***Review*** The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

Released: 4th October 2012
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Series: Yes #1 in the Chronoptika series
Source: From Publisher for review purposes
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
Author Site: Catherine Fisher

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jake's father disappears while working on mysterious experiments with the obsessive, reclusive Oberon Venn. Jake is convinced Venn has murdered him. But the truth he finds at the snow-bound Wintercombe Abbey is far stranger ... The experiments concerned a black mirror, which is a portal to both the past and the future. Venn is not alone in wanting to use its powers. Strangers begin gathering in and around Venn's estate: Sarah - a runaway, who appears out of nowhere and is clearly not what she says, Maskelyne - who claims the mirror was stolen from him in some past century. There are others, a product of the mirror's power to twist time. And a tribe of elemental beings surround this isolated estate, fey, cold, untrustworthy, and filled with hate for humans. But of them all, Jake is hell-bent on using the mirror to get to the truth. Whatever the cost, he must learn what really happened to his father.

My Review:

I have to say overall I really really enjoyed this one. The scene was set very early on and it gripped me.  I really loved the characters especially Sarah and Jake, they were really multi-faceted and shone like jewels from the rest of the characters. There was so much mystery and intrigue surrounding some people in the book, I really enjoyed seeing how things panned out.  The story held my concentration all the way through and there were no flat bits for me.  The story is well written and it flows really seamlesly.  The different points of view from characters made the story more real to me, I do love books told from different POV's as you get the whole picture and certainly from different angles.

 I loved the sinister atmosphere some of the villains cast, you really feel the action and suspense surrounding them.  I was on the edge of my seat a couple of times.The description of the surrounding is excellent and imaginative, I could really feel myself walking around Wintercombe Abbey beside the characters.  This really helped me connect with the book and characters.

There's a bit of everything in this book: folklore, magic, mystery, adventure, twists and betrayal.  Fantastic!

This is the first book I have read by this author and you know what? It won't be the last, I can't wait to get my hands on some more of her books. I am so pleased this is part of a series and I would love to know more about the characters and what happens next in the story.  I have a little way to wait as the next book in the series doesn't look to be out until the end of 2013!  Eeek can I really wait that long.....

Overall:

If you want a rich story filled with imagination and excitement, then this is for you.

My Thoughts on the Cover:

At first it feels there is a lot going on in the cover, but when you break each piece down bit by bit it doesn't confuse.  I love the snowflakes and the snake bracelet as they certainly tie in with the story.  I love the blue colour scheme.  The font for the name of the book is really cool, it certainly stands out for me.