My love of storytelling traces
back to my step-mother, who spun wonderful fantasy stories when I was child. I
finished my first novel at sixteen. That first attempt was terrible, but taught
me quite a bit about story construction. Though I would start numerous other
projects in the following years, I wouldn't actually complete another book for
another 21 years.
I wasn't idle in that time,
though. I earned a degree in engineering, married the love of my life, worked
as a semi- truck driver crisscrossing the country, moved from Texas to
North Dakota and then came back home.
It's been a fun and interesting
journey. I really enjoy engineering, but writing was my first passion, and I'm
excited to share it with you.
I currently live in West Texas
with my wife and our two adorable (but weird) cats.
Connect with the Author here:
"No one knows how
human genetics evolved to create Mirrors. No one knows how the evidence of a
criminal’s last horrendous act can be confirmed in a single gaze of a child’s
silvered eyes. But just because science can’t explain something doesn’t mean it
can’t be used, and this gift is simply too valuable to ignore.Twins Thomas and Ashley Ross have grown up knowing they would be used as Mirrors for the “good” of humanity. When their powers mature at age twelve, they are taken weekly to fulfill their role. By reliving the most heinous crimes from a perpetrators’ perspective, they alone can assure that no innocent people will be executed, and that the worst offenders are not set free due to lack of evidence.
Justice is not without cost, however. Taking on the memories of others is a destructive process, one that quickly consumes the children involved until most take their own lives. As despair threatens to drown Thomas and Ashley, a distant hope keeps them from succumbing: If they can make it to their eighteenth birthday, their contract with the government will be fulfilled. Changing views on the morality of their role threatens to tear them apart, but the twins struggle to cling to each other and try to construct a fragile life above the weekly flood of horrors.
As their work takes it toll, however, a new question emerges: does survival even matter when you’re already broken beyond repair?"
Sorry it's late
but here is my review!
4.5 out of 5 stars
I went into this book thinking it was going to be similar in tone
and environment to the movie from the early 2000's Minority Report.
I was completely wrong. This book is set in a time that is extremely
similar to the world we currently live in. This made the book not only easily
relatable but it also cut back on the world building so you could get right
into the story.
The other aspect of the book that I was wrong about was the tone.
This story is about 2 children who can look into a person's eyes and experience
their whole life up to that point in just an instant. This is their story, it
is not an adventure but more about the mundane things of life that this type of
gift (or curse) would cause. Things like the children's moral rights, the
constitutional rights of the person being reflected. How living with this could
affect an entire family, how attitudes and bias can make a difference in your
ability to cope with different stressors and situations. It also touches on
certain events that are awful and grotesque, but it is mentioned in a delicate
and non-invasive manner. Basically, this book was a look into the complexities
of the human experience. I cried more times then I care to admit while
reading... but I still enjoyed the book despite this.
The Author did a great job of answering all questions about
anything I perceived as a plot hole. However, for some of them you have to wait
until it is relevant for the plot to understand why or how things are happening
a certain way. The only reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 is
because at the very end (no spoilers, don't worry) I struggled with what felt
like a certain significant event being slightly passed over to consolidate the
ending. However, on Amazon I will give this book 5 stars because it is possible
that what felt like a disconnect between the massive tear inducing event and
the wrap up after the fact, could have been attributed to the fact my
friends came over, right at the end, and I had to put down the book for a
couple of hours before I could finish the last few pages.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read that
is complex enough to keep you entertained yet touching enough to make you wish
you had more tissues. As I stated before there are certain aspects of the book
that could be repulsive (they reflect criminals, so this should be obvious)
however the Author does well keeping from going into too much detail.
This makes it easier to read but could still be a trigger for some. I
definitely say this book is for older YA and Adult audiences. But it is definitely worth the read.
Character Casting
also young. They start at twelve and end at seventeen. I'm not really
familiar with performers in this age group, so I'm open to suggestions.
Physically, they're small for their age. In terms of personality, Ashley is
optimistic and obedient but lazy. Thomas is a cynical misanthrope who is
devoted to his sister.
Daniel Ross: Chris Pratt (Earnest, Honest, and Determined)
Sally Ross: Winona Ryder (Caring, Nervous, Over-Protective)
Sam: Ving Rhames (Solid, Quiet, Stoic)
Carol: Maggie Smith (Proud, Stern, Knowledgeable)
Father Sean: Patrick Stewart (Compassionate, Firm, Thoughtful)
Bryant: Robert Picardo (Zealous, Brilliant, Self-Assured)
Snippet #2
Thomas curled up, pulling as much into a ball as he could. He felt tears inhis eyes but fought them down. He’d always hated crying with his glasses on;
the frames trapped the tears inside. Today, though, he didn’t want to show
weakness to his jailer.
He felt Sam’s hand on his shoulder and tried to jerk away but couldn’t get
any farther from the man. He settled for burying his face away, hiding in the
dark hollows of his hands.
“I want good things for you, Thomas. I want good things for Mirrors. I
want you to live a long life and find happiness.”
“Won’t happen,” Thomas shot back. “I’m going to die in a few years.
You know that.”
“You’re not dead yet, are you?”
“The glass is always half full for you, isn’t it?” Thomas asked, turning
back to glare. “I guess it’s easier to be an optimist when it’s not your glass.”
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