Five Stars for Halcyon by Rio Youers

Halcyon by Rio Youers was loved before I read page one. After reading, Youers The Forgotten Girl and Westlake Soul Youers would not disappoint me. However, despite Halcyon's obvious beautiful horrific charm - Westlake Soul is my favorite Youers's novel. That book truly has soul. The Forgotten Girl and Halcyon contains all of the expected thriller conflicts and frightful elements of situational irony making it fast pace and easy to read. In fact, I finished this book a few weeks ago, but a busy life prevented me from writing a noteworthy review of a writer who should be noted on a great many A+ platforms.

As I said, Halcyon contains conflict - The inner conflict between father and daughter suffering from tremendous loss. And sister and sister. Dramatic events giving rise to more chaos and destruction - our villain Mother Moon certainly started with my sympathy, but like many characters such as Abigail Williams/The Crucible, she lost my vote after becoming that which she despised. Yes, Abby and Mother Moon are different but are the same in how drama is often handled and pushed into chaos.

This book also paralleled with my own fears as a mother and - yikes a high school English teacher - that's a spoiler so no more on it. Youers also draws excellent details of romance like your spouse remembering the way you like your coffee, or leaving you a cup in the morning. It was these little elements that tied me to the main character in Halcyon and made me root for his happiness and that of his family.

Yes, Youers is a horror writer, but more he's able to tie it in with what makes us human luring even the most skeptical reader to the horror/thriller genre. Give him a chance.