Descended
from one of the town’s founding families, Violet Saunders isn’t sure what to
expect when she relocates to the town of Four Paths.
Uprooted
from the city to this half buried small town in the woodlands of New York, nothing
is what it seems.
Newly arrived and still recovering from her sister’s death,
Violet finds her neighbours treat her distantly and with an air of fear.
Living
with her Aunt Daria, who has dementia and her mother Juniper in an old run
down, overgrown house, Violet feels those opinions could be justified.
With
townspeople missing and bodies starting to turn up in the woods the whole town
is on edge.
Secrets start to emerge; alliances will be tested and friendships
damaged. Because lurking on the edge of town is the gray which is home to the
beast who does his best to lure unsuspecting victims into his clutches
including Violet’s mother, Juniper.
As
secrets emerge, Violet learns the town is under the control of the Hawthornes.
In fact, the Sheriff is Augusta Hawthorne and her two children Justin and May with
their inherited powers are what keep the town safe. The town’s safety relies on
them and other founding family’s children including Isaac and Harper who use
the Deck of Omens to learn about impending danger.
However,
while only one branch of the family can inherit powers at a time, these powers
can sometimes wreak destruction. To inherit the powers, a ritual must be
performed which is a dangerous undertaking. Upon learning of her connection to
the town, Violet realises she can raise the dead with one touch.
With
the town teetering on the brink of chaos, Augusta will do anything to keep
everything together and under control. This includes manipulating her children,
stealing memories and sacrificing lives.
Could
Augusta be a bigger threat than the beast lurking in the gray? Will Justin
redeem himself and save the one he loves? Will Violet regain her self-worth and
be the town’s saviour?
Author
Christine Lynn Herman has combined fantasy with horror in this page-turner that
highlights teenage self-esteem, angst and identity issues.
Title: The Devouring Gray
Author: Christine Lynn Herman
Publisher: Titan Books, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 May 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781789090253
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction
