Review
Departed spirits, people bursting into flames, netherworldly spiders. Sounds like the type of story I would love... alas, I was disappointed.
When Candace MacHugh hears her dead father's voice whispering to her from the shadows, she joins a giant organization that shares the secrets of the dead with our world. But soon she's sucked into a shadowy conspiracy tying together murders, tragedies, living shadows...and spontaneous human combustion. Is her father really dead? Is she really communicating with departed spirits? And why? If she can't find the answers in time, thousands of people may go up in flames--with her life the first at stake.
I hate giving negative reviews, and judging by Amazon (and Hine's website) there are many readers who really enjoyed this book, so maybe I'm just abnormal. Please bear that in mind as you read on.
The story started well enough - check. Yes, it was a supernatural thriller - check. Yes, it did have many plot twists that kept it somewhat compelling - check. Yes, it had some great moments - check.
So why the bad review? Four reasons mainly.
1. The first half of the book was good, but when 'all was revealed' the story became too incredulous really fast.
2. I struggled to relate to, or have any empathy toward the main characters.
3. Hines tells a supernatural tale about good and evil, God and Satan, and seemed to skirt around the real issues. Instead of the 'good guys' crying out to God for help and surrendering to Him, the book explains how we can overcome the 'shadow' in us by not dwelling on fear and thinking of others. I just didn't get it.
4. The many unexplainable loose-ends were very nicely explained with the following words...
"We saved Butte?"
"You played your part. Much was done beyond you or even I. But you played your part and it was honoured."
Perhaps if you enjoy the books I don't (like Rachel Kate), you will love this book... I really hope so.
Fellow Flannelgraph reviewers... please can one of you read this and give another opinion? I feel like the bad guy right now.)
When Candace MacHugh hears her dead father's voice whispering to her from the shadows, she joins a giant organization that shares the secrets of the dead with our world. But soon she's sucked into a shadowy conspiracy tying together murders, tragedies, living shadows...and spontaneous human combustion. Is her father really dead? Is she really communicating with departed spirits? And why? If she can't find the answers in time, thousands of people may go up in flames--with her life the first at stake.
I hate giving negative reviews, and judging by Amazon (and Hine's website) there are many readers who really enjoyed this book, so maybe I'm just abnormal. Please bear that in mind as you read on.
The story started well enough - check. Yes, it was a supernatural thriller - check. Yes, it did have many plot twists that kept it somewhat compelling - check. Yes, it had some great moments - check.
So why the bad review? Four reasons mainly.
1. The first half of the book was good, but when 'all was revealed' the story became too incredulous really fast.
2. I struggled to relate to, or have any empathy toward the main characters.
3. Hines tells a supernatural tale about good and evil, God and Satan, and seemed to skirt around the real issues. Instead of the 'good guys' crying out to God for help and surrendering to Him, the book explains how we can overcome the 'shadow' in us by not dwelling on fear and thinking of others. I just didn't get it.
4. The many unexplainable loose-ends were very nicely explained with the following words...
"We saved Butte?"
"You played your part. Much was done beyond you or even I. But you played your part and it was honoured."
Perhaps if you enjoy the books I don't (like Rachel Kate), you will love this book... I really hope so.
Fellow Flannelgraph reviewers... please can one of you read this and give another opinion? I feel like the bad guy right now.)
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