Heather’s Bookshelf: The Bayou: The Leslie Kim Serials Book Four
Author: Eliza Stopps
Released: 05/09/22
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novella
“It was a harsh thing to say to a girl who was probably only eight years old. But she wasn’t a normal, human girl. She had seen more violence than most adults had in those few short years.”
“The Bayou”: is book four in The Leslie Kim Serials but is reviewed here as a standalone book. If you’re interested in reviews of the rest of the series, check them out here. The Bayou takes place after the conclusion of book three: Dragon Bounty.
Leslie Kim has returned to his childhood home in Wyoming on Earth, but he’s not alone. Verna, the rebel leader from Kapaton, and Victoria, the half-Vampire girl with a dragon companion, are doing their best to live a quiet life. But how quiet can it really be living with a half-vampire and a dragon?
Leslie’s old boss reaches out to him about a bounty hunting job in Georgia and Leslie agrees a change in surroundings might be best. He, Victoria, and Fluffy (the dragon) head to Georgia in search of a local legend of a monster blamed for the deaths of several locals. Soon into the investigation, Leslie finds he’s not the only once seeking the culprit behind the murders. Clement, a self proclaimed monster hunter, has launched his own investigation. But he’s not all he appears to be…and then there’s the Scavengers…
Will Leslie find the monster in the Chattahoochee River or will the killer get him first?
Trigger Warning: violence, adult language, murder, animal death
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Though I am reviewing it as a standalone, and it can absolutely be read as a standalone, I think it’s better read as part of the series. As an individual story, the book reads as a sci-fi meets fantasy with a murder mystery wrapped up in the middle. The story is told through the POV of the main protagonist, Leslie Kim, who is jaded by his past experiences. His relationship and responsibility to the young Victoria challenges him in a way that pushes his character development and the emotional connection within the story. Victoria’s vampire half is only highlighted in the book, as is Fluffy’s presence. I wish both were featured more prominently as it would have added to each of their individual characters but also to what Leslie is now facing in taking responsibility for them. Clement was a pleasant addition to the cast of characters, adding some comedy and comradery for the little group. The pacing is excellent and kept me flipping pages to see what would happen next. I also really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect and the revealed truth. I found this to be a happy addition to the Leslie Kim Serials and I’d be happy to see more of his adventures hit the book shelves in the future.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A sci-fi saga continuation with likable characters, a monster, a murder mystery…did I mention the dragon?
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