The Blind Mirror

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Engaging
Review: I bought this novel late Friday night and was unable to put it down until Saturday morning when I finally finished it. While "The Blind Mirror" is not Pike's finest, it is certainly a fantastic story. The story was pure Pike. Regardless of complaints that the speech was stilted and used correct grammar (i.e. cannot and do not instead of can't and don't). Those who have truly read Pike's books will know that the characters only use speech of that nature when something of significance is revealed. In past books it has been the fact that the characters were not human at all. I had been waiting for a Pike book for years. This was a release that I welcomed and was dying to purchase and I was not disappointed. The story was delightfully twisted with Pike's characteristic surprises. The characters (especially David) were very real and very much filled out. I got a sense of exactly who the characters were (as well as who they were supposed to be) when reading. I loved the ending. Pike is not know for the traditional and popular happy endings. And this is an ending that broke all the rules that most fiction novelists follow. I personally believe that this book was worth the price, no matter which edition you purchased.

Rating:
Summary: Issues much?
Review: I have been reading Pike since I was a teenager and have always been fascinated by his style and creativity; however, it seems almost all of his novels involve a soul-sucking, life-draining woman at the center, and The Blind Mirror is no different. Overall, I enjoyed the novel, but it seems as if Mr. Pike has serious issues about women.

Rating:
Summary: thoroughly enjoyed this book
Review: i have read all of pike's books and have been a fan for over 10 years now, and i thought this was a great read. not as good as "the season of passage", which i think is his best, but still great. the dark tone of the book gave it a really creepy feel, and even though some fans were disappointed in the "convoluted" plot, i loved it. i have now read the book several times. i think some fans may not have been impressed with it because maybe it was not what they were expecting. can't wait for his next book!

Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Review: I have read every book Mr.Pike has ever written (including his Spooksville books for kids)and this is not his best.
I admit that the story itself is engaging, the mystery intriguing, but the dialogue is just awful! The way people talk in this novel is wholly unbelievable, stunted and too formal in many cases. i.e. the characters say "I can not" Instead of "I can't" Or "There is not" rather than "There isn't"
It reminded me of the way a robot might speak, not the way real people talk.
I gave it 4 stars because once I got over the robot like speach, it was a an entertaining read.


Rating:
Summary: Classic Pike
Review: I have read many reviews of this book, many of which were by fans of Pike on this site. Many of these reviews find fault in the "Blind Mirror" because it does not necessarily show a move forward in Pike's talents as an author. While this may very well be true, it was the fact that this novel was such classic Pike that had me turning the pages.

I've read all of Pike's books, and I have constantly been engaged and entertained by him. Pike has a way of weaving a tale that is both intriguing and surprising. Reaching the end of a Pike novel is always an exciting moment, as almost anything can happen and nine times out of ten the reader has not seen it coming. A master at twisting his plots to keep his readers hooked, Pike consistently writes exhilarating page turners. Many times novels classified as "mysteries" or "horror" have endings that are less then satisfying because the reader has remained one step ahead of the author, thus guessing the outcome before it is revealed. Rarely does this happen with Pike.

"The Blind Mirror" is no different. Yes, the prose is at times juvenile and the twists often come out of nowhere, but the overall effect is one I have come to expect from Pike, and I for one was not disappointed to find that he has stuck with what he does best - write exciting, spine-tingling, fun novels with plenty of outlandish twists and turns. As we follow our hero (or is he?) in his quest for the truth, we find that the truth is never what it seems to be and often not even what we think it might be. The ride is wild, fun, and often frivolous, and I would have it no other way. Always enjoyable, always entertaining, neither Pike nor "The Blind Mirror" disappoints.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Pike
Review: I have read many reviews of this book, many of which were by fans of Pike on this site. Many of these reviews find fault in the "Blind Mirror" because it does not necessarily show a move forward in Pike's talents as an author. While this may very well be true, it was the fact that this novel was such classic Pike that had me turning the pages.

I've read all of Pike's books, and I have constantly been engaged and entertained by him. Pike has a way of weaving a tale that is both intriguing and surprising. Reaching the end of a Pike novel is always an exciting moment, as almost anything can happen and nine times out of ten the reader has not seen it coming. A master at twisting his plots to keep his readers hooked, Pike consistently writes exhilarating page turners. Many times novels classified as "mysteries" or "horror" have endings that are less then satisfying because the reader has remained one step ahead of the author, thus guessing the outcome before it is revealed. Rarely does this happen with Pike.

"The Blind Mirror" is no different. Yes, the prose is at times juvenile and the twists often come out of nowhere, but the overall effect is one I have come to expect from Pike, and I for one was not disappointed to find that he has stuck with what he does best - write exciting, spine-tingling, fun novels with plenty of outlandish twists and turns. As we follow our hero (or is he?) in his quest for the truth, we find that the truth is never what it seems to be and often not even what we think it might be. The ride is wild, fun, and often frivolous, and I would have it no other way. Always enjoyable, always entertaining, neither Pike nor "The Blind Mirror" disappoints.

Rating:
Summary: i miss his older stuff
Review: i have reread all of christopher pike's books. i started reading them when i was 14 amd i'm 21 now. i don't know if i'll read this one again, maybe out of boredom, but i wasn't as excited or impressed. it was a good read though. it just dosen't get you as hooked as some of his other books.

Rating:
Summary: twists and turns galore..
Review: I have to say.. being obsessed with pike from as early as I can remember (I am 28 yrs old now), I was ecstatic to see that he started writing for adult readers. I am now reading 'season of passage'! I thought I read ALL of his YA books.. His books still leave a lasting impression on me to this day. I picked up blind mirror and read it in 3 days. I enjoyed it very much, however the plot twists drove me a bit batty. I was so frazzled I actually skipped to the last two chapters to find out what happens. Yes, I know I cheated but the plot twists were NEVER ENDING! skipping to the end and going back actually may help you understand character motives. In this book I actually thought skipping ahead did me some justice.. categorically it actually didn't ruin the story for me. As you read this book you will see that the story gets more and more frustrating.. in a good way.. but also in a bad one. How do I mean? well, I think pike left some serious ends untied. He opened too many doors but didn't see the justice in closing them as the story progressed. When you meet some of his characters in the book, you will understand. I kept asking myself "what happened to them?! what made them do this?! how much did they know about the truth behind their actions!?".. some characters (such as the reverand, sierra's mom, dad and julie could have easily had 3 chapters each dedicated to exploring their characters). The ending left me wondering and saddened.. and with many questions.. I just hope pike makes a sequel to clear up my thoughts!

Rating:
Summary: The Grave
Review: I live in Australia and i have not seen any new books for Pike in a long time, i love his books. They are excellent, they really take the imagination on a ride. I am sure The Grave is as great as the others. He is the best

Rating:
Summary: A confusing, but engaging read
Review: I too have long been a fan of Pike, particularly in high school when I devoured every book of his I could find. I agree that Pike has not made a smooth transition into "adult" fiction. The simplicity he often displays in his writing is deceptive. Younger fans will be extremely confused by the never-ending plot turns and twists, especially near the end of the book. Pike's young adult books have always dealt with taboo subjects, and this book elaborates on many of his re-occuring themes, plus a sprinkling of profanity and several sexual references.
For me, all the elements were there until a little over half way through the book. It was then that I became increasingly agitated and and confused by all the little 'sub-plots.' One thing that I have never really enjoyed about Pike's work is his insistence on having a dual story line told or made up by the characters in the book that metaphorically relates to the situation they are living in. Frankly, in this book the dual story was a waste of time. Too many secondary characters also drags it down in the second half. Because it was Pike I was reading, and I enjoy his direct style of writing, I read it fervently until the end, when I put it down, feeling disappointed and lost. I felt that "The Cold One," dealt with similar themes much better than this book.