"Perfect for fans of the paranormal who enjoyed a Gothic setting"
All her life, Percy Parker has been having strange dreams.
Aside from which, she can also see and talk to ghosts,
something which other people aren't able to do. As a
result, she has led a lonely life, shunned by others due to
her odd appearance. However, at Athens Academy, she seems
to find a kindred soul in Professor Alexi Rychmann, who
tutors her in mathematics. Alexi finds himself attracted to his student, yet he
resists, because all his life he has been waiting for a
particular woman whom he believes is his destiny. But more
than that, the very fate of the world hangs upon the
balance, for should he choose the wrong woman, he would
have doomed every human being to destruction. The author weaves a fantastic tale that combines myth,
religion and the paranormal. Alexi and his five friends
serve as The Guard, defending humans from evil spirits, all
the while awaiting the coming of the seventh, she who is
Prophesied to come. Their backgrounds lay shrouded in myth,
and there is much that the story hinted at but didn't
reveal. Set in Victorian England, the writing style and the
language used lends an authenticism to the story,
transporting the reader back to a time in history when
courageous souls sacrificed themselves to make the world a
better place for humans. Readers will like Alexi Rychman, who is devoted and
constant, his whole being consumed by the goddess he'd seen
in his youth. He has kept himself pure for the day when he
will meet his lady, believing wholeheartedly that she is
his destiny, and really, what could be more romantic than
that? Percy Parker, on the other hand, is an orphan, a sheltered
girl who is raised in the convent and is aware of how
different she is from other people. She is resilient and
stoic in this regard, and bravely faces the lonely future
she believes is in store for her. When she meets Alexi, she
becomes a woman in the throes of her first infatuation and
she couldn't believe that the professor she is attracted to
might--just might--feel the same way about her. However, she is young (being eighteen) and sheltered at the
convent, which could account for some of her gauche yet
endearing reactions and conversations. In that light, I
feel that she and Alexi are somehow mismatched, because
Alexi is so much older than her, not just in terms of their
physical age, but more so in their experiences of the
world. But perhaps in this sense, he could guide her in the
things she is not yet aware of. I feel though that the way
they could be equals is in terms of the power that lives in
them, yet though Alexi is fully aware of his powers, Percy
is not. So much of her is cloaked in mystery, even to
herself. Hence, there would be a sequel, in which maybe Percy would
come into her real self and all mysteries revealed. I can't
also help but remember that there is a letter that came
with her to the Academy, a letter that should be opened
when Percy is provided for, but till the end of the book,
no further mention was made of it. I think too that the
title is brilliant. Though it's long, it certainly
describes the book perfectly. And where titles have lately
become generic, this is a title that wouldn't allow the
reader to associate it with any story but this. Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially Alexi's and
Percy's romance, which is rather poignant and sweet.
Gripping and with an on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense, I
found myself scrolling down (I read the ebook) as fast as I
could to see what's going to happen next, especially toward
the end of the book. This book is perfect for fans of the
paranormal who enjoy a Gothic setting.
Reviewed by Silver Winters
Posted August 30, 2009
|
|
What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent-and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death... Genre: Paranormal Romance
|
