Hyde by Craig Russell
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Clever reimagining of a classic
I read and enjoyed the Devil’s Aspect by Craig Russell just over a couple of years ago, it was a creepy gothic horror story and so when I saw that Russell had written another gothic horror, this time set in Victorian Edinburgh I simply couldn’t resist, and, to be honest, I think I enjoyed this one even more.
This is a very clever story. It isn’t a retelling of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which is what I was expecting somehow, but it uses the influence of duality, which is the premise of the original classic and spins it into a very dark tale incorporating so much more. On top of this readers will be familiar with at least a couple of the characters and the interesting ideas, combined with celtic folklore, a gothic setting and a murder mystery all combine to make a really good read.
The pov character is one Captain Edward Hyde. He’s recently returned from serving in India and is now under the employ of The City of Edinburgh Police. As the story kicks off we’re immediately thrown into a grisly murder scene where the victim appears to have been thrice murdered. Hyde doesn’t immediately connect this murder with ancient rituals, he’s a bit pre-occupied given that he cannot remember why he was in fact so close to the crime scene himself. Hyde suffers from a form of epilepsy that leaves him unable to remember things and to lose time completely. He begins to worry about being so close to the site where the victim was found. Is he committing dark deeds when he loses control? Now on top of this there are a series of strange things happening in the City. A heiress goes missing, a man is executed for a crime that he is believed innocent, banshees cry, another murder victim is discovered and events point to the resurrection of a strange Dark Guild. To be honest I’m not going to elaborate further on the plot because there are a number of threads taking place in this one. Don’t let that worry you as everything comes together really well as events unfold and the tension is ramped up.
What I really liked about this was the central character. He’s a character that I could sympathise with in that he genuinely didn’t know if he was committing dark crimes. Hyde is being treated for his epilepsy by his friend Dr Samuel Porteus. What he is unaware of – although he does start to suspect – is that Porteus is experimenting with the treatments he provides, keen to make a breakthrough he is using Hyde as his own personal experiment. Of course Porteus reassures Hyde that he isn’t capable of such heinous crimes but reading from Hyde’s pov you’re very conscious of his own doubts and concerns and the trouble he has to expend to keep his secret close to his chest.
I think the gothic setting is excellently portrayed and there’s a creeping pervasiveness to the story that leaves your neck feeling prickly – that feeling as though you’re being watched. I actually picked up the audio version for this one and part read/part listened to this and the audio is so good – and definitely added to the chill factor.
Russell is certainly an author that can write horror. He has a wonderful ability to conjure up malicious and evil characters and his scenes are just excellently portrayed. I mean, he doesn’t go overboard with either descriptions or background information but seems to have the ability to make each word really count.
On top of this I think, and I did mention this above, that this is very clever. We have Hyde of course, working to try and discover the source of evil whilst at the same time not entirely trusting that he isn’t hiding something himself (or should that be Hyding? – sorry). Hyde is definitely a likeable character, even at the same time that you start to have doubts you can’t help wanting everything to resolve well for him and there’s also a brilliant case of misdirection here which I simply have to applaud.
I don’t think I can say too much without sinking into the world of spoilers. I really enjoyed this. I think the only criticism I could level at it would be a slight busyness of plot but the threads all do tie up in the end. For me, I liked the use of Hyde as a detective, I liked the inclusion of the author of the classic story and I thought there was plenty of food for thought, not only in terms of duality but the inclusion of other real life characters such as Deacon Brodie who apparently Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about in his earlier life. I was so fascinated by this and the way Brodie’s dual lifestyle was possibly the inspiration for the classic we know today.
I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
#SPFBO : My First Batch of Books – Update
30 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Ashley Capes, CE Page, Deathborn, Graves Robbed, ML Roberts, My first batch of books - update, One of Us, Rosalind Tate, SPFBO, Stranded
Today I’m posting an update for my first batch of SPFBO books (which can be found here). This year I’m teaming up with the lovely ladies from the Critiquing Chemist and we split the batch of books equally – which gives me a little more time this year.
This month I read and reviewed my first four books and today I’m providing my feedback on which books will be cut or rolled forward. At this point I’m not making any decisions on semi-finalists as the semi finalists will be decided by both blogs before agreement on a finalist is reached. We will each put forward hopefuls and then take it from there.
I would mention that this is ultimately the most difficult part of the competition for judges and authors. I don’t find making cuts easy to be honest however it’s the nature of the competition. There can be only one. I would also like to thank the authors of the books that are highlighted today for taking the decision to throw their hat into the ring. It can’t be easy and I definitely applaud you for taking this step.
This month certainly got off to a great start. I completely read all four books and I don’t think I could have asked for four more different reads. A historical, alternate reality, portal book, UF with a unique concept, epic/high fantasy with intriguing magic and a YA high school adventure with witches and fae. This is why I love fantasy.
All that being said I won’t keep you waiting longer, below are my first four books.
Stranded (The Shorten Chronicles #1) by Rosalind Tate
Sophie Arundel is stranded in history, stuck in a grand house in 1925 England. Thankfully, she has her faithful dog Charlotte with her. Oh, and fellow student Hugo, annoying and charming in equal measure.
Baffled by upper-class rules, courted by boring suitors, Sophie is desperate to get back to the twenty-first century, but the only way home is through a hidden portal — and she must work with Hugo to unlock its secrets.
As one clue leads to another, Sophie and Hugo discover that history is unfolding differently. Mobs rule the streets. And when chaos turns into a deadly revolution, anyone in a grand house is fair game.
Sophie and Hugo are running out of time…
My review is here.
In a nutshell, Stranded is a very easy to read, cosy mystery. There is a slow romance building and the attention to detail in terms of the period is very well done and interesting. Clearly the author enjoyed writing this and it shone through. I did have a couple of criticisms but nothing that left me wanting to put the book down. It is a little light in terms of the fantasy elements however.
Conclusion: Cut
***
Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned (Reed Lavender #1) by Ashley Capes
At least when you’re Death’s nephew the bad guys literally have nowhere to hide, right?
Meet Reed Lavender, a mostly-human detective with the uncanny ability to hear the final words of the dead. But on this case he’ll need more than his usual tricks to solve the murder of a teen runaway – he’ll need something that just might be more trouble than it’s worth – the help of his ragtag Reaper-cousins.
But the deeper Reed digs the more he realises there’s something far bigger and darker beneath his city, something vast, something that is ripening to rot…
In a nutshell this is urban fantasy. I loved the concept of this one and also the writing. The pacing is very fast, probably, for me, a little too fast as I found myself wanting to slow down a little and let things develop, take a breather maybe. I have to say though that this was entertaining to read and I would definitely pick up more books in the series to see what the author comes up with next. I think my real issue is I would have liked this to maybe take a little more time with the set up as I felt like I wanted more somehow.
Conclusion : Cut
***
Deathborn (Sovereigns of Bright and Shadow #1) by CE Page
Corruption is a disease with no cure that ends with a rapid descent into madness and violence. And until now it only targeted mages.
When an infected warden shows up challenging everything Margot thought she knew she is thrown into the chase to find the impossible cure. But to understand this new revelation she needs someone who knows possession … She needs Nea and lucky for Margot, her warden friend Garret has been tasked with tracking the rogue necromancer down.
Garret is used to dealing with dangerous mages so this should be like any other job: find the mage and deliver her to the king. But from the moment he finds Nea he is dragged into a deadly game of dark secrets and brutal machinations. Now he must make a choice: deliver Nea as promised and place a weapon in the hands of a madman or deny his king and change the lives of wardens and mages forever.
My review is here.
Conclusion : Roll Forward (I won’t elaborate further at this point, my review is linked above)
***
One of Us: the City of Secrets by ML Roberts
The witch wants her dead, the fae want her alive, the police want to bring her in for questioning. High school should not be this way.
Olivia knows the rules: study hard, never lie, do unto others, but when a witch makes the rules and the others are fae, telling the truth will get her locked up.
Last month she saw the impossible, now she sees it again. She tells herself it’s all in her head. How else explain a shining man who fell out of nowhere or a student who died but still lives?
She carries on with her usual activities: volleyball, pop quizzes, a favor for Mom, but denial won’t make it go away. When she thinks it can’t get any worse, it does.
Friends, enemies, the police, someone is lying. If not one of them, one of us.
My review is here.
In a nutshell this is YA high school fantasy. I think it got off to a slightly shaky start, maybe a little bit of clunky dialogue here and there and perhaps a little overly drawn out in terms of really getting started. But, once the action began I confess to being very entertained. For me, it felt like the author gained in confidence as the story progressed and there was a chaotic, crazy popcorn munching vibe going on. Yes, I enjoyed this,,the story hooked me as things progressed and I wanted to know what was going on. There, however, is the rub. I did finish the story on a slight note of confusion, I know that there are more books (or is it book?) planned but I didn’t come away from this with a real understanding of motivations in terms of the central ‘baddies’. I admit that I’m not really the target audience for this one, but I think with a little more polish it would definitely be a series I could see myself continuing to read.
Conclusion : cut
My thanks again to the authors.
I will be posting my second batch of books very soon.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Quicksilver Court (Rooks and Ruin #2) by Melissa Caruso
30 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't wait Wednesday, Melissa Caruso, Rooks and Ruin #2, The Quicksilver Court, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The Quicksilver Court (Rooks and Ruin #2) by Melissa Caruso – because I really enjoyed the Obsidian Tower. Here’s the description:
The Quicksilver Court continues the wildly original epic fantasy series bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic that began with The Obsidian Tower.
Ryxander, Warden of Gloamingard, has failed. Unsealed by her blood, the Door hidden within the black tower has opened. Now, for the first time since the age of the Graces, demons walk the world.
As tensions grow between nations, all eyes-and daggers are set on Morgrain, fallen under the Demon of Discord’s control. In an attempt to save her home from destruction, Ryx and the Rookery set out to find a powerful artifact. But powerful enemies are on the hunt and they’re closing in fast.
Expected publication : October 2021
Top Ten Tuesday : Anticipated Reading List
29 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Anticipated reading, My tbr second half of the year, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic :
Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2021
Okay, so I recently posted for TTT books I’d be reading for summer – which you can find here. Today I’m going to look at some of the other books on my shelves that I’m looking forward to picking up, these basically continue where my summer reads left off. (Obviously I’m also looking forward to more of my SPFBO books but I will be posting about those separately.
- Paper and Blood by Kevin Hearne
- The Pariah by Anthony Ryan
- Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (Sampler)
- The House of Dust by Noah Broyles
- Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
- Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
- Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar
- The Hidden by Melanie Golding
- All of Us Villains by Christine Herman; Amanda Foody
- Survive the Night by Riley Sager
So, what’s on your list this week?
#SPFBO Review : One of Us, The City of Secrets by ML Roberts
28 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO, ML Roberts, One of Us, The City of Secrets
One of Use by ML Roberts was the fourth book I read this month as part of the SPFBO Competition. My three other books as part of Batch One were Deathborn by CE Page, Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned by Ashley Capes and Stranded by Rosalind Tate. At the end of the month I will be posting an update and highlighting which book or books will be rolled forward and which will be cut.
So, I would briefly describe One of Us as YA high school/urban fantasy. Mostly set within the school grounds it involves a young girl who starts to think her imagination is playing tricks on her.
The story is told by Olivia, fifteen years of age (I think). Her mum asks her a favour, to befriend the daughter of one of her clients who has recently moved to the area and is new to school. Of course, being 15, and not even as part of the in-crowd, choosing friends based on your parents’ wishes doesn’t do anything for your social standing.
Olivia’s best friend is Mindy, they’re fairly average students, not the popular girls, not particularly sporty or clever, but doing okay. Abigail stands out a little bit, for all of the wrong reasons, and Olivia tries to avoid bumping into her at all. Pamela is one of the ‘super popular’ girls and incredibly mean. She seems to have made it her own mission in life to make the new girl’s life hell. This aspect of the story is very ‘mean girls’ until, unexpectedly, revenge becomes the dish of the day.
On top of skirting around trying to avoid other students Olivia has plenty of other things on her mind. She spotted a story in a news article saying that a local boy (who Olivia knows and used to go to the same school) has died in a surfing or swimming accident. Olivia is distraught by the news but soon starts to suspect that she imagined the story. The article seems to have disappeared and nobody at the school seems to be aware. At the same time we are shown a memory of Olivia and her brother out driving when a strange occurrence takes place. The car is hit by an object, Olivia’s brother thinks a branch, Olivia on the other hand thinks she sees a man lying in the road, a man with long silver hair and wings. There are other strange occurences but I won’t go into them here. Then things escalate, starting at the high school dance, Abigail is attacked. We find out more strange news from Olivia’s flashbacks and there’s talk of a haunted house.
Now, my feelings on One of Us are a little mixed. I struggled to get into the story at first (although I did think the opening chapter was quite an intriguing hook). The early stages of the story felt very teenage angst-y and the dialogue felt clunky, there was a lot of wild speculation on the part of Olivia for almost everything and anything that happens and for perhaps half the book very little really took place other than glimpses of things that didn’t really add up to very much. As the story began to hot up the writing improved, to such an extent that I was intrigued and quite keen to read forward to discover what was going on. The pacing improved, in fact things became a little bit crazy, it felt almost like a Scooby Doo adventure at one point but with an all girl cast and absent Scooby – and witches and fae instead of wannabe criminals shaking their fists and muttering ‘if it wasn’t for those pesky kids’. I can’t deny that it was actually entertaining in a chaotic sort of way, not sure it was entirely realistic in some respects but it did keep me turning the pages. But, and yes, there is a but. I’m not sure even now what the motivations of the ‘evil ones’ was or what they were really trying to achieve. I have what feels like a sketchy understanding of things being hidden around the city, protected by Others using magic barriers and the like and also that there are those who want to access these hidden elements (creating unspeakable risks)- although I have very hazy notions of why that is at this point.
Criticisms aside, I think this would probably work well with the right audience. I think the high school vibe is well done, the insecurities and fear of being ostracised, the bullying, etc and there’s an adventure type feel to the direction the story took. I’m assuming that another book is planned although it isn’t clear at the present but this one definitely concludes with certain things remaining open not to mention talk of portals and the fact that Olivia may herself have something more to her than at first meets the eye..
I received a copy from the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
