Michelle Herbert reviews The Spawn of Lilith by Dana Fredsti…
The Spawn of Lilith feels like a slightly different take on urban fantasy, where instead of a young woman being thrown into a world she never knew existed, this world is part of her everyday existence. Set in Los Angeles and focusing on stuntmen and women, we are soon let in on Hollywood’s biggest secret, that a lot of actors and stunt doubles are not exactly human.
We are introduced to Lee on the set of Vampshee, where she is preparing to throw herself off of a tall building as part of her job, she is the stunt double of the main heroine. Unfortunately, an accident causes Lee to severely injure herself and the main story begins six months later where Lee is on the road to recovery. Although physically in better shape than she should be, recovery is harder than she thinks, when you also need to recover mentally. Lee has moved back in with her foster-father, Sean, who is also the leader of the legendary Katz Stunt Crew. The crew are known for their spectacular aerial height stunts. Lee does not feel capable of doing high jumps but does not want to give up her life as a stuntwoman, so is looking for jobs that focus on other skills.
The Spawn of Lilith is an anomaly, but I really liked that Lee has grown up in this world knowing that the supernatural exists and that she lives and works amongst them. I also really admired her character for the fact that she doesn’t feel anger or jealousy about the fact that she is only human and that she is proud of the stuff she can do with skill alone. It is also quite amusing to read a book where the reader knows quite early on that there is something more about the main character, even if it takes that character far longer to realise something may be slightly off.
The book also gives enough information about how film production and stunt work works without taking away from the overall story. There is also the point that this book focuses on the discrimination that women receive in this industry due to sexism and ageism, which seems to be a regular occurrence, even in a world full of supernatural beings.
I found it interesting to see the number of bad films that are able to get funding to start film production, especially the Roman slave epic because what the world really needs is another low-budget macho extravaganza. Although the Roman slave film is a good comparison to the horror film Lee begins working on next, which has a smaller cast and crew, but also a better storyline and more experienced actors.
There are also a number of side stories that appear throughout the main story. These start to merge and make more sense as the story progresses. One of these stories revolves around the summoning of monster to roam the streets of Los Angeles killing victims indiscriminately, but it never seems like the summoner of the monster is aware of the harm they are causing, or severely lacks the necessary empathy to care.
I really enjoyed reading The Spawn of Lilith. The story is action-packed, but never detracts from Lee’s story of trying to find out who she now is and reclaim herself. This feels especially true when one of the things that defined you may never be possible to do again. There are moments that are truly chilling and others that are hilariously funny dotted throughout the novel. I enjoyed the characters that interact with Lee, whether they are friends, family or co-workers, they are all well written, with lives and interests outside of Lee’s. If there is a follow-up to this book, I would definitely be happy to read it.
Michelle Herbert
