The Rook

Wry humor, unusual supernatural beings, and a deeply absorbing mystery!

When I think of The Rook the first word that comes to mind is 'fun.' Great fun actually. But to simply say that The Rook is 'fun' would be facile on my part. The Rook is a terrific read for a lot of reasons. Foremost The Rook is very well written. The mystery of why Myfanwy Thomas is without her memory and who did what to whom is hard to crack. As soon as I'd thought I'd figured it out, the story proved me wrong. Not because of authorial plot shenanigans, but because the unraveling of the mystery was very well handled. I really enjoyed how this is done with new Myfanwy being aided by information left behind by old Myfanwy. Myfanwy is a wonderful character. She's trying to figure out how to do her job as Rook and racing against time to find who in the Chequy harmed her and why. The Rook is not a short read (nearly 500 pages), but I barely noticed the length. The Chequy is itself amazing. It's a fantastical governmental agency. Think FBI/CIA rolled into one that handles supernatural threats. Yes, other supernatural agencies exist in literature, but none quite like the Chequy. How the Chequy functions is explained well, but never bogs down the story. I really enjoyed seeing how the Chequy works, how threats are handled, and meeting the people with whom Myfanwy works, despite that fact that one of them wants her erased. Mr. O'Malley's scrupulous attention to detail creates a believable, if somewhat unusual, governmental agency. The upper echelon of the Chequy are fascinating characters themselves. Because Myfanwy is trying to figure out which of them might be after her, we get to know each of them well. I certainly enjoyed learning about them and their powers... and trying to figure out who did it and why. Mr. O'Malley has infused The Rook with wry humor, unusual supernatural beings, and a deeply absorbing mystery. The Rook made me laugh out loud, entertained me, and kept me fascinated from start to finish. I give The Rook 5 Qwills. Originally posted at The Qwillery.

10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

Awesome Book

Great Story, I highly recommend this. I kept hoping, as I got closer to the end, that some plot hole would be left unfilled in preparation for another book in this series. Unfortunately O'Malley does a great job of wrapping all of the loose ends. I hope you enjoy!

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

fun read

Very fun book to read! Excellent for a first novel!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Check this book out!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It keeps the reader intrigued the entire time on what is going to happen next. There was certainly enough suspense, in a good way of course. The only frustrating thing in reading this book was needing to set it down to do things important like sleeping.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A superb book!

I am an avid reader of nonfiction, which is why I am surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. O'mally is excellent and has a wonderful pace to the book. The is great for anyone looking for a top rate read.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is easily the best book I've read this year. It's funny an

This is easily the best book I've read this year. It's funny and extremely well-written. For me, The Rook is the most seamless blending of reality and fantasy since Harry Potter. I've tried other urban fantasy books and series, but they usually feel like they're trying too hard to make the fantastical seem mundane. In The Rook , I never question the presence of the supernatural (of course, some of that may have to do with the fact that it's set in England, and I find it much easier to believe in possibility of magic there). Myfanwy is an amazing character. She's smart and strong and funny and feels like a real person. The Rook carries along at a brisk pace; I never felt my interest flag. A really run read which (hopefully) leads up to a whole series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic!

Clever and aggressively readable, I stayed up way too late one night because I got utterly caught up. The author has an engaging style and the story, while playing with themes we all find familiar, seems fresh and new. Another reviewer complained that they were looking towards some loose ends with a hope that this might be the start of a series, and I have to say, I agree. While no loose ends were presented, I do hope to see the return of Myfanwy Thomas.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

good

Very well written

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved It!

WHat a great book! I couldn't put it down! I love the premise of not only finding out who tried to kill her, but also trying to find her way in this new world she's been introduced to, and finding out her own personality. I recommended this book to a lot of friends, and they all loved it (even those who arn't that into reading).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A fun paranormal mystery ride

I don't remember how this book popped onto my radar, but I ended up with the sample on my Nook and was intrigued enough to want more. The story starts a bit slowly at first because the world and situation is being processed not only by a reader who knows nothing but also the protagonist who wakes into this world surrounded by gloved dead bodies in the rain and no memory of who she is or what has happened. Once the plot does start moving though it doesn't slow down and continues to hold your attention with force. You're soon embroiled with Myfanwy in a mystery of betrayal within an organization of supernatural humans trained and raised to trust and depend on one another without question because they have all also been raised as highly proficient and powerful killing machines. The story weaves with humor and fluidity between the perspective of Thomas before her memories are lost via a series of letters and Myfanwy building her own life post attack while trying to ferret out the traitor in the midst of an international crisis. The author does a great job in foreshadowing with building suspicions, capabilities, and motives for all of the characters without overtly revealing the ultimate traitor until it's time. It wasn't a book that blows you away but was certainly a deeply satisfying, fun, and engrossing read. My only complaint (relatively minor) is that the last few chapters wrapped up the loose ends but failed to carry the momentum and power from the climax through to the finale. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and I'm looking forward to future reads from him - hopefully soon!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great fun!! Please write another!

Great world.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read as both mystery and sf

Excellent story-telling, with plenty of plot and action. The book's originality and mixture of science fiction, mystery, spy-thriller and humor is very satisfying. Had me staying up late and getting up early to read more. Best of all, the details seemed right -- once the initial far-stretch of sf premise is accepted there's nothing that acts as a reader's mental speed-bump/plot-hole to disrupt. Be sure to read the author's Acknowledgments pages at the end - not your standard stuff.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This novel was incredibly entertaining, beautifully written and

This novel was incredibly entertaining, beautifully written and probably the best thing I've read in months. My only regret is that this isn't a series. Spectacular - a must read!

Quirky and Devious

The Rook is a joy ride. This book is like X-Men and Twin Peaks with a sprinkle of 30 Rock. The writing is funny and detailed with a very mature edge to it. The pacing was very jarring and that is my main gripe. Action and suspense are quickly cut off like ripping bandaids. Suddenly I was faced with aprubt shifts in tone as I furiously swiped through sections of this book (they'll stick out). Set pieces were short but oh so sweet and the characters are just plain fun. Each character has a decent amount of charmed depth to them thanks to the unique perspective of the protagonist and author. O'Malley crafts exciting scenarios filled with spectacle. His ability to unhinge the level of calm while laying out eye popping dilogue was utterly enjoyable. I highly reccomend this book for a fun read.

Reviewed by Janet J for Readers Favorite Who knew Britain has h

Reviewed by Janet J for Readers Favorite

Who knew Britain has had a super-secret department devoted to the supernatural since . . . I don’t know, before the Vikings? Daniel O’Malley’s novel "The Rook" sketches a history of the Chequy, a venerable organization that has assisted the government through the centuries. We learn about this through Myfanwy (it rhymes with Tiffany) Thomas, a diminutive amnesiac Rook in the organization (the ranks are based on chess pieces) who must discover who and what she is doing while managing various supernatural disasters and trying to discover who in the court is out to get her. It is a daunting task but Myfanwy’s got guts and superpowers to spare. Superpowers are great. They make for an interesting array of characters and plot twists, and in a pinch, her own unique powers certainly come in handy for Myfanwy. In the end, however, we readers know it all comes down to using the brains and strength of character she discovers she has; and Rook Myfanwy Thomas has those in spades.

The plot is complicated, the cast of players is huge, and one disaster isn’t over before another one pops up on the radar. The super powers held by various unforgettable characters are ingenious and used in highly inventive ways. "The Rook" is filled with action, political intrigue, and wry humor. The pace is generally fast though at times bogged down with massive information dumps. Overall, it is a fascinating and compelling romp through the streets of London and the surrounding countryside. I don’t think we have heard the last of Rook Thomas. In the battle of good vs. evil, we love to root for the good guys - if we know who the good guys are - and in "The Rook" Daniel O’Malley keeps us guessing until the end. In this audio version, Susan Duerden’s lovely, cultivated voice and British accent offer an interesting contrast to the often gory events in the story, and her flawless delivery highlights the humor as well.

I was relieved to know that London, one of my favorite cities, is in the best of hands when it comes to threats from the supernatural, thanks in a large part to O’Malley’s diminutive and feisty heroine, Rook Myfanwy Thomas.

What a find!

A woman wakes up in the rain on a park bench. She doesn't know how she got there or even who she is. She is surrounded by dead men, all of whom are wearing surgical gloves. A letter in her pocket (To You, From Me) begins her journey into a surprising new existence. The Rook is imaginative, clever, funny and well written. Highly recommended.

Hope this is the first of many from O'Malley

Stumbled across this and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Sci-Fi with humor and a plethora of interesting characters.

Incredibly quirky and brilliant: fiction lovers will recognize e

Incredibly quirky and brilliant: fiction lovers will recognize elements from X-Men, Jason Bourne, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Monty Python, and much more, but O'Malley handles it all so well you'd think he was the first. The balance of hilarity and deadly serious action is especially awesome.

Easily the best book I've read so far this year. Like others, I

Easily the best book I've read so far this year. Like others, I find myself hoping that O'Malley will continue on with this story!

You'll be glad you read this...

A refreshing and very inventive take on paranormal fiction, The Rook is well worth the time and money you've put forth.
The story of Myfawny Thomas begins with no memory and the vaguest of clues and unfolds into a rich tapestry of the supernatural and the unique men, women, and variations thereupon that work behind the scenes to keep England, and indeed the whole world, blissfully safe and ignorant of the really freaky shenanigans happening right under our noses.
Daniel O'Malley delivers this eldritch whodunit with finesse and humor, and I know I'm not the only one wishing for more...