by Delilah S. Dawson
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A year ago Hurricane Josephine swept through Savannah, Georgia, leaving behind nothing but death and destruction — and taking the life of Dovey's best friend, Carly. Since that night, Dovey has been in a medicated haze, numb to everything around her. But recently she's started to believe she's seeing things that can't be real ... including Carly at their favorite cafe. Determined to learn the truth, Dovey stops taking her pills. And the world that opens up to her is unlike anything she could have imagined. As Dovey slips deeper into the shadowy corners of Savannah — where the dark and horrifying secrets lurk — she learns that the storm that destroyed her city and stole her friend was much more than a force of nature. And now the sinister beings truly responsible are out to finish what they started.
Dovey's running out of time and torn between two paths. Will she trust her childhood friend Baker, who can't see the threatening darkness but promises to never give up on Dovey and Carly? Or will she plot with the sexy stranger, Isaac, who offers all the answers — for a price? Soon Dovey realizes that the danger closing in has little to do with Carly ... and everything to do with Dovey herself
Servants of the Storm by Delilah S. Dawson caught my eye with its creepy cover and synopsis. Dawson takes us to Savannah Georgia after Hurricane Josephine and through the eyes of Carly; we reawaken to discover something sinister arrived with that storm. Servants of the Storm is an atmospheric Gothic tale with a slow-building mystery that hooks its claws into you.
The story begins a year after Hurricane Josephine swept through Savannah Georgia ravaging the city and taking the life of Dovey’s best friend, Carly. Even heavily medicated Dovey starts seeing things that are not quite right and in a moment of clarity makes the decision to stop taking her pills. As the fog lifts Dovey steps into a living nightmare. She needs help and reaches out to her childhood friend Baker and a sexy, older man named Isaac. The tale that unfolds is chilling, quirky and straight from Burton’s nightmares.
The characters are strange and intriguing and while at no time did I adore them I sure as heck admired them. As Dovey’s head clears from the fog, we find a tenacious, headstrong, loyal friend who isn’t afraid to hunt down clues and find answers. Baker is sweet and while not fleshed out his loyalty to Dovey and their childhood friend Carly makes him lovable. Isaac is a mystery man, and a charmer. He held my attention; I loved peeling back his layers. Ooo the villains in this tale could be the result of Tim Burton and Stephen King chatting over coffee. Creepy, part fantasy and part paranormal they will make you shiver. While I did not love this story, and still question it, I felt compelled to read and was never sure as Dovey and the others were unreliable narrators.
Servants of the Storm has aspects of fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy and a touch of horror. Southern Gothic and atmospheric Dawson slowly takes us into this world through Dovey’s eyes. The tale unfolds at a pleasant pace notching up the tension and suspense as we go. Things would heat up and have me biting my lips, and then the scene would end, and I would release my breath as Dawson begins all again. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this story is the beautiful, descriptive writing. Dawson’s depiction of the storm and aftermath brought it all to life. She vividly described the villains and climatic scenes in such a way that I was there in its midst. The ending is good, and bad kind of like how horror movies end. Yep. *pulls out hair*
If you are looking for a unique southern gothic tale that will have you thinking then grab Servants of the Storm. Dawson provided a creepy atompshirc tale that kept me engaged and left me pondering.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Red Iza
I’ll keep this one in mind for later 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It would make an good library read 🙂
sharonda
any characters that can come to mind over a chat with Tim Burton & Stephen King should always be a good thing, I love that reference 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Sharonda, in this respect she did an excellent job creating the monsters of this world.
Teddyree
hmm undecided but the fact that you couldn’t stop reading has me curious. and I love your comment “Ooo the villains in this tale could be the result of Tim Burton and Stephen King chatting over coffee.” … yep definitely curious 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes it was oddly luring Teddyree
Amber Elise
How much older is…older? In terms of Isaac.
This sounds delightfully creepy! Thanks for your review! 🙂
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
kimbacaffeinate
She is still in school and he is not, I am thinking less than 4 or five years.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I’m really enjoying the elements that are here in this story. Sounds like a good one. 🙂 And I follow the author and read a lot of her tweets on writing and such. Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
I am delighted you are enjoying it Melissa!
Karen
I didn’t love it – yet I found it oddly compelling anyway.
kimbacaffeinate
That is exactly how I felt Karen.
Giselle
I’m sad I didn’t like this one. I expected a psychological thriller so at the half way mark when it turned into a paranormal I lost interest. It is unique though and the characters were def. intriguing! Glad you liked it, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t know what to expect and I think that helped me enjoy it some what, although this wasn’t a favorite.
Tyler H Jolley
I’m really into the cover. I need to find out who the cover artist is for future books. He/She is extremely talented!
kimbacaffeinate
I love the cover, it is what made me read it.
Melanie Simmons
Part of me wants to try this book and another part of me thinks there are better books out there. I love the idea of it, but I’m limited on time to read so I’m having to be picky about which books to read. Don’t know about this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Library book Melanie.
Jennifer Bielman
I heard it wasn’t as creepy as most people hoped it would be. And yeah, the ending. I hate frustrating endings.
kimbacaffeinate
No..but it is YA and it was more the subtle kind of creepy.
Paij Slater
OOOH YAY! I am so glad you liked it. I LOVE the cover! It is absolutely fantastic! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love the cover too Paij
Naomi
Oooh… this sounds a little creepy Kimberly. Nice to see you enjoyed it. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Naomi
Christy
Well, you know my take. lol. I’m cool with horror movie like endings, but it pissed me off because certain things like Issac and stuff were left hanging.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed.
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime Angela. Aren’t you on vacation?
Angela Adams
I make sure I keep up with my blogs! Have a great day!
Lily
i think you ended up enjoying this one a bit more than I did Kimba. I think i just went into it expecting something else and wasn’t able to adapt to what the book was giving me since i just wasn’t in the right mindset for it *sigh*
kimbacaffeinate
I struggled between 2.5 and 3 for this, but I did love the descriptive style.
Lupdilup
This sound really good Kimba, and although I know 3 stars is not a bad rating I’m intrigued with what went wrong for not having blown you away. I do enjoy my horror now and then, so I might give it go if I see it on audio, maybe a good interpretation can push the story up a notch 🙂
Thank you Kimba
kimbacaffeinate
I loved aspects and hated others Loupe. I struggled on the rating between 2.5 and 3. Audio won’t close up issues.
Trish
I’m glad you mostly liked this one. And those endings that make you tear your hair out…. I love and hate those too!
kimbacaffeinate
We are left hanging and sadly there doesn’t seem to be a second book in the works.
Michele
I’m glad you liked this one for the most part (those types of endings make me grumpy!). I’ve read some not so favorable reviews, but, but… that COVER. I just love it and want to pet it! Your review made me feel a lot better about this one — I’m definitely adding this to the list! Really great review, my friend!
~Michele
kimbacaffeinate
It is not without issues Michelle, but it was a creepy tale.
Stephanie Faris
The cover alone is pretty darn creepy!!! I love Stephen King, although not a big Tim Burton fan. Sounds like a unique book!!!
kimbacaffeinate
This is heavier on the Burton, creepy not scary Stephanie.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I am a complete wimp when it comes to horror, but so far I’ve been able to handle it in book format. This sounds perfect for me. Dark and unnerving. I’ve been enjoying that lately. Oh and that cover… creeptastic!
kimbacaffeinate
It wasn’t really scary more creepy.
Heidi
No one is liking this one. Christy hated the ending, I am glad I didn’t get sucked in by the cover. It seems this one is a big fail.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah..it ending just like a horror flick would “cue scary music cause it ain’t over”
kim { Book Swoon }
This sounds like such an highly atmospheric read for sure, Kimba. You got my attention with “Tim Burton and Stephen King chatting over coffee.” Although not your favorite read, this still sound like a nice choice for the up-coming Fall months when all things odd are fun to read 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No it wasn’t a favorite, but I honestly don’t regret reading it.
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, I’ve seen this book floating around and it looks really intriguing and you’re right the cover is captivating. Thanks
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Debbie, I adore the cover.
Stephanie
I was immediately drawn to this cover- it is so different. The story sounds just as unique. Definitely a book I am curious about- as I haven’t read anything like it. Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome Stephanie, it is definitely not mainstream fiction.
Melliane
Everyone seems a little mixed about this one but I liked it a little more I think. I’m quite curious to learn more about it.
kimbacaffeinate
It was unique Melliane and I loved aspects of it.
aurian
That cover creeps me out, and her series is also too spooky for me, so no thanks. Glad you enjoyed it though Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t tried anything else by her Aurian. I hear she does steampunk too.
Katherine
Dammit! Now I have to go read this one! Sounds spooky and unique.
kimbacaffeinate
It is unique and I hope you enjoy it Katherine.
kindlemom1
This really was a different read wasn’t it? I still can’t tell you if I liked it or hated it. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yep I hear you Ali..it was unique and I gave it a three simply because as much as I was unsettled about it I could not put it down..LOL
Rita
Hmm, okay I like fantasy and southern gothic and also atmospheric reads. I will look for this at the library to compromise– I won’t buy it in case I don’t love it, but I still want to read it anyway. Thanks for pointing it out.
kimbacaffeinate
It is different, and while I did not love it I didn’t want to put it down either Rita. A library read is an excellent idea.
Braine
Wow the readers are sort of split in the middle regarding this book. I love her seempunk series but I’m not sure if I’m going to pick this one up.
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first by her, and this was different.
Carmel
This book’s been making the rounds of the blogosphere lately, but I have yet to read a review that’s above 3 stars which doesn’t make me want to add Servants of the Storm to my TBR list anytime soon. I like the premise, and the cover is creepy, but I’m not sold on the author’s execution…
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, it is quirky and has some issues, but I couldn’t stop reading it either Carmel, which is also telling.
Christa
I have this on the schedule to read this week and I can’t wait. It sounds so spooky.
kimbacaffeinate
I will be anxious to see what you think. It isn’t for everyone, and while I loved aspects I also hated others.
Berls
What a great combination of genres/elements! The cover has been freaking me out for a while – I want to read it and I’m scared too. LOL
“Ooo the villains in this tale could be the result of Tim Burton and Stephen King chatting over coffee. ” <— That is a slightly terrifying and yet oh so appealing thought!
Great review Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
She described them well Berls, and yep I could just envision them as Tim Burton characters.
Mary
Ooh, this sounds so very creepy. It’s almost worse when the author does slow build-ups then starts all over — makes it even scarier!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Mary, while I didn’t love this it was compelling.
Nick
I’m glad you liked this, Kim. As you know, I struggled a lot with this mostly because it wasn’t what I expected and I wished it was more psychological thriller than paranormal. I also had a hard time with the characters. It does seem like the kind of book that would only work for a specific audience.
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, the characters were difficult in part because they were unreliable.
Jenea
A southern gothic horror read sounds good. I have this one coming up soon on my TBR too. 🙂 Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I look forward to reading your thoughts Jenea.
Finley Jayne
I’m glad you didn’t hate this one-so many other reviewers are saying it’s awful 🙁 I adore Dawson’s other books and I really wanted to read this, but the bad reviews were making me wary. I’m going to see if my library has it and give it a try 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It is different Finely, and Southern Gothic isn’t for everyone.
Lekeisha The Booknerd
I will be reviewing this tomorrow. I liked it, but didn’t like it. It’s a very interesting story.
kimbacaffeinate
I think we all felt the same way Lekeisha, I went back in forth between 2.5 and 3, but since I could not stop reading I went with three.
Rashika
I actually ended up DNFing this one and I am glad to see you had better luck with this one. I was really looking forward to reading this one too especially since southern gothics are SO MUCH FUN but ended up being largely disappointed. I have to say though, there was a part of me that wanted to keep on reading even though I wasn’t particularly enjoying the book. The book really does have this addictiveness to it, doesn’t it??
Great review, Kimba!! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was strange, and while I didn’t love it the southern Gothic text drew me in.
Lauren
I do have a soft spot for Southern Gothics, so maybe I should give this one a try! That cover is super creepy, it’s definitely an attention grabber. Thanks for introducing me to this, I’m adding it to my wish list. Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, and while I didn’t love it, I also couldn’t put it down.
Silvia
The cover caught my eye, too, and your review is great, Kimberly! I’m gonna take this one into serious consideration, thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Silvia, it was different 🙂
blodeuedd
I love the weird cover, it fits the Gothic thing
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too, that is how I ended up reading it..LOL
Bieke
Hmm, I’m going to pick this one up soon! 😀 It’s on my wishlist.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it, while I had some issues..I also couldn’t stop reading..LOL