Review: Sharp by Alex Hughes

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Publisher: Roc

Mindspace Investigations #2

ISBN: 978-0451465047

HISTORY HAS A WAY OF REPEATING ITSELF, EVEN FOR TELEPATHS.…

     Gikany and Una are so excited about this new-to-us series.  In order to start off on the right foot, we started with the first book, Clean in this Mindspace Investigations series.  Do yourself a favor and read the first book – it’s awesome!  It is also the best introduction into Sharp – a truly gritty and gripping novel.

     This series is told from the first person perspective of the Telepath.  He is disavowed from the Guild (the group that trains and controls those with Ability) and barely holding on to a clean existence as it is.  If it wasn’t for Cherabino, Bellury, and Swartz, we feel he would dive into the abyss until he winked out of Mindspace forever.

     Gikany and Una cannot stress what a fascinating world that Ms. Hughes has created.  We are riveted by this futurestic view of our world.  The past Tech Wars which has caused a reversal in the use of technology, the pollution, the seemingly precious real resources left (like fresh produce and meat) and the abundance of those with Ability.  This world is gritty and seen through the eyes of our recovering addict – who stays alive and sober by true grit and gumption.  Not to mention – his safety net of those cops and his sponsor who know what he will be capable of if he can just keep on the straight and narrow.

     What truly rounds out the Sharp is the continuing pressure, guidance and opportunities that the police force give our Telepath.  Paulson (his boss) seems to want to see him succeed – she must have something for hardluck/impossible cases and our Telepath could be the poster boy.  However the interactions between him and Kara – his ex-fiance, Cherabino – his sometimes partner and certain crush, Swartz – the stubborn sponsor, and Bellury – the aloof but supporting babysitter, they all combine to make his own true but complicated family.  The great contrast seen between Clean and Sharp is the self-sacrificing our Telepath makes this time.  He sees how precarious and precious his life is and wants to keep his job, his family and not lose everything to the addiction his body and mind still crave.  It is difficult to not root for this underdog – to hope something comes from his tentative and rocky relationship with Cherabino.  We are also fascinated to know there are other Guilds and would like to know more.  This is a fresh and intriguing world that we cannot wait to visit again.

     We apologize for this review being a little vague.  There are nuances in the first book that really stuck a chord with Gikany and Una.  These nuances are so subtle and genius we would hate to spoil you.  Since we just discovered this series, we hope there are others reading this review that will be intrigued and pick it up.  We found the unveiling of the story very well done.  Therefore in order to have the full impact of Sharp, please read Clean.   We eagerly look forward to what adventures and cases await in the Mindspace Investigations.