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Deathly Insanity #1
Chasing Azrael
New Cover Edition
ISBN: 9780957368200
When Andee Tilbrook's husband died, her preoccupation with death turned to obsession. Thanks to her unique ability to commune with the dead, her husband remains all too close, yet never close enough. Mired in grief, she clings to James's spirit, slowly losing touch with the world, her friends, and any desire to continue living.
But when her friend Josh becomes the target of Natalya, a jealous, capricious and violent Russian beauty, Andee somehow finds the strength to free herself from her misery long enough to help him. They soon discover that Natalya is wanted by the police for her involvement in a series of grisly murders, and Andee is dragged into the inquiry by the same man who investigated her own husband's death.
Torn between new feelings for Josh, and fear that he might be involved in the murders that seem to threaten anyone who comes close, Andee must face the realities of her life, her past, and her very nature-and do it all in time to save her own life.
ISBN: 9780957368200
When Andee Tilbrook's husband died, her preoccupation with death turned to obsession. Thanks to her unique ability to commune with the dead, her husband remains all too close, yet never close enough. Mired in grief, she clings to James's spirit, slowly losing touch with the world, her friends, and any desire to continue living.
But when her friend Josh becomes the target of Natalya, a jealous, capricious and violent Russian beauty, Andee somehow finds the strength to free herself from her misery long enough to help him. They soon discover that Natalya is wanted by the police for her involvement in a series of grisly murders, and Andee is dragged into the inquiry by the same man who investigated her own husband's death.
Torn between new feelings for Josh, and fear that he might be involved in the murders that seem to threaten anyone who comes close, Andee must face the realities of her life, her past, and her very nature-and do it all in time to save her own life.
- GenresParanormal
366 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2014
5 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 27, 2016
Wow. Besides the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell, I have never read another book narrated by a character in her twenties or above. I definitely wasn't used to Andee's POV, but I grew to like it.
Chasing Azrael was an intriguing tale of death. I was hooked by the first chapter, especially the opening sentence. The flashbacks at the end of most chapters were fascinating and really provided a background to the story of Chasing Azrael.
Chasing Azrael was eternally twisted and full of plots. The mystery of Natalya was ongoing but there were also many other mini mysteries which kept me interested and hooked.
Chasing Azrael is definitely the ghost story I've read in a long time. Andrea Tilbrook sees ghosts, but that's not all. She denies her abilities like her mother, but then her life and the lives of her loved ones are in danger, and the only thing that might save her is her ability.
I really enjoyed Chasing Azrael, and I can't wait to read more form Hazel Butler.
Chasing Azrael was an intriguing tale of death. I was hooked by the first chapter, especially the opening sentence. The flashbacks at the end of most chapters were fascinating and really provided a background to the story of Chasing Azrael.
Chasing Azrael was eternally twisted and full of plots. The mystery of Natalya was ongoing but there were also many other mini mysteries which kept me interested and hooked.
Chasing Azrael is definitely the ghost story I've read in a long time. Andrea Tilbrook sees ghosts, but that's not all. She denies her abilities like her mother, but then her life and the lives of her loved ones are in danger, and the only thing that might save her is her ability.
I really enjoyed Chasing Azrael, and I can't wait to read more form Hazel Butler.
April 26, 2014
This book surprised me. I didn't expect to like Chasing Azrael very much - generally shying away from stories ghost-related, feeling that it's all been incredibly over-done, but I loved it!
The story is about a widow who is finding it difficult to move on with her life because she is visited by the ghost of her dead husband, among others. When her late-husband's best-friend - one of only a few people left that she cares for - begins a new relationship with a woman that Andee can't help but feel unnerved by, the events that follow force her to face some truths about herself and the people that she loves and propels her into the beginning of a personal metamorphosis.
I fell in love with the characters. Most-of-all the grumpy cat and the sassy best friend! The story is action-packed never leaving you bored, always with some hook that urges you to carry on reading. I read the entire book in two sittings, compelled by the storyline to keep reading and the ending leaves you satisfied and with an exciting promise for the future of the characters with more to come. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This book gave me food for thought - always a plus when a book makes you re-think your outlook on things. I found myself considering what exactly makes a strong female protagonist. I usually love books where the heroine goes around kicking people's butt's, but somehow Butler has created a main character that is a very strong woman without endowing her with super-strength or martial arts.
I would definitely recommend reading Chasing Azrael and I look forward to reading more from the Deathly Insanity series!
The story is about a widow who is finding it difficult to move on with her life because she is visited by the ghost of her dead husband, among others. When her late-husband's best-friend - one of only a few people left that she cares for - begins a new relationship with a woman that Andee can't help but feel unnerved by, the events that follow force her to face some truths about herself and the people that she loves and propels her into the beginning of a personal metamorphosis.
I fell in love with the characters. Most-of-all the grumpy cat and the sassy best friend! The story is action-packed never leaving you bored, always with some hook that urges you to carry on reading. I read the entire book in two sittings, compelled by the storyline to keep reading and the ending leaves you satisfied and with an exciting promise for the future of the characters with more to come. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This book gave me food for thought - always a plus when a book makes you re-think your outlook on things. I found myself considering what exactly makes a strong female protagonist. I usually love books where the heroine goes around kicking people's butt's, but somehow Butler has created a main character that is a very strong woman without endowing her with super-strength or martial arts.
I would definitely recommend reading Chasing Azrael and I look forward to reading more from the Deathly Insanity series!
May 3, 2014
Chasing Azrael
I read this book in one sitting. I’m lucky enough to have read a very early draft of the book, so I was aware of the character dynamics and relationships from the onset. I wish to add here that while I know the author, she is well aware that I wouldn’t write a favourable review if I didn’t enjoy the novel.
This book is definitely better than the draft I read.
Hazel has a unique authorial voice that reminded me (in places) of Joyce Carol Oates. There’s an ominous gothic tone that resonates in the background of the story - from the description of the architecture, the locations and the references to famous literature. The reader is never quite sure what might happen next and seemingly light sections of the novel takes dark and twisted turns.
Our protagonist Andee is difficult. She’s insular, unsure, highly intelligent and yet socially awkward. At times this makes empathising with her difficult, and as a reader I was unsure whether to admire her stoicism or to loathe her coldness. The first quarter of the novel kept me switching from these thoughts quite quickly, and it’s only when I started to piece together the flashbacks of her life with James (her dead husband) that I fell into the admiration camp.
Andee has had it rough. And that’s an understatement. It’s no wonder she comes across as prickly, and at one point she refers to herself as a hedgehog, which fits perfectly. It takes a lot to crack the surface of our ghost-seeing university lecturer, and I’m still not sure if any of her friends know the real Andee...
The story is a paranormal mystery. There are ghosts, Russian mythology and legends, murders, police investigations and angels of Death. I’ve heard from another reader that they felt this was more of a paranormal romance...errr....no. I won’t spoil the story, but if this is a romance then I’m quite concerned as to the mechanisms of their love-life! Let me reassure you, dear reader, that this is not for those that love the happy-ever-after endings whereby the sweet prince carries off the maiden into the sunset!
In relation to mythology, Hazel has done her research. There are snippets of The Snow Queen, the Seal of Solomon and other legendary creatures. For those that are new to Russian and Slavic folk stories and fairytales, Hazel gently explains the stories without info-dumping. I admired the natural flow of conversations between the characters and the pace of the book. As I mentioned at the start, I read this in one sitting and the only times I did stop for a bathroom break, I was stopping at a ‘good’ bit – a splash of humour, an indulgent picnic, a murder, a police interview where the darkness of a character’s past comes back to haunt them...delightful.
The characters are a mixed bag. Some I (obviously) preferred to others, but they were all well layered. No-one was truly good or evil – indicative, I like to think, of real life. Their character growth was good. I invested several hours reading the book and I came away feeling satisfied. The main story arc has a fine conclusion, but leaves the door open for other stories.
4.5* from me. Rounded up to 5 for the purposes of reviewing.
I read this book in one sitting. I’m lucky enough to have read a very early draft of the book, so I was aware of the character dynamics and relationships from the onset. I wish to add here that while I know the author, she is well aware that I wouldn’t write a favourable review if I didn’t enjoy the novel.
This book is definitely better than the draft I read.
Hazel has a unique authorial voice that reminded me (in places) of Joyce Carol Oates. There’s an ominous gothic tone that resonates in the background of the story - from the description of the architecture, the locations and the references to famous literature. The reader is never quite sure what might happen next and seemingly light sections of the novel takes dark and twisted turns.
Our protagonist Andee is difficult. She’s insular, unsure, highly intelligent and yet socially awkward. At times this makes empathising with her difficult, and as a reader I was unsure whether to admire her stoicism or to loathe her coldness. The first quarter of the novel kept me switching from these thoughts quite quickly, and it’s only when I started to piece together the flashbacks of her life with James (her dead husband) that I fell into the admiration camp.
Andee has had it rough. And that’s an understatement. It’s no wonder she comes across as prickly, and at one point she refers to herself as a hedgehog, which fits perfectly. It takes a lot to crack the surface of our ghost-seeing university lecturer, and I’m still not sure if any of her friends know the real Andee...
The story is a paranormal mystery. There are ghosts, Russian mythology and legends, murders, police investigations and angels of Death. I’ve heard from another reader that they felt this was more of a paranormal romance...errr....no. I won’t spoil the story, but if this is a romance then I’m quite concerned as to the mechanisms of their love-life! Let me reassure you, dear reader, that this is not for those that love the happy-ever-after endings whereby the sweet prince carries off the maiden into the sunset!
In relation to mythology, Hazel has done her research. There are snippets of The Snow Queen, the Seal of Solomon and other legendary creatures. For those that are new to Russian and Slavic folk stories and fairytales, Hazel gently explains the stories without info-dumping. I admired the natural flow of conversations between the characters and the pace of the book. As I mentioned at the start, I read this in one sitting and the only times I did stop for a bathroom break, I was stopping at a ‘good’ bit – a splash of humour, an indulgent picnic, a murder, a police interview where the darkness of a character’s past comes back to haunt them...delightful.
The characters are a mixed bag. Some I (obviously) preferred to others, but they were all well layered. No-one was truly good or evil – indicative, I like to think, of real life. Their character growth was good. I invested several hours reading the book and I came away feeling satisfied. The main story arc has a fine conclusion, but leaves the door open for other stories.
4.5* from me. Rounded up to 5 for the purposes of reviewing.
December 26, 2014
Chasing Azrael tells the story of Andee, a young archaeologist who sees ghosts – including that of her husband, who killed himself two years before the start of the story. Haunted by his spirit and unable to move on, Andee becomes obsessed with death and barely able to cope with the real world. She turns to her two best friends for support, but when one of them, Josh, becomes the target of a strange and dangerous woman wanted for several murders, Andee is dragged into the investigation.
Part ghost story and post mystery-thriller, Chasing Azrael is an intriguing and atmospheric read that evokes a distinctly gothic feel. The word that kept coming to mind when I was reading it was creeptastic. Creeptastic descriptions, creeptastic paranormal elements, creeptastic plot. Butler draws you into this dark yet strangely enchanting story that, while set in contemporary times, feels otherworldly. The references to angels of Death and other dark legends, the shadowy tone that envelopes the whole book, the twisted plot – it all comes together to form a sometimes disturbing yet overall entertaining read.
As a protagonist, Andee is relatable yet far from perfect. She's a brilliant university lecturer yet rather awkward and something of a loner. Her personality comes off as prickly and detached at times, yet it's understandable. After all, it can't be easy being haunted by the spirit of someone you love. All kinds of thoughts and emotions swirl beneath the surface, and yet it seems she reveals little of the real Andee to those around her.
All in all, Chasing Azrael is a creeptastic (that word! again!) paranormal mystery and contemporary gothic tale. There are romantic elements, and yet the story isn't an outright romance. I think this book will appeal to anyone who likes their books veiled in shadow and tinted black.
Part ghost story and post mystery-thriller, Chasing Azrael is an intriguing and atmospheric read that evokes a distinctly gothic feel. The word that kept coming to mind when I was reading it was creeptastic. Creeptastic descriptions, creeptastic paranormal elements, creeptastic plot. Butler draws you into this dark yet strangely enchanting story that, while set in contemporary times, feels otherworldly. The references to angels of Death and other dark legends, the shadowy tone that envelopes the whole book, the twisted plot – it all comes together to form a sometimes disturbing yet overall entertaining read.
As a protagonist, Andee is relatable yet far from perfect. She's a brilliant university lecturer yet rather awkward and something of a loner. Her personality comes off as prickly and detached at times, yet it's understandable. After all, it can't be easy being haunted by the spirit of someone you love. All kinds of thoughts and emotions swirl beneath the surface, and yet it seems she reveals little of the real Andee to those around her.
All in all, Chasing Azrael is a creeptastic (that word! again!) paranormal mystery and contemporary gothic tale. There are romantic elements, and yet the story isn't an outright romance. I think this book will appeal to anyone who likes their books veiled in shadow and tinted black.
April 25, 2014
Full disclosure: This book is written by a friend of mine, and the review is based on an advance copy.
A young archaeologist can see the spirits of the dead - including her husband who killed himself two years ago. She is barely coping with the support of her two best friends, but when one of them falls under the spell of a strange new woman and people begin to die, Ande has to try to come to terms both with her loss and her powers.
Reading a friend's work is often difficult, but after finishing the first few chapters that she gave me, I demanded the rest of the book immediately!
The most common complaints that I have about books is either that the plot doesn't make sense, or that I didn't care about the characters. Neither of these is a problem here. The main characters were well drawn and mostly likeable. Even when they show their flaws, I still wanted to know what happened to them, hoping all the time for a happy ending. Their actions are natural and the plot develops around them, gathering speed towards the climax. The resolution is fitting and flows logically from everything that has gone before. Some plot threads are left hanging, but I've been promised that they will be picked up and resolved as the series goes on.
Chasing Azrael kept my interest throughout, and at the end I still wanted to know more about the characters and what will happen to them in the future. What more need I say to recommend it?
A young archaeologist can see the spirits of the dead - including her husband who killed himself two years ago. She is barely coping with the support of her two best friends, but when one of them falls under the spell of a strange new woman and people begin to die, Ande has to try to come to terms both with her loss and her powers.
Reading a friend's work is often difficult, but after finishing the first few chapters that she gave me, I demanded the rest of the book immediately!
The most common complaints that I have about books is either that the plot doesn't make sense, or that I didn't care about the characters. Neither of these is a problem here. The main characters were well drawn and mostly likeable. Even when they show their flaws, I still wanted to know what happened to them, hoping all the time for a happy ending. Their actions are natural and the plot develops around them, gathering speed towards the climax. The resolution is fitting and flows logically from everything that has gone before. Some plot threads are left hanging, but I've been promised that they will be picked up and resolved as the series goes on.
Chasing Azrael kept my interest throughout, and at the end I still wanted to know more about the characters and what will happen to them in the future. What more need I say to recommend it?
July 10, 2014
Right... coherent thoughts. Um...
So, first up, probably the most defining feature of this book is the way it explores depression and bipolar disorder. The main character, Andee, deals with her own depression as well as her deceased husband's bipolar (although, he doesn't have that now he's a ghost... but he is still a bit of a douche - because that had nothing to do with the bipolar... that was just him).
But, it's OK... in sweeps the husband's best friend, Josh, who's had the decency to butt out for the two years since the tragic suicide of hubby, and not utter a word about his love of Andee that he's harboured for quite some time...
Instant book-boyfriend there, right? Right?! Just me? No... I think not.
OK. I'm risking talking this down with my tone. Thing is, I love the rough-around-the-edges-kind-of-bad-guy-comes-good main man. So, yes, I admit, Josh as a character was a major pull as far as my interest in this book goes.
But the whole storyline keeps you going. It's a who-dunnit complicated by the fact that ghosts are real and some of them can influence the world of the living... maybe even kill...
And I don't even want to go near any spoilery stuff. So, if you like something along the lines of paranormal-mystery with a good dollop of goth, and a dash of "Nooo! Don't let it be as the narrative is hinting it might be... MUST. KEEP. READING to find out!"... then, yeah, this might just be the book for you.
So, first up, probably the most defining feature of this book is the way it explores depression and bipolar disorder. The main character, Andee, deals with her own depression as well as her deceased husband's bipolar (although, he doesn't have that now he's a ghost... but he is still a bit of a douche - because that had nothing to do with the bipolar... that was just him).
But, it's OK... in sweeps the husband's best friend, Josh, who's had the decency to butt out for the two years since the tragic suicide of hubby, and not utter a word about his love of Andee that he's harboured for quite some time...
Instant book-boyfriend there, right? Right?! Just me? No... I think not.
OK. I'm risking talking this down with my tone. Thing is, I love the rough-around-the-edges-kind-of-bad-guy-comes-good main man. So, yes, I admit, Josh as a character was a major pull as far as my interest in this book goes.
But the whole storyline keeps you going. It's a who-dunnit complicated by the fact that ghosts are real and some of them can influence the world of the living... maybe even kill...
And I don't even want to go near any spoilery stuff. So, if you like something along the lines of paranormal-mystery with a good dollop of goth, and a dash of "Nooo! Don't let it be as the narrative is hinting it might be... MUST. KEEP. READING to find out!"... then, yeah, this might just be the book for you.
June 5, 2014
I could not put this book down. I stayed up past the witching hour reading this book on more than one occasion and was sorely tempted to just read the whole thing in one sitting, but my day job had other ideas (apparently they like their employees conscious).
At any rate, this was astoundingly well-written, one of the best written debut novels I’ve read in some time. The characters were engaging and realistic, nothing felt forced, the action was superb, and the pacing was just right. I loved the bits of mythology that were woven throughout the tale, but I would have been interested in seeing a bit more of the backstory on some of the ghosts (because I’m the curious type, not because I think it would help the story – it would probably bog it down if it were in there).
Honestly, late at night was the best time to read this book because there was quite a bit going on, which required a level of concentration I’m not usually afforded at my house. It doesn’t have a happily-ever-after ending, but that’s okay because I think the way it ended is the right way for the story to go.
All in all, this is another book I can’t recommend highly enough, and I can’t wait for the next book in the Deathly Insanity series to be released!
At any rate, this was astoundingly well-written, one of the best written debut novels I’ve read in some time. The characters were engaging and realistic, nothing felt forced, the action was superb, and the pacing was just right. I loved the bits of mythology that were woven throughout the tale, but I would have been interested in seeing a bit more of the backstory on some of the ghosts (because I’m the curious type, not because I think it would help the story – it would probably bog it down if it were in there).
Honestly, late at night was the best time to read this book because there was quite a bit going on, which required a level of concentration I’m not usually afforded at my house. It doesn’t have a happily-ever-after ending, but that’s okay because I think the way it ended is the right way for the story to go.
All in all, this is another book I can’t recommend highly enough, and I can’t wait for the next book in the Deathly Insanity series to be released!
October 28, 2014
What an odd book!
There is a murder, a mystery, and a girl who can see ghosts. Also a detective who looks like Sean Bean. All excellent qualities in any story.
The prose style is exquisite, the pacing is fast, and everything draws you through the story without you even realising it. There are some very serious issues dealt with, wrestled with, and taken hold of throughout and the author doesn't shy away from any of them.
The fact that the protagonist can see ghosts is treated as a very by-the-by issue for much of the novel. I found this refreshing. All too often you would have the character freaking out for a good five or six chapters, but here it is just sort of accepted and we can all get on with the story.
Andee is a very lovable character and you really find yourself rooting for her and I was punching the air when she told one of my least favourite characters to shove off. You go, girl!
All in all, as fantasy / horror / romance stories go, this is up there with the best of them.
There is a murder, a mystery, and a girl who can see ghosts. Also a detective who looks like Sean Bean. All excellent qualities in any story.
The prose style is exquisite, the pacing is fast, and everything draws you through the story without you even realising it. There are some very serious issues dealt with, wrestled with, and taken hold of throughout and the author doesn't shy away from any of them.
The fact that the protagonist can see ghosts is treated as a very by-the-by issue for much of the novel. I found this refreshing. All too often you would have the character freaking out for a good five or six chapters, but here it is just sort of accepted and we can all get on with the story.
Andee is a very lovable character and you really find yourself rooting for her and I was punching the air when she told one of my least favourite characters to shove off. You go, girl!
All in all, as fantasy / horror / romance stories go, this is up there with the best of them.
February 29, 2016
I kind of fell in love with Andee. Want to know why? She's weird and she isn't afraid to show it. She's damaged. She's smart. She's brave.
There are times that I wish that I could just insert myself in the story because the scary part about it is that this book is a sick mix of Edgar Allen Poe and some crazy mix of fantasy. I just can't get enough of this book.
Now personally, this whole book was a whole lot of crazy shite that I cannot even wrap my head around.
It's centered on European myths and it truly was a terrifying and different take on the books that I usually read. It still had its creepy love story in the background but I can't deny that this was an interesting book. With a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, I can say that if you love creepy books and urban myths and folklore, this is definitely a book for you.
There are times that I wish that I could just insert myself in the story because the scary part about it is that this book is a sick mix of Edgar Allen Poe and some crazy mix of fantasy. I just can't get enough of this book.
Now personally, this whole book was a whole lot of crazy shite that I cannot even wrap my head around.
It's centered on European myths and it truly was a terrifying and different take on the books that I usually read. It still had its creepy love story in the background but I can't deny that this was an interesting book. With a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, I can say that if you love creepy books and urban myths and folklore, this is definitely a book for you.
June 29, 2014
Immediately when I began reading this book drew me in. I feel in love with eh writing style, which is a little strange because I usually don't like wordy novels. Maybe it was the main character Andee. She is trapped in a pit of depression, wishing for death, but never really getting the courage to kill herself. It doesn't help that she can see and communicate with ghosts, and her dead husband has lingered, preventing her from truly moving on. Andee really made me feel for her through the entire book. There were a few points where I thought the story didn't make since, but they actually came together later in the story in some "whoa" moments. The plot was very well weaved. This book has a very Gothic feel to it and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good ghost story.
April 9, 2014
There are a few twists and turns in this one, a few of which I really didn't see coming. I will be honest, this isn't a book that I would ordinarily have chosen, but I know the author so I wanted to read it. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters feel believable, even those who are ghosts, and for the majority of the book the plot flows smoothly. the is one part where Andee & Robert are in the car (towards the end) talking to Lily on the phone, which feels a little rushed, but you can forgive one scene! Overall, I enjoyed it and will certainly read anything else that Hazel writes.
March 3, 2016
4.5 stars.
I received a copy from the author through Xpresso Book Tours for review as part of a Blog Tour.
Read my full review here:http://www.chocomeiske.com/2016/03/01...
Overall, an engrossing , suspenseful, atmospheric, somewhat dark and spooky tale, with quite a few unpredicitable often shocking twists and reveals, which translates into a highly entertaining and gripping read. I most definitely recommend this to those who like their tales suspenseful mixed with a a bit of spookiness, and their protaganists broken and flawed.
I received a copy from the author through Xpresso Book Tours for review as part of a Blog Tour.
Read my full review here:http://www.chocomeiske.com/2016/03/01...
Overall, an engrossing , suspenseful, atmospheric, somewhat dark and spooky tale, with quite a few unpredicitable often shocking twists and reveals, which translates into a highly entertaining and gripping read. I most definitely recommend this to those who like their tales suspenseful mixed with a a bit of spookiness, and their protaganists broken and flawed.
March 5, 2016
Chasing Azrael by Hazel Butler is a paranormal thriller with a little bit of romance thrown into the mix. Intriguing, and distinctly gothic, Chasing Azrael is a dark and haunting story.
Chasing Azrael is told in a first-person narrative. It is set in the UK, and there is a fair bit of colloquialisms. There is a lot of violence, mild sexual content, and a modicum of bad language. The plot is action packed and steadily proceeds at Mach 1 from the first page to the last. There is a long list of characters, and they are reasonably well developed.
Andrea, known as Andee to her friends, is an archaeologist and professor who sees and speaks with ghosts. She is a loner and rather prickly; she even refers to herself as a hedgehog. Her high intelligence is offset by her social awkwardness. She reveals little of herself to her friends and co-workers. Through flashbacks of her life with her late husband, James, readers glean some insight into Andee.
Robert McFarlan is a renowned detective from Wales. He is known not only for his case-solving abilities, but also for taking on rather peculiar cases. Coincidentally, Robert met Andee when her husband, James, committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. He is a calm, mature presence, and he openly accepts and encourages Andee’s ability to speak with the dead. I hope this very likable and interesting character has a bigger role in future books in the series.
I found Joshua, best friend to Andrea’s late husband, quite unlikable. Overall, I couldn’t find a reason to care about this character. He was so controlling of Andee, and he mocked her ability to see/speak with the dead. I couldn’t fathom why she tolerated him at all. Throughout the reading, I waffled between believing he was a good guy or a bad one. Andee’s other good friend, Lily, was my outright favorite character. She is a great blend of smart and sassy!
Chasing Azrael takes on a few heavy issues including grief, depression, and mental illness. The treatment isn’t disrespectful, and the author doesn’t delve too deeply into those issues.
In addition to mental health issues, ghosts, murders and police investigations, Butler includes some well-researched fairy tales, Russian folklore, and legend. These tales are expertly and organically included without feeling like a lecture or a data dump.
Chasing Azrael has a unique premise. It is well written and never boring. There is never a dull moment due to all that is packed into the story, and overall, I found it to be a good fright and a good read.
A 3.5 -4 star read for me.
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and author for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Visit the Book Junkie Reviews blog for more recommendations: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
Chasing Azrael is told in a first-person narrative. It is set in the UK, and there is a fair bit of colloquialisms. There is a lot of violence, mild sexual content, and a modicum of bad language. The plot is action packed and steadily proceeds at Mach 1 from the first page to the last. There is a long list of characters, and they are reasonably well developed.
Andrea, known as Andee to her friends, is an archaeologist and professor who sees and speaks with ghosts. She is a loner and rather prickly; she even refers to herself as a hedgehog. Her high intelligence is offset by her social awkwardness. She reveals little of herself to her friends and co-workers. Through flashbacks of her life with her late husband, James, readers glean some insight into Andee.
Robert McFarlan is a renowned detective from Wales. He is known not only for his case-solving abilities, but also for taking on rather peculiar cases. Coincidentally, Robert met Andee when her husband, James, committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. He is a calm, mature presence, and he openly accepts and encourages Andee’s ability to speak with the dead. I hope this very likable and interesting character has a bigger role in future books in the series.
I found Joshua, best friend to Andrea’s late husband, quite unlikable. Overall, I couldn’t find a reason to care about this character. He was so controlling of Andee, and he mocked her ability to see/speak with the dead. I couldn’t fathom why she tolerated him at all. Throughout the reading, I waffled between believing he was a good guy or a bad one. Andee’s other good friend, Lily, was my outright favorite character. She is a great blend of smart and sassy!
Chasing Azrael takes on a few heavy issues including grief, depression, and mental illness. The treatment isn’t disrespectful, and the author doesn’t delve too deeply into those issues.
In addition to mental health issues, ghosts, murders and police investigations, Butler includes some well-researched fairy tales, Russian folklore, and legend. These tales are expertly and organically included without feeling like a lecture or a data dump.
Chasing Azrael has a unique premise. It is well written and never boring. There is never a dull moment due to all that is packed into the story, and overall, I found it to be a good fright and a good read.
A 3.5 -4 star read for me.
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and author for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Visit the Book Junkie Reviews blog for more recommendations: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
March 18, 2016
I couldn't help but think of The Smurfs when I saw the title since Azrael is the name of Gargamel's cat. I do warn readers that you might need to make the text a little bigger since some might find it a bit small. The wonder of Kindle books. I've never read this author before but I really enjoyed it. I do wish that certain words would have had a brief definition at the bottom of the page. I know the A&E is like the ER but I forget what it means. The book starts shortly after the death of Andrea's husband. It is two years later and she's still trying to piece together her life which isn't helped by the fact that she can see ghosts including her dead husband. Snippets of what happened that night are sprinkled throughout although I think I might have preferred the book to have just started with the events that unfolded that night but that didn't stop me from reading.
I found this an easy book to read. I really like the friendships that Andrea has. So many books are really lacking in that department. I realize that it has to be hard to figure out what to put in a book and often the friendships are overlooked for other elements of the story. Lily thinks that Andrea might be having feelings for Josh so she's dealing with that while crazy stuff goes down with his latest girlfriend. Things get very strange when a body washes up on the beach. This is a crazy ride that is perfect for those who enjoy friendships in books and paranormal elements along with a twisty ride. Characters in this book also suffer from depression. So if depression or suicide are triggers for you steer clear of this book. I really enjoyed it and think fans of Patricia Cornwell will enjoy this book. I also like that Andee as her friends call her isn't afraid to be herself which is a bit weird but I find that to be what I like best about her. I think this series is off to a great start and I look forward to reading more.
Part of a book tour where I was sent an ebook to read and review.
http://www.ficgal.com/book-club/chasi...
I found this an easy book to read. I really like the friendships that Andrea has. So many books are really lacking in that department. I realize that it has to be hard to figure out what to put in a book and often the friendships are overlooked for other elements of the story. Lily thinks that Andrea might be having feelings for Josh so she's dealing with that while crazy stuff goes down with his latest girlfriend. Things get very strange when a body washes up on the beach. This is a crazy ride that is perfect for those who enjoy friendships in books and paranormal elements along with a twisty ride. Characters in this book also suffer from depression. So if depression or suicide are triggers for you steer clear of this book. I really enjoyed it and think fans of Patricia Cornwell will enjoy this book. I also like that Andee as her friends call her isn't afraid to be herself which is a bit weird but I find that to be what I like best about her. I think this series is off to a great start and I look forward to reading more.
Part of a book tour where I was sent an ebook to read and review.
http://www.ficgal.com/book-club/chasi...
March 28, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
To be fair, this book kept me reading until the end, after a string of books that I had to quit reading because the writing was just *that* bad or the story was just *that* boring. This book had a good concept, one that was genuinely interesting, but a lot of things also threw me off.
-It seemed like there was a major lack of editing in the beginning, and periodically throughout. The dialogue sometimes didn't follow naturally. There were random places where flowery vocabulary seemed thrown in that was not consistent with the rest of the writing style.
-I'm sure there exist 30+ year old women who dress like gothic lolitas, but... well, I would consider it a very weird rarity. Let alone doing so daily. This main character did. I'm sure some people would think that kind of weird is endearing, but I didn't. She also dealt with a very possessive, physically abusive, and severely depressed/bipolar husband. I felt for a while that she was a realistic picture of a depressed person, but it seemed to go out of the realm of realism as the book went on. I gave her a fair shot, but she, as another reviewer said, was very whiny and resorted to crying pretty much every chapter? She did go through a lot, granted, but it *still* seemed excessive.
-The two main male characters were Josh and James. I think one of the first things I was taught in my creative writing class in high school was not to have main characters with the same first letter of their names. A lot of people, myself included, start skimming names pretty quickly, and that always made it so I couldn't. In the beginning, it was distracting.
-The ending left me a little confused. It didn't seem properly built up to go the way it did, and there seemed to be very little explanation for some actions.
With some revisions, this book could easily go up 1-2 stars. To me, it just needs some attention to detail, better flow, and better character building in the case of Andee particularly.
To be fair, this book kept me reading until the end, after a string of books that I had to quit reading because the writing was just *that* bad or the story was just *that* boring. This book had a good concept, one that was genuinely interesting, but a lot of things also threw me off.
-It seemed like there was a major lack of editing in the beginning, and periodically throughout. The dialogue sometimes didn't follow naturally. There were random places where flowery vocabulary seemed thrown in that was not consistent with the rest of the writing style.
-I'm sure there exist 30+ year old women who dress like gothic lolitas, but... well, I would consider it a very weird rarity. Let alone doing so daily. This main character did. I'm sure some people would think that kind of weird is endearing, but I didn't. She also dealt with a very possessive, physically abusive, and severely depressed/bipolar husband. I felt for a while that she was a realistic picture of a depressed person, but it seemed to go out of the realm of realism as the book went on. I gave her a fair shot, but she, as another reviewer said, was very whiny and resorted to crying pretty much every chapter? She did go through a lot, granted, but it *still* seemed excessive.
-The two main male characters were Josh and James. I think one of the first things I was taught in my creative writing class in high school was not to have main characters with the same first letter of their names. A lot of people, myself included, start skimming names pretty quickly, and that always made it so I couldn't. In the beginning, it was distracting.
-The ending left me a little confused. It didn't seem properly built up to go the way it did, and there seemed to be very little explanation for some actions.
With some revisions, this book could easily go up 1-2 stars. To me, it just needs some attention to detail, better flow, and better character building in the case of Andee particularly.
March 3, 2016
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing which caught my attention was the book cover followed by the blurb. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was intrigued enough to take part in the blog tour. This is the first book I have read by Hazel Butler and she has made a very positive impact on me
I confess when I started the book, I wasn't enamoured with the setting and Andee's attitude. The first couple of pages almost had me turning back from reading it. But I am glad I proceeded because after the introduction of Natalya, there wasn't even one second to be bored. Andee's maudlin aura kind of grew of me as I came to know her. Both Andee and Josh have their own set of flaws but they suit the story very well.
The tale has a deathly taint to it and it is full of gothic atmosphere with the right amount of thrilling aspects. The plot is full of twists with the mysterious incidents and characters. The story is rich in various aspects and it has its set of tense moments. It was a very fast read and I was eagerly turning the pages to know the ending.
If you love to read a book of cross genres, then this will suit you with the right mix of paranormal, ghostly, mystery-thriller and mythological aspects. The author has caught my attention with her dark tale. And I look forward to trying her other books in the future.
My rating : 5/5
The first thing which caught my attention was the book cover followed by the blurb. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was intrigued enough to take part in the blog tour. This is the first book I have read by Hazel Butler and she has made a very positive impact on me
I confess when I started the book, I wasn't enamoured with the setting and Andee's attitude. The first couple of pages almost had me turning back from reading it. But I am glad I proceeded because after the introduction of Natalya, there wasn't even one second to be bored. Andee's maudlin aura kind of grew of me as I came to know her. Both Andee and Josh have their own set of flaws but they suit the story very well.
The tale has a deathly taint to it and it is full of gothic atmosphere with the right amount of thrilling aspects. The plot is full of twists with the mysterious incidents and characters. The story is rich in various aspects and it has its set of tense moments. It was a very fast read and I was eagerly turning the pages to know the ending.
If you love to read a book of cross genres, then this will suit you with the right mix of paranormal, ghostly, mystery-thriller and mythological aspects. The author has caught my attention with her dark tale. And I look forward to trying her other books in the future.
My rating : 5/5
January 18, 2018
Voici un roman qui m’intrigue. Non pas l’histoire mais le protagoniste.
Andee (aka Andrea) a perdu son mari lors d’un accident et depuis on a l’impression que la mort la poursuit.
Ouais, c’est un peu l’idée…
Andee me rappelle de loin Abby dans la série NCIS. Vous savez la scientifique qui est déjantée et gothique. Eh bien, c’est le même délire en moins délirant. En effet, Andee est une gothique lolita qui bosse dans la police en tant qu’archéologue, et surtout elle est… fermée sur elle-même.
Elle ne m’intéresse pas trop comme personnage, elle est là parce que c’est l’héroïne de l’histoire mais sans plus. Par contre, il y a un personnage qui m’intéresse et c’est une russe du nom de Natalya. Complètement déjantée cette meuf. Pour l’instant , partout où elle passe la mort n’est pas loin sauf qu’à la différence d’Andee, elle donne l’impression de la provoquer.
Sinon, d’un point de vue histoire, l’ensemble n’est pas mauvais. On est entrainé entre le passé et le présent. Entre la pseudo course poursuite entre Natalya et Andee. Et surtout, il y a un truc qui me chiffonne, c’est l’apparition de créatures magiques. Est-ce un délire d’Andee ou une réalité ? Suspense.
Hazel Butler est une écrivaine qui a du talent, mais j’aimerais qu’elle dynamise un peu plus son protagoniste.
Andee (aka Andrea) a perdu son mari lors d’un accident et depuis on a l’impression que la mort la poursuit.
Ouais, c’est un peu l’idée…
Andee me rappelle de loin Abby dans la série NCIS. Vous savez la scientifique qui est déjantée et gothique. Eh bien, c’est le même délire en moins délirant. En effet, Andee est une gothique lolita qui bosse dans la police en tant qu’archéologue, et surtout elle est… fermée sur elle-même.
Elle ne m’intéresse pas trop comme personnage, elle est là parce que c’est l’héroïne de l’histoire mais sans plus. Par contre, il y a un personnage qui m’intéresse et c’est une russe du nom de Natalya. Complètement déjantée cette meuf. Pour l’instant , partout où elle passe la mort n’est pas loin sauf qu’à la différence d’Andee, elle donne l’impression de la provoquer.
Sinon, d’un point de vue histoire, l’ensemble n’est pas mauvais. On est entrainé entre le passé et le présent. Entre la pseudo course poursuite entre Natalya et Andee. Et surtout, il y a un truc qui me chiffonne, c’est l’apparition de créatures magiques. Est-ce un délire d’Andee ou une réalité ? Suspense.
Hazel Butler est une écrivaine qui a du talent, mais j’aimerais qu’elle dynamise un peu plus son protagoniste.
March 10, 2016
I was asked for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
I had a very hard time with this book. I don't know if it was me, the book, or a combination of the two. It felt disjointed. I felt lost throughout the majority of the story because everything and everyone seemed disconnected. I couldn't relate or feel for the main character. I wasn't pulled into this book and was definitely able to put it down.
Andee is a college professor that has recently lost her husband. She sees the spirits of the dead that have not moved on. Her husband is one of those spirits. Andee gets pulled further into the world of the dead with her desire to see her husband. When her best friend Josh becomes the target of a Russian beauty set on ruining his world, Andee tries to find out why. She uses her ability to commune with the dead to help a police detective find the killer.
I hope to read other books by Hazel Butler. I hope that this book was not an indication of all of her writing.
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
I had a very hard time with this book. I don't know if it was me, the book, or a combination of the two. It felt disjointed. I felt lost throughout the majority of the story because everything and everyone seemed disconnected. I couldn't relate or feel for the main character. I wasn't pulled into this book and was definitely able to put it down.
Andee is a college professor that has recently lost her husband. She sees the spirits of the dead that have not moved on. Her husband is one of those spirits. Andee gets pulled further into the world of the dead with her desire to see her husband. When her best friend Josh becomes the target of a Russian beauty set on ruining his world, Andee tries to find out why. She uses her ability to commune with the dead to help a police detective find the killer.
I hope to read other books by Hazel Butler. I hope that this book was not an indication of all of her writing.
March 2, 2016
Azrael is often associated with the Angel of Death – thus we find the angelnarrator chased Azrael after her husband died but was prevented from committing suicide like her husband by a police officer. And a Sean Bean look alike.
But, Andee is an unusual person in that she can see and talk with ghosts. In fact all of her life she is surrounded by these ghosts, who may need her to undertake tasks to free from their place in the world perhaps? Or maybe they are just lonely? It is unclear as the story begins.
What we do have are some very unusual characters with perhaps some demonic possession. A tensely written narrative and paranormal fantasy as the norm including folk tales and some people who could be mentally ill – or not. You must decide.
An very interesting read that captivates the reader and pulls you into the strange world that the characters inhabit.
A book given for honest review by Xpresso Book Tours.
But, Andee is an unusual person in that she can see and talk with ghosts. In fact all of her life she is surrounded by these ghosts, who may need her to undertake tasks to free from their place in the world perhaps? Or maybe they are just lonely? It is unclear as the story begins.
What we do have are some very unusual characters with perhaps some demonic possession. A tensely written narrative and paranormal fantasy as the norm including folk tales and some people who could be mentally ill – or not. You must decide.
An very interesting read that captivates the reader and pulls you into the strange world that the characters inhabit.
A book given for honest review by Xpresso Book Tours.
December 21, 2016
There are a few twists and turns in this one, a few of which I really didn't see coming. I will be honest, this isn't a book that I would ordinarily have chosen, but I know the author so I wanted to read it. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters feel believable, even those who are ghosts, and for the majority of the book the plot flows smoothly. the is one part where Andee & Robert are in the car (towards the end) talking to Lily on the phone, which feels a little rushed, but you can forgive one scene! Overall, I enjoyed it and will certainly read anything else that Hazel writes.
September 11, 2014
Was recommended this by a publisher whose books I enjoy. It is not a bad read, but I could not engage with the main character at all. She is whiny, self obsessed, arrogant and simply unlikeable. The writing is solid but in places goes too flowery and attempts to be clever.
The folklore is excellent and includes well detailed and researched myths and legends. That's what kept my attention.
Enjoyable, but did not wow me.
The folklore is excellent and includes well detailed and researched myths and legends. That's what kept my attention.
Enjoyable, but did not wow me.
May 9, 2016
Holy Hogwarts! A cross betwixt Dexter and the Ghost Whisperer!
It took me a while to get to this book. When I did it took me a longer while to get into it: Psychological aberrations, traumas and toxic relationships are too close to home for comfort.It seemed like catharsis under the guise of horror fantasy. However, it was a good story and a good jump off point for a series. I'll see how the next offering goes...
It took me a while to get to this book. When I did it took me a longer while to get into it: Psychological aberrations, traumas and toxic relationships are too close to home for comfort.It seemed like catharsis under the guise of horror fantasy. However, it was a good story and a good jump off point for a series. I'll see how the next offering goes...
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