The Savages by Matt Whyman

How did I get the book?  Blogger Event thank you @ Hot Key Books

Genre: Contemporary (Horror?)

First Impression: Need to read now.

Synopsis: They’d love to have you for dinner…Sasha Savage is in love with Jack – a handsome, charming … vegetarian. Which wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the fact that Sasha’s family are very much ‘carnivorous’. Behind the family facade all is not as it seems. Sasha’s father rules his clan with an iron fist and her mother’s culinary skills are getting more adventurous by the day. When a too-curious private detective starts to dig for truths, the tight-knit family starts to unravel – as does their sinister taste in human beings.

200words (or less) review: The Savages was one of the best train journey’s home I ever had, I think I worried some of the commuters though because I didn’t always manage not laugh aloud.

At first glance the story is rather straight forward, Sasha Savage has a boyfriend that she doesn’t want to introduce to her family because he’s vegetarian and well the Savages are not.

I really liked Sasha, she comes across and intelligent and strong. I loved all the other family members as well, particularly granddad, and pretty much everyone else. Even characters with only brief appearances had interesting histories. It’s only really Jack (the boyfriend) that comes across as bland but I rather think that’s the point.

It’s like a check list of everything I want in a book: superb writing, unique and intriguing characters, humor, atmosphere, little story elements that all come together beautifully AND the ability to completely understand and support characters that are doing something you really shouldn’t be ok with. Because to them it makes sense and the history behind the Savages tradition is horrible but logical.

Plus I love the cover. I know that’s not story related but it’s so perfect!

Recommend it?

Sunshine Star

The Savages is due out in June 2013