Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
You know...My original review was too darn long. "Retreat" is a story about a woman looking for her missing sister. Jackie believes a brilliant psychologist named Blake is the key to finding Melissa and she insinuates herself into Blake's private entourage, looking for clues and risking everything in the name of sibling love.
This is a mind control story and I hate those as a general rule. As much as I wanted to, I never read one that I liked that my sister didn't pen. (and hers wasn't all that either) Until now. Orestes has finally sold me on the idea that mind control can be a viable plot device for a good story. I loved "Retreat" From the first line to the very last one, I was entertained and amused. The ending is awesome. I mean...It's a great ending!!
I wouldn't say the story is perfect. Blake is a bit too God-like, Jackie is a bit too detached, and I never did figure out what that spooky Brazilian guy was really up to. I wanted more sex. Graphic sex. But I always want that and it's the reason I keep... never mind.
In summary, the story is excellent. The plot is great. The characters are developed nicely and on the whole reading this story was eminently satisfying for me personally. I highly recommend for anyone who loves detailed scientific mind control/hypnosis stories and that whole deal. I just like a good story, so that's another reason to read it.
But if you want a whole lot of sex and stroke material and apocalyptic descriptions of human debauchery...Look elsewhere. Orestes is a little more subtle than that, but gee whiz the man can write.