What do you think?
Rate this book
Oversight Trilogy #1
The Oversight
Only five still guard the borders between the worlds.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight's London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled - but the girl is a trap.
As the borders between this world and the next begin to break down, murders erupt across the city, the Oversight are torn viciously apart, and their enemies close in for the final blow.
This gothic fantasy from Charlie Fletcher (the Stoneheart trilogy) spins a tale of witch-hunters, supra-naturalists, mirror-walkers and magicians. Meet the Oversight, and remember: when they fall, so do we all.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight's London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled - but the girl is a trap.
As the borders between this world and the next begin to break down, murders erupt across the city, the Oversight are torn viciously apart, and their enemies close in for the final blow.
This gothic fantasy from Charlie Fletcher (the Stoneheart trilogy) spins a tale of witch-hunters, supra-naturalists, mirror-walkers and magicians. Meet the Oversight, and remember: when they fall, so do we all.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2014
179 people are currently reading
4764 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Fletcher
22 books377 followersAlso publishes under C.A. Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher is the author of Stoneheart, shortlisted for the Branford Boase award and longlisted for the Guardian children’s fiction award, the sequels Ironhand and Silvertongue, and the stand-alone YA novel Far Rockaway.
His first adult novel The Oversight will be published in May 2014 in the US and UK.
Dragon Shield, the start of a new trilogy set in the Stoneheart world of London will be published in mid 2014.
He’s also a screenwriter for film and television . He lives in Edinburgh with one wife, two children, and a terrier called Archie.
He's twitterable at @CharlieFletch_r
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_...
Charlie Fletcher is the author of Stoneheart, shortlisted for the Branford Boase award and longlisted for the Guardian children’s fiction award, the sequels Ironhand and Silvertongue, and the stand-alone YA novel Far Rockaway.
His first adult novel The Oversight will be published in May 2014 in the US and UK.
Dragon Shield, the start of a new trilogy set in the Stoneheart world of London will be published in mid 2014.
He’s also a screenwriter for film and television . He lives in Edinburgh with one wife, two children, and a terrier called Archie.
He's twitterable at @CharlieFletch_r
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
December 11, 2016
There are times as a book lover – hopefully few and far between – where you find yourself stuck. Every book you pick up is disappointing, every page becomes a struggle to turn, every word dull to read. You may have even had such a run of average or bland or outright horrendous books that it feels as though you may never come across an amazing new story again.
Then finally, finally, a book comes along that is so fantastic you can’t put it down, you lose sleep trying to finish it, and all the magic of reading returns. Recently, for me, that book was The Oversight, the first adult novel by Scottish screenwriter and author Charlie Fletcher.
The Oversight is all that stands between our world and the darkness, as they police the borders between mundane and magic. Once there were hundreds of members, but since a terrible tragedy destroyed their numbers, those who remain can be counted on one hand. When a screaming girl is brought mysteriously to their headquarters, it seems as though there is hope – or at the very least, a new recruit. But the girl is a trap, and as their enemies surround them the Oversight must fight to survive – for all our sakes.
Though there is a comforting familiarity about the plot and characters (at times I was reminded of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, though more in tone than though technical similarities) The Oversight is captivatingly unique. Turns and unexpected happenings stop any chance of predictability as darkness and mischief abound, and the characters are well-rounded and likeable. The writing is seductive, clever and beautiful, with just the right balance struck between description and omission. This results in an incredibly vivid world, with plenty of room for the reader to use their imagination.
As with Gaiman’s writing, Fletcher’s supernatural beings aren’t the typical vampires or elves expected in this kind of fantasy. Here, we have a fantastically re-rendered version of the Irish Sluagh, terrifying undead creatures adorned with bones who make excellent villains. Their evilness is overshadowed only by the scheming Templebane twins, with their numerous adopted sons and complete lack of scruples.
Many of the series-openers I have read recently seem so taken with the idea of a sequel that the first book suffers, as setups and suggestions for the second book get in the way of any plot. This is absolutely not the case with The Oversight. This fast-paced gothic story comes fully formed, and could easily stand alone - if it wasn’t for the few threads of storyline left tantalisingly open. I finished this in one night, unable to sleep until I’d read every single page, and those little hints of what’s to come next have left me me desperately hoping that Charlie Fletcher is a fast writer – I can't wait for the sequel!
Then finally, finally, a book comes along that is so fantastic you can’t put it down, you lose sleep trying to finish it, and all the magic of reading returns. Recently, for me, that book was The Oversight, the first adult novel by Scottish screenwriter and author Charlie Fletcher.
The Oversight is all that stands between our world and the darkness, as they police the borders between mundane and magic. Once there were hundreds of members, but since a terrible tragedy destroyed their numbers, those who remain can be counted on one hand. When a screaming girl is brought mysteriously to their headquarters, it seems as though there is hope – or at the very least, a new recruit. But the girl is a trap, and as their enemies surround them the Oversight must fight to survive – for all our sakes.
Though there is a comforting familiarity about the plot and characters (at times I was reminded of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, though more in tone than though technical similarities) The Oversight is captivatingly unique. Turns and unexpected happenings stop any chance of predictability as darkness and mischief abound, and the characters are well-rounded and likeable. The writing is seductive, clever and beautiful, with just the right balance struck between description and omission. This results in an incredibly vivid world, with plenty of room for the reader to use their imagination.
As with Gaiman’s writing, Fletcher’s supernatural beings aren’t the typical vampires or elves expected in this kind of fantasy. Here, we have a fantastically re-rendered version of the Irish Sluagh, terrifying undead creatures adorned with bones who make excellent villains. Their evilness is overshadowed only by the scheming Templebane twins, with their numerous adopted sons and complete lack of scruples.
Many of the series-openers I have read recently seem so taken with the idea of a sequel that the first book suffers, as setups and suggestions for the second book get in the way of any plot. This is absolutely not the case with The Oversight. This fast-paced gothic story comes fully formed, and could easily stand alone - if it wasn’t for the few threads of storyline left tantalisingly open. I finished this in one night, unable to sleep until I’d read every single page, and those little hints of what’s to come next have left me me desperately hoping that Charlie Fletcher is a fast writer – I can't wait for the sequel!
June 26, 2014
UnLunDun/Neverwhere/The Dark is Rising filtered through the design aesthetic of This is Jinsy. It's trying so damn hard to be quirky that it forgot about the basics of capturing the reader's attention. Fletcher wants to dazzle me with the worldbuilding. Look, an animated, blood-drawing puffin skull braided into a horse's mane in elf-locks, with a woven sea-grass halter. Be amazed, muggles! Let me literally give you an entire chapter describing this horse. And let's call it The Horse With No Shoes to make sure everyone knows what it's about. Let's give the human barmaid a paragraph, and let's give the horse a chapter, because it is the most speshul horse in the universe, and I want the costume designer to have lots of source material to work with for the inevitable film adaptation.
But Fletcher forgot to write me a reason to give a damn.
It's not that it's a bad book, it's that it's terribly self-conscious (the hero has the same name as the author), and it's a trilogy. I'm 180 pages in, with presumably 1128 to go, and I just don't care about any of the characters. They are all supra-ordinary, fabulous, wonderful, quirky, highly-skilled . . . precious snowflakes, every one.
I choose not to finish.
But Fletcher forgot to write me a reason to give a damn.
It's not that it's a bad book, it's that it's terribly self-conscious (the hero has the same name as the author), and it's a trilogy. I'm 180 pages in, with presumably 1128 to go, and I just don't care about any of the characters. They are all supra-ordinary, fabulous, wonderful, quirky, highly-skilled . . . precious snowflakes, every one.
I choose not to finish.
April 21, 2014
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
I love books that keep me guessing, books like The Oversight which had me hanging on every word. It had me wondering from the start: Just who or what is The Oversight? Are they the good guys or the bad guys? Who are their enemies, and their enemies' enemies for that matter, and why is it that every time I think I’ve got a bead on what’s happening the book decides to drop a bombshell on my head and look out, it's a trap!? It's all plot twists and hidden agendas galore with this one!
Accomplished children's/YA author Charlie Fletcher takes readers on a journey steeped in magic and mystery in his first adult novel, offering a wonderful and genuinely captivating tale which historical urban fantasy fans will surely adore. Headquartered in a Neo-Gothic Victorian-like version of London, the Oversight is a secret society that has since dwindled down to a mere five members after a tragedy devastated their numbers thirty years ago. But five, being a sacred number, is enough. Five is all The Oversight needs to keep things running, guarding the borders between the magical and the mundane and protecting the unsuspecting public from the nasty things that go bump in the night.
But creatures from the Otherworld aren’t the only threats. Danger comes in the form of more earthly foes as well, from sinister factions to witch-hunters who won’t rest until they see the last remnants of the Oversight destroyed. When a young girl with special abilities shows up at the Oversight safehouse, Sara Falk wants badly to believe she has found a fellow Glint and potential new recruit in Lucy Harker. However, it soon becomes clear that Lucy’s appearance is part of a more sinister and unsettling plot to strike at the Oversight. The question is…just whose plot is it?
Stick with this book, and sooner or later you will find out. Admittedly slower to start because this is the kind of story requiring plenty of time to build itself up, the setting will nonetheless pull you in straight away with its incredible atmosphere. I reveled in this dark, magical side of London. Anything can happen, so prepare to see some truly bizarre and uncanny sights. Fletcher’s prose will put a spell on you, wickedly leading you down twists and turns with his artful storytelling. He made me think I knew what was going on, only to surprise and humble me by showing me just how little I knew. I was very impressed with the way he revealed his secrets, meticulously setting up the stages of the plot so that one revelation always led to another, and things are never as they appear.
From the city streets to the countryside with a traveling circus, this book will also take you to all sorts of places and introduce you to a host of interesting people (and creatures). Even now, I can’t decide what I liked better, the characters or the setting. The world was what originally made me fall in love with the book, but I was also taken with the group of personalities making up the Oversight. Fletcher didn’t have to resort to any overloading of background information to convey the weight of the history and connections between the five members – Sarah, Cook, Mr. Sharp, Hodge and The Smith. Strange creatures from folklore also lend their nightmarish presence to this world, but even they were hard pressed to be less creepy than some of the truly disturbing human antagonists.
I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long time. I was also quite satisfied with the ending, which caught me unawares considering how dire and heartbreaking some of the events were. A major conflict was resolved but the path is paved for so much more, which is the way I like my series starters. Remember: “When they fall, so do we all”, and the future looks quite desperate for our characters. Fortunately, there’s also hope for this steadfast group of friends. With such high stakes, I just can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I love books that keep me guessing, books like The Oversight which had me hanging on every word. It had me wondering from the start: Just who or what is The Oversight? Are they the good guys or the bad guys? Who are their enemies, and their enemies' enemies for that matter, and why is it that every time I think I’ve got a bead on what’s happening the book decides to drop a bombshell on my head and look out, it's a trap!? It's all plot twists and hidden agendas galore with this one!
Accomplished children's/YA author Charlie Fletcher takes readers on a journey steeped in magic and mystery in his first adult novel, offering a wonderful and genuinely captivating tale which historical urban fantasy fans will surely adore. Headquartered in a Neo-Gothic Victorian-like version of London, the Oversight is a secret society that has since dwindled down to a mere five members after a tragedy devastated their numbers thirty years ago. But five, being a sacred number, is enough. Five is all The Oversight needs to keep things running, guarding the borders between the magical and the mundane and protecting the unsuspecting public from the nasty things that go bump in the night.
But creatures from the Otherworld aren’t the only threats. Danger comes in the form of more earthly foes as well, from sinister factions to witch-hunters who won’t rest until they see the last remnants of the Oversight destroyed. When a young girl with special abilities shows up at the Oversight safehouse, Sara Falk wants badly to believe she has found a fellow Glint and potential new recruit in Lucy Harker. However, it soon becomes clear that Lucy’s appearance is part of a more sinister and unsettling plot to strike at the Oversight. The question is…just whose plot is it?
Stick with this book, and sooner or later you will find out. Admittedly slower to start because this is the kind of story requiring plenty of time to build itself up, the setting will nonetheless pull you in straight away with its incredible atmosphere. I reveled in this dark, magical side of London. Anything can happen, so prepare to see some truly bizarre and uncanny sights. Fletcher’s prose will put a spell on you, wickedly leading you down twists and turns with his artful storytelling. He made me think I knew what was going on, only to surprise and humble me by showing me just how little I knew. I was very impressed with the way he revealed his secrets, meticulously setting up the stages of the plot so that one revelation always led to another, and things are never as they appear.
From the city streets to the countryside with a traveling circus, this book will also take you to all sorts of places and introduce you to a host of interesting people (and creatures). Even now, I can’t decide what I liked better, the characters or the setting. The world was what originally made me fall in love with the book, but I was also taken with the group of personalities making up the Oversight. Fletcher didn’t have to resort to any overloading of background information to convey the weight of the history and connections between the five members – Sarah, Cook, Mr. Sharp, Hodge and The Smith. Strange creatures from folklore also lend their nightmarish presence to this world, but even they were hard pressed to be less creepy than some of the truly disturbing human antagonists.
I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long time. I was also quite satisfied with the ending, which caught me unawares considering how dire and heartbreaking some of the events were. A major conflict was resolved but the path is paved for so much more, which is the way I like my series starters. Remember: “When they fall, so do we all”, and the future looks quite desperate for our characters. Fortunately, there’s also hope for this steadfast group of friends. With such high stakes, I just can’t wait to find out what happens next.
March 5, 2020
The Oversight is a secret society that protect mundanes from the supranatural. Made up of five, called the hand they keep a key called the Discriminator from falling into the wrong hands. Over the years they have diminished to just 5 members, the minimum number needed to keep the society running. When a screaming girl is brought to them who keeps her hands bound at all times they see a potential new member, when she really is a trap.
At first the lines of good and evil are fuzzy. There are so many characters and their motives are not clear. However as the book progresses, it is revealed through twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. And while many of the loose ends were tied up nicely, a few remain going into book two. Enough to keep me interested in the series, and not enough to make me feel like I was left hanging.
This is my first Charlie Fletcher novel, and while I had his other trilogy on my TBR pile this may be the push I need to read them. The setting is in old London, providing a dark almost gothic backdrop and the writing is engaging.
I found myself drawn to the characters, and even the unique supporting characters who I hope to learn more about in the next books. There are no cliches here!
Truly a magical book and one of my favorites so far this year!
At first the lines of good and evil are fuzzy. There are so many characters and their motives are not clear. However as the book progresses, it is revealed through twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. And while many of the loose ends were tied up nicely, a few remain going into book two. Enough to keep me interested in the series, and not enough to make me feel like I was left hanging.
This is my first Charlie Fletcher novel, and while I had his other trilogy on my TBR pile this may be the push I need to read them. The setting is in old London, providing a dark almost gothic backdrop and the writing is engaging.
I found myself drawn to the characters, and even the unique supporting characters who I hope to learn more about in the next books. There are no cliches here!
Truly a magical book and one of my favorites so far this year!
September 19, 2017
This started out with so much potential and finished well but...... There's nothing worse than there being 4 or 5 story lines all going and the author focuses on the least interesting one for the middle part of the book. Without giving anything away the story line in question took place with a traveling circus which is funny since of all the many story lines within the Wheel of Time my least favorite was also with a traveling show. I must have something against carney's.
I probably will read the future books in the series since this storyline should be done.
I probably will read the future books in the series since this storyline should be done.
April 16, 2018
The Oversight is an adult historical urban fantasy set in Victorian London. I love historical fantasy, especially when it's set in Victorian England, so this seemed right up my alley, and I wanted to love it! Unfortunately, I thought it was only okay, nothing really to call home about.
Firstly, the story elements felt a little derivative of other books. I was often reminded of the Shadowhunter books (there's even a character called Hodge) and Harry Potter, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, except I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just read this kind of story before, several times. It's very much your run-of-the-mill "there is a hidden supernatural world that normal people can't see" story, and there's only so many ways that type of story can go.
Still, I really enjoyed the gothic Victorian setting, and the first half of the story was really interesting. Some of the characters were great to read about, especially Sara Falk and Lucy. However some of the other characters felt very distant, probably due to the multiple third person narration. The villains felt very caricature-like. I hate it when villains just do stuff "for the evulz lol", is it too much to ask that antagonists have real motivations and depth too?
I enjoyed the circus storyline, which is strange because from other reviews it seems like that was everyone's least favourite storyline. Ah well, guess I'm just a rebel *puts shades on*.
I'm not sure if I will continue with the series, just because I have so many other books to read and so little time to read them. My mum has the whole trilogy on her kindle so I'll probably get to the others some day!
Firstly, the story elements felt a little derivative of other books. I was often reminded of the Shadowhunter books (there's even a character called Hodge) and Harry Potter, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, except I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just read this kind of story before, several times. It's very much your run-of-the-mill "there is a hidden supernatural world that normal people can't see" story, and there's only so many ways that type of story can go.
Still, I really enjoyed the gothic Victorian setting, and the first half of the story was really interesting. Some of the characters were great to read about, especially Sara Falk and Lucy. However some of the other characters felt very distant, probably due to the multiple third person narration. The villains felt very caricature-like. I hate it when villains just do stuff "for the evulz lol", is it too much to ask that antagonists have real motivations and depth too?
I enjoyed the circus storyline, which is strange because from other reviews it seems like that was everyone's least favourite storyline. Ah well, guess I'm just a rebel *puts shades on*.
I'm not sure if I will continue with the series, just because I have so many other books to read and so little time to read them. My mum has the whole trilogy on her kindle so I'll probably get to the others some day!
November 15, 2014
All will be explained in my wrap up video...
link will be available at the end of the month!
link will be available at the end of the month!
August 21, 2014
4.5 stars
The Oversight is Charlie Fletcher’s first foray into adult fiction, but the control he has over his complex narrative is astonishing. Told from multiple perspectives, The Oversight is a complicated web of episodes that combine perfectly into a breathtaking and well-executed story. Admittedly, due to its complexity, the beginning might be a bit slower for some, but once the pieces start coming together, The Oversight becomes practically unputdownable.
Set in a version of Victorian London in which the supranaturals secretly rule the foggy streets, The Oversight is deeply atmospheric and gorgeous. One can almost feel the humidity of those nights, smell the houses, shops and dark corners our heroes police. The Oversight, you see, is short for Free Company for the Regulation and Oversight of Recondite Exigency and Supranatural Lore, a group of supranaturals that watches the shadows and keeps other supranaturals in line.
Once upon a time, the Oversight had numerous members, hundreds of people dedicated to keeping London safe. But the Oversight Fletcher introduces us to has gone through serious changes and disasters. With only five members, they can’t afford to lose anyone else. Five need to remain together to make a Hand, or the Oversight ceases to exist.
When young Lucy Harker is brought to Sara Falk’s house, it’s clear from the start that she is supranaturally gifted. In her, Sara sees an opportunity to strengthen the Oversight, but she could very well be send by their enemies as some sort of elaborate trap. Sara and the others are forced to decide whether she’s worth the risk.
As the Oversight battles various enemies, their own moral ambiguity is brought to light. Fletcher doesn’t deliver absolutes – the more of this story we read, the clearer it becomes that everything exist in a gray area and new questions and turns keep taking us by surprise.
Overall, The Oversight is a pretty spectacular historical urban fantasy, not to be missed by fans of the genre, fans of atmospheric books, fans of Victorian London, or fans of great literature in general. Fortunately for me, it’s a trilogy. I have so much to look forward to.
Stop by the blog tomorrow for my second ever Nocturnal Quote, chosen from this book.
The Oversight is Charlie Fletcher’s first foray into adult fiction, but the control he has over his complex narrative is astonishing. Told from multiple perspectives, The Oversight is a complicated web of episodes that combine perfectly into a breathtaking and well-executed story. Admittedly, due to its complexity, the beginning might be a bit slower for some, but once the pieces start coming together, The Oversight becomes practically unputdownable.
Set in a version of Victorian London in which the supranaturals secretly rule the foggy streets, The Oversight is deeply atmospheric and gorgeous. One can almost feel the humidity of those nights, smell the houses, shops and dark corners our heroes police. The Oversight, you see, is short for Free Company for the Regulation and Oversight of Recondite Exigency and Supranatural Lore, a group of supranaturals that watches the shadows and keeps other supranaturals in line.
Once upon a time, the Oversight had numerous members, hundreds of people dedicated to keeping London safe. But the Oversight Fletcher introduces us to has gone through serious changes and disasters. With only five members, they can’t afford to lose anyone else. Five need to remain together to make a Hand, or the Oversight ceases to exist.
When young Lucy Harker is brought to Sara Falk’s house, it’s clear from the start that she is supranaturally gifted. In her, Sara sees an opportunity to strengthen the Oversight, but she could very well be send by their enemies as some sort of elaborate trap. Sara and the others are forced to decide whether she’s worth the risk.
As the Oversight battles various enemies, their own moral ambiguity is brought to light. Fletcher doesn’t deliver absolutes – the more of this story we read, the clearer it becomes that everything exist in a gray area and new questions and turns keep taking us by surprise.
Overall, The Oversight is a pretty spectacular historical urban fantasy, not to be missed by fans of the genre, fans of atmospheric books, fans of Victorian London, or fans of great literature in general. Fortunately for me, it’s a trilogy. I have so much to look forward to.
Stop by the blog tomorrow for my second ever Nocturnal Quote, chosen from this book.
May 5, 2014
The Review: http://thefoundingfields.com/2014/05/...
“An excellent novel – Charlie Fletcher has certainly crafted one of the better reads of 2014 so far. If you’re a fan of the likes of Neil Gaiman or China Mieville then this is a must read – and with some fascinating prose, this is something that you won’t want to miss.” ~Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
"Only five still guard the borders between the worlds.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled – but the girl is a trap.
As the borders between this world and the next begin to break down, murders erupt across the city, the Oversight are torn viciously apart, and their enemies close in for the final blow.
This gothic fantasy from Charlie Fletcher (the Stoneheart trilogy) spins a tale of witch-hunters, supra-naturalists, mirror-walkers and magicians. Meet the Oversight, and remember: when they fall, so do we all."
I was first drawn to this book when I saw it compared to Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and as that is my favourite all-time book, I thought I’d give it a shot, and thankfully, I was not disappointed, with Charlie Fletcher’s The Oversight turning out to be one of the best novels that I’ve read so far this year. In fact, it also manages to be different from the majority of other novels that I’ve read this year as well, so if you’re looking for something that has that originality factor then you can’t go far wrong with this book, which hits shelves tomorrow through Orbit.
This novel serves as the first outing in the Oversight trilogy and is handled very well. The Oversight are a secret organization that policed the lines between normality and magic and once sported hundreds of people amongst its ranks. Now though, that number is down to just five, with the society being a shadow of what it once was.
When a screaming girl is brought to the Oversight’s headquarters in London they believe they might at last have found a new recruit. However, Lucy Harker is not who she seems, and is part of a plot that could have catastrophic repercussions for not just the Oversight, but the world.
Charlie Fletcher is an accomplished young adult writer and The Oversight is the first time I have read a full novel by him, but I remember back in Secondary School flicking through Stoneheart in the Library – and it’s certainly something that I intend to get back to at one point. However, back on the subject of The Oversight, it gets almost everything right – my only real complaint being that it gets off to a slow start, but even that changes – as it quickly becomes engrossing as the pages go on and by the end you won’t be able to put it down. The book spends plenty of time in creating the atmosphere and developing the world, giving a great look into the magical side of London, which normally brings out the best of Urban Fantasy novels. However, The Oversight isn’t just your average Urban Fantasy novel. It’s a gothic, historical and beautifully written masterpiece that deserves your attention – with incredibly strong prose and an attention to detail that doesn’t bog down the narrative.
There isn’t really any main character in The Oversight, with the Last Hand (the last five members of the Oversight supernatural law enforcement) getting similar amounts of pagetime to Lucy, who also gets a key role in this book. Whilst the book may be clearly focused more on the world than the characters, that’s not a bad thing, because Fletcher still manages to weave a compelling narrative and on top of that, the world is awesome and it’s easily something that I can see myself returning to.
If you’re a fan of the likes of Neil Gaiman or China Mieville, then this book should be right up your street. Charlie Fletcher has crafted a smart and intelligent novel that kicks off what should really be a strong series, with a compelling plot and some interesting characters. There’s very little where this book goes wrong, so it’s certainly something that you should devote your time to. And if it helps, out of the Advance Reviews, I’m yet to see a single one below 4 stars (although at least one is ranked 3.5 on Goodreads), so it’s clear that I’m not the only one who loves this book. Highly Recommended.
VERDICT: 9/10
“An excellent novel – Charlie Fletcher has certainly crafted one of the better reads of 2014 so far. If you’re a fan of the likes of Neil Gaiman or China Mieville then this is a must read – and with some fascinating prose, this is something that you won’t want to miss.” ~Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
"Only five still guard the borders between the worlds.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled – but the girl is a trap.
As the borders between this world and the next begin to break down, murders erupt across the city, the Oversight are torn viciously apart, and their enemies close in for the final blow.
This gothic fantasy from Charlie Fletcher (the Stoneheart trilogy) spins a tale of witch-hunters, supra-naturalists, mirror-walkers and magicians. Meet the Oversight, and remember: when they fall, so do we all."
I was first drawn to this book when I saw it compared to Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and as that is my favourite all-time book, I thought I’d give it a shot, and thankfully, I was not disappointed, with Charlie Fletcher’s The Oversight turning out to be one of the best novels that I’ve read so far this year. In fact, it also manages to be different from the majority of other novels that I’ve read this year as well, so if you’re looking for something that has that originality factor then you can’t go far wrong with this book, which hits shelves tomorrow through Orbit.
This novel serves as the first outing in the Oversight trilogy and is handled very well. The Oversight are a secret organization that policed the lines between normality and magic and once sported hundreds of people amongst its ranks. Now though, that number is down to just five, with the society being a shadow of what it once was.
When a screaming girl is brought to the Oversight’s headquarters in London they believe they might at last have found a new recruit. However, Lucy Harker is not who she seems, and is part of a plot that could have catastrophic repercussions for not just the Oversight, but the world.
Charlie Fletcher is an accomplished young adult writer and The Oversight is the first time I have read a full novel by him, but I remember back in Secondary School flicking through Stoneheart in the Library – and it’s certainly something that I intend to get back to at one point. However, back on the subject of The Oversight, it gets almost everything right – my only real complaint being that it gets off to a slow start, but even that changes – as it quickly becomes engrossing as the pages go on and by the end you won’t be able to put it down. The book spends plenty of time in creating the atmosphere and developing the world, giving a great look into the magical side of London, which normally brings out the best of Urban Fantasy novels. However, The Oversight isn’t just your average Urban Fantasy novel. It’s a gothic, historical and beautifully written masterpiece that deserves your attention – with incredibly strong prose and an attention to detail that doesn’t bog down the narrative.
There isn’t really any main character in The Oversight, with the Last Hand (the last five members of the Oversight supernatural law enforcement) getting similar amounts of pagetime to Lucy, who also gets a key role in this book. Whilst the book may be clearly focused more on the world than the characters, that’s not a bad thing, because Fletcher still manages to weave a compelling narrative and on top of that, the world is awesome and it’s easily something that I can see myself returning to.
If you’re a fan of the likes of Neil Gaiman or China Mieville, then this book should be right up your street. Charlie Fletcher has crafted a smart and intelligent novel that kicks off what should really be a strong series, with a compelling plot and some interesting characters. There’s very little where this book goes wrong, so it’s certainly something that you should devote your time to. And if it helps, out of the Advance Reviews, I’m yet to see a single one below 4 stars (although at least one is ranked 3.5 on Goodreads), so it’s clear that I’m not the only one who loves this book. Highly Recommended.
VERDICT: 9/10
April 3, 2014
Like 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell'? How about Daniel O'Malley's 'The Rook'? Then you should get this book.
The old-timey London setting, with secret magical elements, is reminiscent of the former book, but the tone is much less fussy. The supranatural agency and amnesiac heroine reminded me of the latter.
'The Oversight' is the organization of half-fey agents who are sworn to uphold 'The Law and the Lore,' protecting both magical and mundane elements, mainly by keeping them from each other... However, after a past Disaster, the Oversight is radically reduced, and in quite dire straits. They are desperate for new magical members, and in danger of being overwhelmed in their task by maleficent magical forces.
When a girl who seems to have some ability is delivered into their hands, Sara Falk is eager to accept her into the fold... but there could be a trap awaiting her and her friends.
Nice, rich, complex world-building and a good twisty plot make this long book very enjoyable. It's very clearly the start to a series... not all the questions are answered, or issues resolved... but it's done well enough that rather than aggravating me, I'm eagerly anticipating the next volume. I hope Mr. Fletcher is a quick writer!
The old-timey London setting, with secret magical elements, is reminiscent of the former book, but the tone is much less fussy. The supranatural agency and amnesiac heroine reminded me of the latter.
'The Oversight' is the organization of half-fey agents who are sworn to uphold 'The Law and the Lore,' protecting both magical and mundane elements, mainly by keeping them from each other... However, after a past Disaster, the Oversight is radically reduced, and in quite dire straits. They are desperate for new magical members, and in danger of being overwhelmed in their task by maleficent magical forces.
When a girl who seems to have some ability is delivered into their hands, Sara Falk is eager to accept her into the fold... but there could be a trap awaiting her and her friends.
Nice, rich, complex world-building and a good twisty plot make this long book very enjoyable. It's very clearly the start to a series... not all the questions are answered, or issues resolved... but it's done well enough that rather than aggravating me, I'm eagerly anticipating the next volume. I hope Mr. Fletcher is a quick writer!
April 15, 2014
http://www.mybookishways.com/2014/04/...
The Oversight is one of those books that, about two pages in, I knew I was in for something good. It begins with an excerpt from The Great and Hidden History of the World by Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Samuel Falk, detailing the function of the Free Company known as The Oversight of London, specifically in protecting innocent humans from the actions of untoward supranaturals. The Oversight has always been manned by people with both supranatural and human blood, so that they may better understand the kinds of beings that they are sworn to protect the human population from. So it begins that a young girl is brought to The Oversight’s Safe House in a sack, mouth covered and hands wrapped, by a man who has been told that the proprietor of said headquarters would pay a pretty penny for young girls. Sara Falk, head of the last Hand of the Oversight, is looking for no such thing, but she finds out that the young girl in question, Lucy Harker, is much like her, and vows to protect her. Lucy’s arrival, however, seems to be the catalyst for bad things to come, and Mr. Sharp, Oversight sentinel and Sara’s protector (whether she likes it or not), is suspicious of Lucy’s arrival from the beginning. He’s right to be suspicious, because there are those that know that the once hundreds strong Oversight is now only five, and they are looking to not only destroy them, but take for them a key that could shift the balance of power in a profound way. Soon, Lucy is separated from the Hand and tragedy befalls Sara. Mr. Sharp is determined to make Sarah whole, even if it threatens their entire existence, and Lucy must make her way amongst a traveling carnival that hides its own dark secrets.
Victorian England is one of my favorite settings for a novel, especially one involving magical things, of which The Oversight has plenty, and although the setting is wonderful, it’s the characters that make this book a standout: a pair of villains that have many “sons” that they’ve procured from the local orphanages, creating a network of eyes and ears all over London, the creepy Slaugh with which the villains have entered into unholy alliance, a breath-stealer that stalks its unwitting victims in the shadows of an unsuspecting city, and of course, the Hand themselves, consisting of Sara Falk, Mr. Sharp, Cook, Hodge, and the Smith. There are magic mirrors, a golem named Emmett that protects our heroes, and so much more. Fletcher’s London is something I pictured out of a Tim Burton movie, with overhanging gables, crushed together buildings, and precariously uneven skylines, and of course, characters I absolutely fell in love with.
This is a book to be savored, and its secrets are revealed slowly and deliciously, entrenching you more and more into a Dickensian, delightful world. Will our heroes survive such diabolical evil with their numbers so utterly diminished? Will Lucy, so lost and unsure of her past, find a semblance of herself, and will she do it in time to thwart the powers that mean to possess her? The ending settles a few things but leaves plenty open for another book, and I can’t wait to get to know The Oversight better, not to mention go back into the wonderful world that Charlie Fletcher has created. The Oversight is a clever, entrancing, and of course, magical read, with plenty of surprises. Don’t miss this one.
The Oversight is one of those books that, about two pages in, I knew I was in for something good. It begins with an excerpt from The Great and Hidden History of the World by Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Samuel Falk, detailing the function of the Free Company known as The Oversight of London, specifically in protecting innocent humans from the actions of untoward supranaturals. The Oversight has always been manned by people with both supranatural and human blood, so that they may better understand the kinds of beings that they are sworn to protect the human population from. So it begins that a young girl is brought to The Oversight’s Safe House in a sack, mouth covered and hands wrapped, by a man who has been told that the proprietor of said headquarters would pay a pretty penny for young girls. Sara Falk, head of the last Hand of the Oversight, is looking for no such thing, but she finds out that the young girl in question, Lucy Harker, is much like her, and vows to protect her. Lucy’s arrival, however, seems to be the catalyst for bad things to come, and Mr. Sharp, Oversight sentinel and Sara’s protector (whether she likes it or not), is suspicious of Lucy’s arrival from the beginning. He’s right to be suspicious, because there are those that know that the once hundreds strong Oversight is now only five, and they are looking to not only destroy them, but take for them a key that could shift the balance of power in a profound way. Soon, Lucy is separated from the Hand and tragedy befalls Sara. Mr. Sharp is determined to make Sarah whole, even if it threatens their entire existence, and Lucy must make her way amongst a traveling carnival that hides its own dark secrets.
Victorian England is one of my favorite settings for a novel, especially one involving magical things, of which The Oversight has plenty, and although the setting is wonderful, it’s the characters that make this book a standout: a pair of villains that have many “sons” that they’ve procured from the local orphanages, creating a network of eyes and ears all over London, the creepy Slaugh with which the villains have entered into unholy alliance, a breath-stealer that stalks its unwitting victims in the shadows of an unsuspecting city, and of course, the Hand themselves, consisting of Sara Falk, Mr. Sharp, Cook, Hodge, and the Smith. There are magic mirrors, a golem named Emmett that protects our heroes, and so much more. Fletcher’s London is something I pictured out of a Tim Burton movie, with overhanging gables, crushed together buildings, and precariously uneven skylines, and of course, characters I absolutely fell in love with.
This is a book to be savored, and its secrets are revealed slowly and deliciously, entrenching you more and more into a Dickensian, delightful world. Will our heroes survive such diabolical evil with their numbers so utterly diminished? Will Lucy, so lost and unsure of her past, find a semblance of herself, and will she do it in time to thwart the powers that mean to possess her? The ending settles a few things but leaves plenty open for another book, and I can’t wait to get to know The Oversight better, not to mention go back into the wonderful world that Charlie Fletcher has created. The Oversight is a clever, entrancing, and of course, magical read, with plenty of surprises. Don’t miss this one.
April 29, 2014
[I got an ARC of this book through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. Physical copy liable to change upon actual publishing.]
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of this novel, not knowing if I'd like it or if it was starting too slowly to my liking. However, I soon found myself engrossed in the story—I only read it in more than just a couple of days because I was busy, otherwise I'd probably have gone through it much more quickly.
First, though, one thing must be made clear: this is book 1 in a trilogy, and while it doesn't end on a strong cliffhanger, readers should be aware that not every single plot line gets resolved in it. The world building is quite complex, and only some of its aspects are revealed in this first installment. When one threat gets neutralised, another one appears; when one character is saved, another one gets into a predicament. All those things are meant to tie into the next book(s). If a reader's all right with that, then there should be no problem.
I found the 19th century London depicted here to my taste: dark alleys and street urchins; gentlemen dealing with creatures they don't fully understand; a travelling circus with a battle of "wizards"; the mysterious Oversight, who may be seen as "the nice ones", but whose members can be just as ruthless as their enemies, if not more. This world is painted in more shades of grey than I could count; the purest-looking ones aren't so innocent, and the darkest may not be so evil as they seem (the Sluagh's vindictive attitude, for instance, partly stems from , making the deal somewhat obsolete).
The writing was descriptive and captivating enough, without making me feel that it was delaying too much the setting of the various plots. There was something magic-like to it that made me come back on a regular basis.
What makes this novel's strength might be its downfall for some readers, though, in that it's very much plot-driven. The author wove his story in a way that kept me guessing as to who was truly evil and who wasn't, who was the enemy and who might actually be even more dangerous; on the other hand, while this was very well-done in my opinion, one might also find the characters not so well-developed in comparison. An example would be the relationship between : I could feel it, sense it, but it was perhaps too subtle, so in the end her decision to go seemed somewhat rushed. The story and the promises it holds for next volume prevented me from resenting this too much, but it could still be a problem, depending on one's expectations.
Overall, a very intriguing novel which really caught my attention and makes me want to read the next one right now, but with the hopes that we'll get to know the characters better.
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of this novel, not knowing if I'd like it or if it was starting too slowly to my liking. However, I soon found myself engrossed in the story—I only read it in more than just a couple of days because I was busy, otherwise I'd probably have gone through it much more quickly.
First, though, one thing must be made clear: this is book 1 in a trilogy, and while it doesn't end on a strong cliffhanger, readers should be aware that not every single plot line gets resolved in it. The world building is quite complex, and only some of its aspects are revealed in this first installment. When one threat gets neutralised, another one appears; when one character is saved, another one gets into a predicament. All those things are meant to tie into the next book(s). If a reader's all right with that, then there should be no problem.
I found the 19th century London depicted here to my taste: dark alleys and street urchins; gentlemen dealing with creatures they don't fully understand; a travelling circus with a battle of "wizards"; the mysterious Oversight, who may be seen as "the nice ones", but whose members can be just as ruthless as their enemies, if not more. This world is painted in more shades of grey than I could count; the purest-looking ones aren't so innocent, and the darkest may not be so evil as they seem (the Sluagh's vindictive attitude, for instance, partly stems from , making the deal somewhat obsolete).
The writing was descriptive and captivating enough, without making me feel that it was delaying too much the setting of the various plots. There was something magic-like to it that made me come back on a regular basis.
What makes this novel's strength might be its downfall for some readers, though, in that it's very much plot-driven. The author wove his story in a way that kept me guessing as to who was truly evil and who wasn't, who was the enemy and who might actually be even more dangerous; on the other hand, while this was very well-done in my opinion, one might also find the characters not so well-developed in comparison. An example would be the relationship between : I could feel it, sense it, but it was perhaps too subtle, so in the end her decision to go seemed somewhat rushed. The story and the promises it holds for next volume prevented me from resenting this too much, but it could still be a problem, depending on one's expectations.
Overall, a very intriguing novel which really caught my attention and makes me want to read the next one right now, but with the hopes that we'll get to know the characters better.
April 9, 2014
4.5 stars
Whaaaaaaaaaat just happened? What is this book? It came out of nowhere and my head is still spinning.
The Oversight features elegant prose and the kind deliciously dark and ominous atmosphere that reminds me vaguely of Neil Gaiman. The book drops you into the shadowy supranatural underside of somewhere around turn of the 20th century London (no exact date given, unless I missed something, which I will allow for, there was a lot going on). The world-building is quite complicated, there’s a rich history and lore combined with a sprawling cast of characters who all have their own motives and (often opposing) agendas.
(A startlingly accurate representation of me when I realized what I was in for.)
Read the full review on Cuddlebuggery.
Whaaaaaaaaaat just happened? What is this book? It came out of nowhere and my head is still spinning.
The Oversight features elegant prose and the kind deliciously dark and ominous atmosphere that reminds me vaguely of Neil Gaiman. The book drops you into the shadowy supranatural underside of somewhere around turn of the 20th century London (no exact date given, unless I missed something, which I will allow for, there was a lot going on). The world-building is quite complicated, there’s a rich history and lore combined with a sprawling cast of characters who all have their own motives and (often opposing) agendas.
(A startlingly accurate representation of me when I realized what I was in for.)
Read the full review on Cuddlebuggery.
March 1, 2015
I don't know if it was the mood I was in but I struggled to finish this -- way too much detail. The repetition and over-explanation wasn't needed and really, it was just unnessarily long.
August 13, 2016
Pros: highly descriptive writing, lots of interesting characters, complicated plots, cool monsters, decent world building
Cons: several info dump chapters in a row
When a tied up girl is ’sold’ to ‘the jew’ of London’s Wellclose Square, several plots are set into motion. Because that’s the safe house of the last remaining hand of the Oversight, a group of people with supranatural abilities who keep the ordinary people of England safe from the creatures that go bump in the night.
There’s a large cast of characters, but the author’s attention to detail makes it easy to remember who’s who. And the various protagonists and antagonists are all distinct enough to keep them separate along with their varied plots, worries and actions. I loved that there’s a mixture of rich, poor, beautiful, horrible people, able-bodied and not, in the book. There are several female characters in major roles, allowing for a large variety here too, in terms of temperament and actions.
The descriptive writing does make the opening a bit slow but it really helps to ground you for when the plots start to multiply. Indeed, the necessity of paying close attention for the first few chapters pays off as the book continues, as it becomes very easy to remember what’s happening to whom, and where.
I loved the monsters in the book, the Slaugh and the Alp. Both were suitably horrifying, as befit faery-style creatures.
There’s a lot of information you need to know in order to understand this alternate Victorian England. Unfortunately, this required several information dumps. While the author tried to vary these by working them into different conversations, the fact that these take place one after the other in successive chapters makes them feel contrived. The first one especially felt contrived, as it has a member of the Oversight explaining what the organization is to one of the creatures it oversees, a creature who should (and you discover does) already know what the Oversight is. Some of the other conversations would have sounded natural, had there not been so many other info dumps around them.
The ending is good, with several plot points being tied up while others are left open for the forthcoming sequels.
Cons: several info dump chapters in a row
When a tied up girl is ’sold’ to ‘the jew’ of London’s Wellclose Square, several plots are set into motion. Because that’s the safe house of the last remaining hand of the Oversight, a group of people with supranatural abilities who keep the ordinary people of England safe from the creatures that go bump in the night.
There’s a large cast of characters, but the author’s attention to detail makes it easy to remember who’s who. And the various protagonists and antagonists are all distinct enough to keep them separate along with their varied plots, worries and actions. I loved that there’s a mixture of rich, poor, beautiful, horrible people, able-bodied and not, in the book. There are several female characters in major roles, allowing for a large variety here too, in terms of temperament and actions.
The descriptive writing does make the opening a bit slow but it really helps to ground you for when the plots start to multiply. Indeed, the necessity of paying close attention for the first few chapters pays off as the book continues, as it becomes very easy to remember what’s happening to whom, and where.
I loved the monsters in the book, the Slaugh and the Alp. Both were suitably horrifying, as befit faery-style creatures.
There’s a lot of information you need to know in order to understand this alternate Victorian England. Unfortunately, this required several information dumps. While the author tried to vary these by working them into different conversations, the fact that these take place one after the other in successive chapters makes them feel contrived. The first one especially felt contrived, as it has a member of the Oversight explaining what the organization is to one of the creatures it oversees, a creature who should (and you discover does) already know what the Oversight is. Some of the other conversations would have sounded natural, had there not been so many other info dumps around them.
The ending is good, with several plot points being tied up while others are left open for the forthcoming sequels.
April 23, 2014
Publication Date: 6th May 2014 from Orbit.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy via NetGalley.
Only five still guard the borders between the worlds.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled – but the girl is a trap.
I do love a bit of gothic fantasy me, and this one was absolutely terrific. Wonderfully imagined, beautifully drawn and still keeping a high level of characterisation and intelligence of storyline. Add in the Historical setting and there is a lot to love here.
The world building is intriguing and mesmerising without being over complicated, the characters that live there are genuinely fascinating and the tale – that of a world beyond our own but within it- is very addictive. You will rattle through the pages getting more and more immersed into the mythology and the struggles faced by The Oversight to keep order and sanity. I could hardly put it down, and devoured it in great big glorious chunks of reading time.
You may think there is nothing new here – many a tale of this type has been told, but when it is all done with such fabulous flow and captivating storytelling it feels very fresh and new. More please. That would be nice.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy via NetGalley.
Only five still guard the borders between the worlds.
Only five hold back what waits on the other side.
Once the Oversight, the secret society that policed the lines between the mundane and the magic, counted hundreds of brave souls among its members. Now their numbers can be counted on a single hand.
When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s London headquarters, it seems their hopes for a new recruit will be fulfilled – but the girl is a trap.
I do love a bit of gothic fantasy me, and this one was absolutely terrific. Wonderfully imagined, beautifully drawn and still keeping a high level of characterisation and intelligence of storyline. Add in the Historical setting and there is a lot to love here.
The world building is intriguing and mesmerising without being over complicated, the characters that live there are genuinely fascinating and the tale – that of a world beyond our own but within it- is very addictive. You will rattle through the pages getting more and more immersed into the mythology and the struggles faced by The Oversight to keep order and sanity. I could hardly put it down, and devoured it in great big glorious chunks of reading time.
You may think there is nothing new here – many a tale of this type has been told, but when it is all done with such fabulous flow and captivating storytelling it feels very fresh and new. More please. That would be nice.
Happy Reading Folks!
August 28, 2020
Set in Victorian London, Lucy Harker is smuggled to the Oversight, a secret society dedicated to keep people safe from the many forces of evil. Lucy eventually is shown some secrets and disappears into a mirror, taking part of her host, Sara Falk with her. Lucy then falls in with a carney crowd, who seem interested in her, but have their own agendas. Meanwhile Sara starts to fall apart, jeopardizing the Oversight, which must have five members. Her companions try to help save their society and leader: the loyal but dangerous Mr. Sharp, the wonderful ex-pirate Cook, even a golem for good measure. I struggled with some of the different subplots, especially the politics in London, the brothers who "rescued" orphans only to recruit them for their criminal enterprises, an evil spirit sucking the life out of the living, etc. Not knowing the motivations (good or bad) for some of the central characters created suspense. Unsure if I will read Book #2.
January 22, 2018
Am urban fantasy steampunk novel which had its moments but just didnt gel with me. The setting and world building was slow. I never really engaged with any characters. The plot was solid but only 1 character arc really engaged my attention and this unfortunately lasted the shortest amount of time. Will work for some just unfortunately not for me.
Read
June 12, 2023I'm torn between giving this 3.5 or 4 stars...
in reality I did enjoy this book, it was interesting. I don't quite understand the magic system or its purpose, yet but what I got was pretty cool. also it took me about 100+ pages to finally get into it. I felt like it was overly descriptive which for me, I started to kind of drift off because somehow it was losing the point it was trying to make? ... I liked the characters, they were complex and interesting to learn about. despite intense spurts and the slower pacing I liked all of the details, suspense and unknowing of it all.
in reality I did enjoy this book, it was interesting. I don't quite understand the magic system or its purpose, yet but what I got was pretty cool. also it took me about 100+ pages to finally get into it. I felt like it was overly descriptive which for me, I started to kind of drift off because somehow it was losing the point it was trying to make? ... I liked the characters, they were complex and interesting to learn about. despite intense spurts and the slower pacing I liked all of the details, suspense and unknowing of it all.
May 2, 2022
ریویو فقط موضوع اصلی کتاب رو اسپویل میکنه.
خب! موضوع کتاب یکی از پنج موضوع برتر تو مورد علاقه هامه!!!!!
یه انجمن مخفی که هرکودوم یه قدرت جادویی دارن و هدفشون تعادل برقرار کردن بین موجودات ماورایی و آدمای معمولیه!!!!!!
آیم این!!!!
دنیا سازیش جذاب بود! در عین اینکه این ایدهه تکراریه ولی موجودات جدیدی ساخته بود که عاشقشون شدم! اون استخونایی که اسلاگا داشتن! نفس دزد! آینه! همش خیلی خفن بود 😍
و یه کار جذاب دیگه هم کرده بود، رد پای انجمن نگهبان توی تاریخ رو بهمون نشون داده بود. اینکه پشت صحنه بودن و تو اتفاقای واقعی تاریخی مشارکتشون داده بود! به فراماسونا و یهودیا و مسلمونا ربطشون داده بود و من عاشق این کارم! 🤧😭
شخصیت پردازیشم خوب بود... میشه گفت با همهی شخصیتا ارتباط گرفتم.. و شخصیتا خیلی زیاد بودن :) باور کنید!!!!!
وسط کتاب یک با داستانای سارا و رابطهش با بقیه تونست کاری کنه بغض کنم... پس امتیاز این قسمتو هم میگیره!!!!
پس چرا سه دادم و پنج نه. اول که بیاید اینو در نظر بگیریم که کتاب اوله خب؟ و طبیعیه که مقدمه باشه ولیییییییییی با این حال
خییییییییییلی توصیف داشت 🤧😭خسته شدممممم 😭😭😭😭همهی مکان ها رو دقییییییق توصیف میکرد. به جز جای دقیق یخچال، و اینکه کنار چیه، چیزای توشو هم واسم میگفتتتتت🤧قبول... فضاها و وسیله هاش قشنگ و جادویی و مود گوتیک؟ و دارک آکادمیا؟ بودن ولی دست بردار مرددددد خسته شدمممممم داستانتو بگوووووو نمیخواد بهم آدرس دقیق بدییییییییس
خلاصه که به جایی رسیدم که توصیفا رو رو میکردم نمیخوندم 🙂کار زشتیه ولی ساری نات یاری
اگه این کارو نمیکردم نمیتونستم دوستش داشته باشم چون خوابم میبردددددد حداقل یه صفحهی اول هر فصل کامل توصیف بود!!!!! (با صدای راس بخوانید) فرانتتتت اند بککککک
.
آخ. گلوم. خلاصه که نویسنده های عزیز. یکم متعادل تر توصیف کنید تا از موضوع مورد علاقه و ایده های خلاقانهتون بیشتر لذت ببریم!
جلد دوشو خواهم خوند. امیدوارم پنج ستاره بگیره!
ایش. بای.
خب! موضوع کتاب یکی از پنج موضوع برتر تو مورد علاقه هامه!!!!!
یه انجمن مخفی که هرکودوم یه قدرت جادویی دارن و هدفشون تعادل برقرار کردن بین موجودات ماورایی و آدمای معمولیه!!!!!!
آیم این!!!!
دنیا سازیش جذاب بود! در عین اینکه این ایدهه تکراریه ولی موجودات جدیدی ساخته بود که عاشقشون شدم! اون استخونایی که اسلاگا داشتن! نفس دزد! آینه! همش خیلی خفن بود 😍
و یه کار جذاب دیگه هم کرده بود، رد پای انجمن نگهبان توی تاریخ رو بهمون نشون داده بود. اینکه پشت صحنه بودن و تو اتفاقای واقعی تاریخی مشارکتشون داده بود! به فراماسونا و یهودیا و مسلمونا ربطشون داده بود و من عاشق این کارم! 🤧😭
شخصیت پردازیشم خوب بود... میشه گفت با همهی شخصیتا ارتباط گرفتم.. و شخصیتا خیلی زیاد بودن :) باور کنید!!!!!
وسط کتاب یک با داستانای سارا و رابطهش با بقیه تونست کاری کنه بغض کنم... پس امتیاز این قسمتو هم میگیره!!!!
پس چرا سه دادم و پنج نه. اول که بیاید اینو در نظر بگیریم که کتاب اوله خب؟ و طبیعیه که مقدمه باشه ولیییییییییی با این حال
خییییییییییلی توصیف داشت 🤧😭خسته شدممممم 😭😭😭😭همهی مکان ها رو دقییییییق توصیف میکرد. به جز جای دقیق یخچال، و اینکه کنار چیه، چیزای توشو هم واسم میگفتتتتت🤧قبول... فضاها و وسیله هاش قشنگ و جادویی و مود گوتیک؟ و دارک آکادمیا؟ بودن ولی دست بردار مرددددد خسته شدمممممم داستانتو بگوووووو نمیخواد بهم آدرس دقیق بدییییییییس
خلاصه که به جایی رسیدم که توصیفا رو رو میکردم نمیخوندم 🙂کار زشتیه ولی ساری نات یاری
اگه این کارو نمیکردم نمیتونستم دوستش داشته باشم چون خوابم میبردددددد حداقل یه صفحهی اول هر فصل کامل توصیف بود!!!!! (با صدای راس بخوانید) فرانتتتت اند بککککک
.
آخ. گلوم. خلاصه که نویسنده های عزیز. یکم متعادل تر توصیف کنید تا از موضوع مورد علاقه و ایده های خلاقانهتون بیشتر لذت ببریم!
جلد دوشو خواهم خوند. امیدوارم پنج ستاره بگیره!
ایش. بای.
May 24, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Enter an alternate, dark version of Victorian London, full of witchhunters, supranatural creatures, and much more. This book constantly keeps the reader guessing and is completely engrossing!
Opening Sentence: The natural and the supranatural inhabit the same world, intersecting but largely unseen to one another, like lodgers who share a house but keep different hours, only occasionally passing on the narrow stairs.
The Review:
When I read the premise for this book, I was immediately intrigued because it sounded different from any other fantasy book I’ve read recently. I was definitely not disappointed. While there is a lot of world building, the world that’s been created is fascinating, and Fletcher constantly keeps the reader guessing as to who is good and who is evil.
The book takes place in an alternate version of Victorian London. One fateful night, a girl is brought to “The Jew’s House,” wrapped in a burlap sack. The man who brings her says he heard a rumor that the Jew was looking for screaming girls. “The Jew” is in fact Sara Falk, and the only thing she wants is to get this poor girl away from the man who captured her. In so doing, she discovers that the girl, Lucy, has the same talent Sara herself has: when they touch stone with their bare hands, they can see glimpses of the past. This, plus the ring Lucy has in her possession means that she is one of them: a potential new member of The Oversight. The Oversight is tasked with keeping the barrier between worlds closed, protecting normal humans from supranatural creatures. Thirty years ago, their numbers were decimated, and now there are only five left, the minimum amount needed to keep the barrier closed. Seeing hope for the future in Lucy, Sara takes her in, not realizing Lucy has been placed there by their enemies. Thus begins an adventure full of witchhunters, enchanted mirrors, evil creatures, and the five people meant to protect the world from them all.
If I had to pick the main characters of this book, I would have to go with Lucy and Sara. While the reader gets to see all the characters’ points of view, it seemed to me that it focused the most on these two (or at least, these were the two I connected to the most strongly). Lucy comes off at first as being rather self-centered, but as the book goes on, she begins to seem more and more like a scared girl who is just trying to figure out who she is, and by the time the book ended, I was desperate for her to find out as well. Sara’s storyline in the book is very harrowing, and I found myself riveted every time the book showed what was going on with her.
This is not a book you want to read if you’re feeling tired. There is a lot of information given, and I found myself constantly having to pay attention to what was going on so that I didn’t miss anything. This definitely isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re looking for a light read, this isn’t it. Fletcher was able to constantly surprise me throughout the book with revelations made about certain characters. You could never be too certain what was really going on. It’s definitely obvious that this is part of a trilogy, as the storylines were not wrapped up completely. Some concluded, while building blocks were put in place for future storylines, all of which have me very eager to find out where the story is going. Fans of fantasy should definitely check this book out!
Notable Scene:
“You call me foul because you have tricked me into a disadvantage,” he wheezed. “But you do not know what enemy you have just made, you mannerless puppy. Our blood is Pure, our blood is One and I am Many!”
His eyes flashed for a moment, then faded again.
Mr. Sharp smiled down at him.
“I know who you are. I recognised the smell and the tattoos. You are one of the Night Host, a Shadowganger. You are one of the Sluagh,” he said, pronouncing the word “sloo-er”, his lip curling with an evident distaste as he did so. ‘But your place is in the north. Your place is the wild lands. That is the Law and the Lore.”
The Sluagh shook his head and winced as his neck touched the iron on either side. His voice was weakening and fading as fast as his tattoos were washing out but there was still a flicker of defiance within him.
“That is your Lore, not ours. We live wherever we will and always outside the Lore. What is this Lore anyway?”
“The heart of the Lore is simple,” said Mr. Sharp in a measured voice, the kind a teacher might use to a slow but excitable child, “It says you cannot come among defenceless men, women and children and prey on them. If you do, we will stop you.”
The Sluagh tried to snarl but only had the energy to curl his lip.
“What almighty ‘we’ is this?”
“You know who those of us who carry this badge are. We are the Free Company. We are Law and Lore…”
Mr. Sharp made a fist and held the ring in front of the Sluagh’s eyes. “…we are The Oversight.”
FTC Advisory: Orbit provided me with a copy of The Oversight. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Enter an alternate, dark version of Victorian London, full of witchhunters, supranatural creatures, and much more. This book constantly keeps the reader guessing and is completely engrossing!
Opening Sentence: The natural and the supranatural inhabit the same world, intersecting but largely unseen to one another, like lodgers who share a house but keep different hours, only occasionally passing on the narrow stairs.
The Review:
When I read the premise for this book, I was immediately intrigued because it sounded different from any other fantasy book I’ve read recently. I was definitely not disappointed. While there is a lot of world building, the world that’s been created is fascinating, and Fletcher constantly keeps the reader guessing as to who is good and who is evil.
The book takes place in an alternate version of Victorian London. One fateful night, a girl is brought to “The Jew’s House,” wrapped in a burlap sack. The man who brings her says he heard a rumor that the Jew was looking for screaming girls. “The Jew” is in fact Sara Falk, and the only thing she wants is to get this poor girl away from the man who captured her. In so doing, she discovers that the girl, Lucy, has the same talent Sara herself has: when they touch stone with their bare hands, they can see glimpses of the past. This, plus the ring Lucy has in her possession means that she is one of them: a potential new member of The Oversight. The Oversight is tasked with keeping the barrier between worlds closed, protecting normal humans from supranatural creatures. Thirty years ago, their numbers were decimated, and now there are only five left, the minimum amount needed to keep the barrier closed. Seeing hope for the future in Lucy, Sara takes her in, not realizing Lucy has been placed there by their enemies. Thus begins an adventure full of witchhunters, enchanted mirrors, evil creatures, and the five people meant to protect the world from them all.
If I had to pick the main characters of this book, I would have to go with Lucy and Sara. While the reader gets to see all the characters’ points of view, it seemed to me that it focused the most on these two (or at least, these were the two I connected to the most strongly). Lucy comes off at first as being rather self-centered, but as the book goes on, she begins to seem more and more like a scared girl who is just trying to figure out who she is, and by the time the book ended, I was desperate for her to find out as well. Sara’s storyline in the book is very harrowing, and I found myself riveted every time the book showed what was going on with her.
This is not a book you want to read if you’re feeling tired. There is a lot of information given, and I found myself constantly having to pay attention to what was going on so that I didn’t miss anything. This definitely isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re looking for a light read, this isn’t it. Fletcher was able to constantly surprise me throughout the book with revelations made about certain characters. You could never be too certain what was really going on. It’s definitely obvious that this is part of a trilogy, as the storylines were not wrapped up completely. Some concluded, while building blocks were put in place for future storylines, all of which have me very eager to find out where the story is going. Fans of fantasy should definitely check this book out!
Notable Scene:
“You call me foul because you have tricked me into a disadvantage,” he wheezed. “But you do not know what enemy you have just made, you mannerless puppy. Our blood is Pure, our blood is One and I am Many!”
His eyes flashed for a moment, then faded again.
Mr. Sharp smiled down at him.
“I know who you are. I recognised the smell and the tattoos. You are one of the Night Host, a Shadowganger. You are one of the Sluagh,” he said, pronouncing the word “sloo-er”, his lip curling with an evident distaste as he did so. ‘But your place is in the north. Your place is the wild lands. That is the Law and the Lore.”
The Sluagh shook his head and winced as his neck touched the iron on either side. His voice was weakening and fading as fast as his tattoos were washing out but there was still a flicker of defiance within him.
“That is your Lore, not ours. We live wherever we will and always outside the Lore. What is this Lore anyway?”
“The heart of the Lore is simple,” said Mr. Sharp in a measured voice, the kind a teacher might use to a slow but excitable child, “It says you cannot come among defenceless men, women and children and prey on them. If you do, we will stop you.”
The Sluagh tried to snarl but only had the energy to curl his lip.
“What almighty ‘we’ is this?”
“You know who those of us who carry this badge are. We are the Free Company. We are Law and Lore…”
Mr. Sharp made a fist and held the ring in front of the Sluagh’s eyes. “…we are The Oversight.”
FTC Advisory: Orbit provided me with a copy of The Oversight. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
May 19, 2014
I've been sat here in front of my screen for a while now wondering what exactly I was going to write about this book. My opinion of it has changed a fair bit over the course of reading it. I honestly found it very difficult to get in to; it wasn't until about the 100 page mark that my interest started to pick up. At the time I found this a little bit confusing, because in theory I liked the premise, there was clearly a lot of detail and complexity to the world and the characters... What exactly was putting me off?
I think it comes down to pacing more than anything else. The story moves very slowly with lots of different things happening at the same time that seem unconnected and which are only explained further in. There comes a moment in the story where the preceding build up comes to a head and a lot of things start happening very quickly - this was where I started to get interested. Then, just as suddenly, a very "what the heck?" plot twist led to another stretch of leisurely strolling through this strange world. By this point I wasn't so bothered by the slowness because the story had now taken an interesting turn, the characters were thrust in to new dangers, and I had enough grasp of the world to understand the implications of what was going on. I couldn't help but feel like I should have felt this way sooner though.
What it does do well is its description and attention to detail. The opposing worlds of the city of London and the rural countryside are vividly brought to life, and the characters are intriguing, appealing, amusing, dangerous and mysterious. There are many layers to the story, with a well fleshed out history for the characters and the Oversight which are teasingly drip fed to the reader. Yet much is left unanswered - especially regarding Lucy Harker, one of the main protagonists. It is unclear who the True Enemy really is, and there are many factions and players working towards their own mysterious ends.
If there was one thing I absolutely did not like, it was the chapters where certain characters were Glinting (an ability whereby they glimpse the past when they touch certain objects).
I found these
chapters very distressing
to read
because
they were written like
this and
it
was very jarring to read and
it just
wasn't my cup of
tea.
I can appreciate that the author is trying to get across perhaps the jarring nature of the visions themselves - perhaps in a visual medium, say on TV of Film, we would be bombarded with flashes of images. And that works fine for visual mediums, as Charlie Fletcher well knows (having done/doing work for various TV channels). But while the content of the glimpses may have been interesting, I just did not like reading it in such a way. Thankfully there are very few chapters of this nature, so it wasn't such a big deal, but it certainly didn't help me get in to the book during those first chapters! Given that two of the main characters have this strange ability however, there is no doubt that we will see more and more use in the books to come.
Despite these relatively minor complaints, by the turn of the final page I found myself reflecting that actually, the story turned out quite well and I was glad I stuck with it. I had my doubts and reservations - I mean generally, I know that if I don't like a book a quarter of the way in, I probably won’t like it later on. In the end however I cared about what happened to the characters, I wanted to know more of the history of each of them and the Oversight, and most importantly I wanted to read the next book. The Oversight does a fantastic job of setting the scene for the series - it just does so at a slow pace where the action, whilst heart pumping in execution, is sparsely used. If you enjoy stories told in that way then I highly recommend it. If you’re unsure, well, I still recommend it – just come with an open mind and some patience, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.
I think it comes down to pacing more than anything else. The story moves very slowly with lots of different things happening at the same time that seem unconnected and which are only explained further in. There comes a moment in the story where the preceding build up comes to a head and a lot of things start happening very quickly - this was where I started to get interested. Then, just as suddenly, a very "what the heck?" plot twist led to another stretch of leisurely strolling through this strange world. By this point I wasn't so bothered by the slowness because the story had now taken an interesting turn, the characters were thrust in to new dangers, and I had enough grasp of the world to understand the implications of what was going on. I couldn't help but feel like I should have felt this way sooner though.
What it does do well is its description and attention to detail. The opposing worlds of the city of London and the rural countryside are vividly brought to life, and the characters are intriguing, appealing, amusing, dangerous and mysterious. There are many layers to the story, with a well fleshed out history for the characters and the Oversight which are teasingly drip fed to the reader. Yet much is left unanswered - especially regarding Lucy Harker, one of the main protagonists. It is unclear who the True Enemy really is, and there are many factions and players working towards their own mysterious ends.
If there was one thing I absolutely did not like, it was the chapters where certain characters were Glinting (an ability whereby they glimpse the past when they touch certain objects).
I found these
chapters very distressing
to read
because
they were written like
this and
it
was very jarring to read and
it just
wasn't my cup of
tea.
I can appreciate that the author is trying to get across perhaps the jarring nature of the visions themselves - perhaps in a visual medium, say on TV of Film, we would be bombarded with flashes of images. And that works fine for visual mediums, as Charlie Fletcher well knows (having done/doing work for various TV channels). But while the content of the glimpses may have been interesting, I just did not like reading it in such a way. Thankfully there are very few chapters of this nature, so it wasn't such a big deal, but it certainly didn't help me get in to the book during those first chapters! Given that two of the main characters have this strange ability however, there is no doubt that we will see more and more use in the books to come.
Despite these relatively minor complaints, by the turn of the final page I found myself reflecting that actually, the story turned out quite well and I was glad I stuck with it. I had my doubts and reservations - I mean generally, I know that if I don't like a book a quarter of the way in, I probably won’t like it later on. In the end however I cared about what happened to the characters, I wanted to know more of the history of each of them and the Oversight, and most importantly I wanted to read the next book. The Oversight does a fantastic job of setting the scene for the series - it just does so at a slow pace where the action, whilst heart pumping in execution, is sparsely used. If you enjoy stories told in that way then I highly recommend it. If you’re unsure, well, I still recommend it – just come with an open mind and some patience, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.
June 19, 2014
There is a secret society that patrols the border between the known and unknown. On one side you have the normals and on the other you have the magical people. The society is called the Oversight. There was once hundreds of them but now there are 5.
When Lucy is brought to the Oversight headquarters, she was bound and gagged and had no clue who they were or what they wanted from her. When these people start saying things that they shouldn't know, Lucy realises there's more at play here than what she thought! See Lucy is different, when she touches things she gets visions. Everyone told her she was crazy and she started believing them until Sarah, the head of the Oversight, told her what she was. She is a Glint like Sara.
The second Lucy arrives it sets off a sequence of events that may cause the end of the society for good. Will the 5 be able to stop the things in the shadows from ending them? Who is this girl and why was she brought there?
Well this was such a pleasant surprise! When I was approached to review this it was the cover that caught my eye but it was the blurb that made me say yes.
This started out slow but the authors writing style kept me hooked. Rich in detail and set in Victorian London, I was captivated from the very start.
The whole lore of the Oversight was absolutely fascinating. They are a group of 5 that guard the divide between our world and the world of magic. Once there is always 5 in the group then the world is safe. We have Sarah, Cook, Mr Sharp, Hodge and The Smith. All very different but all intriguing and likable characters.
From the Oversight themselves to the creepy things in the shadows, we see a world full of magic and intrigue. It is a book that unwinds its secret slowly and should be savoured. From the dark and dangerous streets of London to the countryside with a travelling circus, The Oversight pulls you in and doesn't let go. The authors writing style was exquisite and mesmerising, he doesn't just tell the story, he makes you apart of it and weaves it around you. With twist after twist, fascinating characters and its dark atmosphere The Oversight is a must read.
When Lucy is brought to the Oversight headquarters, she was bound and gagged and had no clue who they were or what they wanted from her. When these people start saying things that they shouldn't know, Lucy realises there's more at play here than what she thought! See Lucy is different, when she touches things she gets visions. Everyone told her she was crazy and she started believing them until Sarah, the head of the Oversight, told her what she was. She is a Glint like Sara.
The second Lucy arrives it sets off a sequence of events that may cause the end of the society for good. Will the 5 be able to stop the things in the shadows from ending them? Who is this girl and why was she brought there?
Well this was such a pleasant surprise! When I was approached to review this it was the cover that caught my eye but it was the blurb that made me say yes.
This started out slow but the authors writing style kept me hooked. Rich in detail and set in Victorian London, I was captivated from the very start.
The whole lore of the Oversight was absolutely fascinating. They are a group of 5 that guard the divide between our world and the world of magic. Once there is always 5 in the group then the world is safe. We have Sarah, Cook, Mr Sharp, Hodge and The Smith. All very different but all intriguing and likable characters.
From the Oversight themselves to the creepy things in the shadows, we see a world full of magic and intrigue. It is a book that unwinds its secret slowly and should be savoured. From the dark and dangerous streets of London to the countryside with a travelling circus, The Oversight pulls you in and doesn't let go. The authors writing style was exquisite and mesmerising, he doesn't just tell the story, he makes you apart of it and weaves it around you. With twist after twist, fascinating characters and its dark atmosphere The Oversight is a must read.
May 22, 2014
When I first heard about The Oversight I was instantly intrigued, and after reading the blurb on the back of the book even more so.
The Oversight – a secret society that polices the lines between the mundane and the magic used to have hundreds of brave members under their name, but now these members are so few they can be counted on a single hand. When a drunkard brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s headquarters in London, it seems their hopes for a new recruit may be fulfilled, but who is she? And soon borders between the natural and the supernatural begin to break down, leaving the Oversight in danger…
I will admit, I haven’t read that many stories in this genre, but with The Oversight – I was pulled into the story as soon as I started reading. I LOVED the idea of The Oversight, and I was instantly keen to know more about them – Who were they exactly? What did they do? I was gripped wanting to know more about their secret society.
The characters really fascinated me – I was intrigued to know their roles in the Oversight and how they had come to be where they were. The character that intrigued me most was Lucy, the girl who was brought to the Oversight’s headquarters. I was interested to find out who she was, and what her purpose was, and she particularly had me hooked.
I loved the setting of Victorian London, Charlie Fletcher’s descriptions were fantastic and I could picture every scene clearly in my mind. I really could feel the atmosphere of Victorian London too, at times it felt like I had been transported back in time with the added air of magic and mystery to the novel. I liked that absolutely anything could happen in this novel, there were many twists and turns and I was thrilled to be constantly surprised.
This is a fantastic and involving story and I’m very conscious not to give anything away. The Oversight is a captivating and gripping story full of the supernatural, suspense and mystery. It is a highly unique story unlike any I’ve read before and I can’t wait to read more from Charlie Fletcher!
The Oversight – a secret society that polices the lines between the mundane and the magic used to have hundreds of brave members under their name, but now these members are so few they can be counted on a single hand. When a drunkard brings a screaming girl to the Oversight’s headquarters in London, it seems their hopes for a new recruit may be fulfilled, but who is she? And soon borders between the natural and the supernatural begin to break down, leaving the Oversight in danger…
I will admit, I haven’t read that many stories in this genre, but with The Oversight – I was pulled into the story as soon as I started reading. I LOVED the idea of The Oversight, and I was instantly keen to know more about them – Who were they exactly? What did they do? I was gripped wanting to know more about their secret society.
The characters really fascinated me – I was intrigued to know their roles in the Oversight and how they had come to be where they were. The character that intrigued me most was Lucy, the girl who was brought to the Oversight’s headquarters. I was interested to find out who she was, and what her purpose was, and she particularly had me hooked.
I loved the setting of Victorian London, Charlie Fletcher’s descriptions were fantastic and I could picture every scene clearly in my mind. I really could feel the atmosphere of Victorian London too, at times it felt like I had been transported back in time with the added air of magic and mystery to the novel. I liked that absolutely anything could happen in this novel, there were many twists and turns and I was thrilled to be constantly surprised.
This is a fantastic and involving story and I’m very conscious not to give anything away. The Oversight is a captivating and gripping story full of the supernatural, suspense and mystery. It is a highly unique story unlike any I’ve read before and I can’t wait to read more from Charlie Fletcher!
June 24, 2014
3.5 stars
In this book there are a handful of good guys, a whole lot of scheming bad guys - both human and other, as well as many unknowns, including Lucy Harker the girl who begins it all. While reading The Oversight, I kept thinking that if Charles Dickens wanted to write about Fae, the book might have been set up something like this. Besides the very Dickensian 1840s London setting, we have quirky characters, many with names to match, a city teeming with people and fog, as well as a countryside with its meadows and mud, though no less perilous to danger and betrayals.
One fog filled night, the aforementioned Lucy arrives in a a sack, at a house on Wellclose Square in London. In so doing, she sets off a chain of events that affect a large group of people, and thus begins the plot of this story. Lucy is a trap. Though whether she is a conscious or unconscious part of the the trapping, remains to be seen. The home at which Lucy arrives belongs to The Oversight, an organization dedicated to upholding the Law and Lore of supranatural creatures (in simple terms they police the Fae in London). The five members of The Oversight, also called The Hand are the self proclaimed good guys and have dwindled quite a bit in numbers in recent years. Some would like to see that number dwindle even further, hence the trap.
As this book progresses we are privy to what is happening on both of the story, as well as in between. Watching the bad guys close in and the often unsuspecting good guys try to hold their line, continually increasing the intensity of the storytelling. Thankfully, the members of The Hand are really good at what they do. Although Lucy is the catalyst for the action in this book, she is only one of many players. Seeing all angles of this story, means continuously switching viewpoints and no main character. (Don't worry, there is a helpful cast list at the start of this book.)
However, this many people to follow, along with all the different plots attached to them, had me feeling at times like I was unable to grasp one thing. Especially in this first series installment, where so much of the larger puzzle was unknown. Though I knew all the pieces had a purpose, following so many at once meant it took me longer to emotionally attach to any one character. This is a requirement for me to fully enjoy a book, and thankfully, by the end of this installment, I was successful with some of them (some I decidedly want to stay away from). But it took a fair bit of the story to get there. There were also parts along the way that were a bit slow and left me itchy for something to happen, or stressed because the narration would change again just when something was about to occur. Even so, the storytelling method was very effective at heightening the tension in this book. It was like ever tightening cogs, that left you holding your breath for when the machine would all of a sudden take off (or explode).
The end of this book is exciting and solves some questions while leaving several open. We find out on which side most every character stands. Though there are still a very few unknowns. This is definitely a set up book in many ways, and I think it will be easier to engage in the next installment after learning all these characters. But as a whole I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a bit different from what I've read recently, so it felt fresh. And it's historical setting reminded me of the classics I used to read, so it also felt like a little bit of literary nostalgia. I very much liked that mix.
Love Triangle Factor: None. Very light romance. One obvious ship, and a few more maybes floating around.
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium - definitely sets up the story for more.
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
In this book there are a handful of good guys, a whole lot of scheming bad guys - both human and other, as well as many unknowns, including Lucy Harker the girl who begins it all. While reading The Oversight, I kept thinking that if Charles Dickens wanted to write about Fae, the book might have been set up something like this. Besides the very Dickensian 1840s London setting, we have quirky characters, many with names to match, a city teeming with people and fog, as well as a countryside with its meadows and mud, though no less perilous to danger and betrayals.
One fog filled night, the aforementioned Lucy arrives in a a sack, at a house on Wellclose Square in London. In so doing, she sets off a chain of events that affect a large group of people, and thus begins the plot of this story. Lucy is a trap. Though whether she is a conscious or unconscious part of the the trapping, remains to be seen. The home at which Lucy arrives belongs to The Oversight, an organization dedicated to upholding the Law and Lore of supranatural creatures (in simple terms they police the Fae in London). The five members of The Oversight, also called The Hand are the self proclaimed good guys and have dwindled quite a bit in numbers in recent years. Some would like to see that number dwindle even further, hence the trap.
As this book progresses we are privy to what is happening on both of the story, as well as in between. Watching the bad guys close in and the often unsuspecting good guys try to hold their line, continually increasing the intensity of the storytelling. Thankfully, the members of The Hand are really good at what they do. Although Lucy is the catalyst for the action in this book, she is only one of many players. Seeing all angles of this story, means continuously switching viewpoints and no main character. (Don't worry, there is a helpful cast list at the start of this book.)
However, this many people to follow, along with all the different plots attached to them, had me feeling at times like I was unable to grasp one thing. Especially in this first series installment, where so much of the larger puzzle was unknown. Though I knew all the pieces had a purpose, following so many at once meant it took me longer to emotionally attach to any one character. This is a requirement for me to fully enjoy a book, and thankfully, by the end of this installment, I was successful with some of them (some I decidedly want to stay away from). But it took a fair bit of the story to get there. There were also parts along the way that were a bit slow and left me itchy for something to happen, or stressed because the narration would change again just when something was about to occur. Even so, the storytelling method was very effective at heightening the tension in this book. It was like ever tightening cogs, that left you holding your breath for when the machine would all of a sudden take off (or explode).
The end of this book is exciting and solves some questions while leaving several open. We find out on which side most every character stands. Though there are still a very few unknowns. This is definitely a set up book in many ways, and I think it will be easier to engage in the next installment after learning all these characters. But as a whole I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a bit different from what I've read recently, so it felt fresh. And it's historical setting reminded me of the classics I used to read, so it also felt like a little bit of literary nostalgia. I very much liked that mix.
Love Triangle Factor: None. Very light romance. One obvious ship, and a few more maybes floating around.
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium - definitely sets up the story for more.
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
May 5, 2014
Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat
4 ½ Stars
The Oversight is the first book in the Oversight Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher.
The Oversight is an organization that for centuries has protected humans from supernatural beings. All members have both supranatural and human blood; this gives them a better understanding and power over the creatures they oversee.
The Oversight used to have hundreds of members, but after an accident thirty years back its numbers were drastically reduced and currently it only has five members, the minimum number of members for The Oversight to exist. The five are known as a Hand and the group is lead by Sarah Falk.
Since the accident that reduced their numbers they have been trying to recruit new members to no avail.
When a man comes to their door trying to sell them a girl they know they can’t not let her go, the girl is one of them and Sara as the leader of the Hand offers her her protection.
Lucy Harker doesn’t know what to think of the woman that is offering her shelter or of the other members of the household. She understands why some of them are not happy about her arrival to their house, she is also not sure of her new situation and something deep inside her tells her she’s there for a reason and they are right not to trust her. The blanks in her memory just confirm that there is something seriously wrong with her. The questions are what is wrong with her and how her presence in the house will affect The Oversight?
My first thought after reading The Oversight was “this book was magic” and that’s exactly what Charlie Fletcher accomplished with his words.
The Oversight starts slow, the first 20% is the setting of what it is to come. After that it takes off and moves at a perfect pace.
The characters are complex and diverse. We have the good guys, who we don’t know how good they really are, the villains and their secret motives and the supranatural beings that for centuries have been controlled by The Oversight and want the freedom they think they deserve.
The story is told from different POVs, that helps to see what’s going on all the different characters’ heads, but at the same time this makes the story a bit heavy. I found myself putting the book down for couple of minutes just to get a short respite between chapters.
Even though the multiple POVs can be seen as disruption to the flow it also helped to keep the tension and expectations high.
Fletcher’s talent brings to life the gothic Victorian era. His descriptions are so vivid and realistic it was very easy to picture the different settings, from the dark alleys of London to the life in a traveling circus. The world building is rich and complex with a mix of history and folklore that made it feel very original.
The plot is smart and unravels slowly, keeping us guessing and creating different theories about what it is to come. Page-by-page we discover something new and in almost all of the cases completely unexpected. Fletcher is a master storyteller with a gift for beautiful prose.
The end answers many questions but leaves others open to explore in books to come and for once, I can’t wait to see what else has Fletcher in store for The Oversight and the rest of the cast.
The Oversight is a beautifully written magical book with complex characters and a vivid and unique world. It is also a book I enjoyed reading tremendously and can’t recommend enough.
4 ½ Stars
The Oversight is the first book in the Oversight Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher.
The Oversight is an organization that for centuries has protected humans from supernatural beings. All members have both supranatural and human blood; this gives them a better understanding and power over the creatures they oversee.
The Oversight used to have hundreds of members, but after an accident thirty years back its numbers were drastically reduced and currently it only has five members, the minimum number of members for The Oversight to exist. The five are known as a Hand and the group is lead by Sarah Falk.
Since the accident that reduced their numbers they have been trying to recruit new members to no avail.
When a man comes to their door trying to sell them a girl they know they can’t not let her go, the girl is one of them and Sara as the leader of the Hand offers her her protection.
Lucy Harker doesn’t know what to think of the woman that is offering her shelter or of the other members of the household. She understands why some of them are not happy about her arrival to their house, she is also not sure of her new situation and something deep inside her tells her she’s there for a reason and they are right not to trust her. The blanks in her memory just confirm that there is something seriously wrong with her. The questions are what is wrong with her and how her presence in the house will affect The Oversight?
My first thought after reading The Oversight was “this book was magic” and that’s exactly what Charlie Fletcher accomplished with his words.
The Oversight starts slow, the first 20% is the setting of what it is to come. After that it takes off and moves at a perfect pace.
The characters are complex and diverse. We have the good guys, who we don’t know how good they really are, the villains and their secret motives and the supranatural beings that for centuries have been controlled by The Oversight and want the freedom they think they deserve.
The story is told from different POVs, that helps to see what’s going on all the different characters’ heads, but at the same time this makes the story a bit heavy. I found myself putting the book down for couple of minutes just to get a short respite between chapters.
Even though the multiple POVs can be seen as disruption to the flow it also helped to keep the tension and expectations high.
Fletcher’s talent brings to life the gothic Victorian era. His descriptions are so vivid and realistic it was very easy to picture the different settings, from the dark alleys of London to the life in a traveling circus. The world building is rich and complex with a mix of history and folklore that made it feel very original.
The plot is smart and unravels slowly, keeping us guessing and creating different theories about what it is to come. Page-by-page we discover something new and in almost all of the cases completely unexpected. Fletcher is a master storyteller with a gift for beautiful prose.
The end answers many questions but leaves others open to explore in books to come and for once, I can’t wait to see what else has Fletcher in store for The Oversight and the rest of the cast.
The Oversight is a beautifully written magical book with complex characters and a vivid and unique world. It is also a book I enjoyed reading tremendously and can’t recommend enough.
May 20, 2014
View the full review here:
http://www.iswimforoceans.org/2014/04...
There are a few times when, as a book blogger, I'm incredibly surprised at just how well a novel sneaks up on me and surprises me in the best possible way. In the case of The Oversight, we have a novel that is virtually unheard of in the young adult community, but manages to offer readers a full-bodied fantasy novel complete with great characters, a historical setting that's every bit alive as the magic within and prose that will keep you hooked until the very end. Charlie Fletcher's novel is sure to captivate fans of fantasy and historical fiction, alike.
The Oversight, rather than simply thrust readers into an unfamiliar world, allows us the time to grow within the story and understand the rich backstory that's provided. The secret Oversight society was created to prevent the merging of mundane and magical elements, and it carefully and articulately illustrates to readers the dire consequences if the two merge. I was quite amazed by the skill and ease at which Mr. Fletcher set the pacing of the novel. With a rich, clear tone, we're invited to a world that's mysterious, a tad broken, but one that's easy to become fully invested in, as well. Furthermore, the plot, the world and all the hidden secrets slowly but deliberately unfold, giving us access to the background and the mysteries within little by little.
It must be said that The Oversight puts much more emphasis and weight on the plot development than the character development, but that's not to say that our characters aren't every bit as important, as well. For example, the interactions between the last Hand of the Oversight and Lucy, an orphan girl who ends up on their doorstep through conspiratorial circumstances, make these characters every bit alive, as well. Lucy was a broken, shell of a character, but as the novel progresses, we better understand both her background and her worth. Likewise, Sara's journey is a complicated one, but it's one that's intricately woven into the plot points themselves, which makes for quite an adventure.
I think that, perhaps, one of my favourite aspects of The Oversight, is that it doesn't shy away from its gothic roots at all. Rather, this is the type of novel that embraces the darkness of its circumstance, and little by little bleeds light and hope into the story of its characters. From the dangers lurking in the dark, to the desperate duty of the Oversight to protect the human population, it's a muddled but delicious mess of darkness that readers will become utterly intoxicated by.
Overall, I must say that I was entirely surprised by The Oversight. This is the type of novel that you can't help but become invested in from the start - and it's the type of book that will take you by surprise. I truly hope it garners more attention because, though I didn't expect anything, I was blown away by it. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy gothic fantasy and magic.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
http://www.iswimforoceans.org/2014/04...
There are a few times when, as a book blogger, I'm incredibly surprised at just how well a novel sneaks up on me and surprises me in the best possible way. In the case of The Oversight, we have a novel that is virtually unheard of in the young adult community, but manages to offer readers a full-bodied fantasy novel complete with great characters, a historical setting that's every bit alive as the magic within and prose that will keep you hooked until the very end. Charlie Fletcher's novel is sure to captivate fans of fantasy and historical fiction, alike.
The Oversight, rather than simply thrust readers into an unfamiliar world, allows us the time to grow within the story and understand the rich backstory that's provided. The secret Oversight society was created to prevent the merging of mundane and magical elements, and it carefully and articulately illustrates to readers the dire consequences if the two merge. I was quite amazed by the skill and ease at which Mr. Fletcher set the pacing of the novel. With a rich, clear tone, we're invited to a world that's mysterious, a tad broken, but one that's easy to become fully invested in, as well. Furthermore, the plot, the world and all the hidden secrets slowly but deliberately unfold, giving us access to the background and the mysteries within little by little.
It must be said that The Oversight puts much more emphasis and weight on the plot development than the character development, but that's not to say that our characters aren't every bit as important, as well. For example, the interactions between the last Hand of the Oversight and Lucy, an orphan girl who ends up on their doorstep through conspiratorial circumstances, make these characters every bit alive, as well. Lucy was a broken, shell of a character, but as the novel progresses, we better understand both her background and her worth. Likewise, Sara's journey is a complicated one, but it's one that's intricately woven into the plot points themselves, which makes for quite an adventure.
I think that, perhaps, one of my favourite aspects of The Oversight, is that it doesn't shy away from its gothic roots at all. Rather, this is the type of novel that embraces the darkness of its circumstance, and little by little bleeds light and hope into the story of its characters. From the dangers lurking in the dark, to the desperate duty of the Oversight to protect the human population, it's a muddled but delicious mess of darkness that readers will become utterly intoxicated by.
Overall, I must say that I was entirely surprised by The Oversight. This is the type of novel that you can't help but become invested in from the start - and it's the type of book that will take you by surprise. I truly hope it garners more attention because, though I didn't expect anything, I was blown away by it. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy gothic fantasy and magic.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
December 15, 2014
Five Caffeinated reasons to listen to The Oversight
The tale is set in a Dickenson type London, and the writing is mesmerizing. Fletcher brings the world and characters to life using multiple perspectives. The story is rich in details, laced in magic and dark uncertainty.
The Oversight stands for the Free Company for the Regulation and Oversight of Recondite Exigency and Supernatural Lore. At one time, the Oversight was a powerful group numbering in the hundreds whose sole purpose was to keep the streets of London safe. A secret order that regulates and contains magic. Now, the membership has been reduced to five. These five make up the Hand, and without them, the Oversight would cease to exist allowing things to go unchecked. They are Sarah, Cook, Mr. Sharp, Hodge and the Smith. Sounds exciting right? I love the set up and secret agency.
Fletcher brilliantly takes us from the dangerous streets of London to a traveling Carney. Danger, fate, unknown factors and unique characters quickly draw us into each scene and I found myself caught up in everything from the sights to battling their enemies. While the pacing was slow in the beginning, the twists and unknown factor of Lucy Harbor, a girl who could end them or strengthen them kept me listening into the wee hours.
Each of the characters is unique, quirky and thoroughly fleshed out with just enough mystery to ensnare the reader. When Lucy is first introduced to the Oversight she realizes something is amiss. When Lucy touches things, she has visions, but until she meets Sarah, she believed herself to be crazy. Sarah who heads the Oversight believes that Lucy is a Glint, like herself. Lucy’s arrival sets of a series of events and raises questions as we are thrust into a tale. I found the premise utterly riveting.
There is a threat that exists in the shadows, one that can tip the scales spilling havoc into the world around us. It is this knowledge that gives the tale a suspenseful, dark feel even as the pace meanders. Despite intense spurts and than slower pacing I loved all of the details, suspense and unknowing of it all. The imagery was so impressive.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The tale is set in a Dickenson type London, and the writing is mesmerizing. Fletcher brings the world and characters to life using multiple perspectives. The story is rich in details, laced in magic and dark uncertainty.
The Oversight stands for the Free Company for the Regulation and Oversight of Recondite Exigency and Supernatural Lore. At one time, the Oversight was a powerful group numbering in the hundreds whose sole purpose was to keep the streets of London safe. A secret order that regulates and contains magic. Now, the membership has been reduced to five. These five make up the Hand, and without them, the Oversight would cease to exist allowing things to go unchecked. They are Sarah, Cook, Mr. Sharp, Hodge and the Smith. Sounds exciting right? I love the set up and secret agency.
Fletcher brilliantly takes us from the dangerous streets of London to a traveling Carney. Danger, fate, unknown factors and unique characters quickly draw us into each scene and I found myself caught up in everything from the sights to battling their enemies. While the pacing was slow in the beginning, the twists and unknown factor of Lucy Harbor, a girl who could end them or strengthen them kept me listening into the wee hours.
Each of the characters is unique, quirky and thoroughly fleshed out with just enough mystery to ensnare the reader. When Lucy is first introduced to the Oversight she realizes something is amiss. When Lucy touches things, she has visions, but until she meets Sarah, she believed herself to be crazy. Sarah who heads the Oversight believes that Lucy is a Glint, like herself. Lucy’s arrival sets of a series of events and raises questions as we are thrust into a tale. I found the premise utterly riveting.
There is a threat that exists in the shadows, one that can tip the scales spilling havoc into the world around us. It is this knowledge that gives the tale a suspenseful, dark feel even as the pace meanders. Despite intense spurts and than slower pacing I loved all of the details, suspense and unknowing of it all. The imagery was so impressive.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
zzz-books-not-for-me
January 27, 2016Stopped at 52%. Read from January 27 to 29, 2015
The Oversight is quite imaginative and the writing style is simply beautiful! I found the whole idea of a group of people with unnatural powers, living in Victorian England and sworn to protect the mundane world from the Magical to be rather exciting.
So, obviously, there must be something wrong with me, because everyone loves this book and I didn't even got to the end. The Oversight had a great beginning, intriguing plot, compelling characters, but around 10-20% the book became too confusing for me. The descriptions were excruciatingly long and pointless, the characters were constantly outsmarting each other so that there was little progress if any and the multiple POVs weren't really my thing.
There are so many 5 star reviews out there that made me wonder if something extraordinary is going to happen any minute now that would change my mind. And I kept going, nervously anticipating the moment that would redeem my 8 hours of listening to the audiobook.
The Oversight was not for me. You might like this book if you:
-enjoy books about Victorian England mixed with mystery and magic
-like reading about characters with different superpowers
-interesting magic system
-unpredictability, never knowing who is the good guy and who is the villain, who is outsmarting who and whether anything you are reading is relevant to the plot.
-don't mind long (and I mean it, LONG) descriptions that are quite beautifully written but more often irrelevant.
-don't get easily confused (like me) by large cast of characters and multiple POVsss.
If you want to read more about magical England I would recommend:
If you enjoy beautifully written descriptions, I would also recommend:
The Oversight is quite imaginative and the writing style is simply beautiful! I found the whole idea of a group of people with unnatural powers, living in Victorian England and sworn to protect the mundane world from the Magical to be rather exciting.
So, obviously, there must be something wrong with me, because everyone loves this book and I didn't even got to the end. The Oversight had a great beginning, intriguing plot, compelling characters, but around 10-20% the book became too confusing for me. The descriptions were excruciatingly long and pointless, the characters were constantly outsmarting each other so that there was little progress if any and the multiple POVs weren't really my thing.
There are so many 5 star reviews out there that made me wonder if something extraordinary is going to happen any minute now that would change my mind. And I kept going, nervously anticipating the moment that would redeem my 8 hours of listening to the audiobook.
The Oversight was not for me. You might like this book if you:
-enjoy books about Victorian England mixed with mystery and magic
-like reading about characters with different superpowers
-interesting magic system
-unpredictability, never knowing who is the good guy and who is the villain, who is outsmarting who and whether anything you are reading is relevant to the plot.
-don't mind long (and I mean it, LONG) descriptions that are quite beautifully written but more often irrelevant.
-don't get easily confused (like me) by large cast of characters and multiple POVsss.
If you want to read more about magical England I would recommend:
If you enjoy beautifully written descriptions, I would also recommend:
April 27, 2014
This review is based on an uncorrected proof.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of The Oversight, which I believe is the first adult title from Charlie Fletcher. Based on comments in the book, I believe the setting is the mid-1800s, in a London that is filled with the supranatural. The Oversight is the organization tasked with policing the supranatural and protecting the natural, i.e. regular humans. At the time the story begins, the Oversight is down to the Last Hand, five remaining members trying to protect the people of London.
I'll spare the plot details, and just focus on my impression of the book. Overall, I liked the book. Fletcher does a great job of showing, not telling when it comes to his setting and it was very easy to picture the London he describes. The characters are intriguing, with hints of mystery and backstory that are clearly being left for later volumes. The story itself is interesting, though the climax felt a bit rushed to me. I was surprised when the end came as quickly as it did - it really felt like another 20-30 pages was on the way, but no.
Fletcher is most definitely planning multiple books in this world, with plenty of plot lines left dangling, characters introduced who don't have much of a role, and at least two characters who are left to unknown fates. I'm sure one upcoming volume will deal with solving that mystery. He's also brought two new potential antagonists to light, both of whom must be dealt with at some point.
All in all, I liked this novel. The characters and setting were a little more highly rated than the plot, but it was an enjoyable and fairly quick read. I think it took me about three days in total.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of The Oversight, which I believe is the first adult title from Charlie Fletcher. Based on comments in the book, I believe the setting is the mid-1800s, in a London that is filled with the supranatural. The Oversight is the organization tasked with policing the supranatural and protecting the natural, i.e. regular humans. At the time the story begins, the Oversight is down to the Last Hand, five remaining members trying to protect the people of London.
I'll spare the plot details, and just focus on my impression of the book. Overall, I liked the book. Fletcher does a great job of showing, not telling when it comes to his setting and it was very easy to picture the London he describes. The characters are intriguing, with hints of mystery and backstory that are clearly being left for later volumes. The story itself is interesting, though the climax felt a bit rushed to me. I was surprised when the end came as quickly as it did - it really felt like another 20-30 pages was on the way, but no.
Fletcher is most definitely planning multiple books in this world, with plenty of plot lines left dangling, characters introduced who don't have much of a role, and at least two characters who are left to unknown fates. I'm sure one upcoming volume will deal with solving that mystery. He's also brought two new potential antagonists to light, both of whom must be dealt with at some point.
All in all, I liked this novel. The characters and setting were a little more highly rated than the plot, but it was an enjoyable and fairly quick read. I think it took me about three days in total.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews