{"id":305,"date":"2016-03-23T07:31:41","date_gmt":"2016-03-23T11:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.durkota.net\/?p=305"},"modified":"2016-03-23T07:31:41","modified_gmt":"2016-03-23T11:31:41","slug":"book-review-the-ram-by-erica-crockett","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/durkota.net\/?p=305","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: The Ram by Erica Crockett"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was eagerly anticipating the next offering from Erica Crockett from the moment I finished her stunning debut, Chemicals<\/em>. Her latest novel, The Ram<\/em>, is the first volume of The Blood Zodiac<\/em> series. The series will span twelve books to cover each of the zodiac signs. A series of that magnitude is a daunting challenge that Erica is certainly equipped to meet.\"ram\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Ram<\/em> follows the perspectives of two main characters, Peach and Riley. The intertwining of their perspectives is exhilarating and rewarding. Peach is a troubled counselor at a crossroads in her life. By choice, or by natural force, she is propelled to make changes. The internal struggle is poignant and real. The fear and apprehension is captured wonderfully in Crockett\u2019s precise prose and imagery. Riley, an ex-attorney, is forced to make changes in his life as well. Although his change begins out of necessity, but he embraces it.<\/p>\n

Developing characters is truly Erica\u2019s superpower. She crafts them honestly. She doesn\u2019t judge them or sympathize with them or make excuses for them. She delivers them with clarity, their flaws revealed. The supporting cast is equally intriguing. One of my favorites was Sev, a surly bouncer with the heart of a poet. He spends his time watching his girlfriend dance and penning poems on bar napkins. The juxtaposition is sometimes ironic, sometimes comical, but always entertaining.<\/p>\n

Erica once again delivers a plot that is packed with delicious mysteries. Lambs released in the city. Symbols painted on the road. Ominous greeting cards. The birthing of a ram. A partial tattoo. A dangerous patient who mouths a cigarette, but never smokes. A stripper and her poet boyfriend. All of these are intertwined. By chance? By design? Destiny? So much to ponder.<\/p>\n

Erica also continues to deliver beautifully crafted prose that could make any writer jealous:<\/p>\n