DNF, read about 50% but lost interest.
Amazing world description! Would definitely recommend to friends.

I started to loose interest when there was too many characters unfortunately. I also had to research some of the characters mentions too understand references.

An enjoyable debut, and a must for fans of books and mysteries. Featuring two very different protagonists, it's a very well-written and engaging novel.

I maybe didn't get all of the literary references/allusions, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of the novel. If you're looking for something a little different, something that will hook you from early on and keep you reading, then definitely check this out.

A book about a reader who can reader characters out of books into the real world, featuring beloved characters from throughout literature? Sign me up!
I am the target audience for The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry: An English major with a wide knowledge of literature and an avid reader and booklover. So, why didn’t I like it?
I will admit that I’m a bit of a renegade English major: I’m realizing I rarely enjoy a Literary novel, and only a few of the classics are worth reading to me. Still, I don’t think that was the root of the problem. This book had so much potential, and it started off strong. But ultimately I didn’t care about any of the characters, which made it hard to care what happened, and the unsatisfying ending wasn’t enough to redeem the book.
First, though, let’s start with what I did like.

The opening chapter
All the potential that this book has is perfectly captured in this first chapter. When I finished it, I honestly thought to myself that this was an exemplary opening scene, one that you could teach from in writing classes. We’re quickly swept into the actions, Charley’s powers are explained through illustration rather than info dumping, there’s an immediate danger and a hint of the danger to come, and we also get a glimpse of the tension between the two brothers, as well as Rob and Lydia. And the twist with Uriah Heep was the cherry on top to make this an opening that was exciting and enticed me to keep reading.

The characters of Charley and Millie
These two were fun and likable. They had believable struggles and motivations, and I was rooting for them. Often, the chapters told from their perspective were my favorite. Still, it wasn't enough to get me to care about them enough that the length of the book was worth it.

What I Didn't Like...

The plot
Okay, this sounds harsh. But I just...wasn't interested? I don't think Rob was the right character to tell this story. It didn't seem like he really had that much to lose. And the plot kept meandering, but I didn't care enough about the characters to want to stick with it. I'd have DNF'd it if I weren't writing a review. I guessed most of the big reveals: about Charley, their mom... The only thing I didn't guess was who the bad guy really was, and that reveal was....unsatisfying to say the least. The whole ending was blah. Why is the bad guy evil? No reason! He just IS! My least favorite type of villain. I wanted more from this, but I didn't get it.

In this literary book lover’s delight, a “summoners” has the ability to “read” a fictional character into real life. And to alter the very fabric of reality. Charles Sunderland is one such, and from the time of his childhood has been accompanied by the likes of Sherlock Holmes. His characters-companions are not literal transliterations but based on his interpretation of them: fiction is not photographic but relies on the understanding and life experience context of the reader.

At the beginning of the book the narrator, Charles’s older brother, attorney Rob, is heartily tired of the whole thing and wishes Charles’s talent would go away, especially when Uriah Heep, the odious villain of Dickens’s masterwork, David Copperfield, makes an appearance, along with the Hound of the Baskervilles. Soon Rob is drawn even deeper into the world of literary creations with his introduction to “The Street,” a secret haven where characters can live safely in a modern world. One of the more amusing touches was the presence of not one Mr. Darcy, but six, since readers of different eras saw him in different ways. Since I am a fan of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford, I took special delight in the occasional appearance of Miss Matty, whom everyone adores as much as I do. Dorian Gray, exquisitely beautiful and just as untrustworthy, teams up with the Artful Dodger. And Narnia’s White Witch can always be depended upon to look out for her own interest.

Soon it becomes apparent that not only the denizens of The Street, but Charles himself, are under attack by another “summoner” whose agenda is nothing less than remaking the entire world into the criminal underworld of Dickens’s London.

As the story progresses and the threat becomes more urgent, Rob peels back layers of the past, facing injustices and resentments – not only others’ but his own. The relationship between the two brothers reveals itself before a background that is no less than a love affair with fiction and its underlying language. Rob says, “I could see all of it. And the city glowing with the light of pure meaning was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.”

What begins as a “your favorite character come to life” romp evolves into a profound examination of how stories make us human, and what that means to those we love.

Let me start by saying that I love tripping over literary characters in my reading. It is like bumping into old friends. So much fun!

But I had the same problem with this novel as I did with several other fantasy books (such as the Harry Potter series). Most of the charm gets sucked right out of these type books as their stories devolve into battles between GOOD and EVIL. That trope is obviously quite popular… just not with me. It is a personal preference, and should not impact anyone else’s ability to enjoy this story.

What might detract from a reader’s enjoyment of this book is the character of Rob. I found him to be completely annoying. At least he was balanced by Charley - who I adored!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley.

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is perfect for any book lover. The plot lifted me off my feet and threw me into the exciting journey with Charley and Rob. I couldn't get enough of this book. I loved seeing classic characters come to life and interact with reality.

The writing is straightforward and organized. Despite everything going on, I was never confused.

My favorite part is the world-building. I hadn't read most of the books that characters came out of, so I didn't get a full appreciation of their presence. This book definitely put me in the mood to read more classic literature.

A couple of weeks ago, I read The Bookshop of Yesterday's, and I got into the mood of bookish literary fiction. If you are looking for a book about books, definitely check out this one!

Rob Sutherland has his life together. He has a regular job in a regular city, and he’s deeply involved with a wonderfully regular woman. Basically, he has an all-around regular existence except for one thing: his brother Charley. He’s always had to look out for his younger brother, a bookish academic who always seems to have a target on his back. Rob loves his brother, of course, but it can be rather tiring to always be called in to clean up Charley’s messes, because Charley’s messes tend to be, well, irregular. That’s because Charley is a Summoner—one with the rare talent of reading characters right out of their books . . . something that doesn’t fit in with Rob’s regular existence at all. One night Rob receives an SOS call from Charley—he’s read a character from a Dickens novel and can’t quite get him back in. Like always, Rob rushes to the rescue, launching them both into an adventure spanning Wellington NZ, Victorian London, and the darkest corners of the literary heart.

H.G. Parry’s The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep (Orbit/Redhook, 2019) is a book about books, and book lovers. Tremendous fun from start to finish, it features timeless and beloved characters from the Western cannon. At its heart, it’s a book about family, love, and acceptance, though it also explores literary academia, the power of narrative and interpretation, and the real magic books can weave into the world. I enjoyed everything about this book, from its blend of Dickensian darkness and whimsy to its examination of the complicated and often tenuous relationships between siblings.

This book will appeal to readers who loved Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea or Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind. After reading this one, I can’t wait to pick up Parry’s next novel (!) A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians (Orbit/Redhook, June 2020).

Sweet, clever, and an ideal escapist read for bibliophiles.

Charming and cozy, but still clever and sharp, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a paean to classic literature with an adventurous spirit.

The premise of the book brings to mind Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next books (though this is less driven by humor and less mind-bending) or Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series. Not sure I understand the frequent comparisons to Lev Grossman’s Magicians though.

The protagonists are easy to root for and have a compelling backstory, but it’s really Parry’s clever incorporation of classic literary characters and plots into the book’s narrative that steal the show.

It’s a touch too long and can be overly emotional and sentimental at times, but not in such a way that it greatly detracts from the quality of the novel.

I do wish the author had chosen to set the book in London. The New Zealand setting just didn’t play, largely because the world building around the fictional characters from classic literature was so well done, and their original stories almost all take place in London. Because of that, I couldn’t stop picturing London as I read no matter how many times the text mentions Wellington.

In all, a perfect choice if you’re looking for something both light and smart, and a definite home run of a book for fans of Conan Doyle and Dickens in particular.

A wonderful, exciting and mysterious read. Completely magical and full of adventure. I adored this book!

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep was a super-fun and imaginative story that is perfect for book lovers that enjoy fantasy! How many readers would love to see one of their favorite fictional characters come to life? It was a delight to read about this happening.

Charley has the ability to bring fictional characters out of the pages and into the real world. Charley and his brother Rob discover that some of these characters didn't quite make it back into their books, and they go on a hunt to get them all back. They uncover an evil plot and must figure out how to stop it.

I loved the wonderful characters that Charley and Rob meet. They come across Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Frankenstein, Scrooge, and several Mr. Darcys. There were a lot of other characters that I didn't really recognize, but it didn't bother me one bit. It was a creative and fun story!

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a light, fun fantasy!

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

First of all let me say I am a HUGE Charles Dickens fan. David Copperfield is on my top 5 books list, and that Uriah, the “Heep of infamy” is a particular favorite. He’s just such a fantastic villain.

So I was primed to really enjoy this book. Charley is a very likeable young man who is able to call people/characters out of their books into the real world. His brother Rob is embarrassed and afraid of this ability, especially now that a new person has entered their world with the same gift, and a desire to wreak havoc.

Book characters popping into real life? YES!!! Sign me up.right.now.

Unfortunately, this book ended up disappointing me. I hate to say it but I disliked the character of Rob so intensely that it was difficult for me to get into the story. He was such an asshat. He was abusive to his girlfriend, his brother and his family. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore, especially after he verbally attacks his mother in a particularly difficult moment. I quit the book after 66%. I enjoyed seeing characters like Uriah Heep & Sherlock Holmes jump into the story, but in the end there wasn’t enough bookish enjoyment in the story to keep me involved. I feel like it was an excellent idea that just floundered. It’s unfortunate.

Maybe someone else can read this and take something different away from it.

Charley Southerland has a magical ability that he's concealed. He can bring characters from books into the real world. Uriah Heep is the very first character we see "brought to life." However, Charley realizes he is not the only summoner and with the help of his brother fights to find the other to protect the world from it's famous literary villains.
This was a fun, adventurous read! Perfect for booklovers!

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

This is a book that combines my personal love of meta references with a deep love of Dickens (with a smattering of Wilde, Austen, etc...) I enjoyed this read thoroughly, and look forward to more of the same.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
THIS BOOK THOUGH!!!! After a long stretch of moderate mediocre books, “The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep” has come into my life and granted all my literary wishes and dreams. With similarities to “The Invisible Library” series by Genevieve Graham and J.K Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, I have found a new author to follow (i.e stalk and obsess over) in H.G Parry.
For as long as he can remember, Charley Sutherland has been an avid reader, constantly reading and obsessed with the written word, especially Charles Dickens. At a young age, Charley discovers he can literally “read” characters from books to life, a feat that is impressive but embarrassing to Charley’s brother, Rob. Rob is desperately trying to live a normal life outside of his brother’s shadow, trying to maintain his successful career as a lawyer and managing a romantic life with his girlfriend, Lydia. But when Charley calls out of the blue one night, desperate for Rob’s help, Rob immediately rushes to his aid. Soon, Rob realizes that the entire human world is under siege, and he must form an alliance with his brother, and his brother’s favourite literary characters, to try and save the world from chaos.
This novel is an absolute must for book lovers. Full of iconic literary characters from past and present fiction, swordplay, magic and full-on adventure, “The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep” has something for everyone, and it is clear that Ms. Parry completely understands the life of a bibliophile. It is impossible to read this novel and not immediately root for Charley (and later, Rob) as they battle dragons and villains such as Uriah Heep and Dorian Grey, in order to keep the outside world from being swallowed up.
I have found my kindred spirit with this book- full of Charles Dickens characters and Victorian era settings (with a few head-nods to the great C.S Lewis as well!), “Uriah Heep” is an immersive masterpiece.

Unfortunately this one just isn't for me! At just under the 20% mark, I have decided not to continue in reading after giving it a few steady tries and not finding myself being pulled into the story! I so very much appreciate the opportunity to read this book, and so appreciate NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to do so. I do not at all believe that my decision to not continue reading is due to anything negative of this book!

The idea behind the plot is magnificently interesting and the writing of H. G. Parry flows well. I believe many people will be enchanted by the story and enjoy it! Thank you so much again. As I did not finish the book, I will not be posting a review on Goodreads.

I very much enjoyed this unique novel, but I wish I had read some Charles Dickens before starting. The concept of characters coming to life is what every reader dreams of, and it have a story written about that in marvelous. I look forward to reading this again after I have tackled David Copperfield.

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry is a book lover's dream. I didn't quite know what to expect from this adult fantasy novel, but I ended up falling in love with it story and the author's style. Who hasn't dreamed of having the ability to bring books and characters to life? We get to see some great classics come to life before our eyes, and we get to meet some pretty fantastic new to us figures as well. If you like The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, the Magic Ex Libris series by Jim C. Hines, and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, I have a feeling you'll love Parry's impressive debut novel.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2020 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2020/01/2020-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

What a great ride. From a 4:00AM phone call to a dense wall of fog, I was HOOKED by H. G. Parry's words and world.

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a truly unique entry into the world of Contemporary Fantasy. Set in Wellington, New Zealand, Parry views the city with an adoring gaze, filling in the gaps and alleys with her words in a manner not unlike a cornerstone presence of the novel. It is a novel for students of English Literature, by a student of English Literature without alienating lovers of any specific genre within that vast umbrella. You like Mr. Darcy? Get ready for five of them. Do the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes excite you? Or perhaps you are more of a 'plucky young heroine solving crimes' sort of reader. Well, buckle up, bucko. I hope you're not allergic to hounds, moors, crookedy streets and/or dastardly villains.

Beyond creative use of some of literature's greatest figures, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is, at its heart, novel about brothers, family ties, and the trials of growing up - successfully crafting a portrait of simultaneous rivalry and respect while exploring the definition of the word 'family' as it applies to people and relationships of all kinds. Utterly lovely.

For fans of: Austen, Brönte, Dickens, Conan Doyle and our contemporary friend, Jasper Fforde. His girl, Thursday Next, would like to have a word or two with Charley Sutherland.

PUBLISHER NOTE: Review will be posted 1/27/20 on my blog, Goodreads, Twitter, and Reddit. Links to be updated at that time.

Fans of low fantasy with mundane, yet endearing, characters will find much to love in H. G. Parry’s The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep. I’ll confess, I was very slightly dubious when I encountered this book’s premise. It felt a little cheesy to me. However, when I saw the names who were endorsing it, I couldn’t resist prodding Orbit for a review copy. Alix E. Harrow loved it? So did Matthew Ward? Okay, I was in. And I didn’t regret it one little bit. This book has the one thing I love most in my books: absolutely wonderful characters. The characters took a book that would have been merely good, and made it into something loveable and joyous. I felt that same spark of joy that I encountered when I read The Ten Thousand Doors for the first time. 

Dr. Charles Sutherland, or Charley to his family, has a secret. He’s a an English professor who focuses on Victorian works, specifically the works of Dickens. He loves books, and connects with them in a way that most people never will - in fact, he connects with them a little too literally. When Charley becomes fully engrossed in a book, sometimes its characters come to life not only on the page, but in reality. 

To his family, this has always been the norm. His mother has always wanted to protect him, helping him hide his ability and cleaning up after him when one of his characters manages to sneak its way out. Rob, the book’s narrator and main protagonist, performs a similar function. When Charley calls Rob in the middle of the night, Rob puts his day job as a lawyer on hold, makes an excuse to his wife, and goes to help Charley get Uriah Heep back into the pages of David Copperfield. This is just the way it has always been. Charley gets into trouble, and Rob comes in to save the day.

I think Charley had the door to the English department open before I could even knock. In the light spilling from the corridor behind him, I could see his eyes huge and appealing, his unruly mess of dark curls and baggy sweatshirt making him look smaller and younger than he was. He’s very good at that. It didn’t mean I wasn’t going to kill him this time—I was—but maybe not when he was completely beside himself with worry.

Things start to get messy, however, when they discover that Charley is not the only summoner calling characters out of their books. Soon, Charley and Rob are embroiled in the midst of a war that puts all of Wellington, and perhaps all of New Zealand as a whole, at risk.

“They’ll fear you here if they find out what you are, I’m afraid,” Millie said. “Summoners were only a legend to most of them. Lancelot knew of one, in the 1600s, but she was burned as a witch and all the characters she read out with her. Perhaps you and this other summoner are the first since she died hundreds of years ago. Everybody here comes from one-offs—random acts of reader connection. There are rumors of more, further back, when the written word was in its infancy. A lot of what was seen as magic in early history was probably really summoning: people reading dragons out of books, and the like.”

H. G. Parry takes us on a colorful, heartbreaking, and quirky romp as she introduces both “real” people and characters from books. Each individual is fully realized, and I loved the interplay between traits that were written in to characters from their authors and the character’s own, new desires now that they are in the real world. Rob’s wife, Lydia, quickly became a favorite of mine. It would have been simple for Parry to let her drift to the side without questioning Rob’s absences, but instead she became a questioning, inquisitive character determined to uncover just what this “family business” is. 

Though I found quite a few of the twists fairly predictable, I was able to forgive that given the strength of the characters and the world. It was just fun watching them all interact, and the writing quality was stellar. It felt extremely polished, with the tone and structure working together to support the story. A few plot turns did manage to catch me by surprise, which was a joy in and of itself. All in all, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep comes of as incredibly genuine.