Wormwood by @KEColeswriting #bookreview

About Wormwood

‘I wore my guilt like a coat, but it was one I was used to wearing – old and worn and shabby, and it fitted me perfectly.’ They’re finished, aren’t they? Mesmeris. But what if they’re not? How far will you go to protect the people you love? Pearl has moved on with her life. She has a home, a job, a wonderful friend in Spicer, and a beautiful child – everything anyone could want. If only she could stop loving Art.

My review of Wormwood

Wormwood is the third instalment in the deeply dark Mesmeris series. I have had the great pleasure in reading the previous two books and this book was just as exciting and enjoyable to read. I'll just add here that the books are best read in chronological order. Wormwood carries off from where Book Two ended, so I won't say any more in case you haven't read Infixion. All I will say is that you are in for a treat, as this book is such a dramatic ending to the trilogy.

For me, the star of this book is Pearl. We see a more mature Pearl as she has had to grow up, particularly now that she is a mother.  She wants to start a new life for herself with her son and friend Spicer, but can she truly be free of Mesmeris? This is the exciting premise of Wormwood and from the very disturbing start, the action never stops.

K E Coles is an exceptionally gifted storyteller. She blends the theme of the occult and some very disturbing storylines, into what is predominantly a YA book, but as I have said in my previous reviews of this author's work, these are YA books like no other. Yes, the subject matter is somewhat disturbing and gritty, but the story is told with such empathy and understanding that as a reader we are given perspective, we can stand back and truly think about what is happening, and these novels do make you think. Wormwood had me thinking about what it is to be a mother, a friend and what I would do to protect my child. It's a thought provoking read.

Wormwood is an exciting roller coaster of a read as we learn the answers to many unanswered questions, left over from the previous two books. We learn more about the notorious Papa, a character who genuinely frightened me,  as well as finding out more about Art. For me though, the character that I bonded most with was Spicer. We should all have a Spicer in our lives.

Wormwood is a deliciously dark and compelling read. If you have read Mesmeris and Infixion, you are in for a wonderful finale. If you are new to this series, begin with Mesmeris, you can read my review here.

With thanks to the author who provided a digital copy for review purposes.

Wormwood was published on 21 Jun. 2016 and is available to buy from Amazon here

About the author

Karen Coles was born in Taplow, Berkshire. Before beginning her writing career she was an exhibiting artist and occasional art tutor.
Mesmeris, a darkly compelling tale about a malign religious sect, Infixion, its sequel, and the third and final book in the trilogy, Wormwood, are all available from Amazon.
Karen now lives in beautiful West Wales, where she's busy writing her fourth novel.
She's on twitter @KEColeswriting

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005946528361

Infixion by K. E. Coles

About Infixion

It's easy to escape your past, isn't it? Just move away to a big city. They'll never find you there. Or will they? Pearl and Spicer have one thing in common. Both have lost loved ones to violent religious sect, Mesmeris. While Pearl moves away to escape her past, Spicer decides to do the opposite. He infiltrates the cult, going deep undercover into their shadowy world of violence, coercion and sacrilegious ceremonies. When the cult relocates to London, Pearl discovers that leaving your past behind is not as easy as she thought.

My review of Infixion

Infixion is the second installment in the Mesmeris trilogy. I had the great pleasure of reading book one, Mesmersis, last year, you can read my review here. I was therefore very excited to read this book, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyded reading it.

We are once again introduced to Pearl and her family, and the members of the cult, Mesmeris. Pearl is reeling from the events that took place at the end of Mesmeris (I won't spoil what happens) and is desperately trying to get her life back on track. I love this young character. She is plucky, courageous and of course makes mistakes, but she intrigues me and I love the fact that she knows her own mind and wants to be independent. She is no walk over!

As with the first book, this book is equally as dark and disturbing. It is a Young Adult book, but I feel that it caters for the older age range. There are somne deeply diusturbing practices thst take place, among the Mesmeris members, and the book is violent, although with purpose and to drive the plot forwards. As I said when I reviewed the first book in the series, this is a Young Adult book, but unlike one I have ever read before. It makes you question your morality, the actions and decisions that you make in life, as well as the overall purpose of your life.

What I really loved about this book was the introduction of Marcus/Spicer, who wants to seek revenge against Mesmeris. He is a completely new character and I think that as well as giving a breath of fresh air to the novel, he balanced the book, in that he bridged the gap between the two worlds. I also have to say that he was by far my most favourite character. I read the book, quickly turning pages as I needed to know what would happen to him and if he would survive the clutches of Mesmeris. I desperately wanted him to be happy and to live his life.

The theme running throughout this book is that of, can you ever truly escape from your past? Can you reinvent yourself? Pearl is trying to forge a new path and Marcus is headed in the opposite direction, as he immerses himself into their dark and murky world, so as to seek revenge.

This book is beautifully written, is descriptive, evocative, and fast paced. I found myself quickly turning the pages as I needed to know what would happen after each chapter cliffhangar. K.E. Coles really is a gifted storyteller and I cant wait to find out what happens in book 3 of the trilogy.

With thanks to the author who provided the eBook for review purposes.

Infixion is available to buy from Amazon here.

About the author

Karen Coles was born in Taplow, Berkshire. Before beginning her writing career she was an exhibiting artist and occasional art tutor.

Mesmeris, a darkly compelling tale about a malign religious sect, Infixion, it's sequel, and the third and final book in the trilogy, Wormwood, are all available from Amazon.

Karen now lives in beautiful West Wales, where she's busy writing her fourth novel.

She's on twitter @KEColeswriting

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005946528361

Mesmeris by K. E. Coles

About Mesmeris - Taken from Amazon

‘How about we pretend,’ he said, ‘just for today? I pretend I’m good and you pretend to believe me.’ You're lonely, bored, and you meet Mr Perfect - beautiful, funny, sexy and dangerous. It's a dream come true, isn't it? But what if it isn't a dream? What if it's a nightmare? When a spate of vandalism at a small English church is followed by a brutal ritualistic execution, suspicion falls on malign religious sect, Mesmeris. Pearl is seventeen and naïve, no match for enigmatic, dangerous Jack. Seduced by his charm, she finds herself drawn into the murky world of the twisted, violent cult. Her love for Jack puts her own life in danger, and leads her into conflict with not only Mesmeris and the police, but also her own family.

My Review of Mesmeris

Mesmeris is a YA novel like no other I have read. This book is deeply dark, and I mean dark, so don't be fooled by the YA genre. There are some quite disturbing plot lines in this novel, so if you are easily offended then this book probably isn't for you. Having said that, I am not easily offended and once I got my head round the fact that this was not your average YA read I did enjoy it.

At the heart of the book is Pearl, a 17-year-old girl who lives in a vicarage with her Reverend dad, nurse mother and younger sister who is aged fifteen. Pearl I found utterly believable and the author managed to encapsulate the feelings that every teenage girl has. I liked Pearl and because I liked her I carried on reading, although some of the scenes I did find quite disturbing. If I hadn't believed in her character and wanted the absolute best for her, then I may have given up. She is what makes the book work.

This is not a light and romantic read. Yes it is a book that deals with romantic love and first love, but this is not a heart and flowers book. The emotions that are evoked between Jack and Pearl are real. As the blurb states, Pearl is seduced by him, but the same could also be said of Jack. They are polar opposites, but somehow they belong together.

This book deals with issues of the occult, ritualistic murder and violent assault, as I said, not your average YA read. But the way in which these issues are dealt with, I felt, were not for pure gratification. They were integral to the plot and to the characters. Pearl enters this world of Mesmeris and it is through her eyes that we see the horror that she sees. We feel what she feels. As an older reader of 41, I obviously saw Pearl through different eyes than say that of a 17 year old. I have more in common with her mum after all. So perhaps that was why I felt so protective of her. I did not want her to make the mistakes she was going to make, that I could see a mile off - but there was nothing that I could do.

What did I think about Jack? An anti hero of the day? Perhaps - I am still unsure and I have been mulling it over. I did like him and I understood his actions and felt that he really did care for Pearl. He too though is only young and without giving the plot away, he too wants to be a good person.

I'll be honest and say that I did find this a difficult read as it is a book that is far out of my comfort zone. But I did enjoy it. As it is the first in a trilogy, I will also be reading the second book to find out what happens next in the world of Pearl and Jack.

Mesmeris is available to buy from Amazon here



About K E Coles

Karen Coles was born in Taplow, Berkshire. Before beginning her writing career she was an exhibiting artist and occasional art tutor.

Mesmeris, a darkly compelling tale about a malign religious sect, Infixion, it's sequel, and the third and final book in the trilogy, Wormwood, are all available from Amazon.

Karen now lives in beautiful West Wales, where she's busy writing her fourth novel.

She's on twitter @KEColeswriting and Facebook