Ghosts of Tsavo by Vered EhsaniMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
If I had to sum up this book in one word, I don't think I could, because it has so many qualities. It is irreverent, thrilling, dry-humoured and gripping all in one story. The only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is because it needs a bit more of an edit for spelling and misused words, something the rest of the series does not suffer from, I might add.
Mrs Beatrice Knight, widowed and dependent on her uncle and his family, is not quite your ordinary widow, in fact, she is extraordinary. She knows how to defend herself against many different types of paranormal trouble, she tramps into danger with very little regard for herself or Victorian etiquette, and she has a gloriously irreverent view of her position in society. In short, she's a great lead for this and the other Society for Paranormals series.
Apart from Beatrice, I also like the fact that not every character is black and white. They have flaws, they have their own agendas and Bea is often conflicted about them, which leads to some great plot twists and turns.
I smiled, I sighed, I frowned and I laughed with this book. Great story!
The Automaton's Wife by Vered EhsaniMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
After reading the first book in this series, I went and bought the next one and started reading it immediately, because there were a few tantalizing strings of thought left dangling in the previous book, not too much, it was its own story, but with just enough teasing ideas to make me want to jump to the next story.
Bea continues her adventures in Africa with the help and also complications of her friends and family. And there is extra depth to her character in this story as she worries about her dead husband's motives for disappearing on her (yes, she is haunted by his ghost), while also handling the absurdity of a horse possessed by a snake spirit. In this story, Bea is beginning to question all she knows and has been told by people she trusted and loved.
This story is compelling, I didn't want to put it down. Great characters, great plot and a romping good read.
Revenge of the Mantis by Vered EhsaniMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bea's past is catching up with her in this story. A creature so deadly she haunts Bea's dreams is on the move and coming for revenge!
This is the tightest written of the books so far and I was totally hooked all the way through. Vered throughout these books has been dropping breadcrumbs about what is to come with an art I would love to be able to replicate. There is never a moment of dullness, something is always taking place, moving the story on, whether that moment is tragic, or hilarious.
All the characters continue to develop, some in surprising ways, some to my gratification as the reader. This book is an easy, entertaining read and you'll want to finish it.
The Fourth Mandate by Vered EhsaniMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
By the time I got to this book, I was so hooked on the series, that I read it in one sitting.
Bea is slowly losing confidence in all that she has been told about herself, her family history and the Society for Paranormals for who she has been working. Her life is changing, her outlook is widening and Africa is turning into her home, not just a place to stay while her uncle rejuvenates the family finances. The development of her character is well done, and I was rooting for her all the way through.
I hated the bad guys and loved the good guys and hmmed about the characters in between.
This book features more about the society, which has been sitting behind the plot for most of the other stories. They are front and centre and widen the perspective of the series as other motives and background information come into play.
I am eagerly awaiting book 5!
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Sounds like a lot of fun! You know it's a good series when you want to go on to the next book straight away. And the covers are excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt was addictive and the more I read, the more I wanted to read! :)
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