Reviewed: September 15th, 2024
Released: September 17th, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
ARC: Hidden Gems
True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.
Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.
Complicating matters further is Olivia’s new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial. As shocking details from Olivia’s own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny?
Helen’s Thoughts: 4/5
After a bit if a slow start, Olivia evolves from a naive young woman into a well-developed feisty heroine. She does accept the Others quite quickly, but that makes sense when you realise she knew about the supernatural and just repressed it.
William is lovely, and although the relationship develops rather fast, it is a believable romance sub plot as Olivia ventures into the world of the Others and discovering her talents. There is a lot of US Politics included, rather than the Others politics, so if you like the political backdrop then you’ll enjoy the book, but there isn’t much of the supernatural machinations, other than the Council which seems rather shady and suspect, and I worry that Olivia agreed to work for them a little too quickly and really doesn’t know much about them.
Once the story gets going, the plot races onwards, keeping you hooked. Multiple threads lead in different directions, there are plenty of prophetic declarations, and you know there is much more going on than a political campaign. This is the first book in a trilogy, and although we get some answers, the overarching story will continue onto the next book.
All in all, an enjoyable paranormal fantasy with witches, vampires, and other magical creatures.
Purchase The Others
Link to book on Amazon UK: ebook
Link to book on Amazon US: ebook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series and now Harmony, a dystopian science fantasy.
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