Wyntertide - Andrew Caldecott

The town of Rotherweird, made independent from the rest of England by Queen Elizabeth I, has resumed its abnormal normality after a happy ending to the travails of summer.

But is it really all over?

Disturbing omens multiply: a funeral delivers a cryptic warning; an ancient portrait speaks; the Herald disappears - and democracy threatens the covenant between town and countryside. An intricate plot, centuries in the making, is on the move.

Everything is pointing to one objective: the resurrection of Rotherweird's dark Elizabethan past, and to one date: the Winter Equinox.

In Rotherweird, nothing and nobody are quite what they seem.

Hardcover, 496 pages
Expected publication: May 31st 2018 by Jo Fletcher Books
Rotherweird #2
Spec Fiction
For review

My thoughts:
I honestly can not say anything with spoilers from book 1 so be warned.

First, do not read this book without having read book 1. Trust me, it will not work, you will be confused and wonder what the f is going on!? So this truly is  a series that should be read in order. I know most should, but this one really should. If I am going to be frank, even I felt lost at times even though I read it back to back because the web he weaves is so freaking intricate.  See, it has me using a word like that, you know I always take the easy way when it comes to words.

Right...ok, so Rotherweird is a weird place. They govern themselves cos 500 years ago a bunch of kids got sent there, gifted kids, until one of them took over and starting messing with things he should not. Like blending animals and humans, and making some of the "kids" near immortal. 

Which brings is to present day. Some of these beings are still around, hidden, some of the immortals are hiding in plain sight. There is a plan and Wynter is coming. And he he will bring back a reign of terror.

Also, what is wrong with these people! This one person has this crazy idea about countrysiders (the people living around the town), and omg, it was scary to be honest. I think this place would be better erased from the earth.

There are a lot of characters. The main guy from book 1 is not around as much, as things fall into place.

And it is so well written, but you really have to have all your attention on the book because else you will miss something, a clue, a revelation, something crazy going on. Like, ok I will not say too much, but this place is not just weird cos a guy 500 years ago made monsters, no...it has always been weird. Romans, Druids, all have found their way there.

I do think the book got the better of me at times, I feel like a need to read more if I can not keep up!

Conclusion:
A strange tale in an even stranger town, coming to life.

Cover

I wanna paint it!

Rotherweird - Andrew Caldecott

The town of Rotherweird stands alone – there are no guidebooks, despite the fascinating and diverse architectural styles cramming the narrow streets, the avant garde science and offbeat customs. Cast adrift from the rest of England by Elizabeth I, Rotherweird's independence is subject to one disturbing condition: nobody, but nobody, studies the town or its history.

For beneath the enchanting surface lurks a secret so dark that it must never be rediscovered, still less reused.

But secrets have a way of leaking out.

Two inquisitive outsiders have arrived: Jonah Oblong, to teach modern history at Rotherweird School (nothing local and nothing before 1800), and the sinister billionaire Sir Veronal Slickstone, who has somehow got permission to renovate the town's long-derelict Manor House.

Slickstone and Oblong, though driven by conflicting motives, both strive to connect past and present, until they and their allies are drawn into a race against time – and each other. The consequences will be lethal and apocalyptic.

Paperback, Trade Paperback, 480 pages
Published June 16th 2017 by Jo Fletcher Books (first published May 18th 2017)
Rotherweird #1
Fiction

My thoughts:
I had trouble starting this review, because it is a rather weird book. And what can I say that will not spoil it all? I did not know what to make of it.

There is a little town called Rotherweird. They do not talk about history, it is forbidden. It is not taught in school, there are no old books. And they alone where given rights long ago by Queen Elizabeth I and that is why they can have their weird rules.

To this strange town comes Oblong, a history teacher (though he can not teach the kids about their history, not that he knows it either.) The last teacher asked questions. That is a big no no.

The school has two strange towers. But this is not about the school, it is about the town. And there is another new inhabitant too, a pompous curious man who buys the Manor. In a town that does not welcome strangers.

We meet a big cast of interesting characters. Because something is now happening. Forces are gathering. Something is about to happen in Rotherweird.

Weird place. I would not go there. And they sure disliked the people in villages around them too. These people should get out more. And now I have made them sound like weird inbred creeps. It is not like that. There is a lot going on behind...weird things.

Honestly, it is just one of those books better read, cos I can not explain it!

Weirdly good

Cover

It makes me want to color it