The Lavender Phantom

by Lainey Delaroque

[glowstars]

After reading the Brigand Chief's prologue I wasn't enthralled by Delaroque's writing style - the third person didn't sit well with me. After reading the second part of the prologue (about the father and the boy) I was starting to question whether I wanted to continue. It certainly was an intriguing story but I couldn't read a whole book in this style.

I'm glad I persevered past the prologue because the Lavender Phantom was a fabulous read.

Once I got into the chapters (which, thankfully, were written in the first person) I became completely sucked in by the mystery of the story. It was an unusual plot and I never felt as though I'd read parts of it before (a danger when you read a lot in the same genre). Delaroque's writing was incredibly descriptive, maintaining a delicate balance between emotion, thought, and action.

The Lavender Phantom gets really dark at times but manages to deal with the subject matter sensitively and realistically (or as realistically as fiction like this can). On the other hand, it also depicts moments of peaceful harmony and some amazingly strong relationships while entertaining us with a kick-ass heroine and aher brilliant crew.