Synopsis: 

Vivienne realizes she is dying. All she wants to do is see her daughter Giselle one last time and apologise. But Giselle no longer exists and it is Crow, a gender-queer anarchist, who returns to a family home that is plagued by ghosts and violent memories.

With the help of a shaman she met in a dream, Crow unravels terrifying family secrets, hoping to find closure at last. But can anyone survive the shadows that lurk behind these fairy tales?

Excerpt: 

The Ballerina and the Revolutionary

http://smarturl.it/Ballerina

“My name was Crow. I was nineteen years old and had spent most of my life trying to escape all forms of hierarchy, most accurately portrayed for me, by the image of the matriarch, i.e. my crazy mother.
Mother’s name was Vivienne. We didn’t look alike, we didn’t act alike and we certainly didn’t think alike. Vivienne was a prima ballerina before she gave birth to me and I had all the grace of an elephant. She wore long, floating skirts and big jewellery, while I felt more comfortable in combats and t-shirts and hated the long hair she made me wear as a child, a symbol of begrudging femininity that never felt comfortable. My head was shaved now, much easier.
As far as I could remember I had always hated her, and she me. I never figured out what she wanted from me and simply assumed it was my unhappiness. Once free of her oppression, I naturally transferred this simmering animosity to other unworthy authority figures, but things were rarely as simple as they seemed.
I survived the blow from the shield, although the crowd were moved on and the building cleared. A pity really, another community space handed over to the country’s rich elite. It made my head spin. I never understood the principle of profit over people. There were a lot of things I didn’t understand, but in the end I was a fighter and I guess I existed outside of society. It was easier that way, less complicated, and I could keep my priorities in check. I liked to think of myself as a freedom fighter, like my dad. The squat had everything I needed and I did a bit of this and that to make enough money to feed myself. All I had ever wanted was to survive and be free.
It’s why I left home when I did, at thirteen.”

MY REVIEW:

I am a fan of Carmilla Voiez and have read a few of her books. I can’t say I have my favorites but I am going to say that this is my favorite so far.

The journey that Crow has to take is a very heart wrenching and eye opening road. After running away from home when she was younger Crow has to return home because her mother is sick and this is where she begins the real journey of self discovery.

I try not to give any teasers away since YOU, the reader, should explore on your own.

Carmilla brings this great book to life with her great writing with abit of paranormal in this book makes it even more AMAZING!!!

Thanks Carmilla.

About Carmilla Voiez:

On 16th April Carmilla Voiez was named HFA’s Horror Author of the Year, 2013, for her novel, Starblood.

Carmilla Voiez was born in Bristol in the 1970’s. She grew up in a suburb of the city, but has since travelled and is now residing in North East Scotland. Starblood is her first novel to be published. However, she is currently working on the sequel and has plans to complete the story as a trilogy. As well as writing Carmilla also designs and sells Gothic clothing.

Her fiction explores themes such as sexuality, imagination and magick. It gives the reader an insight into the hidden worlds of her gothic characters, their loves, ambitions and often complicated sex lives.

Nurtured on a diet of horror and gothic music her work has a darkness and violence of its own. Urban lives and supernatural worlds collide within the novels’ pages. Whether you fall in love with or despise her characters, you are guaranteed a thrilling and emotional journey. 

The Ballerina and the Revolutionary by Carmilla Voiez. A new promo video with music by Glen W Hunter. Book out on Friday 22nd Jan. Join the party – https://www.facebook.com/events/1649693945292865/