Saturday 11 February 2017

Revenge Of The Mantis by Vered Ehsani


Revenge Of The Mantis by Vered Ehsani
Self-published in June 2015.

This is my fourth book for the See Orange Feminist February Challenge.

Where to buy this book:
Buy from independent booksellers via Abebooks
Buy the ebook from from Amazon.comAmazon.co.uk
Buy the ebook from from Smashwords
Buy the paperback from The Book Depository

How I got this book:
Bought the ebook from Smashwords

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

'Revenge is best served with tea.
All is proceeding as it should for Beatrice Knight. That is, until the African Lightning God lands in her barn and announces that Mrs. Knight’s arch nemesis is about to pay an unsolicited visit. This time, the giant Praying Mantis Koki won’t be so easily dissuaded from exacting revenge against the intrepid paranormal investigator. Mrs. Knight must now answer one critical question: what, or whom, is she prepared to sacrifice in order to defeat the Mantis? As if that isn’t heart-wrenching enough, Mr. Timmons boldly presents a possibility too terrible to consider, yet too tempting to refuse. Now, if only she could survive long enough to make a decision…
Revenge of the Mantis is the third case in “Society for Paranormals”, in which a paranormal detective refuses to let danger, death and unwanted suitors inconvenience her in colonial Kenya. Welcome to a cozy mystery series concerning Victorian etiquette, African mythology and the search for a perfect spot of tea. If you enjoy historical mysteries, adore Victorian steampunk, appreciate British humor, or would love to experience adventure in colonial Africa, download Revenge of the Mantis to start your supernatural safari now.
'

Vered Ehsani's Society For Paranormals series goes from strength to strength! This third adventure is my favourite yet for several reasons, not least of which is the wonderfully no-nonsense Victorian character of Mrs Beatrice Knight. She is a clever portrayal of a very English woman, juxtaposed against fantastical scenes of early 1900s Nairobi and African legend which accentuates the often ridiculous social niceties she is expected to both observe and endure. This particular story is fantasy without any steampunk inventions but has a strong sense of colonial Africa in its style and attitudes.

Ehsani orchestrates an interesting cast of paranormal creatures in this novel as well as allowing us to learn more about Beatrice's past and her family. There is excellent description of creatures and landscapes, and I thought the pacing in Revenge Of The Mantis was spot on throughout the book. I love that we get to meet Anansi The Spider, having so recently encountered him completely differently styled in Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys. Plus, the giant Praying Mantis, Koki, that we heard about in previous books finally catches up with our heroine and is a terrifying prospect. (This story probably isn't ideal for anyone with insect and arachnid phobias!) The build up to their showdown is neck-bitingly tense and the battle itself is thrilling! A gripping adventure with strong characters and great dry humour.


Search Lit Flits for more:
Books by Vered Ehsani / Steampunk fiction / Books from South Africa

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