Blind Cerulean

A most excellent read. I've read literally thousands of books in related genres and this one stands out. The tone and vibe is fresh, different, unique in a difficult-to-quantify way, which is great. Pulled me in and kept me in. Ally the main protagonist is different and quirky with a layered complexity to maintain my interest and to feed the constant reveals.
This well-told and cool story especially shines when it comes to the villains and supporting characters, all layered and complex, especially the villains, in most surprising ways but without being unconnectable. There's a deep magic when we enjoy the villains, and much is turned around on us in ways we didn't expect, or even imagine.
A read not pigeonholed either, neither by too-specific genre or reader age, an accomplishment many aim for, but few achieve. A special nod to the eighties throwbacks and references. Once again, most cool. (Ha, although my superlatives might reach back a few decades further into the glorious past.)
I love when a read not only challenges, but surprises, and succeeds in ways not anticipated. As a long-time reader of much, that's not all that easy to do.
Well done Gene Kendall. I hope there's a sequel.