Disguised As Human (Within the Walls #4) ~ Holly Day

Disguised As Human by Holly Day is a captivating addition to the Within the Walls series. This book masterfully blends elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural, creating a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming.

Disguised As Human revolves around Jasper Argall, a vampire falsely accused of murder, and Oscar Christopherson, a supernatural masquerading as a human detective. Their unlikely alliance and budding romance are beautifully portrayed against a backdrop of prejudice and tension between humans and supernaturals. Holly Day's writing is engaging and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the world she has created.

The relationship between Jasper and Oscar is one of the highlights of the book. Initially, Jasper is wary of trusting Oscar, given his past experiences with humans. However, as they work together to clear Jasper's name, a deep bond forms between them. Oscar's determination to seek justice and his willingness to risk his own safety for Jasper's sake gradually break down Jasper's defences. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are filled with both tension and tenderness.

Oscar's secret adds another layer of complexity to their relationship. He must navigate the dangers of being discovered while also proving to Jasper that not all humans are enemies. Jasper, on the other hand, learns to see beyond his prejudices and opens his heart to the possibility of love and trust. Their journey from mistrust to mutual respect and affection is beautifully written and adds emotional depth to the story.

The world-building in Disguised As Human is exceptional. Holly Day has crafted a richly detailed supernatural community in Myrfolk, where supernaturals coexist under a fragile peace. The supernatural residents, including vampires, shifters, and magic users, live in a walled-off area to protect themselves from human prejudice and violence. This segregation creates a tense atmosphere, with the human authorities constantly looking for reasons to marginalise and oppress the supernatural community. Things are changing; however, and it seems the line between human and supernatural is evolving (no spoilers!).

Holly’s descriptions bring Myrfolk to life. The contrast between the human and supernatural parts of the city is stark, highlighting the deep divisions and mistrust that exist between the two groups. The tension is palpable, adding to the overall suspense of the story.

Holly Day's writing style is both vivid and evocative, drawing readers into the world of Myrfolk with ease. Her prose is descriptive without being overly verbose, striking a perfect balance that keeps the narrative flowing smoothly. The dialogue is natural and authentic, capturing the distinct voices of each character. Holly’s ability to convey emotion through her writing is particularly noteworthy, making the reader feel the characters' struggles, fears, and triumphs.

Disguised As Human is the fourth book in the Within the Walls series, and I cannot stress strongly enough that you MUST read these books in order. While the couple in each book changes, the overall story continues throughout the series, with previous (and future) characters being a very active presence in the story. Only minimal backstory is provided in each book, and there is a strong element of assumed knowledge of the events and character histories that occurred in the previous books.

However, this series is Just. That. Good, so reading from the beginning is not a hardship.

The world of Within the Walls is complex, with both political and personal intrigue and behaviour issues that are bound to arise when so many different supernaturals live in close proximity to each other. Never mind that the entire society being on the brink of starvation and complete destitution! Through it all though, despite the hardships the strong found family vibe provides the optimism that things will be alright in the end, and each book ends of a very satisfactory ‘Happy for Now’.

Overall, Disguised As Human and the entire Within the Walls series is a must-read. Holly Day has crafted a series that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, exploring themes of trust, prejudice, and the fight for justice, and we can’t forget love, most of all love. It is love that will allow the individuals and community to survive, and to observe not only the romantic relationships but the platonic affection between some of the community members is an emotional and highly satisfying experience.

I can’t recommend this book and the series as a whole, highly enough!!

Disguised as Human is available from Amazon as an ebook.