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Only She Sees
After a tragic car accident shatters her body and mind, Cassandra struggles to piece together her life as a respected psychiatrist and devoted mother. But the accident has changed her. Her eyes have been opened to horrors she never knew existed. Is her family really under attack, or is it all in her mind?
While Cassandra tries to prove the feeling of being stalked, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, hunts a killer of his own. As both the body count and Cassandra's hysteria rise, Daniel becomes obsessed with the case and suspicious of Cassandra's part in it. Afraid of losing her increasingly fragile grip on reality, Cassandra plunges into a search for answers that may come at the cost of her sanity. Racing to a shattering confrontation with an evil she can barely comprehend, Cassandra must How far will she go, what darkness will she embrace, to save those she loves?
While Cassandra tries to prove the feeling of being stalked, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, hunts a killer of his own. As both the body count and Cassandra's hysteria rise, Daniel becomes obsessed with the case and suspicious of Cassandra's part in it. Afraid of losing her increasingly fragile grip on reality, Cassandra plunges into a search for answers that may come at the cost of her sanity. Racing to a shattering confrontation with an evil she can barely comprehend, Cassandra must How far will she go, what darkness will she embrace, to save those she loves?
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2017
88 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Manel Loureiro
30 books705 followersInternational bestselling author Manel Loureiro was born in Pontevedra, Spain and studied law at Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. After graduating, he worked in television, both on-screen (appearing on Televisión de Galicia) and behind the scenes as a writer. His Apocalypse Z trilogy—The Beginning of the End, Dark Days, and The Wrath of the Just—took him from the blogosphere to bestsellerdom, earning him acclaim as “the Spanish Stephen King” by La Voz de Galicia. Loureiro continues to reside in his native Pontevedra.
Manel Loureiro trabaja como abogado en Pontevedra. Mientras estudiaba derecho en la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, compatibilizó sus estudios con varios trabajos de televisión, primero como presentador de diversos programas y más tarde como guionista, momento en el que descubrió su faceta como escritor. Apocalipsis Z es su primera novela, tras haberse convertido en un fenómeno de culto en Internet, donde ha sido leída por miles de personas de todo el mundo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 13, 2021
Good vs. Evil/The Dark Ones vs. The Light Ones. This was definitely not the story I was expecting but it was a good sci-fi story that was reminiscent of a Dean Koontz novel. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 22, 2016
Cassandra is involved in a tragic auto accident and miraculously survives. But the accident has changed her. She sees auras and bright lights and horrors that come out of nightmares.
When she's finally released from the hospital and home again, she feels that she's being stalked. Strange markings are appearing that apparently only she can see. There is always a murder, an accident, something that takes a life in the vicinity of these markings.
As the body count grows, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, is looking into several strange deaths. Some of the evidence is pointing to Cassandra.
Cassandra can't tell anyone what she believes ... no one will believe her. At least no one except a doctor in a psychiatric hospital who sees what Cassandra sees.
This is billed as crime fiction .... but there is an element of horror, as well. The translation was done perfectly.
When I first started reading, my first reaction was not positive ... I don't do horror. As I kept reading, I was drawn into Cassandra's life. The characters are richly drawn. And the story got better the more I read. The ending came fast and furious and so unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Amazon Crossing / Netgalley for the digital copy of ONLY SHE SEES. The opinions expressed are unbiased and entirely my own.
When she's finally released from the hospital and home again, she feels that she's being stalked. Strange markings are appearing that apparently only she can see. There is always a murder, an accident, something that takes a life in the vicinity of these markings.
As the body count grows, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, is looking into several strange deaths. Some of the evidence is pointing to Cassandra.
Cassandra can't tell anyone what she believes ... no one will believe her. At least no one except a doctor in a psychiatric hospital who sees what Cassandra sees.
This is billed as crime fiction .... but there is an element of horror, as well. The translation was done perfectly.
When I first started reading, my first reaction was not positive ... I don't do horror. As I kept reading, I was drawn into Cassandra's life. The characters are richly drawn. And the story got better the more I read. The ending came fast and furious and so unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Amazon Crossing / Netgalley for the digital copy of ONLY SHE SEES. The opinions expressed are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 1, 2022
Cassandra is a respected psychiatrist whose life is changed after she is involved in a car accident. After waking up in the hospital from a coma, Cassandra starts to see auras and lights around people. She discovers people with dark auras in which she calls “the dark ones,” as well as “the grey ones.”
I didn’t expect to love this book so much. It’s well written and the translation was done perfectly. To be honest, I thought based on the blurb that it was a Crime Thriller or Psychological Thriller but there are elements of horror and supernatural/paranormal as well. I’m not usually into these types of themes in books, such as auras, so this was definitely a bizarre but surprising read for me.
My knowledge on this book was very limited (which in my opinion is the best way to go into a book) and I was pleasantly surprised by the fast pace of it. I was hooked from the first page. As I was reading, I was drawn into Cassandra’s life. The story and concept was so intriguing. Really amazing story about good vs. evil.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions in this review are my own.
I didn’t expect to love this book so much. It’s well written and the translation was done perfectly. To be honest, I thought based on the blurb that it was a Crime Thriller or Psychological Thriller but there are elements of horror and supernatural/paranormal as well. I’m not usually into these types of themes in books, such as auras, so this was definitely a bizarre but surprising read for me.
My knowledge on this book was very limited (which in my opinion is the best way to go into a book) and I was pleasantly surprised by the fast pace of it. I was hooked from the first page. As I was reading, I was drawn into Cassandra’s life. The story and concept was so intriguing. Really amazing story about good vs. evil.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions in this review are my own.
March 2, 2017
Laura (narrator) & Eva (Laura’s BFF) were out clubbing.
They had never gone home with guys before.
Eva though was not who she appeared to be!
Detective Daniel Arlaz (husband/father, PD homicide), Detective Roberto Millón (Daniel’s partner, PD homicide), ME, & CSI were at the crime scene.
Daniel got a call. He & his partner rushed to the next accident.
It was Cassandra Arlaz (32, wife/mother, Psychiatrist) who worked at the Mental Wellness Center.
Logan Dawson (44, American patient, paranoid Schizophrenic, Brownfield, VA.) is there also.
The car was totally demolished.
Martin Arlaz (son) asked his dad if she was going to get better.
Mrs. Perla Mendoza (80+) had been keeping & eye on Martin & Daniel. She cooked their so-called meals for them.
Not fully recovered Cassandra finally came home.
Perla’s house exploded like a bomb. It was engulfed in flames.
Amedo (security guards) let “Cassy” through the gates of the Long-Term Institution for Special Treatment Patients (aka Junkyard).
Dr. Beltran & Dr. Jose Tapia worked there also.
2 more murders: Eva Pazos (22, clothing retail clerk), & Laura Ojea (25, clothing retail clerk), & lots of so-called accidents.
What is the Radiance? Or the Dark One? Or the Gray One?
Silvano still couldn’t believe Silas was dead.
What did Silvano tell Cassandra to do?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written very bizarre paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; MakingConnections; AmazonCrossing; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
They had never gone home with guys before.
Eva though was not who she appeared to be!
Detective Daniel Arlaz (husband/father, PD homicide), Detective Roberto Millón (Daniel’s partner, PD homicide), ME, & CSI were at the crime scene.
Daniel got a call. He & his partner rushed to the next accident.
It was Cassandra Arlaz (32, wife/mother, Psychiatrist) who worked at the Mental Wellness Center.
Logan Dawson (44, American patient, paranoid Schizophrenic, Brownfield, VA.) is there also.
The car was totally demolished.
Martin Arlaz (son) asked his dad if she was going to get better.
Mrs. Perla Mendoza (80+) had been keeping & eye on Martin & Daniel. She cooked their so-called meals for them.
Not fully recovered Cassandra finally came home.
Perla’s house exploded like a bomb. It was engulfed in flames.
Amedo (security guards) let “Cassy” through the gates of the Long-Term Institution for Special Treatment Patients (aka Junkyard).
Dr. Beltran & Dr. Jose Tapia worked there also.
2 more murders: Eva Pazos (22, clothing retail clerk), & Laura Ojea (25, clothing retail clerk), & lots of so-called accidents.
What is the Radiance? Or the Dark One? Or the Gray One?
Silvano still couldn’t believe Silas was dead.
What did Silvano tell Cassandra to do?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written very bizarre paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; MakingConnections; AmazonCrossing; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
October 10, 2018
Fast-paced breathtaking thriller
Awesome listen!
Kate Rudd narrated Only She Sees and did a fabulous job.
Cassandra is a psychiatrist, wife, and mother whose life takes a turn after a traumatic car accident. Following the car accident Cassandra learns she can see people's auras. She encounters 'The Dark Ones' and her mission then becomes to stop the 'The Dark Ones'
I really enjoyed this book. Although some parts, I was quite confused and I had to rewind and re listen.
I fell in love with Cassandra. She starts off as this feeble woman who has issues in her marriage and all she wants is to be loved by her husband after this car accident she does a 360 and becomes this strong woman who fights for her family and herself and she is no longer scared of anything.
I loved the growth both Daniel and Cassandra go through. They both realize how destroyed their marriage is and the series of events throughout the story help mend their relationship. As husband and wife they see how much they truly do still love one another and fight for their marriage and son.
The ending was pretty cool. I felt that it lingered a bit meaning possibly a sequel?
Definitely won't be the last time I pick up anything by Manel Loureiro
Awesome listen!
Kate Rudd narrated Only She Sees and did a fabulous job.
Cassandra is a psychiatrist, wife, and mother whose life takes a turn after a traumatic car accident. Following the car accident Cassandra learns she can see people's auras. She encounters 'The Dark Ones' and her mission then becomes to stop the 'The Dark Ones'
I really enjoyed this book. Although some parts, I was quite confused and I had to rewind and re listen.
I fell in love with Cassandra. She starts off as this feeble woman who has issues in her marriage and all she wants is to be loved by her husband after this car accident she does a 360 and becomes this strong woman who fights for her family and herself and she is no longer scared of anything.
I loved the growth both Daniel and Cassandra go through. They both realize how destroyed their marriage is and the series of events throughout the story help mend their relationship. As husband and wife they see how much they truly do still love one another and fight for their marriage and son.
The ending was pretty cool. I felt that it lingered a bit meaning possibly a sequel?
Definitely won't be the last time I pick up anything by Manel Loureiro
February 7, 2017
A thrill ride of a book , and my first by Manel Loureiro, but definitely not the last. At first this seems like a slightly weirder than average thriller, as the book opens with plenty of drama as two young women are pursued through a remote forest, but it's what happens when their pursuers catch up to them that lets you know that something stranger and more sinister than you imagined is going on.
While Daniel, a cop, is investigating, he receives a call that will change his life, his wife Cassandra has been involved in a terrible accident, and may not survive. However survive she does, but on waking from a coma she is irrevocably changed, and has abilities that she cannot control or understand. Not only that but they seem to have made her a target for an enemy more dangerous and evil than she could possibly imagine.
Dark, twisted, chilling and above all entertaining, this is the definition of a page turner, as events continue to escalate and Cassandra is driven to actions she would never have thought possible, and we as readers are dragged along for the ride as she faces monsters beyond imagination that have plagued humanity for generations, amid fears she is losing her sanity and destroying her marriage and career.
While Daniel, a cop, is investigating, he receives a call that will change his life, his wife Cassandra has been involved in a terrible accident, and may not survive. However survive she does, but on waking from a coma she is irrevocably changed, and has abilities that she cannot control or understand. Not only that but they seem to have made her a target for an enemy more dangerous and evil than she could possibly imagine.
Dark, twisted, chilling and above all entertaining, this is the definition of a page turner, as events continue to escalate and Cassandra is driven to actions she would never have thought possible, and we as readers are dragged along for the ride as she faces monsters beyond imagination that have plagued humanity for generations, amid fears she is losing her sanity and destroying her marriage and career.
June 18, 2017
After a car accident Cassandra starts seeing other peoples auras. She knows there are the "black ones" out there trying to kill her and she is determined to use her new found "powers" to make sure to keep herself and her family safe.
That is basically the gist of the story. I was enjoying the story until the whole aura thing went a little to far. There is a lot out there I believe in but being able to throw someone across a room with your mind is not one of them.
I feel the author had a great set of characters but just didn't do enough with them to make this story a five star story.
That is basically the gist of the story. I was enjoying the story until the whole aura thing went a little to far. There is a lot out there I believe in but being able to throw someone across a room with your mind is not one of them.
I feel the author had a great set of characters but just didn't do enough with them to make this story a five star story.
May 23, 2017
When I read the first chapter it was late night, I immediately put book down and went to bed. It was a little bit "scary". I thought I would not read anymore, but I was compelled to find out what happened. I really, really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and I am so looking forward to the next chapter of the characters. There has to be another book, the story has to move forward.
August 2, 2024
Spoilers!
Probably the best Manel Loureiro novel that I've found translated into English. That part with the glasses in the audiobook made me squeam.
The ending is a little over the top and the love triangle aspect thankfully gets dropped as soon as it's brought up, but I loved the rest of it.
4/5
Probably the best Manel Loureiro novel that I've found translated into English. That part with the glasses in the audiobook made me squeam.
The ending is a little over the top and the love triangle aspect thankfully gets dropped as soon as it's brought up, but I loved the rest of it.
4/5
January 28, 2019
Good or evil
At the start you think it's gonna be a detective story then the supernatural part comes out. I was pretty confused through most of the beginning,but held out. Turned out to be a pretty good story.
At the start you think it's gonna be a detective story then the supernatural part comes out. I was pretty confused through most of the beginning,but held out. Turned out to be a pretty good story.
June 27, 2017
Can't even finish this book. And I don't like to give up on books!
August 14, 2017
More fantasy than horror. Engrossing gread.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2017
Exellent book
This book keeps you in suspence from beginning to end I couldn't put it down till I'd finished it just my type book
This book keeps you in suspence from beginning to end I couldn't put it down till I'd finished it just my type book
February 1, 2018
Only she sees
It was ok,not really my kind of book, didn't get into the story, but to each it's own opinion for this book.
It was ok,not really my kind of book, didn't get into the story, but to each it's own opinion for this book.
March 25, 2018
Way more supernatural than expected but I didn't mind at all. Exciting story about good vs. evil.
August 17, 2018
I won this novel in the goodreads giveaway! I really like Manel Loureiro's writing style. I was entertained and have already recommended the book to my sister.
September 7, 2019
Oooh!
No fair, I do hope there will be a second book, just to tie up some of the forthcoming trouble! A jolly good read, twists and turns galore!!
No fair, I do hope there will be a second book, just to tie up some of the forthcoming trouble! A jolly good read, twists and turns galore!!
March 11, 2017
WOW!! What a great read!!!
This is a great read. I usually read fantasy books, but this mystery book was in my recommended list and I thought it looked like it might be good. I am so glad I read it! It has a touch of fantasy with the auras and stuff, but I wouldn't really call this a fantasy book. It's more mystery, and a great read! I definitely recommend it!!!
This is a great read. I usually read fantasy books, but this mystery book was in my recommended list and I thought it looked like it might be good. I am so glad I read it! It has a touch of fantasy with the auras and stuff, but I wouldn't really call this a fantasy book. It's more mystery, and a great read! I definitely recommend it!!!
March 13, 2017
Breathtaking thriller
A must read thriller that will pull you in and hold you there. Non stop action you won't be able to put it down. Great characters and an interesting story. Looking forward to more.
A must read thriller that will pull you in and hold you there. Non stop action you won't be able to put it down. Great characters and an interesting story. Looking forward to more.
February 25, 2017
Brilliant!!
Couldn't put this book down,read it in 3 days ,plenty of twists and turns that keep you riveted, hope there's a second one.
Couldn't put this book down,read it in 3 days ,plenty of twists and turns that keep you riveted, hope there's a second one.
February 19, 2017
This book was so good that I could not put it down! It had: a great plot with interesting characters, paranormal influences, murder, mayhem, twists & turns, love, etc. After I finished the book, I did not want to let go of the main characters, so I hope that there is a sequel! (Excellent translation from Spanish!)
February 17, 2017
I received this book through the goodreads giveaways program.
After a horrible accident, Cassandra wakes from a coma to find she now can see auras on people. She witnesses atrocities and finds she can see the darkness in the evil people. She then embarks on a battle of good versus evil.
The book just wasn't up my alley. I kept hoping for a twist that someone was tricking her or something and that it was really a psychological thriller, so I continued through the end, but nope . :(
After a horrible accident, Cassandra wakes from a coma to find she now can see auras on people. She witnesses atrocities and finds she can see the darkness in the evil people. She then embarks on a battle of good versus evil.
The book just wasn't up my alley. I kept hoping for a twist that someone was tricking her or something and that it was really a psychological thriller, so I continued through the end, but nope . :(
February 25, 2017
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
March 22, 2017
Thank you to author Manel Loureiro for this Kindle copy of his book Only She Sees. Also, thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity through the First Reads program.
I liked the book. Well written and edited, the story moves along at a nice pace, building to the ending confrontation of light and dark, with a set-up for a follow up book.
If you like the paranormal genre, I feel you'll enjoy this book. A good read.
I liked the book. Well written and edited, the story moves along at a nice pace, building to the ending confrontation of light and dark, with a set-up for a follow up book.
If you like the paranormal genre, I feel you'll enjoy this book. A good read.
November 23, 2016
Only She Sees By manel loureiro is a general fiction (adult) read.
After a tragic car accident shatters her body and mind, Cassandra struggles to piece together her life as a respected psychiatrist and devoted mother. But the accident has changed her. Her eyes have been opened to horrors she never knew existed. Is her family really under attack, or is it all in her mind?
While Cassandra tries to prove the feeling of being stalked, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, hunts a killer of his own. As both the body count and Cassandra’s hysteria rise, Daniel becomes obsessed with the case and suspicious of Cassandra’s part in it. Afraid of losing her increasingly fragile grip on reality, Cassandra plunges into a search for answers that may come at the cost of her sanity. Racing to a shattering confrontation with an evil she can barely comprehend, Cassandra must decide: How far will she go, what darkness will she embrace, to save those she loves?
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. This one really had me thinking. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley
After a tragic car accident shatters her body and mind, Cassandra struggles to piece together her life as a respected psychiatrist and devoted mother. But the accident has changed her. Her eyes have been opened to horrors she never knew existed. Is her family really under attack, or is it all in her mind?
While Cassandra tries to prove the feeling of being stalked, her police-investigator husband, Daniel, hunts a killer of his own. As both the body count and Cassandra’s hysteria rise, Daniel becomes obsessed with the case and suspicious of Cassandra’s part in it. Afraid of losing her increasingly fragile grip on reality, Cassandra plunges into a search for answers that may come at the cost of her sanity. Racing to a shattering confrontation with an evil she can barely comprehend, Cassandra must decide: How far will she go, what darkness will she embrace, to save those she loves?
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. This one really had me thinking. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley
November 8, 2017
After a car accident Cassandra starts seeing other peoples auras. She knows there are the "black ones" out there trying to kill her and she is determined to use her new found "powers" to make sure to keep herself and her family safe.
That is basically the gist of the story. I was enjoying the story until the whole aura thing went a little to far. There is a lot out there I believe in but being able to throw someone across a room with your mind is not one of them.
I feel the author had a great set of characters but just didn't do enough with them to make this story a five star story.
That is basically the gist of the story. I was enjoying the story until the whole aura thing went a little to far. There is a lot out there I believe in but being able to throw someone across a room with your mind is not one of them.
I feel the author had a great set of characters but just didn't do enough with them to make this story a five star story.
February 23, 2017
Unique perspective
Another great book by Senor Loureiro. I loved his use of each person's life force as a battle between good and evil. This is an interesting perspective on how people and events can be manipulated.
Another great book by Senor Loureiro. I loved his use of each person's life force as a battle between good and evil. This is an interesting perspective on how people and events can be manipulated.
March 2, 2017
I recieved a Kindle version of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
This was a great book.
This was a great book.
March 29, 2017
This story has a dramatic beginning when two women, out for a night on the town, are picked up by two men driving an expensive car. They are dumped from the car and their nightmare begins when something unseen chases them through the night. They inexplicably turn on each other; one of them turns into a knife wielding murderer who then attacks herself.
Cassandra aka Cassie is a local psychiatrist who survives what she thinks was just a terrible accident being hit by a car after dropping her young son at school. Medical staff are amazed that she survives and how quickly she recovers from the horrific injuries. Cassie discovers she has the ability to see the auras of family and others in ways which reveal different states including their morbidity. Around this time she encounters the Dark Ones and the Shadows.
The Dark Ones get their kicks from watching people die and are like psychic vampires with an almost hypnotic control over the victims they feed from. Due to their physical limitations they use humans known as the Shadows to do their dirty work.
Cassie discovers a certain symbol indicates if a person has been marked for death and there is a direct link with the Dark Ones. One of the detectives investigating the suspicious deaths is Cassie’s husband Daniel. As tension builds she wonders if she still has his trust and love. She also struggles against the power of the evil Dark Ones and the temptation of joining them. When her family is threatened unexpected help comes from someone she knows only too well.
The opening pages certainly caught my attention straight away and created a cant wait to see what happens next feeling. I felt it was an easy read and really enjoyed the horror side of the story line. The ending took me by surprise as I had imagined a different scenario.
I think those who enjoy crime thrillers and/or horror would get the most enjoyment from this book.
A free digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
Cassandra aka Cassie is a local psychiatrist who survives what she thinks was just a terrible accident being hit by a car after dropping her young son at school. Medical staff are amazed that she survives and how quickly she recovers from the horrific injuries. Cassie discovers she has the ability to see the auras of family and others in ways which reveal different states including their morbidity. Around this time she encounters the Dark Ones and the Shadows.
The Dark Ones get their kicks from watching people die and are like psychic vampires with an almost hypnotic control over the victims they feed from. Due to their physical limitations they use humans known as the Shadows to do their dirty work.
Cassie discovers a certain symbol indicates if a person has been marked for death and there is a direct link with the Dark Ones. One of the detectives investigating the suspicious deaths is Cassie’s husband Daniel. As tension builds she wonders if she still has his trust and love. She also struggles against the power of the evil Dark Ones and the temptation of joining them. When her family is threatened unexpected help comes from someone she knows only too well.
The opening pages certainly caught my attention straight away and created a cant wait to see what happens next feeling. I felt it was an easy read and really enjoyed the horror side of the story line. The ending took me by surprise as I had imagined a different scenario.
I think those who enjoy crime thrillers and/or horror would get the most enjoyment from this book.
A free digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
April 11, 2017
Manel Loureiro's biography note on Goodreads touts him as “the Spanish Stephen King." Based on this one novel, the Kindle edition of which I received for free in a Goodreads Giveaway, I cannot agree. The novel begins with the mysterious deaths of two young women, two friends whose innocent night on the town turns into a grisly nightmare.
The next episode involves Cassandra, a psychiatrist at a facility for the dangerously mentally ill. Cassandra is badly injured in an automobile accident that may not have been accidental. In the hospital she wakes from a coma to find that her injuries seem to be far from merely physical. She sees strange auras around people and witnesses events that may be fantasy, but perhaps are not. Of course, only she sees these things, and she doubts her own sanity. Then she begins to notice a strange sign at various places where violent deaths occur, and the story really takes off when she finds one at her own house.
Meanwhile, Cassandra's husband, a police detective, is assigned, along with his partner, to investigate a bizarre crime that may or may not be related.
Stephen King is a master story teller whose ability to build suspense in a normal setting invaded by an utterly believable and increasingly terrifying "other" reality is unparalleled. Some reviewers of Only She Sees believe that this novel works the same way, but for me it did not. The pacing seemed off; the tension, palpable at times, did not build continuously through the book. The background of Cassandra's struggling relationship with her husband did not contribute as much as it could have. Most of all, she was not, for me at least, a completely convincing character. I felt that some of her actions were just too hard to believe.
Paranormal stories seem to be the rage these days. I suppose the reason I don't read a lot of them is that they are hard to do really well. Devotees of the genre probably will like this book, as numerous other reviewers have. I appreciated the opportunity to read it, and I enjoyed doing so, but I have no great interest in reading the sequel(s) for which Loureiro set up the ending of this one.
The next episode involves Cassandra, a psychiatrist at a facility for the dangerously mentally ill. Cassandra is badly injured in an automobile accident that may not have been accidental. In the hospital she wakes from a coma to find that her injuries seem to be far from merely physical. She sees strange auras around people and witnesses events that may be fantasy, but perhaps are not. Of course, only she sees these things, and she doubts her own sanity. Then she begins to notice a strange sign at various places where violent deaths occur, and the story really takes off when she finds one at her own house.
Meanwhile, Cassandra's husband, a police detective, is assigned, along with his partner, to investigate a bizarre crime that may or may not be related.
Stephen King is a master story teller whose ability to build suspense in a normal setting invaded by an utterly believable and increasingly terrifying "other" reality is unparalleled. Some reviewers of Only She Sees believe that this novel works the same way, but for me it did not. The pacing seemed off; the tension, palpable at times, did not build continuously through the book. The background of Cassandra's struggling relationship with her husband did not contribute as much as it could have. Most of all, she was not, for me at least, a completely convincing character. I felt that some of her actions were just too hard to believe.
Paranormal stories seem to be the rage these days. I suppose the reason I don't read a lot of them is that they are hard to do really well. Devotees of the genre probably will like this book, as numerous other reviewers have. I appreciated the opportunity to read it, and I enjoyed doing so, but I have no great interest in reading the sequel(s) for which Loureiro set up the ending of this one.
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