Relief Reads 21 - Wormwood

Wormwood by G. P. Taylor

Charity Shop: Severn Hospice, Church Stretton (? - somewhere round there)

Charity: Severn Hospice gives specialist care and support free of charge to families across Shropshire and North Powys who are living with an incurable illness

Price: £1.49

Book Blurb: It is London, 1756. In his Bloomsbury attic sits Dr Sabian Blake - astronomer, scientist, and master of the Cabala. Dr Blake is in possession of the Nemornsis, an ancient leather-bound book that holds the secrets of the universe. Scribbled into one of its margins is a mysterious prophecy, and deciphering it could prove the key to saving London from a catastrophic fate. But there are others interested in the Nemorensis too, for more sinister reasons... // This tale of socery, treachery, intrigue and supernatural strife from the author of the international bestseller Shadowmancer is set against a rich historical backdrop and will enthrall readers to the very last page.

Expectation: I wasn't really sure. This book was chosen by 4yo Albert who I think primarily picked it due to its pretty picture on the front.

Reality: Bizarre, it was set in London in the real world but involved magic and spirits. A very odd thing happened near the beginning of the book, but was mostly ignored afterwards. I found it a hard book to read, it was only near the end that I started getting into the story. I have managed to find a genre I dislike.

Overall Rating

It was a struggle           2        3        4        5        6        7        8       9      Gripping page  

to make it                                                                                                        turner

Trying to be deep and meaningful, but it got lost on me.

Twist Scale:

Knew the beginning,                                                                                 As twisty as the 

middle and end         2       3        4         5       6        7        8        9      bendy wendy road

from the first line

There were many bizarre twists in the story, too many.

Tear-jerker Scale:

 As dry as a house       2        3       4         5         6         7       8        9     Cried an ocean

 throughout

Didn't really connect with the story

Main Character(s): Blake and his servant girl Agetta

Moral of the Story: Be wary of making idols out of things, they might be magicified.

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I'm now well and truly settle in Newcastle which has made me very busy these last few months hence the lack of blogging. I am now three books behind so here comes blogs in quick succession..

Coming up: The resurrectionist by James Bradley