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Redlisted
Kate wakes from a gunshot wound to find herself dependent on the blood of the man who shot her. She can't remember who she is and her own face in the mirror is unfamiliar. As she tries to unravel the mystery of her own identity, she's swept along on a covert mission she barely understands.Revenants, a vampiric race of post-mortals, maneuver for power in the world of plastic surgery, internet conspiracy theories, and information-stifling media conglomerates. Those who can control dream and memory muddy the waters as the mission converges on a underground bunker and the key to a source of eldritch power. Kate must uncover her past and tease apart clues to her companions' urgent mission so she can take a stand before it's too late to act.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2012
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Sara Beaman
5 books24 followersSara Beaman lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she spends her time teaching and performing bellydance, making jewelry out of old junk, reading, playing tabletop roleplaying games, and writing. Sara enjoys speculative fiction of all stripes, but especially that which makes her question the world she lives in.
She is the author of Redlisted, a novel about vampires, the media, and hidden memories. She is also a contributor to the upcoming post-apocalyptic anthology Doom Days.
She is currently at work on two projects: the sequel to Redlisted, and an as-yet-unnamed dystopian dieselpunk fantasy.
She is the author of Redlisted, a novel about vampires, the media, and hidden memories. She is also a contributor to the upcoming post-apocalyptic anthology Doom Days.
She is currently at work on two projects: the sequel to Redlisted, and an as-yet-unnamed dystopian dieselpunk fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 24, 2012
Redlisted is an interesting take on the soon becoming boring line of vampire books that are being pumped out every second. This book takes the normal groups of romance/uninspired paranormal fantasy and gives it a fairly decent adrenaline kick. Adding in a more thriller/spy genre twist makes this book stand out from the ever increasingly large pack and should make it something you should consider picking up.
All in all a good read and I'm looking forward to the next one
All in all a good read and I'm looking forward to the next one
August 15, 2012
Finally a Vampire Novel for Adults as well as Teens
Lately, it seems, vampire novels fall into three major categories, the quirky semi-comical mysteries (Charlaine Harris), the hardcore romances (Laurell K. Hamilton), or the overly moralistic teen love stories (Stephenie Meyer). And while all three types can be quite enjoyable, they tend to lack a certain amount of depth. Sara Beaman’s novel Redlisted (Volume 1) is an impressive exception to this growing trend. From the very first page, it is clear that it is not an ordinary vampire novel. In fact, it’s actually quite difficult to pin it into a single genre, which makes it rather difficult to review. Regardless, I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what makes this such an extraordinary read, without giving away too much of the story.
From the beginning, the characters in Redlisted come across as real. They are three-dimensional; none are overly good or bad. As such, we quickly relate, feeling a kinship not only with the main characters, but also with the world that surrounds them.
The style of Redlisted is both unique and addictive. Beaman’s prose comes across as effortless, to the point where we as readers fall into the story. But what is really impressive is the narrative structure. The novel weaves through time, not with cumbersome flashbacks or other more common narrative devices, but by having the main character dream into the memories of other characters. And while this may sound weird or even confusing, in the context of the novel it works perfectly, creating a first person narrative from several vantage points. And because the chapters are relatively brief, Redlisted is a quick read. It’s one of those novels you just don’t want to put down.
Overall, Sara Beaman’s Redlisted is a great novel. While it is clearly a supernatural work, it entwines the best of mystery, espionage, and science fiction into a work that is both fun and compelling. The postmodern structure and superior prose make it a novel that stands out from its contemporaries, one that is entertaining for both adults and teens. For a first novel, Beaman has set the bar high. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, and anything else she decides to write. I have all ideas Redlisted is just the first in a long and successful writing career.
Lately, it seems, vampire novels fall into three major categories, the quirky semi-comical mysteries (Charlaine Harris), the hardcore romances (Laurell K. Hamilton), or the overly moralistic teen love stories (Stephenie Meyer). And while all three types can be quite enjoyable, they tend to lack a certain amount of depth. Sara Beaman’s novel Redlisted (Volume 1) is an impressive exception to this growing trend. From the very first page, it is clear that it is not an ordinary vampire novel. In fact, it’s actually quite difficult to pin it into a single genre, which makes it rather difficult to review. Regardless, I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what makes this such an extraordinary read, without giving away too much of the story.
From the beginning, the characters in Redlisted come across as real. They are three-dimensional; none are overly good or bad. As such, we quickly relate, feeling a kinship not only with the main characters, but also with the world that surrounds them.
The style of Redlisted is both unique and addictive. Beaman’s prose comes across as effortless, to the point where we as readers fall into the story. But what is really impressive is the narrative structure. The novel weaves through time, not with cumbersome flashbacks or other more common narrative devices, but by having the main character dream into the memories of other characters. And while this may sound weird or even confusing, in the context of the novel it works perfectly, creating a first person narrative from several vantage points. And because the chapters are relatively brief, Redlisted is a quick read. It’s one of those novels you just don’t want to put down.
Overall, Sara Beaman’s Redlisted is a great novel. While it is clearly a supernatural work, it entwines the best of mystery, espionage, and science fiction into a work that is both fun and compelling. The postmodern structure and superior prose make it a novel that stands out from its contemporaries, one that is entertaining for both adults and teens. For a first novel, Beaman has set the bar high. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, and anything else she decides to write. I have all ideas Redlisted is just the first in a long and successful writing career.
August 22, 2012
Disclaimer -- I do know this author; but it's from the context of a critical/critiquing forum, so it's a little easier for me to be objective. (In other words, she is not family, so anything critical I have to say will not result in lifelong banishment from shared holiday celebrations.)
I think any author who can try something new -- and succeed -- in the crowded vampire genre is worth reading. I'm definitely a fan of this series start: I like the idea of what the author does with "revenants"; I like the sense of "court politics" you get between the different factions; I like the use of well-paced and non-intrusive flashbacks to give the present story better context; I like the different POVs; and I like (well, let's face it) that Adam is sort of hot. It's rare I read an "indie author" with the writing chops to hold their own against traditionally-published authors. Ms. Beamon succeeds; and I'm pretty sure people are going to see a lot more of her.
I think any author who can try something new -- and succeed -- in the crowded vampire genre is worth reading. I'm definitely a fan of this series start: I like the idea of what the author does with "revenants"; I like the sense of "court politics" you get between the different factions; I like the use of well-paced and non-intrusive flashbacks to give the present story better context; I like the different POVs; and I like (well, let's face it) that Adam is sort of hot. It's rare I read an "indie author" with the writing chops to hold their own against traditionally-published authors. Ms. Beamon succeeds; and I'm pretty sure people are going to see a lot more of her.
August 27, 2012
This story is very interesting. It is hard to describe how the story takes you through situations. The only thing that comes to mind to be a close example is looking through a mirror which is in turn reflecting more mirrors. It is definitely a unique point of view.
I found myself wondering whose memory was I reading from time to time I lost track of who was who at times. The main character is unknown (anonymous). The story takes you through her experiences by reliving them through dreams and memory flashes. The story is a web of mystery and confusion and self discovery. I truly enjoyed exploring this interesting story. It was like putting a puzzle together.
I found myself wondering whose memory was I reading from time to time I lost track of who was who at times. The main character is unknown (anonymous). The story takes you through her experiences by reliving them through dreams and memory flashes. The story is a web of mystery and confusion and self discovery. I truly enjoyed exploring this interesting story. It was like putting a puzzle together.
August 27, 2012
First the disclaimer: I know the author, which is really why I downloaded the sample, since I'm all vampired-out and usually find fiction written in the present tense rather stilted.
I was more than pleasantly surprised. This is a lovely debut novel, and it all worked! From the first page I was intrigued by the protagonist, and by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. I purchased the whole book before I finished the sample download, which is almost unheard-of for me.
Ms. Beaman, I am looking forward to the sequel. (You ARE writing one, aren't you?)
I was more than pleasantly surprised. This is a lovely debut novel, and it all worked! From the first page I was intrigued by the protagonist, and by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. I purchased the whole book before I finished the sample download, which is almost unheard-of for me.
Ms. Beaman, I am looking forward to the sequel. (You ARE writing one, aren't you?)
September 11, 2012
I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This book manages to integrate conspiracies, media, vampires, mystery, dreams and even some psychological tricks into a story that pulls you from one supposition to the next, and then seeks to make you question them all. I enjoyed this take on a vampire story; each new revelation brought twenty more questions, and kept you reading just to find the answer. Much of the story is told in a 3rd person form, or with a step removed: flashbacks and other characters accessing a memory to detail it for the story – which can get confusing and is a technique that suffers with overuse. Where every other detail of the story was beautifully detailed, and the characters were developed with care and complexity, the story did require me to set up a series of ‘reminders’ when I read, to see who the flashback related to, and then how it fit into the story. The frequent use was furthering the story, but for me, it was at the expense of enjoying the whole. Still, the story did have several unique takes on the more “usual” vampire stories, referenced lore that was different from others, and that difference is very refreshing. I am thinking / hoping that the author is planning another book to complete this story and tie up the loose ends. It is something I will be looking forward to reading.
This book manages to integrate conspiracies, media, vampires, mystery, dreams and even some psychological tricks into a story that pulls you from one supposition to the next, and then seeks to make you question them all. I enjoyed this take on a vampire story; each new revelation brought twenty more questions, and kept you reading just to find the answer. Much of the story is told in a 3rd person form, or with a step removed: flashbacks and other characters accessing a memory to detail it for the story – which can get confusing and is a technique that suffers with overuse. Where every other detail of the story was beautifully detailed, and the characters were developed with care and complexity, the story did require me to set up a series of ‘reminders’ when I read, to see who the flashback related to, and then how it fit into the story. The frequent use was furthering the story, but for me, it was at the expense of enjoying the whole. Still, the story did have several unique takes on the more “usual” vampire stories, referenced lore that was different from others, and that difference is very refreshing. I am thinking / hoping that the author is planning another book to complete this story and tie up the loose ends. It is something I will be looking forward to reading.
June 10, 2013
Redlisted is about characters. That alone causes it to stand out in the genre of dark and urban fantasy - but let's back up for a moment. I don't believe that it's necessary or helpful to compare books to one another. A rating and review should be about the enjoyment one gets from reading something. Was it interesting? Did it compel you to keep reading and, at the end, leave you wanting more? Redlisted manages both of these feats. Does the book present characters who become real to you? Do they engender genuine emotions? The violations Kate experiences at the hands of her enemies are harrowing on a visceral level, and cause the reader to hurt for and with her. Her struggles and triumphs become a part of the reader's experience, long after finishing. I have found myself on several occasions wishing for her spirit of indomitably, her will to continue regardless of cost (and sometimes good judgement).
Full disclosure: I am married to the author of Redlisted. But if I had never met her then I would still consider Redlisted a privilege to read. The strength of the characters, the clarity of the prose, and the coherence and reality of the world all serve to create a story that is truly accomplished and, I firmly believe, will be thoroughly enjoyed by almost any reader.
I wholeheartedly encourage you to give Redlisted a try.
Full disclosure: I am married to the author of Redlisted. But if I had never met her then I would still consider Redlisted a privilege to read. The strength of the characters, the clarity of the prose, and the coherence and reality of the world all serve to create a story that is truly accomplished and, I firmly believe, will be thoroughly enjoyed by almost any reader.
I wholeheartedly encourage you to give Redlisted a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2012
I received this book from the Author for my honest review.
From the very first page, it is clear that it is not an ordinary vampire novel. The novel weaves through time, not with flashbacks, but by having the main character dream the memories of other characters. And while this may sound weird or even confusing, in the context of the novel it does work, It actually creates a first person narration but from several view points along time. This books is full of strange delusions or dreams. It has a puzzle of plot lines which you the reader are forced to decipher. I didn’t particularly like those aspects of the book, however the characters are all made strongly and we can feel the fear or the anger or the confusion of the characters. Not once during my reading of this book did I feel that the characters needed work. I found it strange that the main character Kate spent most of her time asleep. But because of everything going on you don’t get bored with the dream sequences as I’ll call them.
This story crosses into so many genre’s that I can say that anyone who likes Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Thriller or even Fantasy can have a nice read in this book. While I disliked some things about this book all in all it was a strong book with very strong character creation.
Good job!
From the very first page, it is clear that it is not an ordinary vampire novel. The novel weaves through time, not with flashbacks, but by having the main character dream the memories of other characters. And while this may sound weird or even confusing, in the context of the novel it does work, It actually creates a first person narration but from several view points along time. This books is full of strange delusions or dreams. It has a puzzle of plot lines which you the reader are forced to decipher. I didn’t particularly like those aspects of the book, however the characters are all made strongly and we can feel the fear or the anger or the confusion of the characters. Not once during my reading of this book did I feel that the characters needed work. I found it strange that the main character Kate spent most of her time asleep. But because of everything going on you don’t get bored with the dream sequences as I’ll call them.
This story crosses into so many genre’s that I can say that anyone who likes Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Thriller or even Fantasy can have a nice read in this book. While I disliked some things about this book all in all it was a strong book with very strong character creation.
Good job!
October 10, 2012
Redlisted was nothing like I thought it would be, it was so much better! I loved how the author provided many details of the story through various dreams/memories of the main characters. At times some parts of the dream sequences were a bit confusing but in the end everything came together nicely. One of my favorite aspects of this novel was the many different groups of Remnants (vampires) included, each having specific abilities. This story took me on an action-packed journey I will never forget. Sara Beaman keeps some of the classic traits of vampires we have grown to love while adding refreshing new abilities that will keep you craving more! Do NOT let the summary throw you off, give it a try I promise you will be blown away!
*In my opinion the summary provided from GoodReads seems far too harsh almost giving this book a war-like feel...scaring away a lot of potential readers!*
For my full review: http://icanonlybehele3.blogspot.com/2...
*In my opinion the summary provided from GoodReads seems far too harsh almost giving this book a war-like feel...scaring away a lot of potential readers!*
For my full review: http://icanonlybehele3.blogspot.com/2...
September 26, 2012
At first, Redlisted tok me a little while to get used to with all the dreams/memories going on from different perspectives, but eventually it starts to make sense the more you read. I don't want to give away details of the story like most people do. It seems to take the surprise factor away if you basically know what will happen. So I will say this... This was a completely different writing style that I have yet to come across, but it definately worked out. There were so many twists and plots that left you a bit puzzled. I absolutely loved it! I was so sad when it came to the end because it just seems to be the type of book that you can just keep reading on and on. It's captivating! You are always wondering what is going to happen next. Needless to say I can not wait to read the next one. Things are seriously about to get interesting! So if you guys are looking for a new interesting vamp type book, this is most definately one to read! :)
August 30, 2012
Wow! What can I say?
This book was awesome! It is very fast-paced, the storyline
is definitely unique, and it kept me guessing at each turn
of the page or twist of the plot!! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel that I'm sure will be coming in the future! LOL! :)
I also love the writing style of this author and look forward to reading more books by her!
This book was awesome! It is very fast-paced, the storyline
is definitely unique, and it kept me guessing at each turn
of the page or twist of the plot!! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel that I'm sure will be coming in the future! LOL! :)
I also love the writing style of this author and look forward to reading more books by her!
September 19, 2012
I Can Tell You I Loved This Book. There Is Nothing In This Book That I Have Ever Read Before In A Vampire Novel. You Time Travel From Memories It Is SO Awesome. I Really Recommend You To Read This Book. I Really Love It.
August 30, 2012
Awesome book! An entirely different look at the vampire!
September 18, 2012
Wow this book was really good. I was kinda confused at first but, then it all clicked in to place. If you enjoy a different kinda vampire book I would check this out!
September 19, 2012
This story is unique in it's own way. It's different from any other vampire book. They are flashbacks. I love Adam and Kate. I'm giving this 5 stars.
October 5, 2012
4 stars. Full review at twimom227.com on October 27, 2012.
August 7, 2012
If I were rating this only against other indie/self-pub'ed books it would definitely have gotten 5 stars.
Redlisted is a book that features strange delusions, dreams, forgotten memories, and mind control. It presents an engaging puzzle of plot lines and back stories that the reader gradually deciphers. The vampires in this book are neither depressingly Gothic nor sickeningly romanticized. They're both modern and timeless, and deal with contemporary problems while juggling ancient powers.
Best of all is that Redlisted features a sensible, tough, capable heroine. Though Kate often finds herself in dangerous, disorienting situations she never lets circumstances get the best of her. Though she suffers through some pretty gruesome trials, she never plays the victim.
The other main character, Adam, is also well-developed. It is such a joy to read a book with ancient magics and blood-sucking revenants and have none of the characters feel flat or trite.
An interesting feature of the book is that though most information is revealed through dreams and visions and communion between minds, and the main character seems to spend an awful lot of time asleep, the action never flags. The blood-magic revelations are fascinating vignettes themselves, so the reader never gets bored eavesdropping on characters' dreams, and they always serve to advance the plot.
A great, great read for an inexpensive e-book. High-quality editing and formating make this feel more like a mass-produced paperback than an indie title. Looking forward to sequels!
Redlisted is a book that features strange delusions, dreams, forgotten memories, and mind control. It presents an engaging puzzle of plot lines and back stories that the reader gradually deciphers. The vampires in this book are neither depressingly Gothic nor sickeningly romanticized. They're both modern and timeless, and deal with contemporary problems while juggling ancient powers.
Best of all is that Redlisted features a sensible, tough, capable heroine. Though Kate often finds herself in dangerous, disorienting situations she never lets circumstances get the best of her. Though she suffers through some pretty gruesome trials, she never plays the victim.
The other main character, Adam, is also well-developed. It is such a joy to read a book with ancient magics and blood-sucking revenants and have none of the characters feel flat or trite.
An interesting feature of the book is that though most information is revealed through dreams and visions and communion between minds, and the main character seems to spend an awful lot of time asleep, the action never flags. The blood-magic revelations are fascinating vignettes themselves, so the reader never gets bored eavesdropping on characters' dreams, and they always serve to advance the plot.
A great, great read for an inexpensive e-book. High-quality editing and formating make this feel more like a mass-produced paperback than an indie title. Looking forward to sequels!
November 8, 2012
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your face was changed to look like exactly someone else? What about your voice and your eye color? What if your memories were stripped away and replaced with the person’s face you replicated? What if your dreams weren’t your own but showed you another person’s life? What if vampires were the ones behind the control of memories and dreams?
That’s the basic premise behind the plot of Redlisted.
Sounds really interesting, right? Sounds like a crazy concept unique enough to work, right?
Well there were definitely great aspects to the book, not everything in Redlisted executed the concept and plot as good as the author was hoping for.
Let’s begin with the how the book is broken down. Each chapter is narrated by the leading characters, Kate and Adam. There is one chapter narrated by Julian, who is Adam’s vampiric creator so to speak and one chapter narrated by Mnemosyne, Julian’s mother and extremely powerful Revenant.
I do enjoy first person narration and I do enjoy chapters switching between different character points of view. The problem in Redlisted was with how the author chose to showcase the narration through the characters. The book begins with a no name character narrating and the reader does not find out the ‘Anonymous’ character is Kate until 100 pages in which was extremely frustrating since everything that happens prior to that point in the book makes little sense. What made the confusion even worse was the fact that the ‘Anonymous’ chapters were not Kate’s memories but Adam’s memories. She would dream of him and tell his story. The narration was broken down not only in first person but also in secondary person within the same chapter then flipped back and forth from present tense to past tense. It took a while for my mind to be able to wrap around the narration and truth be told, I don’t think I was ever really able to. As a reader that made enjoying the read difficult because I was constantly distracted by attempting to understand who was speaking, what was happening, and why it was necessary to care.
Kate, who is the supposed heroine of the tale, is rather useless throughout most of the book. She finally commits an act worthy of mention toward the end and only manages to do so with help. Her character spent the majority of the novel whinny, dreaming about Adam thus revealing his story, and blacking out. I almost gave up reading on the book from how many times I had to read Kate having another black out spell. She didn’t present any real use to the book other than to serve as the conduit for Adam’s story to be told and sole survivor of Mirabel’s evil plan. She had no real personality and she was rather boring to read.
Adam, the second main character and hero of the tale, was a far more appealing read. He is a man who is broken in heart and soul. He is angry, bitter, and resentful but underneath his anguish to understand his role behind the plans of the Revenants is a man desperately seeking out hope and forgiveness. Maybe even redemption. He still manages to hang onto his humanity, to kindness. His character was relatable and real. I enjoyed learning about Adam’s story, his struggles to expect what he had lost and what he became against his will, and how he was attempting to find a way to move past it.
Julian was another character I liked. He is a powerful leader in the Revenant community with a regal yet dark tone to his persona. He is wise and can show compassion but he is also ruthless and possessive. I liked being able to be shown his war between remaining in the light and giving in to the dark. I wouldn’t mind reading a novella created just for his character.
There are also a few secondary characters that come into play. Aya, a vampire who serves Julian, and Haruko, who is a Warden. Aya’s character felt as if she was created to fill a gap in the plot and not a very good one. Her personality is robotic and slightly manic depressive. She doesn’t really have much of a personality and I didn’t see any real use for her. Haruko, on the other hand, was a pretty kick-butt character. I wouldn’t want to be caught alone with her anywhere! She’s quick on her feet and even faster with her hands. She’s also got a crude mouth to back her up. I also liked the powers she has a Warden—she can find other revenants and keeps them in check.
The world building was difficult to decipher because of how confusing the execution was of the story was. There are some aspects I enjoyed, like the way Julian’s house was set up like a maze and constantly changing. I also liked the old world when Julian’s story is told. The pacing is incredibly choppy because again, the chapters were told from both first and second person, from past to present to past again so as a reader, I couldn’t get my bearings straight. The suspense managed to somehow stay taunt and intense despite the lack of organization to execution. There was a decent amount of action, the most coming toward the end which was dark and pretty terrifying since it involved a big battle with ghouls.
Redlisted is a book that had a refreshing take on the world of vampires and humans. The idea of a person being made into a doppelgänger through plastic surgery instead of born to look like one and the idea of a vampiric race holding all the cards to humanity’s salvation, are wonderfully clever concepts. But dear lord, could the author PLEASE execute the concepts better in the sequel?!
I have decided that I will read the next installment in Beaman’s series because I am curious to know what will happen with the characters, with the secretive character who helped Adam but has yet to reveal herself, with the cliffhanger ending. Also, because Redlisted is a book that stays with you after you’ve finished reading it. Even though pissed off from the lack of sense in the plot and not fully comprehending just what the hell actually happened in the story, it’s a book that makes you question the choices you make in life, the choices you make with who you trust, and the choices you make when death may just be another journey into a different way of living—one you don’t willingly get to sign up for.
I look forward to seeing how Beaman grows as an author and how she grows in morphing this series. I do recommend she start organizing her ideas, characters, and storyline far better than she did with her debut. I also recommend studying writing first person narration a bit more so the pesky “I” doesn’t overtake the cadence of the sentence structure.
But with Redlisted, Beaman shows great promise.
http://www.nerdalien.com/2012/09/book...
That’s the basic premise behind the plot of Redlisted.
Sounds really interesting, right? Sounds like a crazy concept unique enough to work, right?
Well there were definitely great aspects to the book, not everything in Redlisted executed the concept and plot as good as the author was hoping for.
Let’s begin with the how the book is broken down. Each chapter is narrated by the leading characters, Kate and Adam. There is one chapter narrated by Julian, who is Adam’s vampiric creator so to speak and one chapter narrated by Mnemosyne, Julian’s mother and extremely powerful Revenant.
I do enjoy first person narration and I do enjoy chapters switching between different character points of view. The problem in Redlisted was with how the author chose to showcase the narration through the characters. The book begins with a no name character narrating and the reader does not find out the ‘Anonymous’ character is Kate until 100 pages in which was extremely frustrating since everything that happens prior to that point in the book makes little sense. What made the confusion even worse was the fact that the ‘Anonymous’ chapters were not Kate’s memories but Adam’s memories. She would dream of him and tell his story. The narration was broken down not only in first person but also in secondary person within the same chapter then flipped back and forth from present tense to past tense. It took a while for my mind to be able to wrap around the narration and truth be told, I don’t think I was ever really able to. As a reader that made enjoying the read difficult because I was constantly distracted by attempting to understand who was speaking, what was happening, and why it was necessary to care.
Kate, who is the supposed heroine of the tale, is rather useless throughout most of the book. She finally commits an act worthy of mention toward the end and only manages to do so with help. Her character spent the majority of the novel whinny, dreaming about Adam thus revealing his story, and blacking out. I almost gave up reading on the book from how many times I had to read Kate having another black out spell. She didn’t present any real use to the book other than to serve as the conduit for Adam’s story to be told and sole survivor of Mirabel’s evil plan. She had no real personality and she was rather boring to read.
Adam, the second main character and hero of the tale, was a far more appealing read. He is a man who is broken in heart and soul. He is angry, bitter, and resentful but underneath his anguish to understand his role behind the plans of the Revenants is a man desperately seeking out hope and forgiveness. Maybe even redemption. He still manages to hang onto his humanity, to kindness. His character was relatable and real. I enjoyed learning about Adam’s story, his struggles to expect what he had lost and what he became against his will, and how he was attempting to find a way to move past it.
Julian was another character I liked. He is a powerful leader in the Revenant community with a regal yet dark tone to his persona. He is wise and can show compassion but he is also ruthless and possessive. I liked being able to be shown his war between remaining in the light and giving in to the dark. I wouldn’t mind reading a novella created just for his character.
There are also a few secondary characters that come into play. Aya, a vampire who serves Julian, and Haruko, who is a Warden. Aya’s character felt as if she was created to fill a gap in the plot and not a very good one. Her personality is robotic and slightly manic depressive. She doesn’t really have much of a personality and I didn’t see any real use for her. Haruko, on the other hand, was a pretty kick-butt character. I wouldn’t want to be caught alone with her anywhere! She’s quick on her feet and even faster with her hands. She’s also got a crude mouth to back her up. I also liked the powers she has a Warden—she can find other revenants and keeps them in check.
The world building was difficult to decipher because of how confusing the execution was of the story was. There are some aspects I enjoyed, like the way Julian’s house was set up like a maze and constantly changing. I also liked the old world when Julian’s story is told. The pacing is incredibly choppy because again, the chapters were told from both first and second person, from past to present to past again so as a reader, I couldn’t get my bearings straight. The suspense managed to somehow stay taunt and intense despite the lack of organization to execution. There was a decent amount of action, the most coming toward the end which was dark and pretty terrifying since it involved a big battle with ghouls.
Redlisted is a book that had a refreshing take on the world of vampires and humans. The idea of a person being made into a doppelgänger through plastic surgery instead of born to look like one and the idea of a vampiric race holding all the cards to humanity’s salvation, are wonderfully clever concepts. But dear lord, could the author PLEASE execute the concepts better in the sequel?!
I have decided that I will read the next installment in Beaman’s series because I am curious to know what will happen with the characters, with the secretive character who helped Adam but has yet to reveal herself, with the cliffhanger ending. Also, because Redlisted is a book that stays with you after you’ve finished reading it. Even though pissed off from the lack of sense in the plot and not fully comprehending just what the hell actually happened in the story, it’s a book that makes you question the choices you make in life, the choices you make with who you trust, and the choices you make when death may just be another journey into a different way of living—one you don’t willingly get to sign up for.
I look forward to seeing how Beaman grows as an author and how she grows in morphing this series. I do recommend she start organizing her ideas, characters, and storyline far better than she did with her debut. I also recommend studying writing first person narration a bit more so the pesky “I” doesn’t overtake the cadence of the sentence structure.
But with Redlisted, Beaman shows great promise.
http://www.nerdalien.com/2012/09/book...
August 28, 2012
I picked this novel up because I saw a blog written by the author on how to be a good belly dance student. :-) It intrigued me to get a chance to read a fantasy novel by a fellow dancer.
First -- it took me a very long time to get interested enough in the storyline to spend more than a few minutes at a time reading. Believe me, I'm well known for staying up for hours on end, taking only food and bathroom breaks, to read a book that thoroughly grabs my interest.
So why couldn't I connect with this storyline or the characters that peopled it? I'm not sure. It wasn't because there weren't well-defined and likable characters -- there were. It wasn't because there wasn't enough description -- the world Beaman created was thoroughly described in full. It wasn't because there wasn't conflict -- although maybe there was a bit too much conflict? It wasn't because there wasn't action, as the action never really stops. So why oh why can't I give more than an "eh, it's okay" to this novel I wanted so much to like?
I really think it's because of the way the author decided to organize the story. Based on the lead characters ability to access the memories, even the forgotten memories, of others, the story is basically told in a series of second or third person flashbacks. One chapter in the present, one chapter in the far past, another in the recent past, another back in the present. And the characters -- who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? Besides that main character, I never did figure that out. In fact, I sat punching the right side of my Kindle screen for a couple of minutes after I finished the novel, just sure there was more, because as far as I'm concerned, this book didn't end -- it just stopped. Again, I'm sure the author means it to be the first in the series, but I have to say that I won't be reading any more of them. It was too much work to follow who was doing what to whom and when were they doing it. It was too much trouble trying to figure out where and what time period the characters were in and what the final goal was (never did figure that one out). I love a mystery, but I want to know the solution at the end.
So, I can't recommend this book. I've read over 25 books this summer -- most of them series form, as I love a good mystery series. I've read mystery, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi -- because I love them all. I plan to read at least 6 more before the summer ends at the autumnal equinox. This one was just not my cup of tea.
First -- it took me a very long time to get interested enough in the storyline to spend more than a few minutes at a time reading. Believe me, I'm well known for staying up for hours on end, taking only food and bathroom breaks, to read a book that thoroughly grabs my interest.
So why couldn't I connect with this storyline or the characters that peopled it? I'm not sure. It wasn't because there weren't well-defined and likable characters -- there were. It wasn't because there wasn't enough description -- the world Beaman created was thoroughly described in full. It wasn't because there wasn't conflict -- although maybe there was a bit too much conflict? It wasn't because there wasn't action, as the action never really stops. So why oh why can't I give more than an "eh, it's okay" to this novel I wanted so much to like?
I really think it's because of the way the author decided to organize the story. Based on the lead characters ability to access the memories, even the forgotten memories, of others, the story is basically told in a series of second or third person flashbacks. One chapter in the present, one chapter in the far past, another in the recent past, another back in the present. And the characters -- who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? Besides that main character, I never did figure that out. In fact, I sat punching the right side of my Kindle screen for a couple of minutes after I finished the novel, just sure there was more, because as far as I'm concerned, this book didn't end -- it just stopped. Again, I'm sure the author means it to be the first in the series, but I have to say that I won't be reading any more of them. It was too much work to follow who was doing what to whom and when were they doing it. It was too much trouble trying to figure out where and what time period the characters were in and what the final goal was (never did figure that one out). I love a mystery, but I want to know the solution at the end.
So, I can't recommend this book. I've read over 25 books this summer -- most of them series form, as I love a good mystery series. I've read mystery, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi -- because I love them all. I plan to read at least 6 more before the summer ends at the autumnal equinox. This one was just not my cup of tea.
October 28, 2012
Reviewed by Kristi on My keeper shelf
Hello Sara Beaman! My first order of business is to say "thank you"! I will admit, I love a paranormal novel especially when vampires are involved, I've read a wide variety from YA to adult vampire novels however, Redlisted takes it all the way for me!!!
This book is one to read slowly and savor every moment. Once I started reading Redlisted, I wanted to devour it quickly. However, I forced myself to slow down and take it all in. This vampire world is so unique and not like anything I've ever read before.
There are many dream sequences and memories that takes place between the main characters Adam and Kate. The vampires in Redlisted are known as Remnants. The Remnants have many different groups and possess their own unique traits. Some of these vampires scared me to death! That of course made me love the book even more.
Redlisted is a great mystery. It is told in third-person, so from time to time I would get myself confused about the specific memories/dreams. There were points whilst reading that I thought I had things all figured out however, it wasn't until the very end that all the pieces fell into place (and no I didn't have things figured out correctly if you must know!) The two main characters Kate and Adam are so intense, I seriously can't dive into their characters too much or I will ruin many surprises and the great mystery surrounding Redlisted.
So what does it mean to be Redlisted? I'm not going to tell you! Go read this book now!!! Seriously it's a perfect October read.
Hello Sara Beaman! My first order of business is to say "thank you"! I will admit, I love a paranormal novel especially when vampires are involved, I've read a wide variety from YA to adult vampire novels however, Redlisted takes it all the way for me!!!
This book is one to read slowly and savor every moment. Once I started reading Redlisted, I wanted to devour it quickly. However, I forced myself to slow down and take it all in. This vampire world is so unique and not like anything I've ever read before.
There are many dream sequences and memories that takes place between the main characters Adam and Kate. The vampires in Redlisted are known as Remnants. The Remnants have many different groups and possess their own unique traits. Some of these vampires scared me to death! That of course made me love the book even more.
Redlisted is a great mystery. It is told in third-person, so from time to time I would get myself confused about the specific memories/dreams. There were points whilst reading that I thought I had things all figured out however, it wasn't until the very end that all the pieces fell into place (and no I didn't have things figured out correctly if you must know!) The two main characters Kate and Adam are so intense, I seriously can't dive into their characters too much or I will ruin many surprises and the great mystery surrounding Redlisted.
So what does it mean to be Redlisted? I'm not going to tell you! Go read this book now!!! Seriously it's a perfect October read.
May 14, 2016
Loved the style of the writing, including the alternating POV and alternating present/past tenses.
Loved the way the story is unfolded.
Love the world-building and "lore" of the story.
Enjoyed the different take on vampires; I'm very fond of the different types of vampire lore.
There were a handful of typos, most of which were at the end of the book. Nothing major; usually a missing word (pronouns especially) that slightly distracts from the story.
My biggest problem, which had me contemplating a three-star review instead, is that the story doesn't fully stand on its own. There's too much left unresolved at the end, in my opinion. The reason I decided on four stars is because, ultimately, the protagonist did get the answers she wanted.
Bottom line: I would definitely continue reading the series, but I do feel slightly cheated out of a more thorough climax and ending.
Loved the way the story is unfolded.
Love the world-building and "lore" of the story.
Enjoyed the different take on vampires; I'm very fond of the different types of vampire lore.
There were a handful of typos, most of which were at the end of the book. Nothing major; usually a missing word (pronouns especially) that slightly distracts from the story.
My biggest problem, which had me contemplating a three-star review instead, is that the story doesn't fully stand on its own. There's too much left unresolved at the end, in my opinion. The reason I decided on four stars is because, ultimately, the protagonist did get the answers she wanted.
Bottom line: I would definitely continue reading the series, but I do feel slightly cheated out of a more thorough climax and ending.
October 27, 2012
Well written. The style of relating the back story through flashbacks (dreams) kept my interest up, and kept me questioning the reasons behind the "current" state of affairs. I still have many questions, and hope that there will be a sequel available.
January 9, 2013
Review to come.
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January 5, 2013Do to my review policy, this book will have no rating or review. This does not mean this book was bad or good. If you want my opinion on this book, feel free to message me.
June 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, although I have to admit that I'm biased since I know the author. If you like modern fantasy/paranormal books, then I recommend this interesting take on vampire mythos.
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