I received They Fly Silent by Barb Lanell through NetGalley and I am so glad that I did, so thanks are extended to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley also for allowing me to review this book.
They Fly Silent is a novel that follows the recovery of protagonist Cass Collard, a 25-year-old woman with amnesia, trauma and a repressed childhood.
First off it is important to say that this book contains the following which may be a trigger for some readers – mental illness, sexual assault, trauma, grief and animal.
They Fly Silent is a southern gothic story detailing a dysfunctional family. Growing up Cassandra listened to stories her great grandmother Maw Sue would talk about concerning mystical and cursed bloodlines, about the Seventh Tribe, spiritual beliefs, and the power of magic, and “seekers”. Now twenty-five-year-old Cassandra’s life is currently full of madness and chaos. Divorced and accused of starting a mysterious fire that she doesn’t remember setting, she is having to face memories during therapy sessions with a psychiatrist.
The book itself, though it portrays as a mystery, has definite elements of psychological fiction as well as fantasy fiction and the elements of these three that were in the novel made it very interesting to read, the characters seemed to have real depth and I found myself drawn to them and likeable, the author certainly is able to create a world where it reflects everyday life even though it is fantastical at the same time.
As the book progressed the reader was introduced to more of the layers of the protagonist and her personality couple with the life she has lived are revealed. I found myself continually guessing whether she really did possess magical qualities and abilities or whether she needs to work through some very deep-seated psychological issues. The author also does a great job of setting the scene throughout the novel which allows the reader to see the sights, feel the heat and even smell the collard greens burning.
This book is by no means a gentle heart warming read but it is definitely a read that will stay with you for a while and will allow you imagination to run wild. It is a strong 4 star read.
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