Author: Bryan Camp
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018
Pages: 367
Genre: fantasy
Obtained: from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Summary: Jude Dubuisson, a demi-god, who has the ability to find lost things, has been struggling since Katrina hit New Orleans. There were so many things lost in the hurricane that Jude just could not cope, so disappeared from his old life. After six years, the fortune god of New Orleans calls in a "favor" from Jude. When the fortune god winds up murdered, Jude finds himself back in a world from which he tried to escape, with more depending on him than he could have imagined.
Thoughts: This is not the type of book I would usually choose to read, but the book summary sounded like there was a complex plot which I have really been enjoying lately. I was not disappointed. Along with an intricately woven plot, the book had a dark atmosphere, bringing the post Katrina city of New Orleans to life to the point that the setting's presence was almost like a character. It made me realize that towns and cities, in a way, have a soul, part of which is the architecture, buildings, landmarks, and history, but also the community.
This was a clever, original book. It reminded me of a slow roller coaster ride. There were twists and turns but they were at a moderate pace, not fast. The author brought mythology and religious figures from many cultures into the book, showing how they merged, sometimes being one and the same. The book was deep, with devastation and loss always in the background, but also a glimmer of hope. There were underlying themes, the most prominent to me being destiny versus luck. The characters were unique and had differing personalities and I enjoyed the minor characters as much as the main ones.
The only negative I came across was in the middle, a couple of times my mind wandered, and I thought the book was just too drawn out. It felt too long at points, like some additional editing would have helped. It was not repetitive, but just got too far away from the action, losing its drive.
If you like dark, fantasy books, especially mythological, this is a great one to try. If you are a New Orleans fan, definitely read it.
The author has an additional "Crescent City Novel" that he is working on which has the same setting, but takes place about a year and half after this book ends. It will have a different main character this time- a woman who is a psychopomp (a guide that leads the dead into the afterlife).
I received my first tea the day before Mother's Day- perfect timing. The specially blended tea for the club this month was English Berries and Cream Black Tea. Sometimes berry tea is just too tart for me, but the tartness in this one was balanced with vanilla and cinnamon. I particularly loved the cinnamon with the berries. I bet this one is wonderful iced too.
Since the tea of the month seasonal teas are not available for individual purchase, I won't write about them on the blog. I will, however, review the samples since they are available for purchase. Contemplative Blend Guayusa Tea will be reviewed in a future blog post, since this is the one I received for May. I will also share my thoughts on the tea club teas on my Facebook Page. Please follow me there if interested in hearing about my tea club experience.
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