Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
Release Date: September 5th,
2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA Contemporary
Paranormal Fantasy
Pages: 300
Summary: A simple but forgotten
truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be
full. Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than
just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but
she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will
devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack
her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never
saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not
human. What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets
her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as
dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.
Review:
When I went to Book Con
in June this was one of the titles I knew I had to try to get an ARC
of. After waiting in line for seemingly ages I was successful! But
not only did I receive a copy, I met the author and got it signed!
Meg Kassel is so kind and enthusiastic about meeting her readers! I was also pleased to be the first fan to ever
ask her for a photo! I started reading the book as soon as I got to
the bus stop back to Buffalo! I sat in the rain under an umbrella for
hours waiting for the night bus that would take me the 8 hours back
and once the bus finally came I continued reading well into the
night. I couldn't put it down!
 |
| Meg Kassel and I at Book Con in 2017 |
Black
Bird of the Gallows was
truly an original read and incredibly well researched! Kassel did an
amazing job describing the mythology around death and its
relationship to both crows and bees! The reason I was so keen to get
my hands on Kassel's book was actually due to my fascination with
crows! They are both the birds I see most often around my home and
the birds I know most about. Crows are amazing birds. They are among
the smartest, they recognize human faces, and remember when they have
been wronged. I also happen to work closely with these birds in my
day to day life as a wildlife rehabilitator and Kassel's crows were
true to life (I mean, except for the paranormal aspects, of course).
And then the enemy, the beekeepers. Not many people are familiar with
the myths surrounding bees and I was beyond pleased and impressed
that they were included. Bees and Crows! Could there be a better
combination in a book about the harbingers of death? I think not!
This is not part of a series. No, it is a standalone book, which
makes it rare in the world of trilogies and I find that it is better
for it. Kassel was able to create an entire world within the confines
of one book and not many can achieve that even half as well as she
did. The plot is vivid and grand, with all the points one hopes to
see from daily life to edge of your seat apocalyptic action! The
novel is perfectly paced, thrilling, funny, romantic, and never dull.
I felt at home in Angie's life, even with the battle between good and
evil occurring.
Speaking of Angie, she is a wonderfully authentic character, with
hopes and anxieties that every reader with recognize in themselves.
As are the people who populate her life! There wasn't any character
in the novel that didn't pop of the page. Her friends, family, even
her enemies don't just fill up the pages, but have a purpose.
Black Bird of the Gallows
is a fantastic read, one that I will be sure to re-read many times
over! I can't wait to read more by Meg Kassel! I would like to thank
both her and Entangled Publishing for an amazing Book Con experience!
~Laura!
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