It's Book Review Wednesday! Today's book is a Part 2 of a novel I reviewed a while ago. It's a unique blend of ghost stories, Greek mythology, and modern life that I find quite intriguing.

The Fanatic

Allison Thomason had it all. Fame. Fans. A television show she loved like no other. Until Eva McRayne came along to push her out of the job she was born to do and into obscurity. Determined to see her downfall avenged, Allison calls upon an ancient evil to help her destroy her enemy. One who understands all too well how easy it is to be pushed aside.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

This book continues the story of Eva McRayne, the ghost hunter/media journalist/spokesperson for the Greek god Apollo. I enjoyed Book 1 enough to want to read this one, so I was thrilled when the author sent me a copy for review. It made for an interesting read. There was a lot of fascinating Greek mythology (the story of the Sibyl and her Protector, as well as the Three Fates, Athena, and other elements), which is always a plus for me. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. This one focused a lot more on the main character's broken heart than the actual story. Being a man, I found the emphasis on that relationship to be a bit overdone, but I'm sure it's something other people will enjoy--so not a real flaw. There were some flaws that needed a bit of polishing, including a number of punctuation and grammar mistakes. I found a lot of instances of writing that felt a bit amateur-ish, such as the author signaling what is going to happen. At one point, the MC is learning how to fight, and the narration says, "Little did she know that she was going to use those skills in the next twenty-four hours". For me, that puts me off and irks me. I'd have to say that I was pleased with the ending. The ending of Book 1 felt a bit bland, but this one had a much better, more solid ending. That being said, there was no "hook" to make me want to read Book 3. There's no mystery left unsolved, no thread that I want to unravel. The strength of the character and story alone may not be enough to make readers pick up the next book. The author needs to give us a reason to continue…

Here's a Taste:

Allison hesitated for much longer than I deemed necessary before she let up. She kept the blade within striking distance as I doubled over coughing while the air returned to my lungs. "Get the mirror." She grabbed my coat to jerk me to my feet. "Now." I staggered over to where Cyrus was waiting with a look of fury that scared me. I knew if he were ever given the opportunity, he would tear my opponent to pieces. He raised his hand up as if pressing it against an invisible wall between us as he examined my bloody face. "Give me the mirror, Cyrus." I extended my hand. "Please." "Eva, no." Cyrus narrowed his eyes at Allison. "You will regret this day dearly, girl. Apollo will ensure your soul suffers for the trespasses you have committed." "The mirror or I slit her throat within inches from you." Allison pressed the tip into my skin. When Cyrus didn't respond, she pressed harder until I whimpered. "I'm waiting." "Take it." Cyrus pulled Apollo's mirror from Joey's camera bag. He tossed it over to her feet. "Release the girl, Thomason. She will be unable to help you now." "No. I need that chant." Allison gestured for me to pick up the mirror. "Tell me what to say." "We must be facing each other." I wrapped my hand around the carved gold. I had spent the past eight months avoiding the relic at all costs. Now, it gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Of strength. I whispered my thanks to Apollo as I stiffened beneath the knife. "You must have both hands free to hold onto the mirror with me." Allison dropped Athena's blade into the snow, dismissing her own goddess in an instant at the promise of more power. She may have been considered an obsessive fanatic in life, but her dedication in the afterlife was pathetic. "Poor little damsel in distress. I told you I was better in every way. Under the terms of your trial, you have lost." Allison sneered as we faced each other. "You must relinquish your title and your soul. Tell me the words I need to say to claim my victory." I don't know what came over me, but as I looked down at the golden mirror in my hand, I realized how much being the Sibyl had become a part of me. Yeah, not being able to look into a mirror without the fear of seeing the dead was annoying. And not knowing which Greek monster would come after me next was nothing less than unsettling. But I was the Sibyl whether I liked it or not. I planned on keeping it that way. I swung the mirror upwards, slamming the glass against the side of Alison's face. She cried out as she dropped to her knees. The glass cracked, so I smacked it against the edge of a gravestone to ensure it was completely broken. One hit was all it took. I threw the remains of the ancient mirror down amongst the weeds. "I'm no damsel."

About the Author:

Cynthia D. Witherspoon is an award winning writer of Southern Gothic, Paranormal Romance, and Urban Fantasy. She has been published in numerous anthologies since 2009. Her work has appeared in several award winning collections including Dark Tales of Ancient Civilizations (2012) and PellucidLunacy (2010). Find the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fanatic-Oracle-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00QYI7S84/ Hit up her website: http://www.cynthiadwitherspoon.com Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-D-Witherspoon/315516345297331