Static Review

Static, released today,  is an intriguing, unique read from its title, to its gambit of subjects, to its delivery. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read, or even attempted to read and it’s so good at doing its job. This can only be because its author L.A. Witt, a fantastic friend, went out of her comfort zone to create an Urban Fantasy unlike any other. Static is a story about Alex, a “shifter,” a person who can change genders at will, who is abducted, drugged and illegally operated on to receive an implant that makes her “static,” but as a male. The culprits? Her mother and step-father: bigots of the first degree. Going back to work is hell, but it’s the horror of being stuck in a form that sometimes simply isn’t him that makes Alex stomach-churning. And who can blame him? Certainly not his boyfriend Damn, who despite finding out about his girlfriend’s being a shifter, sticks around to support her in the most trying time of her life. So, if you couldn’t tell already, the plot alone is worth the exploration of this novel; it’s unquestionably distinctive and enlightening.

And while Static goes light on the fantasy, a shifter’s ability to change gender is nothing to sneeze at (and doesn’t that sound like the coolest ability ever?). The setting takes a backseat in this story, but it’s effective and just as realistic as the characters, who really shine:

Witt does a fantastic job of dealing with not only natural, internal monologue, but also with the dual property it takes on within the novel. I could take a lesson from the deft handling of both elements. A great example of this is a back and forth between Alex and his boyfriend Damon while at the office. We see an illustrative bit of their past and their togetherness even as they miss it while it screams between the sparse email messages they send each other. The parallelism is neatly matched in their similar thoughts and utterances. I don’t think this is just a result of the excellent characterization, but also a result of Witt’s straightforward and undemanding style. She gives you all the information, shows you all of realistic events that could, would and have transpired. And she lets you judge.

Now, I’d hate to ruin the great symmetry shown throughout the book, so I won’t explain just how “full circle” the story ends up being, but trust me when I say, you’ll feel good after reading it. I can’t think of a novel more relevant to the current struggles with acceptance in our society—ranging from gay people to transsexual folks to people of different races, cultures, creeds; it’s surprisingly uplifting (and only surprisingly, because with such tough themes to tackle, with such a cruel start, it seemed impossible to feel so good after reading it). I recommend it to anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t accepted for who they are. That’s all of us, isn’t?  :)

I give Static an A. 95 to be exact.

Character/s: 25 out of 25

Plot: 25 out of 25

Style: 25 out of 25

Setting: 20 out of 25

Learn more about Static including how to purchase it by visiting L.A. Witt’s website!