Review: The 25% Blackjack book
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2014
What I would have liked to know before I bought this book. (no spoilers)1. What type of book is it: action, drama, etc?  This book is a drama book with a dynamic pendulum that shifts back and forth between relevant action driven character development and stale development mixed with irrelevant action. It felt like two different author's wrote two books and then slipshod pieces together.2. What is the story about, in general? The story is about a conflicted, depressed and unbalanced Blackjack hitting bottom and coming back just in time to deal with his tormented demons about love and regret. In addition, and I mean those words 'in addition' since the Zundergrub plot is stacked on like an afterthought, Blackjack has to deal with Zundergrub, his world cleansing agenda and his army of brainwashed maniacs. Sadly, the Zundergrub plot is TREATED as filler when it should be center stage to enforce character evolution through action. We aren't that lucky.3. What/Who is the target audience? Male audience, though I am not sure what age. This book relegates females to small secondary roles or tertiary roles. Most of their roles are erotic in nature. There are exceptions to this from two tertiary characters with very little page time.4. Is there character development? Yes and no. Blackjack exhibits his usual anti-hero internal conflict. The book is full of his self loathing and rambling in an attempt to impress upon the reader, Blackjack's self-realization of evil and good. That's about it. Only one or two secondary characters have more than `skin deep' characteristics. Everyone else, everyone, is one dimensional in role and lack of development. It's a lineup of blandness. Many female characters are portrayed in a rather shallow manner.5. Are the characters likable? I guess Blackjack is a relatively likable main character. There are about three secondary characters that are marginally likable as well. No one else.  In addition, with only three or so exceptions, everyone else is supremely uninteresting.6. Does the story keep its pacing? No. This story begins with 8 entire chapters of pointless filler. Let me stress. Nothing relevant to the story, or that couldn't be expressed more concisely and in a more significant manner, happens in the first 8 chapters. Take an eraser, blot those 8 chapters from the book and the story becomes much better. In the ninth chapter, the story begins.  It is followed by about 3 chapters of plot before meandering off track on chapter 13. The story doesn't really regain its footing, though there are two intensely interesting moments within the filler, until chapter 36 (75% of the book according to kindle). In chapter 36, the story finally focuses and becomes powerfully intense. That means that the last 25% percent of the book is ridiculously good. Though I went back to read later, I initially browsed so many pages that a book could be made from the quantity of the browsed material.7. Do you have to suspend disbelief? Not really. The book doesn't break through the world logic. Understand, though, the world logic is pretty `over the top'. I did have to suspend my apathy during all the filler.8. Is the ebook worth the asking price?  It's a $3 dollar ebook. Since not everyone will agree with my review or reasons for it, I have to say that it's a good price for this read.In conclusion: A bland book with exceptional moments of greatness. The story does not focus for most of this installment. The main plot feels like filler while the secondary plot, which is extremely good, should have been the main plot. The main character's self-exploration didn't evolve enough to distinguish itself from the self-exploration of the first volume. It's the same type of self-loathing, hope for redemption and confusion we saw in the first installment. Thus, since it's a repeat, it adds to the filler and tediousness. Many female characters are remarkably shallow in their framework and characterization. The ebook price is acceptable. I cannot say the book is horrible as that last 25% is an emotional and gorgeous work of art, yet it sure is a truly constipated read. I am not turned off the series, but I don't want to read another book compiled like this.2.8 Stars