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brennanlafaro 's review for:
Shepherd's Warning
by Cailyn Lloyd
I can’t even put into words how thrilled I get when I open up a novel where I know I’m going to find an evil house inside. Oh, and the house is located in a town that is not all it seems on the surface? Sign me up. At a glance, Cailyn Lloyd has created a story that is going to remind the reader of various incarnations of the Amityville Horror. Lloyd knows this, alludes to it at points, and uses it to her advantage.
Shepherd’s Warning introduces a fair few characters all at once early on, and I found myself looking back a few times to set in stone who was who, which people were married, and which ones were siblings. Although the author asks a lot of us at the beginning, by page 30 or so I had it straight and had established an understanding of all characters who would be crucial going forward. I would urge readers who find the first few chapters confusing to push on, and you will be rewarded.
Shepherd’s Warning is a story that I would describe as a slow burn. We spend a long time getting to know Laura, our main character, and her family. They’ve just moved to an inherited farmhouse in Wisconsin, and are restoring it to live in. During this time, discoveries are made, secrets formed, relationships strained, and drama ensues. The supernatural even seems to take a backseat for a while.
When we reach the final 80 pages or so, the slow burn moniker is ditched with gusto, and everything goes off the rails. The events in the last act most definitely go in ways I was not anticipating, and bravo, because the author kept me on my toes all the way to page 391.
A note on the titular character, Shepherd. Cailyn Lloyd has crafted a truly interesting character here, who story is revealed a little bit at a time as the book proceeds. I won’t say much about him, because discovery is half the fun here, but I would have no opposition to reading more happenings in the life and times of this character. Given that Amazon has this book listed as Book 1 in the Elders series, I am hopeful this is a real possibility.
The book feels a little overlong in the middle section, but thumbing through upon writing this review, there are no parts that are obviously extraneous. This may be singular to my reading experience, and readers going forward may not find the same. I enjoyed my time spent at the MacKenzie House, and I can’t wait to see what else Cailyn Lloyd has in store.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for review consideration.
Shepherd’s Warning introduces a fair few characters all at once early on, and I found myself looking back a few times to set in stone who was who, which people were married, and which ones were siblings. Although the author asks a lot of us at the beginning, by page 30 or so I had it straight and had established an understanding of all characters who would be crucial going forward. I would urge readers who find the first few chapters confusing to push on, and you will be rewarded.
Shepherd’s Warning is a story that I would describe as a slow burn. We spend a long time getting to know Laura, our main character, and her family. They’ve just moved to an inherited farmhouse in Wisconsin, and are restoring it to live in. During this time, discoveries are made, secrets formed, relationships strained, and drama ensues. The supernatural even seems to take a backseat for a while.
When we reach the final 80 pages or so, the slow burn moniker is ditched with gusto, and everything goes off the rails. The events in the last act most definitely go in ways I was not anticipating, and bravo, because the author kept me on my toes all the way to page 391.
A note on the titular character, Shepherd. Cailyn Lloyd has crafted a truly interesting character here, who story is revealed a little bit at a time as the book proceeds. I won’t say much about him, because discovery is half the fun here, but I would have no opposition to reading more happenings in the life and times of this character. Given that Amazon has this book listed as Book 1 in the Elders series, I am hopeful this is a real possibility.
The book feels a little overlong in the middle section, but thumbing through upon writing this review, there are no parts that are obviously extraneous. This may be singular to my reading experience, and readers going forward may not find the same. I enjoyed my time spent at the MacKenzie House, and I can’t wait to see what else Cailyn Lloyd has in store.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for review consideration.