LitPick Review
Katherine Jones as a runner was a prodigy, excelling in the skill in high school. She had hoped to pursue it in college if not for the fatal turn of fate that severed her dreams from ever becoming reality. Now she is running from her past in Texas, finding solace in her hometown of Lithia. There she is welcomed by the warm hearts of the small community, finding a kindness she had long forgotten the world had. But there is a looming darkness over the town, its secrets concealed behind the curtain of forest that frames the tranquil town. As her life takes another tragic turn she finds herself drawn to Roman, a mysterious actor in one of the local theaters, his enigmatic persona making it impossible to resist, and Alex, a buoyant native who she can't help but be drawn to either. Neither of the two men are lacking in their own secrets. As she begins to reveal the controversy surrounding the town she finds herself confronting her own demons, not to mention the coming championship race that will decide whether she really can escape her past or if it will beat her in the end.
Opinion:
Out of Breath, written by Blair Richmond, is a modest novel written in the first person through the eyes of a steadfast heroine who must face challenging obstacles along the way. The story is as fast paced as the runner protagonist herself, constantly drawing the reader through twists and turns. The novel overall is structured for a reader entering the realm of paranormal fiction for the first time. The plot follows those of similar supernatural fantasies but at the same time it defines itself through certain original aspects embedded in the story. The book fell short on suspense, building me up for the big punch and then abandoning me in a distasteful state of constant anticipation, while transitioning to another topic all together. I found the phraseology and word choice to be too simplistic for my taste and somewhat lacking in execution. Nevertheless, if a sequel were to be written I would read it, merely to find out what will happen to the compelling Katherine Jones. Richmond has accomplished composing a novel, which serves as a fun, easy summer read.
