The Undesired opens with a scene of a father and young daughter in a car, dying from the exhaust fumes. Your mind automatically wonders how they got there and who is responsible. Chapter One introduces single father Odinn, whose ex-wife has recently died. Odinn struggles with the responsibilities of being more than a weekend father and seeks ways to help his daughter with her grief.
When a colleague dies unexpectedly, Odinn finally gets an interesting assignment investigating possible abuse at a home for young offenders. The plot moves back and forth from the present to the past.
The past segments allow us to see the home and the inhabitants through the eyes of Aldis, a young woman who does the cleaning. In the present, Odinn attempts to balance a series of problems--interviewing individuals who were at the home during the 1974 incident, new information that makes him curious about his ex-wife's death, and his concerns about his daughter.
Definitely some surprises, especially in the conclusion. It is so tempting to put the spoiler here, but it would change the way the reader approaches the novel.
Icelandic writer Yrsa Sigurdardottir's The Undesired is a standalone and not part of her Thora Gudmundsdottir series.
This new cover beats the previous two options by a long shot.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Psychological Suspense. 2012; 2017 (translation). Print length: 362 pages.
Catching Echoes: Reconstructionist Series Book 1 by Meghan Ciana Doidge has murder, witches, and vampires.I liked the first of this one quite a lot and was hoping for a fun paranormal romp.
Unfortunately, the charm of the first portion of the book began to dissipate in the middle, and I was not at all impressed with the conclusion.
I liked Wisteria in her reconstructionist role, but the frequent references to a hidden magical power that others seem to recognize and leave Wisteria puzzle--feel contrived. The creepy attraction between witch and vampire is a given. Much of the middle felt like filler, and it isn't a particularly long book, so that's a lot of filler. The conclusion was disappointing.
Doidge has a dedicated fan base who love her books, but if I want a good paranormal YA book, I turn to Maggie Steifvater or Kelley Armstrong. I do enjoy a little paranormal mischief every once in a while, but this series may not be a good fit for me.
NetGalley/Old Man in the Crosswalk Productions
Paranormal/Crime. Dec. 2016. Print length: 234 pages.
Good reviews! I say yes to The Undesired and probably not to the second, but thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really like The Undesired's cover and the blurb too.
ReplyDeleteThe Undesired was my first foray into Yrsa Sigurdardottir's books, and I would like to try her Thora Gudmundsdottir series. :)
DeleteHow disappointing about Catching Echoes. It's frustrating when a book starts out well and then goes downhill after that. The Undesired sounds good though, and I am glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating when a book doesn't fulfill its promise. But I have to admit, Doidge's fan base seem to be delighted, so opinion is a grain of salt. :)
DeleteI have a copy of THE UNDESIRED - had to go look, but yes, it's that one. I also have a copy of one of the Thora books. I've meant to read this author for a long time. Perhaps soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, good, I watch to see what you think of Sigurdardottir! I'll check the library for the Thora series.
DeleteToo bad about Catching Echoes. Sounds like it could have been good. But I will definitely be reading the Sigurdardottir mystery; I really like her books. :)
ReplyDelete:( I'm choosy about my paranormal adventures--not that my choices are any better, just more personal. Along with Stiefvater and Armstrong's supernatural/paranormal books, I've liked Julike Kagawa's dystopian vampire trilogy (The Immortal Rules) and Barbara Hambly's James Asher series.
DeleteI love that Barbara Hamble series! Have you ever read Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series? It's one of my favs.
DeleteI really need to read the Mercy Thompson series--I see so many favorable reviews. People are always eagerly awaiting the next book!
DeleteThe Undesired sounds good! Will have to check it out. And I'm glad it's a stand-alone. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's disappointing about Catching Echoes. There are books which have quite good opening section but then go downward towards the middle. I just finished a book which is like that, and I thought what a waste.
The Undesired was a surprise! I didn't know what to expect from page one.
DeleteI almost started The Undesired at lunch but opted for another book. Now I wish I had gone with this one. Ok, next up!
ReplyDeleteHard to get through them all! I have several lined up on my Kindle and a long list of books to check at the library. :)
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