LitPick Review
Perceived Unfair Advantage by David Rountree follows the story of Charlie Blondell, a fresh college graduate who is known for his quirk of intense concentration and daydreaming, and his childhood sweetheart, Karen. One day, Charlie decides to try his hand on his father’s video poker machine. To his surprise, he discovers that he has a psychic power that can influence the draw of the cards in the game. Taking advantage of this newfound ability, Charlie and Karen embark on a gambling adventure of risk and reward, taking them from their local casino to the high-stakes thrills of the Las Vegas Strip. As others catch notice of his unusual ability, Charlie finds that trouble may be coming his way. How much will Charlie wager to risk to see his journey through to its end?
Opinion:
David Rountree utilizes syntax and a casual writing style in a manner that encourages the reader to continue through the story and look forward to the next chapter. He begins the novel with a preface that highlights the main action of the story, acting as a hook and excellent foreshadowing technique. By reading this preface, it quickly allows the reader to gauge whether they will enjoy the content of the book or decide to pick a different read. Rountree uses some advanced vocabulary suitable for a high school audience. The theme of gambling persists throughout the novel, and there are also sporadic expletives and references to drinking alcohol, making the novel appropriate for audiences in their teens or above. As this novel goes in-depth into a particular style of gambling, there is some technical gambling jargon that may initially confuse non-enthusiasts, but it becomes easier to follow in later chapters. The ending is abrupt yet fitting for the concept the author tries to convey. It leaves the reader wanting more, a large compliment to Rountree’s writing ability. Perceived Unfair Advantage is an interesting read containing themes of adventure and the supernatural that could easily become a series of books intended for a teenage audience.