Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail. A book review.
- Claudia
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Slow-burning and creatures you didn't even know existed – Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail, or the Allison Creek series, is worth a read.
Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail is the second book in the Allison Creek series.
I had mixed feelings when reading the Allison Creek series. While I enjoyed reading both books, some aspects didn't quite work for me – hence three stars: worth reading!
This book review was first published on Reedsy Discovery.
Abby is a teen with the most beautiful eyes: They change colour. Unfortunately, this has always set her apart, making her the weird kid. At the end of book one: Hummingbird Broken Wings, Abby realised why she is different from everyone else in Allison Creek, and with a new group of friends, who accepted her for ‘what’ she is, she somewhat embraced her destiny. In book two, she looks for answers, which is not without danger, because no one is who they seem.
I made sure to read book one before tackling Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail, so I knew exactly what I was getting into. I enjoyed the world Spencer K. Prescott created, as it is very different from any other magical realism I’ve read recently. There are not just angels and demons, but there are also witches, charms, ghosts, and ceruleans – and don’t forget plain-old humans. They are all living in the same town, fighting a centuries-old battle while hiding in plain sight.
The series is written in the first person without changing points of view, giving you a close connection to Abby, as you experience everything she’s experiencing in great detail. That also means the actions of the other characters remain a mystery until Abby finally figures out what they’ve been up to – creating many a question for the reader.
As if the universe itself acknowledged the shift, the air grew thick with the unusual scent of burning herbs, a strange mix of sweetness that sent a prickle of awareness down my spine. My sense sharpened, and that is when I saw it, a shadowy figure lurking down the street, watching. Waiting.
Ms Prescott is a very descriptive writer, so I could picture every scene perfectly and imagine what the characters must have gone through (see above extract). What I particularly liked were the events in which Abby experienced someone else’s history by way of a shared vision (see extract below) – I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers. This was so cleverly done, as the transition was very smooth.
I inhaled, and at that moment, she walked into me. All her rage and pain coursed through my veins. [...] my heart pounded against my chest and skipped beats as her spirit intertwined with my own.
The story can be a bit confusing because there is a lot happening, and the storyline spans many months. Most of the action doesn’t involve Abby, which means the reader isn’t privy to most of what is going on behind the scenes. Often, after reading a few more chapters, the main storyline falls into place. I still have quite a few questions, mind. E.g., I would love to know what some of the others have been up to while she and Fitzly were waiting for ‘their moment’ to shine.
I am curious to see what book three brings. The ending of Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail promises something exciting, for sure. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Note: There were some grammar and spelling mistakes, but they weren't too distracting.
Before purchasing Rise of the Emerald Swallowtail, I would start with the first in the series, Hummingbird Broken Wings.
I provide beta reading, copyediting, proofreading, and formatting services to help authors of all levels perfect their work. Whether you’re seeking early feedback or professional editing, I'm here to assist you at every stage of your writing journey.
Do you want to get notified of new blog posts? Sign up to receive the monthly Ready2Publish newsletter.
Comments