ISBN: 0-671-31994-9 Order from: Amazon.com
An enjoyable contemporary fantasy with a conventional supernatural menace plot, solid characters, a minor romance and mystery, and wonderful dogs.
Reviewed by David on May 28, 2001
Genre: Fantasy (Magic, Romance, Dog, Mystery)
Synopsis: Brenna Fallon is a pet groomer in North Central New York. Despite her depressing work environment and loneliness, her unusual skill with dogs, and her pleasure in the nature around her keep her content. Into this uneasy equilibrium come several disturbances: a possibly criminal neighbor, and arrogant and mysterious dog trainer. But most unsettling of all, her beloved farm is menaced by rumors of a feral dog pack carrying deadly danger for pets as well as humans.
Her search to resolve these mysteries, which are all connected, will require courage, persistence, magic, and a questioning of her faith.
Full Review: The plot of this contemporary, small-town fantasy is a familiar supernatural menace device, common in horror stories.
Luckily, the characters and attitudes are less conventional, with well-defined and plausible (if sometimes exasperating) people, the author's characteristic appreciation and vivid portrayal of animals and nature, and occasional glints of humor amid the gathering threat.
The middle portion of the book feels a bit slow, as the main character remains essentially ignorant while clues and threats seem to multiply. The romantic interest seems particularly frustrating at times, risking sympathy for the romantic subplot.
The conclusion is suitably tense and emotional, and the hopeful nature of the book remains a pleasure after it's concluded.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 4.5;
Copyright date 2001, Baen Publishing Enterprises (Baen), June 2001, Mass market paperback, 343 pages
ISBN: 0-671-31994-9 Order from: Amazon.com