A review by melodicfate
Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn
4.0
4.5 stars.
This was an excellent Halloween read! The atmosphere was spooky, there were ghosts and shapeshifters and other paranormal beings, and it was set in the fall. A great choice and one I just randomly picked up, but it was a great way to be introduced to Yasmine Galenorn's work.
I loved the heroine of this book. Kerris was just your average thirty-something woman, but one with a gift. Kerris had some not-so-bright moments, but I loved her personality. She was easygoing, loved books, and had cats. I felt like she could be someone I know, and that's an awesome thing. With all that happened in this story, Kerris proved that she had a strong nature, too. I loved her character.
There were quite a few side characters in the novel, but only a few got significant page time. I liked Kerris's best friend Peggin, since the two had been friends for so long and had a really close relationship. Peggin would do anything for Kerris, and Kerris would do the same for Peggin. I'm intrigued by Ellia, one of the people Kerris has to work with as a spirit shaman. Then there was Bryan, Kerris's next-door neighbor. He was a shapeshifter and Kerris's guardian, as well as her love interest. Their romance was a bit fast, but I thought it was reasonably well-explained. There were also a lot of other people introduced who were townspeople, and another character I hope to learn and see more of in the coming novels, but to say more would be spoilery.
I really, really liked this book's plot and atmosphere. Kerris returned to her hometown of Whisper Hollow after fifteen years of absence, because she had received signs from the Crow Man. She discovered that her grandmother had died, and had to come home to take her place. This was because the women in Kerris's family were spirit shamans who had to keep the dead from walking in Whisper Hollow. Which is a big problem there, since the town was built on ley lines. Anyway, upon returning home, Kerris had to navigate old memories, find out exactly what happened to her parents who had both vanished long ago, and deal with the rising number of incidents with spirits. All the while, something was after her. So this book was pretty action-packed. The setting of Whisper Hollow was creepy, but also riveting. The town is full of paranormal things, and all of them know about each other. This book had some of the best atmosphere I've read in a while. Plus, I loved all the mythology found in here.
With all that said, of course I recommend this book! If you like urban fantasy and paranormal romance, this will be your thing. It's got a bit more romance than the average urban fantasy, but trust me. Even if romance isn't your thing, there's plenty of other stuff happening here. I loved the heroine, the side characters, and the atmosphere. I guess the only thing keeping this from being amazing is the fact that I knew what was going to happen, in terms of who the villain was. Still, this was a great story, and I just may have to go read book 2 now.
This was an excellent Halloween read! The atmosphere was spooky, there were ghosts and shapeshifters and other paranormal beings, and it was set in the fall. A great choice and one I just randomly picked up, but it was a great way to be introduced to Yasmine Galenorn's work.
I loved the heroine of this book. Kerris was just your average thirty-something woman, but one with a gift. Kerris had some not-so-bright moments, but I loved her personality. She was easygoing, loved books, and had cats. I felt like she could be someone I know, and that's an awesome thing. With all that happened in this story, Kerris proved that she had a strong nature, too. I loved her character.
There were quite a few side characters in the novel, but only a few got significant page time. I liked Kerris's best friend Peggin, since the two had been friends for so long and had a really close relationship. Peggin would do anything for Kerris, and Kerris would do the same for Peggin. I'm intrigued by Ellia, one of the people Kerris has to work with as a spirit shaman. Then there was Bryan, Kerris's next-door neighbor. He was a shapeshifter and Kerris's guardian, as well as her love interest. Their romance was a bit fast, but I thought it was reasonably well-explained. There were also a lot of other people introduced who were townspeople, and another character I hope to learn and see more of in the coming novels, but to say more would be spoilery.
I really, really liked this book's plot and atmosphere. Kerris returned to her hometown of Whisper Hollow after fifteen years of absence, because she had received signs from the Crow Man. She discovered that her grandmother had died, and had to come home to take her place. This was because the women in Kerris's family were spirit shamans who had to keep the dead from walking in Whisper Hollow. Which is a big problem there, since the town was built on ley lines. Anyway, upon returning home, Kerris had to navigate old memories, find out exactly what happened to her parents who had both vanished long ago, and deal with the rising number of incidents with spirits. All the while, something was after her. So this book was pretty action-packed. The setting of Whisper Hollow was creepy, but also riveting. The town is full of paranormal things, and all of them know about each other. This book had some of the best atmosphere I've read in a while. Plus, I loved all the mythology found in here.
With all that said, of course I recommend this book! If you like urban fantasy and paranormal romance, this will be your thing. It's got a bit more romance than the average urban fantasy, but trust me. Even if romance isn't your thing, there's plenty of other stuff happening here. I loved the heroine, the side characters, and the atmosphere. I guess the only thing keeping this from being amazing is the fact that I knew what was going to happen, in terms of who the villain was. Still, this was a great story, and I just may have to go read book 2 now.