Review: Wonderfully Inventive
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2013
Iris is in hiding, but she doesn't know it. She has no memories of her dangerous past and no concept of the hazards her future holds for her. A sickly, isolated teen, Iris only has contact with her father and her nurse/companion, Diana. Haunting dreams taunt her and it isn't long before she realizes the Never-Never of her dreams is real. Iris is a Stryx, an Owlet. Her soul is human and avian, and the hidden past has finally caught up with her, plunging her into a new life of secrets, danger, and deception.Owlet is a wonderfully inventive book. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. The author masterfully intertwines reality with legend and dreams. The legends in this book are absolutely fascinating. If you love YA fantasy, this book is a must-read. The settings range from modern, to lush and beautiful, to ethereal and dreamlike. The author is a gifted, descriptive writer.Iris was a bit difficult for me to connect with at first, but I think this was a deliberate (and brilliant) tactic on the part of the author. As Iris's past catches up with her future, she grows stronger, learns the truth, and embraces the other half of her soul. Iris is a shell of a person at first because her memories are fractured, leaving her bewildered and confused. As she begins to become the person she's meant to be, I connected with her as a character. Iris comes into her own as a young woman and I can't wait to see where this series takes her.This is a wonderful, atmospheric first book and sets the framework for a blockbuster series. If Owlet is any indication of the author's talent, I think we'll be seeing great things from Emma Michaels in the future.Finally, I have to give a shout-out to this gorgeous cover. One of the best I've seen!