Book Review-Newer Books 16

Review-Pandora’s Daughter by Iris Johansen

Iris Johansen wrote the novel Pandora’s Daughter. St. Martin’s Press published the book in October 2007 and the novel has 374 pages.

            Greek mythology introduces Pandora as the first woman. She is then gifted by the Gods and given gifts. Pandora was in possession of a box containing the evils of the world. She unwittingly opens the box releasing the evil onto humanity. She release hope along with the evil, giving humankind a chance. 

Now, Megan Blair is coming of age. She is a doctor and her gifts of healing and sometimes feeling too much have shaped her career. Unexpectedly, a man from her past comes back into her life. The last time he was near, her mother was murdered. Grady is the man from her past, one she once had a crush on and he expects Megan to believe that she has special gifts. Not only is she supposed to be able to be a listener and hear the dead, but she may also be a Pandora, one who can release special gifts in others by touch. Sometimes these gifts may have been dormant, now when allowed to flourish, the effects can be positive or negative. The history of one family has been recorded in a Ledger over centuries and notes any special gifts they exhibit. Pandora’s of the past have been known to drive some people crazy with the touch and release of gifts. Others embrace the gifts and adapt to the changes that occur.

Megan rejects these declarations of special gifts that she has never been aware of and even after slow acceptance of being a listener, still has difficulties with being a Pandora. An evil man who is criminally sinister was responsible for the murder of her mother and plans to see to the destruction of all of those with special gifts, “freaks” as he calls them. He is not only out to kill Megan but also he wants the Ledger to track down any others. Through evil manipulation, he almost succeeds, Megan may be the only one who can stop him, Pandora or not.

Iris Johansen has written many novels containing mystery and danger. This book also touches on what many consider supernatural. The many characters in the novel are intriguing and sympathetic and the action is stimulating. They are barely one-step ahead of the evil following on their heels. The book is a quick read and will keep any reader entertained.