Summer Book Swap Day 3

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Rebecca organised this book swap very well.  I really liked the idea that a bunch of authors with no knowledge of each other would be shook up together and handed each other’s books within the group.  And because we weren’t paired up and given a straight swap, it made for more freedom to be honest about the book you received.  I was thrilled to get Shelena’s book, not because I wasn’t interested in any of the other talented authors involved, but because Rebecca is always singing her praises, so I was intrigued to find out why.   I must be honest and say that I wouldn’t have normally been drawn to a book like The Syndicate and although I was interested, I didn’t really expect it to be ‘my thing’.  

I’m happy to report that I was very much wrong.  I loved it.  Shelena’s style is clear and uncluttered, the pacing was always just right and I found myself wanting to turn page after page, even to the point where I wouldn’t get to bed on time.  I found myself thinking about the characters after I had put the book down (always a good sign).  I loved the idea that Vasi and Riley, although hugely attracted to each other, felt the need to show some sort of proper restraint – it made the relationship feel more real to me. The world that Shelena has built in The Syndicate is the sort of world I love, where reality hides extraordinary secrets just beneath the surface; the mysterious Syndicate and its responsibilities fascinated me. The initial conflict and then the final revelations were gripping and, all in all, I’d heartily recommend this book to others.  I’ll be sure to pick up Shelena’s other books too in the very near future.  

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Sharon Sant was born in Dorset but now lives in 
Stoke-on-Trent. She graduated from Staffordshire 
University in 2009 with a degree in English and 
creative writing. She currently works part time as 
a freelance editor and continues to write her own 
stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes across 
many genres, when not busy trying in vain to be a 
domestic goddess, she can often be found lurking in 
local coffee shops with her head in a book. Sometimes 
she pretends to be clever but really loves nothing 
more than watching geeky TV and eating Pringles. She 
is the author of a string of YA novels including 
Runners and the Sky Song trilogy.
                 More info on www.sharonsant.com