5.0 out of 5 stars “Excellent Read”
I received this book in PDF form in exchange for a review. I liked reading the story from the perspective of four different characters. The author smoothly and beautifully moved from one character to the next. Murder, the 1800s, the culture of mining, the small and poor town, and the social belief that women were beneath men were all well interwoven into a page-turning story.
– Karen Ingalls
5.0 out of 5 stars “Had Me Hooked From Beginning to End!”
In this work of historical fiction set mostly in 1859 during the Colorado Gold Rush, we are invited into the world of Eva, a willful and intelligent growing young woman who is looking for a life of freedom and independence. Alongside her is another character where the darkness inside his mind is known early on and the reader comes to know as the Master of Owl Manor.
The story is written with poetic, exquisite descriptions that takes one on an unforgettable journey into the context of the historical setting, Owl Manor itself, the minds of these characters, and aspects of the paranormal that blur the lines between physical reality with the unknown. With some unexpected plot twists, it evolves into a gothic suspense and psychological thriller at its finest. By the end, it had me examining my own darkness, the nature of attraction, and what happens when intelligent free thinking leads to a disregard for society’s laws and moral standards. Owl Manor – the Dawning had me hooked from beginning to end.
– Laura Clementz
5.0 out of 5 stars Gothic Romantic Suspense In A Whole New Light
First in a historical Gothic romance series, OWL MANOR THE DAWNING also contains some strong doses of feminism, depth psychology, and unexpected characters, situations, events. I grew up devouring Gothic suspense–yes, a genre to itself–not only the mainstream writers, such as Dorothy Eden, Phyllis A. Whitney, Victoria Holt, and the Queen, Daphne du Maurier, as well as the paperback Gothic romantic suspense of the 1960’s and 1970’s. So when I encountered OWL MANOR THE DAWNING, I felt at home, but also thought “Gothic was never like this,, in that Zita Harrison digs deeper and ranges farther. I think she may write with the spirit of Shirley Jackson peering over her shoulder.
– Mallory A. Haws: The Haunted Reading Room Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars “The influence of Edgar Allen Poe and the Bronte sisters is evident”
OWL MANOR: THE DAWNING by Zita Harrison, is book #1 in the planned OWL MANOR series. It begins in 1859 near Denver during the Colorado Gold Rush, with miners discovering the strangulation murder of a prostitute in the river they’re panning in. The story centers on a defiant Evelyn Moore, known as Eva, who is unsettled by the traditionally limited roles of nineteenth century women. So she escapes what she considers her oppressed home in Chicago by marrying Lewis, a man who drags her to Denver in his search for gold. But all does not work out well for her, Lewis, and their daughter Abigail. At this point Eva finds herself drawn to Owl Manor, despite the dark and mysterious master of the estate.
It is written in Eva’s first-person point of view, other third-person POVs and, interestingly, letters from a serial killer to his dead father. Harrison holds a masters degree in English literature, and the influence of Edgar Allen Poe and the Bronte sisters is evident. The writing is very polished, indicating either a rigorous revision method or professional editing. Fifty-five short chapters make for convenient stopping and re-starting points. Highly recommended for fans of gothic suspense and macabre ghost stories. Looking forward to OWL MANOR: ABIGAIL, the next novel in the OWL MANOR series.
– Matt Gianni
4.0 out of 5 stars “A brilliant page-turner!”
Owl Manor: The Dawning by Zita Harrison haunted me till I clicked on the last page of my kindle – such is the power of this book! I couldn’t put it down. A page-turner, with parallel plots that intermingle, as the story gets more intense, this book is brilliantly written. The story flows with stunning imagery and emotions, vivid descriptions and reeks of macabre mystery. Owls are the sentinels of ‘Owl Manor,’ conveying a subtle message of nemesis.
Zita knows her characters; they are chiseled so well that they fit the molds with extreme precision. Eva endears herself with her open mind, love for nature, her kindness and curiosity, her determination and self-belief. True to her cause, she often questions the purpose of her living. She grows with the story and is sensitive enough to understand the compulsions of her friend, Maricela. She could hear the sounds of the forest and figure out the omens of doom but Owl Manor seemed to have cast a spell on her or was it Rafe?
What an irony that Rafe, a deeply disturbed man, a misogynist meets Eva, an embodiment of egalitarianism! Could she change him, pull him out of the abyss he had created for himself? Would Gilbert, Rafe’s loyalist spill the beans? Zita has handled all the situations extremely well. My only disappointment is that the end is too drawn out. Joseph is a superfluous character and could have been eliminated. On the whole this is an outstanding book.
– Balroop Singh
5.0 out of 5 stars “A wonderful Gothic read”
Where to start? This is a great story. There’s a little of everything: mystery, suspense, romance, ghosts, animals that behave strangely, and a serial killer. It is a great read.
Ms Harrison is a good writer. Multiple viewpoints are tricky and many authors simply don’t know how to handle them but she handles them very well. Each chapter is devoted to a single character’s thoughts and observations. The transitions were clear and kept the action moving at a steady pace. The technique made it easy to find a stopping place, too. And you’ll need that or you’ll be reading all night. It is “can’t put it down storytelling.”
(Warning, there may be spoilers. I’ll try and limit them.)
Eva is a headstrong woman with opinions that are 100 years ahead of her time and it brings her more grief than she dreamed. Eva, her husband and their daughter and her mother end up in Denver where she must beg on the streets. After her husband dies, she decides to seek work in a brothel. However, there’s a serial killer loose who is killing prostitutes.
Gilbert, the butler for the owner of Owl Manor meets Eva begging on the street and offers her a job as a maid. She accepts but finds the atmosphere at Owl Manor is anything but normal. Eventually, she begins to reconsider her decision but there is no place to go where she’ll be safe.
Evil seems to hover over Owl Manor and you just know that this isn’t going to end well for someone. Somewhere in the midst of it all I found myself feeling sorry for the serial killer and hoping that Eva could bring redemption to him and find her own happiness. I hoped for a happily ever after for Eva, for Alice, for Gilbert, and even for Rafe. As we all know, redemption is not always possible and happy endings, well, you’ll have to decide.
I never saw the ending coming. Rarely does an author surprise me. I usually have things figured out by the middle. Not so for this story. Good job, Ms Harrison.– Dixiegirl
5.0 out of 5 stars “INCREDIBLY RIVETING!!!!”
It’s rare for me to give 5 STAR reviews on a first read of a new author I haven’t read before. I literally read this book in 2 days!! This is my favorite genre and what an astounding read this was!!! I bought this book on a recommendation from a friend. INCREDIBLE READ!! This author puts you in the story and it’s edge of your seat awesome!! Very detailed in every aspect of the story. Bottom line: READ THIS NOVEL!!! IT’S A WINNER!!!
– JacqueB63
5 stars “There has possibly never been another book like this one.”
The author crafts a story in duality with the strident suffragist Eva – who seems to be at least sixty years ahead of her time, and with Rafe – the deranged yet calm when not fulminating murderer of ‘sinful’ women. The book carries you through two tales that only begin to intersect halfway along. The relationship between Eva and Rafe is one of the most complex ever created by an author. You have a woman who has spent her life fighting for the right to be considered an equal and a man who has spent his life thinking all women are scheming and evil.
The twist is when Eva, knowing only that there is something seriously wrong with Rafe, but finds comfort in his accepting her forthright opinions. Rafe detests all women but comes to find Eva has a way about her that doesn’t remind him of any other woman he has met and that enthralls him.
One might think the central point of this book is a philosophical analysis of women’s rights in mid 19th century America. The premise seems to be a woman who demands an equal place and voice in society is so alien to society that only a mentally deranged murderer sees value in her.
This book seeps into your soul. I found myself dreaming about this book as I read it. The reader will also find that this story is all encompassing that the length of time spent reading will seem like an endless journey.
There is so much in this book that it has the capability of appealing to almost everyone. I recommend it to any fans of gothic horror like Poe wrote and anyone who enjoys deep character exploration rarely seen in 21st century fiction.
– N.N. Light’s Book Heaven
5 out of 5 stars “Wish I could give this book 10 stars…”
WOW a page turner that is well written and just wow. The characters are believable and I found myself caring for them. I felt I had been transported back in time. Owl Manor is a must read! I cannot wait for book 2 but no worries book 1 can be read as a stand alone. Wish I could give it 10 stars.
– Amazon Customer
5 stars “I love gothic horror novels so Owl Manor by Zita Harrison was a must read for me.
The story is set in the 1850s and 60s when option for women were few, get married, raise children, keep house. That’s about it. Eva wants more, she is more than disappointed with how her life turned out to be. She is married with a child. And to top that her husband moves the family to a different city. After a misfortune with her husband, Eva has to agree to work at Owl Manor. As she starts working there she starts to have visions about a woman and see owls. The descriptions about those instances are very vivid and creepy. So is the whole setting. I loved every word of them. Excellent storytelling. I had to keep reading even of it meant that I stay up way past my bedtime.”
– Anna Szabó
5.0 out of 5 stars “Good book! Highly recommended!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Owl Manor. I read books across a variety of genres, but not typically Gothic romance. After reading this book, I will definitely add Gothic romance to my reading list, as well as other novels by this author. I was attracted to this book by the beautiful cover and the suggestions of dark suspense of the woman protagonist living in the 1800’s.
The author does a great job of developing the main characters as the book builds to a climax, interweaving interesting details and dropping hints of the darkness to come, without revealing enough that you can predict the unraveling events. It contains a mixture of moody suspense, believable dread, and indications of supernatural intervention.
I enjoy novels that leave a bit to the imagination at the conclusion, instead of wrapping everything up into a neat, homogenized package. I like how Owl Manor does this, leaving me to imagine many possibilities and wondering what is to come in the next installation in the series. I eagerly await the next book!”
– V. Timmons
4.0 out of 5 stars “Eerie Gothic Story!”
“This is a wonderful gothic horror novel. The writing is beautifully done and takes you back to another time, where you feel you are living in another world and witnessing the events that take place within this unusual story.
The story follows high spirited and beautiful Eva who was raised by her well off aunt and uncle who also have daughters, yet Eva was loved as one of their own. Eva marries very young and has a child, but she is dissatisfied at the way her life has turned out.
The other main character is Rafe Bradstone who had an unfortunate and abusive childhood and has many scars and wounds that still fester with the cruelty of his upbringing.
Owl Manor will appear with an air of grandeur and foreboding in it’s majestic yet dark beauty and many, many stone owls adorn this mansion inside and outside. You must read this book yourself, to find out the why the owls have become the name of Owl Manor.
I was mesmerized by the storytelling and beautiful writing that Zita Harrison has created in this book. I haven’t read a gothic novel in many years and this book captured all the eerie and dark emotions with slow building suspense that was exceptionally gratifying.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. This is a must read if anyone is interested in gothic books or just a terrific dark story that is so well-written.
I highly recommend this book and given a rating of 4 1/2 Dark 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴ Stars!!”
– Luvtoread!
5.0 out of 5 stars “Brilliant writing. Great story. Riveting with a touch of the supernatural.”
“In many books, I can see where the plot line is heading and guess the ending…not so with Owl Manor-The Dawning. I didn’t see it coming! To say more I’d have to label my comments as “spoiler alerts” and I really recommend experiencing this book for yourself!!
Zita has done an excellent job of weaving together her characters’ stories. She explores the complex layers of her characters so you understand their motives even if you can’t condone their actions. The book is fast-paced with short chapters so you find yourself not wanting to put it down. Zita knows how to hook your interest and reel you in! I’m a fan who is now eagerly awaiting the second book of the trilogy.”
– Bonnie Gallup
5.0 out of 5 stars “Another great tale from a Zita Harrison”
“A page turner that I couldn’t put down once I started reading! The characters are believable and underscore the complexity of life and human nature. Owl Manor is a haunting tale which is both terrifying and thrilling—perfect timing as Halloween is right around the corner! Zita is a talented author and you won’t be disappointed by this book.”
– Linda Dunbar
Zealous Arts Graphic Design 