Official Review: The Secret Book of Designs

tracy19 · Post by **tracy19** » 04 Oct 2014, 02:04

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Secret Book of Designs" by Catamount Mayhugh.]

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Blaise Joule, most commonly known as BJ, is at the Red Lion Manor to fight his addiction to Vu also known as Ever a hallucinogenic drug. The rehab facility is a house filled with twelve other individuals also suffering from a Vu / Ever addiction and have decided that want to fight their addiction. The house also consists of 6 councillors and Doctor Poe who are there for moral support and to lead them through the recovery program. The program uses poetry as a form of therapy to help fight the addiction so the group meets up to speak and create poetry as well as express there feeling and there reason why they started vu and why they wanted to give it up, and they also have group sessions with Doctor Poe. While at the Red Lion House B-J takes a liking to Cecilia one of the Vu addiction suffers .W.A.S bends is another side effect of Vu where the victim hallucinates and B-J starts to suffer from W.A.S bends. As the book progresses so does Cecilia and B-J relationship and love for each other. Tragedy strikes affecting their relationship and shatters B-J’s whole world and what he knows about his life.

I am not one hundred percent sure what genre this book falls in there is some romance and drama with some mystery and tragedy.

I was not a huge fan off this book as there was too much detail that it made it a big boring after a while, the story line got a bit much after a while. At first I was frustrated as I thought the author was creating so many grammar problems, but as I progressed further in the book I found out it was just the way B-J speaks due to I side effect of Vu usage called SLI, Selective Language Impairment. The book did contain a good story line though with interesting characters.

The author has a good writing style and pays attention to detail, I would gladly read one of his books again if it did not contain so much unnecessary detail. Other than the book being a bit to long for the story line, I think the author still managed to create a good story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves all those small details in a book. I would rate it a 2 out of 4.
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Kappy · Post by **Kappy** » 17 Feb 2015, 19:30

Good review. I also don't care for highly unusual speech, even though it might be realistic; I find it too distracting.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 21 Dec 2016, 06:35

Thank you for your honest review. I like a good balance between description and action. This seems to be heavy on the description, so I'm not sure if this is a read for me. Too bad it wasn't very enjoyable for you. Hopefully others will enjoy it!

gali · Post by **gali** » 21 Dec 2016, 06:40

Grammer issues due to the side effect of Vu usage? Interesting. The premise sounds intriguing, though I am not sure it is for me. Well done on the review!

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 21 Dec 2016, 07:08

Interesting, to use poetry as therapy, at least in this form. Can't say this is for me, but a nice review

Utpal K Khot · Post by **Utpal K Khot** » 21 Dec 2016, 08:24

@TwBookClub @Catamount2112 The Tragic Romance of Blaise Joule and Cecilia is the crux of The Secret Book Of Designs nicely woven. Congrats on being the BOTD. Well deserved.

Vulgate · Post by **Vulgate** » 21 Dec 2016, 13:02

I usually dislike it when characters don't use proper English. I refuse to read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress for that reason. Looks like I'll be giving this one a pass.

L_Therese · Post by **L_Therese** » 21 Dec 2016, 13:21

I'm curious about the selective language impairment as a side effect of Vu/Ever usage. That sounds like an interesting angle.

Strangerthanfiction · Post by **Strangerthanfiction** » 21 Dec 2016, 13:43

Great review. I am thankful that you were very frank about the book. The premise sounds interesting but between the grammar and the overly descriptive writing. This is going to be a pass for me. Both things tend to pull me out of a story and I read to get list not frustrated. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sarah_Khan · Post by **Sarah_Khan** » 21 Dec 2016, 14:40

I liked the cover art and title of this book and I was excited to start reading the sample after I read the blurb because the story seemed interesting and unique, but I have to say I was disappointed.
I agree with what you said, the author's way of writing made it hard to read, I just thought the book wasn't well-edited, but I guess it was meant to be that way.

Rachel1019 · Post by **Rachel1019** » 21 Dec 2016, 15:58

Thank you for sharing your honest opinion about the book.

cyndibookswagbag · Post by **cyndibookswagbag** » 21 Dec 2016, 16:10

I felt like there was a typo in the description of this book,
Maybe its just the way I read it " ls also suffering from a Vu / Ever addiction and have decided that want to fight their addiction. The house also"
To me it should be decided that they..... or they, it does not sound right to me, this turns me away from a book as I worry it will be throughout the book. I am also not one for Dramas, or real life type books.
Thanks for the review and book preview.

AA1495 · Post by **AA1495** » 21 Dec 2016, 16:13

Great review! Agree with your point about the descriptions.Good to know that the book had an interesting plot with strong characters. Thank you for the well written review!