Review: Distinctly different tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 8, 2013
Please comment on Pattycake's 4 1/2 sweet pea review at mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=13967Seeing Red by El Esch is a tale that offers a stark, gritty look at what life is like for far too many people after they are released from prison. Angerand depression from how people treat them as pariahs, not able to find a job, and when they do, something happens so they lose it. The blurb does a excellent job of laying out the basics of the story, so I won't add anything to spoil it.This is a character driven story that has a distinct plot flow. The characters are very vivid, solid, and three dimensional. The emotional journey both MCs go through trying to overcome their anger, distrust, mental and physical scars, and even relearning how to function in normal society gives us a no holds barred look at just how hard life can be. The backstory gives a solid foundation to the book, and also lays out just how and why the characters are the way they are now. The sex is honest, powerful, and hot, without being smutty.The author's writing style is gritty, straightforward, and concise. I really like how the author doesn't sugarcoat the prejudice, suspicion, distrust, and outright hostility so many people suffer when they are released from prison. The author also does a fantastic job of showing just how the system seems to be set up to almost guarantee that ex-cons fail at staying out of prison, or return to their old criminal habits just to survive. This story does have a HEA ending after a dangerous situation that catches eveyone by surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can recommend it to anyone looking for a distinctly different tale.