A fun, witty, and innovative contemporary fantasy adventure.
In White’s horror-fantasy novel, a vampire livestreamer and his allies look into multiple murders and stumble upon a supernatural conspiracy to end the world as he knows it.
Jade Mourning is a 2,000-year-old fanged creature of the night, living in an Atlanta estate with other online influencers, when he becomes a suspect in a series of mysterious murders. When the clues rule Mourning out, the vampire and Atlanta police Det. Standmoore Owens, along with Mourning’s vampire ally (a woman namedMoreland), join forces to investigate. They soon discover that the culprits are feral vampires known as Wurdulacs. Soon, the unlikely trio uncover a larger plan that could result in the extinction of humans and vampires alike. A solution may lie in unlocking vampires’ genetic code; notably, Mourning encounters a world-renowned geneticist, Dr. Chua Mi Tien, after accidentally teleporting to Singapore. Mourning’s interpersonal relationships are complex; his primary love interest is a human named Daphne, who appears in his livestreams but thinks his vampirism is an act (“When I met Daphne, I was consumed by darkness. She lit me up”). Moreland pursues Mourning, as well, but her attempts to woo him fall short, due to her role in the apparent deaths of his wife and child during a raid of their city in the 1300s. Mourning must also win over Det. Owens, who despises vampires. The story ends with two main characters set to travel abroad on a search for another who’s disappeared. White’s novel may remind readers of Felicia Day’s limited-series podcast Third Eye (2023), in all the best ways. Although some scenes suggest a more mature intended audience, the novel otherwise reads like a teenage dream, abounding with modern references to such pastimes as Twitch and League of Legends. The main character starts off in a place that many might find admirable: He’s famous, rich, talented, and has supernatural powers and multiple romantic options. This sort of status can stagnate a character’s growth, but White has Mourning follow an enticing arc, while also exploring important themes of forgiveness, salvation, and friendship.
A fun, witty, and innovative contemporary fantasy adventure.Pub Date: Dec. 13, 2023
ISBN: 979-8871677261
Page Count: 417
Publisher: Independently Published
Review Posted Online: Feb. 13, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
It's almost enough to make a person believe in ghosts.
A disturbing household secret has far-reaching consequences in this dark, unusual ghost story.
Mallory Quinn, fresh out of rehab and recovering from a recent tragedy, has taken a job as a nanny for an affluent couple living in the upscale suburb of Spring Brook, New Jersey, when a series of strange events start to make her (and her employers) question her own sanity. Teddy, the precocious and shy 5-year-old boy she's charged with watching, seems to be haunted by a ghost who channels his body to draw pictures that are far too complex and well formed for such a young child. At first, these drawings are rather typical: rabbits, hot air balloons, trees. But then the illustrations take a dark turn, showcasing the details of a gruesome murder; the inclusion of the drawings, which start out as stick figures and grow increasingly more disturbing and sophisticated, brings the reader right into the story. With the help of an attractive young gardener and a psychic neighbor and using only the drawings as clues, Mallory must solve the mystery of the house's grizzly past before it's too late. Rekulak does a great job with character development: Mallory, who narrates in the first person, has an engaging voice; the Maxwells' slightly overbearing parenting style and passive-aggressive quips feel very familiar; and Teddy is so three-dimensional that he sometimes feels like a real child.
It's almost enough to make a person believe in ghosts.Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-250-81934-5
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A unique story of transcendent love.
An aimless young musician meets the girl of his dreams only to have his newfound happiness threatened by several inexplicable—and possibly supernatural—events.
The story opens as Leeds Gabriel meets with a detective while his girlfriend, Layla, is restrained in a room one flight above them. Through the interview, readers learn that Leeds was wasting both his time and his musical talent playing backup for a small-town wedding troupe called Garrett’s Band when he spied Layla dancing her heart out to their mediocre music at a wedding. When Leeds approaches Layla, their connection is both instant and intense. A blissful courtship follows, but then Leeds makes the mistake of posting a picture of himself with Layla on social media. A former girlfriend–turned-stalker wastes no time in finding and attacking Layla. Layla spends months recovering in a hospital, and it seems the girl Leeds fell for might be forever changed. Gone is her special spark, her quirkiness, and the connection that had entranced Leeds months before. In a last-ditch effort to save their relationship, he brings Layla back to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. When they get there, though, Leeds meets Willow, another guest, and finds himself drawn to her in spite of himself. As events unfold, it becomes clear that Willow will either be the key to saving Leeds’ relationship with Layla or the catalyst that finally extinguishes the last shreds of their epic romance. Told entirely from Leeds’ point of view, the author’s first foray into paranormal romance does not disappoint. Peppered with elements of mystery, psychological thriller, and contemporary romance, the novel explores questions about how quickly true love can develop, as well as the conflicts that can imperil even the strongest connections. Despite a limited cast of characters and very few setting changes, the narrative manages to remain both fast-paced and engaging. The conclusion leaves a few too many loose ends, but the chemistry between the characters and unexpected twists throughout make for a satisfying read.
A unique story of transcendent love.Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5420-0017-8
Page Count: 301
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2020
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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