Spiral Hunt (Evie Scelan) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Margaret Ronald (Author)
Key Phrases: chain stones, Crofter House, Goddess Garden, Genevieve Scelan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] fun adventure, a promising start to a new series and a solid first novel." (Locus )

"I loved, loved, loved this book. I picked it up before bed and couldn't put it down. Fantastic, moving, thrilling -- deeply thoughtful -- and beautifully crafted . . . [T]his was one of the best books I've read in a long time." (New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu )

Product Description

Some people have the Sight. Genevieve Scelan has the Scent.

They call her "Hound," and with her unique supernatural sense Evie can track nearly anything—lost keys, vanished family heirlooms . . . even missing people. And though she knows to stay out of the magical undercurrent that runs beneath Boston's historic streets, a midnight phone call from a long-vanished lover will destroy the careful boundaries she has drawn. Now, to pay a years-old debt, Evie must venture into the shadowy world that lies between myth and reality, where she will find betrayal, conspiracies, and revelations that will shatter all she believes about herself and the city she claims as home.

When the Hunt is on, the Hound must run . . .

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Eos (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061662410
• ISBN-13: 978-0061662416
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #420,295 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I look forward to seeing what Margaret Ronald has in store for Evie Scelan, February 12, 2009

By	Rachel P. Smith "BittenbyBooks.com" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Evie Scelan promised her mother that she would always be careful. She broke her promise when she received a call from an old lover in the middle of the night. She always swore that she would not be drawn into the dark shadowy underworld that lies beneath Boston, but this time, she may not have a choice. By day, Evie tries to lead a normal life as a courier. She is trying to start scrounging out a living by offering her service in "expert retrieval and recovery services."

She tries to keep her old friends out of the undercurrents by not allowing them to hire her for her services. How she goes about tracking these items is by following her nose. She was born with the gift of scenting. By keeping her head down, she would stay out of the underworld, but when she decides to hire herself out, she draws the Bright Brotherhood to her doorstep. She no longer can keep her promise to her mother, but will she be able to keep her friends and loved ones of out harm's way?

I had a tough time rating this book. It had elements that I thoroughly enjoyed, such as being set in historic Boston. While I've never been to the actual city itself, the history of Boston has always called to me and I can easily see there being paranormal elements buried deep beneath the city's surface. I also thought that Evie being able to track things, yet not be a shapeshifter an unusual concept. I think Ms. Ronald has definite promise with this storyline.

My struggle came with trying to follow too many strands of the story at once, and I found myself a little confused here and there. However, I easily believe that the storyline has a lot of potential and Ms. Ronald's plot is unique. On those two factors alone, I have to give this book 4 1/2 tombstones. Spiral Hunt is not your standard paranormal story and has many appealing aspects to it. If you enjoy reading paranormal novels that have historical elements throughout them, then I think you may enjoy Spiral Hunt. I get the impression that this is going to be a series and I look forward to seeing what Margaret Ronald has in store for Evie Scelan and her scenting ability down the road.

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Virginia

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read this year., May 30, 2009

By	Scott Gordon "[e-mail]" (Somerville, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would gladly reread this book, and I believe I would gain some understanding by doing so.

I have read three books in the last week: one by a new author; one by an established author; one by Margaret Ronald. Spiral Hunt is easily one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is rich in ideas and backstory. The main character is fully realized and behaves rationally. The plot is interesting and well revealed. Cudos to Ms. Ronald!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first novel, February 8, 2009

By	Jeffmage "Rabid reader" (Washington state) - See all my reviews

I thought this book was excellent. The pacing was great and the characters were real and compelling.

I read a lot of Charles de Lint and Jim Butcher and Spiral Hunt has some of the best elements of both. It is a great urban fantasy and reads like a fast-paced detective yarn. A real page-turner.

I really hope that Margaret Ronald will write at least a few more adventures with Evie and her circle of characters. There is a great deal of potential here.

Good job!