(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)


They are the Nahan. Their kids go to our schools; they work in our offices. They could be your neighbors. They are polite but private; they are efficient and dangerous. Blood is their life. “Ourselves” is the first peek into this hidden world.
A shy dreamer, Tomas lives a sheltered life in the Nahan community, his future secured by the long arm of the Council that protects their people throughout the world. But when he meets Stell, a wild girl dragged up in a cult of Nahan repentance, they ignite in each other a desire for a different path.
Tomas feels called to train with the elite and bizarre order of Storytellers, the final authority in the Nahan community. During his grueling training and induction, Stell learns she too has a unique skill set – that of an assassin. When they unearth corruption within the Council and a dangerous plot that has already cost one young Storyteller his sanity, they must test their new skills and, teaming up with other young Nahan, challenge the most powerful organization in their world.

"Ups and downs" would be the best way I could describe this book. At times, I found the concept of the Nahan to be interesting...and then the overly repetitive nature of the "sex/kill normals" was just exasperating. Over and over again, I was dragged into the wonderful world of the Nahan - only to be kicked out of it by some random event.

The characters were okay - Stell was very interesting to read in the beginning, but once we got about halfway, the gloss had worn off. And Tomas I just didn't get at all...

The good thing about this story, despite my obvious disappointment, was the pacing of the story. From inquisitive, to immersed, to the finale, this story did plenty to hook me in and keep me reading to the finish.

I think I would like to read more of this series in the future - there is plenty of positives here to build on...


Paul
ARH