Rook by J.C.Andrijeski
Series: Allies War #1.
Paperback: 406 Pages.
Published by White Sun Press.
Language: English.
Source: Copy Provided by Author.
Blurb : Twenty eight year old San Francisco Native, Allie Taylor at least thought she was human. Against a gritty and original backdrop of a modern day Earth populated by a second race of beings, Allie finds out she's a member of an enslaved yet deeply powerful race, whose members believe her to be their most venerated leader, come to end the reign of humanity. With her guide, Revik, a mysterious and deadly seer who acts as her bodyguard and teacher, Allie will come to grips with who she really is, or end up a slave like the rest of her kind....or worse, betray the very people she always thought of as her own.
First Sentence -
"PUT IT DOWN!" A VOICE YELLED. "ON THE GROUND! RIGHT NOW!"
Naturally something that starts with something like this has gotta be intense right? It was. Very Intense. Unfortunately this book arrived two weeks before my exams were about to start so I just read a few pages. Big Mistake. Okay enough of my blabbering.
In the beginning we get introduced to the main character Allie. A little bit about herself and then enters the mysterious and enigmatic/ handsome/ droolworthy ..you get my point.....Revik. And then begins the journey of self discovery. Allie is slapped awake with a reality that she never would have wanted and would have dreaded before.
"You are the Bridge," he said. "The Harbinger."
Then comes the denial. Off course. Like any sane person would Allie tries to deny that she has any powers or is from another race. It takes a lot of convincing and some car chases to make Allie think that Revik might be saying something that could be closer to truth. Also there's something very fishy about the looks that pass between Revik's friends and Revik. Like they are keeping some kind of deep secrets about Allie and Revik which Revik knows and Allie can't seem to quite figure it out.
Characters : Personally I didn't much connect with Allie. Not because her character was naive or totally weak but because her logistics were not something I would have really cared about. Maybe some other time I would have loved her character but right now I didn't. Revik on the other hand was off course delish. His mysterious entry, his anti-social ways, his surprising flashes of past kept me curious and entertained all at the same time. Cass's character was a bit refreshing compared to the typical BFF characters I have read. I loved how supporting as well as a good friend she was to Allie. Jon. I would have liked to know more about him other than the fact that he was Allie's elder brother. Terian. Now he was a more mysterious than even Revik. He was a enigma. If that makes sense. Because I couldn't paint him in a black or white role. Maybe a grey character? Neither good nor bad.
Plot : The world building though confusing at start gradually became more magnificent as the story progressed. The plot had lots of twists and surprises that caught me off guard and kept me on the edge of my seat. Though the the previously mentioned secret of Revik and Allie was a bit annoying because everyone could sense it other than Allie herself which is kind of irritating. And the obstacles between Revik and Allie weren't basically obstacles more like unwanted emotional junk which could have been dealt with if only Allie and Revik could have been more open to the idea of communicating with each other. Terian was a whole lot of box filled with surprises which kept the plotline interesting.
Overall : I'd say this is a one time read book. Though the book didn't end on a cliff hanger, it was an engaging enough read that I'd sure like to read the next one in the series. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes twisty plots with a dash of spicy romance.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars.
