Our first book:
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Myfanwy Thomas awakes in a London park surrounded by dead bodies. With her memory gone, her only hope of survival is to trust the instructions left in her pocket by her former self. She quickly learns that she is a Rook, a high-level operative in a secret agency that protects the world from supernatural threats. But there is a mole inside the organization and this person wants her dead.
As Myfanwy battles to save herself, she encounters a person with four bodies, a woman who can enter her dreams, children transformed into deadly fighters, and an unimaginably vast conspiracy. Suspenseful and hilarious, THE ROOK is an outrageously inventive debut for readers who like their espionage with a dollop of purple slime.
There was some debate as to how exactly the name Mifawny is pronounced before we even started reading the book. I youtube'd it and the answer is "Mih-vawn-way", however, very quickly into this book the author will inform you that this character does not use the traditional pronunciation of the name but instead pronounces it "Miffany" (rhymes with Tiffany). If you can get past the weird name and trying to pronounce it in your head as you are reading, you are off to a great start.
I selected this book because the owner of my local independent bookstore said it was a great read. I figured this guy owns a book store, he knows what he is talking about. As it turns out, he and I have very different opinions. I wouldn't say this is a bad read by by means but I wasn't carried away by it. I enjoy PNR and this book was along those lines minus the romance.
