The Rook

A Novel

By: Daniel O'Malley

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Myfanwy Thomas awakes in a London park surrounded by dead bodies. With her memory gone, her only hope of survival is to trust the instructions left in her pocket by her former self. She quickly learns that she is a Rook, a high-level operative in a secret agency that protects the world from supernatural threats. But there is a mole inside the organization - and this person wants her dead.

As Myfanwy battles to save herself, she encounters a person with four bodies, a woman who can enter her dreams, children transformed into deadly fighters, and an unimaginably vast conspiracy.

Suspenseful and hilarious, The Rookis an outrageously inventive debut for listeners who like their espionage with a dollop of purple slime.

©2012 Daniel O'Malley (P)2012 Hachette

Refreshing and Bucks all Expectations

Any additional comments?

A remarkable subversion of urban fantasy.

This book is technically urban fantasy - I think. However it just basically ignores all the tired, cliche tropes associated with that genre tag. Yeah, you've got your special powers, a vampire, a dragon, and well, that is about it when it comes to the classics. Instead you have weird fungal growths, splicing of body parts, a man that can extrude gas, a woman that can enter dreams, or our spunky protagonist that can control organic beings.

The world is introduced to us subtly as Myfanwy is introduced to it. She is in the midst of things, but given her lack of memory and original personality, she is as new to the setting as we are. It's a novel approach, and even with the info dumps in the form of letters, I loved learning about it. Unlike certain famous urban fantasies, this world is so subtle I could actually believe it existing in reality. Weird things are there, but within reason.

As far as the story goes, it just flows perfectly, introduce the world, the characters, a mystery, an enemy, more mystery, and REVEAL! It was all just satisfying.

So, I highly recommend this for anyone who likes urban fantasy or a good thriller with a twist.

Doctor Who meets the X-Men

I found this novel interesting. It reminded me of a cross between Doctor Who, X-men, and the Dresden Files. Therefore if you do not like any of these three things you will most likely not like the book. However, if you enjoy any of those three things you will most likely love the book.

The novel takes place in England and the narrator has a British accent. She is very easy to understand though, and does a great job. A story line is essentially a woman who wakes up not knowing who, or what she is and her adaptation to her old life that she does not remember.

The story loops around a bit but it is easy to follow once you understand who and what the characters are. The story is a little slow at first but it keeps you wondering what she will find out next and involved the entire time.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it had a different direction than other supernatural books I've read before.

Overall, if you enjoy Doctor Who, X-men, or the Dresden Files you will most likely enjoy this book. The narrator does a good job and is easy to understand with her accent. This book is well worth a listen, if your up for something a little bit differrent.

Great premise, did not carry momentum for me.

I really enjoyed the premise of a secret organization of supernatural beings. It is wonderful and unique world building (as long as you mostly consider the UK the center of the world). And the author keeps that world interesting throughout the book which is impressive.

The story was less interesting, keeping me wondering who was behind the major conflict the whole time but then the last 1/3 of the book kind of disappointed me. I did not really get excited for any of it; seemed like a collection of random events in series that lead to a long explanation of everything as opposed to building clues toward solving a mystery. Maybe that is just me.

Also it did bug me that almost all women are defined by their hips, breasts, and lack of cellulite except for a nice older woman who knits.

Witty and different

What did you love best about The Rook?

That it wasn't the same old clap trap.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was funny while not being silly. The story line was compelling.

What about Susan Duerden’s performance did you like?

She does a wonderful voice for the crazy Belgian in the tank. She is an excellent narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Well, it isn't really that kind of book but I thought the protagonist's determination to succeed for sake of her old self was sort of touching.

Any additional comments?

I hope there is a sequel.

I need another book now.

Loved to book. Talk about being tossed into the deep end of the pool. If you love Jim Butcher and Harry Dresden you will love Daniel O'Malley. Wow. This is all that and a bag of chips.

Sci-Fi "Beach Read"

The Rook is a guilty pleasure for the Sci-Fi crowd. It's a little serious, a little silly, and steps way across the "it could happen" line. Once you accept that, stop thinking so much, and sit back and enjoy it for what it is - a very, very entertaining way to spend several hours. I get the feeling we're just scratching the surface of O'Malley's universe. It's a place that cozy's up against the Marvel universe but with a continental flair with a dash of MHI. All in all, a hell of a debut for the writer. I hope he tightens things up a bit going forward, but don't let that keep you from spending your credit on The Rook.

Funny and strange in all the best ways

I really liked this book. It's original and a bit odd, but very funny and engrossing. The narrator is FINE. I almost didn't buy the book based on reviews of the narrator but she's perfectly acceptable, (I've heard way worse), and by the end of the book I couldn't imagine anyone else voicing the character. I'm hoping for a sequel!

Interesting plot, ruined by the way it is read.

I read the reviews and thought, how bad could the reading be? Surely it wouldn't bother me if the book is good... wrong! Do not think you are the exception to the rule. Buy this as a book or skip entirely. Trust me!

Love this book

I have listened to this book for no less then twice a year for the last 4 years. I love the story and Susan's narration.

amazing book

The entire plot of the book and exectuion of it was amazing. It is a must read for anyont who likes mystery.