Forks by A.E. Davis | Book Review
The first book in A.E. Davis’ Forks trilogy gives readers a different perspective on the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Set in Forks, the very real town where the fictional Edward and Jacob fought for the hand of moody Bella, Davis tells the story of a town changed by tourism. Forks’ lead character, Amber is new to Forks, much like Bella in the Twilight series. Yet, unlike Bella’s Forks, Amber’s is very much planted in the real world. Like any of us, Amber knows vampires and werewolves aren’t real, right? I mean, that’s all fiction, or is it?
Davis spins a tale that keeps the reader wondering. Is Meyer’s world real? Are there really vampire and werewolves vying for supremacy in a small, soggy, unassuming Washington town? Do they really sparkle in the sunlight? Why is everyone acting like there’s a big scary secret that needs to be kept? Unlike Meyer’s world, Davis keeps the reader guessing; are we reading paranormal fiction or is it a simple mystery?
Davis’ character of Amber is pitch perfect for a teenager trying to navigate her new environment. She’s new to Forks, unaccustomed to the rain, her self-centered mom borders on neglectful, and she can’t seem to make any friends. This last point is a big one for me. I’m not sure if it’s subtext for the town of Forks or small town’s in general, but Amber’s Forks is filled with the rudest folks imaginable. No one is nice and they all play mind games. I kept rooting for Amber to lose her temper and start kicking butt and taking names. If I’d been in her shoes, there would have been many a bruised shin from my steel-toes, which I urge Amber to invest in. She’s gonna need them.
Similar to how Meyer tweaks the vampire trope with sparkly skin, Davis adds their own flare. Instead of garlic repelling vamps, it’s cinnamon, or at least that’s what we’re told by Vincent, the handsome and irritatingly teenage boy that seems to have designs on Amber one second and then cold shoulder her the next. There’s one scene at a dance that is painfully familiar to my own early years trying to figure out the opposite sex. Vincent gives Amber all the signals that he’s interested only to ignore her and grind on another girl for the remainder of the dance. Ah, teenage boys. Absolute jerks.
In keeping with having the reader second guess themselves every second, Davis’ adds a serial killer kind of element. Young women have been disappearing in what is referred to as “incidents”. No other information is given to Amber who is our narrator and eyes. We’re never sure if there’s actually a fantastical element lurking in the woods attacking people or if a vampire or werewolf is on the prowl looking for prey. Towards the end of the book. Davis channels Christopher Pike novels of yesteryear, and we go from mystery of horror.
In a nutshell, I thoroughly enjoyed Forks. The writing is straightforward with the occasional typo. Yet, unlike other books I run across that have errors, I actually finished this on, and I’m happy I did. The story carries this book, as it should. I wanted to know what happened, I needed to know. I look forward to reading book two.
