Utterly, starkly different from the seven books that made her a household name and a world-famous author, JK Rowling illustrates that her talent for the written word extends far beyond the Harry Potter universe. Impressive, bleak, engaging, original, The Casual Vacancy isn't afraid to use hugely flawed characters, nor to rack up a body count to show life in its many, twisted forms.This is a book that will stick with me. This is a book that reaffirmed my fangirl status for this author. Not for everyone, but this was definitely a book for me. Well done, Jo.
