The Rook Files Book 1: The Rook by Daniel OMalley - EPUB and MOBI Editions
The Rook by Daniel OMalley: A Review
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in a park surrounded by dead bodies, with no memory of who you are or how you got there? That's the situation that Myfanwy Thomas finds herself in at the beginning of The Rook, a thrilling and hilarious novel by Daniel OMalley. In this review, I will tell you what The Rook is about, who Daniel OMalley is, and why you should read this book.
The Rook By Daniel OMalley EPub Mobi
Introduction
What is The Rook about?
The Rook is the first book in the Rook Files series, which follows the adventures of Myfanwy Thomas, a high-ranking operative in a secret organization that protects Britain from supernatural threats. Myfanwy has the power to control other people's bodies with her touch, but she doesn't remember anything about her past or her job. She only has a letter in her pocket that tells her that someone inside the organization wants her dead, and that she has to find out who it is. Along the way, she encounters a person with four bodies, a woman who can enter her dreams, children transformed into deadly fighters, and a terrifyingly vast conspiracy.
Who is Daniel OMalley?
Daniel OMalley is an Australian author who graduated from Michigan State University and earned a Master's Degree in medieval history from Ohio State University. He then returned to his childhood home, Australia, where he now works for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, writing press releases for government investigations of plane crashes and runaway boats. He published The Rook in 2012, and its sequel, Stiletto, in 2016.
Why should you read The Rook?
You should read The Rook if you enjoy contemporary fantasy novels that are full of imagination, humor, action, and mystery. The Rook is a book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, as you follow Myfanwy's journey of rediscovering herself and uncovering the truth. It is also a book that will make you laugh out loud with its witty dialogue, quirky characters, and absurd situations. The Rook is a book that will entertain you, surprise you, and make you think.
Main Body
The plot of The Rook
The premise
The premise of The Rook is simple but intriguing: what if you woke up one day with no memory of who you are or what you do, but with a letter that tells you that you work for a secret organization that deals with supernatural phenomena, and that someone within that organization wants to kill you? That's exactly what happens to Myfanwy Thomas, who has to rely on the letters and documents that her former self left behind to figure out her identity and her role in the Checquy, the covert agency that she works for. The Checquy is composed of people with various paranormal abilities, such as telepathy, shapeshifting, or mind control, and they are divided into ranks based on chess pieces. Myfanwy is a Rook, a lower member of the inner court, who is in charge of the administrative and financial aspects of the Checquy.
The characters
The characters of The Rook are one of the highlights of the book, as they are diverse, colorful, and memorable. Myfanwy is a likable and relatable protagonist, who has to balance her curiosity, fear, and determination as she tries to adapt to her new situation. She is also very funny, as she often makes sarcastic comments and jokes about the bizarre things that she encounters. The other members of the Checquy are also fascinating, as they have different personalities and powers that make them stand out. For example, there is Gestalt, a person who can split into four bodies that share one mind; Ingrid, a secretary who can manipulate metal; Shantay, a pawn who can turn into a dragon; and Lady Farrier, the leader of the Checquy who can manipulate plants. There are also antagonists who pose a threat to the Checquy and Myfanwy, such as the Grafters, a group of Belgian scientists who enhance their bodies with mechanical and biological implants; and Aldrich, a traitor within the Checquy who has a personal vendetta against Myfanwy.
The twists and turns
The plot of The Rook is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and engaged. There are many mysteries that Myfanwy has to solve, such as who erased her memory, why they did it, what their ultimate goal is, and how she can stop them. There are also many revelations that change the course of the story, such as the origin of Myfanwy's power, the history of the Checquy and the Grafters, and the identity of Aldrich. The book also has a lot of action scenes that are exciting and suspenseful, such as when Myfanwy fights against a horde of flesh-eating fungus, when she infiltrates a Grafter base with Gestalt, or when she confronts Aldrich in a final showdown.
The style of The Rook
The humor
One of the most distinctive features of The Rook is its humor. The book is full of witty dialogue, hilarious situations, and clever references that make it fun to read. For example, there is a scene where Myfanwy has to deal with a duck that has been possessed by an ancient evil spirit; there is a scene where she has to explain to her boss why she spent thousands of pounds on clothes and shoes; there is a scene where she has to pretend to be a psychic for a TV show; and there are many scenes where she makes sarcastic remarks about the absurdity of her life. The humor of The Rook is not only entertaining, but also serves to lighten the mood and contrast with the darker and more serious aspects of the story.
The world-building
Another impressive feature of The Rook is its world-building. The book creates a rich and detailed world that blends fantasy and reality in a seamless way. The book introduces many concepts and elements that make the world of The Rook unique and fascinating, such as the Checquy and its history, structure, and operations; the Grafters and their technology, culture, and motives; the Court of the Last Resort and its role in resolving supernatural disputes; the various types and classifications of paranormal phenomena and beings; and the rules and regulations that govern the use and abuse of supernatural powers. The book also explores how the supernatural affects different aspects of society, such as politics, media, religion, education, and crime. The world-building of The Rook is not only imaginative and creative, but also coherent and consistent.
The action and suspense
A final feature of The Rook that makes it an enjoyable read is its action and suspense. The book has many scenes that are thrilling and captivating, as they involve fights, chases, escapes, infiltrations, explosions, and confrontations. The book also creates a sense of urgency and danger for Myfanwy and her allies, as they face various threats from their enemies. The book also keeps the reader on edge with its cliffhangers, surprises, and revelations that change the direction or outcome of the story. The action and suspense of The Rook make it a page-turner that keeps the reader hooked until the end.
The Rook
Identity and memory
One of the main themes of The Rook is identity and memory. The book explores how Myfanwy's loss of memory affects her sense of self, her relationships, and her choices. The book also shows how Myfanwy's new personality differs from her old one, and how she struggles to reconcile them. The book also raises questions about what makes a person who they are, how much of their identity is shaped by their memories, and how much of their memories are reliable or accurate. The book also examines how other characters deal with their own identity issues, such as Gestalt's multiple bodies, Ingrid's metal implants, or Aldrich's betrayal.
Power and responsibility
Another theme of The Rook is power and responsibility. The book explores how Myfanwy and other members of the Checquy use their supernatural powers for good or evil, and how they cope with the consequences of their actions. The book also shows how Myfanwy learns to master her power and use it more effectively and creatively than her predecessor. The book also challenges the notion of power as a source of authority or privilege, and shows how power can also be a source of vulnerability or burden. The book also examines how other characters abuse or misuse their power, such as the Grafters' experiments, Aldrich's sabotage, or the Court's corruption.
Loyalty and betrayal
A final theme of The Rook is loyalty and betrayal. The book explores how Myfanwy and other members of the Checquy trust or distrust each other, and how they prove or break their loyalty. The book also shows how Myfanwy develops new friendships and alliances with people who support her, such as Gestalt, Ingrid, Shantay, or Lady Farrier. The book also reveals how Myfanwy was betrayed by someone close to her, and how she deals with the shock and anger of that discovery. The book also examines how other characters betray or deceive each other, such as Aldrich's treachery, the Grafters' invasion, or the Court's manipulation.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, The Rook is a novel that combines fantasy, humor, action, and mystery in a captivating way. It tells the story of Myfanwy Thomas, a woman who wakes up with no memory but with a letter that tells her that she works for a secret organization that fights supernatural threats, and that someone within that organization wants to kill her. It follows her journey of rediscovering herself and uncovering the truth, while encountering various paranormal phenomena and beings along the way. It is a novel that has a compelling plot, engaging characters, and intriguing themes.
Recommendation and rating
I highly recommend The Rook to anyone who enjoys contemporary fantasy novels that are full of imagination, humor, action, and mystery. I think it is a novel that will appeal to a wide range of readers, as it has something for everyone. I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, as I think it is a brilliant and original work that deserves praise and recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Rook:
Is The Rook a standalone novel or part of a series?
The Rook is the first novel in the Rook Files series by Daniel OMalley. The second novel is called Stiletto, and it was published in 2016. The third novel is yet to be announced.
Is The Rook suitable for young readers?
The Rook is suitable for mature readers who can handle some violence, gore, profanity, and sexual references. It is not suitable for children or sensitive readers.
Is The Rook based on a true story or a real organization?
The Rook is a fictional story and a fictional organization. The Checquy and the Grafters are not real, and neither are the supernatural phenomena and beings that they encounter. However, the author did use some historical and cultural references to create his world, such as the chess pieces, the Court of the Last Resort, or the Belgian history.
Is The Rook available in other formats or languages?
The Rook is available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats. It is also available in several languages, such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, and Japanese.
Is The Rook adapted into a movie or a TV show?
The Rook was adapted into a TV show by Starz in 2019. It starred Emma Greenwell as Myfanwy Thomas, Joely Richardson as Lady Farrier, Olivia Munn as Monica Reed, and Adrian Lester as Conrad Grantchester. However, the TV show was cancelled after one season due to low ratings and poor reviews.
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