Reviews are in!
(Five Stars out of Five) "With a technology element that ingeniously makes the story work, Blue Fall successfully combines two categories of thriller—conspiracy and techno—in just the right balance. This conspiracy-techno thriller is sure to please readers who enjoy either genre."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
In B. B. Griffith's Blue Fall, Frank Youngsmith, an overworked claims investigator for Barringer Insurance, is sent to investigate potential fraud on a large claim. Frank just wants to finish the assignment so that he can go home and get some sleep. Events conspire to pull Frank into the shadow world of the Tournament—a set of high-stakes, contemporary gladiator games that a particular doctor wants to expose to public scrutiny. Though Frank is reluctant to take on the doctor's crusade, he can't resist a chance to help justice prevail over greased palms.
While Frank hunts for answers, the Tournament is set in motion for another round. Each three-member team represents a country, and each uses ammunition that shuts down an opponent's body systems until a counter-acting drug is injected. When this happens, an EMS team—on the Tournament payroll—rescues players before further damage can be inflicted. In this way, even when a team is destroyed, the players can be brought back to life to fight again in the next Tournament.
In the latest round, two teams are competing for more than the usual stakes. The opponent countries are using the Tournament to settle their own dispute, unbeknownst to the players. The outcome of the game will decide their fates. Meanwhile, there is a player on one of the teams who has a personal ax to grind, and this could undermine the purpose of this critical match.
Blue Fall is densely packed with details, but it never loses its focus by veering off on tangents. The details flesh out the characters and their motivations while building the story structure. Griffith has introduced a simple and elegant solution to the bodies-strewn-everywhere result of warfare by inventing the diode projectile—a technological element that ingeniously makes the story work.
The characters represent the book's cultural homelands in terms of motivation and behavior, but there is some modern-day stereotyping in their portrayals. However, Griffith generally moves beyond those stereotypes in believable ways. Readers will root for Frank as the "everyman" and underdog. They will jeer at the villains, and perhaps at the book's end, heave a sigh. With at least one sequel planned, there are plot threads still to be resolved and more vengeance to be dealt out, so the story is not over yet.
Blue Fall successfully combines two categories of thriller—conspiracy and techno—in just the right balance. This conspiracy-techno thriller is sure to please readers who enjoy either genre.
"Griffith manages to merge love, family, relationships, intrigue and action into 500 pages that you will never want to put down. There isn’t a reader that wouldn’t be enthralled by Blue Fall."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament Series, Volume One)
We always learn something when we read a book, and this reviewer learned a very important lesson while reading B.B. Griffith’s Blue Fall – never underestimate a first-time author. From the very beginning, Blue Fall sucks you in, the characters gripping you by the collar and begging you to follow them. The Tournament is a competition with no limits; a competition that has changed the way world problems are handled and could completely alter the course of history if people let it. Teams from eight of the world’s most prominent countries are pitted against one another in a fight to the death – or what looks like death.
Out of several outstanding things about Blue Fall, one of the most pronounced is that the reader has an idea of what is going to happen at the end based on the title, but Griffith manages to suck the breath out of the reader’s body in the last 38 pages. On top of this surprising finish, the reader will be rooting for and against every character in the book, and while it can seem like there are a lot of people to keep track of, each character is important to the development of the story and Blue Fall would lack without them.
Blue Fall is a mystery, action, and science fiction novel, but don’t stay away from it if you have never liked those in the past. Griffith manages to merge love, family, relationships, intrigue and action into 500 pages that you will never want to put down. As a bonus, this is only volume one. There are questions left to be answered after the reader closes the book, and Griffith does it in a way that leaves you aching for the next volume – in the best way possible. This reviewer never felt unsatisfied by the way things were wrapped at the end of Blue Fall and anticipates a second volume that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat just as much as volume one did. Being thoroughly impressed by Griffith’s writing style and level of detail, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading – there isn’t a reader that wouldn’t be enthralled by Blue Fall.
"The story propels forward, pinballing among a series of elaborate set pieces...The author’s stylistic command of character-driven action gives readers a visceral sense of mayhem."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
A clandestine tournament has unforeseen consequences in this science-fiction action/thriller.
Frank Youngsmith, a hapless insurance agent, is forced to investigate a doctor’s suspicious death and discovers the doctor was involved with a secret organization that operates “The Tournament,” a secret war-game-like global contest that pits six teams, each backed by their home country, against each other in a series of public no-holds-barred gunfights. The teams are known by an identifying color and comprised of three people, and each team member carries a gun loaded with a special bulletlike “diode” that shocks and incapacitates whoever is on the receiving end. Behind the scenes, Tournament officials broker huge wagers (including some that are potentially world-altering) between anonymous bidders and do their best to ensure the match-ups run as smoothly as possible. Griffith, though, shies away from detailing Tournament machinations and quickly buries Youngsmith, who opens the book as the reader’s surrogate, in the narrative. Instead, the author devotes much of the book’s first half to characterization, shifting among a series of biographical flashbacks. While this makes it difficult to gain narrative footing, it’s an entertaining way to firmly establish the book’s characters and simultaneously build the tension toward their inevitable confrontations. Much of the second half of the book is dedicated to violent action sequences, and Griffith propels the story forward by pinballing among a series of elaborate set pieces, including a commercial airplane cabin and a packed Parisian nightclub. Griffith revels in the details of his action scenes and gives readers a visceral sense of the mayhem by sticking close to his well-painted characters. But, as a result, some plot information falls through the cracks. Many of these are logistical details relating to official Tournament operations, and while some readers might balk at Griffith’s narrative choices, others will be pleased to overlook them in light of the author’s stylistic command of character-driven action.
Even though certain plot elements are undercooked, the well-drawn characters and exciting action scenes make this an enjoyable novel.
"The fast-paced action, well-scripted dialog, and universal appeal of the story line make “Blue Fall” a potential big screen movie success."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
“Blue Fall” contains all the elements of mystery, thriller, and suspense genres building to an action-packed unexpected conclusion, leaving the reader begging for more. Author B. B. Griffith has created a storyline which skillfully intertwines four subplots, and a cast of unforgettable characters.
The novel is set in contemporary times in the midst of a world weary of war. “The Tournament” a secret group of incredibly affluent, and influential individuals implements a scheme for creating a modern
day equivalent of the heroic contests of the past where individual champions were sent into battle to settle disputes between warring nations. The organization’s plan calls for a competition where players are selected to represent member countries using a “diode” technology which makes it possible for team members to be brought back to life after “dying.” Although originally designed as a sport, the conflict takes on a sinister side, as ruthless team captains turn the competition into coldblooded combat. (This is not a book for the squeamish reader.)
The organization’s secrecy is put in jeopardy when a disgruntled insurance adjuster inadvertently becomes involved in exposing the plan.
Although I felt the storyline became bogged down on occasion, the action soon built to a forceful crescendo leading to a powerful unexpected conclusion.
“Blue Fall” is the first in “The Tournament” series. B. B. Griffith has amazing insight into human nature. This has helped him to develop strong characters, incorporating them into a powerful plot, using believable technology, creating intentional enjoyable escape reading. Griffith has created a daunting plot of misdirected motivation with coldblooded results. The fast-paced action, well-scripted dialog, and universal appeal of the story line make “Blue Fall” a potential big screen movie success.
"The plot races along while dealing with all of the twists...and finally ends on its totally unexpected climax. Showing potential and a vivid imagination, Brad B. Griffith is an author who showcases his talent..."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
Blue Fall is a book which was sent to us for review purposes, the blurb details given above do not appear that exciting but what garnered my interest was this paragraph detailing the content of the book:
“The book centers on the notion of using contests between individuals to settle disputes between nations. Thousands of years ago, warring nations sent their champions to battle each other, and the outcome of single battles often settled wars. This type of fighting is immortalized in literature as well: Achilles fought Hector, for instance, to settle the Trojan War. David went out to battle Goliath. The notion of a national champion has fascinated readers for years. Blue Fall asks what our national champions might look like today. The plot is set in modern times, where war has cost millions of lives, and nations are growing weary of it. A secret group of powerful individuals creates The Tournament, a competition where the best and brightest of one country can battle those of another country.”
The above description immediately got me hooked and I was waiting to get my hands on the book to see how the author had developed this fascinating premise and what his imagination had created.
The story has a multiple POV structure, which begins with Frank Youngsmith who is woken up in his sleep to investigate the death of a scientist Bill Beauchamp, the particular surprising thing is the hike in his insurance standards that demand an investigation plus the nature of his death is anything but normal. The story then swings along with Frank’s journey as he investigates the widow and Beauchamp’s workplace that do nothing to alleviate his suspicions. To top it all at Dr. Baxter Walcott, Beauchamp’s work colleague manages to give Frank some information which blows his mind and then sets him on a path with a collision course with the people who are running the Tournament. The book then also focuses on various tournament players namely Alex Auldborne, Max Haulden, Ian Finn and many others. It gives us a vital look into their past thereby creating a vital portrait for the reader to thoroughly understand them and perhaps guess their intentions.
The story then zooms off as the latest iteration of the Tournament begins and all the teams are lined up for the draw, which is a last moment thing and then of course huge bets are laid on the outcome by various people, corporations and nations worldwide. The story basically then follows the various bouts between the teams that are made up of three individuals who hold the positions of Sweeper, Striker & Captain and the various interpersonal dynamics. The plot races along with the rounds and explodes with the fallout whilst dealing all the twists and then finally ending on its totally unexpected climax.
This book while having a dynamic premise and a different style of prose has quite a few things going for it as well a few against it. The good thing about it is that the author has taken time to establish each and every POV character. Beginning with each character’s complete back history and then going all the way until they joined their national teams, the author gives the reader compete access to their life story thereby making the reader feel a strong bond with the character. The second aspect of the story, which is exciting is that, the plot twists mostly come out of the left field and therefore it is quite unpredictable. The factor that contributes most to this unpredictability is the fact that there’s no one central protagonist and so with so many characters to follow, the reader gets quite a few different perspectives of the same events. This adds to the panoramic feel of the story and makes it harder to judge who are the real heroes. The author also is not averse to killing off his characters and this also adds to the unpredictability factor, as the POV characters are not safe either.
The foibles present in this story are that for the first 150-odd pages the pace is very pedestrian as the author builds up the characters and adds their backstories, the readers will have to persevere through the earlier part as the payoff comes in the later half of the story. The second part that really didn’t gel with me was the part regarding certain crucial explanations namely the fact that the author never really reveals much about the history or origin of the Tournament, thirdly the reason behind the selection of the main characters who represent their countries are never properly declared. What makes them so special? why were they selected? I would think in a tournament involving the use of a certain type of a gun and focusing on martial prowess, it makes sense for specialized soldiers to be the ideal candidates. But such is not the case for most chosen candidates. The author never specifically reveals these facts and so as a reader, it left a big hole in the premise of the plot. I don’t know whether this will be a big deal for many readers however since the premise of the book hinges on this special tournament, I felt that it needed to be explained thoroughly which it wasn't. Also on the flip side since this is book one of the series, the author could have planned to reveal a lot more in the sequels, but I felt that a few more background details should have been revealed in this one.
CONCLUSION: Brad’s debut does show promise with its exciting premise and plot twists, however the overall execution does not match up with its promised satisfaction. Showing potential and a vivid imagination, Brad B. Griffith is an author who showcases his talent and should he polish up the deficiencies mentioned above I'm sure he will be a thriller author to watch out for.
"Overall, Griffith’s first novel is quite a statement. I’m giving this novel 5 out of 5 stars for the simple reason that I could not put this book down. And I am eagerly waiting for the next installment."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament Series, Volume One)
Blue Fall: The Tournament: Volume One is B.B. Griffith’s first novel. I am always a little hesitant to read someone’s first novel as one doesn’t know what to expect. However, the book’s description intrigued me. I wanted to know more. The insurance agent, Frank Youngsmith, begins investigating a large life insurance policy payout after he receives a call from his boss during the middle of the night. And what Frank stumbles onto is a competition that not many people would understand. The battles fought are not sanctioned by society as a whole. Instead, they are part of a world where rich and powerful people wage bets and play odds on the unsanctioned battles. The bets are astronomical, and the latest competition has taken a new turn and foreign affairs are now at stake.
Who are these warriors? In Blue Fall, there are three team members per each nation that is involved. This installment of the series begins with eight nations fighting: England, Ireland, Mexico, Russia, Italy, France, Japan, and the USA. The weapons used have diode bullets that knock the players out of the game but do not kill them. Once hit, the player will start to feel numbness and within a certain amount of time will lose consciousness, leaving the players available for the next round of the competition. All of the players were recruited by Tournament leaders. Reasons as to why each player is recruited are vague. Do the Tournament leaders think certain individuals are natural born killers? I got a sense that the individuals were special, but I didn’t feel that it was completely explained. Also, not enough time was spent developing the history of the Tournament and the competitions.
As the story unfolds, we find that the competitions have nations pitted against other nations. Scores need to be settled and national pride restored. The level of the fighting increases with each battle. More civilians are injured, more damage is done, and the fighting is getting personal. Will the competition turn into all out warfare? Also, will they be able to keep the competitions out of the news?
For an action novel, I was pleased that Griffith spent time developing the characters in his novel, including the minor characters. To accomplish this, he includes multiple points of view. At times, this process does take too much time and lessens the excitement from all the action. However, this novel is the first in the series, so I’m hoping he took extra care in his first novel to introduce everyone so the future novels will be more suspenseful. This is not to say that the first installment is not action-packed. It is.
Overall, Griffith’s first novel is quite a statement. He knows how to write action novels. He knows how to hook the reader right from the start and to keep the reader’s interest. My only regret about reading this book is that that the second is not yet available. As soon as I devoured this installment, I wanted to pick up the next one right away. I hope the author does not make us wait too long. Even though I mentioned some flaws in the novel, such as taking too much time to develop certain characters, which detracts from the action and being too vague about the actual Tournament and competition, I’m still giving this novel 5 out of 5 stars. The simple reason behind this rating was I could not put this book down. And I am eagerly waiting for the next installment.
"A fun, fast read...Griffith has a talent for making you care about a character in a short amount of time."
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
Blue Fall is a fun, fast read. The idea of national warriors, who might even be used to settle political disputes between nations, is fascinating. As mentioned on the publisher's website, the idea of national champions is an ancient one. We've all heard of the King's or the Queen's Champion and trial by combat is a well-documented medieval phenomenon. It died out halfway through the Seventeenth Century; but what if it didn't? What if, instead of long, drawn-out wars, international disputes could still be settled in what is essentially a duel to the death? That is the question Griffith poses in his novel. Even if the Tournament started as a secret entertainment for the mega-rich, it's turning more and more political and it's hard to guess the consequences.
The book is an easy read and I really enjoyed it. However, I did have some quibbles with it. First of all, this is a long book. Normally I'm fine with door stoppers, but this book felt long at times. It felt as if the narrative could have been tightened. Griffith spends a lot of time introducing his characters, not just the ones that play large parts during the entire narrative, but also the minor characters, such as some of the teams. On the one hand, this makes the reader feel for those she reads about, whether sympathy or dislike as is appropriate, on the other hand, it makes the narrative drag in places and only once the Tournament truly starts does the pace go into overdrive. There are also some storylines that feel either slim or redundant. The main character we start with, that of insurance agent Frank Youngsmith, at one point disappears from the story until quite near the end of the novel, which surprised me since, from reading the blurb, I thought his was the story we'd be following. Another storyline that really seemed redundant, especially once we reach the end of the novel and the events that conclude it, is that of Sarah, daughter to one of the physicians connected to the Tournament. Perhaps her role will make more sense come the second book, but in this book it just took up extra space and just didn't make sense.
On the positive side, once the Tournament starts the book picks up pace and the scenes between the teams are super suspenseful. In addition, the conspiracy side of this thriller comes out and becomes more and more important. I liked that Griffith incorporated old grudges between the teams into the story, which not only makes for extra character motivation, but also lends an air of credibility to the escalation of violence and the disregard for civilian casualties and the possibility of exposure of the secret of the Tournament. While the introduction of all the characters made the book drag for me, Griffith has a talent for making you care about a character in a short amount of time. He doesn't just do this for the important characters, but also for the minor ones. For example, I'm still wondering how Diego's family and especially his nephew dealt with the fallout of the events at their house. Even if there are many, many characters and it's a bit unclear who exactly are the main characters – I'd even posit there aren't any main characters, apart from the Tournament itself – it's never unclear who to root for; all of the characters have dark sides, especially the team members, but it's clear which of them are the 'good guys' and which are the 'bad guys'.
Since the Tournament is a worldwide event, the book takes us across the globe into many different locations. Due to this being a contemporary novel, the actual world building is kept to a minimum, with more time spent on building up the specifics of the Tournament organisation and the technology that allows the game to be played, than the backdrop against which it is played. I had no problem with this as it was our world in our time and deep-level world building for the locale isn't necessary in that case, but the background on the Tournament organisation and mechanics was. However, if you do prefer intricate description of the places a book visits, be aware you might be disappointed.
In the end, despite all its flaws, I have to say that Blue Fall is a gripping read, especially towards the end. The idea behind the novel is a very interesting one and I'm looking forward to seeing where the author will take his ideas and the development of the Tournament. I know I'll be back for the second instalment, if only because I have to know who ends up winning this round of the Tournament! If you're into conspiracy thrillers and like both mystery and action, I recommend giving Blue Fall a try. Hang in there through the first third and you'll be racing along to ending and wanting to know what happens next.
With an exciting plot of excess and secrecy, "Blue Fall" is a fine and riveting novel that should prove hard to put down.
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
With limitless resources, the games played are done so with blood. "Blue Fall" delves into a thriller where the world's elite go to war, as those who uphold the law find themselves at a loss on what to do about it and how to stop it as people die. With an exciting plot of excess and secrecy, "Blue Fall" is a fine and riveting novel that should prove hard to put down.
Blue Fall is the type of novel that pulls you in, and breathlessly drags you along. Loaded with suspense, this tale of competitive war is reminiscent of the days of gladiators, with the exception being the warriors in Blue Fall can be brought back to life.
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
Blue Fall is the type of novel that pulls you in, and breathlessly drags you along. Loaded with suspense, this tale of competitive war is reminiscent of the days of gladiators, with the exception being the warriors in Blue Fall can be brought back to life.Interspersed with the suspense is a mix of mystery and many subplots that blend into one action-packed story. What began as a competition to settle disputes between warring nations, has now become a war of its own. Frank Youngsmith, an insurance investigator, unknowingly stumbles upon The Tournaments' darker side. He may be the only one able to stop the violence. Unfortunately, powerful forces are behind these games, and they may get to him first.
Admittedly, I sighed upon seeing all 503 pages. I was barely into the first hundred when I knew I was hooked. I read it straight through, afraid if I stopped I might miss something. There is no shortage of excitement in this book. Quite a bit of violence, and yet knowing the opponents could be saved, made it easier to handle. The premise of The Tournament is quite believable in our current state of world affairs, and the greediness of the wagers equally possible. All of the tournament players were firmly established in my mind as separate personalities, and were very well developed. I found myself fully invested in some of the teams. By the end, I couldn't get enough and was sad to see this volume end. I'll be awaiting the next book to see what happens next!
A cracking tale...it does walk the ground laid for it with confidence and energy. Those who enjoy this one, which should be more than 80% of those who get a copy for curiosity's sake, will come back for more.
This Review is for Blue Fall (The Tournament #1)
As an action-suspense novel, Blue Fall breaks no new ground; however it does walk the ground laid for it with confidence and energy. To peg it on a familiar scale—that of historic television shows that were also international thrillers—this novel may not be Mission: Impossible or the original version of The Prisoner, but at a Man From U.N.C.L.E. level, it is quite entertaining.
The essential plot narrative also brings back fond TV memories. The usual mysterious organization, in this case BlueHorse Holdings sponsors and administers The Tournament, wherein color and nationally-coded teams of mercenaries hunt each other down and—you can guess the rest. Except, the mercenaries usually don't die as they receive something called the Diode, which renders them effectively invulnerable to wounds...or does it? Into this fairly standard plot comes Frank Youngsmith, Insurance Agent. One of the Tournament people did die and as he was insured 'for millions,' Frank is assigned to investigate the claim. Complications arise.
Frank is quite likable in his fretting way. He's quite an amiable guide for the reader, taking him or her through this cracking tale. The only substantive criticism is that while they are all well-written, giving each major character a full written backstory might slow down the action a bit. Then again, who's to complain about a leisurely read?
The ultimate, and really the only important, judgment of a 'first in series' book is do you want to read Volume Two? Those who enjoy this one, which should be more than 80% of those who get a copy for curiosity's sake, will come back for more. As a first novel, this is a good start to a career.
