Nolander (Emanations, an urban fantasy series) [Kindle Edition]

Becca Mills (Author)

Book Description

Nice girls don't believe in monsters. They're wrong.

Amateur photographer Beth Ryder is in trouble. She's taking pictures of things she can't see, things that aren't human. Beth has her own dreams, but people like her don't get to go free. She's seized by a group dedicated to keeping Earth's shadow world--and its frightening inhabitants--a secret. Forced into otherworldly politics and uncertain whom to trust, Beth must come to terms with a radically altered future--one in which her own humanity seems to be slipping away.

Nolander is the first novel in the fantasy series Emanations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is among the best of the urban fantasy genre, and it is a wonder why a major publisher has yet to pick it up. Mills has given us such a dynamic world with vibrant characters and multiple plot lines that really bring it all to life." - Twisting the Lens

"I simply loved Nolander. I'm going to put it out there and say that this is one of the best debut fantasy books I've read this year! It was that fantastic." - scifinerdsare.us

"Nolander was a highly entertaining read. Each time I thought I had a handle on what was going on and what was going to come next the plot would take a turn to something completely unexpected. Becca Mills has created a very vibrant world full of unique creatures and happenings where just about anything you can imagine is possible." - The Dragon's Inkpot

From the Inside Flap

Of all the beings that have lived on Earth, what if just a few had the power to make new realities, according to their desires? What would they create? The Second Emanation: a shadow world where ancient creatures persist, where humanity's dominance is far less certain, where wonder competes with horror. A world like an autumn forest, its realities as multiple and layered as fallen leaves. The world that gives us our gods. In Becca Mills's Emanations series, this strange and magical world crosses paths with a seemingly ordinary young woman from the American Midwest. It'll never be the same again.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 570 KB
• Print Length: 378 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007R6PPZA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,678 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yay! A series with a first book that actually has a STORY May 17, 2012

By J. Minkman

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was a bit hesitant to download Nolander first, because it is part of a series. I have read way too many books in this genre that are part of a trilogy, and consequently, NOTHING happens or comes to any kind of conclusion in the first book (probably intended to draw readers in and make them buy the second book, but that's not how it works for me, unfortunately). However, this book is different. Nolander is just a very, very good read. I couldn't put it away, and the many twists and turns keep you guessing in a GOOD way and not a frustrated 'oh-my-god-what-the-hell-is-going-ON!!' way. The writing style is fluent, there's lots of humour in this book, the main character is sympathetic, the supporting characters are not black-and-white or two-dimensional, and there's a great plot. Don't pass this one up. Wonderful book!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excitedly awaiting this series to continue! June 4, 2012

By C. Redmon

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished this, and I had to praise it!
Character development, the fantasy, the theories, the antagonists - loved it all!

In brief, Beth is a young woman living in a small farm-town. Slowly and reluctantly she finds out her panic disorder is actually triggered by the fact that there is another "realm" containing other creatures who have particular powers. She, as well, has certain powers, but (go figure) she's special and thing's don't develop normally like others of her kind. As she becomes a part of this new existence and is forced to change her life, she's faced with training and the necessity to survive all this unknown, much of which is beautifully deceptive.

Beth is an amazing character. I absolutely love her. She's realistic, brave by necessity and honor, yet still such an innocent in naivety. Her thought process definitely kept my attention. She's not flighty or girly, but she's neither standoffish or aggressive. Her desire to stay unnoticed and neutral doesn't keep her from trying to survive to the situation, either. Figuring out her talents and how to define her will be one of the most defining reasons for me to continue this series.

The fantasy world setting is great and very original. It briefly reminds me of Kim Harrison's Hollows series (Rachel Morgan) with the Ever-after, but it's more complex and blended with the "human realm." The jaded characters give a lot of tension to the background, but there's still a lot of unanswered questions for some of them and their actions in this socially-caste world. Some of the creatures described and their interaction with Beth are great, too.

This was a great story, hands down. The characters are mysterious and interesting. As a reader, I was rooting for Beth's pragmatism and laughing at her comedic anxiety. The authority in this new world-unseen is much like cross-species political senate. I hate to say it, but it reminds me of the True Blood/Charlaine Harris version of vampire politics. The creative fantasy along with the harsh, unfeeling way of the new creatures-that-be, kept my interest. Without a doubt, Beth kept me in the book, regardless of how interesting the world was.

I definitely recommend it! It's refreshing and entertaining! Cannot wait for more!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Gem July 24, 2012

By JennInCT

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've picked up a number of free or marked-down independent books and some have been fun, some pretty stilted or slow, but this was just a fantastic read. The heroine makes mistakes, she fumbles, but she's not a mess waiting to be rescued. And she's not trapped in a hopeless love triangle! The tone is mostly serious with some funny dialogue. For pure inventiveness the author reminds me Neil Gaiman - one original twist after another.

I'll be waiting for the next book, and if Ms. Mills gets snapped up by a big publisher, I guess I'll pay whatever price they set.

More About the Author

Becca Mills is an over-educated, under-exercised lover of good coffee, science, and fast cars. And books. Oh yes. She believes the world can be a rough place and that everyone deserves to leave it behind now and then. That pretty much makes books a human right, no?

Becca is currently writing the second book of the Emanations series, Solatium, which is due out in early 2013. She also has a wonderful "day job" teaching literature and writing at a liberal arts college in the northeastern U.S.

If you'd like to be notified when (and only when) Becca publishes new fiction, you can join her mailing list at the-active-voice.com/beccas-books/. It's 100% guaranteed super-duper spam-free ... promise!