Book

The Ward

📖 Overview

St. Jude's Hospital in Manhattan treats both human and supernatural patients. Dr. Nat Reeves handles everything from werewolf attacks to demon possessions while trying to keep the hospital's true nature hidden from the public. A string of inexplicable deaths puts the supernatural ward in jeopardy, and Nat must investigate the cause. She teams up with a former NYPD detective-turned-vampire and a trainee nurse as they race to protect their patients and their secrets. The interactions between human medical staff and supernatural beings create tension and raise questions about prejudice, trust, and the divide between two worlds. Through its genre-blending narrative of medical drama and urban fantasy, the book explores themes of belonging and what it means to heal.

👀 Reviews

Readers found The Ward to be a fast-paced medical thriller with a supernatural twist. Reviews highlight the haunted hospital setting and creative magic system. Readers liked: - The diversity of characters and their backstories - Authentic medical details and procedures - Integration of magic with modern medicine - The strong female protagonist Dr. Nat Reeves - Quick pacing and action sequences Common criticisms: - Plot becomes confusing in later chapters - Some medical jargon can be hard to follow - Character development feels rushed - Magic rules aren't fully explained - Romance subplot feels forced Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (350+ ratings) NetGalley: 4.0/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Perfect blend of ER and urban fantasy" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many plot threads left dangling" - Amazon reviewer "The hospital atmosphere is deeply immersive" - NetGalley reviewer

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🤔 Interesting facts

🏥 The Ward is part of Dark Matter, a groundbreaking initiative by Farshore Publishing that specifically creates dyslexia-friendly books for young readers. 🎭 Author Cavan Scott has written extensively for iconic franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, bringing his expertise in suspense and supernatural storytelling to this hospital-based horror tale. 👻 The book explores the urban legend of "Night Shift Annie," drawing on the rich tradition of hospital ghost stories that have circulated among medical professionals for generations. 🌙 The story takes place during a single night shift at St. Nicholas Hospital, reflecting the real heightened tension and eerie atmosphere that hospital workers experience during overnight hours. 📚 Despite being written for readers with dyslexia, the book maintains complex plot elements and sophisticated character development, demonstrating that accessible formatting doesn't require simplifying the story content.