Title: Hidden Among Us
Author: Katy Moran
Series: Book 1
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Fairytale, Adventure, Mystery, Teen and Young Adult
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Walker Books
Date of Publication: 7th of March 2013
Synopsis
Fourteen years ago in the isolated and cold dark corners of Hopesay Reach, where technology almost seems to refuse to function as the village clings to its ancient and mystical roots, a bargain was struck with a curse in action in lack of its fulfillment.
Now the covenant is ending and the terms must be respected or two unsuspecting lives will be lost. But if upheld, humanity is at stake.
However every deal has a loophole. The question is who will be willing to pay it.
Hidden Among Us was not what I expected, but surprised me in an unsettling and yet thrilling way.
Katy Moran weaved a story in the fashion of a contemporary fairytale, a rare genre; made even rarer by the fact that this is no ordinary fairytale, this is the kind told by old wives to scare the youths into behaving and staying out of trouble and places where bad things have an uncanny way of occurring.
Hidden Among Us was a dark and twistedly sombre and yet hauntingly beautiful tale. Katy Moran has done an exceptional job in capturing the essence of those tales that do not recount how Prince Charming saves the day. Every page of Hidden Among Us emanated the strength and wisdom of something ancient beyond the age of humanity, and exuded the dark power of words spoken by those who know their hidden potential.
Written from the alternate perspectives of Rafe, Lissy, Joe, and occasionally Miriam, every chapter took me one step further down the almost pitch black halls where the Hidden hide, as they wait for time to ripen and the opportune moment to strike. With only a flicker of hope as my light I pressed on through the endless tunnels of the world behind Hopesay Reach.
The only note I would like to make is that the synopsis somewhat leads to believe that there might be some romance threaded into the folds of this dark fairytale, but dear readers I warn you now not to expect it. Although love is a strong theme and moves all the characters in different ways, pushing them to revenge and sacrifice, this novel is not a paranormal fantasy romance and should not be commenced if that is what you are after.
This said Hidden Among Us is a tale of dark and dangerous beauty that although did take me by surprise, did not disappoint in the least. I shall be awaiting the sequel so that I may once again venture the halls of the Hidden blindly guided by the faint light that only misguided but forever present hope can shed.
Author: Katy Moran
Series: Book 1
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Fairytale, Adventure, Mystery, Teen and Young Adult
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Walker Books
Date of Publication: 7th of March 2013
Synopsis
When Lissy meets a mysterious and strangely beautiful boy on her way to Hopesay Edge, she is deeply unsettled by their encounter.
She discovers that the boy, Larkspur, is a member of the Hidden, an ancient group of elven people, whose secrets lie buried at Hopesay Reach. Before long, Lissy and her brother Rafe find themselves caught by a powerful magic and fighting to escape a bargain that can never be broken.
Review
Fourteen years ago in the isolated and cold dark corners of Hopesay Reach, where technology almost seems to refuse to function as the village clings to its ancient and mystical roots, a bargain was struck with a curse in action in lack of its fulfillment.
Now the covenant is ending and the terms must be respected or two unsuspecting lives will be lost. But if upheld, humanity is at stake.
However every deal has a loophole. The question is who will be willing to pay it.
Hidden Among Us was not what I expected, but surprised me in an unsettling and yet thrilling way.
Katy Moran weaved a story in the fashion of a contemporary fairytale, a rare genre; made even rarer by the fact that this is no ordinary fairytale, this is the kind told by old wives to scare the youths into behaving and staying out of trouble and places where bad things have an uncanny way of occurring.
Hidden Among Us was a dark and twistedly sombre and yet hauntingly beautiful tale. Katy Moran has done an exceptional job in capturing the essence of those tales that do not recount how Prince Charming saves the day. Every page of Hidden Among Us emanated the strength and wisdom of something ancient beyond the age of humanity, and exuded the dark power of words spoken by those who know their hidden potential.
Written from the alternate perspectives of Rafe, Lissy, Joe, and occasionally Miriam, every chapter took me one step further down the almost pitch black halls where the Hidden hide, as they wait for time to ripen and the opportune moment to strike. With only a flicker of hope as my light I pressed on through the endless tunnels of the world behind Hopesay Reach.
The only note I would like to make is that the synopsis somewhat leads to believe that there might be some romance threaded into the folds of this dark fairytale, but dear readers I warn you now not to expect it. Although love is a strong theme and moves all the characters in different ways, pushing them to revenge and sacrifice, this novel is not a paranormal fantasy romance and should not be commenced if that is what you are after.
This said Hidden Among Us is a tale of dark and dangerous beauty that although did take me by surprise, did not disappoint in the least. I shall be awaiting the sequel so that I may once again venture the halls of the Hidden blindly guided by the faint light that only misguided but forever present hope can shed.
A big thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of this dark and lovely book to read and review
If you liked this finding something similar will be somewhat tricky. The genre is unique and somewhat rare unfortunately. However I can most definitely say that I would strongly recommend reading The Treachery of Beautiful Things by R.F. Long, and would most certainly take a look at Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs.