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Roulette
As the teen suicide rate in Coral Beach starts to climb astronomically fast, Xander travels to Los Angeles to fight his most terrifying adversary yet… and learns that the only thing worse than looking for release… is finding it.
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“LeDrew provides his typical pro-level pacing: a few early scenes involving the then-unnamed threat were pitch-perfect. Never a one-note novel, we are treated to moments of sadness and elation, fear and relief. Engen Books always explore a wider range than their base classification would suggest.”
Jay Paulin, Ink’d Well Comics, October 2011
“LeDrew’s work is horror that emerges from the urban fantasy tradition — the introduction of a fantastical element into a true-to-life, modern setting.”
The Telegram, Aug 13, 2010
“I’m getting to be very fond of these books .”
The Northeast Avalon Times, January 2010
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“LeDrew provides his typical pro-level pacing: a few early scenes involving the then-unnamed threat were pitch-perfect. Never a one-note novel, we are treated to moments of sadness and elation, fear and relief. Engen Books always explore a wider range than their base classification would suggest.”
Jay Paulin, Ink’d Well Comics, October 2011
“LeDrew’s work is horror that emerges from the urban fantasy tradition — the introduction of a fantastical element into a true-to-life, modern setting.”
The Telegram, Aug 13, 2010
“I’m getting to be very fond of these books .”
The Northeast Avalon Times, January 2010
273 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2009
44 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Ledrew
70 books63 followersMatthew LeDrew has written over twenty novels, some of which have gone on to become Canadian and international bestsellers.
Since 2007 he has traveled all over Canada promoting his work as well as teaching seminars on writing and publishing.
He currently holds a Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation Grant and an ArtsNL Professional Projects Grant for the completion of his first two Newfoundland-set novels, a treasure-hunt novel and a literary fiction novel exploring toxicity within the Newfoundland arts scene, respectively.
He holds an Honours Degree in English from the Memorial University of Newfoundland with a minor in Anthropology. He studied Journalism at College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville, Newfoundland. He has worked with Transcontinental Publishing as well as student-youth magazine The Troubadour.
He has been called "the face of Newfoundland Genre writing" and is one of the most successful authors working and living in his province today.
Since 2007 he has traveled all over Canada promoting his work as well as teaching seminars on writing and publishing.
He currently holds a Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation Grant and an ArtsNL Professional Projects Grant for the completion of his first two Newfoundland-set novels, a treasure-hunt novel and a literary fiction novel exploring toxicity within the Newfoundland arts scene, respectively.
He holds an Honours Degree in English from the Memorial University of Newfoundland with a minor in Anthropology. He studied Journalism at College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville, Newfoundland. He has worked with Transcontinental Publishing as well as student-youth magazine The Troubadour.
He has been called "the face of Newfoundland Genre writing" and is one of the most successful authors working and living in his province today.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2017
In Matthew LeDrew’s Roulette (Engen Books, 2009), the fourth Black Womb novel,
we are partially treated to a new locale and the beginnings of new mysteries for the Coral Beach crew. On the other hand, we have similar elements as before: intrigue, suspicious organizations and motives, murder, drama and – of course – plucky teens. It all adds up to another strong release in the Black Womb saga.
Still aching from the collapse of his entire world, Alexander ‘Xander’ Drew is finally (somewhat) in control of the lab-created beast that resides within: the Black Womb. Less wild monster and more anti-hero, the Black Womb is slowly becoming a cross between Marvel Comics’ Venom and Punisher characters. This is fine by me!
Xander, best friends Mike Harris and Cathy Kennessy, and a handful of other students are flown across the country to Los Angeles to help remind them that in spite of their pain, there is a wide world that stands before them. At least, that’s one reason the kids are flown there, but I digress. Anyhow, during their visit, Xander feels overwhelmed by ‘the Womb’ and eventually succumbs to the transformation. It seems something was ‘calling’ to him and – surprise, surprise – learns he is not the only one with creepy powers: a T1000-like character called ‘Black Heart/Blackheart’ provides a serious threat and also sows a seed for LeDrew to address in the upcoming Black Womb novels.
Back in Coral Beach – specifically neighbouring dump Coral Cove, it seems kids just can’t stay alive. Returning home, Xander needs to ensure he isn’t responsible and, if not, discover the true culprit. Although I primarily outline the first half here, the second section was very entertaining and provided some of my favourite sections. Due to its tight focus, I shall avoid spoilers by simply saying that Xander has a really questionable – and dangerous – social circle.
I have described the series in the past as a mature, violent, real world Scooby-Doo and that is in no means a disparaging remark. The fact that there are multiple mysteries this time, and varying levels of scope, make this a riveting read. LeDrew provides his typical pro-level pacing: a few early scenes involving the then-unnamed threat were pitch-perfect. Never a one-note novel, we are treated to moments of sadness and elation, fear and relief. Engen Books always explore a wider range than their base classification would suggest, a point LeDrew touches on in his introduction.
There are a few negatives, unfortunately, and I’ll start with one that is subjective: I enjoyed seeing multiple storylines and a new setting and appreciate that LeDrew is setting up the next arc. I will definitely concede that both parts were interesting. On the other hand, it seems as if elements in the first half were underdeveloped. Perhaps a bit more could’ve been given to us so the shift wasn’t so sudden. On a similar note, there are many thread points in this novel and I suggest some dividing line or image (similar what LeDrew and Ellen Curtis used in Infinity) for when the plot jumps.
On the bright side, in spite of my qualms above, both sections are entertaining – for different reasons. Even better, LeDrew gets to explore the depths of his world and characters.
Speaking of characters, other than Kennessy and Julie Peterson, both of whom were both annoying at times, LeDrew shows his usual flair for establishing voices and personalities. Actually, some of the best parts of Roulette involved new faces. Amanda ‘Mandy’ Peterson is a gem and could probably carry a story on her own. In addition, while this a series where the teens are the stars, the author casts a spotlight on a few adults and again demonstrates his knack for situational dialogue.
There are a additional few clunky parts that, in all honesty, can be easily modified or outright scrapped without changing anything important. I have mentioned medical scenes in previous reviews and there is a bizarre scene here that prompted two questions: Why does this small, dumpy town even have a morgue when the bodies would’ve been sent to the neighbouring city instead? Furthermore, how did two teens get inside to poke and prod the bodies? There is also a cringe-worthy moment involving Black Heart (for spoiler reasons, I won’t divulge additional details) where I actually stopped for a few moments to properly digest what I had read.
These are especially disappointing when considering that otherwise, this is the LeDrew’s tightest solo release yet. Yes, there is the continued absence of an editor but even then, there are less extraneous details and typographical errors than the first three novels. Attention LeDrew, if you ever read this: I am not always available but when I am, I work cheap!
In the introduction, we learn this was written during the author’s college days. Seeing his newer stuff (e.g. Infinity, More Sci-Fi From the Rock), I can state – fairly confidently – that these flaws will fade in the Black Womb series over time.
we are partially treated to a new locale and the beginnings of new mysteries for the Coral Beach crew. On the other hand, we have similar elements as before: intrigue, suspicious organizations and motives, murder, drama and – of course – plucky teens. It all adds up to another strong release in the Black Womb saga.
Still aching from the collapse of his entire world, Alexander ‘Xander’ Drew is finally (somewhat) in control of the lab-created beast that resides within: the Black Womb. Less wild monster and more anti-hero, the Black Womb is slowly becoming a cross between Marvel Comics’ Venom and Punisher characters. This is fine by me!
Xander, best friends Mike Harris and Cathy Kennessy, and a handful of other students are flown across the country to Los Angeles to help remind them that in spite of their pain, there is a wide world that stands before them. At least, that’s one reason the kids are flown there, but I digress. Anyhow, during their visit, Xander feels overwhelmed by ‘the Womb’ and eventually succumbs to the transformation. It seems something was ‘calling’ to him and – surprise, surprise – learns he is not the only one with creepy powers: a T1000-like character called ‘Black Heart/Blackheart’ provides a serious threat and also sows a seed for LeDrew to address in the upcoming Black Womb novels.
Back in Coral Beach – specifically neighbouring dump Coral Cove, it seems kids just can’t stay alive. Returning home, Xander needs to ensure he isn’t responsible and, if not, discover the true culprit. Although I primarily outline the first half here, the second section was very entertaining and provided some of my favourite sections. Due to its tight focus, I shall avoid spoilers by simply saying that Xander has a really questionable – and dangerous – social circle.
I have described the series in the past as a mature, violent, real world Scooby-Doo and that is in no means a disparaging remark. The fact that there are multiple mysteries this time, and varying levels of scope, make this a riveting read. LeDrew provides his typical pro-level pacing: a few early scenes involving the then-unnamed threat were pitch-perfect. Never a one-note novel, we are treated to moments of sadness and elation, fear and relief. Engen Books always explore a wider range than their base classification would suggest, a point LeDrew touches on in his introduction.
There are a few negatives, unfortunately, and I’ll start with one that is subjective: I enjoyed seeing multiple storylines and a new setting and appreciate that LeDrew is setting up the next arc. I will definitely concede that both parts were interesting. On the other hand, it seems as if elements in the first half were underdeveloped. Perhaps a bit more could’ve been given to us so the shift wasn’t so sudden. On a similar note, there are many thread points in this novel and I suggest some dividing line or image (similar what LeDrew and Ellen Curtis used in Infinity) for when the plot jumps.
On the bright side, in spite of my qualms above, both sections are entertaining – for different reasons. Even better, LeDrew gets to explore the depths of his world and characters.
Speaking of characters, other than Kennessy and Julie Peterson, both of whom were both annoying at times, LeDrew shows his usual flair for establishing voices and personalities. Actually, some of the best parts of Roulette involved new faces. Amanda ‘Mandy’ Peterson is a gem and could probably carry a story on her own. In addition, while this a series where the teens are the stars, the author casts a spotlight on a few adults and again demonstrates his knack for situational dialogue.
There are a additional few clunky parts that, in all honesty, can be easily modified or outright scrapped without changing anything important. I have mentioned medical scenes in previous reviews and there is a bizarre scene here that prompted two questions: Why does this small, dumpy town even have a morgue when the bodies would’ve been sent to the neighbouring city instead? Furthermore, how did two teens get inside to poke and prod the bodies? There is also a cringe-worthy moment involving Black Heart (for spoiler reasons, I won’t divulge additional details) where I actually stopped for a few moments to properly digest what I had read.
These are especially disappointing when considering that otherwise, this is the LeDrew’s tightest solo release yet. Yes, there is the continued absence of an editor but even then, there are less extraneous details and typographical errors than the first three novels. Attention LeDrew, if you ever read this: I am not always available but when I am, I work cheap!
In the introduction, we learn this was written during the author’s college days. Seeing his newer stuff (e.g. Infinity, More Sci-Fi From the Rock), I can state – fairly confidently – that these flaws will fade in the Black Womb series over time.
July 8, 2017
I received this book as part of a goodreads giveaway. Thanks! My opinions are my own.
I read this novel as a stand alone, and was thoroughly impressed. The characters were very relatable, even though I didn't have their background story. I found myself geeking out every time I got to open this book. I loved it. I'm going to have to start the series from the beginning.
Alas- I'm spitefully docking you half a star for how hard it is to find these books in Saskatchewan. :P
I read this novel as a stand alone, and was thoroughly impressed. The characters were very relatable, even though I didn't have their background story. I found myself geeking out every time I got to open this book. I loved it. I'm going to have to start the series from the beginning.
Alas- I'm spitefully docking you half a star for how hard it is to find these books in Saskatchewan. :P
August 16, 2017
Loved this book, now searching for the earlier ones in the series.
May 30, 2015
Things take quite the interesting turn here. Despite terrible things happening, for once a lot of it seems to be in the background and hint at things to come later rather then throwing the main characters for a loop time and time again. You get a better feeling for the people who have been struggling all this time and a new appreciation for the strength that some of them possess. It has a feel as though it's the calm before the storm.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews