Review: Blackwood

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

My rating:         Contemporary Fantasy

Miranda Blackwood has never left the tiny island where she grew up, haunted as she is by a family curse which she believes would kill her if she tried. By contrast, Phillips Rawling ran away from the island to escape the strange voices in his head, and would prefer never to return. But when 114 people suddenly disappear, it seems that only the two of them working together can possibly unravel the mysteries of Roanoake Island.

This was a fun read, with fantasy and thriller elements, and just a hint of gentle romance which complemented rather than dominating the plot. It's more of a mystery than an adventure story, meaning that Miranda and Phillips have to rely on their wits and judgement over and above any physical strength. The other characters were less fully developed, but the setting was well-drawn and the supernatural and magical elements felt plausible despite the fact that their rules were never quite clear.