Review: Solace & Grief by Foz Meadows

Solace & Grief by Foz Meadows

Solace & Grief by Foz Meadows 
The Rare, Book 1
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback, 363 pages
Published: March 1, 2010 AU and June 30, 2010 US by Ford Street Press
ISBN: 978-1876462895
Received From: Author for review

Summary from Goodreads:

Solace Morgan was born a vampire. Raised in foster care, she has always tried to keep her abilities secret, until an eerie encounter with a faceless man prompts her to run away. Finding others with similar gifts, Solace soon becomes caught up in a strange, more vibrant world than she ever knew existed. But when the mysterious Professor Lukin takes an interest in her friends, she is forced to start asking questions of her own. What happened to her parents? Who is Sharpsoft? And since when has there been a medieval dungeon under Hyde Park?

My Ramblings:

Solace Morgan grew up in a group home in Australia, that was more often than not filled with damaged and problematic kids. She was home schooled and spent much of her time by herself growing up, not having any real friends. During all this time she always knew she was different from the other kids because of her mysterious food allergies, low tolerance for the sun and special abilities. Solace suspects that she's a vampire.

The day before her birthday, Solace feels the urge to leave the group home after several mysterious messages saying "You don't belong here" and a harrowing experience with a man who instills fear in her without even seeing his face. So for the first time ever, Solace leaves the only home she has ever known on her seventeenth birthday.

Solace soon runs into a group of misfit teenagers at a club in downtown Sydney, and she ends up staying with them at an abandoned warehouse. Solace soon begins to realize that her new friends may just be as different as she is, thus begins her journey into new friendships, self discovery, and the excited world of the Rare.

Solace & Grief starts out at a good pace with a strong touch of mystery in the prologue. But I found the pace slows down after the prologue until about the middle of the book, then the pace explodes and the questions start getting answers plus the actions of certain characters are demystified, especially Solace’s actions.

I didn’t feel a connection with Solace at the beginning because there were a few times where her choices didn’t ring true and she didn’t strike me as a carefree personality who’d make those type of choices. One of those times is when she meets her new friends and takes up with them immediately, I felt she was entirely too trusting with them. But by the end of the novel I did find myself liking Solace a lot more.

I liked the eclectic cast of supernatural characters, who all had their own quirks and gave the story a sense of Alice in Wonderland feel, which I found to be entertaining. Even though the beginning was slow, I just loved the the ending. I’m just itching to tell my favorite part but I can’t because it’s a major part of the ending. The end left me feeling absolutely thrilled about where this series is heading.

Overall, Solace & Grief is a good setup novel for the start of what I see to be an excited and different take on the world of vampires, shifters and the magical. I think Solace & Grief has darker elements than what’s normally seen in YA urban fantasy, that older teens and many adults would enjoy reading.

My Rating: Liked It

Places you can find Foz: Web Site & Blog | Twitter

The Rare Series:

  1. Solace & Grief
  2. TBA
  3. TBA

9 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Darker YA, I could like that since I don't want this fluffy YA that is around

Lola said...

Oooh...sounds interesting! Lovely review as always Donna! :)

Chris said...

A different take on vampires is always good. :)

Donna said...

Blodeuedd - Oh this is definitely not a fluffy read. You might enjoy this one.

Holly - Thanks! It was good reading.

Chris - Yep, these vamps are different...didn't say much because it's part of the novels build up. ;)

Chris said...

As long as they don't sparkle... ;)

Donna said...

Chris - LOL! Nope nothing sparkles. Thank goodness for that!

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

"I think Solace & Grief has darker elements than what’s normally seen in YA urban fantasy, that older teens and many adults would enjoy reading."
Thank you so much for that insight. I enjoy reading a lot of the YA books which I then pass on to a friend that teaches middle school and some of it is more "adult friendly" than others.

Donna said...

Lisa - You're welcome. I noticed on Amazon this book is marked as 9-12 years, I disagree. There are several elements in this book that I personally believe is for older teens and adults. I've heard people say kids will read what they will read and will find out what they want irregardless of what you try to do. Yes, this is true but I do feel as a parent, I can try and guide them when I can. --- Okay, off my soapbox. :)

Danielle Zappavigna said...

sounds great, AND set in australia- yay!

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