RORY
Ghosts of Palladino Series #1
by Ciye Cho
Publisher: Self-Published (August 2013)
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Format: eBook (344 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 stars)
Far beyond heaven, earth and hell is a city known as Palladino, a place ruled by ghosts and filled with demons, magic, and all sorts of darkly beautiful things. A city where no one can ever escape.
Eighteen-year-old Rory is a cake decorator who makes stunning confections. But no amount of frosting or miracles can save her when a demon kidnaps her—and carries her to Palladino. Here, Rory ends up in a deadly charm school where young women are forced to become companions for the Ghost Lords. And for her to survive, Rory must become everything that she isn’t: graceful, elegant… and perfect.
But nothing is what it seems in Palladino. Not the magic. Not the ghosts. And definitely not Martin Marius, the bizarre Ghost Lord-slash-inventor who is drawn to Rory. For amid a thousand machines and a hundred cats, Martin holds a secret that could change everything. A secret that could either free Rory… or destroy her.
At A Glance
Started out so interesting, then I just got bored and felt annoyed by the end.
The Good
If you were going to read Rory for one reason, it would be for the unique, insanely interesting concept. This is like no other story you have ever read. This is not your typical ghost story. Rory is all kinds of dark, beautiful, and creepy. I straight up got the chills for half this book. A person can go crazy trying to imagine all the secrets that have yet to be revealed in this book. Expect good action/drama, mystery galore, and mesmerizing magic.
The first half was the best part of the book. I haven’t bitten my nails in years, but I did while reading this book. I never knew what was going to happen. Some of these characters were so evil, so horrible, and some trick you into thinking they are nice but they would stab their own mother in the back. Then there was those few who showed compassion and it made my heart melt. Oh, I wish, I wish the second half never happened.
The Bad
The first half was great, no complaints, but the second half ruined it all for me. The plot gets confusing. I had no idea where any of this was going and not in a good way. For the second half Rory became the errand girl for Martin, a Ghost Lord. Yeah, not so fun to read about. When the plot took this 180, it felt completely separate from the first half. From here I was bored out of my mind.
Rory was feisty and determined to fight in the beginning and she lost all that gusto in the second part. She made stupid decisions and I just stopped caring about her overall by the end. And Martin was no better. I actually never cared for him because I still don’t know him. Bad character development all around.
Almost nothing was resolved by the end and so many questions were left unanswered that I just had to give up caring for this book. I just felt too frustrated with everything that happened that I didn’t want to deal with any of it anymore.
The Snuggly
There really is no romance. I guess Rory and Martin might have feelings for each other but I am still not sure. Appropriate for a YA audience.
Final Thoughts
I will not be continuing this series. I don’t really care about the characters or what is going to happen next. I still give props for the first half, but the second half was the death of my interest. Not recommended.
It all happens so fast. The creature grabs me with his dark hands. His fingers wrap around my waist like thick metal wires. I freeze. A gust of wind rushes around me as the giant wings rise higher. But before I can pull away, the wings arc downward to propel the demon into the air. I open my mouth, but no sound escapes from my throat. I can’t move as the demon lifts me up. This isn’t happening, I think to myself. This isn’t real.
“Begging your pardon, Lady Cavendish, but I didn’t come here, I was taken.”
She pauses, and her face takes on a cold light.
At last she says, “Yes, so you were. However, I suggest that you work hard to fit in inside my castle.” She smiles, then adds softly, “…That is, if you wish to remain here in one piece.”
Book Blather
The setting sounds incredible and interesting – I can see why you were drawn to this story. I’m sorry the character development in the second half of the novel was lacking. I’m a sucker for romance, and I had thought it was hinted at in the synopsis, but obviously that’s book 2… Awesome review honey, hope your next read is more to your liking.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, I think romance would be in book two. If you are looking for romance, this is not the book for you.
JenM
This sounds like it has “self-pubbed book syndrome” LOL, and desperately needs a content editor. I read so many self-pubs where the book starts out really strong and then just falls apart. An editor could probably have saved the book by keeping the author on track, making sure that every scene had meaning and advanced the plot, and that the characters remained consistent.
It seems like many self-pubbed authors have accepted the necessity of copy editing, but they still don’t understand how important it is to have an editor that will focus on the actual story and plot, and/or they aren’t willing to listen to anyone else when it comes to making structural changes in their stories.
Jennifer Bielman
So true. A content editor would have been perfect for this book. I am in a critique group and even with us going over each others novels over and over again, we know we need an editor that will check EVERYTHING.
sherry fundin
I appreciate your honest review. On to the next book. ^_^
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, thanks.
kimbacaffeinate
Wow such a shame this feel apart..I love the dark frightful sounds of the first half. Thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
You don’t even know how disappointed I was to see this one fall apart.
Brandi Kosiner
Aw, so sad that it didn’t live up to promising beginning.
Jennifer Bielman
🙁 I know!!!