Thursday, March 13, 2014

'Night Owls'-by Lauren M. Roy

Book Title: Night Owls
Author: Lauren M. Roy
Version: Mass Market Paperback
Published: February 25th, 2014
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Fantasy


Synopsis: The Night Owls bookstore is every college student's dream, open late into the night, lots of comfy study corners, right next to a late night coffee shop oh and it's run by a vampire. Of course no one knows she's a vampire they just think she's the super cool owner that only works the night shift. But Val is indeed a vampire with her very own Renfield, the occasional blood lust and a dark past that she is doing her best to keep there.

All Elly has ever known is a life on the run with her mentor and adoptive father Father Value. When Father Value is murdered protecting a book, going against everything that he taught Elly, Elly takes the book and runs from his murderers the Creeps. Knowing only one place where she and the book may be safe Elly runs to the college town of Edgewood to meet Professor Clearwater a one time friend of Father Value. Elly hopes to find some answers as to why Father Value had to die.

When the Creeps find Elly and Professor Clearwater things quickly take a turn for the worse and soon Elly finds herself running for her life but this time without the book. Professor Clearwater, a dear friend of Val's, put the book at Night Owls bookstore for safe keeping. When one of Val's employees and dear friend somehow extracts a spell from this mysterious book the Creeps come after him. Val taking this as a personal insult, along with her Redfield, Chas team up with Ellyn and her adoptive brother Cavale. Together with a pair of lesbian succubi they take a stand against the Creeps and their evil plans.

REVIEW: This is totally my kind of book. Magic, vampires, strong ass-kicking women, handsome men and books. I had a feeling I was going to like it right away and I was not disappointed. The fun part about this book even before I started it was that a friend of a friend edited it. Now I realize what I'm about to say is makes me a complete book nerd but the fact that I am acquainted with someone who is a full fledged editor is more exciting for me than meeting a celebrity.

Anyway knowing the editor of the book was the reason I picked up the book but once I started reading I found myself wanting to keep reading based on the book itself. I was immediately swept up in the story. The mystery and adventure of it all kind of took me away and kept me enthralled for 296 pages. It was a story that I loved losing myself in and the more I got lost, the more I wanted to get lost. I am thrilled that this is merely the first in an exciting new series because I can't wait for the next chapter in this story!

This is Lauren M. Roy's debut novel and what a debut it is! I thought that the writing was wonderful. I think the thing I liked most was that she didn't try to prove herself by using big fancy words that had me reaching for the dictionary every other sentence, she just wrote her story. Don't get me wrong I always enjoy improving my vocabulary but I find it rather annoying when authors use big words just to use big words. Ms. Roy is a good writer indeed, one that knows that her story can stand alone with out a lot of flourish and fancy trimmings. She had a very well put together story, lots of great twists and turns that had me guessing and jumping and wanting more! Also she seems to have a knack for slipping in some very funny moments. Lots of wit woven in which I absolutely adored. I can't wait to keeping reading what Ms. Roy writes because I know it's gonna be good!

The characters were totally captivating. Val and Chaz a perfect twosome full of love and kindness and an absolute perfect partnership. Elly with her grim outer exterior and her inner desire to just find a place to call home, Cavale with his charm and big heart hoping to make Elly's dream come true. These core characters along with the rest of the cast were so well created and drawn that I fell instantly in love with them. I loved all of them because they seemed like just the people next door with a few extra qualities. All of the characters were wonderful and I am so looking forward to seeing what other adventures they go on!

All in all I enjoyed the book from page 1 to page 296. Well written, well put together, great characters and an intriguing story all made for a really fun read. I recommend it to anyone who likes a really good fantasy novel and a great adventure. 'Night Owls' by Lauren M. Roy is the total package for a fun fantasy read, so if you are a fantasy fan go out and find yourself a copy because it's the beginning of a truly exciting adventure.

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