read this book as part of my Kindle Unlimited membership.
I would like to thank the author for partnering with KU so I have access to this book.Our protagonist is Jessica Blackwood (having changed her name from Blackstar, a famous family of magicians) who doesn't do magic herself (she's an FBI Special Agent) but has learned not to believe everything you see.Having read the second book, where there was no closure on two characters, thankfully, within the first Sometimes Fake News Is FakeI read this book as part of my Kindle Unlimited membership. I would like to thank the author for partnering with KU so I have access to this book.Our protagonist is Jessica Blackwood (having changed her name from Blackstar, a famous family of magicians) who doesn't do magic herself (she's an FBI Special Agent) but has learned not to believe everything you see.Having read the second book, where there was no closure on two characters, thankfully, within the first chapter here, we learn the fate of the first.
Agonizingly, the fate of the other is only hinted at herein.I must say at this point, I am not as confused as I was in the second book. This is why readers take chances!Now that I have a better idea of who the characters are, this series is exactly what a thriller should be.
Jessica thinks about times she was scared as a child while the author is tying us up in knots, putting jeopardizing Jessica with situations close but very different from Jessica's memories.This particular book is eerily prescient of what our near future can look like if people don't calm down and place nice. Remember this as you read. Sometimes fake news really is fake.If you can, start with the first book, as this is truly a series. Let's be honest.
If you're thinking about buying Black Fall, you've probably read Angel Killer and Name of the Devil. If this is you, my abridged review is that it's more of that greatness, except with the improvement that can only come from an author gaining more experience from writing. My question for you is why are you reading this review instead of the book? For my full review, read on.Andrew Mayne has a fantastic writing style that rather than starting with pages upon pages of exposition, Let's be honest.
If you're thinking about buying Black Fall, you've probably read Angel Killer and Name of the Devil. If this is you, my abridged review is that it's more of that greatness, except with the improvement that can only come from an author gaining more experience from writing. My question for you is why are you reading this review instead of the book? For my full review, read on.Andrew Mayne has a fantastic writing style that rather than starting with pages upon pages of exposition, he sucks you in right away and gives you the details as you go. That said, the story never feels disjointed as if maybe you accidentally skipped over an important section.
Mayne has also seriously upped his game when it comes to clever turns of phrase for his characters, which always delight me more than is reasonable.The story opens with the discovery that an entire town has gone missing, before quickly jumping back to our hero, Jessica Blackwood. In Black Fall, Mayne seamlessly mixes a murder investigation, a national crisis, technology, and magic into one excellent book. The flashbacks to Blackwood's childhood are always intriguing and often touching.
Mayne is very good at putting his vast knowledge of magic to good use; he often uses principals from magic to illustrate a point through Blackwood, explaining just enough of a trick to get the point across (and if you pay attention, to help the reader avoid similar traps), but he still leaves plenty of mystery and wonder for real-world magicians and illusionists.As a side note, it's worth mentioning that while I usually find mentions of social media in books and TV to be awkward at best, Mayne somehow manages to integrate it in such a way that it just feels right. I was looking forward to again read about Magician/FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood. I just love these books and this is another great one.Jessica is the daughter of two famous magicians and knows all the tricks of the trade. That is why she is so good at solving some of the toughest cases coming through.The Warlock who was in the previous two books, is locked in prison. So, when a whole town disappears, she knows its not him.Investigating into the case with her friends, she thinks a cult is the one I was looking forward to again read about Magician/FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood. I just love these books and this is another great one.Jessica is the daughter of two famous magicians and knows all the tricks of the trade. That is why she is so good at solving some of the toughest cases coming through.The Warlock who was in the previous two books, is locked in prison.
So, when a whole town disappears, she knows its not him.Investigating into the case with her friends, she thinks a cult is the one behind these mysterious things taking place. When an earthquake is predicted to the exact day and time, then when the riots break out in Washington and all places that was again predicted, she knows something sinster is behind them, as no one can predict the future.Fantastic book that just kept me coming back and picking it up and until I finished.
Hope we hear more about Jessica. Another great book from this author - The Naturalist.
I am waiting on the 2nd in that series. Andrew Mayne Is A Hit!I have read all of A. Mayne's novel series, from three Dr Theo, the Naturalist to three Astronaut SyFy to the 3rd book of FBI Jessica Blackwood today. All 3 series are different but very interesting, fast moving, crime solving. Jessica's family background is on the magic stage. She knows how to recognize a trick, an illusion, and if she needs help she always has her grandfather and psycho boyfriend to turn to.
She is on a special task force with the FBI when outside of the Andrew Mayne Is A Hit!I have read all of A. Mayne's novel series, from three Dr Theo, the Naturalist to three Astronaut SyFy to the 3rd book of FBI Jessica Blackwood today. All 3 series are different but very interesting, fast moving, crime solving.
Jessica's family background is on the magic stage. She knows how to recognize a trick, an illusion, and if she needs help she always has her grandfather and psycho boyfriend to turn to. She is on a special task force with the FBI when outside of the box thinking is needed.
Recommend to all who like a twist to regular detective crime series. Andrew Mayne is a very talented, smart writer and look forward to more books in the series. Andrew Mayne's third Jessica Blackwood novel shows us how a mystery series can keep the reader's attention throughout a trilogy. The adventure and mystery that the title character finds herself in this time is centered on a politically charged issue that leads to a life or death race against time.Mayne's ability to keep the reader riveted from the first page to the last is on display throughout. I literally couldn't put this one down. It came out on Tuesday morning and needed a new novel to read Andrew Mayne's third Jessica Blackwood novel shows us how a mystery series can keep the reader's attention throughout a trilogy. The adventure and mystery that the title character finds herself in this time is centered on a politically charged issue that leads to a life or death race against time.Mayne's ability to keep the reader riveted from the first page to the last is on display throughout.
I literally couldn't put this one down. It came out on Tuesday morning and needed a new novel to read first thing Friday. Jessica Blackwood is a believable and sympathetic character. The author's background in illusion allows him to tell a tale of the illusionist turned FBI agent in such a believable fashion. I can't wait for more Jessica Blackwood!
Probably a 3.5. Letter Grade B-According to Goodreads, 3 stars means I liked it. That's true even though some sections seemed be work and I feel a bit disappointed because I wanted to like it more than I did.Blackwood is a good character. When she thinks like a magician, she may even be a great character.
The end of chapter 'suspense builders' frequently seem forced, however, and Mayne often tells more than he shows.The plot provides enough layers to keep a reader guessing and is plausible Probably a 3.5. Letter Grade B-According to Goodreads, 3 stars means I liked it. That's true even though some sections seemed be work and I feel a bit disappointed because I wanted to like it more than I did.Blackwood is a good character. When she thinks like a magician, she may even be a great character. The end of chapter 'suspense builders' frequently seem forced, however, and Mayne often tells more than he shows.The plot provides enough layers to keep a reader guessing and is plausible enough if one accepts the initial premise.This is the second Mayne book that I have finished. Both this book and The Naturalist started strong and I though I was in for a great read, but they finished much weaker than they began.
Fourth in the Jessica Blackwood series. Be aware that it is a part of a series - it refers to previous stories frequently, and it doesn't really come to a conclusion - pre-refering to the next in the series. From the list, this one got the best reviews so I started here, and I regret it. But I probably won't read any further in this series. The heroine's magic background is barely ever involved.
The events are cosmic in scale, but Jessica the heroine is only tangentially involved in them.Mayne Fourth in the Jessica Blackwood series. Be aware that it is a part of a series - it refers to previous stories frequently, and it doesn't really come to a conclusion - pre-refering to the next in the series. From the list, this one got the best reviews so I started here, and I regret it. But I probably won't read any further in this series. The heroine's magic background is barely ever involved.
The events are cosmic in scale, but Jessica the heroine is only tangentially involved in them.Mayne is quite a good writer of thriller material, but this book seems like an exercise in getting over writer's block - throwing everything into the story to see what works. Didn't work for me. A Bit Unrealistic But EngrossingThe primary (very capable and humble) FBI agent at the center of this novel solves a very complex case pretty all alone, although she has co-workers that support her with technical skills she does not have. My guess is that real FBI process involves lots of collaboration with lots of people? The adversary in the story is a cult with a lethal plan interrupted by the FBI agent.
I finished the novel to see how the first chapter fit into the story. Clearly written, A Bit Unrealistic But EngrossingThe primary (very capable and humble) FBI agent at the center of this novel solves a very complex case pretty all alone, although she has co-workers that support her with technical skills she does not have. My guess is that real FBI process involves lots of collaboration with lots of people?
The adversary in the story is a cult with a lethal plan interrupted by the FBI agent. I finished the novel to see how the first chapter fit into the story. Clearly written, with lots of good description. But, unrealistic. While I still have great respect for the FBI, I learned very little about it through this fiction.
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