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Raina: A Prequel to Jacqueline Willoughby
Raina Willoughby met her Aunt Nancy’s friend and coworker, Dr. James Posey, for the first time at the cinema in 1939. Both women enjoyed the company of the charming and delightfully funny man throughout the evening, but it wasn’t long before they discovered James wasn’t nearly as genial as they thought.
The vicious and violent finale to their night finds the Willoughby family trying desperately to heal, but with James’s actions and family secrets looming, the task becomes seemingly impossible…especially when tragedy cripples the family once again. As James repeatedly dodges repercussions courtesy of his wealthy, influential family, Raina struggles to cope with the injustices threatening to break her lovely, youthful spirit.
But Raina won’t break—she wants revenge. She’s going to right the wrongs done to her pastor, her friend, her patients, her family, herself, and most importantly, Nancy Willoughby. Raina will do anything, use anyone, and say anything to avenge them—and she’s going to enjoy it.
The vicious and violent finale to their night finds the Willoughby family trying desperately to heal, but with James’s actions and family secrets looming, the task becomes seemingly impossible…especially when tragedy cripples the family once again. As James repeatedly dodges repercussions courtesy of his wealthy, influential family, Raina struggles to cope with the injustices threatening to break her lovely, youthful spirit.
But Raina won’t break—she wants revenge. She’s going to right the wrongs done to her pastor, her friend, her patients, her family, herself, and most importantly, Nancy Willoughby. Raina will do anything, use anyone, and say anything to avenge them—and she’s going to enjoy it.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 30, 2019
Raina by Schuyler Randall is the prequel to the previously released Jacqueline Willoughby. In this new addition to the storyline we are taken back in time to the source of where all of the murders began. Raina is the young daughter of Frank and Jacqueline Willoughby and by all accounts is sheer perfection. Not only is Raina beautiful but she is also pious with a stunning personality. She is beloved by all whom meet her and has a very special and doting relationship with her aunt Nancy. The two spend a lot of time together and frequently are told how similar they look in appearance.
On one particular evening Raina accompanies Nancy out on a date to the movies with a young doctor named Posey. Following the date which has gone off without a hitch the trio return to Nancy’s home and once Raina retires to her room things begin to heat up between Nancy and Posey. However, things are moving too quickly for Nancy’s tastes and she draws back from Posey’s advances. Posey disregards her dismissal and soon a vicious attack ensues. Raina, hearing the commotion, comes to her aunt’s aid only to become a victim to the beating that has occurred. Due to Posey’s father’s influence he evades repercussion by the judicial system which leaves both women scarred but what they have endured.
Throughout the novella family secrets are revealed and Raina begins to find herself slipping further and further into thoughts of vengeance. These thoughts hit a fever-pitch when Nancy inadvertently runs into a released Posey on the streets and is run down in the streets by a passing vehicle. Her death is not one f that Raina can handle though she seems to be unshaken at first. She begins to shut down and lose herself as the rage overtakes her. The smaller things in life become triggers and she heads out on a warpath that in her declining mental state appears justified but is truly unsettling and bizarre.
This piece was a very short read for me however the beginning was choppy and for me as a reader was not very engaging. I was more interested in getting to the meat of it as I had previously read and reviewed the original installment in Jacqueline Willoughby. For me, this story was not as strong or fleshed out as the first. Though this was a prequel and from the build up in the first read you are definitely interested in it’s origin it just was not as engaging. It took too long to build up and Raina’s decisions to kill certain individuals was just so bizarre. Only two of the murders could almost make sense but the others seemed very far fetched. I was also confused on how easily she would begin to use the opposing sex for her bidding with my primary concern being for Alexander whom had always done right by her and had loved her. The others could be pawns, yes, but one would think she would hold him in a very different regard or that he would almost be able to draw her back to reality.
I enjoy where Randall is attempting to go with both installments to this story however I need just a little bit more. The second half of this piece is a lot more put together than the beginning and there needs to be a strong opening.
On one particular evening Raina accompanies Nancy out on a date to the movies with a young doctor named Posey. Following the date which has gone off without a hitch the trio return to Nancy’s home and once Raina retires to her room things begin to heat up between Nancy and Posey. However, things are moving too quickly for Nancy’s tastes and she draws back from Posey’s advances. Posey disregards her dismissal and soon a vicious attack ensues. Raina, hearing the commotion, comes to her aunt’s aid only to become a victim to the beating that has occurred. Due to Posey’s father’s influence he evades repercussion by the judicial system which leaves both women scarred but what they have endured.
Throughout the novella family secrets are revealed and Raina begins to find herself slipping further and further into thoughts of vengeance. These thoughts hit a fever-pitch when Nancy inadvertently runs into a released Posey on the streets and is run down in the streets by a passing vehicle. Her death is not one f that Raina can handle though she seems to be unshaken at first. She begins to shut down and lose herself as the rage overtakes her. The smaller things in life become triggers and she heads out on a warpath that in her declining mental state appears justified but is truly unsettling and bizarre.
This piece was a very short read for me however the beginning was choppy and for me as a reader was not very engaging. I was more interested in getting to the meat of it as I had previously read and reviewed the original installment in Jacqueline Willoughby. For me, this story was not as strong or fleshed out as the first. Though this was a prequel and from the build up in the first read you are definitely interested in it’s origin it just was not as engaging. It took too long to build up and Raina’s decisions to kill certain individuals was just so bizarre. Only two of the murders could almost make sense but the others seemed very far fetched. I was also confused on how easily she would begin to use the opposing sex for her bidding with my primary concern being for Alexander whom had always done right by her and had loved her. The others could be pawns, yes, but one would think she would hold him in a very different regard or that he would almost be able to draw her back to reality.
I enjoy where Randall is attempting to go with both installments to this story however I need just a little bit more. The second half of this piece is a lot more put together than the beginning and there needs to be a strong opening.
February 26, 2019
This is a historical fiction thriller novel, the prequel of a series. It is not quite a standalone novel because it is to be continued, so if you do not want to read the rest of the series you may not be interested. It tells the coming of age story of a girl named Raina, and certain events that changed her from a nice, average teenaged girl into a completely different, embittered young woman. When she witnessed the brutal attack of a near family member by a would-be suitor, and how after she was physically healed that family member retained lasting mental scars that made her afraid to step out of the house, she wanted justice. The way that justice was served mattered little to her.
This book was only historical fiction in the sense that it takes place in the early to mid 1940's and has an occasional nod to the fashions and trends of the time period. The way the people spoke did not seem to represent the time period very well, with the young adults and teenagers speaking very proper English and not using any of the slang common to the times.
The reading level of this story is lower than the audience it is directed at, and the wordage is rather simplistic and bland. When somebody speaks in the story, there are a hundred other ways to state that somebody says something, you don't need to say "says" every time as this author seems to do. While the vocabulary is at about a sixth grade level, the book contains far too many graphic scenes for that audience, as well as some cursing.
The author thanks an editing service in the front of the book, but the book was very poorly edited. Many of the mistakes in it are significant, and distract from the story itself. It should really be gone over again, particularly the last third of the book.
When I started reading, I found it slow-paced but mildly enjoyable, and would have given it three stars. Halfway through, the pace had picked up some and the author was skillfully using foreshadowing to build anticipation for coming events, and I would have given it four stars. However, by the time I reached the last page, I hated the main character and the way the book ended, and my rating dropped to two stars.
This book was only historical fiction in the sense that it takes place in the early to mid 1940's and has an occasional nod to the fashions and trends of the time period. The way the people spoke did not seem to represent the time period very well, with the young adults and teenagers speaking very proper English and not using any of the slang common to the times.
The reading level of this story is lower than the audience it is directed at, and the wordage is rather simplistic and bland. When somebody speaks in the story, there are a hundred other ways to state that somebody says something, you don't need to say "says" every time as this author seems to do. While the vocabulary is at about a sixth grade level, the book contains far too many graphic scenes for that audience, as well as some cursing.
The author thanks an editing service in the front of the book, but the book was very poorly edited. Many of the mistakes in it are significant, and distract from the story itself. It should really be gone over again, particularly the last third of the book.
When I started reading, I found it slow-paced but mildly enjoyable, and would have given it three stars. Halfway through, the pace had picked up some and the author was skillfully using foreshadowing to build anticipation for coming events, and I would have given it four stars. However, by the time I reached the last page, I hated the main character and the way the book ended, and my rating dropped to two stars.
February 22, 2021
Raina Willoughby and her Aunt Nancy are subjected to a brutal assault by Nancy’s co-worker, Dr James Posey. When justice fails to prevail due to Posey Snr’s wealth and connections, further tragedy strikes the Willoughby family. Despite seemingly able to cope, Raina is secretly in turmoil and harbours plans of vicious revenge on Dr Posey and all those she has perceived have wronged her…
Raina is an interesting book that provides for a curious read. It is written in present tense which, whilst lending a sense of immediacy to the narrative, does affect the pace as the reader is given fairly superfluous detail as Raina and others move through present time. The tense also lessens the effect of any dramatic tension. The second half of the book is certainly the stronger. In the beginning, the atmosphere is quite stilted and the prose has a detached quality; especially with dialogue. However, this gives the narrative a dreamlike, almost filmic quality which does begin to heighten the foreboding you start to feel in regard to Raina. Her demeanour and family life are so wonderfully lovely at certain stages in the book that you just know there is an element of façade here and I felt a sinister undercurrent. The plot is fairly straightforward and the early twist concerning Raina was neatly foreshadowed but that did not lessen the impact. I think the reveal involving Aunt Nancy was a good move; it does add another dimension to the plot and also possibly another reason for Raina’s later behaviour.
There is quite significant change in tone just before three-quarters through that takes the narrative down a nightmarish rabbit-hole. Raina develops into someone far removed from her earlier sweetly perfect persona and I was reminded of an automaton come to life with chilling intent. This descent into madness and horror combined with the almost stylised, deadpan prose make for a surreal reading experience that enhances Raina’s actions. The story is set in the late 1930s but aside from reference to The Wizard of Oz and Raina’s ubiquitous cloche hat, there is very little historical context and the novel could certainly have done with more.
Overall, an unconventional and strangely endearing read. Well worth a look.
Raina is an interesting book that provides for a curious read. It is written in present tense which, whilst lending a sense of immediacy to the narrative, does affect the pace as the reader is given fairly superfluous detail as Raina and others move through present time. The tense also lessens the effect of any dramatic tension. The second half of the book is certainly the stronger. In the beginning, the atmosphere is quite stilted and the prose has a detached quality; especially with dialogue. However, this gives the narrative a dreamlike, almost filmic quality which does begin to heighten the foreboding you start to feel in regard to Raina. Her demeanour and family life are so wonderfully lovely at certain stages in the book that you just know there is an element of façade here and I felt a sinister undercurrent. The plot is fairly straightforward and the early twist concerning Raina was neatly foreshadowed but that did not lessen the impact. I think the reveal involving Aunt Nancy was a good move; it does add another dimension to the plot and also possibly another reason for Raina’s later behaviour.
There is quite significant change in tone just before three-quarters through that takes the narrative down a nightmarish rabbit-hole. Raina develops into someone far removed from her earlier sweetly perfect persona and I was reminded of an automaton come to life with chilling intent. This descent into madness and horror combined with the almost stylised, deadpan prose make for a surreal reading experience that enhances Raina’s actions. The story is set in the late 1930s but aside from reference to The Wizard of Oz and Raina’s ubiquitous cloche hat, there is very little historical context and the novel could certainly have done with more.
Overall, an unconventional and strangely endearing read. Well worth a look.
March 9, 2019
Interesting book.
Started off as a good story line.After the assault and discovery of who she really is, it was still good.Then after the death of her mother she goes over the rail.Raina then starts killing people.She gets men to help her but not enough detail in how she gets them and who help. Well all good things come to an end .She is committed to a mental hospital,release and moves on .She will kill again
Started off as a good story line.After the assault and discovery of who she really is, it was still good.Then after the death of her mother she goes over the rail.Raina then starts killing people.She gets men to help her but not enough detail in how she gets them and who help. Well all good things come to an end .She is committed to a mental hospital,release and moves on .She will kill again
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