Review: A wolf in sheep's clothing!!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 5, 2013
Do you remember the anticipation and surprise felt by playing with a jack in the box when you were small? Turning the handle, feeling excited and laughing expectantly and then when the lid pops, jumping in shock and not knowing whether to be scared or to laugh at the (frightening looking) clown.These are the same emotions which Angela Carlie evokes in Jenny's Blue Velvet, particularly as the book nears its unexpected and horrifying twist.The story is brilliantly written, combining the stories of Jenny who is attempting to become a writer and Candy who is a character in Jenny's romance. Although the narration changes regularly the story never feels disjointed.Jenny is a likeable character, although obviously unhappy with her life. When she meets Cassandra she chooses her as a model for a character because she thinks she has a more interesting life! Jenny quickly becomes obsessed with her writing and the reader sees how her character changes. Angela Carlie leaves small clues for her reader throughout the book, which would help the ending to be not such a surprise, but it is whether we choose to see them or not.Jenny's Blue Velvet is witty, clever, suspenseful, frightening and for a novella, packed full of action. On seeing the cover I admit I was sceptical but I pleasantly surprised, and this is definitely one I would recommend!I received this as a review copy, but this has had no influence on my opinion.