|
I’m Not Mad, I’m Special
By Veronica Lamont
PublishAmerica – 2003
ISBN: 1-4137-1425-0
Reviewed by Denise M. Clark –11/03 for
Denise’s Pieces Author Site & Book Reviews
Sky is schizophrenic… or that’s what everyone else believes.
As this story, reminiscent of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’
opens, Sky Shanti is enduring yet another hellish day at school. The usual butt of jokes, Sky has reached her limit when it comes to dealing with her nemesis, Tina Robson, after the most recent incident at school pushes Sky over the edge.
What happens next is pure psychological torture for not only Tina, but all those who have made Sky’s life miserable in the past few months. Placed in an institution for psychological observation, Sky tries to convince the police and many of the staff at the mental facility that she is behind the murders of several people, though they don’t believe her. Until she meets with a young doctor by the name of Lucy Jenkins. It is the manner in which Sky intends to prove herself to Lucy that propels the plot forward in this page-turner filled with murder, madness and black magic.
First time author Veronica Lamont has written an exciting psychological thriller, and must be commended for such a fine attempt for a first novel. While Ms. Lamont’s lack of proper syntax and correct grammatical usage may confuse the reader at times, she more than makes up for it in her unique characters and compelling plot line. This is an author who has shown she can tell a story, and with experience and a little polish, she will provide many entertaining novels in the future. This reader/reviewer suggests you keep your eyes open for more of her tales, as they are wickedly delightful and will definitely provide some exciting reading ahead.
Reviewed by: Nicole Getridge, Author of Shielded Heart~ 12/03
In her first book, “I’m Not Mad…I’m Special”, Veronica Lamont tells the story of Sky Shanti, a schizophrenic teenager who faces the torment and torture of fellow classmate, Tina Robson. The story begins with Sky enduring yet another torturous day of Tina’s relentless pranks, which pushes Sky over the edge. Institutionalized for psychological observation, Sky does her best to convince the staff and local law enforcement agents that she’s responsible for a string of murders. Of course everyone just thinks she’s crazy…but is she really? Then she meets Lucy Jenkins, a young, single mother doctor at the mental hospital. Sky opens up to Lucy and tells her things she’s never told anyone, like she can make her dreams reality. Lucy does her best to dig beneath the surface to discover the truth buried deep within Sky’s mind.
Veronica Lamont has written a truly spellbinding thriller. Though the dialogue may be disturbing or confusing at times, “I’m Not Mad…I’m Special” is a must read, filled with madness, black magic and a good old fashion dose of murder. Ms. Lamont has indeed proven with this first novel that she can weave a story of thrilling proportions. I’d keep a look out for future novels by this very talented first time Author.
Reviewed by: Melissa Amen: author of Phantom Faces
Three people are dead. A young woman admits to the crimes, but there is evidence that says she is innocent. How can this girl make everyone believe that she is indeed a murder? Why would she want to? Travel inside the mind of seventeen-year-old Sky Shanti. Imprisoned in a mental hospital and deemed schizophrenic by those watching over her. Enter doctor Lucy Jenkins, determined to get the truth out of her young patient. Through a twist of Sky’s flashbacks and present day meetings between doctor and patient, the mystery surrounded these deaths begins to be solved. Or does it? In her novel “I’m Not Mad…I’m Special,” Veronica Lamont tells Sky’s story in such a way that the reader would be lucky to guess what is going to come next. The tension in the words and the seriousness of the content make it an exciting read. Even when it is over, you won’t know what hit you.
Reviewed by: Danny Lee Ingram – 12/2003 Author of Pennies on the Tracks
Veronica Lamont has truly captured the psyche of Sky, the abused and vengeful main character, in this haunting book of the mind. Terrible things happen to those that have mistreated her, and Sky wants to be guilty. But how can she be guilty? She's locked away in a white on white padded room with nothing but her dreams to console her. Previously neglected, shunned, physically tormented, and falsely loved, Sky appeals to all readers who want to get even, and those readers will root for Sky and support her, they will wish that they could do what she does, and they, too, will want her to be guilty--guilty of delivering a deserved punishment.
The occult, the crimes, the vivid locales, and the cerebral insertions, all blend to make this book come alive with sympathy and empathy for Sky. Effortlessly flowing from one point of view to another, the story even propels the narrator into justifying the events. I'm Not Mad, I'm Special will make the reader dream and want to dream even more, dreamland being the place where all things are possible, especially justice, and the reader will be thankful for those dreams and then wake up and say YES to Veronica Lamont.
This reviewer received a pre-production copy of the text, and as with all such copies of books, there are wavers from proper presentation. Even so, the body of the story is powerful in its own right, and thorough editing can polish this gem to its rightful, unique shine.
Reviewed by: Sandra De Taranto
I’m not mad I’m special is a psychological thriller like no other. See the world through the teenager, Sky Shanti’s eyes; a young girl who’s been deemed schizophrenic. She sees things that no one else sees. Believes things that no one else believes. Sky is a deeply troubled soul whose dalliances in black magic, drugs and the need for revenge makes for the perfect breeding ground for something truly dark and sinister. Something that our young Sky quickly learns to control and use for her own benefit of revenge against those who have wronged her. This one isn’t for the faint of heart. There were a few times that I was glancing over my shoulder as I read. But if you are a lover of a good old-fashioned scary tale then I’m Not Mad I’m Special is for you. Veronica Lamont has crafted a chilling tale that you won’t be able to put down. You’ll keep turning, page after stunning page, in an effort to figure this one out. But you’ll be totally surprised by the twists that the author throws at you. The end will simply floor you because you’ll never see it coming.
This reviewer recommends I’m Not Mad I’m Special as a must read. One that you won’t soon forget. Keep an eye out for Ms. Lamont’s future works!
A Review of I'm 'Not Mad...I'm Special' by Veronica Lamont Reviewed by Donna Laird Author of 'Forever Yours' 3/25/04
I'm Not Mad...I'm Special is a book about a young teenage girl that has never known the love of anyone. Her parent's leaving her on her own while they deal their drugs. She learned at an early age to fend for herself. Turning to the world of drugs and black magic, Sky soon finds the man of her dreams, only to have him show her his true self. With school mates picking on her, Sky soon finds that revenge is sweet. Now their are three people dead, and Sky is taking all the blame. But no one wants to believe that she is a killer. Put in an insane asylum she encounters Lucy Jenkins a doctor that wants to prove Sky is innocent of the crimes. But can she?
Veronica Lamont brings you into the world of black magic, drugs, and a young girl's schizophrenic mind. As you read this fantastic story, you will turn page after page as you go deeper into the insane world of Sky Shanti that Lamont has created.
This book is a must read. Once you start reading it, it will keep you captive until the stunning ending. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from this talented author.
Reviewed By Tami Brady RoundTableReviews.com
I'm Not Mad...I'm Special is the story of Sky Shanti. Sky is a seventeen-year-old girl who has endured a life of parental inattention, drugs, and a mild form of schizophrenia. At school, Sky is ridiculed, tormented, and humiliated by her peers adding to her suffering. Sky uses drugs to hide from her pain. She also plays with black witchcraft in hopes of finding the power to end her suffering. Suddenly after a particularly humiliating day, a strange turn of events occurs. People who have been the cruelest to Sky start to die. Logic dictates that Sky had something to do with the killings. However, the forensic clues don't logically lead to Sky. How are these deaths occurring and who is doing them?
I'm Not Mad...I'm Special is a chilling thriller that will keep you guessing right to the end. The fact that we've all experienced aloneness and the feeling that we don't belong makes us feel pity and sympathy towards Sky. Our feeling of sympathy makes Sky's madness (or specialness) all the more frightening.
| 
