Review: Excellent
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 19, 2014
I first encountered this author’s work last year when I read her “The City Darkens” in its original serial format. I was entranced. It was also exactly the type of tale I love – a complex fantasy set in a completely original alternate world.I started “The River and the Roses” with a little hesitation simply because psychics and paranormal stories are not my favorite. That’s just a personal preference on my part. However, I had good reason to have faith in Ms. Martin’s talent, and I was not disappointed that I read this book.I love the way this story builds – slowly at first then speeding up exponentially. By the last several chapters, it is impossible to put it down. I know, I ate lunch today with a sandwich in one hand and my eBook reader in the other.Veronica Barry comes across as a complete human being rather than a fictional character, and the support cast is equally well drawn. Veronica’s struggle to deal with her own feelings as she gradually recognizes her special ability is particularly appealing.I never give spoilers so I don’t include summaries in my reviews. Doing so would be especially egregious in this case because this book is, among other things, an excellent murder mystery.I recommend it highly.