Mandy Reviews: Lakebridge Spring by Natasha Troop

ISBN #: 978-1461122500

Page Count: 250

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Vermont, picturesque and lovely, attracts visitors from across the country in search for the perfect picture, the perfect fall foliage or perhaps a taste of maple syrup. Stansbury is best known for the odd covered bridge that spans Stansbury Lake and goes nowhere, connecting no roads and serving no known purpose. The locals call it the Lakebridge. Very few know of its mysterious origins and fewer care to know more. Those visiting the town perhaps take a few snapshots and leave, their curiosity quelled by an uneasy feeling that they shouldn't think on it anymore. The tourists will eventually leave Stansbury, but its residents strangely linger, seemingly held captive by a force they barely recognize. They also do not think about the town's mysterious artifact much except in passing, all but Gil, his father, Ben, and a few others. They know of the bridge's dark history and understand that it is responsible for every horror that ever befell the people of Stansbury: the people who fear the bridge but will not speak of it. The bridge makes people do things - bad things - so that it can continue to love and care for them all. Some have tried to destroy the bridge, but as long as the bridge is fed with the lives of the innocents of Stansbury it will go on - loving the people of Stansbury.

Mandy's Review:

Cover

Like: It reminds me of fog or shadows, which makes the reader think the book is mysterious and spooky.

Plot

There is evil in Stansbury ... in the form of a bridge. A covered bridge. Built by some English gent to access the darkness of his evil powers.

The bridge never fades. The bridge never needs repairs. The bridge can never be brought down. The bridge is here to stay to, obsessively and possessively, "love" the inhabitants of the town named after its creator, Lord Stansbury.

Will the Silver Knight and the Strange One be successful in their quest of finding the bridge's weakness and bringing it to ruins?

Main Characters

Gil - This man was born with bad luck and cannot get rid of it. Those who come in contact with him are also affected.

Shelley - Gil's best friend and the object of a state patrolperson's love interest. She's always happy, lives in the moment and continuously tries to help people.

Ben - Town sheriff. He knows something is wrong with Stansbury and tries to uncover its secrets.

Overall

The book was interesting. I only have two major complaints:

• Chapters were way too long
• A LOT of proofreading mistakes. Not spelling ... proofreading.

Minor complaints: I would have liked to have found out the codgy pharmacist's background and perhaps have been introduced to more of the darker side of Lakebridge.

Other than that, the concept of the story was unique and original. I enjoyed that. I think with a few little tweaks, this could be a great novel.