MM Reviews: The Symmetries of Salem

Title: The Symmetries of Salem

Salem has many obsessions. The number four, for one, as well as symmetry, counting and whole bound of others. Reinier's beginning to think that he has an obsession with expletives and [messing] things up. But they don't quite have a diagnosis for that.

colour me perfect. is the brilliant mind behind the truly unique and gripping The Symmetries of Salem. There is a list of things that many authors struggle to put into words, and one of these things are obsessions. OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is something that many people cannot explain, especially if they do not know how it feels. It is incredibly difficult to give such a disorder to your character and make it stark and realistic at the same time. But colour me perfect. has done just that, with the poise and realism of a remarkable writer.

Our main character, Salem, is a young woman with OCD. Salem likes to count; she lives by numbers and she loves symmetry. So much so that she has been locked away by herself for years. That is, until the night she meets a young burglar by the name of Reinier as he breaks into her home. How she reacts is so out of the ordinary for the thief that his first instinct is to call Salem out on her insanity, something that we learn is a huge part of who Salem is. Quirky.

This story is magnificent. It is written beautifully and without any glaring flaws, and will immediately pull the reader in, easing them into the life and head of the strangely endearing Salem. Readers will not want to leave the story page once they are allowed a glimpse into this tale, which is why I recommend this story to anyone and everyone possible. This is a story every reader must put on their to-read list.

Special thanks to Formaldehyde and Fandango for editing!