Vigil is a 2016 urban fantasy novel by Angela Slatter. It is the first novel in the Verity Fassbinder series.[1]

Vigil
AuthorAngela Slatter
LanguageEnglish
SeriesVerity Fassbinder
GenreUrban fantasy
PublisherJo Fletcher Books
Publication date
July 7, 2016
Publication placeAustralia
ISBN9781784294021
Followed byCorpselight 

Synopsis

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The series is set in an alternate Brisbane in which Weyrds, magical beings from European and Judeo-Christian mythology, live alongside normal humans. Verity Fassbinder is half human, half Weyrd and uneasily moves between their spheres as a detective who investigates supernatural cases. Her father was a Kinderfresser who consumed human children, while her mother was an ordinary human.

Reception

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The book received mixed to positive reviews from critics.[2] Rjurik Davidson of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote that "Slatter handles the interaction of the modern digital world with the lost world of myth with considerable control", but felt that the portrayal of Brisbane was not as localized as it could be.[3]

Duncan Lawrie, writing for Vector, praised the book's setting, plot and use of mythology, while commenting that it would have benefited from more editing. Lawrie noted that Verity's status as a human/Weyrd hybrid allowed Slatter to explore themes of alienation and the immigrant experience.[4]

It was nominated for a Ditmar Award and Aurealis Award.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ "Faren Miller Reviews Corpselight by Angela Slatter". Locus Online. 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. ^ NRB (2016-11-07). "ANGELA SLATTER Vigil. Reviewed by Folly Gleeson". The Newtown Review of Books. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  3. ^ Davidson, Rjurik (2016-10-20). "Vigil review: Angela Slatter creates a seriously weird version of Brisbane". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  4. ^ Lawrie, Duncan (2021-06-19). "Vigil by Angela Slatter". Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  5. ^ admin (2017-06-12). "2017 Ditmar and Other Australian Awards". Locus Online. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  6. ^ Tehani (2017-02-20). "2016 Aurealis Awards shortlist announcement". Aurealis Awards. Retrieved 2023-02-17.