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A review by kba76
Raising Hell by Bryony Pearce
4.0
This has the potential to be an interesting series, though I felt some elements of the story were not explained early enough to help us really understand why certain events were happening. A healthy disregard for the rules and a knowing black humour helps this story rattle along, and definitely hint at some potential issues to come.
Our main character is a young woman called Ivy. When we first meet her she is wandering into her old high school carrying a machete and on the lookout for dangerous teenagers. I admit, at this point, I had no idea what was happening or how we came to be in this situation. Little information is given at the beginning, but we witness Ivy's involvement in trying to prevent one of the students from summoning a hell hound and causing total chaos. The world building does not come early, and though this does lead to some uncertainty over why these events are happening it didn't mar my enjoyment of what was actually taking place.
What we soon learn is that Ivy and a group of friends were responsible for carrying out an act four years ago that changed the way the world works. They opened a portal to hell as they tried to summon the dead body of their friend. Things did not go to plan, people died, and Ivy now feels she has to atone for her dalliance in black magic by protecting those teens who seem to have an affinity for the dark arts.
We follow Ivy and her unwilling companions - which include her grandma's spirit stuck in a cat - in this journey to try and help banish the hell hounds summoned at the start. Someone is behind these growing events, and Ivy eventually learns that no matter how well prepared you are for strange occurrences, sometimes you have to make it up as you go along.
There's plenty of action, a lot of bizarre events and a healthy love of gore. As a teenager I think I would have loved this - we watch the misfits trying to find their place in this new world, without guidance and - on occasion - getting it horribly wrong.
While the world-building left a little to be desired at times, there was enough here to entertain me. I particularly enjoyed the hints of what might come next as Ivy learns to adjust to her new skills.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance of publication.
Our main character is a young woman called Ivy. When we first meet her she is wandering into her old high school carrying a machete and on the lookout for dangerous teenagers. I admit, at this point, I had no idea what was happening or how we came to be in this situation. Little information is given at the beginning, but we witness Ivy's involvement in trying to prevent one of the students from summoning a hell hound and causing total chaos. The world building does not come early, and though this does lead to some uncertainty over why these events are happening it didn't mar my enjoyment of what was actually taking place.
What we soon learn is that Ivy and a group of friends were responsible for carrying out an act four years ago that changed the way the world works. They opened a portal to hell as they tried to summon the dead body of their friend. Things did not go to plan, people died, and Ivy now feels she has to atone for her dalliance in black magic by protecting those teens who seem to have an affinity for the dark arts.
We follow Ivy and her unwilling companions - which include her grandma's spirit stuck in a cat - in this journey to try and help banish the hell hounds summoned at the start. Someone is behind these growing events, and Ivy eventually learns that no matter how well prepared you are for strange occurrences, sometimes you have to make it up as you go along.
There's plenty of action, a lot of bizarre events and a healthy love of gore. As a teenager I think I would have loved this - we watch the misfits trying to find their place in this new world, without guidance and - on occasion - getting it horribly wrong.
While the world-building left a little to be desired at times, there was enough here to entertain me. I particularly enjoyed the hints of what might come next as Ivy learns to adjust to her new skills.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance of publication.