859. "The Auguries" by F. G. Cottom – 3-Stars

The Auguries by F. G. Cottom – 3-Stars

Publisher: Severn House Publishers LTD

ISBN: 9780727888693

Dawn was the highlight of this book. She is a very evil, mischievous, little girl who finds the Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom and begins her quest to learn all the spells no matter the cost. She’ll stop at nothing to perfect a spell, even by using her brother as a guinea pig. The “Auguries” are side effects, chaotic to claustrophobic in nature, of using a spell, or in some cases just caused by a person near the book. Had this novel continued to build on Dawn and her demonic acts, I would have loved it.

Unfortunately, Dawn and her activities became less and less in terms of text. Meanwhile the history of the Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom and the search for the book and the person utilizing it became the focus monopolizing the novel. It was like Dr. Jekyll (the book hunt) and Mr. Hyde (Dawn and activities), where I wanted the excitement and interest of the unpredictable Mr. Hyde with the imaginative Auguries; not an increasingly boring Dr. Jekyll or a over done Sherlock Holmes.

The history of the book and the individuals leading the hunt were very nicely introduced and developed as necessary. However, once that was done, it was not pleasant to drag on with it. I stopped reading this at about 80% and asked my wife to fill in the ending. She’s always committed to finish a book no matter how its interest it fades.

So, I rated this a 5 to begin and 2 by the end, making it a 3 overall. I suppose how you will enjoy it depends on whether your pulse rises from Mr. Hyde actions or Dr. Jekyll and Sherlock Holmes discoveries.

Reviewer: Rich