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Ørma
Ørma: The Song of the Lark | Jac Forsyth
1 post | 1 read
A MONSTER WITHOUT A NAME IS A TERRIBLE THING Mac Eden’s role as a side character in an ancient game is to make sure the non-player characters don’t find out about the game. Subsequently, when an extraordinary superspecies known only as the Mandolin emerges in Afghanistan, the non-player characters do what they do best: declare war and make a reality TV show. Eight months of televised war later, and a reality show is the only truth anyone cares about. Frustrated by civilian life, university student Hollow Quinn volunteers to join the British army. Her only friend Ezra Blake justifies the decision not to enlist, taking solace in a gothic anomaly full of magical innovation, mystical intrigue and self-aware furniture. But when Hollow grabs a starring role in the reality show, Ezra makes an impulsive decision. A decision that forces Mac Eden to override her standing orders and instigate a gameplay that will overshadow even the horrors of a paraspecies war in Afghanistan. And as the game levels up, the non-player characters unlock the terrible secrets of WØLF. A reality show created for war, and designed for public entertainment.
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Hollow Quinn makes an impulsive decision to enlist in the army, whilst BFF Ezra Blake wants to serve in a safer setting. The world is currently at war with 'the Mandolin' (a highly advanced enemy) - a war that is currently being fought in Afghanistan & which is being televised as part of a reality show designed for public entertainment. What no-one realises it that they're all non-player characters in an ancient game. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf The reader is dropped into the action straight away, & I spent the first two chapters wondering what the hell was going on. I wasn't really being drawn in, when all of a sudden I found myself completely immersed in this dual world. The narrative is split mainly between soldier Hollow in Afghanistan, & Ezra's stint in a museum with magical properties, with occasional chapters from Mac Eden, a side character. 1mo
OutsmartYourShelf It was strange as I preferred Ezra as a character but Hollow's reality was more interesting.

Anyway, I don't want to say too much & spoil anything as this is one of those books that it is best to read without knowing too much in advance. I will say that the reveal didn't go quite the way I thought it would & that I would love to read the sequel. The book cover is simple in design yet stunning in its use of colour & drawing the eye. Love it. 4🌟
(edited) 1mo
OutsmartYourShelf TLDR: Weird, but oddly compelling reading.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Troubador, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6685602658
Read 23rd-27th July 2024

#ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
1mo
DieAReader 🥳Great! 1mo
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