Epeolatry Book Review: Ghost Apparent by Jelena Dunato
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Title: Ghost Apparent
Author: Jelena Dunato
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press
Date: 24th September, 2024
Synopsis: Betrayed, deposed and presumed dead.
When her father is killed in a bloody coup and her uncle seizes the city, Orsiana pleads for help with the only power still willing to listen, unaware that the gods will use her as a pawn in their own game.
Thrown back on the streets of Abia, armed with the gods’ double-edged gifts, Orsiana must thwart her uncle’s plans and learn what it takes to rule a proud, stubborn city that thrives on artifice and wit. She will plot, fight and use lethally tuned verse to stir a rebellion. But just when her uncle’s Machiavellian schemes start to topple, a new player will enter the game, and the gods will raise the stakes. It’s easy to fight an enemy you hate, but how about an enemy you fall in love with? If she wants to win, Orsiana will have to risk the last precious thing in her possession: her heart.
A story of revenge and recovery, Ghost Apparent blends the history and folklore of the Eastern Adriatic with the bloody treachery of the Renaissance courts and is a perfect read for the fans of dark political fantasy.
Jelena Dunato’s Ghost Apparent is a prequel novella to her novel, Dark Woods, Deep Water, which I previously reviewed here on Horror Tree. Using new characters and a standalone plot, Ghost Apparent is a nice addition with a few easter eggs for fans of Dark Woods, Deep Water, but also a treat for new fans. Reading one book does not depend on knowledge of the other.
Set long before the events of the previous book, Ghost Apparent tells the story of Orsiana, the heir to the Lord of Abia, and what happens when her father is murdered by her uncle. Her charismatic uncle turns everyone against her, forcing Orsiana to flee her home and seek refuge from the gods. But like any mythological deities, their assistance comes at a price.
Orsiana is a clever, practical heroine who makes mistakes at times, but perseveres and adapts. I enjoyed following her journey and watching her grow up over the course of the novella. Her uncle is a worthy adversary and, while despicable, is a delight on the page. As Orsiana works her revenge, she gathers a wide cast of characters to help her, and each one is a full, well-written person. I remember Dunato’s character work in Dark Woods, Deep Water was strong, and here she showcases more of that skill.
One of the main themes of Ghost Apparent is identity. Orsiana spends most of the tale in a divine disguise which allows her to hear what others say without knowing she is present. She also must wrestle with whether she actually wants to be the Lady of Abia or step back and let her uncle rule. Not only is she fighting to protect her city, she is working to discover who she is and who she wants to be.
If you are into mythology and fairy tale type stories, I recommend picking up a copy of Ghost Apparent and embark on a fun, dark, magical journey.
/5
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Melody lives in Ontario, Canada and writes short, dark fiction. She has been published in several anthologies and online publications. In university, she studied Ancient Greek and Roman Studies and often infuses her work with elements of Greek mythology. She also loves reading, embroidery, and martial arts. You can follow her homepage at: https://www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/
Homepage: https://www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/MelodyEMcintyre.com
Twitter: @evamarie41.
