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The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé
A demon.
A past life bargain.
One week to stop a possession.
Some mistakes last a lifetime. Others last two.
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission.
Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views.
But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
This stand-alone novel set in the Fallen Redemption universe extends the series to modern day. Enter a world where humans reincarnate, demons interfere in daily life, and the currents of fate carry us all to our destinies. Fans of The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, and Rosemary’s Baby will love this gripping novel by science fiction and fantasy author Samantha L. Strong.
A past life bargain.
One week to stop a possession.
Some mistakes last a lifetime. Others last two.
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission.
Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views.
But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
This stand-alone novel set in the Fallen Redemption universe extends the series to modern day. Enter a world where humans reincarnate, demons interfere in daily life, and the currents of fate carry us all to our destinies. Fans of The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, and Rosemary’s Baby will love this gripping novel by science fiction and fantasy author Samantha L. Strong.
- GenresFantasyLGBTParanormal
ebook
First published October 3, 2016
About the author
Samantha L. Strong
12 books95 followersSamantha L. Strong (formerly S. L. Saboviec) writes dark and beautiful sci-fi and fantasy stories about complicated characters. Like many Elder Millennials, she’d like to become an herbalist and live in an abandoned (and probably haunted) nunnery somewhere far away from people. She loves drawing sigils on everything, growing plants, and playing with her three adorable daughters.
Samantha’s short fiction has appeared in Amazing Stories, AE, and elsewhere. She has three novels out about angels and demons: the first two and a companion novel in her Fallen Redemption trilogy. She’s also the Reprint Editor and has been a slush reader since 2016 at Flash Fiction Online. Find out more about her writing at www.samanthalstrong.com.
Beating the odds against metastatic breast cancer since 2017.
Samantha’s short fiction has appeared in Amazing Stories, AE, and elsewhere. She has three novels out about angels and demons: the first two and a companion novel in her Fallen Redemption trilogy. She’s also the Reprint Editor and has been a slush reader since 2016 at Flash Fiction Online. Find out more about her writing at www.samanthalstrong.com.
Beating the odds against metastatic breast cancer since 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 23, 2020
Rep: Black lesbian mc, wlw side character
CWs: torture, homophobia
CWs: torture, homophobia
September 27, 2016
Full of twists and turns that will keep you flipping the pages...
This story was fast-paced and really engaging, with a touch of a horror feel. I adored the characters, especially Zoe. The world is written in such vivid detail that you feel like you’re a part of it. None of this should come as a surprise though, because the author is truly talented at writing stories that draw you in and make you feel as though the worlds and characters actually do exist. And she just might have you checking over your shoulder for guardians and demons, too.
This story was fast-paced and really engaging, with a touch of a horror feel. I adored the characters, especially Zoe. The world is written in such vivid detail that you feel like you’re a part of it. None of this should come as a surprise though, because the author is truly talented at writing stories that draw you in and make you feel as though the worlds and characters actually do exist. And she just might have you checking over your shoulder for guardians and demons, too.
September 21, 2017
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé by S.L. Saboviec is a stand alone novel set in the same world as the Fallen Redemtion series (which I have not read).
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission. Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views. But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé is a story with an interesting premise and a diverse, if not slightly twisted, cast of characters. It is a supernatural thriller that also deals with homophobia and the related issues in the church, and society in general. I liked that no one seemed to be written as a token character to fit the desire to be diverse, they just happened to be who they were. That is not always how the characters seem, but it did play completely organic which I liked. Scarlet was a well written character, and while her stubborn nature is key to the story, she frustrated me on several occasions as well. Although I have to admit that Father Angelo and Zoe were my favorite characters in the book, much more so than Scarlet. I found Zoe's voice to be much stronger and more engaging than Scarlet's, and I thought Angelo's character was very compelling and I was much more engaged with his well being than Scarlet's.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé just did not grab me. Perhaps if I had read the related series I would have enjoyed it more, or maybe my reading style and the author's writing style do not compliment each other. However, I can think of so many readers that would enjoy this read and that I would happily recommend it to.
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission. Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views. But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé is a story with an interesting premise and a diverse, if not slightly twisted, cast of characters. It is a supernatural thriller that also deals with homophobia and the related issues in the church, and society in general. I liked that no one seemed to be written as a token character to fit the desire to be diverse, they just happened to be who they were. That is not always how the characters seem, but it did play completely organic which I liked. Scarlet was a well written character, and while her stubborn nature is key to the story, she frustrated me on several occasions as well. Although I have to admit that Father Angelo and Zoe were my favorite characters in the book, much more so than Scarlet. I found Zoe's voice to be much stronger and more engaging than Scarlet's, and I thought Angelo's character was very compelling and I was much more engaged with his well being than Scarlet's.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé just did not grab me. Perhaps if I had read the related series I would have enjoyed it more, or maybe my reading style and the author's writing style do not compliment each other. However, I can think of so many readers that would enjoy this read and that I would happily recommend it to.
May 28, 2018
I'm a sucker for any story that can take a well-worn idea and put a fresh spin on it. The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose is the story of, well, Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose, who is aware of her impending possession, Exorcist-style, and she's determined to do something about it. To that end she seeks out exorcist Father Angelo Ambrosio to find out why the demon is targeting her and what can be done about it.
Scarlet is definitely the best thing about this book. Gay women, women of colour, and indeed gay women of colour are rarely seen in genre fiction, and usually dismissed as tokens - because, I always suspected, they're dismissed as being there to tick boxes by people who then refuse to see any deeper characterisation. Scarlet is a tough, no-nonsense, middle-finger to all of that. She's a flawed, complex character with a troubled but nonetheless loving family life with her wife and daughter, who go through the same strains as any family. We don't know how much of the strife going on at home is the demon's influence at work, and how much is down to Scarlet's own neuroses and her past issues with her wife - and that's a proper stroke of genius.
Not every character is quite as well-drawn. Father Angelo and his old mentor are great co-leads, but Angelo's assistant at the church is a one-dimensional homophobic strawman. His dialogue is just so damn forced that I can't even take him seriously enough to hate him, and it feels glaringly out of place in a book that's otherwise so nuanced and thoughtful.
One other thing - the ending. I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a certain pervasive trope involving LGBT characters that gets a lot of well-deserved flak. For me, this didn't feel like an example of that trope because it's the culmination of Scarlet's own story and decisions, but I could see someone else reacting differently, and I really couldn't blame them. Other people have written about this more articulately and with more insight than I could, so that's all I'll say on the subject.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose is less of a fantasy, and more the story of one woman taking control of her life and overcoming her demons, literal and otherwise. The strength of its main character would be enough on its own to recommend it, but it's also a tense, atmospheric and affecting horror story.
Scarlet is definitely the best thing about this book. Gay women, women of colour, and indeed gay women of colour are rarely seen in genre fiction, and usually dismissed as tokens - because, I always suspected, they're dismissed as being there to tick boxes by people who then refuse to see any deeper characterisation. Scarlet is a tough, no-nonsense, middle-finger to all of that. She's a flawed, complex character with a troubled but nonetheless loving family life with her wife and daughter, who go through the same strains as any family. We don't know how much of the strife going on at home is the demon's influence at work, and how much is down to Scarlet's own neuroses and her past issues with her wife - and that's a proper stroke of genius.
Not every character is quite as well-drawn. Father Angelo and his old mentor are great co-leads, but Angelo's assistant at the church is a one-dimensional homophobic strawman. His dialogue is just so damn forced that I can't even take him seriously enough to hate him, and it feels glaringly out of place in a book that's otherwise so nuanced and thoughtful.
One other thing - the ending. I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a certain pervasive trope involving LGBT characters that gets a lot of well-deserved flak. For me, this didn't feel like an example of that trope because it's the culmination of Scarlet's own story and decisions, but I could see someone else reacting differently, and I really couldn't blame them. Other people have written about this more articulately and with more insight than I could, so that's all I'll say on the subject.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose is less of a fantasy, and more the story of one woman taking control of her life and overcoming her demons, literal and otherwise. The strength of its main character would be enough on its own to recommend it, but it's also a tense, atmospheric and affecting horror story.
October 30, 2016
Scarlet is a well established executive living in Toronto. She's married to a French Canadian woman and has a teenage daughter. Like every family, Scarlet's has its ups and downs but she's happy or at least she was until she started seeing things. After taking pills and seeing a psychiatrist fails to help her, Scarlet returns to the Catholic church. Scarlet may be in possession of her body for now but her time is running out and if Father Angelo cannot help her, she just might find herself paying for a bargain she made in a previous life. The one thing Scarlet is certain of is that she was born to accomplish something big.
I'll be honest and say up front that the minute I saw a Black woman on the cover of The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé , I instantly became determined to read the story. It's not often we get marginalized women as protagonists in this genre. To then find out that not only is the protagonist of colour but she's a lesbian and a mature woman of 49, I was absolutely thrilled. Father Angelo, the priest who seeks to help Scarlet is Latino and Dante, the witch who encourages Angelo is Nigerian. Yeah for an inclusive series which feature marginalised people.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé is absolutely a horror story. As Scarlet's time begins to run out, as a reader I couldn't help but want her to be saved from the horror which awaited her. Scarlet is not only strong, smart and brave, she's loving and protective. Her family means more to her than anything else in the world.
Although, Scarlet is a Black woman, I really didn't get a sense of her culture. As a Black Canadian myself, I know that there are many ways to experience blackness in the diaspora and so in this sense, Scarlet was really a blank page to me.
In Scarlet's previous life, she was a Jewish woman who was taken to a concentration camp with her young daughter. At this point in the story, I became worried that Saboviec would end up appropriating an atrocity but Saboviec managed to come through this while at the same time making her story that much more horrific. There's no sense that the demon caused the holocaust which is often what happens in these situations in stories and instead, the demon used the holocaust for its own ends as a vehicle to torture innocent souls. I didn't even get the sense that demon is anymore evil than the evil humanity committed in the camps. For the demon, the holocaust is simply a playground.
When Scarlet first enters the church she meets Kelton, Father Angelo's exorcism assistant. Unlike Angelo, Kelton is an avowed sexist and absolutely homophobic and views Scarlet as a sinner and a danger. Kelton very much embodies homophobia in the Catholic church and the reason why so many LGBT people have chosen to leave the faith. Kelton believes his wife Beth, needs to seek his permission since he is the man of the household. He is also very much against Beth having contact with her lesbian sister Fiona, for fear that his sister in-law will corrupt his wife and children. Kelton's so-called hatred is clearly based in his desire to express power and fear of looking weak. Throughout the novel, he spews hateful rhetoric and even goes as far as to refuse to help with Scarlet's exorcism.
On the other side of this equation is Father Angelo who readily accepts when Scarlet makes it clear that she doesn't see her love of someone of the same sex as sinning. Father Angelo goes as far as to talk about how love elevates us and therefore nothing about it could be wrong. He tries to lecture Kelton about his backward attitudes, often losing patience with him. Father Angelo goes as far as to invoke Pope Frank as a reason for Kelton to change his attitude, only to be told that Pope Frank is an old man in a dress. I very much like that Saboviec painted Father Angelo as an outlier in the church rather than an example of how supposedly tolerant the Catholic faith is because it's miles from that, even with the addition of Pope Frank, who is more of a politician, than someone believing in equality.
I'm not certain that Kelton's character or story line are really needed in this novel. At times, he really feels like a distraction and with demon breathing down Scarlet's neck unnecessary. I do however like that Kelton's homophobia is absolutely disapproved of.
There really isn't a lot of lightness to The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé. It's grim and dark but somehow so compelling. I loved it all until the end. Saboviec makes a point of shifting the focus between Scarlet's trouble with the demon and Angelo needing to confront his past actions and his spiritual beliefs. At the end, it feels that The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé isn't really about Scarlet but Angelo, who survives his encounter with the demon and makes some big changes to his life. He's redeemed after a fashion but it leaves Scarlet's ending feeling so unfinished.
Read More
I'll be honest and say up front that the minute I saw a Black woman on the cover of The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé , I instantly became determined to read the story. It's not often we get marginalized women as protagonists in this genre. To then find out that not only is the protagonist of colour but she's a lesbian and a mature woman of 49, I was absolutely thrilled. Father Angelo, the priest who seeks to help Scarlet is Latino and Dante, the witch who encourages Angelo is Nigerian. Yeah for an inclusive series which feature marginalised people.
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé is absolutely a horror story. As Scarlet's time begins to run out, as a reader I couldn't help but want her to be saved from the horror which awaited her. Scarlet is not only strong, smart and brave, she's loving and protective. Her family means more to her than anything else in the world.
Although, Scarlet is a Black woman, I really didn't get a sense of her culture. As a Black Canadian myself, I know that there are many ways to experience blackness in the diaspora and so in this sense, Scarlet was really a blank page to me.
In Scarlet's previous life, she was a Jewish woman who was taken to a concentration camp with her young daughter. At this point in the story, I became worried that Saboviec would end up appropriating an atrocity but Saboviec managed to come through this while at the same time making her story that much more horrific. There's no sense that the demon caused the holocaust which is often what happens in these situations in stories and instead, the demon used the holocaust for its own ends as a vehicle to torture innocent souls. I didn't even get the sense that demon is anymore evil than the evil humanity committed in the camps. For the demon, the holocaust is simply a playground.
When Scarlet first enters the church she meets Kelton, Father Angelo's exorcism assistant. Unlike Angelo, Kelton is an avowed sexist and absolutely homophobic and views Scarlet as a sinner and a danger. Kelton very much embodies homophobia in the Catholic church and the reason why so many LGBT people have chosen to leave the faith. Kelton believes his wife Beth, needs to seek his permission since he is the man of the household. He is also very much against Beth having contact with her lesbian sister Fiona, for fear that his sister in-law will corrupt his wife and children. Kelton's so-called hatred is clearly based in his desire to express power and fear of looking weak. Throughout the novel, he spews hateful rhetoric and even goes as far as to refuse to help with Scarlet's exorcism.
On the other side of this equation is Father Angelo who readily accepts when Scarlet makes it clear that she doesn't see her love of someone of the same sex as sinning. Father Angelo goes as far as to talk about how love elevates us and therefore nothing about it could be wrong. He tries to lecture Kelton about his backward attitudes, often losing patience with him. Father Angelo goes as far as to invoke Pope Frank as a reason for Kelton to change his attitude, only to be told that Pope Frank is an old man in a dress. I very much like that Saboviec painted Father Angelo as an outlier in the church rather than an example of how supposedly tolerant the Catholic faith is because it's miles from that, even with the addition of Pope Frank, who is more of a politician, than someone believing in equality.
I'm not certain that Kelton's character or story line are really needed in this novel. At times, he really feels like a distraction and with demon breathing down Scarlet's neck unnecessary. I do however like that Kelton's homophobia is absolutely disapproved of.
There really isn't a lot of lightness to The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé. It's grim and dark but somehow so compelling. I loved it all until the end. Saboviec makes a point of shifting the focus between Scarlet's trouble with the demon and Angelo needing to confront his past actions and his spiritual beliefs. At the end, it feels that The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé isn't really about Scarlet but Angelo, who survives his encounter with the demon and makes some big changes to his life. He's redeemed after a fashion but it leaves Scarlet's ending feeling so unfinished.
Read More
February 23, 2017
I requested a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit, the cover TOTALLY drew me in. What a gorgeous cover, and what a tantalizing title.
I love multi-ethnic urban fantasy and from the cover blurb, was thinking that is what this would be. However, it wasn't quite what I expected-- not so much an urban fantasy as a horror-based, slow-moving tale of the nuances of evil in the context of multiple lives at the crossroads of magic/catholicism.
The titular heroine has felt haunted her whole life an oily, evil shadow. She is facing growing relationship issues with her wife and teenage daughter and decides to turn to exorcist Father Angelo for help.
She is drawn into several exorcisms, but also begins to discover the thing that is haunting her has had her in its clutches before, and intends to use her current life as a way to torture her and her family. Meanwhile, Father Angelo has to come to grips with his dark-magic past and estranged relationship with a former mentor who may be Scarlet's only hope.
The book's pacing is a bit uneven-- the beginning is a slow dance between Scarlet and Angelo and the Catholic church and what it will permit. Lots of layers of what is "sin" and "evil" etc.
The last third of the book gets quite Exorcist-tastic. Lots of creepy blood and mayhem and horror. I felt a little frustrated in that I felt we were getting a peek at some truly intriguing characters (Angelo's former mentor, a surprise visit at the end only hinted at throughout the book) but weren't provided enough emotional fodder to appreciate their awesomeness. About halfway into the book, I realized "companion novel" was printed right there on the cover, and suspected that reading the whole series would give me access to the full emotional richness of the complicated relationships we just barely glimpse the outline of in this book.
This glimpse is enough to make me head over to Amazon to go read the blurbs and reviews of the main series to consider buying it.
I love multi-ethnic urban fantasy and from the cover blurb, was thinking that is what this would be. However, it wasn't quite what I expected-- not so much an urban fantasy as a horror-based, slow-moving tale of the nuances of evil in the context of multiple lives at the crossroads of magic/catholicism.
The titular heroine has felt haunted her whole life an oily, evil shadow. She is facing growing relationship issues with her wife and teenage daughter and decides to turn to exorcist Father Angelo for help.
She is drawn into several exorcisms, but also begins to discover the thing that is haunting her has had her in its clutches before, and intends to use her current life as a way to torture her and her family. Meanwhile, Father Angelo has to come to grips with his dark-magic past and estranged relationship with a former mentor who may be Scarlet's only hope.
The book's pacing is a bit uneven-- the beginning is a slow dance between Scarlet and Angelo and the Catholic church and what it will permit. Lots of layers of what is "sin" and "evil" etc.
The last third of the book gets quite Exorcist-tastic. Lots of creepy blood and mayhem and horror. I felt a little frustrated in that I felt we were getting a peek at some truly intriguing characters (Angelo's former mentor, a surprise visit at the end only hinted at throughout the book) but weren't provided enough emotional fodder to appreciate their awesomeness. About halfway into the book, I realized "companion novel" was printed right there on the cover, and suspected that reading the whole series would give me access to the full emotional richness of the complicated relationships we just barely glimpse the outline of in this book.
This glimpse is enough to make me head over to Amazon to go read the blurbs and reviews of the main series to consider buying it.
March 19, 2017
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Scarlet is a black lesbian, living with her wife and her daughter. But for a while now she felt haunted by some weird presence. When therapy and pills don't help her and the presence gets more and more terrifying, she turns to her last refuge. An exorcism led by a catholic priest. A race against time begins as Scarlet and Father Angelo try to figure out how to save Scarlet and her family.
I enjoyed Scarlet's character most of the time, she was wonderfully flawed but I couldn't help but root for her. We can see how she struggles with the stress the impending demon possession puts her trough, which at times causes her to lash out at her wife and her daughter. It was also amazing to read a book featuring an older character.
Angelo was also an interesting character, he is haunted by his past in which he did dark and terrible things. To be able to help Scarlet he has to deal with it. His story takes a long time to unravel, but I found it definitely refreshing to read about a non-homophobic catholic priest, who is still faithful.
I adored Zoe. In her chapters I felt that the writing was particularly strong and she is definitely a character you just have to feel sorry for. She is probably my favorite character. Her characters were really dark and twisted, I loved it.
The writing was pretty good and I got sucked straight into the story. I was incredible happy how diverse the story was too. Sadly I think some of the subplots could have been done away with, they just felt stretched out for too long (like the homophobic exorcist helper at church)
The ending was truly disappointing for me. I won't spoiler it here, but it definitely let me down a lot and so the story only gets three stars. It just felt like a great disservice to some characters.
Scarlet is a black lesbian, living with her wife and her daughter. But for a while now she felt haunted by some weird presence. When therapy and pills don't help her and the presence gets more and more terrifying, she turns to her last refuge. An exorcism led by a catholic priest. A race against time begins as Scarlet and Father Angelo try to figure out how to save Scarlet and her family.
I enjoyed Scarlet's character most of the time, she was wonderfully flawed but I couldn't help but root for her. We can see how she struggles with the stress the impending demon possession puts her trough, which at times causes her to lash out at her wife and her daughter. It was also amazing to read a book featuring an older character.
Angelo was also an interesting character, he is haunted by his past in which he did dark and terrible things. To be able to help Scarlet he has to deal with it. His story takes a long time to unravel, but I found it definitely refreshing to read about a non-homophobic catholic priest, who is still faithful.
I adored Zoe. In her chapters I felt that the writing was particularly strong and she is definitely a character you just have to feel sorry for. She is probably my favorite character. Her characters were really dark and twisted, I loved it.
The writing was pretty good and I got sucked straight into the story. I was incredible happy how diverse the story was too. Sadly I think some of the subplots could have been done away with, they just felt stretched out for too long (like the homophobic exorcist helper at church)
The ending was truly disappointing for me. I won't spoiler it here, but it definitely let me down a lot and so the story only gets three stars. It just felt like a great disservice to some characters.
November 26, 2016
Originally reviewed at West Coast Book Reviews.
Years ago, when I first realized I could choose to read (rather than what I was assigned at school) I was drawn to scary books and two of the first novels I read were The Amityville Horror and The Exorcist. That was back in grade seven and since then, hauntings and possessions still give me the absolute creeps so my choosing to read The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé surprised me.
Scarlet's predicament comes across will the ominous tension and lurking danger I expected but for many more reasons than a cruel demon. We have Scarlet's challenges with her own religious identity and her struggling marriage, Father Ambrosio's struggle with his past and of course good and evil. Every aspect of this story is contrasted as good and evil, depending on which character you hear from. These contrasts, bound together, provide much of the tension and drama of the story.
I found this book smooth (and creepy) at the start. It definitely drew me in and held me there, so much so I read the whole way through in a couple of sittings.
I loved Scarlet because she is my own age and like me, deeply loves her family even with her imperfections and fears. I also appreciated she didn't engage herself in any ridiculous butt-kicking or fights I know I couldn't pull off. She is a very capable, real and relatable woman.
I definitely recommend The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, a side by side novel with Saboviec's Fallen Redemption series which I look forward to.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Years ago, when I first realized I could choose to read (rather than what I was assigned at school) I was drawn to scary books and two of the first novels I read were The Amityville Horror and The Exorcist. That was back in grade seven and since then, hauntings and possessions still give me the absolute creeps so my choosing to read The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé surprised me.
Scarlet's predicament comes across will the ominous tension and lurking danger I expected but for many more reasons than a cruel demon. We have Scarlet's challenges with her own religious identity and her struggling marriage, Father Ambrosio's struggle with his past and of course good and evil. Every aspect of this story is contrasted as good and evil, depending on which character you hear from. These contrasts, bound together, provide much of the tension and drama of the story.
I found this book smooth (and creepy) at the start. It definitely drew me in and held me there, so much so I read the whole way through in a couple of sittings.
I loved Scarlet because she is my own age and like me, deeply loves her family even with her imperfections and fears. I also appreciated she didn't engage herself in any ridiculous butt-kicking or fights I know I couldn't pull off. She is a very capable, real and relatable woman.
I definitely recommend The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, a side by side novel with Saboviec's Fallen Redemption series which I look forward to.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2016
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé is a fast-paced supernatural thriller that should please fans of the "possession" subgenre who are looking for something a bit different.
One of the quicker reads I've had in the last month or so, Impending Possession is tightly written, with a direct and engaging narrative. After so many books (though mostly movies) on the subject, a lot of the old tropes are starting to feel hackneyed, and Saboviec delightfully brings some new elements into play that keep the story and its characters fresh.
One of the most notable aspects of the story, for me, is the diversity of the characters, which I very much applaud. That said, I think I would have preferred Scarlet's sexuality to have been less played-on throughout the novel. I felt as though she spent an unnatural amount of time thinking about (and worrying about) her lesbianism, and as a queer person, I can say that this comes off as a bit unrealistic. It also jarred with the initial presentation of her as a no-nonsense business woman. The subplot between her and probably could have been done away with without harming the flow of the novel, and would have kept her character more consistent for me. I found Scarlet hard to get attached to in comparison with the other characters.
My favourite parts were definitely the sinister chapters from Zoe's POV. She was by far the strongest character in terms of perspective, and Saboviec's writing during her scenes really glowed.
One of the quicker reads I've had in the last month or so, Impending Possession is tightly written, with a direct and engaging narrative. After so many books (though mostly movies) on the subject, a lot of the old tropes are starting to feel hackneyed, and Saboviec delightfully brings some new elements into play that keep the story and its characters fresh.
One of the most notable aspects of the story, for me, is the diversity of the characters, which I very much applaud. That said, I think I would have preferred Scarlet's sexuality to have been less played-on throughout the novel. I felt as though she spent an unnatural amount of time thinking about (and worrying about) her lesbianism, and as a queer person, I can say that this comes off as a bit unrealistic. It also jarred with the initial presentation of her as a no-nonsense business woman. The subplot between her and probably could have been done away with without harming the flow of the novel, and would have kept her character more consistent for me. I found Scarlet hard to get attached to in comparison with the other characters.
My favourite parts were definitely the sinister chapters from Zoe's POV. She was by far the strongest character in terms of perspective, and Saboviec's writing during her scenes really glowed.
December 4, 2016
Disclaimer : got an ARC, here is my review !
This was a good, well written book with an interesting story and solid, diverse characters. I got a little frustrated at first with the slow pace of the plot, and a little more with Scarlet's stubborness and the way she handled the wole situation, but I get why it unfolded the way it did. What bugged me the most (and took part of the enjoyment away) is the back story (when and where) about the previous time Scarlet met that demon : it felt like lazy writting and emotionally manipulating to me. It took me out of the story and got me emotionally disconnecting and rolling my eyes at some of the "action" happening like "yeah, of course it's GOT to be the absolute most horrible thing ever seeing where they are...". So yeah, that was a major let down for me. There are just things that you shouldn't use as plot device...or if you do it better be an integral/organic part of the story (whether it's the plot or the character's stroy...) and handled masterfully...Which was just not the case int htis one : it came out of nowhere and was just used to add to the horror of the situation without adding anything substantial to the plot of the characters. It's a shame since apart from that, this is a pretty good one. I liked Scralet even though I found her irritating at times and lacked some depth), Dante, father Angelo (who had a more in depth characterization and was the most interesting character) and Mia who I would have liked to get to know better. I liked that the majority of the the characters were POC and more, and that they were great at whta they did. The ending was good and I am intringued by that place and what Scarlet got to meet and the whole story behind it.
This was a good, well written book with an interesting story and solid, diverse characters. I got a little frustrated at first with the slow pace of the plot, and a little more with Scarlet's stubborness and the way she handled the wole situation, but I get why it unfolded the way it did. What bugged me the most (and took part of the enjoyment away) is the back story (when and where) about the previous time Scarlet met that demon : it felt like lazy writting and emotionally manipulating to me. It took me out of the story and got me emotionally disconnecting and rolling my eyes at some of the "action" happening like "yeah, of course it's GOT to be the absolute most horrible thing ever seeing where they are...". So yeah, that was a major let down for me. There are just things that you shouldn't use as plot device...or if you do it better be an integral/organic part of the story (whether it's the plot or the character's stroy...) and handled masterfully...Which was just not the case int htis one : it came out of nowhere and was just used to add to the horror of the situation without adding anything substantial to the plot of the characters. It's a shame since apart from that, this is a pretty good one. I liked Scralet even though I found her irritating at times and lacked some depth), Dante, father Angelo (who had a more in depth characterization and was the most interesting character) and Mia who I would have liked to get to know better. I liked that the majority of the the characters were POC and more, and that they were great at whta they did. The ending was good and I am intringued by that place and what Scarlet got to meet and the whole story behind it.
October 17, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance of reading this book.
This is a great read that keeps you intrigued from the on set. Very vividly written with smaller storylines for all the other characters which come together nicely by the end of the book.
With a supernatural / horror feel this book keeps you waiting until the end. Very good storyline with lots of twists and turns.
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission.
Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views.
But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
This stand-alone novel set in the Fallen Redemption universe extends the series to modern day. Enter a world where humans reincarnate, demons interfere in daily life, and the currents of fate carry us all to our destinies.
This is a great read that keeps you intrigued from the on set. Very vividly written with smaller storylines for all the other characters which come together nicely by the end of the book.
With a supernatural / horror feel this book keeps you waiting until the end. Very good storyline with lots of twists and turns.
Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission.
Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views.
But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.
This stand-alone novel set in the Fallen Redemption universe extends the series to modern day. Enter a world where humans reincarnate, demons interfere in daily life, and the currents of fate carry us all to our destinies.
December 19, 2016
The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé Kindle Edition
by S. L. Saboviec
I recived a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Terrifying, scary as hell and emotionally frighteningly journey into Hell. Quite literally, into Hell. A woman faces her worst fears as she slowly becomes possessed by a demon.
There are nods to the greats of hellish literature, a guide to the inferno named Dante, a Catholic priest who must find his own salvation named Angelo... this book is plotted within an inch of its life, with characters that force you to care about them with their life-life qualities.
Of course, with only being covered in spiders missing my from own personal fears, this book kept me up all night and sent me looking for a thesaurus for words to describe the absolute terror it inspired in me. Thanks for the night terrors, Ms. Saboviec! You are a master in the wings, hopefully this will reach horror fans because it it more terrifying and soul-searing than anything I've read in years.
Scarlet is one of the best realized heroines I've met in a long while, strong willed and uncompromising. Smart and understanding of her foibles even as she stumbles into them.
There is so much meat to this book. Yet, it is so disturbing that I just want to go crawl into a light romance to escape it!
5 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Impending-Poss...
by S. L. Saboviec
I recived a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Terrifying, scary as hell and emotionally frighteningly journey into Hell. Quite literally, into Hell. A woman faces her worst fears as she slowly becomes possessed by a demon.
There are nods to the greats of hellish literature, a guide to the inferno named Dante, a Catholic priest who must find his own salvation named Angelo... this book is plotted within an inch of its life, with characters that force you to care about them with their life-life qualities.
Of course, with only being covered in spiders missing my from own personal fears, this book kept me up all night and sent me looking for a thesaurus for words to describe the absolute terror it inspired in me. Thanks for the night terrors, Ms. Saboviec! You are a master in the wings, hopefully this will reach horror fans because it it more terrifying and soul-searing than anything I've read in years.
Scarlet is one of the best realized heroines I've met in a long while, strong willed and uncompromising. Smart and understanding of her foibles even as she stumbles into them.
There is so much meat to this book. Yet, it is so disturbing that I just want to go crawl into a light romance to escape it!
5 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Impending-Poss...
September 24, 2016
I devoured this book. As I said, it was the perfect way to whet my appetite for the next book in the series, because now I want to go back and read the first two books all over again while I wait for the third to come out. The characters were interesting and well-developed; I particularly liked Zoe, as well as the relationship between Dante and Father Angelo. Reading this reminded me a little bit of some of the things I read in middle and high school, things like Carrie and The Amityville Horror. They were stories that made me cringe, even as I turned the next page.
I could not put this book down.
Beautiful imagery abounded, even though this book was not set in Heaven:
Relief flooded over Scarlet like warm sunlight, heating parts of her that she didn't know were frozen.
There was humor, too:
"Oh, and Scarlet?" said Father Angelo. "Bring that ancient pain in my ass with you. Goodbye."
I also loved this line:
The weight of the past made the pain in his knees more acute.
Lines like those have me ready to dive back into revising my own work. Or, you know, just go back to the beginning and start reading all over again. :D
I could not put this book down.
Beautiful imagery abounded, even though this book was not set in Heaven:
Relief flooded over Scarlet like warm sunlight, heating parts of her that she didn't know were frozen.
There was humor, too:
"Oh, and Scarlet?" said Father Angelo. "Bring that ancient pain in my ass with you. Goodbye."
I also loved this line:
The weight of the past made the pain in his knees more acute.
Lines like those have me ready to dive back into revising my own work. Or, you know, just go back to the beginning and start reading all over again. :D
September 28, 2018
**Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review**
Listen, when a book not only has a supernatural/horror element but also features a Black woman main character and includes the phrase 'her wife' only two paragraphs into the story, it's already gone most of the way to winning me over. The engaging, humorous-but-still-suitably-ominous writing and the painfully believable marriage struggles did the rest of the work. I was enamored of our wonderfully flawed (and awkwardly named) protagonist and rooting for her in no time.
Which is why the ending felt like such a let down. I won't spoil it for anyone. But we were led to believe that this story was about Scarlet. Maybe that was my mistake, but I did not expect her to instead become the vehicle for Father Angelo to work out his demons. It felt like the ending was setting up a Father Angelo sequel, when what I really wanted was to see Scarlet more deeply explore her relationship with Eve and with her daughter, and work on mending these aspects of her life.
Listen, when a book not only has a supernatural/horror element but also features a Black woman main character and includes the phrase 'her wife' only two paragraphs into the story, it's already gone most of the way to winning me over. The engaging, humorous-but-still-suitably-ominous writing and the painfully believable marriage struggles did the rest of the work. I was enamored of our wonderfully flawed (and awkwardly named) protagonist and rooting for her in no time.
Which is why the ending felt like such a let down. I won't spoil it for anyone. But we were led to believe that this story was about Scarlet. Maybe that was my mistake, but I did not expect her to instead become the vehicle for Father Angelo to work out his demons. It felt like the ending was setting up a Father Angelo sequel, when what I really wanted was to see Scarlet more deeply explore her relationship with Eve and with her daughter, and work on mending these aspects of her life.
August 10, 2017
There are so many individual elements that I liked about this book that it's a shame I was disappointed in the outcome. The protagonist is a black lesbian approaching fifty and for that alone I probably would have picked this up, even without the enticing paranormal elements, because how often do you get that? But even with exorcisms and magic spells and possession and past lives, the book never came together for me. It was set in Toronto, but had no Canadian cultural grounding at all, nor any specific elements of the city to give it a tie to the place at all. Likewise the protagonist's spouse being French-Canadian; besides a couple of instances of her cursing or counting in French, it was like a random choice with no meat to it. I did like that the Catholic rituals and pagan rituals were put at par with one another (both the good and bad elements of faith and ritual), and Zoe's relationship with 'Mother' was effectively and creepily drawn, but they didn't make up for the inconsistent characterisation and overall lack of depth.
There is a good book in here, but it's still buried.
There is a good book in here, but it's still buried.
September 26, 2016
This was a really well written book. Samantha is an excellent writer and captures your attention from the very beginning. I haven't really read a lot of exorcism books, but this one is definitely worth reading and I am happy I have. The plot is unique and has some really well developed twists throughout. It gives you an eerie feeling and it is difficult to put down.
Scarlet is an interesting character. She is a very strong female who takes care of her loved ones no matter what she has to do to keep them safe. The priest, Angelo, seems troubled by the restrictions of the church and what he thinks is right.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating while well written and has a great pace of the book.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
Scarlet is an interesting character. She is a very strong female who takes care of her loved ones no matter what she has to do to keep them safe. The priest, Angelo, seems troubled by the restrictions of the church and what he thinks is right.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating while well written and has a great pace of the book.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
September 27, 2016
Initially, we are introduced to Scarlet and taken into her home to see how the life she has with her spouse and child and quickly are impeded by the symptoms and exhibition of issues as a result of her "impending" demonic possession.
As I began the story, which is technically sound and creatively interesting, I felt a lot of curiosity about Scarlet, the main character, but it soon turned into a bit of consternation and not some little dislike of her. However, the story line is such that bit-by-bit (sorry no spoilers), and with some very unexpected twists and turns, everything becomes clear and we discover that as a character Scarlet is well-developed and complex.
I gave it four stars because I was not enamored of the subject in general, but it was made interesting by the writing.
*I was given this book through Lovers of Paranormal in exchange for an honest review
As I began the story, which is technically sound and creatively interesting, I felt a lot of curiosity about Scarlet, the main character, but it soon turned into a bit of consternation and not some little dislike of her. However, the story line is such that bit-by-bit (sorry no spoilers), and with some very unexpected twists and turns, everything becomes clear and we discover that as a character Scarlet is well-developed and complex.
I gave it four stars because I was not enamored of the subject in general, but it was made interesting by the writing.
*I was given this book through Lovers of Paranormal in exchange for an honest review
November 5, 2016
This book introduces you to Scarlet and the presence that follows her. Her search for helps leads her to Father Angelo, his strange assistant Kelton, and finally she also meets the mysterious Dante.
With The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, S.L. Saboviec has created a remarkable dark fantasy tale. It is a very dark read with gory details; you can feel Scarlet’s despair. The main characters are complex, the other characters are of sufficient depth. S.L. Saboviec draws you close to the events – sometimes too close for comfort. I was drawn pretty close to Scarlet, Father Angelo, and Dante. The plot lines grow together nicely, keeping the reader hooked until and including the finale.
This is a book for you if you like dark urban fantasy and do not shy away from evil demons.
Recommended.
With The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, S.L. Saboviec has created a remarkable dark fantasy tale. It is a very dark read with gory details; you can feel Scarlet’s despair. The main characters are complex, the other characters are of sufficient depth. S.L. Saboviec draws you close to the events – sometimes too close for comfort. I was drawn pretty close to Scarlet, Father Angelo, and Dante. The plot lines grow together nicely, keeping the reader hooked until and including the finale.
This is a book for you if you like dark urban fantasy and do not shy away from evil demons.
Recommended.
September 10, 2016
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review, from Lovers of Paranormal and the author.***
This is the story of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose and how she is trying to deal with a demon who is trying to fully possess her, she goes for help from Father Angelo Ambrosio who has been doing exorcisms for some time, but he is restricted with what he can do by the Church.
Author S L Saboviec brings a sadness to Scarlett in trying to deal with this but also seeing the strong side of her where she has to deal also with the bigotry from the church of her being a lesbian and trying to keep the demon away from her family.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from S L Saboviec.
This is the story of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rose and how she is trying to deal with a demon who is trying to fully possess her, she goes for help from Father Angelo Ambrosio who has been doing exorcisms for some time, but he is restricted with what he can do by the Church.
Author S L Saboviec brings a sadness to Scarlett in trying to deal with this but also seeing the strong side of her where she has to deal also with the bigotry from the church of her being a lesbian and trying to keep the demon away from her family.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from S L Saboviec.
October 5, 2016
Scarlet is plagued with a demon but has fallen out with the church, because of her same sex marriage, so the only person she can find to help her is a priest, Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose views are a little more lenient regarding sexuality. Now the race is on to figure out how, when, and why the demon wants Scarlet. This is a very well written story set in the Falling Redemption universe where the lines of good and evil can be a bit blurred. It is very realistic and the fast pace, plot twists, and character interactions make it very hard to put down!
**this book received in exchange for an honest opinion**
**this book received in exchange for an honest opinion**
October 9, 2016
Really good
I almost never read horror, and this kind of qualifies, at least as mild horror. There are demons and an exorcism or two, and some gory scenes. I had read an excellent short story, "When Your Time Is Up", by this author, and decided to take a chance on this book. I'm glad I did, because it is ultimately about faith, human strength against the dark and about trusting the Divine and oneself. It was well written and edited, and up to a professional level of writing. The characters were generally well developed, and likable. I definitely plan to read more books by this author.
I almost never read horror, and this kind of qualifies, at least as mild horror. There are demons and an exorcism or two, and some gory scenes. I had read an excellent short story, "When Your Time Is Up", by this author, and decided to take a chance on this book. I'm glad I did, because it is ultimately about faith, human strength against the dark and about trusting the Divine and oneself. It was well written and edited, and up to a professional level of writing. The characters were generally well developed, and likable. I definitely plan to read more books by this author.
October 16, 2016
Excellent read!!
I wish I would have paid attention to the fact that it was a companion novel and read the series first. Either way, this book was very well written. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. A struggling priest with a dark past, a woman on the verge of being possessed; finding her way back to the Catholic church. It's all encompassing. The characters struggle with personal and actual demons, with a touch of witchcraft as well. To say the book touches a part of your soul is an understatement. It's heart wrenching, yet you gain a sense of peace for the characters as the book goes on.
I look forward to reading the series.
I wish I would have paid attention to the fact that it was a companion novel and read the series first. Either way, this book was very well written. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. A struggling priest with a dark past, a woman on the verge of being possessed; finding her way back to the Catholic church. It's all encompassing. The characters struggle with personal and actual demons, with a touch of witchcraft as well. To say the book touches a part of your soul is an understatement. It's heart wrenching, yet you gain a sense of peace for the characters as the book goes on.
I look forward to reading the series.
April 18, 2017
I loved parts of this book. Scarlet was a marvelous character – a woman of common sense who spends idiotic amounts of money on shoes and purses (her Louboutins are mentioned several times); a lesbian who is not defined by that tag; a wife and mother who has been very good at both those jobs in the past but has faltered lately; an apparent workaholic who does not hesitate to kick her work responsibilities to the curb when more important things – like her life, and those of her wife and daughter – come to the fore.
That last is something I've seen done very badly in the past. A non–millionaire character has to have a job in order to provide grounding for the nuts and bolts of her life, but when the events of the plot pick up she ignores that job with absolutely no regard for what will happen when everything's over. I kind of understand an author forgetting about how a character is going to pay for her home when she gets fired because she was busy dealing with a demon – but, living paycheck to paycheck as I have as often as I have, I have a hard time swallowing the character forgetting. And Scarlet doesn't forget. She probably wouldn't have a money problem for a while (failing all else she could always sell the Louboutins; one pair would almost pay my rent for a month), but she does have a position of responsibility, and she is shown to give consideration to that fact. It's a small thing, takes only a paragraph if that – and it grounds the character and allows me to keep believing in her as a human being.
I mentioned above too that Scarlet is a lesbian without necessarily being the poster child for lesbians. She's a woman who happens to be married to another woman. This circumstance is not waved like a banner; the only impact that her gender orientation has on her presentation as a character is that it colors her interaction with and anticipation of her interaction with the Catholic Church – the reader is not battered with this aspect of her life any more than with the fact that she's black, or almost fifty, or whatever her job is. And … well, isn't that kind of the way things should be, that gender orientation, while important, is not what should determine how someone is treated or perceived? I really enjoyed Scarlet's relationship with her wife.
There are a few things, though, that I didn't enjoy as much. Kelton, the assistant in the exorcism game, was almost a complicated character. As stolidly prejudiced against Scarlet as the most clichéd of Catholics (and, seriously, it is a cliché that writers should be ashamed to lean on), he is devoted to the priest, he lets his strong convictions cancel out any compassion or impulse to duty he might feel – and he has his secrets. Come to find out, he is in an apparently abusive relationship with his wife. To be clear, she seems to be abusing him. This could have been a really interesting thing to explore, even if only as a B-plot (or C-plot) … but it isn't. Even a chapter – or even part of a chapter – more digging into that situation would have been great – but no.
And, finally, the resolution of the plot bothered me a great deal. It wasn't Scarlet's fate that bothered me, though - that worked. Without spoilers, the way this book was fitted into the author's universe was, I felt, unfortunate. The story of Scarlet's impending possession was fascinating – until the end and the revelation of more information, at which point I just got annoyed. And the whole "Fearmorph" thing annoyed me even more – after the serious jeopardy throughout the whole book, this just sounded silly.
Up until the last few chapters, I was all in. I had a great time. But that resolution undid a lot of it. Pity.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
That last is something I've seen done very badly in the past. A non–millionaire character has to have a job in order to provide grounding for the nuts and bolts of her life, but when the events of the plot pick up she ignores that job with absolutely no regard for what will happen when everything's over. I kind of understand an author forgetting about how a character is going to pay for her home when she gets fired because she was busy dealing with a demon – but, living paycheck to paycheck as I have as often as I have, I have a hard time swallowing the character forgetting. And Scarlet doesn't forget. She probably wouldn't have a money problem for a while (failing all else she could always sell the Louboutins; one pair would almost pay my rent for a month), but she does have a position of responsibility, and she is shown to give consideration to that fact. It's a small thing, takes only a paragraph if that – and it grounds the character and allows me to keep believing in her as a human being.
I mentioned above too that Scarlet is a lesbian without necessarily being the poster child for lesbians. She's a woman who happens to be married to another woman. This circumstance is not waved like a banner; the only impact that her gender orientation has on her presentation as a character is that it colors her interaction with and anticipation of her interaction with the Catholic Church – the reader is not battered with this aspect of her life any more than with the fact that she's black, or almost fifty, or whatever her job is. And … well, isn't that kind of the way things should be, that gender orientation, while important, is not what should determine how someone is treated or perceived? I really enjoyed Scarlet's relationship with her wife.
There are a few things, though, that I didn't enjoy as much. Kelton, the assistant in the exorcism game, was almost a complicated character. As stolidly prejudiced against Scarlet as the most clichéd of Catholics (and, seriously, it is a cliché that writers should be ashamed to lean on), he is devoted to the priest, he lets his strong convictions cancel out any compassion or impulse to duty he might feel – and he has his secrets. Come to find out, he is in an apparently abusive relationship with his wife. To be clear, she seems to be abusing him. This could have been a really interesting thing to explore, even if only as a B-plot (or C-plot) … but it isn't. Even a chapter – or even part of a chapter – more digging into that situation would have been great – but no.
And, finally, the resolution of the plot bothered me a great deal. It wasn't Scarlet's fate that bothered me, though - that worked. Without spoilers, the way this book was fitted into the author's universe was, I felt, unfortunate. The story of Scarlet's impending possession was fascinating – until the end and the revelation of more information, at which point I just got annoyed. And the whole "Fearmorph" thing annoyed me even more – after the serious jeopardy throughout the whole book, this just sounded silly.
Up until the last few chapters, I was all in. I had a great time. But that resolution undid a lot of it. Pity.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
April 23, 2017
Well-written, compelling book with some surprising twists. I didn't find Scarlet to be particularly likable, but still an enjoyable read.
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