Angie is drawn to Reece, the new hot neighbor. Along with the addition of his family, a murder of crows begins to inhabit the neighborhood. As she learns more about Reece, Angie discovers there’s something strange about him and there’s also a shadowy, creepy guy hovering around the area. People are suddenly acting bizarre and troubling events threaten. One wants to love the budding romance but the plot just isn’t strong enough. The strange character who brings chaos with him doesn’t really work. And the hero Reece makes promises to protect Angie and yet is noticeably absent when it really counts. The crows were a nice addition but their presence was not capitalized on; it was a missed opportunity. All in all, this is a book that misses the mark and fails to deliver.

This is the story of Angie- who is trying to live a some what normal life when she had a not so normal upbringing- with her drug addict mother who killed herself. Then new neighbors move in next door-to a house where the previous owners murdered each other-, and the normalcy she strives for comes crashing down. They are not who- or what- they seem.

I have loved every single minute of this book. The suspense of not knowing had me on edge and had me craving more. I too wanted to know the mystery behind the new neighbors. Who or what were they? And what did that mean for Angie and everyone in her small town.

And i will admit, i definitely added a new book-crush to my long list of crushes…

I loved this book from beginning to end, and found myself invested in these characters, and what was happening to them. This was a great fall read, and i definitely recommend it. 5⭐ out of 5⭐.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: This one had a slight jump in speed which was kinda weird.

Check out author's other books? Yes
Recommend this book? Yes

Notes and Opinions: Well this one started off with a bang and kept that bang until the romance went from a slow burn which was great to speedy let's get it on. That was a little weird if you ask me but that was my only issue with this book. I wished the story along with the romance would have kept pace throughout and not jumped the gun halfway through. Other than that this story was very good and well paced. The characters were all well formed and complex and the story itself was very good. I loved what and how the author brought about the paranormal aspects of the title and I really wished this was a series as I would love to have more! The descriptions were amazing and really made you see what was going on as well as feel all of the emotions.

“If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I’d have said magic is impossible. Irrational. Just considering its existence in this world is insane. But I saw bees crawl out of a man’s mouth. I saw him change faces like pages of a book.”

This is one fantasy/paranormal title that I won't soon forget and will really need to get a finished copy of soon! If you're looking for a new title to read check this one out!

Go Into This One Knowing: Twists, Feels, Very Twlightly (in a good way)

This title was reviewed by Lauren

DNF

Young Adult paranormal romances, a summary: the boy is hot, the girl is shy but possesses hidden depths or ‘special’ abilities, they nearly die but love saves the day.

I tried. I really, really tried. But this is just the same monotonous bile that has been spewed into the ‘ya paranormal romance’ genre since Twilight, except, for some reason, none of them ever manage to pull it off in quite the same way. I don’t know why – possibly because I was sixteen when I read Twilight and could overlook the nauseating prose and ill-disguised abuse that was masquerading as love, possibly because it was my first real experience with the genre – but what I do know is this: this genre is mostly dull, mostly repetitive, and rarely original in any way.

Black Bird of the Gallows follows the same formula we know and (love to) hate: attractive but strange person appears, the protagonist falls in love despite there being something strange and secretive about the newcomer, death is narrowly avoided because LOVE. This is certainly the case for Angie, who seems to immediately fall for Reece, and begin obsessing about him, despite knowing nothing about him and experiencing some very odd things around him. Is it a teenage thing I’ve missed to be obsessed with hidden meanings and messages after only knowing someone for a day? I’m not trying to be condescending but how many times do teenage first loves actually turn into anything? From my experience, first loves are not last loves – so much growth and change occurs when growing up that I can’t imagine life unfolding like it does in these novels.

I won’t lie – I found this to be both dull and unbelievable, but I seem to be more in the minority. I think there was definitely potential with the harbinger of death angle, but unfortunately this just reads like every other paranormal romance I’ve encountered. Admittedly I didn’t read the whole thing closely, so for all I know it did get better in places (I’m not convinced of that, though). I will say, however, that it is a very easy and quick read, with a creepy undertone that is perfect for this time of year, and will probably be greatly enjoyed by younger readers who have not yet been overwhelmed by this genre – it wasn’t for me, but I can easily imagine it being devoured by others, even if my review suggests otherwise.

“Black Bird of the Gallows” was not a bad book, but it wasn’t for me. I liked the backstory and the magical realism, but there seemed to be something missing in the actual execution. I didn’t like the main character, so that was definitely part of the problem. I can neither recommend nor not recommend it, so I suggest that if it looks good to you to give it a shot.

Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel was a book that I enjoyed more than I thought I would! It has a sweet romance, action packed scenes, and characters that you grow to love (yes, even the bad guys!).

You’ve got a family of harbingers that move into a little town because of an upcoming catastrophic event. Girl meets boy (Angie and Reece) and the attraction runs high. These crows are not the only magic beings that have come… A beekeeper has also arrived and his main mission is to break his own curse, and his eyes are set on our two lovebirds. Will he succeed in his mission and tear apart something that runs deeper than a chance encounter?

Author Meg Kassel’s writing was superb and every word had me completely glued to the pages. It didn’t take me long to get totally and completely absorbed in this story and I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. I had to know what would happen!

Angie and Reece are a couple that I so desperately wanted to see together, and the need to see what would happen with them was another reason that the pages in this book flew. Not only were the main characters the stars of the show, but the others in the book were such integral parts in this story, making it difficult to really choose just one favorite character!

I will admit that the story was really predictable but that didn’t matter. I needed to see how it all played out, and was curious to see how the author would do it.

Harbingers, beekeepers, magic, action and throw in a love that is tender and sweet, Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel is easily one of my Top Favorite reads of 2017.

Blackbird of the Gallows is an interesting story with an incredibly unique premise and that was what drew me to the story at the first place. However, the execution fell kind of flat to me. There's this insta-attraction between the characters that just didn't work for me because the main character had this unexplainable desire to unravel the love interest despite all the warning signs. Okay, taking a step back - they had a cute relationship but the foundation of that relationship just was not stable and I just wish things could have been developed better. Other than that, I enjoyed how the events of the story played out and the plot was able to keep me engaged throughout. With that being said, my only "gripe" with the story was the disconnection I felt with the characters which tends to be a huge point for me.

'Black Bird of the Gallows' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2017. I have to admit that I had really high hopes for it and was worried that it wouldn't end up being everything I wanted. Happily, that wasn't the case at all. I completely adored this book! Every aspect of the story was well done and I have no real complaints - except that I want more! I'm still kind of on a book high from this one and don't want to ramble, so I'm going to break down the major points I liked.

Plot: The description had me immediately intrigued and I knew I had to read this one. But, it turns out that it doesn't really do the book justice. There's a lot more going on than a supernatural hottie, a romance, and some sort of impending doom. I haven't read any other book quite like this one, which is impressive with the genre. It definitely brought a breath of fresh air into the overflowing genre. The plot was a lot deeper than I imagined. The paranormal aspects - harbingers, magic, curses, etc. were all incredibly fascinating to me. I adored learning everything I could about it all - the history of all the beings/creatures, the beginnings of the curses, what exactly each entity was and did - I could have lived in that world forever. The author brought it all to life right before my eyes and I wanted to soak up all of it and more. Some parts of the story were inevitable - the doomed romance between the main character and the mysterious new guy, a big obstacle or battle where the story peaks, the villain trying to take out the main character, etc. These are all essential for any story, and the author did a fantastic job mixing the elements together to create a fresh YA paranormal novel in an overwhelming genre.

Characters: I loved both Angie and Reece. They were both well rounded characters with complex emotions and developed personalities. Both were surprisingly realistic and easy to connect with, and I liked getting to know each of them throughout the book. One thing I have to make a note of was the lack of depth for any of the other characters. A few minor characters (Jenny, Deno, Angie's dad) seemed semi-rounded, but the rest were all flat and stereotypical background players. Not that it really bothered me so much, because they didn't play a very big part in the plot itself.

Writing Style: I can't go without making some sort of mention about the author's choice of writing style. This is always a big point for me and can essentially make or break a book. In this case, the author wrote the story in the first person point of view - from Angie's perspective. This is my favorite style, and I'm so happy that she chose to tell the story this way. I loved getting to know Angie on such a personal level - one that isn't possible in any other POV. I got to feel like I experienced it all right alongside Angie and could almost feel everything like I was there. I think it was a perfect fit for the story, and I'm so glad that it was done this way.

Romance: I can't go without mentioning the romantic aspect of the story, since it plays a pretty big part. I normally don't like a lot of romance when reading a novel - especially when it's a genre outside of romance. For instance, this was a YA paranormal, so I wouldn't usually like a strong romance because it overshadows the main plot. However, the romance between Angie and Reece plays an integral part of this story and was essential to the plot. I didn't mind it in the least. Actually, I really liked watching them get to know each other and seeing their feelings develop throughout the story. I don't usually consider myself a mushy person when it comes to relationships in books, but I was all about this one and ended up loving every bit of it.

Overall, I have to say that this was one of the best books I've read this year. I came into it with pretty high hopes and got pretty much everything I could have wanted. I very highly recommend this one to fans of YA, fantasy, paranormal, and romance.

When a new family moves into the ‘murder house’ next door, Angie Dovage, 17 is intrigued by Reese, the oldest boy and not only because he’s good looking. For one thing, crows seem to be attracted to him and now one of them has started bringing her little presents. Then there’s his eyes that seem to become completely black at odd moments.

But Angie has a secret. At high school she tries to stay in the shadows but at night, she puts on a disguise and takes on the persona of a popular DJ at a local club. When Reese shows up, she is worried that he will recognize her. Later outside the club, Angie is approached by a strange figure. His face keeps changing shape as she watches, even morphs into her mother who died of an overdose, and bees seem to surround him, even crawling out of his mouth. When Reese sees this, he comes to her aid and it is clear that he knows this strange creature.

Angie starts following Reese trying to discover his secret. Eventually, as their mutual attraction deepens, he tells her his story. He and his family are harbingers of death, and have come to town ahead of a huge disaster. And the strange man at the club is a Beekeeper. They follow harbingers although the two supernatural beings are not friends: harbingers follow death but the Beekeepers seem to exist only to create terror and mayhem.

Black Bird of the Gallows is a YA paranormal romance by author Meg Kasse, a genre I usually avoid. However, when I read the publisher’s blurb. I was intrigued and decided to give it a shot. And I’m glad I did. Not to say it’s perfect – there was for example the ubiquitous mean girl, a trope that seems to be mandatory for this genre and at least in this case, doesn’t seem to add much to the story. But I found the harbingers and the murders of crows that seem to accompany them interesting. And I have never heard of the Beekeepers or seen anything like them anywhere else. It was this originality that kept my interest throughout wondering where Kasse would take the story and wanting to know the outcome.

Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Black Bird of the Gallows was such a pleasant read. Its beautiful yet somber cover definitely does the book justice. I really enjoyed the supernatural aspect of the story.

Although some parts of the story felt too drawn out the writing and pacing in Black Bird of the Gallows made for a great read. Each chapter title held my interest and the short lengths kept the flow of the story. Ms. Kassel managed to pack a lot of details into a 300 page book.

I was really intrigued by the harbinger/Beekeeper curses. Learning about them was my favourite part of the story. I only wish there was more explanation for that climax and the aftermath. It felt a little simple given all the build up.

Angie is such an admirable character. She's experienced much horrors at a young age. Her alternate persona shows us she has a vulnerable side but she's doesn't let her past define her. When odd things started happening in her town her quiet strength helped her stay on a sane path. With one selfless act after another Angie again and again proved her worth. She was also full of silly thoughts a lot of times so it's impossible not to like her.

There's a certain degree of attraction between Angie and Reece right off the bat but I wouldn't exactly call it insta-love. I wasn't very convinced of their romance until the story showed me there was more to them than meets the eye. The reality of their relationship will make your heart ache for them but there was no shortage of sweetness and fluttery feels between the two.

Black Bird of the Gallows is yet another terrific read for paranormal lovers. I was fascinated by the story and I'm really glad I took the time to read it!

I have to admit that I was intrigued the moment I read the synopsis, however, I did feel that it left a lot to the imagination as to what exactly was going on. As I started reading this story I wanted to know more about Reece and what this mystery surrounding him and his family was.

I have to say this book is great for the upcoming Halloween season. It’s creepy and spooky and just right for the season. Angie is a girl who has had a rough start to life with her drug addict mother, she is now living with her father and trying hard to keep the two parts of herself separate, the girl she is at school, and the persona she takes on certain nights. Her world turns upside down when the mysterious Reece Fernandez and his family move in next door with a whole murder of Crows. On Reece’s first day of school Angie witnesses something odd at the bus stop and decides she needs answers that only Reece has.

This need for answers becomes worse when something not human attacks Angie at a local nightclub, this draws her and Reece closer together. Reece’s history becomes clearer as the story progresses, and you realize that maybe Reece and Angie’s love is doomed, but then again maybe not. Deno and Lacy are good addition to the story as well as support for Angie through everything.

What I really liked was that the love story was there, but not the only focus, and the action in the last half of the book was great. It really brought people closer together and did not drag out like it does in some stories.

The only thing that kept me from really loving this was the ending. I wanted more, I wanted to see much more on how everyone got their lives back on track after the catastrophe that happened in their town.

Meg Kassel nails it with her debut novel. Black Bird of the gallows was an intriguing YA fantasy/paranormal read.

"Don't follow me again, Angie. Death is never far behind me. I don't want it to catch you."

I love the unique ideas and paranormal elements Meg gives us in this book. She created very interesting world of harbingers and beekeepers. I love how she built everything up and introduced us to this world, I just wish she would have added more of these elements a little earlier on in the book.

The beginning of the book was a tad slow for me, but not too slow to where it made me lose interest - I think it was just missing those extra fantasy elements that would have made the pace a bit more enjoyable. But once everything started to come together, the book definitely got more entertaining and interesting.

Crack your bones and eat the marrow, snap your spines like broken arrows."

I really enjoyed Angie and Reece and their interactions. Despite Angie have a rough upbringing with her mother, at times she came across as reserved, you could still sense her strong demeanor just below the surface. You know something is up with Reece that second we meet him, but we just aren't sure what that it is. I enjoyed the mysteriousness of him and how we slowly learned more and more about him.


Overall, Meg wrote a very enticing YA fantasy read. I loved how she panned things out and gave us a new world to fall into. What I loved most about this book was Meg's writing style. She really made this whole story way more interesting than I anticipated and it's her writing that made this book stand out to me. I am looking forward to her companion novels to this book and what she brings us next.

Black Bird in the Gallows is not within my typical reading genre as its described as fantasy, mythology with I would say some touches of mystery and romance to it as well. In the past I would have looked the other way but I am really happy I took a chance on this debut novel and I will definitely pick up future books that Meg writes.
It was a pretty quick read although it did take me a few days to read. So there was no breezing through this one this time. Even with reading it a few days ago I am still thinking about this book. I have no idea what to compare it to and I think this is a good thing, right?

This book is one that you will IMMEDIATELY become enticed with. If you’re looking for a cringe-worthy read for Fall, I highly recommend Black Bird for your enjoyment! It definitely gave me the leaves-falling, fall-time vibes.

Throughout the book, there are these moments where you literally feel your eyes bulge and your inner-self screaming “HOLY CRAP” because that was seriously some creepy stuff.

I consider this more of a contemporary thriller following this new guy that shows up across the street from a rather curious high-school girl. Within the first few pages, you just know stuff is about to go down with all of the crazy bees and ravens.

This book is the kind that you are now hyperaware of that goosebump feeling that something just has to be behind you. Because what is the deal with the guy in the fluffy coat??

At first, everything seems normal. Then BAM, joke’s on you.

I will have to say that this book became repetitive in that the main guy is just weird, but of course, the girl keeps butting herself into the situation within the next chapter. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because of the repetitive nature, BUT that is part of the story. Continual, creepy, weird things popping up that peak your interest.

There is romance in this book. I feel like it drives the story forward without being annoying (because too much typical YA romance tends to do so). The main character’s backstory with her anxiety and her struggles with the school bullies brought this story to a whole new level which was accented once the mysterious boy shows up. It was intriguing to see the struggle the two attempted to overcome between the relationship they placed themselves into.

Overall, this was fun Fall read that seized both paranormal and romantic vibes. Personally, the creatures in this book really drew me to try and figure out what in the world was going on! The story was executed to my expectations and leaves you in an October-reading vibe!

When I first read the synopsis of this book I was intrigued. I was not disappointed! This book had just the right amount of romance, mystery and paranormal! This book was very unique. The characters are interesting and I loved the writing style! I really enjoyed this book!

I've been in a bit of a book rut lately, unable to find a book that has been able to maintain my interest. Then I requested Black Bird of the Gallows off of Netgalley after being sold on the stunning cover, and I'm happy to say said rut is officially over as I quickly devoured Meg Kassel's debut.

It's rare to find a truly unique read in the crowed Young Adult market these days, and yet, that's precisely what Black Bird of the Gallows is -- it's incredibly fresh and riveting. Yes, the insta-attraction in the beginning can be a bit frustrating, especially as it's followed up quickly by the now we're talking/now we're not trope. However, I urge readers to continue reading because once you get past that and things begin to kick off in a rather terrifying scene behind a club? The book dos a fantastic job at maintaining its grip on you until the very end.

There are moments that reminded me of Twilight -- which is not a knock -- especially when Reece begins to tell Angie about the Harbingers and the Beekeeper, and maybe that's why this book is so addicting. It takes an unusual relationship between a 'loner' girl and the new 'hot' guy, adds in supernatural elements, and yet manages to tell a story about so much more than that, even touching on the topic of addiction.

If you're looking for something different from the norm, give Black Bird in the Gallows a read. It'll be well worth your time.

I was so excited to pick up Black Bird of the Gallows. Just by reading the synopsis, I could tell that it was going to be very interesting and unique! Plus, I hadn't read any Paranormal novels in a while and was looking for something that would get me back on track! And this was exactly what I needed!

First of all, let's talk about the characters. Angie was a very likable main heroine, whose life hasn't been the easiest. She has her demons, as we all do after all, and she is portrayed as a very relatable character. Her insecurities, fears and everything she's been through in general make her more human than anything and the paranormal aspect just makes everything more fascinating and entertaining to read. She is a social outcast in her high school - because kids are idiots - but she's so strong and determined, considering everything she went through. Parts of her past are slowly revealed which just makes you want to keep reading in order to figure it all out.

Reece was also quite an intriguing guy and I would've probably been attracted to him as well, if I were in Angie's place that is. He's surrounded by darkness - except from the crows of course - and gives off this mysterious aura that you cannot help but be attracted to. At the same time though, he's so sweet, thoughtful and protective of Angie. He's not the perfect guy and he has his own demons to battle off but, he's definitely worth it.


Their romantic relationship is definitely of the swoon worthy variety and I really enjoyed the fact that there was so much more into the story than just the romance. The attraction between Angie and Reece begins as soon as they meet each other, but the pace of their relationship is neither too slow nor too insta-lovey which makes it perfect for those of you that enjoy this sort of, in the middle situation. It builds up as the story progresses and just keeps you on edge.

The paranormal aspect of the story made things even more interesting and I really enjoyed how the author used it to her advantage. The writing was also great, which is always a plus in my case. It's very important for me as a reader and I'm very excited when I come across authors whose writing style wakes me up on the inside. Does that make sense? I hope you got the point! The ending was the only thing that felt a bit rushed for me and kind of, abrupt. I feel like some things were left hanging and weren't fully explained which was kind of disappointing since this is a stand alone novel.

Other than that, Black Bird of the Gallows was such an amazing novel! The writing was beautiful and the flow of the story perfect for fans of the Paranormal genre. Definitely recommend this if you enjoy dark, mysterious and swoon worthy characters. The plot is very interesting, that characters likable and easy to connect to so, if you're thinking about picking this books up, just go for it!

4.5 Stars - DARK THRILLING PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel is a wonderful debut novel that reminded me of the reasons why I love paranormal romances. It’s deliciously dark, satisfyingly eerie, and absolutely enthralling.

Kassel’s writing is beautiful and utterly captivating. I really liked the premise of the story and the spooky atmosphere. This book also gave me some Twilight FEELS and I loved it! The world building is fantastic and very imaginative. I’ve never read anything about harbingers or beekeepers, so that part definitely fascinated me. The plot has plenty of action, mystery, suspense and drama that kept me on the edge and completely hooked. The characters are genuine and likable that I couldn’t help but root for them all. The romance is a bit weird at times (you’ll find out when you read the book), but I still enjoyed it. The paranormal aspects can be quite disturbing, but I didn’t mind it at all. I was completely engrossed the entire time that I didn’t want the story to end.

I liked Angie right off the bat. Her personality is inviting and that made it easy for me to connect with her. She’s also a fantastic heroine. Despite going through something horrible and having insecurities, she’s quite resilient, determined and very brave.

Reece is enigmatic, alluring, and has that “bad boy” vibe going on. You just know there’s something more about him, but whatever he’s hiding doesn’t really matter. He’s charmed his way into your heart and you just can’t resist him. I don’t know what it is exactly, but there’s something intriguing about the brooding tortured soul that always gets to me. Not to mention Reece is sweet, caring, and really handsome.

While there is an insta-love in this book, I thought it was quite well done. There’s a backstory (kind of creepy, but reasonable in the supernatural way) that helped explained why Angie and Reece were drawn to each other. I also thought that their relationship progressed at a really good pace. They didn’t rush into anything or immediately declared their feelings. They both kept each other at a distance to some extent. But no matter what, the spark between them was undeniable. I enjoyed seeing them interact and deal with their attraction. Their bantering was super adorable and had me smiling. Their kisses were steamy and so swoony. They’re just so cute and I absolutely loved their chemistry.

With gorgeous writing, an engaging story line, fantastic characters and sweet romance, Black Bird of the Gallows had me enchanted all the way through. There are so many things I love about this book and I honestly can’t recommend it enough. While this book is perfect for paranormal romance lovers, I definitely think anyone looking for a fun thrilling read would enjoy this too.

When I first saw the cover of this book on Goodreads, I knew I had to read it. Black Bird of the Gallows is a paranormal romance enriched with fierce characters, unique legends, and a creepy protagonist. This intriguing book is a constant page-turner leading up to a finale that is truly frightening but also heart warming.

One of favorite aspects of the book was the strong chemistry between Angie and Reece. Both characters are quite different in many ways, but their oppositions strengthen the attraction between them. The strong pairing of trust and brutal honesty that they share with each other allows their relationship to mature. I love that even when they have landslides and swarms of bees threatening their lives, they continue to protect each other.

Overall, I think I enjoyed this book because, although it sticks to many traditional characteristics of young adult novels, Black Bird of the Gallows is littered with new and innovative myths and legends. Those who are considered cursed still believe in redemption, and evil is provided karma-tic relief. I like that the author does not shy away from portraying the characters with their everyday adolescent struggles. Instead, these characters are provided groundwork to discover who they are through actions and reactions. They are challenged by everyday struggles and evildoers, and their hearts and minds are forced into different tug-of-war battles.

More importantly, the friendships in this novel had me smiling ear-to-ear and swooning. Self-identity, inner strength, and understanding true friendships are common themes that encompass this novel. Every page will have your eyes brimming with tears from laughter, heartache, or the simple acknowledgement that the hardest choices in life can result in the best endings.

***This book was reviewed via Chapter by Chapter Book Tours and via Netgalley

Black Bird of the Gallows, by Megan Kassel, is a haunting modern-day fable. Millennia ago, magic existed, a force to be reckoned with. It was purged from the land, though, and man’s memory of what was faded. Humans have such short memories. Magic still exists, in small pockets of being such as in the harbingers, and the Beekeepers, and in abilities like seership and mediumship. But for the most part, notions of magic are scoffed at and treated as fiction or delusion.

Reece Fernandez move into the 'murder house’ next door to Angie Dovage. Her neighbors, a year plus ago, died in a terrible murder/suicide. The house stood vacant until the Fernandez's moved in. Reece seems to be a perfectly lovely young man, but strange things accompany him. Ravens and crows surround the house, and flock around him. A man with a shifting face shadows him. And he fears bees in a way not even the allergic do.

As unlikely as Angie finds it, Reece takes an interest in her. But the closer Angie grows to Reece, the more she notices the strange and unusual. A crow with one White feather a Shadows her, and leaves her little trinkets. One night, as she is leaving her job as a DJ, the mysterious man with the shifting face accosts her. After witnessing an accident and Reece’s bizarre reaction to it, Angie pushes him for answers. Nothing could have prepared her for the truth.

Reece is a harbinger of death. Once human, but now cursed to sense impending death and feed off the energy released by it. Both his human family, and the crows, make up his harbinger family, and Reece, too, has a crow form. They move place to place, wherever the magic tells them disaster will strike. War, natural disasters, large industrial accidents all draw them.

The mysterious man is Rafette, the Beekeeper who follows Reece's harbinger flock. Beekeepers were once human as well, warped by magic long ago and turned into hideous war weapons. Each has a hive of bees living inside them (Ew and wtf). These aren't your average honeybees. To be stung by one is to go mad, but they only sting those already unstable and disposed towards violence. As the harbingers feed off of death energy, Beekeepers feed off of chaos energy. For each, it is a matter of necessity, not pleasure.

But this isn't Angie's first encounter with Rafette, and members of Reece’s flock. Why are they here now, and why were they a part of her past? Disaster is looming on the horizon. Angie, and Cadence itself, will not emerge unscathed.

Can we talk about this cover? Absolutely exquisite! The cover is what first drew me to this book. I love ravens, and purple, so there we go! It fit perfectly with the story within.

I found the Beekeepers fascinating. Their history is so sad, as is that of the harbingers. Each created through magic as some sort of bizarre hybridisation. Each immortal or as good as. The harbingers can die, but 'respawn’ (as Reece put it) as a crow. After a time they can shift back to a human form but is always at a younger age. This tickles the edge of my memory, but I cannot recall where I read something similar. Argh! The harbingers also called to mind stories of Mothman, and the Silver Bridge collapse. I must say, I do wish they would have just used harbinger, instead of tacking on ’of death’ so often. I got it after the first two or three times. Harbingers foretell death. No need to say ‘harbinger of death’ over and over.

I loved the duality of the story. Part is man vs nature, which I love. The cataclysm in this book struck a little too close to home for me. Now I'm going to make sure we stock up on shelter supplies! The conflict between Rafette and Reece was so sad. I cannot see Rafette as a villain for wanting to end an eternal torment, despite his means of attempting it. Despair and desperation are powerful motivators, and as for his chaos sowing… it’s what he was designed for. The bees only sting the already unbalanced, so just maybe, sometimes by driving certain people, like serial killers, out into the open earlier than they may otherwise have exposed themselves he actually saves lives. I do wonder, though, why bees? It seems hornets or wasps would be a more logical choice.

Black Bird of the Gallows is a beautiful, tragic tale of ancient forces in the modern world. To me, it is a reminder that we should be careful playing with our science, and stop to think how future generations might be affected by our follies and errors.

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