The Joining

The Carrowkeel Series #1

by Nina Oram

Sixteen-year-old Jasmin has just moved to the seemingly idyllic west of Ireland with her mother and stepfather.

Weird things soon begin to happen around her, though.

There's the strange man with black eyes who seems to be following her around Ireland, a local farmer who takes an unusually strong interest in her, and a cryptic warning from a man who carves Irish myths into wood.

When a visit to a Megalithic tomb propels Jasmine into a world of supernatural power, something ancient awakens inside her. But it also attracts evil, as a druid, shunned by his order, craves her power too.

The dangers of her awakening will affect all around her, taking its toll on everyone she holds dear.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Brian Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Joining is a great story of Jasmine, a courageous teenager who is coping with her parents choice to leave London for a better life in rural Ireland, only to find herself thrust into the path of a mystical threat that could tear her world apart.
The wonderful interactions between Jasmine, her family, and friends are keenly observed and delightfully humorous. Nina Oram has done a great job of bringing the characters to life in a modern world we recognise, for me this accentuates Jasmines plight as she comes to terms with who she is, and what is happening around her.
The threat to Jasmine builds to a stunning conclusion, and left me wanting to know more about her, the people in her life, and the adventure unfolding before her.

At 54, I'm nowhere near the intended Young Adult audience for the book, but I'm glad I read it. Nina Oram has produced a lovely book, written in a distinctive style but without sacrificing readability so you remain focused on the story. I'm convinced this is one of those novels that will appeal to both children and parents alike. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait to see where this trilogy goes from here.

[Brian Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from my son Luka, aged 12
,...............................

This book is, in my opinion, one of the best books I have ever read. It is excellently written, very well thought out. The characters and storyline were very unique and brought a complete different side to magic and the west coast of Ireland. while read this book I was reminded of another great Irish series, Skulduggery Pleasant.

It was very entertaining because you never know what would happen next. It was funny at parts,then the next scene could be a complete turn-around and very scary.I would recommend this book fro 10+ year olds This book is complete, witha good mix between magic, thriller, horror and comedy.

[Samantha Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having three children, I have read a lot of books for children. This one has been added to a list of favourites and I would recommend it.

I love the story and didn't want to put it down. I was disappointed when it ended, I cant wait for the next one.

The book is a great portrayal of a normal teenager, trying to cope with many changes, even before the supernatural powers arrive. Jasmine is a temperamental and confused teenager, and I felt sorry for her. She was also sarcastic and funny with a strong sense of loyalty, and I liked her.

The writing style really worked at dragging me in and I found myself nervous for Jasmine, I was desperate to read on to check she was OK.

The relationships within the family were well rounded and showed parents trying to deal with a difficult teenager who won't really talk to them.

[Shelley Banning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two days!! A really good read that sucks you into the story really really well and really quickly. Well written, very atmospheric. The descriptions of Ireland and the Celtic sites are very good and you can almost feel the weather when reading. I’m nearly 60 and I enjoyed it very much, my granddaughter is 12 and she is enjoying it too. A great read for any age. When I read the De Vinci code I wanted to go to Paris and visit the sites mentioned, which I did. Similarily I now want to go to Ireland and experience the atmosphere of the sites ...... a really good sign in my view as this is only the second book in my lifetime to make me feel that way. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Cecelia Beyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. First, the good - I did feel compelled to keep reading, at least for the first half of the book. It did engage and pique my interest. But then... My first critique: I liked the author's choice to use Gaeilge terms, but ... could we not spell them correctly? "Iomlán" missing its fada/diacritical mark, and this made me NUTS the entire time. It's a spelling error, on the most critical word of the book. Second, I feel there were threads that were not addressed, left hanging, or ignored. The prologue, for example, "In the beginning..." What was that? We need return to that scene, and there is never any explanation of it. What happened in the opening sequence in the tomb? It's never quite clear what was going on there - was it a dream? Was it time travel? Astral projection? And why does John disappear every time he should be protecting Jasmine, if his life mission has been to do just that? Also, why does Ellylon need Jasmine to open a PORTAL to go back in time, if all SHE AND SÉAMUS need to do to go back in time is go into the tomb and use their iomlán?! Surely he also could have done this.

It's all so peculiar and under-explained. Which leads to my third problem: yes, I realize it's a three-part series, and perhaps some of these questions might be answered in the subsequent books (but I'm not reading them to find out), but in a good trilogy, each novel stands well on its own, with a plot line and some closure in each installment. I enjoyed the book as an exciting read, despite the somewhat predictable "magic power, new user thinks they know more than their mentors" story line, but was incredibly disappointed in how it ended, with all the loose threads.