All Seeing Eye by Rob Thurman

8/10

Picking up a small, pink shoe from the grass forever changed young Jackson Lee’s life. Not only did its presence mean that his sister Tessa was dead – murdered and stuffed in the deep, black water of a narrow well but the shoe itself told him so.

Tessa’s death triggers an even more horrific family massacre, that combined with this new talent he neither wants nor can handle, throws Jack’s life into a tailspin. The years quickly take him from state homes to the streets to grifting in a seedy carnival, until he finally becomes the cynical All Seeing Eye, psychic-for-hire. At last, Jackson has left his troubled past behind and found a semblance of peace.

That is, until the government blackmails him. After Jackson is forced to help the military contain the aftermath of a bizarre experiment gone violently wrong, everything he knows about himself will change just as suddenly as it did with his little sister’s shoe.

I have tried not to spoil anything, because after reading this book you guys would be seriously offended if I took the surprises out of it.

All Seeing Eye is more of a mystery thriller than that it is of the fantasy genre, but if you liked Thurman’s previous works your certainly going to love this one.

The All Seeing Eye mainly is about Jack. Jack grew up as the average white punk from the bottom ring of American society. White trash as he himself describes it. However, instead of fulfilling his dream of providing his dirt-poor mother and two sisters a happier and wealthier existence he finds out he has psychic abilities after picking up a little pink shoe.

This shoe, belonging to one of his little sisters, ensures the beginning of a harsh life by showing him his drowning sister in the nearby well. This story has a lot in it and it is a fast paced easy read, however not an obvious nor an easy one. There is enough action to keep even the shortest attention span in a concentration frenzy, but it has its scientific moments and emotional times as well. Next to that the unpredictable, disturbing events give it a razor sharp edge.

Next to that, the brilliant dynamics between the main characters are not only quite realistic but highly enjoyable as well and the plot doesn't let go any surprises until they hit you straight in the face.

I liked this book because of its fast pace and gritty realism. The world isn't a great place, an ‘all-good’ character wouldn't fit in. Thurman’s characters either struggle to be the best they can be or they don’t try at all. Even though none of her characters are one-dimensional and this gives an odd contrast to my previous statement. It is true, they are typical characters but they sometimes evolve just like real-live people do.

The only thing that did raise a little point of criticism in my opinion is that Jackson could be Cal's long lost twin. However, that point of criticism swiftly fades as Jackson becomes more solid and when you've reached that moment you’ll be captured. So be warned, you’ll be unable to put this book down when you've started reading it. It will probably even compel you to run to the nearest bookstore and demand every other thing she’s written before.