Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

Review Written: 7th July 2012

Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll

Garet James, a jewellery maker, stumbles across an antique shop one evening where the elderly man behind the counter asks her to open a box for him. Agreeing to help, Garet takes the box home and successfully opens it. That night, a burglary occurs in the gallery her father works at where he is shot and the box goes missing. Turns out, the elderly man behind the counter is not as harmless as he seemed and Garet had unwillingly invited Despair and Discord demons into the world. She now has seven days to find and close the box to see the world return to normal.

Never mistake a book which has vampires in it, as a vampire novel. Black Swan Rising is so much more than that. This book also contains a number of fairies including the very same Puck and Oberon from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (which is my favourite play by him). The vampire in this book, Will Hughes, has a link to Garet’s ancestors, but perhaps there is more to her attachment towards him than just this.

There are un supernatural characters as well – Garet’s best friends Jay and Becky make an appearance, both being caught up in her new role in the supernatural world and really not in the best way. Once again, we have the unrequited love thing with Jay’s feelings towards Garet but unlike the previous two books I reviewed, I doubt the two will end up together, especially not with the brooding, sexy Will around.

The book’s ending leads on to the sequel and concludes a number of events in this novel. Fast paced, action packed with the added element of romance, this book is a great addition to the fantasy genre.