Blank: a shieldmaiden’s voice by S.R. Karfelt is the book release I’ve long awaited. I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy, so I confess I’ve been invested in this story for awhile and am thrilled to review it now.
Blank is the second installment in the Warrior of the Ages series, and also serves as the prequel to the series. Those of you who have read Warrior of the Ages will remember Beth’s enigmatic mother, Carole- this is her story.
Growing up in an orphanage and foster care, Carole remembers very little of her roots, and what she does remember doesn’t seem possible. Her identity is unclear even to her social workers, and thus she is unceremoniously assigned the surname of Blank. Carole’s a bit of a recluse, and devotes most of her energy to steering clear of people, wary that someone will discover she hears voices, moves incredibly fast, fights better than most men and has far superior senses.
Joining the Marines is the ideal and only move for Carole Blank after high school, and she’s in her element utilizing her abilities at last. That is, until she chooses to listen to the voices over her training. Her team is punished for her insubordination and turns on her, and Carole is stripped of duty. Lieutenant Colonel Ted White waltzes in and reassigns Carole as a NOC (Non Official Cover) assassin, but Carole’s heart has stirred, and she knows exactly what she wants: Ted White. Ted doesn’t deny her…at first.
Nine months later, alone and heartbroken, Carole’s on leave giving birth to a baby girl in her apartment. All plans of adoption disappear as she discovers, with joy and despair, that the bond she shares with her daughter is as unusual as Carole is…and that’s where I stop, because I don’t want to give away, well, everything. Suffice to say, many things happen and Carole’s life is a miserable journey, but one that you’ll want to travel.
As one can gather from the summary, this book covers a large span of Carole’s life, and thus frequently jumps months, even years- but time is kind to Carole and to the reader. I didn’t find these jumps disconcerting, only saddening at times where you wished you could be privy to all the details. Karfelt keeps Carole an enigma even to the reader, yet somehow gets the reader so invested in the character that you can’t look away.
Most people who read this book will have strong feelings about Ted, and that’s to be expected. Some have claimed they fear Carole, and those are people I don’t quite understand…Carole is a warrior and unapologetically knows her mind, and nothing, come hell or high water, deters her. Her level of motivation and self-control is astounding.
Minor issues with the story: Men are drawn to Carole, unaware that it is because of the way her heart beckons. I disliked the way that most of the men were portrayed as pigs when it came to following their desire. Perhaps I could blame this excessiveness on Carole’s perceptiveness of their attentions, but it bothered me. I also found Carole to be naïve; she is a reckless and strong woman, but she isn’t of this world, and it shows in her thought process and interpretation of events. I might argue that she grew up in this world, and her general understanding should be more developed.
All in all, I recommend you read the book. Carole is a unique and unusual heroine; self sacrificing and introspective, strong-willed and protective, yet lost and seeking. Blank is a grand experience that will without doubt leave its mark!
And look for my little blurb inside the front cover! Blank is available at: http://amzn.com/0989534715
Brace yourselves: Carole Blank’s life is the epitome of mislaid hope and unapologetic misery. The prequel we’ve been waiting for since Warrior of the Ages chases an unprecedented assassin’s journey through every layer of personal hell, accentuated by ardently candid voices in her head offering feedback on Carole’s every thought and action. Get ready for a full-on attack of raw truth that will leave you achingly aware of the cost of loyalty, and the torture of unrequited love. Blunt, gripping, and extraordinary, Blank follows the sacrifices of one woman on a quest to simply belong.
P.S.- The series can be read in any order, which is fun.
musings of a reader. 