King of dead things by Nevin Holness
The first time Eli had tried taking magic that wasn’t his, it had wrapped around his palms like razor wire, tight enough that he’d needed stitches. Since then, Eli had bled magic from a soul enough times that he knew the rhythm of it. He knew what kinds of magic to stay away from and which he could upsell, which would get stuck beneath his fingernails and which would crumble and turn to ash if he held on too tightly.
Eli doesn’t know who he is or where he came from. What he does know is that he can pluck the magic from a soul like a petal from a flower. And he knows there is nothing he wouldn’t borrow, steal or destroy in order to discover his past.
Malcolm knows he can raise the dead with a wave of his hand but all he really wants is to be able to save his mother.
When Eli is sent to track down the legendary fang of the leopard god Osebo, he finds himself entangled with an old and ancient power. Forced to team up, Malcolm and Eli must weave through the cracks of London, unearthing magic that should have stayed buried.
Until finally, they face a power greater than either of them could have imagined: the daughter of Death herself . . .
(from Penguin)
3 Comments
Alexis
29th September 2024 at 6:24 pmThis is the type of book you just can’t let go of. Starting with 2 separate groups, Casper and Pam, slowly forming together as they discover more and more about their past. I really like this book because it shows betrayal, friendship, and how lies can lead to envy and anger. My favourite part of the book was when Malcom and Eli first met, the awkwardness and the fact that they knew more about each other’s relatives than they knew about each other. I also love the fact that in each chapter, they are talking about what either Eli or Malcom is going through but not in a first-person type of way. Overall, I think this is an excellent choice for a book that will bring you to always want to know what happens next, and I would recommend you read it.
Coco
25th September 2024 at 9:15 amThis book kept me waiting for the next thrill after every chapter. I just couldn’t put it down. Each character had their own intricate backstory, from Eli who has lost his memory of his past, to Malcom who does everything he can to hide it. This story brings both of these characters together to face a universal foe. What I found particularly interesting was the new perspective of London it gave me, as it looked past the advertised skyscrapers and high shops that you see so often, and addresses the numerous communities that truly make up London. The magic that is shaped by Caribbean mythology makes for daring adventures that keep you on the edge of your seat, and the beautifully vivid descriptions will take your breath away, from the lively atmosphere of the nine nights party to the gloominess of the house of spider. I would love to find out more about Eli’s past as not much was said about it. Overall I thought it was a great book and would recommend it.
Holly
18th September 2024 at 6:28 pmThis book is the sort of book that you just can’t put down. The way all the characters are linked in a way that is suddenly revealed means you are always waiting for the next up or down but are somehow are still surprised when the next one happens. It shows the strength of friendship and how no matter who you are you can always make a difference no matter what kind of labels you have been given and how much experience, or knowledge you have, whether you know it or not. This book I think is a beautiful story of people trying to find the missing part of them. Two opposites, one helping the dead one, the living must learn how to work together in this amazing book.