The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

“The boy turned back to the lady. She clasped him close. There was a burst of darkness, a storm of black wings flapping. It exploded up around them, screaming towards the sky. Then they were gone...”

This is Stefan Bachmann's debut novel and in most parts it is an enjoyable read. It follows the story of Bartholomew Kettle, a peculiar living in Old Bath. A Peculiar is half human and half faery and despised by all so Bartholomew is always in hiding along with his sister Hettie. He craves a friend and when he tries to summon a faery servant he sees a strange lady taking away the boy from across the road and wonders where he has gone and if he could go too.

For the most part I enjoyed this book but felt like it took far too long to get going. It wasn't until the end of the book that I realised that there would be a sequel and I think that it distracted from the actual novel as it felt a bit like the warm up for the main event. Don't get me wrong the book is well written and easy to read and I really like the character Mr Jelliby who turns into an unlikely hero but it felt like there was something missing. Maybe this is a ploy to get you to read the next one as it does end on a cliffhanger!

If you are looking for a book that you know will have to continue in maybe one or two more books then this is for you. I have to confess that I may well pick up the next one just to see what happens.

Many thanks to Emma for the loan of the book - http://www.bookangelbooktopia.com/