The Namaqualand Book of the Dead

by Nerine Dorman

How far will you travel to lay your dead to rest?Struggling to come to terms with her boyfriend Aidan's death, Chlo is ill prepared to deal with the violent murder of his best friend. When tantalizing evidence suggests there is more to Aidan's apparent death than meets the eye, Chlo will not let her lack of material resources keep her from uncovering the truth, even if the truth proves far more dangerous and with a far more sinister nature than she bargained for.Warning: Some explicit sexual content and reference to violence

ebook

First published March 19, 2011

About the author

Nerine Dorman is a South African author and editor of science fiction and fantasy currently living in Cape Town, with short fiction published in numerous anthologies. She is a contributor to the Locus Award-winning Afro-Centered Futurism in Our Speculative Fiction edited by Eugen Bacon (Bloomsbury, 2024). Her novel Sing down the Stars won Gold for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2019 and The Percy Fitzpatrick Award for Children's and Youth Literature in 2021. Her YA fantasy novella, Dragon Forged, was a finalist in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2017, and she is the curator of the South African Horrorfest Bloody Parchment event and short story competition. Her short story “On the Other Side of the Sea” (Omenana, 2017) was shortlisted for a 2018 Nommo award. Her novella The Firebird won a Nommo for “Best Novella” in 2019. In addition, she is a founding member of the SFF authors’ co-operative Skolion.

Reviews

[Dorothy Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The descriptions were some of the best I have ever read. Each place the character traveled and spent time was described with impeccable detail. I felt as though I was there walking beside the character the whole time. Chloe is a complex troubled girl, and through her eyes, I fell in love with Aidan. How could I not? What I longed for in the end was more story, more of what happened after...


I won't spoil the ending for the readers, but I want, need to see what happens to them. There is more to what meets the eye with both of these characters and my appetite has been primed. I hope there will be another, though I have a sinking feeling that there may not be.

If it is truly a romance with no happy ending, then so be it. I'm quite a fan of no HEA. Those are always amazing. This one was no different. Amazing.

[Sonya Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darkly romantic and moody take on love and grief and how far a person can be driven by the combination of those two overwhelming emotions. The writing itself is evocative and downright beautiful in places. Chloe is a character that inspires a lot of sympathy and I was torn between wanting to see her find what she wanted or find what was best for her. The South African setting is so fully realized it's almost another character. All in all, a good read that left me wanting more.

[Carrie Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, as it stands, is lovely. The plot unravels slowly and for awhile you're lulled into the story before a glistening hint of what is to come arrives, shaking your senses. Yes, I'd have loved to see more, but the end is correct, as it is an end, and anything further would warrant a brand new story.

[Sheryl Nantus · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read in an exotic land to this Canuck... looking for something different? Consider grabbing this!

[Xan Rooyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different and interesting read particularly because of the South African setting. I don't know the Namaqualand coastline well at all so visiting these little villages with the MC was delightful and made me quite nostalgic at the mention of familiar things.

This story is definitely more a road-trip story than a typical romance, which was refreshing if not exactly what I was expecting.

The writing is good and I liked the eclectic cast of characters. Hooray for diversity! My biggest gripe however, is that it feels too short. I wanted so much more from this story and I couldn't quite believe the story was over when it felt like it was just getting started. There's loads more for the author to explore here and hope that she does in future installments.

A different read for fans of New Adult with a touch of the paranormal.

[Melissa Bowers]

Sounds interesting looked up on iBboks for iPad only $3.99