The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones Review!

   

Title : The String Diaries
Author : Stephen Lloyd Jones
Pages : 432
Published : July 17th 2014
Publisher : Headline
Source : Bookbridgr


A jumble of entries, written in different hands, different languages, and different times. They tell of a rumour. A shadow. A killer.

The only interest that Oxford Professor Charles Meredith has in the diaries is as a record of Hungarian folklore ... until he comes face to face with a myth.

For Hannah Wilde, the diaries are a survival guide that taught her the three rules she lives by: verify everyone, trust no one, and if in any doubt, run.

But Hannah knows that if her daughter is ever going to be safe, she will have to stop running and face the terror that has hunted her family for five generations.

And nothing in the diaries can prepare her for that.

My Thoughts : 

Hannah Wilde is on the run, with her husband and daughter, from a vicious killer, Jakab. The only problem is that the killer can take the shape of anyone! They have narrowly escaped him this time, though Nate was badly hurt, but who or what will this killer be the next time they meet? Are the strangers they meet the illusive Jakab? Why is he trying to kill them? The answers lay in the diaries Hannah has and she must find them before its too late. 

The minute I read the blurb of this I was immediately intrigued! It sounded awesome and Im glad to say it was every bit as good as it sounded. 

The book is told from different POVs, from the 1800s up to present day. We start in the present day by seeing Hannah fleeing with her husband and daughter after he was stabbed twice. She needs to get to the safe house before Nate loses too much blood and patch him up. 

Then we move to 1979 and see when Charles Meredith meets Nicole Dubois. Nicole is also on the run from the man named Jakab. Nicole tells Charles a story of a clan that can shapeshift and shows him the diaries that were kept by her grandparents about this very same man. Charles is understandably skeptic but along with the diary entries and research he starts to see a glimmer of truth. 

Next we are taken to Hungary in 1873 and told the story of Lukács . He is one of the Hosszú életek, a shapeshifting clan from Hungary. Who and what has he to do with Nicole and Hannah?

So we have Hannah, Nicole and Lukács stories and we are pulled from the past to the present in this thrilling book. Lukács is different than the normal shapeshifter and just wants his own life and not lead it like his father wants him to. His history and lore were fascinating and I loved finding out about the Hosszú életek.

Nicole has learned about Jakab since she was small and has been on the run during the years. Every stranger could potentially be Jakab so she lives her life by avoiding them as much as possible. Then she meets Charles and at first she keeps her distance because she doesnt want to pull him into this life but eventually they fall in love. Then they have a beautiful daughter whom they name Hannah. They try to make a normal life but its impossible with whats following them. 

Hannah grows and falls in love with Nate and they have a daughter too. Hannah is fed up with the life she leads and doesnt want the same for Leah. She decides that maybe she needs to make a stand and finish this thing with Jakab once and for all. 
3 separate stories but all intertwined around each other!

I loved reading each of the characters stories. Even though we are introduced to Lukacs early on, he is still this mysterious stranger most of the way through. As we learn his story we are shown just what a psychopath he really is. He really is such a villainous villain!!! Hannah was my favourite character. She is ready to make a stand after years of being afraid and was such a strong capable person that its hard not to root for her. 

So overall, The String Diaries is a fast paced, thrilling mystery. I flew through the pages and really cant wait for more. It had me on the edge of my seat many times because I was waiting to see who Jakab was going to be this time. From its intriguing lore to the intense atmosphere, The String Diaries is a must read. Imagine living each day never knowing who to trust, never knowing if your loved ones are actually your loved ones!!  

Side Note : Im after reading through this review and thinking wow its very rambly!! Lol. I cant say too much about The String Diaries without spoiling it but Im trying to get across how much I enjoyed this so hence the review!! Dont mind if it doesnt make too much sense because one thing sums up this book and thats Read It!! Thats all you need to know ;)