In many cultures and folklore around the world, the woman without sight is often portrayed as a cursed being. This curse, which strips her of her ability to see the world around her, is seen as a punishment for her supposed wrongdoings or sins. The underlying message behind this curse is that without sight, she is unable to fully experience life or make meaningful connections with others. She becomes isolated, vulnerable, and dependent on others for her survival. The curse of the woman without sight is often associated with dark magic or supernatural forces. In some stories, it is believed that she was born under a bad omen or that she angered the gods, leading to her blindness.
I suppose some authors do spend a lot of time reading. It’s just that since I began writing novels my reading patterns have changed. My confession is that I used to read more fantasy for fun.
My style When I began writing, I decided two things, I wanted to find my own style not just steal someone else s way of doing things, and I wanted to learn the ropes from authors that knew more than me. My style When I began writing, I decided two things, I wanted to find my own style not just steal someone else s way of doing things, and I wanted to learn the ropes from authors that knew more than me.
In some stories, it is believed that she was born under a bad omen or that she angered the gods, leading to her blindness. Others suggest that her lack of sight is a result of a specific event or action, such as looking directly at the sun or witnessing a forbidden act. Regardless of the cause, the curse is seen as a mark of shame and a sign of her unworthiness.
Review: The Art of War (First Contact)
I chuckled with excitement several times during the read, and that's always a good sign that I'm invested in the plot and the fate of the characters. There were some utterly brilliant scenes here and there, but I'll refrain from going into details and try to keep this review mostly spoiler-free.
The story is solid and visual, and I found myself thinking on several occasions how easy it would be to turn this into a movie or streaming series.
If it helps, you can think of this book as a modern and much more realistic version of the Independence Day movie. Or at least they share the theme and setting (war and first contact) and we encounter military personnel as characters. Less so in the sense that this is an action blockbuster script…or well, give it to Peter Jackson, and just watch! Don’t get me wrong, though, there’s action in this book, too. It’s just that what drives most of the story is the day-to-day lives of the main characters in a time of extraordinary events shaping their lives and the world. It’s a story about people…and about the art of war.
Overall, it’s a well-written story. Enjoyable and engaging. And unless you specifically do not like sci-fi books about people in the military and/or astronauts, I think you’ll enjoy reading it.
If you'd like to know more about the SPSFC competition and my role as a judge watch this video.
A broader perspective
If you love to read books about Americans, then several of the main characters are Americans, and parts take place on US soil. But likely due to the author being an Australian, born in New Zealand, the characters have a broad view of the world. It was refreshing to see important parts of the book take place in Asia and Europe and to get realistic descriptions of life and people in these places, like mentioning the noise level found in the big cities of India. Still, to this day, the sheer power of the street noises combined with especially the multitude of cars constantly honking their horns was a unique experience for me. and sure made it very difficult to sleep at night.
I think the world could use more sci-fi that's not afraid of showing the reader that the world is quite large and that people in other countries have much value, too. Not to mention different perspectives that might one day help us fight a war against a superior enemy. like hostile aliens.
My reasons for choosing this book to judge
I was lucky that I was given a say in which books I got to judge (thanks, Matt!) When I picked this book as one of mine, I did so because I like military sci-fi and aliens (and I was provoked by the title!)
“It better be good!”
I guess some will think it is in poor taste to re-use the title of a famous and ancient book (you’re allowed to do this legally, though.) At least, I remember thinking something like, “This book better be really good, or I'll give the author a hard time!”
I read the ancient work of military philosophy, The Art of War by Sun Tzu long ago (he’s the “statue guy” on the cover of Peter Cawdron’s book.) And to this day, the original still has much to offer I'd recommend reading it (don’t worry, it's quite short and easy to read.)
After reading this version of The Art of War, I don't have an issue with the "title abuse" and if the new version becomes a hit, it could open the eyes of a new generation to the ancient wisdom of Sun Tzu. Perhaps get someone to read both a modern and an ancient text about…The Art of War.
The stuff I’d do differently
Being an author myself, you might wonder if I noticed a lot of mistakes or found the story lacking here and there. Not so much, no.
The only part that bored me was a section at the back (an appendix about scientific stuff and military tech.) Some might think this is the best part. I could have done without. Still, no harm done, and it's nice to know that the author spent time on research and getting this stuff right.
Had I been the editor, I’d have asked Peter Cawdron to leave certain meta-plane references out. Since his story is engaging, why not keep me reading and engaged the whole way?
I would not have given one of the astronauts a last name that is known to everyone who knows anything about astronauts. It drew me out of the story. Nor would I have made references to films like Independence Day. I get the meta-plane sort of joke with the characters feeling like they are in a movie. A feeling I’ve experienced in real life, too. But the difference between real life and fiction is that I’m still in my real life even if I have a meta-plane thought. Whereas in a story, meta-plane references often draw me out of the fun parts. I’ll think, “Is this book inspired by this or that reference? Is that why the author feels a need to mention it? Or, Don’t they take their own story seriously?”
Whatever the case, I’ll stop reading. I’d rather stay immersed.
I’m not in love with the title either. From a marketing perspective, I do see an argument for some of the coolness of the original work rubbing off. It sure makes it really easy to remember the title. But it has downsides. Some will be provoked or get confused. “I’m looking for Sun Tzu’s book. What is this?” And if a reader searches for the new version, it’s difficult to find. A search on Amazon (even including the author’s name) begins with a great many editions of the ancient book. You’ll have to scroll quite a bit to find the new version.
Still, I've made worse mistakes as an author and the important part is that I had a great time in the company of Peter Cawdron's words.
Now, I have two more books to judge! They'll have to be really good to beat this one.
The woman without sight is often marginalized and treated as an outcast in society. Without the ability to see, she is unable to participate fully in everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or taking care of her family. She may be seen as a burden or a drain on resources, further exacerbating her isolation and dependence on others. The curse also affects her relationships, as she is often viewed as undesirable or unfit for marriage. This further increases her isolation and leads to a life of loneliness and solitude. Despite the curse, there is often a glimmer of hope in these stories. It is believed that the woman without sight has a special connection to the spirit world or possesses extraordinary powers. She may have the ability to see into the future, communicate with spirits, or possess other supernatural abilities. This duality of being both cursed and powerful creates a sense of intrigue and mystery around her character. In conclusion, the curse of the woman without sight is a recurring theme in folklore and mythology. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions and the importance of empathy and understanding. The curse reflects the society's fear of the unknown and their tendency to ostracize those who are different. While the curse may strip the woman without sight of her physical vision, it often highlights her inner strength and resilience..
Reviews for "From Sight to Darkness: The Terrifying Curse of the Blind Woman"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Curse of the woman without sight," but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard for me to truly connect with the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making their actions and motivations difficult to understand. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and awkward, further hindering my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read and cannot recommend it.
2. Jack - 1 star - I found "Curse of the woman without sight" to be a complete waste of time. The story was incredibly predictable, with no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The characters were unlikable and their dialogue was unrealistic, making it hard for me to care about their fate. The writing style was bland and uninspired, lacking any creativity or originality. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat in every aspect. I strongly advise against wasting your time on this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Curse of the woman without sight" had so much potential, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was the biggest issue for me, with the story dragging on and never finding a steady rhythm. The plot felt disjointed and inconsistent, making it hard to follow and engage with. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, leaving me feeling indifferent towards their fates. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to its promising premise.
4. Michael - 1 star - I cannot express how disappointed I was in "Curse of the woman without sight." The writing was clumsy and lacked finesse, often resorting to repetitive phrases and cliched descriptions. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any sort of depth, making it hard to care about their stories. The plot was convoluted and filled with unnecessary details, making it difficult to discern what was truly important. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.