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A review by dans_bookscape
Umbrate by A.D. Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
‘Welcome to Dalton
Home to Humans, Dwarves, Elves and the shadowy Umbral Populace.
Detective Vanic Bradley works hard to keep the peace, coming down hard on the criminal underbelly of the city.
After putting his life on the line multiple times in recent weeks, all he wanted was a day off work to spend time with his son, and re-evaluate his place in the world – but forces beyond his control have other ideas.
For reasons unknown, he will find himself in a race against time as two hundred innocent citizens become collateral damage in a murderous plot centred around him.’
There’s a feeling I get with Fantasy books that it’s going to be ever expanding with countless characters and a vast landscape, thanks LOTR & GOT (I still love you), and this can sometimes be overwhelming to start these stories but with Umbrate we take a look at smaller scale and ultimately personal story in this fantasy world that has the potential to grow as wide reaching as the author chooses to in the future.
Vanic is a strong lead character that appears to be a rising star as a detective whilst balancing this with trying to be a good father, he is shown in a positive light but still has a vulnerability and the self awareness that he is a flawed individual in his views of Umbrals.
One of the best dynamics is Van’s interactions with Melda, he’s starts out untrusting of her and she seems indifferent to him but slowly a bond grows built on their teamwork and respect, leading Van to confront his beliefs.
The were some twists that kept things interesting to the very end and this was such a fast paced book that you can easily fly through.
An excellent debut novel from A.D. Jones looking forward toward to see what you have brewing up for the future!
Home to Humans, Dwarves, Elves and the shadowy Umbral Populace.
Detective Vanic Bradley works hard to keep the peace, coming down hard on the criminal underbelly of the city.
After putting his life on the line multiple times in recent weeks, all he wanted was a day off work to spend time with his son, and re-evaluate his place in the world – but forces beyond his control have other ideas.
For reasons unknown, he will find himself in a race against time as two hundred innocent citizens become collateral damage in a murderous plot centred around him.’
There’s a feeling I get with Fantasy books that it’s going to be ever expanding with countless characters and a vast landscape, thanks LOTR & GOT (I still love you), and this can sometimes be overwhelming to start these stories but with Umbrate we take a look at smaller scale and ultimately personal story in this fantasy world that has the potential to grow as wide reaching as the author chooses to in the future.
Vanic is a strong lead character that appears to be a rising star as a detective whilst balancing this with trying to be a good father, he is shown in a positive light but still has a vulnerability and the self awareness that he is a flawed individual in his views of Umbrals.
One of the best dynamics is Van’s interactions with Melda, he’s starts out untrusting of her and she seems indifferent to him but slowly a bond grows built on their teamwork and respect, leading Van to confront his beliefs.
The were some twists that kept things interesting to the very end and this was such a fast paced book that you can easily fly through.
An excellent debut novel from A.D. Jones looking forward toward to see what you have brewing up for the future!