Jasmyn (Gollancz S.F.) [Paperback]

"As an exercise in sustaining a fantasy world, it's impressive." (Jonathan Wright SFX )

"Bell's strength lies in fusing fairytale and psychological suspense in a compelling modern narrative, combined with effective characterisation. Bell charts original territory with considerable charm." (Eric Brown THE GUARDIAN )

"Occasionally heart-wrenching, occasionally creepy but altogether deeply personal character study. Bell's charactersisation and prose is infectious, expressed on the page with an oddly compulsive pace. All in all, this is a fine piece of literature." (James Rundle SCI FI NOW )

"Jasmyn is Alex Bell's second novel and quite a stunning one. Bell's skill is in introducing unsettling elements gradually so you absolutely believe even the most fantastical parts of her novel. The story is both terrifying and beautiful, as all good fairytales are." (David V Barrett FORTEAN TIMES )

"There is a beautiful descriptiveness as well as classical fantasy additions within these pages." (FALCATTA TIMES )

"Jasmyn is a mix of fairy tale, fantasy and character-driven thriller, and it is a potent brew. I loved Jasmyn. I laughed, I cried, I felt that desperate heart-twisting sensation that only great stories can inspire. This is a fantastic, deceptively emotional novel, and one that I highly recommend." (THE BOOK SMUGGLERS )

"A magical novel which is highly, highly recommended, a fairy tale for adults that will enchant and cheer you up in the end. Also in its expanded descriptive range and very smoothly flowing prose, the book shows Ms. Bell's growth as an author and any new book by her is a read asap for me." (FANTASY BOOK CRITIC )

"A cosy supernatural thriller." (TOTAL SCI-FI )

One day, without warning, Jasmyn's husband died of an aneurysm. Since then, everything has been different. Wrapped up in her grief, Jasmyn is trapped in a world without colour, without flavour - without Liam. But even through the haze of misery she begins to notice strange events. Even with Liam gone, things are not as they should be, and eventually Jasmyn begins to explore the mysteries that have sprung up after her husband's death . . . and follow their trail back into the events of his life. But the mysteries are deeper than Jasmyn expects, and are leading her in unexpected directions - into fairytales filled with swans, castles and bones; into a tale of a murder committed by a lake and a vicious battle between brothers; into a story of a lost past, and a stolen love. She's entering a magical story. Jasmyn's story.

Alex Bell is a law student, and an exceptionally able novelist. She lives in Hampshire.