The Rook Review

Imagine you wake up in the rain surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves with no idea how you got there or even who you are. In your pockets you find a letter that claims it was written by who you were, telling you what to do. This is how The Rook, by Daniel O’Malley begins. What follows is a supernatural thriller and part detective story as Myfanwy Thomas (pronounced Miffany), the heroine of the story, tries to find out who she was (is) and who wants her dead.

The backdrop of The Rook is a secret government agency, called the Checquy, which deals with supernatural disturbances and threats to the United Kingdom.  Along the way we find many super-powered agents, uber-villians and a girl struggling to figure out who she is.

One of the things that really worked about this book was the device used throughout for Myfanwy’s former self to communicate to her via letters. This made info dumps more interesting while still pertaining to the rest of the story. As the book goes on you really begin to feel for former Myfanwy.

The book gets a little far out there at times with some of the strange powers and wild threats floating around the UK that the Checquy have to deal with. Overall, though, it is a fun ride and well worth checking out. The first draft of the sequel was recently completed and if you read The Rook, I am sure you will be waiting for it just like I am. The Rook gets 3.5 Mick Happies. Here is a link to the first four chapters of The Rook (oh and a trailer for the book as well).