SAN FRANCISCO – In the pulsating heart of San Francisco lies a world hidden from ordinary eyes, a realm where supernatural forces shape the fate of humanity. This is the captivating backdrop of "The Others," (September 2024, SparkPress) a spellbinding urban fantasy novel by acclaimed author Evette Davis, which is set to enthrall readers with its potent blend of mystery, romance and magic.
Olivia Shepherd is a political consultant with a secret: She possesses empathic abilities, the power to sense the emotions of those around her. Keen to keep her supernatural gifts hidden, Olivia's world is upended when Elsa, an ancient time-walker, appears in her kitchen, unveiling a destiny she never knew she had. As Olivia delves deeper into the hidden world of the "Others" who lurk beneath San Francisco's foggy streets, she finds herself drawn into the clandestine organization, the Council, and Gabriel Laurent, the enigmatic leader of a realm where vampires, witches, fairies and demons navigate a delicate balance of power. Caught between her burgeoning abilities, her new role within the Council, and her blossoming romance with the centuries-old vampire William, Olivia must confront shocking revelations about her own past and embrace the true extent of her powers.
"The Others” is a tour de force, weaving together themes of self-discovery, empowerment and the timely issue of the dangers of political extremism. With its richly drawn characters, pulse-pounding plot twists, and atmospheric San Francisco setting, the novel promises a gripping ride from start to finish. With its darkly seductive tone, sophisticated storytelling, and cliffhanger ending, fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance will be captivated and left eagerly awaiting the next installment.
“A rollicking supernatural jaunt through time that leaps out of the famous San Francisco fog and right onto our latest news pages. Davis combines her inside knowledge of Bay Area politics with a gripping tale of vampires and shape-shifters that leave us never quite looking at the city the same way again."
— David Callaway, former editor in chief, USA Today
Review:
Olivia Shepherd has always known that she has empath capabilities; however she has blocked her powers after watching them take a toll on her mother. Olivia has set herself up as a successful political consultant in San Francisco, lately things have not been going quite her way. With a visit from a time walker, Elsa, Olivia learns to open up to her powers and fight the demon that has been attacking her. With her newfound powers, Olivia also learns about the Others that live amongst humans, fairies, witches, vampires and more. Olivia is also introduced to the Others Council and offered a job that she is perfectly suited for, running a political campaign for a former boss. As Olivia is more involved with the Council, she learns of their involvement in human affairs and the dangers that come with it. On the other hand, Olivia has a hot new vampire boyfriend, William to keep her company and keep her safe.
The Others is a supernatural political thriller focusing on reaching your potential. Olivia's character is interesting in that she knew her mother had extra powers, but was unaware of the Others around her in San Francisco, including some of her friends. Olivia accepted the existence of the Others without hesitation and joined the Council readily. Once Olivia's senses were opened, her world became brighter and more dangerous all at once. I enjoyed experiencing all of the Others along with Olivia. It was interesting to learn the purpose of fairies, some vampire history and the different powers witches have in this world. While I loved all the supernatural elements, the plot really centered around the political campaign and the lengths some people and Others will go to in order to have influence. I enjoyed watching Olivia in her element writing campaign speeches, dealing with slip ups and unruly opposition. Olivia's supernatural friends added elements of fun, whimsy and magic. Olivia's and William's relationship was fast-paced, fun and deep adding another layer to the dangers Olivia faced with the campaign. With several twists at the end, I can't wait to see what the Council has in store next for Olivia.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Evette Davis is a science-fiction and fantasy writer. She is most recently the author of “48 States,” which Kirkus named one of the Best Indie Books of 2022. The book was also a quarter-finalist for the BookLife Prize 2023 and longlisted in the 2023 Indie Book Awards.
Davis is also the author of “The Others,” the first installment of The Council Trilogy, which will be released in September 2024 by Spark Press.
Davis is a member of the Board of Directors for Litquake, San Francisco’s annual literary festival. In 2023 and 2017, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library honored Davis as a Library Laureate. Her work has also been published in the San Francisco Chronicle.
When she's not writing novels, Davis advises some of the country’s largest corporations, nonprofits and institutions as a consultant and co-owner of BergDavis Public Affairs, an award-winning San Francisco-based consulting firm. Before establishing her firm, Davis worked in Washington as a press secretary for a member of Congress. She previously was a reporter for daily newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Davis splits her time between San Francisco and Sun Valley, Idaho. For more information or to sign up for her newsletter, visit www.evettedavis.com.
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
Follow Evette Davis on social media:
Facebook: @evette.davis.399 | Twitter: @SFEvette | Instagram: @evettedavis.author