The Sulphur Diaries [Kindle Edition]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable, if not thought provoking novel that leaves one eager for more. In a society where morals are evil and consequences are nonexistent, nothing is as it seems.

The way Georgina intertwines a variety of mythologies without ever bogging down the story is downright refreshing. Those who are familiar with mythology will definitely appreciate the subtle nuances that helps create this world. Equally powerful is the way she portrays these mythical creatures in a way that is both plausible and real.

On the surface, this tale speaks of the struggles Alice 'Murph' endures as she tries to find love, friendship, and the truth in a world where goodness is seen as weakness. In a world so filled with evil it is fascinating to see how Alice and her friends come to define what is good and what is wrong.

Cazza and Johnny are Alice's closest friends. Together they are the living embodiments conscience in a society where none exists. Through magic, love and loyalty they unravel the village's dark secrets, and learn that some things come at too high a price.

Beneath the romance, friendship, and high school shenagins is a chilling and at times downright disturbing undercurrent. This tale gives a unnerving glimpse at what society could become if we cease to think beyond our own selfish desires. It certainly makes one re-evaluate one's thinking, and the importance of morals in our world today.

As I've mentioned before nothing is as it seems and everything comes at a price. The ending alone speaks volumes of this theme and the fact that in this world there is no such thing as black and white, typical heroes and mindless villains.

If I were to pick a single statement that sums up this tale I would have to use the quote from BSG: Razor 'You make your decisions, and in the end you are those decisions'. I definitely recommend this tale for anyone who is looking for a thought provoking story, one that leaves you guessing right till the end and wanting more!

There are a lot of 'dark fantasy' books around these days that have given the genre a 'bad' name insofar as their content is what I would call 'supernatural erotica'. If (like me), you prefer your dark fantasy rather more gory and, y'know, DARK, then this could be a book for you.

It's not a huge book, a bit under 200 pages, so if you're looking for epic you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, everything in there is there for a reason, whether it's character development or setup for later events - there's no feeling of redundancy. I'm not a fan of the summary on the back cover: I find it misleading as to the tone and content of the actual book and probably wouldn't have read the book if that was all I'd had to go by.

The story, told from Alice Murphy's perspective, is essentially a recounting of the previous three weeks of her life. It weaves between the 'here and now' police interviewers and the past (despite the title, it's only the chapter headings that are particularly diary-like, no 'dear diary' entries here!), maintaining suspense over exactly what happened, and even managing a very sweet twist in the epilogue.

In conclusion: I would recommend this to any fan of 'gritty' or somewhat 'twisted' fantasy looking for a short, standalone read. It's definitely NOT for younger readers, fans of 'supernatural erotica' (by any other name), or those looking for a Tolkeinesque epic.

Gripping story of evil in all its guises, flourishing in a village on the edge of hell. Don't let the police interview at the start derail you. Once Georgina Kamsika delves into the world of Crawemere, the sensuality of her descriptions envelopes you in their physical, tactile language. We start by rooting for Alice, who holds onto a glimmer of goodness within the evil that is the heart of the village. We want her and Johnny to escape the depravities planned by the elders and we live with them their horror and dread at the ceremonies to come.

The story takes us on a descent into evil, wrapped in the coils of the supernatural. Powerful descriptive writing, aligned with flawed characters who develop and change in response to the magic and brutality around them, create an unforgettable read. Not for the faint-hearted!
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