‘The
Hybrid: Antecedent’ is the first in a series of New Adult paranormal
novels written by Teresa Marie Wallace. The author provided me with a copy of
this book in return for an honest review.
I
must begin by saying that Teresa’s writing glued me to the pages. She clearly
has a way with words; they flow naturally, effortlessly, turning into a charming
lullaby that will make you feel relaxed and want to read on. Until she loses
patience. Then the lullaby turns into a rushed symphony you want to scramble
away from, yet not quite willing to give up, as you wish to know what happens
next.
As
I started to read ‘The Hybrid: Antecedent,’ I was drawn into a sweet love story,
that of orphaned Annabel Morgan and the gorgeous celebrity Shaw Weatherly. There
is nothing extraordinary about their love, but Teresa’s writing comes to the
rescue, drawing the reader in; convincing the reader that it is worth to go
through the first hundred pages without significantly moving forward. Not much
is happening, and you start wondering about where this is going to head. Then there
comes the second half of the book, which makes you think that you landed on
another planet. The paranormal action begins, slow at first, then it accelerates
to the point that the last quarter of the book becomes very much like a flipbook.
Not because it is exhilarating, but because it packs so much information in
such a short amount of writing, you reach the end of it before you can blink. So
much happens in that last quarter, that it could be a book on its own, in
striking contrast with the lagging beginning.
The
first half of this book is a pleasant love story, and the reader gets absorbed
into it to the point that the paranormal element seems misplaced when it comes
in. I understand that a foundation was needed to allow the paranormal to be
built upon, but the transition between the two genres was too abrupt, crashing the
charm the author had weaved into the story until then, and somehow taking away
its appeal. Paranormal romance is a blend of paranormal phenomena and elements
of romance. Shades of grey are permitted, like with every other genre, but to divide
so strikingly a book into two separate genres is not only disconcerting to the
reader, but it makes the latter element (in this instance the paranormal) stick
out like a sore thumb. The difference is further enhanced by the absence of any
sense of place in the second half of the book. Not because the author fails to refer
to locations, far from it, but there is no elaboration whatsoever on the
characters’ practical interactions with these locations that would allow us to see
them as being remotely real. The author might as well place them on Mars, and I
could not tell the difference. The characters become, therefore, cartoonish, bringing
even more contrast between the two halves of the book.
Having
said that, I do not deny that I enjoyed reading the novel. As I said before,
Teresa’s writing was the most alluring element, although it was not seamless. She
has a natural talent to write sweet romance, charging the story with
electrifying sensuality without ever adding graphic elements to it.
As
much as I am frustrated with the awkward unification of two separate genres, I think
that this book is worth reading. I have no doubt that paranormal romance lovers
will quickly get over this curious mélange and will want to go on to see what
happens next.
Teresa’ novel can be purchased on Amazon in both hard copy and Ebook format. Click HERE to access the purchase link.
COMING SOON
Review of 'Siren's secret' by Debbie Herbert
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