Review: What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

What the River Knows (Secrets of the Nile, Book #1)

by Isabel Ibanez

Release Date: October 31, 2023

2023 Wednesday Books

Softcover ARC; 404 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250803375

ASIN: B0BQGCPHB5

Audiobook: B0C4C63K8F

Genre: Fiction / Historical / YA / Fantasy

Source: Review copy from publisher

3 / 5 Stars

Summary

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires; she has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

My Thoughts

What the River Knows has its intriguing moments, and I definitely loved how this book was set in Egypt. And I didn't mind Inez even though I could shake her at times. I always tried to keep in mind her sheltered upbringing and how little she knew of the world despite her reading a gazillion books and dreaming of traveling the world.  But this book did require a bit of suspension of belief and while I did enjoy the overall story, it was a bit predictable. Plus, I wasn't a fan of the love interest and I personally think it would have been stronger without it.

Inez was a bit of a contradictory character; in some moments she was pretty strong and acted logically and with great strength of character, and then in other moments, she behaved so unpredictably that I actually winced. A lot of the contradictory behaviour had to do with her mother and what she discovered about her. Her actions just didn't make sense in this instance and I couldn't help rolling my eyes. And honestly, if it was just to add action and suspense to the story, it didn't work for me, not like this. I also didn't feel any connection between her and Whit, another contradictory character. He was set up to be this mysterious figure, and while I like mysteries, I just felt like the way it was set up in the story didn't work as I didn't feel the connection between them. As with both of these situations, I didn't feel any empathy for what happened and their story line seemed stilted at best. Inez's cousin however, was a completely different matter.  I think part of the problem is that I didn't really connect to what Inez was really feeling as her feelings seemed so superficial, even when she discovered awful things about people. There was no real depth to what was happening, almost as if it was happening to someone else.

I actually enjoyed the overall story, but there were holes in it a mile wide. I liked Inez's perseverance in trying to stay with the group in Egypt as everyone was trying to send her home, but I grew really irritated with the dialogue as it seemed to be a repetition of them telling her they can't tell her anything and trying very hard to send her home.  In reality, there wasn't too much of Inez actually solving the mystery of her parents' death, but more of the author guiding the reader along into what happened and this is not the type of story-telling I like. The pacing could be quite slow at times due to this repetition, and some things weren't developed or expanded on leaving the reader questioning what was happening or even why they were there.

Verdict

What the River Knows had an interesting premise and there was a lot of promise in this book. Unfortunately, the pacing was off and the story seemed to go off on tangents as if the author wasn't quite sure in which direction the story should head. I also thought the characters needed more development as I couldn't really empathize with most of them.  There was enough in this book however, that I will take a look at the second book to see what happens. I also enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job. I think if I had read this book, I may have not finished it, but the narrator kept me engaged enough to push through. If you like things set in Egypt, then you might want to take a look.

 

Review: Curse of the Orkney Sea by Joy Jarrett

 

Curse of the Orkney Sea

by Joy Jarrett

Release Date: October 1st, 2023

2023 Literary Wanderlust

Ebook Edition; 316 Pages

ISBN: 978-1956615265

ASIN: B0C6P595GF

Genre: Fiction / YA / Fantasy

Source: Review copy from author

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Morag’s summer trip with her family and friends to a castle in Orkney, Scotland could fix all her problems. There's no way her parents will keep fighting once they're back in the place they honeymooned. Her best friend's hot brother will have to notice her when they spend months together. That AP art class she has to retake? She'll pass it this time, now that she's thought of the best theme for her Orkney mythology.

Only it doesn't take Morag much time on the island to suspect Orkney mythology might be less myth and more fact. Strange lights in the water, odd footprints in the castle, and shadowy figures are only the beginning. It's obvious the islanders are frightened of something in the sea, and that Morag’s family are unwelcome.

 

My Thoughts

Curse of the Orkney Sea was a pleasant surprise. I was looking for something a little lighter, but still fantasy-related and this one checked off all the boxes I needed at the time.  Creepy castles are my thing so I loved the atmosphere in this book and thought the story line was fun and entertaining. While I am not one for teenage angst, it didn't really detract from the story at all, and the characters were quite interesting. 

 

Morag is the main character in this story and the story is told from her POV. Right from the moment she steps off the boat she is afflicted with a condition that prevents her from doing a lot of activities and can be quite serious, a condition I had only heard about in passing so I found it quite interesting. While her parents seemed to get carried away, as a parent I totally understand wanting to protect your child, especially in a setting such as the one in which they are in, so I actually empathized quite a bit with the  mom. Each character had their own unique voice and I enjoyed their development; there is always one know-it-all in a group and this one had it as well, but when things started falling apart, I did think it would have been interesting to know what he was thinking.  Sometimes the most annoying characters have the most interesting stories to tell. 

 

The plot itself moved along rather quickly and I really enjoyed the mythological tales and others folklore that Morag learned along the way, but then I like that kind of stuff and could read about it forever. I especially like it when it is woven into a story such as this so I was fascinated.  The author was able to describe the Orkney islands so vividly, it almost felt like I was there. Underneath the fantasy elements, there were quite a few themes running through this book however, from friendship, loyalty, infidelity, trust, betrayal, family, and self-confidence. I also loved one of the major underlying themes, that nothing is at it seems, and this theme ran through everything from the mythological conflicts to family conflicts where there was a lot of conflict brewing beneath the surface.  Although most of these themes were touched on lightly, giving the book a more MG book feeling, they were there. This is something I would have like to have seen further development in a YA book.

 

Verdict

Curse of the Orkney Sea was a fun, light-hearted fantasy novel that I enjoyed tremendously. It was action-packed, full of fun surprises, and had some themes that would have been worth developing a bit more. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, fun read.

Review: Ritual of Fire by D.V. Bishop

Ritual of Fire (Cesare Aldo, Book #3)

by D.V. Bishop

Release Date: May 14, 2024 (Hardcover released August 15, 2023)

2024 Pan

Paperback ARC; 432 Pages

ISBN: 978-1529096502

ASIN: B0BD4XRQDW

Audiobook: B0BPD89TNP

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary

A night patrol finds a rich merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main piazza. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier on this date, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way in the same place. Does this new killing mean Savonarola’s vengeful spirit has risen again?

Or are his fanatical disciples plotting to revive the monk’s regime of holy terror? Cesare Aldo has his suspicions but is hunting thieves and fugitives in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the ritual killing. When another important merchant is slain even more publicly than the first, those rich enough to escape the summer heat are fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous places.

 

My Thoughts

Ritual of Fire is the third book in the Cesare Aldo series, and I thought the author continued to do an excellent job describing the difficulties of the time period.  Because I love historical fiction and also mysteries, it is always great when I find a series that combines the two and does it really well. Very atmospheric, with great character development, the descriptions were definitely the highlight, and while I enjoyed the mystery, I did find this one a bit more predictable than the previous installments, if still highly enjoyable.

 

Cesare Aldo and Carlo Strocchi are the two main characters at the heart of this series. In this book, theie relationship is at the breaking point (for reasons I won't disclose here), but it has caused a huge rift in their friendship and I also feel it has caused Strocchi some pain as he is now realizing there is more to the people he loves than he at first perceives. Unable to cope with his discoveries, he decides to ignore his friendship, but what he knows could be very dangerous for Aldo. Because of this, Aldo works the Tuscan countryside instead of Florence, something I thought was very well done as the mystery in this book takes place in both the countryside as well as Florence.  I really enjoyed the characters, their day-to-day struggles during the early reign of Duke Cosimo, and how they dealt with the ups and downs of living during this time period. Each character had its own unique voice and it was easy to get into their heads and feel empathy for what they were going through. 

 

The author does a great job demonstrating the political situation of the time period, including the turmoil and tension that existed when these murders started happening. I could feel the madness of the crowds, the injustice of the earlier burnings rearing their heads, and the edge of something horrible happening throughout the story. There was so much political corruption during this time period, and I thought the author did a lot of research to show the difficulties of detective work during this period as well as the way they needed to work around Duke Cosimo's faction.  Because Strocchi and Aldo were in two separate areas, the story was told in multiple POV, but this didn't detract from the story line and I waited with anticipation wondering how the dual story lines would eventually connect.  While I did find this one a bit more predictable and easier to figure out, the descriptions were so well done that it didn't matter and I pretty much read it in one sitting.

 

Verdict

Ritual of Fire is another great historical murder mystery that blends political intrigue, murder, mayhen, religious fervour, and historical figures and facts into one excellent plot.  With rich details and excellent character development, I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fiction with an interesting mystery.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, A Divine Fury.

 

Review: Honey by Isabel Banta

Honey

by Isabel Banta

Release Date: June 4, 2024

2024 Celadon Books

Softcover ARC; 336 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250333469

ASIN: B0CFJTQVFL

Audiobook: B0CKM1XSYB

Genre: Fiction / YA / Contemporary

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

2 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

It is 1997, and Amber Young has received a life-changing call. It is a chance thousands of girls would die for: the opportunity to join girl group Cloud9 in Los Angeles and escape her small town. She quickly finds herself in the orbits of fellow rising stars Gwen Morris, a driven singer-dancer, and Wes Kingston, a member of the biggest boy band in the world, ETA.

As Amber embarks on her solo career and her fame intensifies, her rich interior life is frequently reduced. Surrounded by people who claim to love her but only wish to exploit her, and driven by a desire for recognition and success, for love and sex, for agency and connection, Amber comes of age at a time when the kaleidoscope of public opinion can distort everything and one mistake can shatter a career.

 

My Thoughts

Honey is one of those books that had many elements that I enjoy, but the execution was very much lacking for me.  The premise sounded really good; I mean, who doesn't love a book about 90s pop music and all the hype that went along with that? And while the writing wasn't terrible, and there were moments that were quite interesting, overall, both the story line and the characters lacked development and I had to push myself to finish this book. 

 

Amber is the main character of the story, and while I enjoyed following her process of becoming a pop star, I didn't really connect with her as a character. Part of the reason for this is the author's writing style as it felt like Amber was constantly on the outside of the scenes in which she participated. If this doesn't make sense, I don't know how else to explain it other than she wasn't controlling her own narrative, but seemed to be following everyone else's story. All the people in her relationships seemed to be doing it bigger and better than she was, and she was just there for whatever reason. I would have liked to have seen more character development rather than this rag doll who doesn't really do anything. And the other characters are portrayed the same way, flat and one-dimensional which makes it really difficult to connect to them on an emotional level.  It got to the point where I didn't care what happened to them, or I was hoping for some major drama just for a change in someone's personality.  Basically, none of these people seemed relatable/real, Amber being the worst of them all. She constantly talks about how she wants control of her writing, her career, her life, but doesn't do anything about it. I also think the author may have wasted an opportunity here to show how little control these singers had over their lives, if that was the message being portrayed, something that could have sent a powerful message throughout the book.

While the author definitely has talent, this book tended to lean too much on the telling rather than showing the reader what is happening. I wanted to feel Amber's emotions when she sang on stage during her concerts, how people reacted to her. I wanted to know what happened at her press conferences. I wanted to know what it was like for her when she met her fans. There was little of this and this would definitely have helped us understand Amber's life as she grew more famous.  I really had no idea how the fans were reacting to her music and to her, nor did we get a glimpse of that from the other singers. Why not? We hear she's a good singer from those around her, but what do the fans think? Again, the author doesn't sink us into that part of her world, focusing more on her sexual escapades and how she doesn't believe she needs to hide her sexuality from the world rather than on her music.  I didn't mind that aspect of the story, but like everything in this book, written and explored at a superficial level. So much focus on her body and how it was developed. WE GET IT!! She was developed. Now move on. 

Verdict

Honey had a lot of promise, but didn't capitalize on the themes in this book to showcase the control music empires had over their singers, how they pit their singers against each other, and the rather strict expectations they had. I found the relationships to be somewhat shallow and was even disappointed in how Amber's relationship with her mother was portrayed, as yet again, instead of showing how it impacted her life, it was relegated to the background as unimportant.  Overall, I didn't feel like I learned very much about Amber as there was little character development, something that left me detached from the book and the story. I don't regret reading it, and I will probably try another book by this author as there is a lot of potential here, but this one was a miss for me.

 

 

Review: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

The Spellshop

by Sarah Beth Durst

Release Date: July 9, 2024

2024 Tor

Ebook ARC; 384 Pages

ISBN: 978-1035042326

ASIN: B0CK72J9SS

Audiobook: B0CL1DF783

Genre: Fiction / Cozy Fantasy

Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars 

Summary

Kiela and her assistant, Caz, a sentient spider plant, have spent most of the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s precious spellbooks, protecting the magic for the city’s elite. But a revolution is brewing and when the library goes up in flames, she and Caz steal whatever books they can and flee to the faraway island where she grew up.

The empire with its magic spellbooks has slowly been draining power from the island, something that Kiela is indirectly responsible for, and now she’s determined to find a way to make things right. Opening up a spell shop comes with its own risks—the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the quirky townspeople, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must break down the walls she has kept so high.

 

My Thoughts

The Spellshop is one of those books I needed at this time; it was light, had very low drama, focused on friendships and self-discovery, and interesting magic. After having read some grimdark fantasy, I needed something light, fantastical, fun, and this one ticked off all the boxes.  I personally thought this one did what cozy fantasy was intended to do, create a fun, magical world that explored the development of the main character without really focusing too much on political issues or on the romance. 

 

Kiela is the main character of the story and at first, she is quite withdrawn having spent the past decade of her life in the great library protecting books and doing what she was told by the powers that be. Keeping to yourself and not creating trouble was the way to stay alive, but this also made her unaware of what was happening around her, and she became very isolated as a result. Upon escaping, realizing she needed others in order to keep herself alive, Kiela had to come out of her shell and go into the village and try to come up with ways to feed herself and stay alive. And this is where I really thought her character started to develop and became much more interesting. At first, she was sort of annoying, thinking she could stay hidden for the rest of her life just to protect her books, but realizing she couldn't do it on her own, making friends and responding to others in the village was the highlight of this book. I loved the secondary characters as they were so unique and interesting. And Caz, my favourite character in this book. How do you not love a talking spider plant who is afraid of water?   

The overall story is based on the found-family trope and I thought it was well done.  The book is somewhat slow at times, but I didn't mind at all as the world-building and the characters were very well developed. The story is brimming with all kinds of magic, everything from sentient plants to flying cats to mer-horses. While it could be a bit repetitive, this didn't bother me in the slightest; I adored the magical creatures that abounded in this book and found the way Kiela made a life for herself to be quite interesting. To be honest, I would like to purchase a place on this island and live there.  Personally, I am glad the main conflict didn't last long as it would have taken that cozy feel away from the story; I thought the author did the right thing with that story line. This is a book meant to be on the lighter side, without all the political stuff and fighting.

Verdict

The Spellshop was a lot of fun to read and a perfect break from those grimdark books I had been reading. It was light, fantastical, with a host of magical creatures, and even a light romance.  And while the story may have felt somewhat repetitive at times, it was whimsical enough to not bother me in the slightest. If you are looking for something sweet and wholesome, with found family tropes, then this book is definitely for you.

 

Review: Herrick's End by T.M. Blanchet

Herrick's End (The Neath Trilogy, Book 1)

by T.M. Blanchet

Release Date: May 10, 2022

2022 Tiny Fox Press LLC

Ebook Edition; 312 Pages

ISBN: 978-1946501417

ASIN: B09D8N276Q

Genre: Fiction / YA / Fantasy

Source: Review copy from author

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary

Ollie's only friend disappeared a few days ago, and now, he's frantic to find her. But he doesn't have much to go on until a mysterious note arrives which reads:
"Still looking for your friend? I know where she is." Unfortunately for Ollie, the trail leads to the last place he'd ever expect.
Worse still, it soon becomes clear that someone--or something--was expecting him.

Now, time is running out. If Ollie has any hope of ever seeing home again, he's going to have to summon every last scrap of courage, smarts, and tenacity he can find. And none of it will matter if he can't get some help. Fast.

My Thoughts

Herrick's End had a really interesting premise, and I really loved the secret, dark underworld in which Ollie found himself, a world that exists under our own modern world, with secret entrances spread throughout the world. As a kid, I've always been fascinated by this idea ever since reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, so I am always drawn to these types of books as I have always wanted to just open a secret compartment and enter a fantasy world.  However, the world in this book is no Narnia, one that is dangerous for Ollie, one that holds a lot of secrets for him.  The story was pretty fast-paced, the world-building was great, and I loved the story of the witches and how the world was formed. My biggest issue was Ollie himself.

Ollie is the main character or the book and I really, really wanted to love him.  He is supposed to come across the pages as this big, loveable guy who has confidence issues because he is overweight. Ok, that is fine. But when you blame everything that happens to him on this fact it becomes annoying and tedious after a while.  Personally, I loved the weight-issue thing, that he wasn't this hero who looked like a god, who had faults as that is a breath of fresh air in YA books.  I just felt his self-confidence issues and his phobia issues weren't addressed as well as they could have been in this book, but relied more on being a handicap for why he doesn't act in certain scenarios or why he got himself into certain situations. Not really convincing.  But you will never convince me that he's a great guy when he doesn't necessarily help others in need and allows things to happen to him, and when bad things happen to other people, he only acts when it becomes harmful to him.  When he was called out for it in one part of the book, I think you were supposed to feel sympathy for Ollie, but I actually thought the woman was right. He did grow and develop throughout the book, but blaming his weight didn't stop. Enough already. And not a fan of the hero complex thing either. 

The other characters in this book were great however, and I enjoyed them quite a bit, to the point where I want their stories, the reasons for why they are in this world, especially Tera and Leonard.  

The highlight for me was the world-building. I really loved this underground world and what it represented, and the twists and turns actually caught me by surprise. I thought they were great fun, and I enjoyed the fast-paced action of the story. Because this is the first book of a trilogy, I was not expecting the whole world to be developed, and I am definitely looking forward to what other surprises the author has in store for us.  Beware however, what I thought was going to be a lighter book actually turned quite dark, with themes of domestic abuse being quite prevalent throughout the story as well as consequences for other types of abuse. I am also expecting these themes to be explored more thoroughly in the next two books.  While I appreciate the theme running through the book, I am still unsure what the actual message is in this book as I don't feel it is clear. 

Verdict

Herrick's End was definitely not what I thought it was going to be, going from a fairly light read to one with very serious dark undertones, but I really enjoyed the world-building and except for Ollie, thought  the characters were intriguing. I did think some of the themes and messages needed to be developed a bit more, and I wasn't a fan of the main character because he just doesn't listen to others, basing his actions off his own insecurities rather than for altruistic reasons.  I did find the story interesting enough that I will be finishing the trilogy as I am curious as to certain elements and threads that have been started in this book.  And while the book has some sort of conclusion, it does leave certain plot threads loose that will hopefully be continued in the next book.   

Review: The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy, Book #1)

by James Logan

Release Date: May 7, 2024

2024 Tor

Ebook ARC: 528 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250345806

ASIN: B0CGRWG4J1

Audiobook: B0CKM37DBK

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy

Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father's death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow. For in Saphrona, everything has a price―and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

 

My Thoughts

The Silverblood Promise was exactly what I needed at the moment, something light, fun, with the promise of deadly politics and lots of adventure.  To be honest, I was looking for something along more traditional lines, including the tropes, and this delivered. It was entertaining and although Lukan annoyed me at times as he could be somewhat immature, there was enough adventure, murder, secrecy, political intrigue, and mysteries to keep me interested and intrigued. 

Lukan Gardova is the main character and he could be a bit annoying a times, but in a good way. Having got himself into a spot of trouble, he had been on the run for several years until he discovered his father had been murdered. Angry because he was estranged from his father and had not been able to mend his relationship, he took it upon himself to discover why an academic would be the target of murderers. Lukan was a fun character to follow, but he was immature, given to drink whenever things got tough, and that happened a lot in this book.  I believe the author's intention is to make you feel frustrated with Lukan as he is a bit spoiled despite his adventures, and needs to learn to listen and shut his mouth when necessary. And while he does show a lot of character development, there is still a lot of room to grow in the next book, something that I really liked as he didn't suddenly become this superhero. In fact, an eleven-year-old had to rescue him, twice, from certain death because he was foolish. Despite all of this, his heart is in the right place and his intentions are good even if he blunders and makes loads of mistakes.  I thoroughly enjoyed the humour and sarcasm throughout though, as it lessened the tension of what is essentially a darker novel as its roots.

The plot actually moved rather quickly from one scene to another with a few twists and turns.  While it has a more traditional feeling, something I loved, it was also unique and fun, focusing more on the mystery of Lukan father's death, but subtly weaving in the political intrigue that I love.  The city of Saphrona where most of the action takes place is a gritty city at its root, with the wealthy trying to consolidate their power and their wealth leaving the poor to struggle, creating a clear division of power. And the city is known for worshiping money and status. As Lukan searches for his father's murderers, he finds himself caught in a deadly web of intrigue in this city that will have major consequences for him and for the citizens. I loved how the author subtly wove all of this together, and how easily it was for Lukan to get caught up in all the intrigue.  Throughout all this grimness though, the author managed to really balance moments of relief with the darker moments, something I really appreciated. Don't get me wrong, I really love grimdark fantasy, but I wanted something that wasn't quite so dark and dreary and this fit the bill perfectly.

Verdict

The Silverblood Promise was a fun, solid fantasy that I just devoured. The investigation was engaging, the dialogue was entertaining, the character development was solid, and the story line, while it will continue inthe second book, had a satisfying conclusion. While there were some parts that were a bit predictable, I didn't actually mind because the story was so likable and engaging, and the author's ability to draw you into the story with his writing skill was well done. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, and I can't wait until book two is released next year.

 

Review: Young Elizabeth: Elizabeth 1 and Her Perilous Path to the Crown by Nicola Tallis

Young Elizabeth: Elizabeth 1 and Her Perilous Path to the Crown

by Nicola Tallis

Release Date: February 29, 2024

2024 Pegasus Books

Hardcover ARC; 432 Pages

ISBN: 978-1639365845

ASIN: B0C7RLW2NF

Genre: Non-Fiction / History / Biography / Tudor

Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary

The first definitive biography of the young Elizabeth I in over twenty years—drawing on a rich variety of primary sources—tracing her tumultuous path to the crown.

Queen Elizabeth I is renowned for her hugely successful reign that makes her, perhaps, the most celebrated monarch in English history. But what of the trials she faced in her challenging early life?

 

 Looking at Elizabeth as a human being rather than a political chess piece, her narrative explores the dangers and tragedies that plagued Elizabeth's early life, revealing the queen to be a young women who drew strength from her various plights as she navigated one of the most thrilling paths to the throne in the history of the monarchy.

 

My Thoughts

Young Elizabeth traces the life of Queen Elizabeth 1 from the time of her birth to the beginning of her reign as queen. And while I enjoyed this book quite a bit, it has to be quite something in order to stand out from the huge amount of work that already exists about her life. There is little question that the traumas of childhood will affect and shape your life and Elizabeth had survived quite a lot while growing up in the tumultuous reign of first Henry VIII, then through the shorter reigns of her brother and sister. Growing up motherless after the beheading of Anne Boleyn and dealing with the slurs that put on her birth and the questions of her legitimacy, enduring multiple stepmothers, having to deal with implications of plots against the crown and subsequent imprisonment and house arrests, mental health issues resulting from the political plotting, and the physical ailments from which she suffered, Elizabeth suffered through quite a bit while growing up, but managed to survive and achieve something very few people thought she would achieve, the crown. 

The book begins with a history of King Henry VIII and his courtship of Anne Boleyn, something that is necessary to include as it has a huge impact on what happens later in Elizabeth's life. While I don't feel that anything new was added, and have actually read more detailed accounts in other books, the author does draw a lot on academic facts and tries to keep an open mind with readers, to let them draw their own conclusions. While it was very readable, this type of writing continued into the next parts of the book as well. There was nothing wrong with the research or the writing style, but what it did was distance Elizabeth so that I didn't really feel a connection to her, her suffering, and what she was going through.  I enjoyed it on purely on an academic level, but not an emotional one. I did thoroughly enjoy the discussions around Thomas Seymour as well as the contrasting relationships with Edward and Mary. I thought the author did a tenable job portraying sources from people who did not see her in a favourable light as well as from those who spent the most time with her allowing the reader to form their own thoughts and opinions on the topics being discussed based on informed and valid sources. While I don't feel anything new was brought to the table, it was still interesting.  

What I did find fascinating were the author's thoughts on Elizabeth's health problems found in one of the appendices. Having consulted with professionals, she outlines her thoughts on the problems that Elizabeth suffered throughout her life. There were also her notes on the places mentioned in the book and what currently exists in today's modern world. I actually felt these were too short and would have liked to read a lot more on her thoughts. I also spent some times reading through the notes included within her primary and secondary sources, but that may just be the history geek in me. 

Verdict

Young Elizabeth, while extremely readable, did not really add that much more to the bulk of work that currently exists on Elizabeth 1. If you are looking for a good recap of Elizabeth's life before she ascended the throne, of if you are new to the world of the Tudors and don't know where to start, this is a great book from which to do so as it doesn't overwhelm and the explanations are quite clear. I have always enjoyed this author's non-fiction work, and will continue to read future publications just because I find them so readable.

 

Review: The Stolen Girls by Jez Pinfold

The Stolen Girls (Detective Bec Pope Mysteries, Book #2)

by Jez Pinfold

Release Date: April 30, 2024

2024 Joffe Books

Ebook ARC; 299 Pages

ISBN: 978-1835264867

ASIN: B0D1GLW6DD

Genre: Fiction / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary

Eight years ago, three girls went missing. Only one was found. Dead. Her body dumped in the street. No drag marks, no blood.

It was Detective Bec Pope’s first case. And she has never given up hope of finding the others alive.

Now. A young woman stands in the doorway of the police station, silhouetted against the fierce sunlight.

‘Help me,’ she asks Bec. Her pale yellow dress is drenched in blood. But it isn’t hers.

 

My Thought

The Stolen Girls is the second book in the Detective Bec Pope mystery series and it was definitely an entertaining, quick read. The pacing was quite good, and there were enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and entertained. 

 

Bec Pope is the main character in the series and is the detective in charge of the case. And while I enjoyed the characters, I didn't feel there was much depth to them nor did I feel like there was much character development. In fact, Bec drove me somewhat crazy with some of the decisions she made and I kept waiting for someone to overrule her and tell her it wasn't safe, but everyone just went along with her decisions. Oh, some of he characters argued with her, but everyone eventually gave way, placing people in serious danger, hence the drop in my overall rating. I just couldn't fathom the Chief of Police agreeing to some of the things she wanted. She is haunted by an episode at the beginning of her career, something that is actually relevant to what is occurring in this book, but it doesn't excuse her actions. I did like how the author incorporates the difficulties her job has on her relationships as well as on her mental wellness though. 

 

The pacing is good in the story and I enjoyed the overall story, especially how the past can catch up to you and create problems in the present, a sort of karma, if you will.  There were some twists and turns, and even though I found them kind of predictable, it was still fun to see the characters' reactions as they discovered what was really going on. Because I found the character development lacking, I didn't really empathize with them too much; in fact, I grew annoyed with some of Bec's decisions and how she spoke to some of her co-workers, resulting in consequences that were tragic. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth.  Because this was the second book in the series, and events carried from the first book, there were quite a few things going on in this book, a lot of which were left hanging at the end of the book. I did feel there was some conclusion, but the author is definitely intending to continue some concepts in the future books.

Verdict

The Stolen Girls was an entertaining and quick read, but I am not a fan of books where so many threads are going to continue in future books, especially in mystery books. I know it may just be a personal thing, but I feel like I should be able to pick up a book in a mystery series and be able to have some sense of what is happening, but in this one, while you could get away with it, having read the first book gives you a better understanding of what is happening here. The twists and turn were good, if predictable, and while I would like to see more character development, it was still a fun mystery. There were a lot of things that were left hanging however, things that will continue in future books, and I am not sure if I am crazy about that. However, I will definitely pick up the third book when it releases.

 

Review: Kosa by John Durgin

Kosa

by John Durgin

Release Date: May 17, 2024

2024 DarkLitPress

Ebook ARC; 333 Pages

ISBN: 978-1998851409

ASIN: B0CN52XZMT

Audiobook: B0D4NKW6K7

Genre: Fiction / Horror

Source: Review copy from author

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary

In a secluded mansion hidden away from the outside world, young Kosa lives under the strict and overpowering rule of her enigmatic mother. For Kosa, the rules set by Mother are the guiding principles of her life, shaping her beliefs and actions. However, as Kosa grows older, she begins to question the reality she has been presented with. Doubts eat away at her, fueled by a deep-rooted curiosity and a burgeoning sense of independence.

But Kosa possesses a mysterious and powerful ability that Mother desperately needs to sustain her own existence. Mother, a figure shrouded in shadows and secrets, will stop at nothing to ensure that Kosa’s power remains potent and under her control. 

 

My Thoughts

Kosa was actually a pretty solid book full of twists and turns. While I enjoyed this twisted tale based on Rapuzel (although it also felt a lot of like Hanzel and Gretel), and was surprised at some of the events that occurred, I did feel the overall story lacked in both character and plot development relying mostly on attempted shock value to propel the story forward. And while the pacing was good, some of the dialogue actually pulled me out of the story and even had me rolling my eyes, at times.

 

I actually did enjoy the multiple characters as it gave the story a different perspective every time someone new was involved. Kosa's situation was the most interesting to me and I would have liked to have connected with her a bit more, to really understand her situation and her fears. I felt the author wrote her a bit superficially which made it hard to really empathize with her situation even though you got glimpses of how difficult her life must have been. Equally, Marta, the mother, was fascinating, and I think a bit more background would have made her character that much more sinister rather than just relying on her magic being the thing that was sinister. Only enough information was given to make me even more curious about her life and why she chose to do the things she did, but was never fully developed or fully explained satisfactorily. I think that foreboding element just wasn't there for me because of this lack of development. I wanted to sit on the edge of my seat in anticipation, but I didn't.;

While I actually didn't mind the pacing, there were parts that were a bit repetitive. However, while I do think parts could have been structured a bit better to enhance anticipation and fear, the author does write a compelling story nonetheless and I had trouble putting it down.  And although I enjoyed the cats as part of this story, I would have liked an explanation for them and their behaviour and how they came to be there. So, while the story was compelling, there were a few plot holes, things that weren't explained or hinted at, but were still quite interesting even if you knew they were there to add to the creepiness or eeriness of the setting.

Verdict

Kosa was a fun read overall and I think I am more inclined to read twisted horror fairy tales than romance ones as I find them more interesting. I don't feel that horror necessarily has to have horrific things in it to be scary as hell, and this book would be great for someone who is looking to try the genre, but doesn't want anything too gory. This author is proof that you can write about something horrific without giving too many graphic details, but still maintain the horror element for a creepy story.

 

Review: The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams

The Hungry Dark

by Jen William

Release Date: April 9, 2024

2024 Crooked Lane Books

Hardcover ARC; 352 Pages

ISBN: 978-1639106172

ASIN: B0C4J6VBGR

Audiobook: B0CPTG92GN

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Paranormal

Source: Review copy from publisher

3 / 5 Stars

Summary

As a child, Ashley Whitelam could often see odd things nobody else could: quiet, watchful figures she called the Heedful Ones kept a strange vigil wherever she went. As an adult, she keeps these visions to herself, but she’s turned her taste of the beyond into a career as a “psychic”­ – parting people from their money with a combination of psychology and internet research. When the Lake District is gripped by a series of grisly child murders, Ashley offers her services to the police for the free publicity. But as Ashley leads the police on a fruitless search around the small town of Green Beck, she catches a glimpse of those old ghosts of her childhood and, following them into the woods, she finds something she never expected: the corpse of the latest missing child.

My Thoughts

The Hungry Dark had a great premise and set in an area of stunning natural beauty, there was so much potential for this book. I tend to enjoy creepy stories where authors make a lot of use of the outdoor elements, especially where there were some amazing contrasting elements such as the natural beautiful elements with the darker side of the woods and the dangers that lurked within those woods, both natural and man-made.  I don't scare easily, but a hike in the woods at night can render me absolutely senseless, as they seem to take on this otherworldly and sinister vibe as soon as the sun sets. The author provides the reader with some spooky natural elements, making you question what you actually saw, blending the natural beauty with sinister in an amazing way that I enjoyed.

With that being said, I wasn't crazy about the main character, Ashley, and even though she grew on me as the book progressed, I felt like her character needed more development.  Actually, the whole family dynamic thing didn't work for me, coming across as very dysfunctional, but it didn't feel very authentic. A lot of their behaviour was baffling to me, not because it was dysfunctional, but because I felt the author was using this tactic as a way of trying to convince the reader why Ashley was still living at home in her thirties and why she had no control over her own life. She is often trapped, needs permission to drive her own vehicle, actually needed to sneak out to get driving lessons, has her father take her keys from her, sneaks out to meet people, and I felt like I was reading about someone who was sixteen, not thirty plus years old.  It just felt like the author couldn't come up with another reason as to why Ashley was living at home and why she continued to be the main support for her family.  Oh yes, my eyes were rolling quite often during their interactions as they just didn't seem authentic.

I did enjoy the parts that discussed the psychic world and the background information that made up that world, especially the fraudulent parts of it.  Ashley started to question her actions concerning what she was doing and whether fooling people was the right choice in her life.  She was feeling conflicted about taking advantage of those who were vulnerable and I liked the discussions around that area of the profession, and it definitely should open up discussions about how much of your life you should be sharing on FB, Insta, and TT. 

The plot had a lot of potential, but I felt it got bogged down on too many plot threads which made it seem more superficial and shallow. I enjoyed the overall story, but none of the threads were fleshed out enough to really draw you into what was happening nor were they explained very well. There was just enough information to keep you from screaming.  And because nothing was fleshed out enough, I didn't feel a connection between Ashley and the podcaster, so honestly the romance could stay or go.  

Verdict

The Hungry Dark had a lot of potential, but lack of character development and very loose plot threads created a story that meandered and was a bit on the slow side. And while the setting was amazing, and I liked the contrast of beautiful and dark in nature, the actual supernatural aspect to this book verged on the minimal and I didn't find it creepy or all that suspenseful.  If you like mysteries with a touch of supernatural, this one is probably for you. 

 

Review: Sweet Nightmare by Tracy Wolff

Sweet Nightmare (The Calder Academy, Book #1)

by Tracy Wolff

Release Date: May 7, 2024

2024 Entangled: Teen

Ebook ARC; 554 Pages

ISBN: 978-1649377012

ASIN: B0CPWSHZT1

Audiobook: B0D235PM7C

Genre: Fiction / YA / Fantasy / Paranormal

2.75 / 5 Stars 

Summary

The scariest school on earth
Is about to experience real fear…

Most schools are about being the best. This school? It’s about being the worst. Calder Academy is where the rogue paranormals go. The ones who break the rules or lose control. And when that happens for vamps, werewolves, witches, and dark fae? It gets pretty freaking scary.

But when a freak storm hits our isolated island, I'm stuck without a backup plan. The power is gone. The lights are out. And our worst nightmares are suddenly real―and out for blood.
Now the only way to survive is to align myself with one evil to avoid the other.

My Thoughts

Sweet Nightmare is the first book in The Calder Academy series and I did enjoy it quite a bit. However, there were pacing issues galore and the character development was almost non-existent. The premise of this book sounded quite interesting and I was looking forward to the journey and the reveals, but a lot of it felt rushed, included a lot of random stuff that may or may not be explained at a later time, and I just couldn't get into the romance as the backstory for their lust just wasn't explained all that well. 

To be fair, I did enjoy the characters but that's because I was fascinated by the monster aspect of their personalities and how quickly they could switch from being nice people to these terrifying monsters, especially since they couldn't control their powers when they switched or when their power came back to them.  But aside from this, the characters are not that developed at all. You have your typical FMC who does not get a break and needs to be rescued by the big, hulking, muscly, powerful MMC. Too many tropes there for me to unpack and not ones that I necessarily like either.  The relationship between Clementine and Jude is rushed and because the author doesn't give us a lot of backstory to explain their chemistry other than they were best friends for ten years, it's hard to really get the feels for their relationship.  Yes, there are some flashbacks and some explanations, but they are rushed and you don't really have a chance to absorb them because the action is non-stop and you are whirled into another problem. I rolled my eyes quite a few times.  I think I enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main characters. 

If you like plot-driven books, then this one should definitely be on your radar. The characters are thrown into one situation after another, with little time to breathe, and this gives little time for character development and leaves a lot of room for plot holes that are easily glossed over.  Personally, it didn't really flow all that well and felt quite chaotic. There were some aspects to the story I really enjoyed however, and I love secrets and mysteries of which there were plenty. 

What I did really love though, was the setting. The mysterious island, the academy, the secrets, the monsters, and the atmosphere are always things that I enjoy in novels and this one had it all. 

Verdict

Sweet Nightmare had quite a bit of potential, but too much focus on the plot didn't allow much room for character development, and I need to feel something when I am reading. Characters die, there's a lot of fighting that happens, so I should have felt more than just...disappointment.  The author did manage to pick up some looser threads towards the last quarter of the book and weave them back into the story, and there were a few twists and turns I wasn't expecting, but there was still a lot of stuff that was glossed over and didn't make sense.  Overall, I did think the story was promising and I will be reading the next book when it releases next year. 

 

Review: Kelly's Folly by T.H. Forest

Kelly's Folly

by T.H. Forest

Release Date: September 1st, 2023

2023 Holdorf Press LLC

Ebook; 369 Pages

ISBN: 979-8987033043

ASIN: B0CJ42Q1QG

Genre: Fiction / YA / MM Romance

Source: Review copy from author

4 / 5 Stars 

Summary

Kelly, 16, has just moved from England to Ohio. Kelly likes eyeliner, nail polish, and tall boys who smell nice. Kelly doesn’t like back-stabbing friends, controlling boyfriends, or being mistaken for a girl.

Lance is the star quarterback at Verity High School. He’s the broody son of a high-profile Republican senator, and not a fan of boys who like eyeliner. Noah is a senior in the music program at Verity. He’s the bad boy son of a famous music producer, and definitely a fan of boys who like eyeliner.
It doesn’t take Kelly long to discover that life in Mission Hill, a town his family moved to for its Olympic-level Aquatics Center and dive program, is a whole lot more complicated than the life he left in Reading. Especially when he finds himself torn between two loves and juggling friend groups.

My Thoughts

Kelly's Folly was a well-written book about the life of an elite diver and the ups and downs of navigating training, life, romance, relationships, and family. It was a fascinating look at the challenges young people face as they figure out their sexuality and deal with families and friends who don't accept them for who they are and the affect this has on their mental health.  

Kelly was definitely one of my favourite characters in this book, even if he was the main character. I appreciated his sarcastic look on life, and loved his internal monologues at what was happening around him, comments that actually made me laugh out loud at times. Many of those comments were references to 80s movies and as someone who was a teen during that time period, I found it completely relatable and loved the comparisons.  I thought Kelly's character development was great; he was confident, but vulnerable at the same time, loyal to his friends, and focused on his diving.  And while the other characters weren't quite as developed, which is to be expected as they were secondary characters, they still had their own distinct voices, and I enjoyed learning more about their lives and their motivations. I was able to connect with them and empathize with their choices as I was able to understand their feelings and their motivations.

The pacing was great and the author has this ability to draw you into the story and into the characters' lives.  The author skillfully navigated the world of competitive diving with Kelly's personal life so neither of them overshadowed the other, something I really appreciated. As an elite athlete, I really enjoyed learning more about the diving world, I didn't want it to be the main focus of the book. The author managed to balance both worlds quite well and I liked learning about how Kelly dealt with the pressures of diving along with the pressures of school and relationships, with all of them sometimes colliding.  One of the things I will mention however, being the fact this is a YA novel, is the lack of trigger warnings with regards to sexual content. And before anyone jumps on me, I would have been uncomfortable reading about heterosexual descriptions like this in a YA novel, so it has nothing to do with MM Romance. Maybe it's just me, but he was only 16 at the beginning of the story. 

Verdict

Kelly's Folly was a great exploration of a young man dealing with the pressures of the competitive world as well as the pressures of school and relationships. While his sexuality was known to his friends, it was not known in the diving world, and he was trying to deal with the best time to open himself up to revealing that to fans as well as trying to be supportive to friends who did not have support groups at home.  I thought the author did a great job developing the characters and the pacing of the story kept me glued to the page. Like I already mentioned, I did feel the sexual content was a bit much for a novel geared for the ages of 15-18.  

Review: Chasing Tails by R. Lindsay Carter

Chasing Tails (The Familiar's Legacy, Book 3)

by R. Lindsay Carter

Release Date: June 10, 2023

2023 Rock and Flower Press

Ebook Edition; 334 Pages

ISBN: 979-8985907278

ASIN: B0C79VC6BT

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy / Cozy

Source: Review copy from author

4.5 / 5 Stars

Summary

Cressida Curtain has gone from hunting bad guys to being hunted, and she’s been forced into hiding for safety. She yearns to dig her claws into a new assignment to alleviate the boredom of her current lifestyle. The thrill of the chase calls to her. She never expected adventure to land, quite literally, on her doorstep in the form of two strangers. Both seek help from Cressida to further their own agendas. One is trustworthy. One is not. A wake of death and destruction seems to follow them. Her chosen family is relying on her to make the right choice. And making the wrong one could have dire consequences—for her loved ones, for her personal safety, and even for her world. Nobody told her that being the legacy bearer would be this difficult.

My Thoughts

Chasing Tails is the third entry in this series and I thought i was just as much fun as the first two entries. In this entry, Cressida chafes while she hides from those who are hunting her down, spending this time training and learning to control the new powers she didn't know she had as well as trying to figure out how to break the curse she received in the first book.  Frustrated, she decides to take matters into her own hands. And while I could understand her frustration, after what she has been through, you would think she would have given a moment of reflection when she embarked on this next journey.

For the record, I love the characters in this book and have enjoyed their character development. Naturally, Cressida's development is the strongest as she is the main character, but I am happy to see more of the secondary characters play a stronger role in this book and we get to learn a bit more about their pasts and their motivations.  Grimm is definitely my next favourite character after Cressida and I was happy for him to play a more central role in this book.  It did lead to some interesting revelations and I am really curious as to how the author is going to continue the story line that developed with Grimm in the next book. There were also several new character introduced and I liked how smoothly the author integrated them into the story; they should play pivotal roles as the story moves forward so I can't wait to learn more about them. 

I don't think the plot moved along as quickly as the second book, but it was still interesting and there were a lot of threads from the previous books that were resolved.  The writing style is engaging and the dialogue continues to be witty, drawing you into the story and the plot.  Because Cressida is a shape-shifting cat, she can use that ability to get herself out of difficult situations, except when her opponents know about her abilities, so it was fun trying to see her get out of those situations where she was trapped. I have always liked how Cressida relies on her friends and family for help and the author doesn't make her out to be this big heroine, even though the is supposed to be the one to save the world. The author makes great use of other characters to help Cressida, as family and friendship continues to be a running theme throughout this series. 

Verdict

Chasing Tails is another fun entry into this series, and it is just as compelling as the first two books with great storytelling and good character development. With some unexpected twists and turns, this book had me turning the pages quickly, but I enjoyed every moment of it. If you are looking for a fun, fantasy series, then I highly recommend this series.   

 

Review: Crimson at Cape May by Randy Overbeck

Crimson at Cape May (A Haunted Shores Mystery, Book #2)

by Randy Overbeck

Release Date: July 20, 2020

2020 The Wild Rose Press

Ebook Edition; 414 Pages

ISBN: 978-1509231638

ASIN: B089P2PG1B

Audiobook: B09D5Z9XQW

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Paranormal

Source: Review copy from Cozy Mystery Review

3.75 / 5 Stars

Summary

No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past. Darrell Henshaw-teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive-learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help, he can't refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride's death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?

My Thoughts

Crimson at Cape May is the second book in A Haunted Shores Mystery series and features Derrell Henshaw, who has recently been let go from his high school teaching position, coaching at a football camp in Camp May. The reasons for him being let go featured in the first book, but the consequences carried into the second book, issues with which I had no problems understanding or sympathizing. I actually thought the author did a credible job merging the two stories without taking the focus of the story being developed in this book. While I did enjoy the overall story and characters, I did find it a bit slow in some parts, it was easy to figure out the actual villain, and there were some inconsistencies, especially for those of us who grew up in the nineties, that I just had to ignore.  

For the most part, the characters were rather interesting and distinct. Things weren't going so well for Darrell at the beginning of this book as he had lost his job and his girlfriend and was in Cape May working at a football camp to earn some money. The stress was creating anxiety and affecting his OCD, so when he again starts seeing ghosts, he doesn't react very well to those sightings and it takes a lot of persuasion for him to help them.  Considering the ghosts got him into a lot of trouble in the previous book, I understood his reluctance as I think it was consistent with his life at the moment.  When things started to go better for him in his life, he was more receptive to the ghosts, and that made a lot of sense. I really enjoyed Cassie as a character and liked how realistically she was portrayed.  Some of her life was definitely downplayed to keep the book clean, but you got enough to read between the lines and understand how difficult it is for kids on the street when their home lives are terrible.  

The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the story essentially had three mysteries woven into it: first, there was the problem with Derrell and why he lost his job, events from the previous book; two, the ghost that kept appearing to Derrell, the mysterious bride, presented the next mystery; and three, the issue with one of Derrell's students whose older sister had gone missing which led into a sex trafficking scenario. I really appreciated the fact the author dove into more serious issues in this book as it's very relevant today. Sex trafficking is definitely not new and I liked how the author was pointing out that everyone who turns their head when noticing something is wrong is part of the problem, and allowing influential people to get away with criminal behaviour is problematic. It was done subtly, and in such a way that we should always be on the lookout for odd behaviours and talk to our children about being wary; you know if a thing sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you should run as fast as you can.  I find comments about sex trafficking in the nineties quite interesting, especially from those who say they had no idea because as a uni student in the late 80' and early 90's we knew to avoid those jobs where you went to a 'warehouse' for an interview as they were probably for porno and these types of things. So yes, it was definitely around.  And those 'job advertisements' were everywhere. 

Verdict

Crimson at Cape May was an enjoyable read, and if you love the paranormal as well as interesting characters, then this is for you. Personally, I prefer something a bit more gritty, but the themes running through this book were quite serious; they were also presented in a way that were not overly graphic or biased, but are definitely something that are relevant in today's world.  I did find that Derrell's character development was a bit inconsistent, and I had a problem with the whole cellphone thing in this book, not his purchase of it, but his use as he would definitely not have been able to make a call in the backwoods in 1999 as cell reception during that time was terrible. I was also not impressed with who the villain was in this book as I tend to need legitimate motivations and reasons and that was lacking in my estimation.  However, if you are looking for a book that is a mix of paranormal and mystery, and like deeper themes that aren't too explicit, then this book is definitely for you.