G179 E-Reading Book Review of Pestilence Rising by Lea Ryan
Author: Lea Ryan
ISBN: Not yet available
Publisher: Not yet available
Type of book: Urban/fantasy, supernatural, abilities, locked up, cult, rescue, angels
Year it was published: 2013
Summary:
“Hunter lives alone. He eats and sleeps alone. The only people he can relate to are those he finds on the other side of an internet connection. Like him, they have extraordinary abilities, and like him, they want to keep anyone from finding out. His job is to manipulate them into revealing their deepest secrets to him, secrets that will maintain his freedom and surely end theirs.
His employer classifies him as a "ravager". Unfortunately, his ability is more affliction than asset. If he loses control of his emotions, anyone nearby is stricken with a disease that could prove fatal. The Center for the Preservation of Natural Order allows him to remain free on the condition that he keep a low profile and he work for them.
The arrangement works for all parties involved until a girl claiming to be an angel appears in his living room.
Celeste brings word that his estranged brother is missing. Only the two of them can save him.
When his supervisor comes looking for her, Hunter is faced with a choice. Should he trust a stranger and become a fugitive for a brother he barely knows or turn her in, go back to the lonely existence that's kept him from being a danger to innocent people for so long? And who the hell is the strange, tattooed woman who keeps appearing to him in reflections and dreams?
Who he decides to become will be the catalyst for change. One way or another, the life he knows is over.”
Characters:
I didn't hate or wish Hunter would die, but instead I had a difficult time identifying his more likable personality traits. The characters do come alive and are imprinted in the reader's memory, although I would have liked if more was shown on how they changed their views, which I feel is kind of a flaw. From what I can tell, Hunter is loyal and is willing to risk his neck to save his brother. Celeste at first is angry but then she becomes loyal and is willing to go an extra mile and then some. There are other characters, but they didn't play a prominent role as much as Hunter and Celeste have.
Theme:
Curses can become the best of gifts.
Plot:
Its written in first person narrative completely from Hunter's point of view. The novel is very action oriented and there doesn't seem to be romance or anything else. I also would have wanted more background when it came to the world they lived in. I found the character backgrounds to be sufficient and somehow the action and plot more than made up for some of the flaws I found in the book. Something else I liked is that although some of the characters' abilities are seen as evil by their society, the author shows how they can be used beneficially, and how sometimes ability doesn't determine whether or not someone is good, but instead its the actions that show a person.
Author Information:
(from goodreads.com)
born
in The United States
gender
female
website
twitter username
genre
influences
member since
January 2010
Lea Ryan dwells at the edge of a farm with her husband, two kids, two cats and a dog. The author of three books, a novella and several short stories, her genres of choice are urban fantasy and horror. She also draws things and is pretty handy with a Playstation controller.
Opinion:
Before this book I have never tried to read the genre; in the past I have read horror authors such as Anne Rice and Bram Stoker as well as R.L Stine. I was asked to read and review this by the author herself, which I have done. I found the story immensely enjoyable and really liked getting into the world of ravagers and healers as well as other characters. I also suspect that a sequel is in the works for the book. I enjoyed the dialogue and relationships between the characters, that of Hunter and his brother, along with Celeste the angel and so forth. What I did find confusing was well other reasons besides the main one on why the cult was bad, along with the fact whether or not other people with different powers could live there, or is it only for healers and ravagers? I also liked the uncertainty and hesitancy that Hunter displayed when it came to certain elements. I really would like a sequel, to know what happens to the characters. I also think I would have liked to see more of gradual progression of Celeste finally liking human beings, or what she likes in Hunter, because I had a bit of a difficult time finding his more likable traits.
Quick notes: I would like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review the book.
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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