Not Alone (Vox Oculis, #1)

by Frederic Martin

[bamxo]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from VRO.

When I opened this book, I was immediately curious about the author not wanting to label this book as one genre. It was some stream of letters that made me laugh, but it was a highly accurate description of the type of book that I read.

This story has so many sub genres of trauma, sci-fi, drama, YA/NA, thriller, mystery, fantasy, coming of age. The best sum up of a genre I can come up with is a YA dramatic sci-fi fantasy thriller.

The FMC is a very traumatised orphan who has bounced around social care settings for years until she comes to live with a new family. She has the ability to see thoughts and finds another person who also has this ability who lives nearby (MMC), they slowly become friends after she begins to come out of her shell, which is difficult for her due to her constant battle with inner demons.

She learns something and begins to plot, leading to a dramatic event, this is spurred on by her history. She feels she has no choice but to do this to save others, the people who have now become important to her. Basically all goes to hell.

After the issue is resolved and things are normal again, we learn the villain is still on the loose. I was kinda hoping that when that thing happened after car flip they would end up belly up in the lake, but ya know, that wouldn't be as gut punching as keeping the sod alive for book 2! And yes, at the end of the book, I got a sneaky peek of book 2 and I am absobloodylutely going to read the whole series because I'm fully invested now. I require answers after what I read on that preview, so I'm chomping at the bits.

This book is a clean read, although there are mentions of rape, there isn't actually any, it's just the word is used, like out of fear. Whatever trauma the FMC suffered post orphaning, I'm not certain of. It isn't stated. There are of course scenes of violence, and blood and gore, drug dealing and use, but the premise of this book is trust, and friendship. Accepting that you are NOT alone in this world, there is always someone there for you. You just have to reach out.

I am giving this beaut a fab 4* stars because it was weird and wonderful, and I loved it.
Can't wait to get my hands on book 2!

audentes fortuna iuvat!