Review: Battle Lines - Will Hill

As the clock ticks down to zero hour and the return of dracula, the devastated remnants of Department 19 try to hold back the rising darkness.

Jamie Carpenter is training new recruits, preparing them for a fight that seems increasingly futile. Kate Randall is trying to plug the Department's final leaks, as Matt Browning races against time to find a cure for vampirism. And on the other side of the world, Larissa Kinley makes a shocking discovery.

In the midst of it all, Department 19 faces a new and deadly threat, born out of one of the most shameful moments of its own long and bloody history.

As the darkness gathers, and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear.

It's only a matter of time until everything goes bang.

Department 19 Series:
Department 19
The Rising
Battle Lines
Zero Hour

Visit the Department 19 website for more information

Review:
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the Department 19 series and the previous two books are both firm favourites so I had high expectations for Battle Lines. I'm happy to say that once again Will Hill hits the ball out of the park with an action packed story full of brilliant twists and shocking discoveries for our favourite characters.

We have really seen Jamie and his friends come such a long way since the beginning of the series. Jamie is now an experienced Operator who is in charge of training new recruits and keeping his team safe as they search for Dracula. Matt is desperately searching for a cure for vampirism and Kate has taken on the difficult task of trying to uncover the remaining spies in the Department who have been feeding information to Dracula and his followers. At the same time Larissa is on secondment to the American NS9 department helping them to train new recruits and it is there that she makes a very surprising discovery that could change everything. As well as catching up with old favourites this book also introduces new characters and it also ups the ante with some powerful new enemies for the short handed department to try and handle. Nothing is quite what it seems and in some ways I think this story was even more gory and shocking than the previous ones.

As with the earlier books in the series Battle Lines is quite a doorstop and comes in at just over 700 pages but for such a huge book I found it incredibly easy to whiz through and I finished reading it within a couple of days. This series is a complex one, there are multiple points of view and a lot of different plot threads but they are so masterfully written that I never seem to have any trouble keeping track of people or remembering what is going on even with a year long wait between book releases. That is probably one of the best compliments I can give these books, they are incredibly addictive and each chapter leaves you desperate for more. Thankfully because I ended up leaving it so late to read this book I already have a copy of Zero Hour and I'm excited that I won't have to wait to find out what happens next. The stakes are getting higher and Dracula is close to rising so things are going to get even more interesting from here onwards!

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Red Fox - Karina Halle

In the forgotten town of Red Fox, New Mexico, a Navajo couple is tortured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild animals slink through their house in the dark, a barrage of stones pound their roof nightly, and mutilated sheep carcasses are turning up on their property. Armed with a camera and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the desolate locale, hoping to film the supernatural occurrences and add credibility to their flailing webcast. Only their show has a lot more working against them than just growing pains. Tested by dubious ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshifting deception, the amateur ghost-hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths . . . or die trying.

Experiment in Terror Series:
Darkhouse
Red Fox
The Benson (Novella)
Dead Sky Morning
Lying Season
On Demon Wings
Old Blood (Novella)
The Dex-Files (Novella)
Into the Hollow
And With Madness Comes the Light (Novella)
Come Alive
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust (2014)

Visit Karina Halle's website for more information

Review:
I enjoyed Darkhouse so was looking forward to continuing the Experiment in Terror series with Red Fox. This story gives us a chance to get to know both of the main characters a little better and introduces us to some Native American legends which I found really interesting. The story was still creepy but I think it was a little toned down compared to the first book and I wasn't as scared as I'd expected to be. I think my main problem was that it was far too easy to tell who the bad guys were, I had a very bad feeling about a particular character from the moment they were introduced and I just knew all along that they were involved in what was going on. In spite of that I enjoyed seeing how things played out and we meet one of Dex's friends who I really, really hope we'll see more of in the future.

Perry is determined to take the opportunity Dex is giving her to make something of their internet show, it's something that she desperately wants to do well at and she's looking for acceptance from her family and friends. I love the relationship she has with her sister but I have to say I was shocked by how unsupportive her parents are here, it's no wonder she has such bad self esteem when her family are so down on her all the time. I really hope that their attitude changes or that she finds a way to show them just how strong she can be. I like Perry's character, she is quirky and lives by her own set of rules but she's a nice girl and she cares about the people she meets. I'm going to confess that I was irritated by some of the stupid decisions she makes in Red Fox though, there were a couple of times that I just had to roll my eyes, grit my teeth and get on with it which was a shame and did stop me enjoying the book quite as much as I'd hoped to. I don't remember her making such stupid choices in the first book though so I'm hoping it was an aberration and things will be back to normal in The Benson.

Dex is one of those characters who it is hard to get a read on, he can be completely and utterly charming one minute and to put it frankly a bit of an arse the next. I'm starting to get a better understanding of his character now though and he's definitely an intriguing guy so I can see why Perry is so obsessed with him. I'm not sure how I'd get on with a guy like him in real life but he'd definitely keep things interesting! I'm enjoying the chemistry between him and Perry and their banter is always amusing. In spite of the problems I've mentioned I do find this series is incredibly easy to read and quite addictive so I'm looking forward to continuing the journey and getting to know the characters even better.

Source: Received from Piatkus Entice in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Donners of the Dead - Karina Halle

A note about this book: Donners of the Dead is set in 1851 – couples were often thrust into marriage together with short courtships, racism was widespread and not overly frowned upon, and women had little to no rights. What wouldn't fly in today's day and age was unfortunately the norm back then - it is worth keeping that in mind when reading this book.

Jake McGraw was unlike anyone I’d ever known. He was brash, rude, unapologetic and arrogant; chauvinistic, close-minded, and terribly stubborn. He was built like a tree, tall with a hard chest and wide shoulders and hands that looked like they could wrestle a bear. He was a cigar-chomping, scruffy-faced, beast of a man. I was pretty sure I hated him. And I know he hated me. But among the flesh-eating monsters in these snow-capped mountains, he was the only thing keeping me alive.

The year is 1851 and pioneers in search of California gold are still afraid to travel on the same route as the tragic Donner party did years before. When the last wagon train to go into the Sierra Nevada mountains fails to arrive at their destination, Eve Smith, an 18-year old half-native girl with immense tracking skills is brought along with the search party, headed by an enigmatic former Texas Ranger, Jake McGraw.

What they find deep in the dangerous snow-covered terrain is a terrifying consequence of cannibalism, giving new meaning to the term “monster.” While the search party is slowly picked off, one by one, Eve must learn to trust Jake, who harbors more than a few secrets of his own, in order to survive and prevent the monstrosities from reaching civilization.

Visit Karina Halle's website for more information

Review:
I have to confess I don't read much horror these days so I was a bit nervous before I picked up Donners of the Dead in case I didn't like it. I'm a huge fan of Karina Halle's Artists trilogy though and I've even been enjoying her Experiment in Terror series so I figured if anyone could get me to enjoy a horror romance then it would be her. As it turns out I actually loved how scary it was! I think this was even more creepy than the EIT books (although I've only read the first 2 books so far and I have heard they get scarier as the series continues) and it's definitely more gory. Karina Halle is actually managing to get me to enjoy horror again so I have to give her extra kudos for that.

I think the thing that intrigued me most about this novel and that really made me want to read it was the setting. As a Brit there is a lot I don't know about American history but hearing that this is loosely based on the true story of the Donner Party had me itching to learn more, in fact I'm going to have to do a little research on that group now I've finished the book! I haven't read many stories set in this era so it was a refreshing change to read something so different. I actually think that's something Karina Halle is really good at, she always comes up with such unusual story ideas so you know going in you'll get something other than the norm when you pick up one of her books.

Eve is a young mixed race girl in an era where racism is highly prevalent and since the disappearance of her Native American father she has lived her mother's very white family. She is definitely seen as a second class citizen by her family members and is treated only slightly better than a slave by her uncle and aunt. When a group of men come through town looking for a tracker to help them on their expedition into the mountains Eve's uncle is more than happy to volunteer her for the job - especially when he finds out how much they will pay for her skills. Eve is reluctant to go but doesn't really have much of a choice in the matter and at least her close friend Avery will be going along with her and she'll have a local village girl as a chaperone. What was supposed to be a relatively simple expedition to find the missing Donner Party turns much more sinister when they find themselves being attacked but just who, or what, is coming after them?

I really liked Eve as a character and thought she came across as very realistic for her age and the era she was born in. She is a very innocent and naive young woman who has led a sheltered life and isn't used to being around a group of rough and ready men. It didn't surprise me too much that she developed an immediate fascination with Jake, the way he was described made him come across as ruggedly handsome and he certainly had physical appeal. Unfortunately he also acted like an ass, he comes across as incredibly racist and seems to take great pleasure in making nasty comments to Eve. Again I'd have to say his actions felt quite realistic considering the era and his background, I'm not trying to excuse his actions but I didn't feel they were out of character for a man of his experiences. What I didn't like was the way Eve was still drawn to him even when he was being so mean to her. I had a bit of an issue with how quickly they went from him constantly needling her to him suddenly flirting and attempting to kiss her. It had been obvious from very early on that she was drawn to him (even when I was struggling to see why!) but I hadn't felt that the attraction went both ways which kind of spoilt the romance for me, especially in the beginning.

Once Jake had a change of heart and started treating Eve nicer I actually really started to like him and he has some incredibly sweet lines that I'll happily admit made me swoon a bit. From the start of their flirting together the romance moves at a nice pace and I didn't feel it took away from the rest of the plot but it did seem to come a little out of nowhere in the beginning. I guess I wanted him to be a little more apologetic for the way he had treated her and to have seen him try to make amends for being so mean - I wanted Eve to expect more from him and for him to give it to her. I understand things have to move a little faster in a stand alone story though and I enjoyed their banter and flirting so much that I ended up forgiving him for his initial attitude.

Donners of the Dead was a really enjoyable story which I thought had the perfect mix of scary horror and sexy romance. Considering I'm not much of a horror fan I'm still surprised at how much I loved the creepy scenes even when they had me wanting to hide behind a cushion in fear! I loved the historical setting too and it's definitely left me in the mood to read more stories about American pioneers.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Darkhouse - Karina Halle

A supernatural journey with two unlikely ghost hunters who must battle not only spirits but their attraction to each other.

Perry Palomino is not what you would call ‘ordinary’. For one thing, there’s her past which she likes to pretend never happened, and then there’s the fact that she sees ghosts. Luckily for her, that all comes in handy when she stumbles across Dex Foray, an eccentric producer for an upcoming web­cast on ghost hunters. Even though the show’s budget is non-existent and Dex himself is a maddening enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threatens her life and seduces her with a sense of importance.

Her uncle’s haunted light­house provides the perfect catalyst and backdrop for a horrific mystery that unravels the threads of Perry’s fragile sanity and causes her to fall for a man who, like the most dangerous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems.

Experiment in Terror Series:
Darkhouse
Red Fox
The Benson (Novella)
Dead Sky Morning
Lying Season
On Demon Wings
Old Blood (Novella)
The Dex-Files (Novella)
Into the Hollow
And With Madness Comes the Light (Novella)
Come Alive
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust (2014)

Visit Karina Halle's website for more information

Review:
When Perry decides to explore an old abandoned lighthouse on her uncle's property she gets a lot more than she bargained for. Not only is she convinced that there is something not right about the lighthouse, something that makes her skin crawl and leaves her scared for her life, but she also meets the mysterious Dex who is on the property filming for a new web show that he wants to create. When he offers Perry the chance to present the show she has to decide if she is ready to face something that she has spent so many years trying to suppress. Even though the idea terrifies her it also excites her, she is sick of her average life and wants to take a chance on something that could give her so much more.

I've been hearing great things about the Experiment in Terror series for a long time now but being a bit of a wimp the horror label has always put me off trying it. Then I discovered Karina Halle's totally addictive Artists trilogy and I loved it so much that I just had to give Darkhouse a try. I'm glad I took a chance because although the story was creepy it wasn't as scary as I expected it to be (although I have been assured that it gets scarier later on in the series which has me a little nervous LOL). What I loved about the story was how different it was to anything else I've read, most of the paranormal stories I come across are full of vampires and shapeshifters so finding a pair of human protagonists who set out to become ghost hunters was something new for me.

I loved the fact that Perry is just a normal girl, she isn't a stunner who has every man she meets falling at her feet, she has a normal job and in a lot of ways she's pretty much the average girl next door. At the same time she is smart, sassy and full of snark, she has her own sense of style and refuses to conform to what other people consider normal. She also has an unusual ability that allows her to see things that most people don't notice, this is something that she has spent years trying to suppress but that she isn't going to be able to ignore forever. I like the fact that Perry is brave enough to take a chance on following her dreams, when Dex asks her to present a new web show he wants to create she knows it is the kind of opportunity that will only come along once in her life and she jumps on board immediately. She isn't stupid enough to completely quit her day job though and that just made me respect her even more. Perry isn't perfect and there are times when I questioned her decisions but that just makes her all the more realistic and easier to relate to.

Dex is a trickier customer and I'm still not quite sure what to make of him. There is definitely some chemistry between him and Perry but at the moment I'm on the fence about him and sometimes I really struggled to see the appeal. There were times when I really didn't like how he treated Perry, it seemed like whenever she was scared out of her mind he would disappear on her leaving her to face whatever was frightening her on her own which irritated the heck out of me. As much as Dex annoyed me at times he could also be incredibly charming and I did enjoy the banter between him and Perry. After talking to a couple of friends about him I believe that he gets more irresistible as you get to know him better so I'm going to hold off on making a judgement about him. I'm hoping I'll fall just as hard as my friends have as I carry on reading the series. Whatever I feel about him now one thing I know is it's very hard to be indifferent to him, he is unlike any other hero I've come across, he's full of secrets and more than a little messed up but that just makes me more curious about him and I'm definitely interested in uncovering his full back story!

Darkhouse is an interesting start to the series, the first half moves at a fairly slow pace but is all about introducing the main characters and giving us a little information about their backgrounds. I appreciate the time the author has put into making them feel like real people and I'm really enjoying the set up for the storyline. The pace really picks up in the second half and that is where the creepy factor starts to kick in too so I can only imagine that things continue to ramp up from here onwards. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Perry and Dex in Red Fox very soon.

Source: Received from Piatkus Entice in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Unfed - Kirsty McKay

They're back . . . and this time they're hungry.

The good news: Bobby survived her unreal school trip. 
The bad news: Her best bud Smitty is missing, there are undead everywhere and they're getting hungrier . . .

It's a no-brainer. Somehow she must find some living friends - and the antidote - before everyone's toast.

The Undead Series:
Undead
Unfed

Visit Kirsty McKay's website for more information

Review:
I loved Kirsty McKay's debut Undead and I was hoping we'd get to see a sequel so as soon as I found out that Unfed was being published I couldn't wait to read it. Once again the author has hit the ball out of the park and created a fabulous read that is perfect for zombie fans.

The story continues right after the end of Undead, Bobby and her friends have been picked up by another school bus and think they've managed to leave the zombies far behind them but when the bus crashes they quickly find themselves back in danger. With Smitty missing it is up to Bobby, Alice and Pete, along with newcomer Russ, to find him using the clues that Bobby's mum has left for them. Even if they do manage to get the group back together can they find a way to get out of Scotland now that the country has been overrun by zombies and officially quarantined from the rest of the world?

Bobby is exactly how I remembered her - she is strong, resilient and knows how to kick zombie butt, there is no way she is going to give up on Smitty and she will do whatever it takes to find him. Pete tends to be the brains behind the operation and is great when it comes to figuring out the clues they have been given even when he isn't the best at physically fighting. Alice can be a bit hopeless but she always manages to look perfect and I have to admit to laughing at some of the things she gets up to. I did find myself missing the banter between Bobby and Smitty during the first half of the book but that was more than made up for when they finally catch up with him. Smitty manages to come up with such completely crazy ideas but they wouldn't have got as far as they did without him that's for sure. Newcomer Russ is a bit of a wild card, I was never quite sure what to make of him but there is no doubting that the others needed his fighting skills.

All the things I loved about Undead are back in Unfed - the black humour has a real British flavour to it and the book made me laugh out loud numerous times as I was reading. You also have all the blood and gore you'd expect from a zombie horror story. Anyone who loved the first book will enjoy this one just as much and if you haven't started the series yet then it's one I'd highly recommend.

Source: Received from Chicken House in exchange for an honest review

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Paperback

Review: Unrest - Michelle Harrison

Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn't slept properly for months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Sometimes he half-wakes, paralysed, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. His doctors say sleep paralysis and out-of-body experiences are harmless - but to Elliott they are terrifying.

Convinced that his brush with death has attracted the spirit world, Elliott secures a job at a reputedly haunted museum, determined to discover the truth. There, he meets the enigmatic Ophelia. But, as she and Elliott grow closer, Elliott draws new attention from the dead. One night, during an out-of-body experience, Elliott returns to bed to find his body gone. Something is occupying it, something dead that wants to live again - and it want Ophelia, too . . .

Visit Michelle Harrison's website for more information

Review:
Several months ago Elliott was in a serious accident, one that left him dead for 2 minutes before the paramedics on scene were able to resuscitate him. Ever since that awful event he has been having problems sleeping, waking in the early hours each night to find that he is no longer in his body or finding that he is completely paralysed. That would be bad enough but add in the strange ghostly figures he sees during the experiences and it has left Elliott terrified - either he is losing his mind or he is being haunted and he can't figure out which one it is. To try and get some answers Elliott decides to take a job working at a supposedly haunted living history museum. He is hoping to convince himself that he has been imagining things but instead it just get a lot more complicated - especially when his body is taken over by a mysterious spirit that has been watching him as he sleeps.

I knew I wanted to read Unrest as soon as I saw the cover! I enjoyed Michelle Harrison's book The 13 Treasures and was looking forward to seeing what she would come up with for a teenage audience. I wasn't disappointed and Unrest was a captivating read that I didn't want to put down. This was a seriously creepy story and one I would highly recommend!

Elliott was a fairly typical teenage boy before his accident, he was confident, outgoing and enjoyed spending time with his friends and his brother going out meeting girls. Things have changed a lot for him since his near death experience though and he hates the pitying looks he gets from people who know about the accident. His sleep problems have had a major effect on him - he is exhausted, depressed and his confidence has taken a knock. It was easy to feel for him but I loved the fact that he didn't spend all his time sitting around moping, he wanted to figure out what was happening to him and try to find a way to stop it. Michelle Harrison's vivid descriptions of his out-of-body experiences were terrifying and felt so real that it was like you were living through them yourself - this wasn't a book that I would have felt comfortable reading just before bed! I don't want to give spoilers so I'm not going to say anything more about Elliott's experiences and what caused them but I will say that the answers we are given made it seem very believable which just made it all the more scary to think about.

I really enjoyed reading from Elliott's point of view and thought his voice felt realistic for a seventeen-year-old boy. I loved his relationships with his dad and his brother Adam (who was one of my favourite characters!) and really liked how he slowly built up a friendship with Ophelia before they became romantically involved. Ophelia was another likeable character who had been through a lot but was a survivor, she has a few secrets of her own and I enjoyed finding out more about her.

Unrest is a fantastic story for anyone who enjoys a good supernatural mystery, there are some shocking twists at the end that had me kicking myself for not guessing them sooner because they seemed so obvious when they were pointed out to me! I can't wait to see what Michelle Harrison comes up with next (hopefully another book about Elliott because although Unrest works well as a stand alone story I'd really like to see more of his abilities!)

Source: Received from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review

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Review: The Rising - Will Hill

91 days til zero hour:

That's 91 days to run
91 days to hide
Or 91 days to pray for Department 19 to save you...

The policeman looked round at the dimly lit road.  On the factory wall opposite, in black paint that had dripped all the way to the tarmac, someone had sprayed two words:

He Rises...

After the terrifying attack on Lindisfarne at the end of the first book, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are recovering at Department 19 headquarters, waiting for news of Dracula's stolen ashes.

They won't be waiting for long.

Vampire forces are gathering.  Old enemies are getting too close.  And Dracula... is rising.

Department 19 Series:
Department 19
The Rising
Battle Lines
Zero Hour

Visit the Department 19 website for more information

Review:
It's no secret that Department 19 was one of my favourite books of 2011 so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the series The Rising. Although this was one of my most anticipated novels of the year I couldn't help feeling a little nervous when I picked it up to start reading - what if it didn't live up to my expectations? I'm glad to be able to say that I wasn't disappointed and if Department 19 was a 5 star read (which it was!) then The Rising is a 10 star one! I'm going to assume that anyone reading this review will have already read the first book so please be aware that this will contain spoilers for Department 19 - I will be careful not to give spoilers for The Rising though! If you haven't read the first book yet stop reading this review now and go out and buy it - I can't recommend this series highly enough!

The attack at Lindisfarne at the end of the first book has had huge ongoing consequences for all of the characters we know and love. Jamie may have built quite a reputation for himself amongst his colleagues by killing one of the oldest and strongest vampires in the world but he is devastated by the loss of his friend Frankenstein. He feels guilty that he wasn't able to save him and is also worried about the changes in his mother. Jamie is lucky to have strong bonds with Larissa and Kate though and they have been helping him cope. I love Jamie for how normal he is, despite the fact that he works for a secret organisation hunting down vampires for a living he is just a 17 year old boy and can be quite a moody one at that. His relationship with Larissa is going well but keeping things a secret is adding extra pressure on both of them and Larissa has her own issues to deal with.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of Kate and Matt too. Since Lindisfarne Kate has signed up to be an Operator and is working in a team alongside Jamie and Larissa. The three of them work really well together and it was good to see a friendship between them all that didn't include some kind of love triangle. Matt returned home after recovering from his attack in the first book but found it impossible to settle back into a normal life. He may be Jamie's opposite in a lot of ways but he is a great addition to their team and I can see him having an important role in the future.

All of the characters have some heart wrenching, emotional decisions to make throughout the story and it was good to see how much they have all grown since we first met them. There has been some serious character development but that doesn't mean there is less action though, in fact the plot progresses at breakneck speed and with more twists and turns than a roller coaster! Be prepared for some absolute shockers - I had to pick myself up off the floor a couple of times. The story takes you around the UK and Europe as well as on a road trip across the US as we follow the Department 19 crew and a few new characters. There will be betrayals from people we trust, surprising new allies and a couple of shock appearances as the Department prepares for the rise of Dracula. The countdown has begun but are you prepared for the consequences?

If you loved Department 19 then I guarantee that you'll love The Rising even more. Will Hill has managed to top the first book in every way and the only disappointment is that I don't have book 3 yet! This series is a must for anyone who wants a gruesome, action packed story full of old style terrifying vampires who in most cases will kill you as soon as look at you.

Source: Received from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Oliver Twisted - JD Sharpe (and Charles Dickens)

If you think you know Oliver Twist, think again

"FLESH" the woe-begotten moaned at Oliver, baring teeth which were ragged and black.

"FLESH" came another moan, and he turned to see two more behind. They began to shuffle towards him barefoot - toes blue from cold, arms outstretched.

The world according to Oliver Twisted is simple. Vampyres feed on the defenceless, orphans are sacrificed to hungry gods and if a woe-begotten catches your scent it will hunt you forever.

When a talking corpse reveals that Oliver will find his destiny in London, he sets out to seek the truth. Even if it means losing his soul . . .

Visit JD Sharpe's website for more information

Review:
Oliver Twisted introduces us to an Oliver not quite like any we've seen before. He's still an orphan growing up in an orphanage but this is a world where vampyres snack on the children! After making the decision to go to London Oliver barely survives a woe-begotten (zombie) attack on the journey, it is only thanks to the help of Dodger that he arrives in one piece. But that is just the start of his troubles and if you thought the Bill Sykes and Fagin you've read about before were evil you haven't seen anything yet - Oliver Twisted is even darker than the original tale!

You think you know Oliver's story but JD Sharpe has managed to include some fabulous twists in the characters we love (or in some cases love to hate!). So while she has managed to keep the essence of the story she has also managed to make it her own and put a fresh spin on a much loved tale.

Oliver Twisted is a great debut and one that I'm sure will appeal to both boys and girls. It is a very dark and gory read so not one I would have wanted to read just before bed (but then I'm a well known wuss when it comes to horror!) but I found myself enjoying the gruesome details much more than I expected to. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes seeing a new twist on classic stories, especially if they also happen to be a horror fan. I'm looking forward to seeing what JD Sharpe comes up with next.

Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Undead - Kirsty McKay

It was just another school trip - stuck on a bus with a bunch of freaks ...

When their ski-coach pulls up at a roadside cafe, everyone gets off except for newbie Bobby and class rebel, Smitty.

They're hardly the best of friends, but that all changes when through the falling snow, they see the others coming back.

Something has happened to them. Something bad. Soon only a pair of double-doors stands between those on the bus and the Undead outside.

The time has come to get a life . . .

The Undead Series:
Undead
Unfed

Visit Kirsty McKay's website for more information

Review:
Bobby is the new girl at school and was forced into going on the pre-term skiing trip as a way of getting to know the rest of her class. She hasn't found it easy to fit in though and when they stop for lunch on the journey home she decides to remain on the coach rather than be forced to sit with her class mates. It turns out to be the best decision Bobby could have made though, especially when class mean girl Alice arrives back in hysterics saying that everyone in the restaurant is dead and that one of the teachers just tried to eat her!

I don't read a lot of horror but I'd heard enough good things about Undead that I wanted to give it a try. I'm so glad I did pick it up because Kirsty McKay's debut turned out to be a book I couldn't put down and I read it in one sitting. The story has everything you could hope for in a zombie novel - tough protagonists who are going to face extremely difficult situations if they want to survive, scary zombies and plenty of gore. The black humour was fantastic and I was alternating between laughing out loud and wanting to hide behind a cushion while I was reading the story.

Our heroine Bobby is one tough lead, she is smart, brave and funny and I liked her from the beginning. She is the kind of character who is prepared to make a decision and stick with it and she doesn't sit around waiting for someone to come along and rescue her, she is going to do what she needs to to rescue herself and help her new friends / allies too. Another character I loved was Smitty, introduced as the school bad boy the only reason he was still on the coach was punishment for his bad behaviour but he is actually a really nice guy when he lets it show. He is another character who is willing to fight to survive and without him and Bobby I can't imagine that Alice would have lived through more than the first couple of chapters. I loved the banter between Bobby and Smitty, that was a definite highlight of the book for me.

I'm not sure if Undead is the first book in a series but there is definitely room for Kirsty McKay to write a sequel and if she does I'll be first in the queue to pick up a copy. Even if she writes something completely different it will be a book I'm going to buy and if the humour is anything like it was in this one I already know I'm going to love it. This is a great debut and one I'd definitely recommend to horror and zombie fans.

Source: Received from Chicken House in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Dark Inside - Jeyn Roberts

4
Earthquakes shudder across the world
3
Something is released
2
Trust no one - not even yourself
1
The killing game has begun . . .

Something bad is about to happen.  A lot of people are going to die and it's only the beginning.

A murderous range has been unleashed.  Moments after earthquakes rock the world, people start to change in the most terrifying ways.  Friends turn on friends, girlfriends on boyfriends, brothers on sisters.  Nobody can be trusted.

For those who survive the first wave of killing,, the world is a different, deadlier place.  Michael, Aries, Mason and Clementine must battle to stay alive in a world determined to kill them.  All they have is one another . . . but can they even be sure of that?

Visit Jeyn Roberts' website for more information

Review:
The day that earthquakes destroy half the world is only the beginning and the survivors will have to face an even darker threat.  With friends and strangers alike going on crazy killing sprees it is impossible to know who to trust.  Mason, Michael, Aries and Clementine are all trying to find a way to survive and each have a dark and difficult journey in front of them.  Will they all survive the experience?

Dark Inside is a great debut from Jeyn Roberts, set in the near future the world we know has been completely destroyed by natural disasters.  The story is very dark and creepy and what makes it worse was how realistic it feels.  Even if you don't believe in the idea of the zombie like people who are murdering everyone they encounter the destruction caused by the earthquakes is very realistic and frightening to think about.  In a world without electricity, where food and water supplies increasingly scarce, it is easy to imagine how far survivors would go to fight for survival - zombies or not.

The story is told in alternating chapters from four different view points as we follow Mason, Michael, Aries and Clementine on their journeys.  I did find it a little confusing keeping track of who everyone was, especially in the beginning when you're getting to know everyone, but once I'd got into the swing of things it was easy to keep track of who's chapter you were reading.  The story is fast paced, full of action and has plenty of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

I'm not sure if this is the first instalment in a series or a stand alone story, I actually think it works quite well either way.  You are left with questions so I would happily read a second book but I think it's quite nice to be able to draw your own conclusions.  Either way I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Jeyn Roberts and I'd recommend Dark Inside to any fans of dystopian or post apocalyptic fiction.

Source: Received from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Haunted - Anthology

A FACE in the mirror . . .
HOWLING in the night . . .
A BLACK DOG at your door . . .
COLD HANDS dragging you down . . .

Some of the best-loved children's authors have come together to bring you this terrifying collection of ghost stories:

There's a lost ghost child trapped in a mirror and wanting to pull you in; an evil Soul Eater waiting for its next victim; a ghost walk with a haunting twist; and the spirit of a drowned boy who needs to be put to rest.  These and many more spine-chilling tales will make you scream, shiver and gasp.

Open if you dare . . .

Visit the Anderson Press website for more information

The Haunted anthology includes the following short stories (click the links to visit the author websites):
The Castle Ghosts - Joseph Delaney
The Caretakers - Susan Cooper
Good Boy - Mal Peet
The Blood Line - Jamila Gavin
The Ghost in the Machine - Eleanor Updale
Songs the Dead Sing - Derek Landy
The Beach Hut - Robin Jarvis
The Praying Down of Vaughan Darkness - Sam Llewellyn
The Ghost Walk - Matt Haig
The Ghost Wood - Philip Reeve
The Little Ship's Boy - Berlie Doherty

Review:

Haunted is an anthology containing scary short stories from some of todays best children's writers and it makes for perfect Halloween reading.  Immerse yourself in stories of haunted prisons, demon worshipers, trapped ghosts, demon dogs and even a spooky beach hut.  These stories may be short but they're all well written and there are some great twists in there too.

Stand out favourites for me included Good Boy by Mal Peet, The Beach Hut by Robin Jarvis and The Ghost Wood by Philip Reeve but I enjoyed each of the stories and The Ghost Walk by Matt Haig brought back memories of the ghost walk I did in York a few years ago.  Anthologies are a great way of trying new authors and I've definitely found some I want to add to my to read pile with this one.

If you're a horror fan then you'll love Haunted although if you're a bit of a wimp like I am you may find you only want to read it in daylight!  Treat yourself to a fright this Halloween & pick up your copy today.

Source: Received from Anderson Press in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Doc Mortis - Barry Hutchison

Today I'd like to welcome 12 year old Kain to Feeling Fictional, he is back today with his third review!  Thanks for writing another guest review for me Kain!

Kyle wakes up in hospital... in the Darkest Corners.

In this hospital the surfaces aren't clean, and the instruments are not used for healing.

But it's about to get much, much worse.

The doctor is ready to see him now...

The Invisible Friends Series:
Mr Mumbles
Baggie Maggie
The Crowmaster
Doc Mortis
The Beast

Visit Barry Hutchison's website for more information




Kain's Review:
The Invisible fiend Doc Mortis was an enjoyable book, but not one of my favourites as it’s a bit repetitive. I do like the way it started as an apocalypse then said 17 days later…

The way the author described the way the main characters body was feeling, they also did a good way of describing the environment. One bit I find a bit strange if not morbid is a chant that someone does. But overall I score this 3/5.

Thanks for Reading,
KAIN

Source: Received from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review

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Review: CRYPT: The Gallows Curse - Andrew Hammond

Meet Jud Lester: star agent with CRYPT, The Covert Response Youth Paranormal Team.

When a crime is committed and the police are at a loss, CRYPT is called in to figure out whether something paranormal is at work.  Jud is their star agent.

Jud, unwillingly paired with new recruit Bex, has just landed his biggest case yet ... people have been disappearing in mysterious circumstances while others are viciously attacked - yet there are no suspects and a complete lack of hard evidence.  The only thing that links each attack is the fact that survivors all claim that the culprits were 17th century highwaymen.

Can Jud and Bex work out what has caused the spirits of these dangerous men to return to the streets of London before they wreak more death and destruction?

CRYPT Series:
The Gallows Curse
Traitor's Revenge (March 2012)
There are a further 3 books planned in the series but titles and release dates are TBC

Visit Andrew Hammond's page on Goodreads for more information

Review:

CRYPT (The Covert Response Youth Paranormal Team) is a secret agency set up by MI5 and a private benefactor to investigate paranormal crimes that the police are unable to solve.  When a spree of murders start occurring, with witnesses blaming highwaymen and ghosts the police are at a loss and CRYPT is called in to investigate.  It is up to star agent Jud, along with new recruit Bex, to try and discover what is going on.  If there really are ghostly highwaymen on the rampage can they find a way to stop them?

The Gallows Curse is a great start to a new series and one I'm really looking forward to continuing.  The story is without a doubt one of the scariest books I've read all year and I'm surprised I managed to read it without hiding under the bed in terror.  I have to admit I've become quite a wuss in recent years when it comes to horror so the fact that I was so gripped to the pages is a testament to how good the story is!

Jud is a great main character, he has a lot of faults but that just makes him more realistic and the more you learn about his background the easier it is to see why he behaves the way he does.  He has a big secret to keep and it is no wonder he has been traumatised by things that have happened to him.  In trying not to let his secret out he has become cut off from the people who surround him, he finds it hard to trust anyone and the stress has given him quite a temper.  I do think he has quite a bit of growing up to do and I'm looking forward to seeing this happen as the series continues.  It was nice to have a strong female lead character in Bex too, she is smart and brave and I liked the way she dealt with Jud.  My slight complaint would be that I felt their friendship was a little rushed, one minute they hated each other & the next they were very close.  I would have liked to actually see things develop between them but considering all the other things that were going on in the story that is fairly easy to forgive.

I've already mentioned how scary this was, the ghostly attacks were written in great detail and were gory to the extreme.  As the plot proceeds and you start to uncover the reasons behind the attacks I was fascinated by the historical information interwoven into the story - I actually learnt quite a bit while reading.  I also enjoyed discovering all the high tech equipment that the CRYPT agents had access to.  The Gallows Curse is an impressive debut from Andrew Hammond and I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes the CRYPT agents next.  This is sure to be a hit with horror fans of all ages and I'm already looking forward to the sequel.

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: The Shadowing: Hunted - Adam Slater

Today I'd like to welcome 12 year old Kain to Feeling Fictional, he recently wrote his first ever guest post for me and now he's back with his very first review!  The Shadowing: Hunted was sent to me for review by Egmont but as I'm a bit of a wuss (the cover is scary!!) and I know Kain is a big horror fan I sent him the book and he has very kindly reviewed it for me.  Thanks so much Kain, I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

Once every century, the barrier between the human world and the demon realm begins to break down. Creatures gather, anxiously waiting to cross the divide, to bring death and destruction from their world to ours. This time is called The Shadowing.

Callum Scott has always known that there is a supernatural world out there—he’s seen ghosts for as long as he can remember. Lately, he’s had visions of children being brutally murdered by a terrifying creature. Then the visions start coming true, and Callum realizes that he’s being hunted, too.

Driven by a dark destiny, he must stand against the demons that threaten our world.


And The Shadowing is almost here. . . .

The Shadowing Series:
The Shadowing: Hunted
The Shadowing: Skinned

Visit Adam Slater's page on Goodreads for more information

Kain's Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, mostly because of the way the author wrote it, but also the genre of horror as this is my favourite type. The Blurb of this book fits perfectly with the events in the book. Its Front cover would surely catch lots of people’s eyes. I must admit even I (who could watch a marathon of horror movies) raised an eyebrow as you could picture the scenes in which they took place! I also like the plot of this book.

If I had to rate it it would have to be 5/5!

This is also one of the very best books I have read.

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to comment and let me know if you liked it, or on any ways I could improve.

Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Long Lankin - Lindsey Barraclough

Beware of Long Lankin, that lives in the moss . . .

When Cora and her little sister Mimi are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Bryers Guerdon, they receive a less than warm welcome, and are desperate to go back to London. But Auntie Ida's life was devastated the last time two young girls were at Guerdon Hall, and now her nieces' arrival has re awoken an evil that has lain waiting for years.

A haunting voice in an empty room ... A strange, scarred man lurking in the graveyard ... A mysterious warning, scrawled on the walls of the abandoned church . . . Along with Roger and Peter, two young village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries - before it is too late for Mimi.

Visit Lindsey Barraclough's page on Goodreads for more information

Review:
When Cora and her sister Mimi are sent from their home in London to stay with their aunt in an isolated country village they aren't exactly welcomed with open arms.  Their aunt makes it quite clear that she doesn't want them there and she is determined to send them back in London as quickly as possible.  Although the girls make friends with local children Roger and Pete they are confused by their aunt's attitude towards them.  The longer their visit lasts the more strange things they notice happening around the house and it soon becomes clear that someone - or something - is after Mimi.  Can Cora and her new friends figure out what is going on before it is too late?

I used to read a lot of horror stories as a teenager but I have to admit that this is a genre I read much less of now I'm older.  I thoroughly enjoyed Long Lankin but I'm glad I was careful to read it in the daylight as I'm sure it would have given me nightmares otherwise!  Long Lankin is an impressive debut from Lindsey Barraclough and is based on an old English folk tale that dates back several centuries.  Set in the 1950's the author has done a fantastic job of capturing post war Britain and I was completely drawn into Cora & Mimi's world.

Each of the main characters are well written, I absolutely loved Cora and Roger and enjoyed reading parts of the story from each of their perspectives.  Along with Mimi and Pete they all felt so real to me that I often found myself wanting to reach into the book and comfort them.  It took a long time for Aunt Ida to grow on me but as you find out more about her history you begin to understand why she acts the way she does.  The supernatural side of the story is a little slow getting started but the time is spent building a vivid picture of the village, the church and graveyard so it is almost like watching a film instead of reading.  The imagery is so clear that when we discover more about Long Lankin I was completely creeped out and had to put the book down a couple of times so I could build up the courage to keep reading.

Long Lankin really is a fantastic debut and one that should put Lindsey Barraclough on your authors to watch list.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with next but if it's anywhere near as creepy as this one I'll be sticking to my daylight reading!

Source: Received from RHCB in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Scarlett Dedd - Cathy Brett

http://scardeparted.blogspot.com/ I had to start this blog to help me through my recent horrific trauma.
I'm DEAD!  Which, in case you're wondering, totally sucks...But I'm learning to live with it.

Scarlett would kill for a kiss from the boy she's crushing on...but her life has just taken a dramatic turn for the worse and now it's not just her romantic plans that are festering - even her friends are acting like she doesn't exist...

Left in limbo, bored to death and fearing her friendless state is terminal, an ominous idea pops into Scarlett's head.  Over her dead body will she be ignored...but can Scarlett really execute such a grim plan?  And will it reap the reward of eternal friendship or turn out to be a fatal mistake?

Visit Cathy Brett's website for more information

Review:
Scarlett has always been a bit of a misfit and apart from a couple of close friends she is pretty much an outcast at school.  This hasn't been helped by her quirky family and her second hand clothes.  She doesn't want to go on the school trip but her plan to make herself too ill to go backfires when she accidentally kills her entire family.  As a ghost she is lonely and desperately misses her friends but can she find a way to communicate with them?

I'll start by saying how much I loved the drawings and different text effects that appear throughout the book, Cathy Brett is a talented illustrator and I spent a lot of time looking at the details in the pictures as I was reading.  I loved the way you had to turn the book around to different angles to be able to read some of the writing, it made for a fun read that I'm sure even the most reluctant reader would enjoy.

In the first few chapters I found myself feeling quite sorry for Scarlett, her family really didn't make it easy for her to fit in at school and be accepted and I could relate to the teasing she suffers from.  However, after Scarlett and her family died I found myself liking her less and less as the story progressed.  Her "poor me" routine may have been understandable but it grated on my nerves and I really didn't like the course of action she decided to take to ease her loneliness.  It made for a funny story but I found her attitude disturbing and really wanted to shake her out of it!  Despite the things she was doing I didn't even find myself feeling any sympathy for her friends who to be honest weren't the nicest of people and wouldn't be the kind of friends I'd want to hang out with.

I enjoyed the story for it's uniqueness and the quirky humor and would probably enjoy a sequel more because Scarlett does seem to come to her senses towards the end of the book.  If you're looking for something unusual and fun to read then you might want to give this one a try but I'd probably recommend it more for younger readers who are less likely to worry about the issues I had with the story.

Source: Received from Headline in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Bloodline - Kate Cary

Slowly he drew away, letting his hands trace lightly along my throat.  He shuddered.  Then taking hold of my trembling fingers, he whispered, 'You surely are the sweetest soul . . .'

When Mary's childhood sweetheart returns from the war, she barely recognises the boy she fell in love with.  John is tormented by nightmares - not only the horrors of battle, but the grisly midnight exploits of his captain, Quincey Harker.

So when Harker appears in England, Mary is determined to resist his sinister charm.  But Harker's gaze rests on another party - a bride to restore Count Dracula's poisonous bloodline.

As nightmare becomes reality, Mary soon discovers that the Dynasty of Dracula reaches further than she can possibly imagine.

Bloodline Series:
Bloodline
Reckoning

Visit Kate Cary's website for more information

Review:
Mary is working as a nurse in a sanatorium when she recognises one of her patients as a boy she knew as a child.  John was injured during the war and has been sent home to recover but he is struggling with nightmares of his time in the trenches.  Mary wants to find a way to get through to John so she reads his journal to find out what happened to him, the more she learns about Captain Quincy Harker the more sure she is that something strange was going on.  When Harker turns up at the hospital and sets his sights on John's sister Lily it is up to Mary to try and protect her friend and figure out what the captain is really up to.

I'll admit now it's been years since I read Dracula by Bram Stoker but I was looking forward to reading Kate Cary's sequel Bloodline.  I love reading stories based on old classics and Bloodline wasn't a disappointment.  The story is told using journal entries and letters from each of the 4 main characters which was a great way to see the story from different angles and allowed the author to build suspense.  I actually found it really hard to put down because I'd keep thinking to myself "just one more journal entry" and then I'll go to bed!

I really liked Mary, she was probably the most well rounded out of all of the characters and she was very strong and determined.  It soon becomes obvious how much she cares for John and she is worried for his sister Lily.  I didn't like Lily much, she was very weak and needed constant reassurance from those around her but I was impressed with her when she finally found her backbone towards the end of the book.  John was quite sweet but he really annoyed me with some of his actions (I can't really say more without giving spoilers though).  Harker intrigued me and I'm very curious to see what happens with him in the sequel, there is definitely more to him than it first appears.

I really enjoyed reading John's accounts of life in the trenches, the writing was descriptive and made it easy to picture the sights, sounds and even smells that the soldiers were surrounded by.  This was continued throughout the story and helped me create solid mental pictures as the characters journeyed to Transylvania and arrived at the castle.  There was a great twist at the end that I hadn't seen coming but this is where I became more than a bit disappointed with John, perhaps we will see him redeem himself in the sequel Reckoning but I'm not sure if he can!  Either way I'm definitely looking forward to picking up the next book to find out what happens next, I'm also very tempted to dig out my copy of Dracula for a reread in the meantime.

Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Department 19 - Will Hill

Department 6 is the army.
Department 13 is MI5.
Department 19 is the reason you're alive.

When Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped by strange creatures, he finds himself dragged into Department 19, the government's most secret agency.

Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who want him dead. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, something even Department 19 can't stand up against...

Department 19 Series:
Department 19
The Rising
Battle Lines
Zero Hour

Visit the Department 19 website for more information

Review:
Jamie's life was turned upside down when his father was killed 2 years ago. Suspicion over the circumstances of his death is pulling Jamie and his mother apart but things take a turn for the worse when his mother is kidnapped. Jamie only survives an attack himself because he is rescued by a mysterious stranger, a stranger who takes him straight into the heart of a secret government agency. It turns out that Bram Stoker's Dracula was not a work of fiction it was a true story, a story that prompted the creation of Department 19 - a secret agency that has protected UK citizens from supernatural creatures for over 100 years. Jamie's ancestors, including his father, have been working for Department 19 since it's creation and now Jamie has to decide if he's prepared to join the fight.

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Department 19 which left me feeling a little nervous when I first picked it up. I've read a number of books that have obviously had huge marketing budgets only to find I was disappointed by the story but that was definitely not the case with Will Hill's debut novel. In fact I can happily say that this is one of the best debuts I have ever read and I'm sure it is going to be a huge success. The story is an action packed thrill ride that will leave you breathless with anticipation for the next novel.

Jamie is an incredibly realistic character and one that it is easy to route for. He is thrown into the middle of a nightmare world and needs a lot of courage to face up to what is happening around him. I love the fact that he isn't perfect, he makes mistakes and we even get to see a bit of his moody teenage side coming through but that just makes him easier to relate to. We are introduced to Department 19 through Jamie's eyes as he slowly discovers more about the organisation's origins and how it developed into the high tech arm of the military that it is now. Trust me they have some very cool gadgets and weapons that would make anyone want to sign up just to play with them! For Jamie though the most important thing is finding a way to use these weapons to try and rescue his mother, if he can only work out where she actually is.

The vampires in the story are definitely the more traditional blood thirsty villains that we haven't been seeing as much of in fiction recently. They are often cold hearted killers who will strike with absolutely no remorse and kill their victims in various horrific manners. Department 19 doesn't shy away from the gruesome details and the fights are stunningly detailed and graphic.

One of my favorite things was the use of flashbacks to show exactly how and why Department 19 was created. Sometimes I can find that flashbacks distract from the main story but in this case Will Hill manages to build the suspense in both story lines simultaneously so you can't wait to go back for more. I already mentioned that the story is action packed and I wasn't exaggerating - there are edge of your seat moments that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. This is one of those books that I stayed up until gone 4am just to finish reading because I had to know how it would end. Although this is the first book in a series I was pleased that some of the main plot lines are resolved by the end but don't worry you are left with plenty of questions that will have you itching to read the sequel (as soon as I get my hands on a copy it will be jumping to the top of my to read pile!)

Department 19 is sure to be a massive hit with teenage boys but will have just as much appeal for female horror fans. The story is one that can and will be enjoyed by both teens and adults and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you're only going to read one YA thriller / horror this year make it this one.

Source: Received from Waterstones / HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Witchfinder Gallows at Twilight - William Hussey

A War Has Begun

Human will fight demon

The past will battle the future

Jake Harker will become the enemy...


Witchfinder Trilogy:
Dawn of the Demontide
Gallows at Twilight
The Last Nightfall (September 2011)

Visit the Witchfinder website for more information







Review:
Gallows at Twilight is the second book in the Witchfinder trilogy so although I won't include spoilers for this book it will be difficult not to mention some things from Dawn of the Demontide.  If you haven't read Dawn of the Demontide yet I'd highly recommend you start there and don't read the rest of this review.  If you're a fan of horror this is a series that is well worth picking up!

Jake and his friends may have managed to close the demon door but not before the Demon Father could escape from hell.  With the Demon Father gathering his allies and preparing for war it looks like things have taken a turn for the worse.  Jake is struggling to control his new powers but he is going to have to get a grip on them fast if they are going to survive the latest battle.  In order to save the future Jake finds himself faced with a journey into the past but can he change history and make it back to his own time or will he be executed for witchcraft before he can complete his mission?

I really enjoyed Dawn of the Demontide but William Hussey has managed to completely step things up a gear in Gallows at Twilight.  This book surpassed my expectations on every level and believe me that isn't because my expectations were low!  Gallows at Twilight is a gripping, action packed thrill ride that I didn't want to put down.  The story is even darker than the first book and Jake certainly isn't in for a comfortable ride in this book, in fact there are times that it seems impossible for the good guys to come out on top but you'll have to read it for yourself to find out if there are any casualties.

One of the things I wasn't too sure about before I started reading was the time travel aspect but I was pleasantly surprised at how well that worked.  Jake finds himself travelling back to 1645 in search of an item that could be vital in the war against the Demon Father but appearing out of nowhere in the middle of a crowded village probably wasn't the best way to make an entrance.  Jake is immediately accused of witchcraft and placed under arrest to await the arrival of Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins.  What makes the scenes of torture that Jake suffers even harder to read is the fact that Matthew Hopkins is a real character from history and the methods used in the story have been taken straight from the English history books - you can't beat real life when it comes to inspiration for truly horrific things to do a character! 

Being at risk of execution for witchcraft is actually the least of Jake's worries though and he has far more dangerous trials ahead of him before the story is over.  Along with the characters we have already met in the previous installment William Hussey has pulled out all the stops when it comes to introducing a whole range of interesting creatures from trolls to banshees and much more besides and it can be difficult to tell who's side these creatures are on.  I don't want to give away anything in the plot as I don't want to spoil the journey for you but if you were a fan of Dawn of the Demontide then you're going to love Gallows at Twilight.  If you're new to the series but enjoy a truly gory horror story then get hold of the first book now.  I for one can't wait to read The Last Nightfall when it comes out later this year!

Source: Received from OUP in exchange for an honest review.

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