The Progeny: A Book Review

I took this photograph in North Carolina, but I think the feel of it fits the book! ~Josie

I recently had the honor of snagging an Advance Reader Copy of The Progeny  (Descendants of the House of Bathory Book #1) by New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee. I have been eagerly anticipating reading this book and it did not disappoint.

I quickly fell in love with Emily Jacobs, a girl with no memory. She doesn’t know that she’s the descendant of the most prolific female serial killer who ever lived. She doesn’t know anything, except that she’s in real trouble.

Reminiscent of Ted Dekker’s early work, The Progeny is a fast-paced thriller that begs to be consumed in one sitting. Emily’s quest to stay alive and rediscover her past takes readers on a grand adventure. A sleepy island in Maine is quickly abandoned for the fascinating European underground and the discovery of three ancient orders – one friendly, one up to no good, and one in need of saving.

Forced to make life-altering decisions at a moments notice, who will Emily trust? Is she falling for someone who wants to save her or kill her? The Progeny is full of page-turning tension, twists, and turns. (Click to Tweet!) Like me, you might even find  yourself yelling at Emily and wondering why she isn’t taking your expert advice!

In my experience as an avid reader, there are three things that make for a good story:

1. Real characters. If an author can make me forget that the people I’m reading about are fictional, they have succeeded. Bonus points if I catch myself praying for a character in a book before remembering that they are not real!
2. Transportation. A good book will transport me from my current circumstances to a whole new world. I live with a chronic illness so if I can get lost in a book that makes me forget my pain, even for a little while, I’ve struck gold.
3. Hunger for more. A good book will leave me wanting more. If I finish a book and find my self furious at the author because the story is over, they’ve done their job.

The Progeny is not just a good story, it’s a great story.

1. The characters are real. I still find myself thinking about the characters in this book. Characters that are so human, so flawed, so real. They made me feel all the feels and I miss them. I wonder what they’re doing today…
2. I was transported. I received my copy of The Progeny as a gift from my friend Tosca during a really difficult time. I was far from home and in the fight of my life against a parasite that had been growing in my body for almost 10 years. A three-day trip to my specialist turned into over two weeks as I underwent intense treatments to kill the beast and get it out of me. At the beginning of the second week Tosca visited me, giving me the gift her time, and this book. The Progeny helped me escape. As I read, I found myself transported from my hotel room and the treatment rooms at the clinic to Emily’s world. Focusing on Emily’s problems (and boy does she have problems!) helped me forget my own. It’s the most precious gift an author can give a reader.
3. I’m hungry for more. When I finished this book there was yelling involved. To say that The Progeny leaves you hanging is an understatement. I want more and I want more now!

Obviously I loved The Progeny, and I know you will too! Pre-order your copy today. Add it to your Goodreads shelf. Check out the gorgeous cover and get the latest news on Tosca Lee’s website. And of course, tell your friends!

The Progeny releases May 24th.

Note: I received this book as a gift from a friend. However this is an honest, unbiased review!