Today’s book review is kind of exciting for me! This is my first opportunity to review and brand new book from a brand new writer…and it’s a brand new series. So many brand new’s, but it’s pretty cool!! The book is Manipulating the List, by KB Lever.
Summary
Katherine Sheppard is the exception to the rule. That is, as long as she continues to run from the law; murder innocent people; and manipulate the Collector’s List…
Shouldn’t be hard, right?
Since the tender age of six, Katherine has always loved to hear Jonathan’s nightly stories about tracking, stalking, and collecting his victims. She’s even had the privilege of watching souls transition into the afterlife, led by the hand of the Collector to their paths where angels or demons escort them home. It has been an unwavering friendship that has flourished for sixteen years. That is, until an unexplainable twist in circumstances causes Katherine’s name to appear on the Collector’s List.
Oh, but do not mistake this as an end, this is just the beginning. Katherine refuses to hand over her soul quietly and Jonathan will stand beside his friend, feeling the bitter sting of helplessness as he realizes that he might possibly be the cause of her demise. So now a new relationship unfolds between them, one of checks and balances, hints, clues, and mysteries, where the two, despite their now forbidden friendship, will work together to manipulate the List.
But just as resolute, the law won’t stand idly by as Katherine assists in the deaths of others. Every form of law enforcement is preparing to conduct a global manhunt to bring her to justice. Nor will the Creator of the List tolerate a friendship that goes completely against his rules. The collections continue to increase in difficulty, pushing Katherine into an irreversible life of crime where the only possibility of escape is her own death. Yet Katherine, as impassionedly determined as a trapped animal trying to escape its captor, will stay the course in her fight to overcome Heaven, Hell, earth and … the Collector
What I thought
So, this type of book is totally not my genre. I’m not really into Paranormal type stuff. I did read Twilight (don’t hate me), but that’s such a secular series that it’s really hard to equate it to anything really. But I’m always up for a new challenge. For me, this book was definitely that. It started off pretty slow and really weird. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more in the character development, I’m not sure, it felt like it was moving really strangely, but I know that part of the feelings I was having was because I’m just not used to this genre. I started really getting into the book about halfway through when the love interest for the character was introduced.
I had a hard time following how the plot of the story came about, and I don’t even want to explain that because it will give away so much, which I know is super weird because I just said it was hard to follow. It is super detailed and a lot of complex information from my perspective. And I had a difficult time liking the main character to begin with.
By the middle of it,t he flow greatly improved for me and I was beginning to start following it better in general. By the end of the book, I was totally confused, completely hooked and hoping for a sequel. Luckily this is book one, of three! So much to my utter surprise and amazement I will be looking for them because I just HAVE TO KNOW!!! If sort of a sci-fi, paranormal genre is your thing, this is the book for you. It is decently written and I feel like this writer and books would only improve as more came along. I admire her for coming out the gate with such a challenging story line.
** you can find KB Lever on
Goodreads (my favorite place!)
**I was given this book in exchange for my opinions and viewpoint. I was not compensated in any other way. My thoughts and feelings are my own, take ’em or leave ’em.**
