Serere, a Prelude by Andy Frankham-Allen
Series: The Garden Saga (0.5)
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Pages: 31 (ebook)
Source: Untreed Reads
Author's Website
Buy it: Kindle | Untread
Description:
In 1788 a mysterious man arrives in Newington Green, England, to discuss something of the utmost importance with Isobel Shelley. While there he happens upon the pages of the Book of Origin, and finds himself caught up in a series of events that lead him back to Newington Green 214 years later. There he bumps into a man called Willem Townsend; it is an accidental encounter that will change the lives of both men forever. Things have been set in motion, a prophecy waits to be fulfilled... "A man can surely do what he wills to do, but cannot determine what he wills."
My Rating:
Quick-thoughts: Short. Confusing. IntriguingSerere is a super short novella that quickly draws the reader in and introduces a world that appears to be unique from any other. It's only a quick snapshot but it appears to be an adult paranormal with vampires at the very least. The writing is spectacular in a way that I found refreshing and it definitely made me curious about The Garden Saga. Why Meh then? I have no idea what happened in the 31 pages. I was intrigued from the start but ended up confused and left with no satisfaction whatsoever. It mentions multiple characters in a short amount of time and I know little about any of them. It isn't enough to call it a teaser because I'm still not quite sure what I'm being teased with. I know that there are vampires and there seems to be at least one m/m relationship but I'm not sure what the series is about nor do I know the underlying conflict. For me, reading the first chapter of the first book in the series might have been more beneficial. While I wouldn't recommend the novella, I would say that the full-length series might have promise based on a unique concept and great writing.
