Book Review: Only Human by Leigh Holland

*I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I’m leaving a voluntary review*

*probably not even going to be able to spoil this for you*

So, new book review, and this one deserves a new type of structure I think.

First, let me tell you that this was one of the best, funnest, cleverest, originalest reads I’ve read in a long while. Absolutely loved it!

The book starts us off with a being, or a creature, who at first is mended by, but then held captured by a Welsh priest. It calls itself a Twyleth Teg (whatever that is), and the priest obviously have many folklorish names for it, thinking it’s a trickster or demon or a variety of things.

Anywho – the priest asks it to tell a story, and that’s when the real plot of the book begins. Aha! A-story-within-a-story kind of deal. Love it, I’m on board.

And the story is great. Wonderful in fact. Beautifully written, funny, dark. I’m liking it. But for some reason I was under the impression this Twyleth Teg was telling us several stories. And then a new one starts, so that makes sense. But then that’s woven into the first story the Twyleth Teg was telling? I’m confused. But I read on. And eventually – when I start cranking up the old brain, and start paying attention – I realize we have a story-within-a-story-within-a-story kind of deal. Maybe.

I’ve probably confused you. I’ve confused me. My point is. This book is great. It’s clever, mysterious, captivating, and at points hilarious. I loved that I struggled to figure things out, to understand how things were pieced together (I’m not even sure I knew what was going on by the time I finished), but I loved it all the way through.

There’s demons, witches, parallel worlds (I think), skinchangers, and generally, lots of awesome writing.

If I’ve been rambling to the point where you don’t know what to get from this review, I’m sorry. But I highly recommend this book.

Go check it out!