Thorn Jack

Night and Nothing, Book #1

By Katherine Harbour

ISBN# 9780062286727)

Author’s Website:   http://www.katherineharbour.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Synopsis:

The faery folk, the Gentry, the Sidhe…in ancient Ireland, they were associated with the dead. In Thorn Jack, they are the children of nothing and night and the outlaws of their kind have fled to America, tribes disguised as multi-generational families. Some are elemental, capricious, while others are predatory and parasitic. There are kings, queens, and fools…and mortals, changed by their time with these nomadic spirits into something monstrous…

Still coping with her older sister’s suicide, 17-year-old Finn Sullivan and her father, a professor of folklore, have just moved to Fair Hollow, a town in upstate New York where the mysterious Fata family have resided for a century or more. When Finn meets Jack Fata, a fiercely striking and charismatic young man, he leads her into a hidden world of shadows and blood, where nothing is as it seems. (Author’s Website)

Review:

I began reading this book with an open mind….especially as it is outside of my usual genre.  The author has a way with words and storytelling.  I was drawn in, wanting to continue reading but at the same time apprehensive, I am not fond of reading books which are a bit frightening and dabble in the…not even sure what in the beginning.  However, this book drew a fine line between frightening and intriguing.  I got caught up in the mystery of what was going on very quickly.  Who or should I say WHAT are these people (creatures)?

Finn (Serefina) is a young adult whom has had to endure a lot in her young life, the loss of her mother and then the suicide of her sister.  Along with her father, Finn is starting over in New York state…because each day in the townhouse in San Francisco is a reminder of Lily Rose (Finn’s older sister who committed suicide).  Finn is inquisitive and head strong.  When she has the desire to pursue something, she throws caution to the wind and pushes forward, believing for the most part that she is safe.  This definitely made for some tense moments.  I just wanted her to be safe….I kept thinking….What is she thinking with respect to some of her choices?  ?  ?  ?

Finn in short order makes two new friends. Christie and Sylvie, accompany her throughout this journey.  I got frustrated with Finn when the three decide to investigate / attend various events and agree to stay together yet predictably, they end up separated and of course, each getting into their own unique trouble.

The story was filled with a lot of descriptive passages, which drew this reader in….I felt like I was in the woods or the spooky house right along the with characters.  The clothing was described in great detail, helping with the visual.  At times, maybe a bit too much so.  There were a number of references to mythology and literature from around the world.  At one point Christie was quoting Yeats and Sylvie says “Stop quoting Yeats.”

There are a lot of characters in this story and at times I did find it a wee bit difficult to keep them all straight.  And it did take my mind a bit to let it sink in that Christie was male.  But in time and a bit of re-reading, I was able to keep it straight.  Additionally, I found the first third of the book to drag a bit.  Once past that, the flow picked up and made the reading easier and more enjoyable.

What would any story be without a love angle?  Finn`s love interest is Jack.  Now I won`t say much because I do want to leave the mystery where it should be, in the book.  As expected, Jack is good looking, charismatic with a bit of the bad boy in him (among other traits).  I enjoyed the progression and the struggles Finn had to endure while pursuing/being pursued by Jack.

I am intrigued by this author’s style and what is next for Finn and her friends and wish to continue this journey, which is possible as this is book one of a trilogy.  Maybe some of the questions I have (like – what did her mother know about this town and the `beings` ?) will be answered.

If this is your normal genre, I am sure you will enjoy this adjective filled story.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*