Although I found some enjoyment in this book, I struggled to stay engaged with the story. There were moments when the plot felt overly dramatic, and the overall length made it a bit of a slog to get through. The characters, however, were still thoughtfully crafted and relatable, making them easy to root for despite the pacing issues. Unfortunately, there were times when I set the book aside for several days simply because it failed to capture my interest. I may be a little too generous in giving it 3 stars, but I acknowledge that the underlying story has merit, even if it wasn’t entirely captivating.
I have to say that this never did really grab me and pull me in but I did slowly start to warm up to the story and the characters as things progressed. The characters seem a little bland, to begin with, and kind of standard since we first meet our main family after the initial lead and they are typical for you would expect, an ex-military dad who you know will be the hero. The mother who loves him but feels he should be more loyal to the family, and sweet kids with that sour teenager thrown in for flavor. They are all present and accounted for, but there is a surprise that made me more interested. Once you get past them we are introduced to more characters in their own segment who you already know are going to be significant to later storylines.
I won’t say that it is totally predictable because it does have a few elements that I have not seen in some other novels in the same genre. But the story so far has been pretty straightforward with some interesting twists that I want to find out more about. There is however the matter of the word ‘yens’, what the heck does it mean. It is used over and over and I got the context, sort of, but still have no idea if this is a real world or a massive typo.
The end of humanity started at 30,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in a military aircraft carrying the bodies of deceased soldiers home for burial. As the plane flies over the Bermuda Triangle they run into a mysterious cloud bank that seems to cause problems with the plane and finally with their cargo. With the crashing of the plane, the epidemic spread like wildfire from the East Coast across the country and beyond.
Mankind seems doomed but Maynard Dunn, ex-marine, husband, and father seems pegged to lead humankind out of the darkness. He will lead a small group who will fight back and try to save what they can of humanity from the dark force that is trying to wipe them out.
There is some action and blood and gore. The language can be a little vulgar at times but nothing you couldn’t hear just walking down the streets. I would say if you like zombies then you should give this a try. I do want to read book two to see where things go from this ending which was expected.
This was one of those books that it took me a while to get into. I liked the idea of the book and after reading the blurb I was prepared to totally like it but it did not click right away. I think it partially had to do with the main character, I had a hard time warming up to her. She was actually rather dull at the beginning though I had decided I liked her by the time we were getting to the end. The fact that the story was two-pronged both helped and hurt me. I understood that it was a matter of telling the story of Ichabod Crane as well as bringing it into the present it was not bad and I liked the way that his story was handled, the present just didn’t flow as well. I also liked that Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle were prominent parts of his story.
Ichabod Crane and his friends go to Sleepy Hollow where he has been retained as the Schoolmaster. After the war, they are all just wanting to find work and live out their lives as peacefully as possible. But they have come to the wrong place to find that peace because Sleepy Hollow is under a curse that seems to be pulling them in. Ichabod has fallen in love with a girl who has been promised to another. Rip is making a reputation for himself under Ichabod’s name and Irving is just being himself. When the Horseman rides and seems to be coming for his beloved Ichabod makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Ireland Crane is looking to make a fresh start in Sleepy Hollow after a bad breakup that has left her mistrustful of men. She has no idea that bearing her name in that town is not the best of ideas. She comes there as a guidance counselor to the local High School and proceeds to fall into the role it seems she was always meant to play. When the Horseman seems to reappear and she becomes a prime suspect things could not seem worse. Then she finds a squatter in her basement who turns out to be Rip Van Winkle and he tells her that she is cursed.
With bodies dropping and no knowledge of why or how she seems to be involved Ireland must try to believe something so fantastic it could only be a movie. But to break the curse she will help someone she has never believed existed.
The story is a good one but it took a while for me to connect, this does not mean it would be the same for anyone else. Once it gets going well the story takes on a life of its own and draws you in. I am debating on reading the remaining books in the series but may just see where things go after she takes charge.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes the retelling of old myths and legends.
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