The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher

December 15th, 2014 Kimberly Review 72 Comments

15th Dec
The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher
The Oversight
by Charlie Fletcher
Series: Oversight Trilogy #1
Narrator: Simon Prebble
Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4.5 cups

"The end always happens faster than you think." Once there were hundreds of members of the Oversight, the brave souls who guard the borders between the mundane and the magic. Now there are only five. When a vagabond brings a screaming girl to the Oversight's London headquarters, she could answer their hopes for new recruit, or she could be the instrument of their downfall.

The Oversight by Charles Fletcher is his first foray into adult fiction and a superb one. Beautifully atmospheric with multiple perspectives I quickly became spellbound as Simon Prebble delivered the narrative. The Oversight offers a fascinating and complex world as Fletcher weaves you into its pages.

“The impossible happens, the world is too various for it not to.”

Five Caffeinated reasons to listen to The Oversight

  • The tale is set in a Dickenson type London, and the writing is mesmerizing. Fletcher brings the world and characters to life using multiple perspectives. The story is rich in details, laced in magic and dark uncertainty.
  • The Oversight stands for the Free Company for the Regulation and Oversight of Recondite Exigency and Supernatural Lore. At one time, the Oversight was a powerful group numbering in the hundreds whose sole purpose was to keep the streets of London safe. A secret order that regulates and contains magic. Now, the membership has been reduced to five. These five make up the Hand, and without them, the Oversight would cease to exist allowing things to go unchecked. They are Sarah, Cook, Mr. Sharp, Hodge and the Smith. Sounds exciting right? I love the set up and secret agency.
  • Fletcher brilliantly takes us from the dangerous streets of London to a traveling Carney. Danger, fate, unknown factors and unique characters quickly draw us into each scene and I found myself caught up in everything from the sights to battling their enemies. While the pacing was slow in the beginning, the twists and unknown factor of Lucy Harbor, a girl who could end them or strengthen them kept me listening into the wee hours.
  • Each of the characters is unique, quirky and thoroughly fleshed out with just enough mystery to ensnare the reader. When Lucy is first introduced to the Oversight she realizes something is amiss. When Lucy touches things, she has visions, but until she meets Sarah, she believed herself to be crazy. Sarah who heads the Oversight believes that Lucy is a Glint, like herself. Lucy’s arrival sets of a series of events and raises questions as we are thrust into a tale.  I found the premise utterly riveting.
  • There is a threat that exists in the shadows, one that can tip the scales spilling havoc into the world around us. It is this knowledge that gives the tale a suspenseful, dark feel even as the pace meanders. Despite intense spurts and than slower pacing I loved all of the details, suspense and unknowing of it all. The imagery was so impressive.

Oversight was a deliciously atmospheric fantasy and introduced a world I would love to explore again. Fletcher explored the various shades of grey that exist within our world. The Oversight is the first in a trilogy and I cannot wait to revisit. I recommend the audio version whole-heartedly as the narrator, Simon Prebble with his lovely accent and tones made the tale magical.

 

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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

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72 Responses to “The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher”

  3. Nicole

    Sounds like a fantastic book – and your description of Pebble’s voice makes me want to listen! 🙂

  4. Candace

    I guess I had a credit! Bought! It was saying it was on sale but in my checkout it didn’t give the sales price so I just used the credit. But that’s weird. I would have saved my credit if it was only $12.74.

  5. Candace

    This sounds REALLY good! I’m familiar with the narrator and I like him fairly well, for the right book. I might add this to my WL for my next credit. It sounds fantastic!

  7. Kay

    The setting alone piqued my interest, not to mention when I saw the word magic. 🙂 I am always looking for some more adult fantasy novels to try. I’m thinking I should give this one a shot.

  10. Cyn

    This sounds like a really interesting series. I love books with lovely quirky characters (: And I love the idea of fantasy Dickens London setting! I do have a roadtrip coming up…perfect for audiobooks! Thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh nice and this will appeal to a mixed audience of young, old, male and female

  13. Kris

    I saw this on Netgalley back before its release and hadn’t picked it up because it seemed like it could go either way. Your review has me regretting my decision not to request it. Adding it to my TBR list 🙂

  14. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I read this one a few months back and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I loved Fletcher’s world, the morally gray characters, the Victorian London, all of it. I really thought it was brilliant. It didn’t read like a first foray into adult fiction at all.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Maja you are the reason I bought this on audio. Your review sold it and the audio was fantastic

  17. Tyler

    “the end always happens faster than you think.” What and intense tag line. I’m sucked in already.

  19. Lupdilup

    How interesting Kimba! I wouldn’t pick this one up just by the cover, not that is bad, in fact it’s beautiful, but I’d have no idea about the content, historical fiction and UF . Sounds great!! I’m in 🙂
    Thank you again 🙂

  22. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I’m loving the sound of this world with its Dickenson London type setting, and the Supernatural Lore. The character sound really well done too – and this was a great sounding audio as well. I need to check this out, especially being a book one that i can possibly jump into. Thanks for the wonderful review, Kimba!! : )

  23. Rita

    Now this one sounds interesting, intriguing and quite different to me! Thanks, Kim, for introducing me to a new-to-me author. Funnily, I used to live in Rockaway and worked and went to school in Far Rockaway, the name of one of his books. I wonder if he got the details of it down right, hmm. Enjoy your books this week, and your shopping!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh interesting I wonder if there is a connection. I am hopping to shop this afternoon with hubby. 🙂

  24. Nick

    This sounds really interesting, Kim. Historical fiction is a genre just brimming with so much potential and I’m always on the look-out for more. I’ll have to look more into this.
    Lovely review, Kim!

  25. Katherine

    I’m not a big urban fantasy type reader but I love how atmospheric this one sounds. I’ll definitely look for the audio!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I really enjoyed this Katherine and hope you try it. Hopefully the library will have it since this genre isn’t a regular for you.

  27. Madiha

    Dickinson type London? You got me at Dickinson type London. Let me go add this book to my never ending pile of TBR 🙂 Me and urban fantasy have some catching up to do. Thanks for sharing, as always, mesmerizing review, Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Haha…yes the setting seems to be a huge favorite this morning and I loved it. The author and narrator brought the streets to life

  28. Amber Elise

    Holy moly, this one is lengthy! Thanks for the top five though, the world building sounds beautiful (who doesn’t enjoy London?)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You said that and I was like lengthy? LOL yes I guess it is, but it didn’t feel long enough I was lost in it.

  29. Bookworm Brandee

    Deliciously atmospheric, huh? Well, I was hooked at Dickenson type London but the unique characters, brilliant writing, and suspense have my really intrigued. Lovely review, Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Brandee, this was different and I quite enjoyed getting lost in the story.

  30. Jenny

    Oooo I like the sound of this one Kim! I’m obsessed with anything set in London, it’s just such a cool, atmospheric city and I hope I get back there one day:) In the meantime though, I’ll live vicariously through fictional characters. Adding this to the list for sure!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Seriously right? Then weave in magic, mystery, time travel…oh yeah

  32. Carmel

    I’m no stranger to Historical PNR, but it’s unusual to see the former paired with UF, so your review succeeded in catching my attention. For some reason I thought this title was horror because of the cover. I’m diggin’ Simon Prebble’s narration from that clip too. We have a new TBR candidate. 😀

  33. Silvia

    This one sounds really good and I agree with the others, that ‘The tale is set in a Dickenson type London‘ sold it! 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was quite good and I loved the mystery, and traveling..hope you give it a go

  34. Tanja

    Oh, Dickenson type London you say! I love that and I’ll have to read this one. I’m not into adult fiction but well why not. I might try it. I’m so happy that you enjoy it. Great review, Kim 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Even though it is adult..there is nothing keeping it from an older young adult reader.

  36. Melliane

    Oh this one sounds god! I heard great things about it. A little dark, mystery, interesting and intriguing. I’m curious to try it as well. great review!