The Peripherals: Book One: The End is the Beginning

From a fantasy lover...This book has great characters and an exciting action plot! I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters develop as the series progresses.

Mark Aldrich did a marvelous job intertwining folklore with an engaging, suspenseful story that made it difficult to put down! Already onto Book 2 in the series!

Really enjoyed this book. Aldrich's love for place, and his own career in theatre (which is integralto the story) will especially appeal to lovers of Broadway and all things NYC. But there is plenty here for pure fantasy fans as well. Not to give any spoilers, but the story weaves delightful mythical characters into a who-done-it mystery. The juxtaposition of the somewhat hapless Broadway actors and their fantastical counterparts is pure fun! Glad to know Aldrich is continuing the series.

A great, fun read for all! Whether you like Broadway, New York, faeries, or have just always wondered if something was really there when you spun your head to look, this book is for you. It is written from a place of love for all of those things, and the readers experience as well. And unlike many in this genre, a good read for you and the young ones.I have read "urban fantasy" for years, Simon R Green, Jim Butcher, and this takes that genre and adds something missing from those fine authors, it adds hope. And it does it while still being a page turner without resorting to graphic and unnecessary violence. Mark proves that you can have suspense and epic battles without all the gore.A great first novel and I already have the sequel and can't wait to read it!

I enjoyed reading this story. I love the creatures from various fairy tales and mythologies from around the world. The characters are well developed. The plot is well paced and intriguing. The story is complete in itself and has a good ending.

I started following Mark via The Happy Hour Guys. Somewhere along the line he bought one of my books, making it obligatory that I would buy one of his. I'm happy to say, though I am not in practice a fan of fantasy, The Peripherals is well worth purchasing by anyone, even those who don't owe him a reciprocal book purchase. Actually, Mark, here's an idea: What about a group of writers who make their living inducing other writers to buy their books. It could be called The Reciprocals, and run alongside The Peripherals.But I digress. I really liked the gritty, oily feel of the New York Theatrical society, where performers go through life facing the same fears and challenges as more plebeian working stiffs. Curiously, the story I was drawn to was suddenly ripped to shreds with the introduction of seemingly sinister spectral beings infusing them into the once quotidian world of Sean, unemployed Broadway performer and member of the self-proclaimed choir of bonhomie, The Grumbles.With the introduction of Breena, Odette, Kaplan, Bayard and the rest, we are drawn into an otherworldly conflagration of good and evil, mystical powers and enchantment. The story is drawn inexorably to its phantasmagorical conclusion. Not all the evildoers are dispatched by then, there remaining a handful set off to rearm and reload, no doubt soon to return with a new bag of depravity. The only good news about this frightening prospect is the much-anticipated reunion of Sean and the lovely Breena.

I saw the author, Mr. Aldrich, on stage at Milwaukee Repertory Theater in TITANIC this fall. He was amazing in his role as Mr. Murdoch, gorgeous voice, splendid acting. I wanted to support this grand actor when I read about his published first novel. But WAIT! It's fantasy! I don't read fantasy! But I bought it anyway to support him and then decided to try it. Once I started, I didn't stop. It was compelling from the start, and I was immediately drawn in. I love the ties to Broadway and the theater as I am an avid theater goer. I also very much enjoyed the fantasy part, all the wonderful and terrible creatures, so luridly described, that pop up in this wild adventure. While I may not consider myself a reader of fantasy yet, I will be looking forward to Mr. Aldrich's second book in this series. Highly recommend!

I enjoy stories about mythological creatures, and this one was one of the better ones. It mixes ancient folklore with modern times seamlessly and makes me want to learn more about the Peripherals' world. I hope to get that chance in the next book.

I found that the pacing was very slow or jagged in places, but I also liked the way the Tuatha characters were done and the baddies. It's a quick read too so worth trying!