"Blindsided" by Natalie Whipple

Note: This story should not be confused with a previous book I summarized and reviewed with the same title. While both stories are works of fiction, this is a YA fantasy novel in a dystopian setting, and the other Blindsided falls in the category of realistic fiction.

Blindsided (Jan. 2, 2014) by Natalie Whipple.

She knew that fleeing her dad’s syndicate and going to another syndicate’s territory wouldn’t really save her, but Fiona McClean still hoped for some semblance of normalcy. Not that her life can ever be truly normal, what with being the only invisible person and all. Maybe it would rock to be invisible, and it does have its perks, but all Fiona wants is to be seen. She wants to see something besides a floating pair of glasses and air rocking a cute dress in photos. When she’s kissing her boyfriend, she wants to see that he’s not just kissing air. If she looks in the mirror, she wants to see a face, her face. But those things should be the least of her worries, because she’s been noticed by Juan’s syndicate, and they aren’t being quiet about things. The Army has also come to their small town of Madison (Arizona), and they’re not quiet, either. Both groups desire the ability to produce more Radiasure and, even more importantly, have control over it. The Army has even gone so far as to obtain the “recipe,” but a key ingredient is missing and the Army doesn’t know where to find it. Fiona and company may know where that special ingredient is located, but can they trust anyone outside their group with its whereabouts?

            This YA novel is the sequel to Whipple’s “Transparent.” I found it to be as fast-moving and entertaining as the novel’s predecessor. The main plot, of course, is how to overthrow the baddies, but who’s the bad guy? Is it just that sickly, skinny, scary dude from Juan’s syndicate? What about the Army, because surely they aren’t guilt-free? This story also asks a question common in people of all ages today: How do we accept how we look as is? Fiona’s case is different, of course, as she can’t see herself at all, but she wants to so badly. She feels like she can’t be happy or accept herself without knowledge of her physical appearance. As a reader, does that seem vain? Understandable? Both? Do you think she’d be wholly satisfied if she could see herself?

            (For those concerned, the language isn’t completely clean. It’s not worst-of-the-worst when it comes to expletives, but they are scattered throughout.)