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Alayna Williams writes with power and poetry, combining old mythos with complete ass-kickery. You don’t want to miss this series.”

-National bestselling author Ann Aguirre

 

DARK ORACLE is a scientific, paranormal read that takes readers on a wild chase. A subtle romance lends to the entertainment this read offers. Tara is a strong female who has many stories till waiting to be told. An interesting new series that is not quite like anything else! (4 stars)

-RT Book Reviews

 

REVIEWS FOR DARK ORACLE:

 

Fangtasic Reviews:

Dark Oracle is a novel filled with exquisite descriptions and rich detail that put you right in the middle of everything. While reading you feel as though you have been transported directly to the scene.

Tara Sheridan used to be a criminal profiler. She used a combination of science and her intuitive skills channeled through her Tarot card divination. Then she got too close and became a victim of the serial killer she was tracking. Left scarred and scared she quit work and pretty much quit life moving to a remote location with no one for company except her cat.

Now Tara has been asked by Delphi’s Daughters, a secret and powerful group of women her mother was part of, to look into the disappearance of scientist Lowell Magnusson. She doesn’t want to but can’t let it go, so she heads back to her old life and ends up right in the middle of a dangerous situation.

Mystery, corruption, science, magick, even a little romance…it’s all here in Dark Oracle. It is a richly detailed book full of characters you’ll want more of. Totally unique.

I really loved the history and lore of the Tarot that was included, it made me pull out my old deck which I haven’t touched in years.

Fab read, I look forward to more books by Alayna Williams.

 

4 out of 5 from Romance Junkies:

If you are looking for an urban fantasy that is jam-packed with spin-chilling mystery from start to finish, then DARK ORACLE is just the book for you. The main focal point of the plot revolved around Tarot cards – there were no werewolves, vampires or God-like beings; yet, there still was a paranormal element presence. Readers, I must warn you that DARK ORACLE is an introductory novel to author Alayna Williams’ new series, and it ends on a cliffhanger note with more exciting episodes to come. There was some romance but it was told in a secondary manner. I am sure that Tara’s romantic relationship with her new FBI partner will develop more in depth as the series progresses. Overall, I found DARK ORACLE to be an enjoyable sci-fi, urban fantasy read.- Romance Junkies Reviewer Contessa

 

Bitten by Books:

The exciting Dark Oracle draws the reader in from its first page description of the remnants of a scientific site explosion, setting the scene for the events to follow… elements combine to create a thrilling cat and mouse game characterized by wonderful pacing and sustained suspense. The villains of the piece are revealed early on, but the unknown fate of the man being searched for keeps the reader guessing throughout the book. Williams excels at depicting a world of both shadowy magic and dark science, and her skillful characterization of both primary and secondary players adds breadth to the narrative. An unusual and atypical backdrop for the story sets this novel apart from the herd in the urban fantasy field, earning the author extra points. This reviewer fears that the sequel to this excellent and intriguing novel will be much too long in arriving. (Five stars)

 

Tez Says Review:

Tarot, quantum physics, mines, botany, geology, divination, serial killers…if any of these interest you, purchasing Dark Oracle would be wise. A mix of The X-Files and Alex Kava’s Maggie O’Dell series, this novel has enlivened urban fantasy with a smack of science that grounds the story with realism. Plus, there are definite wow moments – the climax features a character who truly is one with the earth, in jaw-dropping imagery. Unfortunately, the sequel, Rogue Oracle, won’t be released until March. Too bloody long away…

 

Pearls Cast:

I’ve been wanting to read this book since the first time I heard about it as it sounded really cool. And it is! I love this book.

The mix of tarot and profiling is very well written and Williams sure knows her tarot too I can tell you. The story is suspenseful and compelling with rich and vivid descriptions and even though Williams uses various viewpoints this didn’t distract me from the story as sometimes happens, but instead it felt right as it gave me extra insight in the story that made it come even more alive.


Tara is a character you can really care about and I was happy to see her grow throughout the story. Voodoo Bride wants me to add she loves the romantic storyline in this book and I have to agree with her that it really fits within the overall story. All in all I hope there’ll be many more books in this series as I want to know what’s next for Tara.

Why should you read it:
Anyone with an interest in tarot will love this book as well as anyone who likes a decent Urban Fantasy story that doesn’t focus on creatures, but more on personal magic powers.

 

Huntress Reviews:

**** FOUR STARS! The author has done an exceptional job of explaining the complex Tarot methods in easy to understand ways. Even though I know only a little about Tarot cards, I had absolutely no trouble understanding everything. However, due to each card’s multiple meanings, in addition to the meaning of each card’s placement within a pattern, the divination scenes are very long winded. Necessary, I understand, but still tedious. The characters’ developments are well done, the plot is solid, and I felt an underlining tension throughout the entire story. These made the pages seem to fly by for me. I stayed awake much longer than I should have, but Tara’s mysterious background kept me enthralled. I wanted to know more - now, now, now! Other than having to read slowly during the long divinations, I found this story to be fantastic.

 

Fantasy Literature:

Alayna Williams creates a compelling heroine in clever, intuitive Tara. Harry is a likable character, too, and their relationship — conflicts and all — is touching and realistic. Williams also peoples her novel with memorable secondary characters, from the scientist’s daughter Cassie to Harry’s awesome mentor to the Pythia, head of the Daughters of Delphi. (Not to even mention the dog and cat.) The plot is suspenseful, the descriptions vivid and often just plain gorgeous, and all the elements add up to a perfect escapist read for summer. I found it impossible to put down; I’m usually reading three or four books at once, but this was the book for several days running.

 

Urban Fantasy Reader:

Tara is a fantastic urban fantasy heroine. She is flawed and has her fears, but as the novel progresses, the reader really gets to see her grow and slowly strip away her fears. They're still there, but she realizes that she can continue to live her life with them instead of holing up in the woods. I really enjoyed that she was self-conscious of her scars, but not to the point that it completely got in the way of more intimate situations. Harry was a nice foil to Tara. He tried to understand both her past and her divination, and I think he was really good for her. Cassie, Magnusson's daughter, was very strong considering the situation she found herself in. Maggie, Cassie's dog, offered a chuckle here and there within the action.

 

Love, Romances, & More:

DARK ORACLE is a unique book to read and one that will leave you breathless as you try to see what happens next amid all the twists and turns within the pages. Ms. Williams delivers a stunning debut and one that will haunt you after the last page is read. If you enjoy a new sort of urban fantasy to enjoy, then grab DARK ORACLE. I am looking forward to more from this “new to me” author in the future.

 

Bookish Life:

…Alayna Williams introduces us to a world where the occult meet science and anything is possible.

Dark Oracle is a fast-paced. action-packed, character driven story that got me gripping at the edge of my seat from start to finish. Evil plots meet scientific experiments and the supernatural in a great adventure.

Even though I love my Shifters and will always be a Vamp fan girl, It’s great to encounter an Urban Fantasy novel / series that stray from that beaten path and gives something new to read about. Alayna Williams has definitely accomplished that in spades and I recommend Dark Oracle to any Urban Fantasy lover out there. (4 stars)

 

Fresh Fiction Reviews:

I thoroughly enjoyed DARK ORACLE. While it initially seemed to be the second in a series, Tara’s back-story is slowly revealed and the novel is self-contained. Tara is a fully realized character, and her inner growth as well as the way her relationship develops with Harry has an emotional depth that is completely believable. The mix of science and special abilities is a different combination from other urban fantasies. I know little about the Tarot, but the author (AKA Laura Bickle) treated Tara’s readings with a delicate touch, letting the reader understand why Tara interpreted the cards the way she did, as well as giving enough of a description of the illustrations that the reader could come to their own conclusions. I highly recommend DARK ORACLE, and hope to see more of Tara’s readings in the future.

 

Lovin’ Me Some Romance

A stunning collaboration of science and fantasy, DARK ORACLE is an unusual high stakes ride of government cover ups and mythological magic. While one would expect the blend to be jarring, its actually quite seamless making the novel interesting from beginning to end.

Embodying a rich epic feel, Tara and Harry traverse dozens of obstacles not only in search of the truth but also within their own inner obstacles allowing vast and blatant character growth. However, with the secondary love plot playing such a dynamic role in Tara’s healing, I would have liked to have seen more chemistry, more sexual tension. It would have pushed this book from good to stellar. But the research is still phenomenal in both the science and magical aspects.

DARK ORACLE has all the makings of a good series start. For Urban Fantasy readers wanting to jump on an up and coming thrill ride, hail a ticket fast and get ready to hang on!

 

Book Fetish:

…Williams does a good job of keeping this urban fantasy moving along at a rapid clip. Tara and Li have an interesting chemistry, which adds a positive element to the story. With enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and enough action to keep the pages turning, Dark Oracle doesn’t disappoint.

 

Bookish Life:

…Alayna Williams introduces us to a world where the occult meet science and anything is possible.

Dark Oracle is a fast-paced. action-packed, character driven story that got me gripping at the edge of my seat from start to finish. Evil plots meet scientific experiments and the supernatural in a great adventure.

Even though I love my Shifters and will always be a Vamp fan girl, It’s great to encounter an Urban Fantasy novel / series that stray from that beaten path and gives something new to read about. Alayna Williams has definitely accomplished that in spades and I recommend Dark Oracle to any Urban Fantasy lover out there. (4 stars)

…Williams does a good job of keeping this urban fantasy moving along at a rapid clip. Tara and Li have an interesting chemistry, which adds a positive element to the story. With enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and enough action to keep the pages turning, Dark Oracle doesn’t disappoint.

 

Tarot Dame:

Dark Oracle is a mystery novel by new author Alayna Williams. When I received the book from Alayna, I was excited to dive into a story whose main character was a tarot reader, even if in the back of my mind, I expected the storyline to pale in comparison to the tarot bits I was looking forward to. I was delighted to find that the entire story captured my attention and held it. It kept me on my toes, turning pages, wanting to find out what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, start to finish. It contained action, mystery, mysticism, drama, romance and Tarot (as well as other divination methods)…When I finished the book, I wanted more. I wanted to know what was next for the characters. So I was very happy to hear Alayna’s answer to my question of whether there would be sequels: “DARK ORACLE is intended to be the first in a series. The sequel, ROGUE ORACLE, is coming out in March 2011…”

 

ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY:

…I’ve been delighted to find it’s a great read. The two threads woven through out of the intuitive arts (Tarot, for example) and hard science (quantum theory, I believe it is) I found especially enjoyable… As a Tarot reader, writer, teacher, and designer I can support her views on The Tarot…However, this book is above all a highly entertaining and intriguing mystery about a scientist who disappears while working on new technology that has possibly terrifying potential. I was intrigued and curious, concerned and delighted, start to finish. I was quite honestly briefly sad when this terrific ride was over!… But I’ll again emphasize that “Dark Oracle” is most of all an excellent mystery book. I’ve had the thought that in the future this old lady will be able to say “Oh yes, I read her first book and even back then it was quite obvious that she is a skilled imaginative writer.”

Highly recommended read whether you are left brain dominant or a Tarot fan, or neither.

 

Novel Reaction

I started reading this book with some trepidation, I have always associated the use of Tarot cards with the use of dark or evil powers. Williams’ use of the cards to assist in the investigation was well done and has changed my opinion regarding the use of tarot cards. The novel was an intriguing read as the story followed both the mystery of the missing scientist and the path of Tara as she came to terms with what happened to her. I found the main character sympathetic without being weak, always a difficult balance to be achieved by an author.

(4 stars)