I can hardly believe that SPFBO X is fast approaching it’s conclusion.  This year I’ve changed my MO and decided to read all the finalists before reviewing.  To be honest, I don’t think that was perhaps the best step on my part, mainly because there were some very chunky books this year and the reading has taken me longer than I would have liked – usually I like to start posting reviews a little earlier.  Anyhow, the best laid plans, it can’t be helped.  This is where I’m at and for the next two weeks I shall be posting reviews.  Here’s a link to the Finalist table.

Lets start with the description from Goodreads:

The Lambros family has never fit in with the town of Pandora, even from the very beginning. Since their ancestors immigrated from Greece with magical creatures in tow, the townsfolk have never trusted them and that hasn’t changed in the centuries since. Now, Melpomene, Calliope, and Thalia struggle to live their every day lives. When new girl, Asha Singh moves to town, everything changes. Thalia, once determined to escape Pandora upon graduation, finds herself growing closer to the heiress of the new resort in town and puts her plans on hold as their relationship develops. All the while, a man has entered the grounds, sent by their mother to help prepare for the newest creature en route to the house. His intentions come into question as he tries to befriend the distrustful Calliope, whose own abilities with the animals seem something out of a fairytale. With their mother missing, Melpomene struggles to keep the house together amidst the changes in the town, the newcomers to their lives, and the impending threat of their secret life being exposed to the community and the world. As the three sisters deal with their own personal problems, the divide between them grows wide when they need to band together the most or else it may end with one of them in the hands of their greatest enemy.

My thoughts below:

The Humane Society for Creatures and Cryptids (THSfC&C) was a book that I really enjoyed.  It’s very family focused involving three sisters and the secret work that they are responsible for – work that very much makes them outcasts to the community in which they live.

When we first meet the Lambros sisters their everyday life is nothing if not chaotic and is weighing heavily on all of them in different ways.

Melpomene is the oldest sister and takes responsibility for the family, house and business.  She’s a fixer and constantly worries that she’s not succeeding in keeping the family together.  Melpomene has no magical abilities as such but is a typical homemaker.  As I already mentioned all the sisters are in something of a rut as the story begins and they’re all so busy with their lives that they’ve almost lost sight of everything they have.

Calliope is the middle sister (and I confess my favourite).  Calliope shares a special bond with all the creatures and critters that her family try to rescue and protect.  The animals love her and bend to her will.  She has a troubling past and has withdrawn from society preferring the company of the critters she looks after and loves.  As the story begins she is preparing for a new creature’s arrival and her time is taken with this preparation.  Until a young man arrives, sent by the girl’s mother to help them make ready.

Thalia is the youngest sister, still at school and definitely struggling with a ridiculous amount of bullying from the locals.  Thalia is about to become a little enamoured with the new girl at school, Asha, who is also very intrigued with Thalia and the rumours that circulate about her family.  Thalia has plans to leave the town of Pandora.  She wants to see the world and explore new places and is searching for a way to make this happen.  I think in terms of her two sisters – they’re so far removed from the whole school/community feel in general that in a way they fail to see how much Thalia is struggling.

Asha is the daughter of a wealthy couple who are responsible for a new, glitzy resort in town.  In one respect her pov feels a little conveniently engineered – it gives us a person who is curious and involved with one of the family members thereby opening an opportunity to describe things afresh for readers.  That being said I liked her character well enough.

The place feels modern, cars, mobiles, the usual modern accoutrements.  We spend a bit of time at school but predominantly we are based at the Lambros property.  A ramshackle and rambling house set in it’s own extensive grounds and surrounded by forest, which helps with keeping the family business a secret – although there is a good deal of curiosity and snooping.  The house is home not only to the girls but also a wonderful selection of creatures.  I loved that each chapter gave a description for a new critter that usually played a role in the forthcoming pages.

The storyline.  Well, this is a cosy romantasy but, that being said, after a fairly mild and low stake first half the second half of the story becomes much more dramatic.  The girls have to pull together to protect the business overcoming their own fears to unite and strengthen.

What really worked for me.  I enjoyed the writing, the family dynamic is really good, all the characters have clear and individual voices and although (I think) this is over 500 pages it felt like a quick and compelling read.

In terms of criticisms.  Well, nothing that really spoiled it for me but, there are three romances that all seem to spring out of nowhere and become quite quickly ‘big things’.  Now that’s something of a coincidence – three sisters all finding love interests at exactly the same time – but, hey, it could happen.  There is a little foreshadowing that make it fairly obvious in which direction certain storylines are going.  Also, there is the trauma of Calliope’s past which may be difficult for some readers and finally there’s the usual ‘missing parents’ – definitely an overused trope for me – but, again, nothing that made me want to stop reading.

Overall, I had a good time with this book and if the second book was available I would have undoubtedly picked up a copy straight away.

I received a copy courtesy of the author, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opiniion.

My rating 7.5