Over the weekend, I read the following two books: 'The Pain Merchants' by Janice Hardy and 'The Sunlight Slayings' by Kevin Emerson. Both books are part of two different series, The Healing Wars and Oliver Nocturne.
I enjoyed both and would recommend the Oliver Nocturne series for those who are interested in the supernatural (i.e. vampires, zombies etc...) but prefer action to romance.
Oliver is a teen with extraordinary powers (as yet unrevealed) who has been chosen for a great purpose. His best friends - Dean, who has recently returned as a zombie and the troubled but powerful Emalie assist Oliver while his family, Bane, the bullying older brother and his cool, adoptive par
ents, Phlox and Sebastian seem to be hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile vampire children are being mysteriously murdered by sunlight!
I enjoyed both and would recommend the Oliver Nocturne series for those who are interested in the supernatural (i.e. vampires, zombies etc...) but prefer action to romance.
Oliver is a teen with extraordinary powers (as yet unrevealed) who has been chosen for a great purpose. His best friends - Dean, who has recently returned as a zombie and the troubled but powerful Emalie assist Oliver while his family, Bane, the bullying older brother and his cool, adoptive par
ents, Phlox and Sebastian seem to be hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile vampire children are being mysteriously murdered by sunlight!If you are looking for something to read after the Twilight series, then look elsewhere.
If you are interested in adventure, mystery and gaining an insight into the life of a teenaged vampire, then this book is definitely worth looking at.
****
If you are interested in adventure, mystery and gaining an insight into the life of a teenaged vampire, then this book is definitely worth looking at.
****
'The Pain Merchants' puts me in mind of Tamora Pierce. The land of Geveg that Janice Hardy creates is not quite as detailed as Tamora Pierce's efforts but as this is Hardy's first book, we can no doubt look forward to further developments.
The main character Nya is feisty and resourceful. Forced to fend for herself on the streets of Geveg whilst her gifted sister Tali has been lucky enough to have been accepted by the Healer's League, Nya also has great gifts which must be kept hidden. Nya can draw pain from one sufferer and transfer it into another. This gift and others that are disclosed towards the end will lead her to make heart-breaking decisions as she fights back against both the League and the pain merchants.
A real page turner, 'The Page Merchants' creates an unusual concept of pain as power that I have not struck in many years of dedicated young adult fantasy writing. I feel strongly that Janice Hardy is an author to watch.
The main character Nya is feisty and resourceful. Forced to fend for herself on the streets of Geveg whilst her gifted sister Tali has been lucky enough to have been accepted by the Healer's League, Nya also has great gifts which must be kept hidden. Nya can draw pain from one sufferer and transfer it into another. This gift and others that are disclosed towards the end will lead her to make heart-breaking decisions as she fights back against both the League and the pain merchants.
A real page turner, 'The Page Merchants' creates an unusual concept of pain as power that I have not struck in many years of dedicated young adult fantasy writing. I feel strongly that Janice Hardy is an author to watch.
****1/2
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