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Animus
It’s midsummer. Months after Emma vanquished the Blackstone curse, she still hasn’t decided where her future lies …
… or whether she wants Westen to be part of it.
And what about the earth tremor that came from Seely Tor?
Something is not right in the under-Flammark, something that’s about to arrive which is far deadlier than the spirit she and her friends battled last year.
And one of them has changed …
… or whether she wants Westen to be part of it.
And what about the earth tremor that came from Seely Tor?
Something is not right in the under-Flammark, something that’s about to arrive which is far deadlier than the spirit she and her friends battled last year.
And one of them has changed …
- GenresMystery
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2021
18 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 12, 2022
In Animus we return to the anti-Dibley (aka the village of Flammark) of author Polly J. Mordant’s gruesome imagination to catch up with our traumatised hero Emma Blake, her gifted chum Abigail and her dog-collared friend, neighbour and landlord Will.
If these guys are hoping for a little downtime following their harrowing adventures in When Angels Fear, then they’re shit out of luck as Flammark is rocked by an earthquake. Then the arrival of a sceptre-sporting dean called St Saviour sets a black cat among the pigeons. There is an extremely gory murder that drives deep into the heart of one of the principal characters. And before you can even so much as cross yourself, an evil outpouring from the bowels of the earth threatens to engulf the entire county.
Phew.
There’s something very Hammer Horroresque about Animus and its aforementioned predecessor, and I’m a sucker for all that crows-cawing-and-church-bells-chiming-through-a-foggy-graveyard stuff. For me, a bit of English gothic is always a big plus. And in addition to the beguiling bats in the belfry atmosphere, what this book has in spades is good old fashioned excitement. You’ll notice that on the cover it says, ‘A supernatural thriller’. Well, it ain’t lying. There’s a strong sense of clock-ticking-down-to-doomsday here, and Mordant really knows how to twist that particular tourniquet.
What quickly becomes clear while reading this book is that our trusty author knows a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff; like about the Bible, about witchcraft, about paganism. Hell, even about fracking. The detail that supports the story is intricate and fascinating, and one suspects that she knows a lot of stuff about a lot of other stuff too. By the end of it I felt not only that I had been entertained, but educated.
The characters here are all fully-rounded and believable, and we feel their pain and share their triumphs as they lead us from opening to denouement. Also, the baddie is one of the most vile (and henceforth satisfying) that I’ve ever encountered in literature. My personal favourite character, however, is the irascible detective Westen. I love the way the f-count of Animus ratchets up every time he comes swaggering onto the page.
At the end of this book Mordant confidently teases us with the next in the Flammark series. I say bring it on!
If these guys are hoping for a little downtime following their harrowing adventures in When Angels Fear, then they’re shit out of luck as Flammark is rocked by an earthquake. Then the arrival of a sceptre-sporting dean called St Saviour sets a black cat among the pigeons. There is an extremely gory murder that drives deep into the heart of one of the principal characters. And before you can even so much as cross yourself, an evil outpouring from the bowels of the earth threatens to engulf the entire county.
Phew.
There’s something very Hammer Horroresque about Animus and its aforementioned predecessor, and I’m a sucker for all that crows-cawing-and-church-bells-chiming-through-a-foggy-graveyard stuff. For me, a bit of English gothic is always a big plus. And in addition to the beguiling bats in the belfry atmosphere, what this book has in spades is good old fashioned excitement. You’ll notice that on the cover it says, ‘A supernatural thriller’. Well, it ain’t lying. There’s a strong sense of clock-ticking-down-to-doomsday here, and Mordant really knows how to twist that particular tourniquet.
What quickly becomes clear while reading this book is that our trusty author knows a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff; like about the Bible, about witchcraft, about paganism. Hell, even about fracking. The detail that supports the story is intricate and fascinating, and one suspects that she knows a lot of stuff about a lot of other stuff too. By the end of it I felt not only that I had been entertained, but educated.
The characters here are all fully-rounded and believable, and we feel their pain and share their triumphs as they lead us from opening to denouement. Also, the baddie is one of the most vile (and henceforth satisfying) that I’ve ever encountered in literature. My personal favourite character, however, is the irascible detective Westen. I love the way the f-count of Animus ratchets up every time he comes swaggering onto the page.
At the end of this book Mordant confidently teases us with the next in the Flammark series. I say bring it on!
September 2, 2021
wow!
I hoped the author would do another book and make it a series. Looks like the author listened to her readers! I'm so happy she did!
The second book is action packed. The pace isn't too slow burning and the same creepy atmosphere from the first book is definitely there in this one. If you didn't establish a favourite character from the first this one will certainly deepen your bond with one or all of them in this (FYI mine's Westen the detective).
This book starts within Flammark's caravan site and the group are once again embroiled in something dark, creeping and 'other' which I think is in keeping with the first one.
This one has a more mythical and magic theme than horror (though the bits of horror certainly IS there but doesn't take over). I felt like the Author is bringing Flammark to life and it makes me want to see these characters grow and I want to know what else could possibly happen in this little English village.
it's a ride for sure, though the book can be read without reading the first one. I do like the fact that the author doesn't shy away from some rather adult content and kept up with the relatively english way of speaking (dripping with sarcasm, expletives and humour) - personally I think it's best to start with 'When Angels Fear' first to really immerse yourself and get to know/accept the characters as they blossom.
It has murder, mystery, Magick and good old English sense of humour dotted throughout. Definitely 5 stars.
Roll on book 3! (hopefully).
I hoped the author would do another book and make it a series. Looks like the author listened to her readers! I'm so happy she did!
The second book is action packed. The pace isn't too slow burning and the same creepy atmosphere from the first book is definitely there in this one. If you didn't establish a favourite character from the first this one will certainly deepen your bond with one or all of them in this (FYI mine's Westen the detective).
This book starts within Flammark's caravan site and the group are once again embroiled in something dark, creeping and 'other' which I think is in keeping with the first one.
This one has a more mythical and magic theme than horror (though the bits of horror certainly IS there but doesn't take over). I felt like the Author is bringing Flammark to life and it makes me want to see these characters grow and I want to know what else could possibly happen in this little English village.
it's a ride for sure, though the book can be read without reading the first one. I do like the fact that the author doesn't shy away from some rather adult content and kept up with the relatively english way of speaking (dripping with sarcasm, expletives and humour) - personally I think it's best to start with 'When Angels Fear' first to really immerse yourself and get to know/accept the characters as they blossom.
It has murder, mystery, Magick and good old English sense of humour dotted throughout. Definitely 5 stars.
Roll on book 3! (hopefully).
September 6, 2021
The writing is spot on with this author. I love the unique plots she creates and that they're set in the English countryside. This book takes place in the near future of book one "When Angels Fear" so the characters are familiar to me, and I did enjoy the continuation. I would have loved to give this book a five star, however I would have liked to see some backstory along with the characters, for if I hadn't read the first book - or if I happen to read it in the distant future, I wouldn't understand them as much, so I do think this is really important information for the reader.
Otherwise, seriously fantastic read.
Otherwise, seriously fantastic read.
September 12, 2021
Love this series! Can't wait for more!
September 4, 2021
I hoped the author would do another book and make it a series. Looks like the author listened to her readers! I'm so happy she did!
The second book is action packed. The pace isn't too slow burning and the same creepy atmosphere from the first book is definitely there in this one. If you didn't establish a favourite character from the first this one will certainly deepen your bond with one or all of them in this (FYI mine's Westen the detective).
This book starts within Flammark's caravan site and the group are once again embroiled in something dark, creeping and 'other' which I think is in keeping with the first one.
This one has a more mythical and magic theme than horror (though the bits of horror certainly IS there but doesn't take over). I felt like the Author is bringing Flammark to life and it makes me want to see these characters grow and I want to know what else could possibly happen in this little English village.
it's a ride for sure, though the book can be read without reading the first one. I do like the fact that the author doesn't shy away from some rather adult content and kept up with the relatively english way of speaking (dripping with sarcasm, expletives and humour) - personally I think it's best to start with 'When Angels Fear' first to really immerse yourself and get to know/accept the characters as they blossom.
It has murder, mystery, Magick and good old English sense of humour dotted throughout. Definitely 5 stars.
Roll on book 3! (hopefully)
September 12, 2021
Haunting, raw and compelling
In a rocketing sequel to When Angels Fear, PJ Mordant has upped the supernatural ante. We rejoin Emma, Will and Abigail in Flammark. Still reeling from the events of the first book, little do they know all hell is about to let loose again. A new threat, even more malevolent than the Blackstone curse, awakens. It hates with a passion and its eyes are set firmly on our heroes. As they fight it, we are left breathless, desperate to find out how - or if - they will make it through. All the while we’re in no doubt that even victory will come at a high price.
As with When Angels Fear, the supernatural is undercut with stirring real-life and very human issues. Animus takes in themes of love and friendship, trust and faith. The environmental subplot is cleverly woven and fits perfectly into the story. I loved it - can’t wait to read more in the Flammark series.
In a rocketing sequel to When Angels Fear, PJ Mordant has upped the supernatural ante. We rejoin Emma, Will and Abigail in Flammark. Still reeling from the events of the first book, little do they know all hell is about to let loose again. A new threat, even more malevolent than the Blackstone curse, awakens. It hates with a passion and its eyes are set firmly on our heroes. As they fight it, we are left breathless, desperate to find out how - or if - they will make it through. All the while we’re in no doubt that even victory will come at a high price.
As with When Angels Fear, the supernatural is undercut with stirring real-life and very human issues. Animus takes in themes of love and friendship, trust and faith. The environmental subplot is cleverly woven and fits perfectly into the story. I loved it - can’t wait to read more in the Flammark series.
October 22, 2021
In a word...BRILLIANT. Absolutely brilliant. This book was a few titles down my TBR list, but I bumped it up after reading When Angels Fear. I don't usually do this, but I don't regret it. Once again, P.J. Mordant kept me on the edge of my seat with her story, only to pull said seat out from under me with her style. Well done!
Oh, but wait...there is ANOTHER installment in the wings??? Pssh...just take my damn money.
Oh, but wait...there is ANOTHER installment in the wings??? Pssh...just take my damn money.
April 12, 2022
She's done it again!
What a fantastic story! The supernatural once again targets a unique town (that I most definately want to visit one day) where exceptional characters, dealing with their own emotional baggage, face a supernatural threat ... Ms. Mordant knocks it out of the park. Looking forward to more!
What a fantastic story! The supernatural once again targets a unique town (that I most definately want to visit one day) where exceptional characters, dealing with their own emotional baggage, face a supernatural threat ... Ms. Mordant knocks it out of the park. Looking forward to more!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews