Helpful Score: 4
A well-written, mystery story with a female protagonist who sees ghosts.
I have never read a ghost story quite like this. It takes place in the southern United States and many of the main characters are African American or bi-racial. The protagonist, Eden, is a strong character who was used to being different, not just for her ethnicity, but because of her special ability to speak to the dead. I think this made her drive and her strength more believable.
I didn't get into this at first because the story starts with Eden as a child and I was kind of bored. I am so glad that I kept reading! The story quickly progresses through Eden's childhood and the pacing picks up.
I enjoyed the prose and the southern voice in this novel. If she writes another book, I will read it.
I have never read a ghost story quite like this. It takes place in the southern United States and many of the main characters are African American or bi-racial. The protagonist, Eden, is a strong character who was used to being different, not just for her ethnicity, but because of her special ability to speak to the dead. I think this made her drive and her strength more believable.
I didn't get into this at first because the story starts with Eden as a child and I was kind of bored. I am so glad that I kept reading! The story quickly progresses through Eden's childhood and the pacing picks up.
I enjoyed the prose and the southern voice in this novel. If she writes another book, I will read it.
Laurie S. (LaurieS) reviewed Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore, Bk 1) on + 504 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a good old-fashioned, very moody and atmospheric ghost story. Eden grows up with the ability to see three female ghosts and knows there is something odd about her past. She's been raised by her aunt Lulu, whom she loves, but Lulu is hiding secrets. As Eden grows and odd things continue to cast a shadow over her, she decides to discover the truth for herself.
This one has good atmosphere and held my attention throughout but it didn't scare or spook me (but I'm very jaded).
This one has good atmosphere and held my attention throughout but it didn't scare or spook me (but I'm very jaded).
Melissa J. (coppertop) reviewed Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A little slow at times, was hoping for a better ending. Still a good read though.
Cheryl R. (Spuddie) -
Helpful Score: 1
First book in the Eden Moore trilogy--not sure how to classify it. Sort of Southern gothic horror paranormal mystery ghost story? LOL Eden Moore is a young mixed-race woman who's seen ghosts ever since she was a young girl. Her childhood and parentage are shrouded in mystery, her mother having died in a home for troubled teenagers during Eden's birth, her father's identity unknown. Lovingly raised by her Aunt Lulu and Uncle Dave near Chattanooga, Tennessee, they give her everything she needs except the answers to questions about her past.
She was attacked by a religious nut when she's just a young girl, and is spared from death because the three sisters (her ghosts) warn her that he's coming. Later, Eden learns that Malachi is a relative who thinks she's the reincarnation of an evil person from generations back in their family tree. As a young woman, Eden sets out to find the answers that Lulu refuses to give her, which leads her on a trail of horror, danger, and pure evil as she travels from Tennessee to Georgia and then the swamplands of Florida as she tries to work out who to trust and what to do next.
Steeped in Southern mythology, this ghost story grabbed me in from the first page and wouldn't let me go. While the plotting seems a bit wobbly at times and all the ghosts, ancestors and their relationships are sometimes confusing (there's some inbreeding and I'm still not sure of a couple of the ties) Eden's character grows during the course of the book and by the end, I've come to like her very much.
The ending is a bit anti-climactic but there are hints of stories yet untold which I presume will be unfolded in the other two books in the series. I'm glad I've already got them or I'd have to go hunting them down!
She was attacked by a religious nut when she's just a young girl, and is spared from death because the three sisters (her ghosts) warn her that he's coming. Later, Eden learns that Malachi is a relative who thinks she's the reincarnation of an evil person from generations back in their family tree. As a young woman, Eden sets out to find the answers that Lulu refuses to give her, which leads her on a trail of horror, danger, and pure evil as she travels from Tennessee to Georgia and then the swamplands of Florida as she tries to work out who to trust and what to do next.
Steeped in Southern mythology, this ghost story grabbed me in from the first page and wouldn't let me go. While the plotting seems a bit wobbly at times and all the ghosts, ancestors and their relationships are sometimes confusing (there's some inbreeding and I'm still not sure of a couple of the ties) Eden's character grows during the course of the book and by the end, I've come to like her very much.
The ending is a bit anti-climactic but there are hints of stories yet untold which I presume will be unfolded in the other two books in the series. I'm glad I've already got them or I'd have to go hunting them down!
Tracy S. (enchantedmoons) reviewed Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic book! I've never read anything quite like it, and so trying to describe it would be close to impossible. Let's just say when you throw in voodoo, family mysteries, ghosts, violence and redemption, you get this incredible tale. Cherie Priest is a new author for me, but after reading this book, she will be on my all-time favorites list! You have to read this book...that's all I'm going to say. LOL
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this. A little slower pace but blends historical information with a paranormal mystery flare.
This was an excellent book about people and the supernatural--very unusual for a debut novel to be this good. A really good ghost story!
Jacqui H. (thetrista) reviewed Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
I loved this Southern Gothic novel about an orphan named Eden. A LiveJournal friend recommended it because the author is also a LiveJournal user, and I bought if out of curiosity. It was money well spent. I couldn't put the book down. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel.
Lissette H. (yolen) reviewed Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore, Bk 1) on + 92 more book reviews
Absolutely wonderul Southern Gothic novel! Very impressive debut!
