Reviews
“Priest kills as a stylist. Debut novel? You could have fooled me. Four and Twenty Blackbirds feels like it was written by an author with the assurance and experience of already having many books under her belt . . . . the book has everything going for it and you should definitely pick up a copy to see for yourself.” —Charles De Lint, Fantasy & Science Fiction on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Breathes fresh life into the suddenly resurgent ‘I see dead people’ subgenre of horror fiction. . . . a remarkably assured debut, a creepy modern-day Southern gothic that doesn’t rely on cliché but delivers an emotional powerful tale of self-discovery and the supernatural.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“… There’s mystical, sultry appeal in the thick Chattanooga atmosphere and strong characterizations (Eden’s tongue is as sharp as the heels of her signature black boots), and a mixed-race heroine lends welcome diversity to a genre well populated with porcelain-complected heroines.” —Booklist on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“The classic Southern gothic gets an edgy modern makeover in Priest’s debut novel . . . . neo-goth chick Eden [is] a heroine for the aging Buffy crowd.” —Publishers Weekly on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Southern Gothic at its best. An absorbing mystery told with humour and bite.” —Kelley Armstrong on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Cherie Priest has created a chilling page-turner in her debut novel. Her voice is rich, earthy, soulful, and deliciously southern as she weaves a disturbing yarn like a master! Awesome—gives you goosebumps!” —L.A. Banks on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Breathlessly readable, palpably atmospheric and compellingly suspenseful, Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a considerable debut. It’s written with great control and fluency, and it looks like the start of quite a career.” —Ramsey Campbell, World Horror Grand Master, on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Spooky and engrossing, this revenge play is as sticky as a salmagundi made from blood and swamp dirt. Priest can write scenes that are jump-out-of-your-skin scary. This is the first installment in what I can only hope will be a long and terrifying friendship.” —Cory Doctorow on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Fine writing, humor, thrills, real scares, the touch of the occult . . . had me from the first page. I read straight through. An absolutely wonderful debut, and a book not to be missed.” —Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author of Haunted, on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Wonderful. Enchanting. Amazing and original fiction that will satisfy that buttery Southern taste, as well as that biting aftertaste of the dark side. I loved it.” —Joe R. Lansdale on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
“Cherie Priest kicks ass! Four and Twenty Blackbirds is lush, rich, intense, and as dark and dangerous as a gator-ridden swamp.” —Maggie Shayne on Four and Twenty Blackbirds
