Review of Deceptive Calm

[Stacci Ammons]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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This was an interesting read that turned into an exciting one a bit late in the book. There were several instances of foreshadowing that led to a satisfying ending. The first 2/3 of the book was needed for context when you get to the last part. That was the most fast-paced part of the story. Once I got to that part, I could not put the book away, although I did have to somewhat push myself to get there. It does grab your attention at the beginning with a tense bus ride, and there are several instances of profanity which begin early in the story.

This book follows the life of a Black orphan named Vanessa living in Charleston, South Carolina. She has a white best friend, and the book chronicles their high school, collegiate, and post-collegiate lives. The two of them end up in some tricky situations throughout the story while managing to both maintain notable success in their professional lives.

The main character or heroine in this story is Vanessa, but her friend does play a critical role in the story which is why I feel I should mention her in this review. There is a plethora of historical references which are woven through this story, which is to be expected in the historical fiction genre. There are sexual encounters and references in this story. A few of the encounters are described very explicitly, but I believe that is necessary for the antagonist's character development.

The reason I am scoring this book a little lower is because there are some instances where description overtakes the plot. The author is very talented, but it does slow down the overall pace of the book. I noticed that when I got to the 70% completion rate in the book, the pace picked up dramatically. The editing in the book was very good. I did not notice any errors.

This was an enjoyable read, but very gut-wrenching in some respects. It has adult themes, adult language, sex, power struggles, and is not a light-hearted read. I recommend this book because it offers a unique look into a well-rounded heroine who goes from one extreme life circumstance to another, and you have to finish reading to see her story unfold.

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Deceptive Calm
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