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Blank Mastermind
Amnesia is annoying. The poor hero has to find out everything about his wonderful life again and re-meet all the lovely people he knew before, then go to stop the villain.But what if the life that starts showing itself isn’t wonderful, the people aren’t lovely and the villain is… yourself?
341 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2018
About the author
Rosey Mucklestone
3 books62 followersRosey Mucklestone is the oldest of nine crazy kids and the daughter of two awesome parents. She lives with her family and two dogs in Missouri, spending her time writing, reading, baking and waitressing. Topics she’s passionate about include: the ocean, the Bible, mountains, fandoms, stories and characters in general. She’s never gotten amnesia and doesn’t plan on it, but life is full of surprises, so who knows?
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews
November 7, 2022
Oh wow. Blank Mastermind was.....ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I cannot express how much I enjoyed this!
The characters were all perfect. Their personalities were distinct and interesting which was nice cuz I hate bland characters with no personality XD Bad News....hah I loved Bad News. Let's all learn from him and have cake for breakfast and ice cream for dinner every day!! Leif, Jilly, Beckett, and Cardboard (yes Cardboard is her name....don't ask why) were all so cute!!! And finally .....Wolfgang Dankworth!!!! I can't say how much I love this dude. He's perfect and I love him. So perfectly flawed yet he tried so hard!!! I was scared for him on so many occasions...I mean what else can you say for the leader of a gang??? And not to mention his name: Wolfgang Dankworth. Absolutely perfect. Also...where do I get a bird like Lucius?
The plot was also super cool. Superheroes and villains?? Sign me up. I've always wanted to read a superhero and villain book that is NOT Renegades (don't be mad but I was never able to get into that....Blank Mastermind is so much better :p). I can't say much more about the plot without giving too much away...but I loved it. It was unique and well done :D
Overall fantastic book, could not have asked for a better book to capture my attention!!
(P.s. beware of Moose. They are not as cute or cuddly as they look. Scratch that. They're not cute and cuddly in the least. Stay away at all costs!!!!!!)
The characters were all perfect. Their personalities were distinct and interesting which was nice cuz I hate bland characters with no personality XD Bad News....hah I loved Bad News. Let's all learn from him and have cake for breakfast and ice cream for dinner every day!! Leif, Jilly, Beckett, and Cardboard (yes Cardboard is her name....don't ask why) were all so cute!!! And finally .....Wolfgang Dankworth!!!! I can't say how much I love this dude. He's perfect and I love him. So perfectly flawed yet he tried so hard!!! I was scared for him on so many occasions...I mean what else can you say for the leader of a gang??? And not to mention his name: Wolfgang Dankworth. Absolutely perfect. Also...where do I get a bird like Lucius?
The plot was also super cool. Superheroes and villains?? Sign me up. I've always wanted to read a superhero and villain book that is NOT Renegades (don't be mad but I was never able to get into that....Blank Mastermind is so much better :p). I can't say much more about the plot without giving too much away...but I loved it. It was unique and well done :D
Overall fantastic book, could not have asked for a better book to capture my attention!!
(P.s. beware of Moose. They are not as cute or cuddly as they look. Scratch that. They're not cute and cuddly in the least. Stay away at all costs!!!!!!)
January 13, 2023
If you're looking for your next read, look no further. Blank Mastermind is a FANTASTIC book I would recommend to pretty much everyone. It checks all of the checkmarks for a great book: it's witty, Wolfgang Dankworth, the characters are unique and awesome, Wolfgang Dankworth, the plot twists, Wolfgang Dankworth. Also, did I mention the presence of one Wolfgang Dankworth?
In case you're still not convinced, the book speaks for itself, so what are you waiting for? Read it.
Content: As far as I know, there is one mild swear word towards the end, but otherwise it is squeaky clean!
(Note: I did not receive an ARC by the publisher; I was not blackmailed, bribed or otherwise coerced to write this review; this is entirely my own (and everyone else who reads Blank Mastermind) opinion.
In case you're still not convinced, the book speaks for itself, so what are you waiting for? Read it.
Content: As far as I know, there is one mild swear word towards the end, but otherwise it is squeaky clean!
(Note: I did not receive an ARC by the publisher; I was not blackmailed, bribed or otherwise coerced to write this review; this is entirely my own (and everyone else who reads Blank Mastermind) opinion.
January 24, 2019
A man wakes up backstage of an opera, covered in blood and with no memory of where he is, why he’s there, or even what his name is. Slowly he starts piecing together clues and the more he learns about himself, the more he wishes he didn’t know.
I read this entire book in one sitting. Right from the beginning,it sucked me in and I was so engaged in the story I couldn't put it down.
The main character, Wolfgang Dankworth, has such a unique character voice and personality and it affects the whole style of the book. He's such a real character and all his struggles really pull you into the story.
The whole cast is so vibrant with individual personality, and the character arcs and everything is so 3D and realistic.
This book throws the feels punches out, so be prepared. There's a string of mystery and suspense through the whole book that kept me turning pages as fast as I could. I was so engrossed in the story that I never saw the twists and turns coming, but I'm also not the sort of person who stops to make theories about how the book might end. :P
Let's take a moment to appreciate the humour. Blank Mastermind deals with some tough, dark stuff, but it has gems of humour throughout the whole story and it's amazing. From having an adorable little girl called Cardboard (she was found in a dumpster labelled 'cardboard only'), to belting out schoolhouse rock at odd moments, to the snark and sarcasm scattered all over, it's just so priceless and engaging.
And the humour and feels are so perfectly balanced that they compliment each other in the best way possible.
Blank Mastermind is a memorable book with an amazing and creative story. Absolutely recommended to YA readers who enjoy a good dystopian or superhero story.
Check out the author interview I did with Rosey Mucklestone over on my website!
I read this entire book in one sitting. Right from the beginning,it sucked me in and I was so engaged in the story I couldn't put it down.
The main character, Wolfgang Dankworth, has such a unique character voice and personality and it affects the whole style of the book. He's such a real character and all his struggles really pull you into the story.
The whole cast is so vibrant with individual personality, and the character arcs and everything is so 3D and realistic.
This book throws the feels punches out, so be prepared. There's a string of mystery and suspense through the whole book that kept me turning pages as fast as I could. I was so engrossed in the story that I never saw the twists and turns coming, but I'm also not the sort of person who stops to make theories about how the book might end. :P
Let's take a moment to appreciate the humour. Blank Mastermind deals with some tough, dark stuff, but it has gems of humour throughout the whole story and it's amazing. From having an adorable little girl called Cardboard (she was found in a dumpster labelled 'cardboard only'), to belting out schoolhouse rock at odd moments, to the snark and sarcasm scattered all over, it's just so priceless and engaging.
And the humour and feels are so perfectly balanced that they compliment each other in the best way possible.
Blank Mastermind is a memorable book with an amazing and creative story. Absolutely recommended to YA readers who enjoy a good dystopian or superhero story.
Check out the author interview I did with Rosey Mucklestone over on my website!
December 10, 2018
Well I'm really happy
October 28, 2024
A delicious romp in the world of superheroes that manages to be equal parts angsty and hilarious.
I’m usually a fairly slow reader, and I’ve never picked up an adult superhero novel before, but I read this entire book in roughly six hours and loved every minute of it.
My main takeaway was ✨💛🌻DALLAS KNIGHT🌻💛✨ I love him. He’s the best. Easily my favorite character. The only big complaint I have with the story is that we didn’t get to see more of him. 😂 I would have LOVED more Dallas and Wolfgang interactions, but the ones we got were amazing.
Speaking of Wolfgang, his internal dialogue made me laugh so hard at multiple points. He was the perfect character to follow.
This book felt like a superhero movie. The world-building intentionally plays on well-known superhero tropes, even poking fun at them occasionally. (The main superhero, and protagonist’s arch-nemesis is named Amazing Man, for example.) It’s the perfect balance of not taking itself too seriously, but still taking the characters emotional journeys just seriously enough.
Don’t expect something gritty going into this, that’s not what’s it’s meant to be. It’s marvel-movie villain levels of dark, and it’s written exceptionally.
The plot was tight and well-thought out. All the characters, both main and supporting were well-developed with distinct voices. The pacing was quick, but not too quick, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
There were some marks of a less experienced writer, but minor ones that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The theme of the book wasn’t terribly deep, which I didn’t mind, because again, it’s not meant to be. However, it did feel a bit unnecessarily on the nose, telling instead of showing at times. Wolfgang’s arc is great and I think it would be able to stand on its own without some of the exponential paragraphs near the end. But once again, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The Christian elements were also quite well done and DIDN’T feel eye-roll inducing. It was a nice touch that didn’t overwhelm the story, and genuinely felt like it added realism and depth. 10/10
Overall, SO MUCH FUN!! Definitely an adult book, but a clean read. No romance, and about as much violence as your average marvel movie. I would recommend to adults and older teens!
I’m usually a fairly slow reader, and I’ve never picked up an adult superhero novel before, but I read this entire book in roughly six hours and loved every minute of it.
My main takeaway was ✨💛🌻DALLAS KNIGHT🌻💛✨ I love him. He’s the best. Easily my favorite character. The only big complaint I have with the story is that we didn’t get to see more of him. 😂 I would have LOVED more Dallas and Wolfgang interactions, but the ones we got were amazing.
Speaking of Wolfgang, his internal dialogue made me laugh so hard at multiple points. He was the perfect character to follow.
This book felt like a superhero movie. The world-building intentionally plays on well-known superhero tropes, even poking fun at them occasionally. (The main superhero, and protagonist’s arch-nemesis is named Amazing Man, for example.) It’s the perfect balance of not taking itself too seriously, but still taking the characters emotional journeys just seriously enough.
Don’t expect something gritty going into this, that’s not what’s it’s meant to be. It’s marvel-movie villain levels of dark, and it’s written exceptionally.
The plot was tight and well-thought out. All the characters, both main and supporting were well-developed with distinct voices. The pacing was quick, but not too quick, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
There were some marks of a less experienced writer, but minor ones that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The theme of the book wasn’t terribly deep, which I didn’t mind, because again, it’s not meant to be. However, it did feel a bit unnecessarily on the nose, telling instead of showing at times. Wolfgang’s arc is great and I think it would be able to stand on its own without some of the exponential paragraphs near the end. But once again, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The Christian elements were also quite well done and DIDN’T feel eye-roll inducing. It was a nice touch that didn’t overwhelm the story, and genuinely felt like it added realism and depth. 10/10
Overall, SO MUCH FUN!! Definitely an adult book, but a clean read. No romance, and about as much violence as your average marvel movie. I would recommend to adults and older teens!
December 20, 2021
This book was so fun to read! Not only is the concept itself intriguing, but characters were so complex and the plot was delightfully unpredictable.
Characters: Wolfgang Dankworth was the perfect protagonist (or should I say, antagonist!). He was adorable with his amnesia, and I really enjoyed navigating the story through his eyes. His character voice, especially his sarcasm, was so fun to read!
I loved his courage and desire to do what was right, and yet, that he still had very real flaws (he started out as the villain, after all). His struggle with what is true justice was very realistic and sympathetic. And the author did a great job realistically taking him from wanting revenge to completely abandoning it and joining the good side. I also enjoyed seeing a little bit of his past family life in his flashbacks. And I just have to say, his pet falcon really added an interesting touch to the story!
Each of the gang members was unique and interesting. They all had different backgrounds, motivations, personalities, and flaws that only made the story more interesting and complicated. Bad News was, of course, my favorite. I loved his protectiveness of Wolfgang—how he watched over and took care of him. And his music choice made me laugh!
Dallas was another favorite. He was very different from the typical sidekick you see—quiet, kind of awkward, and not courageous in a showy, outward way. But as the story progresses, you discover that his courage is more the quiet, steady kind as he reaches out to Wolfgang, his greatest enemy, with unconditional love and trust. I found Dallas a refreshing change of character.
I also enjoyed Amazing Man. He wasn’t portrayed as the typical cliché superhero whom everyone loves and who somehow always manages to save everyone, even when it’s not physically possible. He was human. He made mistakes. And he wasn’t always able to save everyone.
I also appreciated how the author portrayed his faith. It wasn’t pushy or even that obvious. It was enough a part of him that he didn’t have to constantly talk about it for others to know it was there. And it wasn’t just a faith he believed, but a faith he acted on.
Plot: The plot really kept me on the edge of my seat! I could never predict exactly what would happen next. But the story is more than just lots of fast-paced, interesting action. Most importantly, it’s about Wolfgang’s journey from wanting revenge for his family’s deaths to giving his pain to God and allowing Him to heal and work in him.
The author did a great job balancing giving us enough information to understand the story but also more questions to keep us reading. I loved all the twists, especially discovering who the true villain was (although I’d already guessed who it was!). The author pulled the flashbacks off really well. They didn’t interfere with the pacing of the story, but instead helped push it along.
The scenes where Wolfgang got his memories back were especially touching. Experiencing his pain and loss through his eyes was so heart-breaking. The author really mastered the emotional aspect of the book, slowly building the mystery and emotion up to the climax and then leaving us breathless, wondering what Wolfgang’s decision would be. Would he continue with his plan to kill Amazing Man, or would he do the right thing?
The ending did not disappoint! It somehow ended up being both hilarious yet sobering and realistic at the same time. The denouement did feel a little dragged out, especially since the book was already so long, but I did enjoy getting a glimpse into the “happily ever after” of the story.
Themes: While they’re not always obvious, the book definitely has Christian themes to it. I loved how Rosey handled the topics of forgiveness and the process of change. It was realistic, while still being biblical.
One of my favorite scenes is when Wolfgang overhears Amazing Man tell his little brother (whom Amazing Man has adopted) about his family. I especially love how Amazing Man explains that Wolfgang is acting this way because his love is a little messed up. And the only way it can be fixed is if the right Builder puts him back together. What a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us when He saves us—He rebuilds us into the image we were meant to be before sin entered the world.
While Amazing Man is technically the superhero of the story, the author makes it obvious that Jesus is the ultimate Superhero and Savior. He’s the only real solution because He is the only One who knows our hearts and can change us into the men and women He created us to be. And that’s what I love most about this story.
Content: There is violence and fighting, but none of it is graphic. In the first few chapters, there is a lot of blood and a dead body is shown, though not described. Another man is wounded in the stomach. Several bombs explode, included one that blows up an entire town, but again, it isn’t graphically described. One character is trapped under a board and dies as a result. There is some shooting, and the carnage of a wrecked town is shown. Three characters are trapped inside a large bomb and are injured when they try to deactivate it. D*** and h*** are used a few times.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you enjoy YA fiction with superheroes, heart-pounding action, and villains turned good, this is the book for you!
Characters: Wolfgang Dankworth was the perfect protagonist (or should I say, antagonist!). He was adorable with his amnesia, and I really enjoyed navigating the story through his eyes. His character voice, especially his sarcasm, was so fun to read!
I loved his courage and desire to do what was right, and yet, that he still had very real flaws (he started out as the villain, after all). His struggle with what is true justice was very realistic and sympathetic. And the author did a great job realistically taking him from wanting revenge to completely abandoning it and joining the good side. I also enjoyed seeing a little bit of his past family life in his flashbacks. And I just have to say, his pet falcon really added an interesting touch to the story!
Each of the gang members was unique and interesting. They all had different backgrounds, motivations, personalities, and flaws that only made the story more interesting and complicated. Bad News was, of course, my favorite. I loved his protectiveness of Wolfgang—how he watched over and took care of him. And his music choice made me laugh!
Dallas was another favorite. He was very different from the typical sidekick you see—quiet, kind of awkward, and not courageous in a showy, outward way. But as the story progresses, you discover that his courage is more the quiet, steady kind as he reaches out to Wolfgang, his greatest enemy, with unconditional love and trust. I found Dallas a refreshing change of character.
I also enjoyed Amazing Man. He wasn’t portrayed as the typical cliché superhero whom everyone loves and who somehow always manages to save everyone, even when it’s not physically possible. He was human. He made mistakes. And he wasn’t always able to save everyone.
I also appreciated how the author portrayed his faith. It wasn’t pushy or even that obvious. It was enough a part of him that he didn’t have to constantly talk about it for others to know it was there. And it wasn’t just a faith he believed, but a faith he acted on.
Plot: The plot really kept me on the edge of my seat! I could never predict exactly what would happen next. But the story is more than just lots of fast-paced, interesting action. Most importantly, it’s about Wolfgang’s journey from wanting revenge for his family’s deaths to giving his pain to God and allowing Him to heal and work in him.
The author did a great job balancing giving us enough information to understand the story but also more questions to keep us reading. I loved all the twists, especially discovering who the true villain was (although I’d already guessed who it was!). The author pulled the flashbacks off really well. They didn’t interfere with the pacing of the story, but instead helped push it along.
The scenes where Wolfgang got his memories back were especially touching. Experiencing his pain and loss through his eyes was so heart-breaking. The author really mastered the emotional aspect of the book, slowly building the mystery and emotion up to the climax and then leaving us breathless, wondering what Wolfgang’s decision would be. Would he continue with his plan to kill Amazing Man, or would he do the right thing?
The ending did not disappoint! It somehow ended up being both hilarious yet sobering and realistic at the same time. The denouement did feel a little dragged out, especially since the book was already so long, but I did enjoy getting a glimpse into the “happily ever after” of the story.
Themes: While they’re not always obvious, the book definitely has Christian themes to it. I loved how Rosey handled the topics of forgiveness and the process of change. It was realistic, while still being biblical.
One of my favorite scenes is when Wolfgang overhears Amazing Man tell his little brother (whom Amazing Man has adopted) about his family. I especially love how Amazing Man explains that Wolfgang is acting this way because his love is a little messed up. And the only way it can be fixed is if the right Builder puts him back together. What a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us when He saves us—He rebuilds us into the image we were meant to be before sin entered the world.
While Amazing Man is technically the superhero of the story, the author makes it obvious that Jesus is the ultimate Superhero and Savior. He’s the only real solution because He is the only One who knows our hearts and can change us into the men and women He created us to be. And that’s what I love most about this story.
Content: There is violence and fighting, but none of it is graphic. In the first few chapters, there is a lot of blood and a dead body is shown, though not described. Another man is wounded in the stomach. Several bombs explode, included one that blows up an entire town, but again, it isn’t graphically described. One character is trapped under a board and dies as a result. There is some shooting, and the carnage of a wrecked town is shown. Three characters are trapped inside a large bomb and are injured when they try to deactivate it. D*** and h*** are used a few times.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you enjoy YA fiction with superheroes, heart-pounding action, and villains turned good, this is the book for you!
October 15, 2021
This book is kind of a fascinating look at villainy and how one event can change your life. It’s funny and exciting and touching and I loved every minute of it.
I do have to warn you: it doesn’t have the same feel as a Marvel movie, with numerous explosions and heart-racing action scenes, but it does have exciting sequences. The medium is different and books, while they can be action packed and exciting, take a slower and deeper approach. So yeah. Blank Mastermind has plenty of action packed scenes to scratch that Marvel itch.
The beginning, which has the feel of some secret agent movie, captures the reader’s attention so well. It paints the picture of Wolfgang’s past and current states so well, with the addition/introduction of Dallas (whom I adore) and Bad News (who’s not really bad news but the best).
The premise is so interesting. It gets the reader right to the heart of Wolfgang. As times passes, layers are built up. We learn his name, his enemy, and his gang. We hear Wolfgang’s heart cry for something different. To be someone better. And then we learn what caused him to be this way. As I summarized the feel of this book to my sister, I likened it to an onion. And, with all the layers of Wolfgang we see built up, the imagery just feels right.
Another thing I appreciated was the realistic portrayal of amnesia and head injuries. Yeah, there are probably some creative liberties taken (like how long people can be unconscious and such), but it was nice to see the pain and blackouts and the struggle to remember.
I absolutely loved the relationship with Bad News and Wolfy’s gang. How each of them are portrayed as not completely evil, like I’ve seen in some superhero movies. There’s something likable about each of them.
Okay, the end was pretty much perfect.
As you can probably tell, I loved this book. It’s fun but also a bit deep and I love it.
I do have to warn you: it doesn’t have the same feel as a Marvel movie, with numerous explosions and heart-racing action scenes, but it does have exciting sequences. The medium is different and books, while they can be action packed and exciting, take a slower and deeper approach. So yeah. Blank Mastermind has plenty of action packed scenes to scratch that Marvel itch.
The beginning, which has the feel of some secret agent movie, captures the reader’s attention so well. It paints the picture of Wolfgang’s past and current states so well, with the addition/introduction of Dallas (whom I adore) and Bad News (who’s not really bad news but the best).
The premise is so interesting. It gets the reader right to the heart of Wolfgang. As times passes, layers are built up. We learn his name, his enemy, and his gang. We hear Wolfgang’s heart cry for something different. To be someone better. And then we learn what caused him to be this way. As I summarized the feel of this book to my sister, I likened it to an onion. And, with all the layers of Wolfgang we see built up, the imagery just feels right.
Another thing I appreciated was the realistic portrayal of amnesia and head injuries. Yeah, there are probably some creative liberties taken (like how long people can be unconscious and such), but it was nice to see the pain and blackouts and the struggle to remember.
I absolutely loved the relationship with Bad News and Wolfy’s gang. How each of them are portrayed as not completely evil, like I’ve seen in some superhero movies. There’s something likable about each of them.
Okay, the end was pretty much perfect.
As you can probably tell, I loved this book. It’s fun but also a bit deep and I love it.
July 3, 2021
Reread 2021: I needed a comfort read and this one fit the bill perfectly. <33
Reread March 2019: Reading this again honestly feels like coming home because it brings back so many good memories (haha, but seriously)--random forum comments, cosplaying and the chapter readings at Summer Workshop, Survival 3.0 references, various backstory feels, and all the amazing things that surround this book. This story has been such a huge part of my world for the last few years, and it's just...I love it so much. <3
Original review: I wish these places had a higher star rating, because this book deserves far more stars than five. :P
Watching this book grow from a short story into a full-on novel, then go through its various drafts and improve every time was so amazing. Watching the fan club grow over the last two(ish) years was also really cool. XD Rosey is a /fantastic/ writer, and this book is well worth your time.
You will laugh. Seriously, there are so many quotable, hilarious lines in this thing.
You will probably cry. Because plot things. And character things. And...yeah. XD
You will be moved. If you are not, then you have not read it, go back and read it properly. ;)
I could say much more, but then I would be rambling. XD *shoves you to go get a copy*
Reread March 2019: Reading this again honestly feels like coming home because it brings back so many good memories (haha, but seriously)--random forum comments, cosplaying and the chapter readings at Summer Workshop, Survival 3.0 references, various backstory feels, and all the amazing things that surround this book. This story has been such a huge part of my world for the last few years, and it's just...I love it so much. <3
Original review: I wish these places had a higher star rating, because this book deserves far more stars than five. :P
Watching this book grow from a short story into a full-on novel, then go through its various drafts and improve every time was so amazing. Watching the fan club grow over the last two(ish) years was also really cool. XD Rosey is a /fantastic/ writer, and this book is well worth your time.
You will laugh. Seriously, there are so many quotable, hilarious lines in this thing.
You will probably cry. Because plot things. And character things. And...yeah. XD
You will be moved. If you are not, then you have not read it, go back and read it properly. ;)
I could say much more, but then I would be rambling. XD *shoves you to go get a copy*
January 2, 2020
This book is amazing. It's a page turning, tear-jerking, hilarious, masterpiece. The characters are some of the best that I've ever read and the plot is /amazing/. Rosey's writing style is easy to read and fits the book perfectly.
1237/10 would recommend.
1237/10 would recommend.
January 5, 2019
I give it one million stars out of five.
Blank Mastermind is seriously one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not a huge fan of superhero stories or stories about amnesia, but it didn't matter because this book was AWESOME. The best thing I can state in this review is GO READ IT NOW. But since that's unlikely to convince you, I suppose I might as well explain why.
This novel is written in first-person, past-tense, which was just fine with me but you might as well know. It's generally a widely-known fact that the best way to reveal a character's sarcastic humor is to get inside his head. Well, Rosey Mucklestone did that-- and believe me, his head is not a boring place. She could fill a book with the internal ramblings of Wolfgang Dankworth... (who by the way is the most amazing guy EVER). I spent a good deal of my time reading chuckling.
The characters are all so precious and lovable. Of course there's Wolfgang, probably my favorite hero of 2018, and his ridiculously villainous name and his epic cluelessness. Dallas was a great character too, as was Amazing Man (I beg your pardon but I crack up every time I hear that pseudonym). Bad News, Liza, Cardboard, and the rest of the gang were cool too. Also Lucius. <3 <3 <3
Now despite what I've said about the humor and the characters and such, this book is definitely not a light and fluffy summer read. It deals with a lot of serious topics, but very gently and slowly, and it doesn't seem out of place at all. After all, this book is about a villain who has amnesia and can't remember what he was trying to do-- nor why he wanted to. Some parts of this story broke my heart... and then other parts knitted it back together. Some parts are hilarious, but others brought tears to my eyes. Don't be fooled by the humor; this story is one of redemption and realization and it was certainly very touching.
Content-wise, it was fine. Prayers were scattered throughout (mostly not by the protagonist at first, of course), and I loved that the author wove in a Christian theme to the story. Swearing is mentioned but is kept mild and shown in a negative light. There was violence and blood, but not described or gory or beyond tolerance. I commend the author for keeping it clean!
So... if you like a good book, read this. It was so beautiful. Here I am, wanting to tell everyone I know to read it and sulking because most of the people I know can't read it in English. (Why is it so difficult to translate books??!) Anyway, I loved this book and you people need to have Wolfgang Dankworth in your lives. So there.
*I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own. Really, they are.*
Blank Mastermind is seriously one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not a huge fan of superhero stories or stories about amnesia, but it didn't matter because this book was AWESOME. The best thing I can state in this review is GO READ IT NOW. But since that's unlikely to convince you, I suppose I might as well explain why.
This novel is written in first-person, past-tense, which was just fine with me but you might as well know. It's generally a widely-known fact that the best way to reveal a character's sarcastic humor is to get inside his head. Well, Rosey Mucklestone did that-- and believe me, his head is not a boring place. She could fill a book with the internal ramblings of Wolfgang Dankworth... (who by the way is the most amazing guy EVER). I spent a good deal of my time reading chuckling.
The characters are all so precious and lovable. Of course there's Wolfgang, probably my favorite hero of 2018, and his ridiculously villainous name and his epic cluelessness. Dallas was a great character too, as was Amazing Man (I beg your pardon but I crack up every time I hear that pseudonym). Bad News, Liza, Cardboard, and the rest of the gang were cool too. Also Lucius. <3 <3 <3
Now despite what I've said about the humor and the characters and such, this book is definitely not a light and fluffy summer read. It deals with a lot of serious topics, but very gently and slowly, and it doesn't seem out of place at all. After all, this book is about a villain who has amnesia and can't remember what he was trying to do-- nor why he wanted to. Some parts of this story broke my heart... and then other parts knitted it back together. Some parts are hilarious, but others brought tears to my eyes. Don't be fooled by the humor; this story is one of redemption and realization and it was certainly very touching.
Content-wise, it was fine. Prayers were scattered throughout (mostly not by the protagonist at first, of course), and I loved that the author wove in a Christian theme to the story. Swearing is mentioned but is kept mild and shown in a negative light. There was violence and blood, but not described or gory or beyond tolerance. I commend the author for keeping it clean!
So... if you like a good book, read this. It was so beautiful. Here I am, wanting to tell everyone I know to read it and sulking because most of the people I know can't read it in English. (Why is it so difficult to translate books??!) Anyway, I loved this book and you people need to have Wolfgang Dankworth in your lives. So there.
*I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own. Really, they are.*
October 31, 2023
Evil smells like vanilla and cigarettes, sounds like Schoolhouse Rock, tastes like strawberry ice cream, feels like a well-worn leather jacket, and looks very much like a WolfMart in this absolutely wonderful, unique story, where the hero is actually the villain and the villain isn’t all he’s painted himself to be.
I agree wholeheartedly with the slough of readers who’ve loved this book before me: Wolfgang Dankworth’s voice is just the best. It’s snarky and hilarious, but it’s simultaneously thoughtful and conflicted. And it never seems forced, which deeply impressed me. Wolfgang feels so very real, and his emotions feel so real, too.
Of course, there are moments in the plot where it’s necessary to suspend disbelief, but it’s entirely entertaining and compelling, flavored with non-hashed metaphors (like the jumbled Lego set), heartfelt flashes of memory, exciting action, uproarious humor, and profoundly organic prayers.
Highly recommended, 10000000%.
💣 content/trigger warnings: violence and blood. Mention of old scars on Wolfgang’s wrists, implying past struggles with self-harm. A few instances of mild language, both American and British. 💣
I agree wholeheartedly with the slough of readers who’ve loved this book before me: Wolfgang Dankworth’s voice is just the best. It’s snarky and hilarious, but it’s simultaneously thoughtful and conflicted. And it never seems forced, which deeply impressed me. Wolfgang feels so very real, and his emotions feel so real, too.
Of course, there are moments in the plot where it’s necessary to suspend disbelief, but it’s entirely entertaining and compelling, flavored with non-hashed metaphors (like the jumbled Lego set), heartfelt flashes of memory, exciting action, uproarious humor, and profoundly organic prayers.
Highly recommended, 10000000%.
💣 content/trigger warnings: violence and blood. Mention of old scars on Wolfgang’s wrists, implying past struggles with self-harm. A few instances of mild language, both American and British. 💣
January 3, 2019
WOOOOWWWW!!!!! I was so excited to finally get to read this book in its full and final form! I got to read a lot of the parts on the author's blog (you can check it out here, and I highly recommend it), but I got behind due to the craziness of school, so when I heard she was publishing it, I decided to wait and read the final product. And man, did it blow me away!!!
First of all, the idea of a villain getting amnesia is great, and the author executed it so well! Amnesia is hard to write, especially in first person, and she pulled it off! And with our amnesiac being a villain... well, that made the whole thing crazier. Not to mention that the name Wolfgang Dankworth is hilariously evil (apologies to anyone named Wolfgang Dankworth...).
And speaking of Wolfy, the characters in this book are amazing!!! I was so blown away by the character development. Not just Wolfy and his gang, but the superheroes too. Everyone seemed so real and normal and human. Like you could actually run into these people on the street. The little kids were also amazingly accurate and adorable, too.
The plot! This book kept me up reading all hours of the night because I just couldn't put it down. The twists and turns of the plot and the suspense were amazing, and aaaaahhhh it was so good!!! I hesitate to say much due to spoilers, so you just need to read it for yourself! I only had one minor issue . But that was really minor and it was handled all right later on.
Notes on the ending:
Favorite moments (with little-to-no context):
-Wolfgang finding out he was a villain. So. Much. Emotion.
-Ice cream and cake for breakfast. That's one thing I haven't done yet as a college student...
-Everything with Lucius.
-Cardboard. <3 Like... everything she does.
-Schoolhouse Rock
-Old Tom
-Bad News' "internal mother hen radar"
Favorite puns, jokes, and quotes:
-"What happened to your face?" "Dashing good looks happened to my face."
-"Something held me back from asking who my sworn enemy was. I guess I was nervous it would turn out to be Mother Theresa or something."
-
-
So, basically, read it! This book is soooo good, and now I want to get a paperback copy of it, too! I'm looking forward to reading more books by Rosey Mucklestone, and you should, too! This was a perfect first read for the year.
Amazing book, highly recommended, all the stars!!!
First of all, the idea of a villain getting amnesia is great, and the author executed it so well! Amnesia is hard to write, especially in first person, and she pulled it off! And with our amnesiac being a villain... well, that made the whole thing crazier. Not to mention that the name Wolfgang Dankworth is hilariously evil (apologies to anyone named Wolfgang Dankworth...).
And speaking of Wolfy, the characters in this book are amazing!!! I was so blown away by the character development. Not just Wolfy and his gang, but the superheroes too. Everyone seemed so real and normal and human. Like you could actually run into these people on the street. The little kids were also amazingly accurate and adorable, too.
The plot! This book kept me up reading all hours of the night because I just couldn't put it down. The twists and turns of the plot and the suspense were amazing, and aaaaahhhh it was so good!!! I hesitate to say much due to spoilers, so you just need to read it for yourself! I only had one minor issue . But that was really minor and it was handled all right later on.
Notes on the ending:
Favorite moments (with little-to-no context):
-Wolfgang finding out he was a villain. So. Much. Emotion.
-Ice cream and cake for breakfast. That's one thing I haven't done yet as a college student...
-Everything with Lucius.
-Cardboard. <3 Like... everything she does.
-Schoolhouse Rock
-Old Tom
-Bad News' "internal mother hen radar"
Favorite puns, jokes, and quotes:
-"What happened to your face?" "Dashing good looks happened to my face."
-"Something held me back from asking who my sworn enemy was. I guess I was nervous it would turn out to be Mother Theresa or something."
-
-
So, basically, read it! This book is soooo good, and now I want to get a paperback copy of it, too! I'm looking forward to reading more books by Rosey Mucklestone, and you should, too! This was a perfect first read for the year.
Amazing book, highly recommended, all the stars!!!
April 30, 2020
I loved this book so much. Every word drew me in and the characters were amazing <333 would totally recommend this book and every other book by Rosey since she's an awesome author :D
December 3, 2018
I love this book so much it has quickly entered my favorite books hall of fame.
- Enthralling first chapter
- Cast of characters to which the likes I have never seen before in terms of quirkiness, depth and personality
- Hilariousness
- Fulfilling character arc with real and conflicting emotions
- An amazing and action filled plot that kept me reading
- Superheroes
- Tear jerking scenes (i literally cried)
What more can you even ask?
- Enthralling first chapter
- Cast of characters to which the likes I have never seen before in terms of quirkiness, depth and personality
- Hilariousness
- Fulfilling character arc with real and conflicting emotions
- An amazing and action filled plot that kept me reading
- Superheroes
- Tear jerking scenes (i literally cried)
What more can you even ask?
December 3, 2018
i was a beta reader for this book, and i'm so excited to get a final copy when it comes out!
-if it had a soundtrack, it would feel like Kaleo, Barns Courtney, and Oh the Larceny
-this book is about memories with edges that are too hot to touch, but must be handled anyway + being angry at everything and nothing + wreaking hurt because you are hurt, in an endless cycle + standing helplessly in the ashes of your old self
-also about ex-hitmen who listen to Schoolhouse Rock + sharp mechanic girls and duty-driven boys + the nutritional benefits of cake for breakfast
-flips the “hero gets amnesia” trope upside down + lethal amounts of Sass + strong first-person narrator voice + redemption arcs + justice delivered in unexpected ways
-if it had a soundtrack, it would feel like Kaleo, Barns Courtney, and Oh the Larceny
-this book is about memories with edges that are too hot to touch, but must be handled anyway + being angry at everything and nothing + wreaking hurt because you are hurt, in an endless cycle + standing helplessly in the ashes of your old self
-also about ex-hitmen who listen to Schoolhouse Rock + sharp mechanic girls and duty-driven boys + the nutritional benefits of cake for breakfast
-flips the “hero gets amnesia” trope upside down + lethal amounts of Sass + strong first-person narrator voice + redemption arcs + justice delivered in unexpected ways
December 17, 2018
I loved reading this book, it was incredibly well done and it took me (only) a day.
Beware of the moose.
Beware of the moose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2018
Likes:
This book is probably one of my favorite books that I’ve read all year (and I’ve read a lot of amazing books, believe me). Why, you ask? Lemme tell you.
The humor is to die for. I’ve read many books where the author tries to make the narration or their main character funny … a lot of times leading to it feeling forced. Yeah, um, not with this book! It is funny, but it feels very natural. And when I say funny, I mean funny.
Also! Also! The characters are all so beautiful! While we didn’t have loads of time to flesh them all out completely … they were all so individual and lovely (er?) and unique.
But I do have to say, my favorite thing about BM (and no, it’s not Wolf *sigh*) is how it’s so believable. How Wolfy and his character arc develops is just fabulous. Backstories are A+. Everything just feels very … real.
Characters:
Wolf is a beaut. We start out with him being an amnesiac, so a whole lot of his personality is unsure … but boy is he sarcastic and funny. As we – along with Wolf – figure out just who he is, his character develops believably. He is hilarious and kinda clueless for almost all of it.
I’ll admit, I’m kinda on the edge with Dallas. On one hand, his is the sweetest, most innocent, most clueless (er, after Wolfy) character ever and WE MOST PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS. I really liked him … but yet on the other I felt that he was one of the least developed characters, which is kinda sad because I would have LOVED to see more of him.
Bad News is another beauty. He seems straight out of a mobster family. He’s all big and tough … BUT he listens to kids music and eats ice cream 24/7. He’s sweet and can see straight into a person’s soul. While at first I thought that I would hate that combo, I discovered that I absolutely loved it! Very unique and written well.
I loved the pack (the whole “bad gang”). We had Liza – super caring and bouncy, but also with a sad backstory. Roy, who was my personal fav – he was the hotshot who holds no regards to speed limits. Amazing Man was interesting … I liked seeing how he was portrayed in and out of the public eye. And of course the whole Dankworth fam was adorable.
Writing/Plot:
As I’ve already gushed over numerous times, the writing was to die for.
We start out in the beginning where we and Wolfy know next to nothing. It is very light and almost goofy in the beginning, having me manically giggling every-other page. And yet, as the story progressed and the tone got a little heavier, it grew more serious very slowly. At the end, then, when things began to resolve, it got funnier again. Everything just progressed so … perfectly. The tone was absolutely amazing.
And, I mean, guys. I love Rosey’s writing!!! It was just perfect. Fit the story super well.
Maybe I just live under a rock, but I felt that the whole story was very unique. Never read it before. Fresh and new.
Dislikes:
I do have a few quibbles, but not much.
There were a few lines of Christian themes in there – prayers and stuff. Now, that’s whatever. But I felt that whenever it was in, it felt very out of place, imo. A lil disjointed.
Also, the resolution was a little quick/neat, but otherwise I think that that’s it!
Other/Summary:
Blank Mastermind has something for everyone. You like superheroes? Ya, it’s covered. Humor? For sure. Sweet contemporaries? Action? Redemption? Villains and tragedies? IT HAS IT ALL.
Very funny and fun, Wolfy is the best character ever. The writing is fab. Everyone should read it.
There is some violence, but overall, not too much. There is muuuurder, but we don’t actively see it. Lots of sad sequences (NO, I’M NOT STILL CRYING ).
IT IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT, LET ME JUST SAY. (I’m getting it for myself. Thanks, Me.)
This book is probably one of my favorite books that I’ve read all year (and I’ve read a lot of amazing books, believe me). Why, you ask? Lemme tell you.
The humor is to die for. I’ve read many books where the author tries to make the narration or their main character funny … a lot of times leading to it feeling forced. Yeah, um, not with this book! It is funny, but it feels very natural. And when I say funny, I mean funny.
Also! Also! The characters are all so beautiful! While we didn’t have loads of time to flesh them all out completely … they were all so individual and lovely (er?) and unique.
But I do have to say, my favorite thing about BM (and no, it’s not Wolf *sigh*) is how it’s so believable. How Wolfy and his character arc develops is just fabulous. Backstories are A+. Everything just feels very … real.
Characters:
Wolf is a beaut. We start out with him being an amnesiac, so a whole lot of his personality is unsure … but boy is he sarcastic and funny. As we – along with Wolf – figure out just who he is, his character develops believably. He is hilarious and kinda clueless for almost all of it.
I’ll admit, I’m kinda on the edge with Dallas. On one hand, his is the sweetest, most innocent, most clueless (er, after Wolfy) character ever and WE MOST PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS. I really liked him … but yet on the other I felt that he was one of the least developed characters, which is kinda sad because I would have LOVED to see more of him.
Bad News is another beauty. He seems straight out of a mobster family. He’s all big and tough … BUT he listens to kids music and eats ice cream 24/7. He’s sweet and can see straight into a person’s soul. While at first I thought that I would hate that combo, I discovered that I absolutely loved it! Very unique and written well.
I loved the pack (the whole “bad gang”). We had Liza – super caring and bouncy, but also with a sad backstory. Roy, who was my personal fav – he was the hotshot who holds no regards to speed limits. Amazing Man was interesting … I liked seeing how he was portrayed in and out of the public eye. And of course the whole Dankworth fam was adorable.
Writing/Plot:
As I’ve already gushed over numerous times, the writing was to die for.
We start out in the beginning where we and Wolfy know next to nothing. It is very light and almost goofy in the beginning, having me manically giggling every-other page. And yet, as the story progressed and the tone got a little heavier, it grew more serious very slowly. At the end, then, when things began to resolve, it got funnier again. Everything just progressed so … perfectly. The tone was absolutely amazing.
And, I mean, guys. I love Rosey’s writing!!! It was just perfect. Fit the story super well.
Maybe I just live under a rock, but I felt that the whole story was very unique. Never read it before. Fresh and new.
Dislikes:
I do have a few quibbles, but not much.
There were a few lines of Christian themes in there – prayers and stuff. Now, that’s whatever. But I felt that whenever it was in, it felt very out of place, imo. A lil disjointed.
Also, the resolution was a little quick/neat, but otherwise I think that that’s it!
Other/Summary:
Blank Mastermind has something for everyone. You like superheroes? Ya, it’s covered. Humor? For sure. Sweet contemporaries? Action? Redemption? Villains and tragedies? IT HAS IT ALL.
Very funny and fun, Wolfy is the best character ever. The writing is fab. Everyone should read it.
There is some violence, but overall, not too much. There is muuuurder, but we don’t actively see it. Lots of sad sequences (NO, I’M NOT STILL CRYING ).
IT IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT, LET ME JUST SAY. (I’m getting it for myself. Thanks, Me.)
May 11, 2021
Having been a huge fan of this author's blog (which is amazingly fun and I will FOREVER credit my discovery and love for HORATIO HORNBLOWER to above mentioned - really, go check out her blog right now :), I finally decided to buy and read this book.
And now I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed. Basically stayed up 'till past midnight to try to make headway in the story (I work long hours during the day).
It's fast-paced and gripping (although not really poetic or what I would consider to be my favorite style of writing, but it gets the story across) prose. Mucklestone does a wonderful job setting the hook and moving the story forward.
Each character is unique and the humor is fun and I appreciate it. (There's quite a gang/cast here... AND A LOT OF ICE CREAM AND CAKES... made me want to eat some while reading... :)
Wolfgang's redemption arc is probably one of my favorite things in this book (being a huge fan for anything redemption). Other than the very original Bad News, of course. xD I love his quirks!
No huge surprises or twists for me in this one. (Not a lot of suspense... as that goes. But the MC's pain is real and I feel for all of his pains in most of the book xD).
Overall not extremely memorable for me and not as amazing as I expected, but still a great read and I certainly recommend if you just want to pick up something PLAIN FUN and LIGHT.
Cons: (Nothing huge. Most of these could probably have been easily solved with a prof. edit.)
- Not sure why the author felt the need to include so many instances of characters cursing? There are no explicit language that I recall (perhaps "d--m" is said a few times on screen, but nothing above PG-13), but the MC and some other characters are described as basically muttering curses under their breath or something akin to that and I felt it became too repetitive to be useful. :P
- The switch from Fernsby to Charles to Mr. Fernsby made me re-read the scene a few times to make sure I didn't miss anyone new coming in. So if you get confused as I was, just realize they're the same person but I have no idea why the author decided to switch the names like that.
- Some weird grammatical errors like sentences ending but no periods present. Maybe to be expected with a less costly indie release.
- The ending feels a bit dragged on.
Conclusion:
Recommend for light/quick reading with an entertaining story.
Re-read-worthy? As I can't really think of anything I really downright loved, probably not. Unless I forget the story and want to just read it for fun again.
And now I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed. Basically stayed up 'till past midnight to try to make headway in the story (I work long hours during the day).
It's fast-paced and gripping (although not really poetic or what I would consider to be my favorite style of writing, but it gets the story across) prose. Mucklestone does a wonderful job setting the hook and moving the story forward.
Each character is unique and the humor is fun and I appreciate it. (There's quite a gang/cast here... AND A LOT OF ICE CREAM AND CAKES... made me want to eat some while reading... :)
Wolfgang's redemption arc is probably one of my favorite things in this book (being a huge fan for anything redemption). Other than the very original Bad News, of course. xD I love his quirks!
No huge surprises or twists for me in this one. (Not a lot of suspense... as that goes. But the MC's pain is real and I feel for all of his pains in most of the book xD).
Overall not extremely memorable for me and not as amazing as I expected, but still a great read and I certainly recommend if you just want to pick up something PLAIN FUN and LIGHT.
Cons: (Nothing huge. Most of these could probably have been easily solved with a prof. edit.)
- Not sure why the author felt the need to include so many instances of characters cursing? There are no explicit language that I recall (perhaps "d--m" is said a few times on screen, but nothing above PG-13), but the MC and some other characters are described as basically muttering curses under their breath or something akin to that and I felt it became too repetitive to be useful. :P
- The switch from Fernsby to Charles to Mr. Fernsby made me re-read the scene a few times to make sure I didn't miss anyone new coming in. So if you get confused as I was, just realize they're the same person but I have no idea why the author decided to switch the names like that.
- Some weird grammatical errors like sentences ending but no periods present. Maybe to be expected with a less costly indie release.
- The ending feels a bit dragged on.
Conclusion:
Recommend for light/quick reading with an entertaining story.
Re-read-worthy? As I can't really think of anything I really downright loved, probably not. Unless I forget the story and want to just read it for fun again.
May 27, 2020
Well, so thank you, Ms. Gaines, for having recommended this author...
Positives: Ohoho....where do I begin?? First of all, GOODNESS. The redemption arc in this one was so well done. The characterization of every character was spot on, and the world of Earth two years from now was just set up and immersed in so well. The pacing was mostly smooth, especially concerning the unravelling of motivations and revelations, and I think every detail behind the plot and character made sense. Also, the Chrisian themes in here were wonderfully incorporated...and the humor was perfect without taking away the gravity of the serious.
Negatives: Hmm...there were a few grammar and redundancy issues. Some pacing (long ending) and progression issues as well but nothing really noticeable. There wasn't anything that I think would take away from enjoying this book, and, like I said, they aren't noticeable.
Opinion: Ohhhhh. I really liked this book. I looove villain redemptions with my whole heart, and Wolfgang was the perfect amount of confused and conflicted and real with his amnesia and past that made him all too likable for all his world hated him. (Hehe. Sorry for the ramble). Every character was just SO fun. And I loved the slight dark humor as well as the spiritual elements. But mostly, the plot and the characters, not to mention just the story in itself and it's uniqueness, was greattt. But I will say that - Amazing Man....what kind of superhero name is that????? Then again, Superman isn't much better...
Content: We some rough, sci-fi superhero violence. Nothing graphic, though I felt bad that the protagonist spends 99% of the book injured.
Positives: Ohoho....where do I begin?? First of all, GOODNESS. The redemption arc in this one was so well done. The characterization of every character was spot on, and the world of Earth two years from now was just set up and immersed in so well. The pacing was mostly smooth, especially concerning the unravelling of motivations and revelations, and I think every detail behind the plot and character made sense. Also, the Chrisian themes in here were wonderfully incorporated...and the humor was perfect without taking away the gravity of the serious.
Negatives: Hmm...there were a few grammar and redundancy issues. Some pacing (long ending) and progression issues as well but nothing really noticeable. There wasn't anything that I think would take away from enjoying this book, and, like I said, they aren't noticeable.
Opinion: Ohhhhh. I really liked this book. I looove villain redemptions with my whole heart, and Wolfgang was the perfect amount of confused and conflicted and real with his amnesia and past that made him all too likable for all his world hated him. (Hehe. Sorry for the ramble). Every character was just SO fun. And I loved the slight dark humor as well as the spiritual elements. But mostly, the plot and the characters, not to mention just the story in itself and it's uniqueness, was greattt. But I will say that - Amazing Man....what kind of superhero name is that????? Then again, Superman isn't much better...
Content: We some rough, sci-fi superhero violence. Nothing graphic, though I felt bad that the protagonist spends 99% of the book injured.
December 31, 2020
7/5 stars
Let me just start out by saying, Oh. My. Goodness. This. Book. Is. Beyond. Amazing.
Blank Mastermind is the story of a man who wakes up with no memories, next to a dead body, backstage in an opera house. It only gets better from there.
Rosey Mucklestone weaves a masterful tale of an amnesiac struggling to put together the pieces of his life and come to grips with his past self. Written with the perfect balance of humor and raw emotion, she delivers a memorable story, stock full of quirky, lovable characters.
I'm not really a fan-girlly type of person, but boy, Rosey got me. Wolfgang Dankworth was the first character I've actually fan-girled over. This book made me feel actual emotions, which honestly doesn't happen very much at all.
If you're looking for a book with amazing characters, a compelling arc, great humor, a protagonist struggling for redemption, and an ice cream-toting hitman, look no further.
Let me just start out by saying, Oh. My. Goodness. This. Book. Is. Beyond. Amazing.
Blank Mastermind is the story of a man who wakes up with no memories, next to a dead body, backstage in an opera house. It only gets better from there.
Rosey Mucklestone weaves a masterful tale of an amnesiac struggling to put together the pieces of his life and come to grips with his past self. Written with the perfect balance of humor and raw emotion, she delivers a memorable story, stock full of quirky, lovable characters.
I'm not really a fan-girlly type of person, but boy, Rosey got me. Wolfgang Dankworth was the first character I've actually fan-girled over. This book made me feel actual emotions, which honestly doesn't happen very much at all.
If you're looking for a book with amazing characters, a compelling arc, great humor, a protagonist struggling for redemption, and an ice cream-toting hitman, look no further.
October 23, 2019
One of the best YA novels I've ever read. The Characters were amazing, the plot was stupendous, and the dialogue witty.
The way the characters reacted and talked was one of the greatest parts of this book, and it mirrored some of the best contemporary fiction I've ever read.
overall? Great.
The way the characters reacted and talked was one of the greatest parts of this book, and it mirrored some of the best contemporary fiction I've ever read.
overall? Great.
January 13, 2019
I thought this would be a lighthearted escape from reality. It wasn't. Yes, I laughed some. The sarcasm was perfect -- just enough to be awesome without being too much. And I LOVED the author's writing style. But mostly, it hit too close to home (despite my life situation being TOTALLY different from the character's). There were points when I had to put it down, it hurt too much to read.
Things I Loved:
-The ice cream
-The sarcasm/humor
-The themes (family, loyalty, healing)
-The unique premise
-The very-real moral wrestling
-The characters -- very well done (Especially Dallas. He was my favorite)
-A plot that, while I saw the end, kept me guessing as to how the book would get there.
Things I Wish Had Been Better:
-The redemption at the end. The MC chose the right thing, but is healing like that really so light-switch-like? Maybe it's just my own current issues, but even when everything turns out happy, shouldn't the MC still have lingering struggle?
-The Christian part. Okay, first, how each author portrays faith in fiction is completely their choice and I respect that. The author actually did a really good job balancing it and avoiding preachiness. However, sometimes it felt like the avoidance of preachiness went a little too far and made some scenes that could have been more powerful less so. It's hard to present such darkness without fully presenting the light.
Things I'm Not Sure I Liked Or Not:
-I was amazed at how the author managed to portray the MC in such ways. We saw him through so many situations and heard his entire story, but at the same time, his worst and best moments happened mostly off-screen, only described from a distance. It was interesting how we could know the character so well and yet he could still be withdrawn and private even from the reader. If that makes sense.
Content Warnings:
The author did a good job dealing carefully with some really dark things, however for some reason, I feel the need to give a trigger warning. Not quite sure why. There was...
-Brief mentions of old scars on a character's wrists, implying self-harm but not saying anything explicit.
-Lots of violence and blood. (shooting, punching, head wounds, injuries)
-Quite a few implications of language, for example, "he cussed", but it does not include any explicit language I don't think.
A Few Quotes:
"Minutes pass like ages when you're reconsidering your life."
"I'd put myself back together wrong. This wasn't what love looked like. I was still broken inside. But I wasn't irreparable."
"My body felt tired, but my mind was more awake than a caffeinated chipmunk."
"I was bleeding. Bleeding memories. Words and images pouring out of the darkness and into my mind so fast my vision spun."
"Count on artificial intelligence to ruin the dramatic, evil moment."
"I shouldn't randomly open my mouth. My thoughts fall out."
"Look up "predicament" in the dictionary. I'm pretty sure you'll see some reference to this situation."
Things I Loved:
-The ice cream
-The sarcasm/humor
-The themes (family, loyalty, healing)
-The unique premise
-The very-real moral wrestling
-The characters -- very well done (Especially Dallas. He was my favorite)
-A plot that, while I saw the end, kept me guessing as to how the book would get there.
Things I Wish Had Been Better:
-The redemption at the end. The MC chose the right thing, but is healing like that really so light-switch-like? Maybe it's just my own current issues, but even when everything turns out happy, shouldn't the MC still have lingering struggle?
-The Christian part. Okay, first, how each author portrays faith in fiction is completely their choice and I respect that. The author actually did a really good job balancing it and avoiding preachiness. However, sometimes it felt like the avoidance of preachiness went a little too far and made some scenes that could have been more powerful less so. It's hard to present such darkness without fully presenting the light.
Things I'm Not Sure I Liked Or Not:
-I was amazed at how the author managed to portray the MC in such ways. We saw him through so many situations and heard his entire story, but at the same time, his worst and best moments happened mostly off-screen, only described from a distance. It was interesting how we could know the character so well and yet he could still be withdrawn and private even from the reader. If that makes sense.
Content Warnings:
The author did a good job dealing carefully with some really dark things, however for some reason, I feel the need to give a trigger warning. Not quite sure why. There was...
-Brief mentions of old scars on a character's wrists, implying self-harm but not saying anything explicit.
-Lots of violence and blood. (shooting, punching, head wounds, injuries)
-Quite a few implications of language, for example, "he cussed", but it does not include any explicit language I don't think.
A Few Quotes:
"Minutes pass like ages when you're reconsidering your life."
"I'd put myself back together wrong. This wasn't what love looked like. I was still broken inside. But I wasn't irreparable."
"My body felt tired, but my mind was more awake than a caffeinated chipmunk."
"I was bleeding. Bleeding memories. Words and images pouring out of the darkness and into my mind so fast my vision spun."
"Count on artificial intelligence to ruin the dramatic, evil moment."
"I shouldn't randomly open my mouth. My thoughts fall out."
"Look up "predicament" in the dictionary. I'm pretty sure you'll see some reference to this situation."
December 16, 2018
This book has gotta be one of my favourite books of all time. The plot, the characters, the setting, it's all so intriguing and well written. 100% recommend. :)
December 12, 2018
I love this book. I love villains. (I wrote my own book where a villain was the protagonist, so villain protagonists have a special place in my heart.)
Wolfgang Dankworth has the unfortunate luck to wake up covered in blood, with no idea why.
First of all, a villain with amnesia? Brilliant.
But it’s just about the funniest book I’ve read. Why?
The Characters:
Wolfgang “Wolf” Dankworth: Recovering villain. Lots of sass and sarcasm. (Also, Rosey does an amazing job of making him a villain without doing anything that would violate the reader in any way. Minor swears such as h-ll, but other than that, it’s all alluded to.)
Bad News: your friendly neighborhood thug literally named “Baden ‘Bad’ News” whose entire diet is cake and ice cream. Also has a peculiar affinity for Schoolhouse Rock.
Lisa: brilliant mechanic with turquoise hair and tragic backstory
Cardboard: a little child so named because she was found in a dumpster labeled cardboard only
Roy: Hot shot who believes speed limits should be banned
Amazing Man/Charles Fernsby: The main superhero of the story. He’s charismatic, friendly, compassionate, and all around the perfect good guy. Wolf’s mortal enemy.
Dallas Knight: Amazing Man’s sidekick, a clumsy little child of 19 who has superpowers, but chooses not to use them because he messes up when he uses them. Painfully shy, but sweet. (We love Dallas.)
It’s a thoroughly engaging and entertaining story from the very start. I mean, it’s a bother when you’re the hero who has amnesia, but when you’re the villain and have a lot of top secret evil plans that you just can’t remember or even why you’re doing it… that’s a real problem.
Wolf has a wonderful, humorous voice:
“a fact to take note of, for future reference: I’m very much not a morning
person. Probably from bad habits of staying up past midnight and murdering people.”
“Well, I’m very fashionably late. Because I’m very fashionable.”
“who cares about imminent, life-threatening explosions when you’ve got a Mustang?”
The redemption arc is so beautifully done. I could understand why Wolf felt the way he did and why he acted like he did when he was still the villain. And I could also feel his pain when he was trying to figure who he was and what he wanted to do.
This story had me laughing out loud, but then the pain creeps in. It’s a good kind of pain, though. The backstory of Wolf, and Lisa, for that matter, was heart-wrenching.
Rosey’s writing is so lovely and perfect for the story. She can write about ice cream and Schoolhouse Rock, then weave little lines like these into the story:
“Do they go away, d’you think? The ghosts? The nightmares?”
“The thing is that he . . . his love got broken. It went into tiny little pieces all over
the place and he tried to put it back together, but it got built back differently. It doesn’t
work the way it used to . . . it’s still broken inside. It’s twisted and . . . wrong now, but he
still thinks it’s love.”
Then in the end, she wraps it up happily and nicely.
All the loose ends tie up, and everyone lives (mostly) happily ever after.
Anything I didn’t like?
I loved this book. (Can you not tell?) There were just a few things that I didn’t care for though:
-a couple Christian lines were woven into the book. I don’t thin that was necessarily bad, I just don’t think it fit very well with the story. The theme reflects Christianity as is, anyways.
-a couple cliche things, but mostly done for fun
-I’m not really sure how this type of amnesia works scientifically, but it’s obviously not a story about realistic things, so I’m willing to suspend my disbelief
-we need more Dallassssss. I wish there was more of a resolution, or a scene at the end with just Dallas and Wolf.
-the superhero names were a little disappointing. (Amazing Man) (I know, I know, I’m nitpicking)
In the end, I recommend this book for anyone who loves a story that’s not meant to be taken too seriously, villains, ice cream, eccentric gangs, superheroes, redemption stories, and all the feels.
Wolfgang Dankworth has the unfortunate luck to wake up covered in blood, with no idea why.
First of all, a villain with amnesia? Brilliant.
But it’s just about the funniest book I’ve read. Why?
The Characters:
Wolfgang “Wolf” Dankworth: Recovering villain. Lots of sass and sarcasm. (Also, Rosey does an amazing job of making him a villain without doing anything that would violate the reader in any way. Minor swears such as h-ll, but other than that, it’s all alluded to.)
Bad News: your friendly neighborhood thug literally named “Baden ‘Bad’ News” whose entire diet is cake and ice cream. Also has a peculiar affinity for Schoolhouse Rock.
Lisa: brilliant mechanic with turquoise hair and tragic backstory
Cardboard: a little child so named because she was found in a dumpster labeled cardboard only
Roy: Hot shot who believes speed limits should be banned
Amazing Man/Charles Fernsby: The main superhero of the story. He’s charismatic, friendly, compassionate, and all around the perfect good guy. Wolf’s mortal enemy.
Dallas Knight: Amazing Man’s sidekick, a clumsy little child of 19 who has superpowers, but chooses not to use them because he messes up when he uses them. Painfully shy, but sweet. (We love Dallas.)
It’s a thoroughly engaging and entertaining story from the very start. I mean, it’s a bother when you’re the hero who has amnesia, but when you’re the villain and have a lot of top secret evil plans that you just can’t remember or even why you’re doing it… that’s a real problem.
Wolf has a wonderful, humorous voice:
“a fact to take note of, for future reference: I’m very much not a morning
person. Probably from bad habits of staying up past midnight and murdering people.”
“Well, I’m very fashionably late. Because I’m very fashionable.”
“who cares about imminent, life-threatening explosions when you’ve got a Mustang?”
The redemption arc is so beautifully done. I could understand why Wolf felt the way he did and why he acted like he did when he was still the villain. And I could also feel his pain when he was trying to figure who he was and what he wanted to do.
This story had me laughing out loud, but then the pain creeps in. It’s a good kind of pain, though. The backstory of Wolf, and Lisa, for that matter, was heart-wrenching.
Rosey’s writing is so lovely and perfect for the story. She can write about ice cream and Schoolhouse Rock, then weave little lines like these into the story:
“Do they go away, d’you think? The ghosts? The nightmares?”
“The thing is that he . . . his love got broken. It went into tiny little pieces all over
the place and he tried to put it back together, but it got built back differently. It doesn’t
work the way it used to . . . it’s still broken inside. It’s twisted and . . . wrong now, but he
still thinks it’s love.”
Then in the end, she wraps it up happily and nicely.
All the loose ends tie up, and everyone lives (mostly) happily ever after.
Anything I didn’t like?
I loved this book. (Can you not tell?) There were just a few things that I didn’t care for though:
-a couple Christian lines were woven into the book. I don’t thin that was necessarily bad, I just don’t think it fit very well with the story. The theme reflects Christianity as is, anyways.
-a couple cliche things, but mostly done for fun
-I’m not really sure how this type of amnesia works scientifically, but it’s obviously not a story about realistic things, so I’m willing to suspend my disbelief
-we need more Dallassssss. I wish there was more of a resolution, or a scene at the end with just Dallas and Wolf.
-the superhero names were a little disappointing. (Amazing Man) (I know, I know, I’m nitpicking)
In the end, I recommend this book for anyone who loves a story that’s not meant to be taken too seriously, villains, ice cream, eccentric gangs, superheroes, redemption stories, and all the feels.
January 24, 2019
From beginning to end, I was having to keep turning the pages. There wasn't a single moment that wasn't engaging and making me either cry, laugh, or hold my breath in suspense.
I've had people rave to me about Blank Mastermind for a long time now, so I had really high expectations for it, and this book met and exceeded them.
Villain with amnesia? Awesome concept.
Character voice that is full of humour and lines like, "It felt like I'd been through a food processor - or a rock tumbler. Maybe both" and then more? Stellar.
A powerful journey through some deep, meaningful themes? Unbelievably well executed.
The cast was fantastic, and each character was engaging, and had real, authentic flaws. Side characters and main characters alike, they had personalities, flaws, strengths, and character development where needed. This is one of the best books I've ever read for dealing with over ten fairly important characters, each growing and changing throughout the story.
Blank Mastermind manages to deal with some really dark, deep, and personal topics. I've never felt that I can relate to the 'villain' in a book as well as I could in this one. One of the signs that I think everyone agrees on resulting in a great villain, is for the reader to be able to see themselves falling into the same trap of evil as the character has. Blank Mastermind does that insanely well.
Content: There's a pretty high death count, and a few mentions of suicide attempts / suicidal thoughts that are not acted on, on stage. Otherwise, not much to say. Probably best for 14-year-olds and up.
Warning:
Feels were real all through. Prepare to cry, and to scream at the book. (I did both, so that is not an exaggeration.) Plot twists will also keep you gasping at random times, and your brain may well explode.
This is such a feelsy, suspensful, humorous, and meaningful book that anyone who loves action, superhero, or dystopian YA novels should definitely read.
I've had people rave to me about Blank Mastermind for a long time now, so I had really high expectations for it, and this book met and exceeded them.
Villain with amnesia? Awesome concept.
Character voice that is full of humour and lines like, "It felt like I'd been through a food processor - or a rock tumbler. Maybe both" and then more? Stellar.
A powerful journey through some deep, meaningful themes? Unbelievably well executed.
The cast was fantastic, and each character was engaging, and had real, authentic flaws. Side characters and main characters alike, they had personalities, flaws, strengths, and character development where needed. This is one of the best books I've ever read for dealing with over ten fairly important characters, each growing and changing throughout the story.
Blank Mastermind manages to deal with some really dark, deep, and personal topics. I've never felt that I can relate to the 'villain' in a book as well as I could in this one. One of the signs that I think everyone agrees on resulting in a great villain, is for the reader to be able to see themselves falling into the same trap of evil as the character has. Blank Mastermind does that insanely well.
Content: There's a pretty high death count, and a few mentions of suicide attempts / suicidal thoughts that are not acted on, on stage. Otherwise, not much to say. Probably best for 14-year-olds and up.
Warning:
Feels were real all through. Prepare to cry, and to scream at the book. (I did both, so that is not an exaggeration.) Plot twists will also keep you gasping at random times, and your brain may well explode.
This is such a feelsy, suspensful, humorous, and meaningful book that anyone who loves action, superhero, or dystopian YA novels should definitely read.
July 29, 2020
Book 34: Blank Mastermind by: Rosey Mucklestone
“I was Wolfgang Dankworth. The man with the worst luck in the world and about enough memories to fill a teacup.”
One of my cousins is in love with this book, and I like finding new books, so we read it together. Blank Mastermind has a really interesting premise. A villain has lost his memory and when he finds out who he used to be, he wants to leave the villain's life behind and become good. Through the book, we follow Wolfgang as he wakes up not knowing anything, like who he is or why he’s covered in blood next to a dead body. I liked learning things with him, but there were a few flaws with that.
Wolfgang keeps meeting people who know him. There’s Dallas and Bad News, who are the only ones he tells about his memory loss. I don’t know why Bad News, one of his villain teammates, doesn’t just tell Wolfgang everything. There’s a scene where the bad guys are planning to blow up a family at a sports game and Wolfgang doesn’t really get told that they’re doing that. I wish there had been some help from Bad News in explaining things. But that was about it. I liked the villain gang.
Cardboard needs a spin-off. That is all. (Okay. That’s not all. I’ve read a lot of books with a sassy young girl companion in them and sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. I think Cardboard worked well! There. Now that’s all!)
I loved seeing Wolfgang’s fall to being a villain. When his brother died and he just lost it and he shot at Amazing Man (please forgive me if that is not his name I don’t have the book with me and read it almost two weeks ago.) I could really feel his pain and hatred. It was heartbreaking to see Liza calling for her love, looking in the wreckage of the bombing. It was heartbreaking when she read his letter in the museum. I loved the scene where Wolfgang, Liza, and Dallas were trying to dismantle the bomb near the end and the chapter just ends with the implication of an explosion. I loved that so much.
There was also some mention of praying, and I wish that there was a bit more of a religious angle because that could be really cool to see. I am always interested in seeing more characters in books practicing their religion in books!
I liked that in the end, the big bad overarching villain wasn’t taken out by the good guys but by a moose. Sure, I would’ve liked to see a big final showdown, but there was something fresh about how he died. I also really liked the plot twist that the same man who created the superheroes was the same man who bombed the community and funded the villains. That was so creative and I didn't see it coming.
“I was Wolfgang Dankworth. The man with the worst luck in the world and about enough memories to fill a teacup.”
One of my cousins is in love with this book, and I like finding new books, so we read it together. Blank Mastermind has a really interesting premise. A villain has lost his memory and when he finds out who he used to be, he wants to leave the villain's life behind and become good. Through the book, we follow Wolfgang as he wakes up not knowing anything, like who he is or why he’s covered in blood next to a dead body. I liked learning things with him, but there were a few flaws with that.
Wolfgang keeps meeting people who know him. There’s Dallas and Bad News, who are the only ones he tells about his memory loss. I don’t know why Bad News, one of his villain teammates, doesn’t just tell Wolfgang everything. There’s a scene where the bad guys are planning to blow up a family at a sports game and Wolfgang doesn’t really get told that they’re doing that. I wish there had been some help from Bad News in explaining things. But that was about it. I liked the villain gang.
Cardboard needs a spin-off. That is all. (Okay. That’s not all. I’ve read a lot of books with a sassy young girl companion in them and sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. I think Cardboard worked well! There. Now that’s all!)
I loved seeing Wolfgang’s fall to being a villain. When his brother died and he just lost it and he shot at Amazing Man (please forgive me if that is not his name I don’t have the book with me and read it almost two weeks ago.) I could really feel his pain and hatred. It was heartbreaking to see Liza calling for her love, looking in the wreckage of the bombing. It was heartbreaking when she read his letter in the museum. I loved the scene where Wolfgang, Liza, and Dallas were trying to dismantle the bomb near the end and the chapter just ends with the implication of an explosion. I loved that so much.
There was also some mention of praying, and I wish that there was a bit more of a religious angle because that could be really cool to see. I am always interested in seeing more characters in books practicing their religion in books!
I liked that in the end, the big bad overarching villain wasn’t taken out by the good guys but by a moose. Sure, I would’ve liked to see a big final showdown, but there was something fresh about how he died. I also really liked the plot twist that the same man who created the superheroes was the same man who bombed the community and funded the villains. That was so creative and I didn't see it coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2023
Tear out my heart, why don't you? ACK!! This book... 🥺
I don't even have words to express how I feel about it. I cried so hard over this book, harder than I've cried over a book in a while. I cried myself to sleep after staying up too late reading it and then other nights I just laid in the dark, depressed. Wolfgang tore me a part! His past was so heart wrenching... I can't. I just can't.
But his transformation! Yes!! We need more of these type of stories in fiction! I LOVED all the tropes here. Amnesia, superhero, redemptive villain, ACK!! This entire story... 😭
To be honest, I didn't know if I'd like it that well. It was very cliche and there were a lot of grammatical errors. But as the story went on, I didn't even care. I loved it. 💔 This was one of the best books I've read in a while... Possibly this year. It was great. I would highly recommend it!
I don't even have words to express how I feel about it. I cried so hard over this book, harder than I've cried over a book in a while. I cried myself to sleep after staying up too late reading it and then other nights I just laid in the dark, depressed. Wolfgang tore me a part! His past was so heart wrenching... I can't. I just can't.
But his transformation! Yes!! We need more of these type of stories in fiction! I LOVED all the tropes here. Amnesia, superhero, redemptive villain, ACK!! This entire story... 😭
To be honest, I didn't know if I'd like it that well. It was very cliche and there were a lot of grammatical errors. But as the story went on, I didn't even care. I loved it. 💔 This was one of the best books I've read in a while... Possibly this year. It was great. I would highly recommend it!
February 1, 2021
Although I read this a little while ago, I've put off writing this review because I didn't know if I could properly express how much I love this book.
It is hands down one of the best novels I've ever read. The constantly moving and nuanced plot, the intrigue, the unique and captivating characters, the presence of a main character with amnesia (one of my favorite story elements anytime), the gripping and hilarious writing style, the moving theme...all of it was done with extreme tact and talent.
Though it took me a couple of chapters to become thoroughly engrossed in the story, I was intrigued and wanted to find out what was going on from the very start. By the time I reached the fourth chapter I was completely hooked. And upon reaching a certain plot twist, I read the entire second half of the book in one night because not finishing seemed a lot more painful than not sleeping.
Just one of the many elements I loved - but one of the biggest - was the way Mucklestone seamlessly and powerfully wove in faith. She hardly, if at all, mentioned anything regarding God for most the book, setting the stage to showcase the amazing way the Lord can redeem and restore even the most 'decorated' criminals, if only they'll try to seek Him. Not at all preachy, just extremely potent and inspiring.
As soon as I finished, I began pestering my sister to read it, finally reading her the first chapter just to convince her to start. Well, I haven't seen the book since. She was hooked from the first page, and is now continuing without me because I read too slowly for her.
This is definitely going to remain in my favorites and - once I do get it back - I plan to reread it. Several times.
It is hands down one of the best novels I've ever read. The constantly moving and nuanced plot, the intrigue, the unique and captivating characters, the presence of a main character with amnesia (one of my favorite story elements anytime), the gripping and hilarious writing style, the moving theme...all of it was done with extreme tact and talent.
Though it took me a couple of chapters to become thoroughly engrossed in the story, I was intrigued and wanted to find out what was going on from the very start. By the time I reached the fourth chapter I was completely hooked. And upon reaching a certain plot twist, I read the entire second half of the book in one night because not finishing seemed a lot more painful than not sleeping.
Just one of the many elements I loved - but one of the biggest - was the way Mucklestone seamlessly and powerfully wove in faith. She hardly, if at all, mentioned anything regarding God for most the book, setting the stage to showcase the amazing way the Lord can redeem and restore even the most 'decorated' criminals, if only they'll try to seek Him. Not at all preachy, just extremely potent and inspiring.
As soon as I finished, I began pestering my sister to read it, finally reading her the first chapter just to convince her to start. Well, I haven't seen the book since. She was hooked from the first page, and is now continuing without me because I read too slowly for her.
This is definitely going to remain in my favorites and - once I do get it back - I plan to reread it. Several times.
October 3, 2022
Great book!
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