Review for Untold Deception by William Staikos

Unbound Deception by William Staikos

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Publication: Self-Published
Publication Date: July 12, 2018
Format: PDF
Price: $4.99
Pages: 300
Amazon Link: Click Here

"... Part of growing up is when you stop assuming someone will treat you just as fair as you treat them."

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My name is Salan: at the age of 19, I had to watch helplessly at my mother being murdered. Her crime: for giving birth to me, an Abomination. As I sit on this train seat, looking out from the window, I can't help myself reel back to my past: the way I escaped from a riot, then imprisoned for 2 years; how I had to watch my friends and girlfriend die; how I lost my arm and an eye. Those memories were so fresh as if burnt from a hot branding iron. However, life tested me in so many ways: my character, my patience, and my judgment. I wanted vengeance, to kill all the wrongdoers, but I couldn't, in the memory of my mother...

As a reader, you wish to read a book that would engross you in such a way that makes you never forget what it feels like being in the story and feeling the character. Not all the books have the ability to leave a mark in their reader's mind, but when they do: never let go. William Staikos may not be as famous as one would anticipate, but I assure you he is an author you would never forget. 

Untold Deception is truly a remarkable installment consisting of 21 chapters that has a proper balance in its continuous development between the narrative and its protagonist. In this coming of age read, Staikos focuses on pain, isolation, and death from a different degree. He captures and presents human emotions in a dynamic, multi-dimensional way. He explores and processes on the areas of bullying, discrimination, abuse, and false accusations evident through his characters.

The structure of this read has a fast-pace, smooth flow with a firm grip that will hold on to you till the end. Written from a first-person perspective, the storyline flows like a movie providing a prodigious visualization. Each chapter begins with a quote that suits the events taking place within its bound pages. In the first few chapters, Staikos use a flashback tool to reel his protagonist's dark memories reflecting Salan's state of mind. This plot has a surprising twist in the final chapters embodying the climactic suspense that boosts its narrative mystery. 

Staikos' most promising character, Salan, demonstrates his unyielding judgment and personality throughout this plot. He suffered, sacrificed, and matured within these 300 pages showing us the process of a lad becoming a firm man. Salan most attractive trait is his fierce loyalty toward his death girlfriend, which you may find lacking in present-day relationships. Staikos hints through Salan on how situations compel people to behave in a certain way challenging their personality.

Staikos goes beyond the call of duty to show how parents' influence, both positive and negative, affect children's judgment. He points out that everything happens for a reason. What stood out the most is the credibility of his characters. Each character, both black and white, gave away lessons for us to learn. There were only two mishaps, nothing much to cause a hindrance while reading. As a promising author, you can look forward to another masterful, eloquent read leaving you with an everlasting impression.

***

"The most important commandment is that it is easy to be cruel, but it takes effort to be kind."