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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Monday, November 15, 2021

REVIEW Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths & The Alex McKenna Series by Vicki-Ann Bush


The dead need Alex to help them reconcile issues they left behind—and he finds that he needs them, too. 



REVIEW
Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths (Alex McKenna #1) by Vicki-Ann Bush

Alex seems to be a regular seventeen boy, but in reality, he is “the next generation” of a powerful line of witches of whom duties are to help blocked souls to cross over to the light and stop the evil ones from harming the alive and dead alike. With the help of his family and (girl)friend he also appears to deal with a more personal issue.

The story of Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths starts quickly without delays, the background information being inserted here and there where and when necessary. Interlaced within dreams and reality, the past and present events offer new pieces to complete the ghostly puzzle. A puzzle that does not form a clear image as the face of the culprit is not easy to be seen. The danger is lurking and looming in the shadows, keeping the heroes and readers alert if not prepared for what is to come next. The author nicely dosed the gore intensifying the emotions as it sits well when fighting evil. The confrontation scenes are dynamic and visual without unnecessary delays or tricks.

The characters are nice, they and their dialogues are plausible and efficient. Vicki Ann-Bush has succeeded to make the reader feels that in a world in which everything is wanted to be changed, understanding the value of a (traditional) family and community is important.

The rhythm is good, the pages fly quickly. Maybe, in the first part, the traditional culinary mentions, albeit interesting (yummy!), hinder the pace a little. Also, I think that Alex’s gender transition does not have any relevance for the story or the character as the reader would expect from the blurb. It does not influence his decisions or his personality, there is no evolution of the character from this point of view. He is a boy from the first page to the last. Or maybe that is what matters.

Keeping short, Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths was a pleasant read and I’m confident that many YA readers will like the danger and challenges that Alex’s special abilities bring. I’m curious now about what Vicki-Ann Bush prepared for us in the next two volumes.

Enjoy!

Description:

The third installment in the award-winning Alex McKenna Series, this LGBTQ teen paranormal adventure perfect for fans of Aidan Thomas’ CEMETERY BOYS and LOST IN THE NEVER WOODS.

For a minute, everything in Alex McKenna’s life was perfect. He only had one year left of high school, his girlfriend Margaret was the love of his life, and he couldn’t ask for a more supportive family.

His psychic powers were growing and he was learning more and more about his family’s abilities as Strega witches. Things were good.

Until the night it all fell to pieces.

As Margaret lies in the hospital after a serious car accident, her disembodied spirit searches for a way back to the living. Alex is desperate to save her and the victims of his next case: an ominous being haunting the hospital and stealing the souls of infants and the elderly, sending them straight to Hell.


Alex McKenna & The Academy of Souls (#2)

After surviving a harrowing case, Alex McKenna just wanted to rest. Unfortunately, his plans are interrupted by the ghost of Seven-year-old Haven, who is lost in an in-between realm.

Despite his great-grandmother's warning, Alex crosses the bridge between the living and the dead, sending him and his girlfriend into the world of the Academy of Souls, a high school for dead teens who are unable to complete their journey.

There, Alex meets Ophelia, Haven's teenage sister, who's been searching for her for more than a century. Together, with a few friends he meets along the way, Alex must cross the treacherous terrain of the Underworld in-between, to save Haven from clutches of the Soul Gatherer and reunite the sisters.

**Kindle Sale for only $1.99!**

Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths (#1)

For Alex McKenna, high school is just a distraction from the love of his life, Margaret, with whom he can't wait to spend more time once they get to college.

In many respects, Alex is just an average seventeen-year-old boy...except for the fact he's a transgender medium born from a long line of Strega witches, possessing the ability to communicate with ghosts.

With the help of Margaret and his talented Strega great-grandmother, Alex will learn how to strengthen his abilities. The dead need Alex to help them reconcile issues they left behind—and he finds that he needs them, too. As his abilities multiply, assisting the dead becomes an outlet to channel his new energy, giving him the strength to come to terms with who he is as a transgender male, and how far he will choose to go.

About the author:
Originally from New York, I've been living my author adventure in Nevada for the past thirty-six years. Ominous landscapes have served up sweet delectables for my craving mind.

When I'm not writing you can find me cuddled up with my husband, our Chihuahua-Yorkie mix, Curie, she's the sweetest girl, and completing our little family, our boy Cuba, a proud, and sometimes mushy great Dane.

My likes include, movie and TV binging, going out to eat for breakfast, and dining alfresco. Oh, and Disneyland...and coffee...and wine.

Dislikes are simple, cruelty of any kind.

Author's Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

8 comments:

Vicki-Ann Bush said...

This review has me elated! This was my intention when I created the character, to place the focus on the paranormal and not the fact that he's transgender. Alex is who he is.

"Also, I think that Alex’s gender transition does not have any relevance for the story or the character as the reader will expect from the blurb. It does not influence his decisions or his personality, there is no evolution of the character from this point of view. He is a boy from the first page to the last. Or maybe that is what matters."

CCAM said...

@Mrs. Vicki-Ann Bush
Thank you :)
#1 had many things that I liked, so I cannot wait to read books #2 and #3

Vicki-Ann Bush said...

I'm overwhelmed! Thank you so much!!!

Laura said...

I added this series to my list and grabbed the free novella!

Vicki-Ann Bush said...

That's so cool!

lildevilgirl22 said...

interesting cover

Bridgett Wilbur said...

I would love to read your book and I would love to read your book.

Vicki-Ann Bush said...

I'm so happy, I hope you enjoy the Alex McKenna series.