Rook by William Ritter
Abigail Rook never intended to be the mortal bridge between the human and supernatural world. But now, the power of the Sight–and all the chaos that comes with seeing the essential truth of everything, every human, fairy, werewolf, enchanted slip of paper, and municipal building, at all times–is hers alone. With this overwhelming new gift, she should be able to solve crimes and help New Fiddleham, New England find calm in its supernatural chaos. The only problem? She has no idea what she’s doing. And New Fiddleham isn’t waiting for Abigail to be ready. Local witches and other magical beings are going missing, as tensions between human and supernatural residents curdle into a hatred that could tear the city apart. Abigail’s fiance, Charlie, works alongside her to unravel the magical disappearances, but as a shapeshifter, he’s under threat as well. Then Abigail’s parents appear, ready to take her back to England and marry her off to someone she’s never met. Abigail has no choice but to follow her Sight, her instincts, and any clues she can find to track a culprit who is trying to destroy everything she holds dear. (Taken from Amazon)
Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Rook is available now.
Rook is a standalone novel that takes place in the world of the delightful Jackaby series, and you really should read those books before this one. While you could parse out what has happened before from inferences in this book, don’t deprive yourself of the enjoyment of the Jackaby series.
I really could have written- or at least, started- my review before even reading Rook . I knew I would love it. The surprise is just how much I adored this latest installment. It’s a wonderful mystery /adventure with the most fantastic cast of quirky characters that anyone could ever hope for. From Jenny the kindly ghost and Douglas the once-human duck, to Rock-Jaw the troll; the book teems with magic. It also overflows with heart.
Abigail Rook was originally the non-magic assistant to R.J. Jackaby, an eccentric detective in the vein of BBC’s Sherlock or Doctor Who (of the scarf-wearing variety). However, she now finds herself with the new ability to see auras. In the city of New Fiddleham, with its mishmash of magical and non-magical inhabitants, this gives her a way to solve crimes that non-supernatural detectives don’t have.
Her first real case is a doozy. The mystery itself is fun but not jaw-droppingly complex. The best part of the book are the characters and their development. Set against a magical and entertaining backdrop, the true magic is what author William Ritter is able to do with his characters. Yes, Abigail is navigating a magical mystery. She is also navigating the trickiness of insecurity, doubt, hope, love, and self-acceptance. Side by side with Jackaby (whom I love!), she wades into the fray of what it means to be human.
Abigail and Jackaby are easy to root for. Their odd way of doing things is a blast to read. The mystery never veers far enough into grisly territory to kill the fun vibes, although stakes are high. This is the sort of story that exudes hope even during the most hopeless-seeming moments.
Everything about Rook is quirky and fantastic. I finished the last page with a big, goofy smile on my face. I know it won’t be long before I go back and re-read it, as well as the entire Jackaby series. Rook is perfect for fans of eccentric characters, slightly offbeat goings on, and excellent character building. If that is you- and why on earth wouldn’t it be- you really should buy this book now.
