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Thursday, December 10, 2015

5/5 Review: Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn




Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and when I returned, I inherited my grandmother’s house—and her gift. As a spirit shaman, it’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don’t always stay buried.

When I was little, I was told my mother ran off. But now it looks like she was murdered. With the help of my mysterious neighbor Bryan, we begin to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, and in doing so, unearth a dark force seeking to bury Whisper Hollow. Now I must work with the dead, rather than against them, because our enemy will do whatever she can to destroy the town, and she means to start with me.

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 Fifteen years away, Kerris Fellwater is back in her hometown. She ran away after having a fight with her grandfather but now that her grandmother has passed it is up to her, as the spirit shaman, to take over after the family business. Her job is to make sure the dead remain dead. The power is inherited from mothers to daughters. Every shaman has two people to help her, one is a shapeshifter mate and another one is a lament singer.
Soon after getting back home, Kerris discovers that she grew up in a house full of secrets and now she is learning the truth about her mothers death, which she will now avenge.

Kerris is an absolutely fascinating character. She is so complex, being both tough, yet incredibly soft as well. In a lot of urban fantasies, the heroine's physical abilities are off the charts, and this sometimes can make the dangers against them just don't seem threatening at all. Kerri is one of those types. She definitely has a strong power set in the shaman area, but her physical abilities are much less, more along the lines of an ordinary person. So, when the  Shape shifters, witches, and other assorted creature who live in this town go on attack, you feel the threat against her with heart pounding intensity. She and Bryan have explosive attraction and hot and sweaty sex. He has enough dominance in him to make you notice him from miles away. They are a perfect match.


This is a better-than-usual example of the popular sub-genre of urban fantasy involving a young heroine with supernatural powers/connections,werewolves and other supernatural creatures of varying nationalities Ms.Galenorn
s a seasoned fantasy author, and this shows in her worldbuilding, which is of higher quality than is usually found in this genre.It was very refreshing to be able to completely feel the fear that is intended with the danger.Who doesn't like murder, suspense, all mixed in with a good dose of humor?

Yasmine Galenorn is one of my favorite authors, and this book does not disappoint. It differs from her usual style in that it has a modern, rather than high fantasy, setting, but she does it very well. It took me a few chapters to stop feeling like I was reading Yasmine Galenorn  channeling Patricia Briggs, but after that it was all her own. Also, this book is appropriate for younger audiences. As most of Galenorn's books are, this is character centered with a very satisfying plot. It leaves you wanting to know more of what happens to the characters; unfortunately, Galenorn  tends to only write duologues (if that), and you're frequently left yearning to know more of the characters and worlds she's created. I highly suggest all of her series, and I am looking forward to book 2 in this series.




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