BookAwards.com
Award-Winning Books from Today's Best Authors
A Free Resource for Book Lovers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Journalists
Recommend this book:
In the Eyes of Madness
Declan Peters Chronicles Book 1
Michael Pang
2016 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In an excellent new offering from author Michael Pang, In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One, readers will be treated to a highly original book that will keep them obsessively turning the pages from the very first words all the way through to the last. Follow the story of protagonist Declan Peters, as he struggles with the aftermath of his psychotic mother's actions. Determined as an adult to forge a relationship with his mom again, he takes a job at the institution where she lives, hopeful that he will learn more about the woman who brought him into the world. But what he finds isn't what he expected. In fact, what he finds leads him to question almost everything he has ever known, and throws him into a world of demonic possession and beings with tendencies he could never have imagined. Will Declan ever get what he came for? Will he even survive? You'll need to read the book to find out!
I very much enjoyed In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One. This book is full of twists and turns that even I, a prolific reader, didn't expect, and that is saying quite a lot. Author Michael Pang has done a fantastic job in creating characters, especially Declan, that his readers will relate to, connect with and care about. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Any reader, young adult or not, that loves a unique book of paranormal fiction, or just an interesting work of fiction in general, should read this book. I highly recommend In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One, and I look forward to reading the next book in this very promising series by author Michael Pang, as soon as I possibly can.
In an excellent new offering from author Michael Pang, In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One, readers will be treated to a highly original book that will keep them obsessively turning the pages from the very first words all the way through to the last. Follow the story of protagonist Declan Peters, as he struggles with the aftermath of his psychotic mother's actions. Determined as an adult to forge a relationship with his mom again, he takes a job at the institution where she lives, hopeful that he will learn more about the woman who brought him into the world. But what he finds isn't what he expected. In fact, what he finds leads him to question almost everything he has ever known, and throws him into a world of demonic possession and beings with tendencies he could never have imagined. Will Declan ever get what he came for? Will he even survive? You'll need to read the book to find out!
I very much enjoyed In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One. This book is full of twists and turns that even I, a prolific reader, didn't expect, and that is saying quite a lot. Author Michael Pang has done a fantastic job in creating characters, especially Declan, that his readers will relate to, connect with and care about. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Any reader, young adult or not, that loves a unique book of paranormal fiction, or just an interesting work of fiction in general, should read this book. I highly recommend In the Eyes of Madness: Declan Peters Chronicles Book One, and I look forward to reading the next book in this very promising series by author Michael Pang, as soon as I possibly can.
Recommend this book:
303 Red Dead Lane
Jordan Deen,Elizabeth Sharp,Emma Bloom
2015 Finalist
163 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
303 Red Dead Lane by Jordan Deen, Elizabeth Sharp, and Emma Bloom is the story of a house you might not want to live in. 303 Red Lane, called Red Dead Lane by the locals, is a house with a terrible history, and the inhabitants of the house never survive - until a special teenager moves into the house with her family. But how can she go against a force that is not of this plane? How can one girl fight against something that has just gotten stronger over the years after all those other victims?
303 Red Dead Lane by Jordan Deen, Elizabeth Sharp, and Emma Bloom is a story that makes you want to read on and on until you arrive at the end, especially when you are in the last third of the book as you simply don't want to leave the world of the book without knowing that the characters are saved. The book is split in three different parts, with the first and second parts being in the "past" while the third part tells us about the most recent family living in the haunted house. The story is exciting and has a bit of horror in it, but it is not over the top and is quite pleasant to read. If you are looking for a nice "relaxing" horror read that does not take too long to get through, and if you would like just a little bit of a scare, then this book is definitely a good choice.
303 Red Dead Lane by Jordan Deen, Elizabeth Sharp, and Emma Bloom is the story of a house you might not want to live in. 303 Red Lane, called Red Dead Lane by the locals, is a house with a terrible history, and the inhabitants of the house never survive - until a special teenager moves into the house with her family. But how can she go against a force that is not of this plane? How can one girl fight against something that has just gotten stronger over the years after all those other victims?
303 Red Dead Lane by Jordan Deen, Elizabeth Sharp, and Emma Bloom is a story that makes you want to read on and on until you arrive at the end, especially when you are in the last third of the book as you simply don't want to leave the world of the book without knowing that the characters are saved. The book is split in three different parts, with the first and second parts being in the "past" while the third part tells us about the most recent family living in the haunted house. The story is exciting and has a bit of horror in it, but it is not over the top and is quite pleasant to read. If you are looking for a nice "relaxing" horror read that does not take too long to get through, and if you would like just a little bit of a scare, then this book is definitely a good choice.
Recommend this book:
The Children Kingsley
A Novel
S.K. Fernandez
2015 Finalist
666 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
Ten-year-old David Kingsley and his sister Chloe are spending the summer at their grandmother’s house, expecting it to be boring and dreary. However, David begins to see and hear things he never thought he would ever experience; shadows, the voice of a little girl and strange creatures. Unfortunately, David and Chloe find themselves struggling to fight against the darkness and the one they call The Judge in the spirit world.
S.K. Fernandez’s The Children Kingsley: A Novel is an intriguing paranormal story that would provoke our fear about the unknown and the afterlife, yet it also tells a story about love and courage. Coupled with intense suspense and action, S.K. Fernandez makes The Children Kingsley an incredibly satisfying book for any reader. The plot isn't as simple as I thought when I first read the synopsis and the first few pages of the book. Fernandez planned it so well that whenever I thought I had guessed what would happen next or who’s who, I’d get hit with a clever plot twist.
Overall, this is one paranormal fiction that you don’t want to miss, especially if you’re into this genre – you won’t be disappointed. Fernandez maintains a good balance by moving the focus between the main characters and the lesser ones, and gives enough attention to each and every one of them while also providing a wonderfully detailed unique world for readers to savor. The ending especially is superb and makes me look forward to the next book.
Ten-year-old David Kingsley and his sister Chloe are spending the summer at their grandmother’s house, expecting it to be boring and dreary. However, David begins to see and hear things he never thought he would ever experience; shadows, the voice of a little girl and strange creatures. Unfortunately, David and Chloe find themselves struggling to fight against the darkness and the one they call The Judge in the spirit world.
S.K. Fernandez’s The Children Kingsley: A Novel is an intriguing paranormal story that would provoke our fear about the unknown and the afterlife, yet it also tells a story about love and courage. Coupled with intense suspense and action, S.K. Fernandez makes The Children Kingsley an incredibly satisfying book for any reader. The plot isn't as simple as I thought when I first read the synopsis and the first few pages of the book. Fernandez planned it so well that whenever I thought I had guessed what would happen next or who’s who, I’d get hit with a clever plot twist.
Overall, this is one paranormal fiction that you don’t want to miss, especially if you’re into this genre – you won’t be disappointed. Fernandez maintains a good balance by moving the focus between the main characters and the lesser ones, and gives enough attention to each and every one of them while also providing a wonderfully detailed unique world for readers to savor. The ending especially is superb and makes me look forward to the next book.
Recommend this book:
Undertow
Death's Twilight, The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 2
Claudette Melanson
2015 Honorable Mention
286 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Carol Coetzee for Readers' Favorite
I found Undertow: Death's Twilight an immensely delightful and enjoyable read. This is the second book in the Maura DeLuca Trilogy by Claudette Melanson, and deals with teenage Maura as she reaches the age of transformation from human to vampire. She is one of The Born, a vampire conceived by a human mother and vampire father. Her father returns to help with this transformation and her best friend, Susie, comes to live with Maura and her family at this awkward time. Maura has a lot to deal with between the changes in her body, her friendship with Susie, her love for Ron, her boyfriend, her father in her life for the first time, and her mother's strange behavior. A tumultuous time in any teenager's life becomes a strange and frightening time for Maura.
Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson is a wonderful take on vampirism and very different to any other vampire novel I have read! Myths are turned upside down, and the entire story takes wonderful twists and turns, keeping you glued to the pages. Maxwell is a stunning and mysterious father, overly protective, which leads to some hilarious scenes between them. I laughed as much as I cried. A tale that will grip your heart and squeeze, then suddenly release you into a restful state, to grip you yet again! Maura's desire to keep Susie in her life leads to great tragedy and painful life lessons. Undertow encompassed wonderful humor and also terrible sadness, tragedy, fear; everything you need in a great read! I certainly can't wait for the last book in the trilogy. It is going to be amazing!
I found Undertow: Death's Twilight an immensely delightful and enjoyable read. This is the second book in the Maura DeLuca Trilogy by Claudette Melanson, and deals with teenage Maura as she reaches the age of transformation from human to vampire. She is one of The Born, a vampire conceived by a human mother and vampire father. Her father returns to help with this transformation and her best friend, Susie, comes to live with Maura and her family at this awkward time. Maura has a lot to deal with between the changes in her body, her friendship with Susie, her love for Ron, her boyfriend, her father in her life for the first time, and her mother's strange behavior. A tumultuous time in any teenager's life becomes a strange and frightening time for Maura.
Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson is a wonderful take on vampirism and very different to any other vampire novel I have read! Myths are turned upside down, and the entire story takes wonderful twists and turns, keeping you glued to the pages. Maxwell is a stunning and mysterious father, overly protective, which leads to some hilarious scenes between them. I laughed as much as I cried. A tale that will grip your heart and squeeze, then suddenly release you into a restful state, to grip you yet again! Maura's desire to keep Susie in her life leads to great tragedy and painful life lessons. Undertow encompassed wonderful humor and also terrible sadness, tragedy, fear; everything you need in a great read! I certainly can't wait for the last book in the trilogy. It is going to be amazing!
Recommend this book:
 friends. Alex is special because he can "spin" people, which means that he can take people's p...){kind=link}
Spinner
Michael J. Bowler
2015 Bronze Medal
464 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
Spinner is another great book by the author Michael J Bowler, who also penned the Children of the Knight series. Spinner tells the story of a teenage boy, Alex, who suffers from Spina Bifida and has to use a wheelchair, and his gang of special-ed(ucation) friends. Alex is special because he can "spin" people, which means that he can take people's pain, emotional as well as physical, away by listening to them describing their problem/pain. He can make wounds disappear and sadness turn into comfort. Of course, this special power would be very useful for people with more sinister goals than just helping people. Alex and his friends will have to go through quite a few adventures - who are his parents really, and what does a talking cat have to do with all of that? And who are the two parties who want Alex's power for themselves?
Michael J Bowler created a fantastic YA novel with Spinner, and I enjoyed every single page of it. His writing style is unmistakable, so if you have read other books by that author, you will feel right at home. If not, the book will make you want to read his other books, too. Michael manages to include many topics within the story, from bullying, to dealing with being in a special education class, to what it is like to be in love with someone who does not love you the same way, and much more. It is all packed into a very exciting plot about a special boy with special powers. While it is a bit of a horror book in parts, it is not over the top horror with too much gore. It is exciting, but not in a horrible, frightening way - definitely a page turner though!
Spinner is another great book by the author Michael J Bowler, who also penned the Children of the Knight series. Spinner tells the story of a teenage boy, Alex, who suffers from Spina Bifida and has to use a wheelchair, and his gang of special-ed(ucation) friends. Alex is special because he can "spin" people, which means that he can take people's pain, emotional as well as physical, away by listening to them describing their problem/pain. He can make wounds disappear and sadness turn into comfort. Of course, this special power would be very useful for people with more sinister goals than just helping people. Alex and his friends will have to go through quite a few adventures - who are his parents really, and what does a talking cat have to do with all of that? And who are the two parties who want Alex's power for themselves?
Michael J Bowler created a fantastic YA novel with Spinner, and I enjoyed every single page of it. His writing style is unmistakable, so if you have read other books by that author, you will feel right at home. If not, the book will make you want to read his other books, too. Michael manages to include many topics within the story, from bullying, to dealing with being in a special education class, to what it is like to be in love with someone who does not love you the same way, and much more. It is all packed into a very exciting plot about a special boy with special powers. While it is a bit of a horror book in parts, it is not over the top horror with too much gore. It is exciting, but not in a horrible, frightening way - definitely a page turner though!
Recommend this book:
Daughter of the Fallen
Volume 1
Madeline Wynn
2015 Silver Medal
244 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Savannah Edelen for Readers' Favorite
Daughter of the Fallen by Madeline Wynn is an incredible and fantastic story about a teenage girl. She doesn’t want to follow along with everyone else in their adoration of Jack, the popular rich kid. Starting The Daughter of the Fallen off, you are introduced to May at a graveyard doing a video report with her boyfriend Cay, the rich boy Jack, and a girl named Alicia. During their video, May falls down a mine shaft and sees something, something that leaves the mine shaft with her. Then she finds out that the demon from the mine shaft wasn’t released when she fell in; it has been with her all of her life. Now it is up to May to do all that she can to keep from falling into the darkness that threatens to consume her.
Daughter of the Fallen is a well written tale that captures not only your mind, but your heart as well. Madeline Wynn has created a wonderful book and I would expect the rest of the series to be just as fascinating. As Daughter of the Fallen progresses, more twists and turns are thrown in. Full of hope, despair, and romance, everything that makes a good book is all packed into this 200+ page book. Read and watch as you are transported to a wonderful place you will never want to leave. How much better could it get? Read the stunning first book in the series, Daughter of the Fallen by Madeline Wynn, to find out. May is waiting for you.
Daughter of the Fallen by Madeline Wynn is an incredible and fantastic story about a teenage girl. She doesn’t want to follow along with everyone else in their adoration of Jack, the popular rich kid. Starting The Daughter of the Fallen off, you are introduced to May at a graveyard doing a video report with her boyfriend Cay, the rich boy Jack, and a girl named Alicia. During their video, May falls down a mine shaft and sees something, something that leaves the mine shaft with her. Then she finds out that the demon from the mine shaft wasn’t released when she fell in; it has been with her all of her life. Now it is up to May to do all that she can to keep from falling into the darkness that threatens to consume her.
Daughter of the Fallen is a well written tale that captures not only your mind, but your heart as well. Madeline Wynn has created a wonderful book and I would expect the rest of the series to be just as fascinating. As Daughter of the Fallen progresses, more twists and turns are thrown in. Full of hope, despair, and romance, everything that makes a good book is all packed into this 200+ page book. Read and watch as you are transported to a wonderful place you will never want to leave. How much better could it get? Read the stunning first book in the series, Daughter of the Fallen by Madeline Wynn, to find out. May is waiting for you.
Recommend this book:
Sweet Desire, Wicked Fate
Wray Ardan
2015 Gold Medal
363 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Karen Walpole for Readers' Favorite
In Sweet Desire, Wicked Fate by Wray Ardan, fifteen-year-old Jaden, her sister Ava, and their mother inherit a family mansion in Louisiana. The three travel there to spend the summer preparing the home for sale. Jaden happens upon an old, dilapidated building on the property and accidentally awakens some mutant creatures. Releasing these “Mal Rous” sets nightmarish events in motion that threaten the entire town. The Mal Rouse were created by Jade and Ava’s grandfather by crossing plant DNA with human and animal DNA. Jaden is attacked and bitten by one of the animals, which causes her to begin to become evil like them. A local teenager, Bris, who has fallen hard for Jade, joins her and several others in an attempted to reverse the effects of the bite and destroy the creatures permanently. They search for the grandfather’s lab reports and seek help from three albino sisters. These triplets had been able to concoct antidotes for the Mal Rous bites and scratches when the evil beings were first created.
I never wanted to put this book down. The story was suspenseful and the writing imaginative. In Sweet Desire, Wicked Fate by Wray Ardan, Jaden and Bris are in many ways typical teenagers, but have been thrust into a life and death struggle. Bris, as Jade’s boyfriend, struggles with doing the right thing for her. Jaden realizes that teens, and even children in other parts of the world, are forced to grow up too early because of war and national disasters. This thought helps her accept her role in the disaster, and demonstrates real growth in character and maturity. The reader is inspired by the courage of the teens as they deal with their desperate circumstances.
In Sweet Desire, Wicked Fate by Wray Ardan, fifteen-year-old Jaden, her sister Ava, and their mother inherit a family mansion in Louisiana. The three travel there to spend the summer preparing the home for sale. Jaden happens upon an old, dilapidated building on the property and accidentally awakens some mutant creatures. Releasing these “Mal Rous” sets nightmarish events in motion that threaten the entire town. The Mal Rouse were created by Jade and Ava’s grandfather by crossing plant DNA with human and animal DNA. Jaden is attacked and bitten by one of the animals, which causes her to begin to become evil like them. A local teenager, Bris, who has fallen hard for Jade, joins her and several others in an attempted to reverse the effects of the bite and destroy the creatures permanently. They search for the grandfather’s lab reports and seek help from three albino sisters. These triplets had been able to concoct antidotes for the Mal Rous bites and scratches when the evil beings were first created.
I never wanted to put this book down. The story was suspenseful and the writing imaginative. In Sweet Desire, Wicked Fate by Wray Ardan, Jaden and Bris are in many ways typical teenagers, but have been thrust into a life and death struggle. Bris, as Jade’s boyfriend, struggles with doing the right thing for her. Jaden realizes that teens, and even children in other parts of the world, are forced to grow up too early because of war and national disasters. This thought helps her accept her role in the disaster, and demonstrates real growth in character and maturity. The reader is inspired by the courage of the teens as they deal with their desperate circumstances.
Recommend this book:
Remnants of the Damned
Abyssal Sanctuary #1
Gavin Hetherington
2014 Silver Medal
570 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite
Remnants of the Damned, the first book in the Abyssal Sanctuary series by Gavin Hetherington, takes place in a little eerie town called Lakefield View. Five friends and co-workers from Pandora Café are about to experience the worst 24 hours of their lives. It all starts when Tiffany’s sister is murdered right before their very eyes. Thinking that was the worst of it, Justin, Christina, Eric, Carmen, and Tiffany all go home and try to move on from the tragedy they just witnessed. Unfortunately, they each go through their own living nightmare. As they each struggle to survive and protect their loved ones, horrible secrets are revealed and puzzling mysteries get closer to being solved.
I will start by saying that Remnants of the Damned does not end with a nicely wrapped bow. There is pretty much no closure and readers are left with even more questions than answers. That being said, the huge cliffhanger had absolutely no negative effect on my feelings for this book; if anything, it made me even more intrigued and desperate to continue reading the series. New author Gavin Hetherington is such a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the book, we see things happen from different points of view. In each part of the book, more details emerge and readers get to see how these five friends are ultimately connected. Also, the plot was awesomely horrifying. There are some disgusting and disturbing scenes that will be ingrained in my brain for a very long time. It was unpredictable, completely memorable, and terrifying to the point where I had trouble sleeping, and I enjoyed it beyond words could describe. I will most definitely be keeping my eye on this author and the rest of this series.
Remnants of the Damned, the first book in the Abyssal Sanctuary series by Gavin Hetherington, takes place in a little eerie town called Lakefield View. Five friends and co-workers from Pandora Café are about to experience the worst 24 hours of their lives. It all starts when Tiffany’s sister is murdered right before their very eyes. Thinking that was the worst of it, Justin, Christina, Eric, Carmen, and Tiffany all go home and try to move on from the tragedy they just witnessed. Unfortunately, they each go through their own living nightmare. As they each struggle to survive and protect their loved ones, horrible secrets are revealed and puzzling mysteries get closer to being solved.
I will start by saying that Remnants of the Damned does not end with a nicely wrapped bow. There is pretty much no closure and readers are left with even more questions than answers. That being said, the huge cliffhanger had absolutely no negative effect on my feelings for this book; if anything, it made me even more intrigued and desperate to continue reading the series. New author Gavin Hetherington is such a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the book, we see things happen from different points of view. In each part of the book, more details emerge and readers get to see how these five friends are ultimately connected. Also, the plot was awesomely horrifying. There are some disgusting and disturbing scenes that will be ingrained in my brain for a very long time. It was unpredictable, completely memorable, and terrifying to the point where I had trouble sleeping, and I enjoyed it beyond words could describe. I will most definitely be keeping my eye on this author and the rest of this series.
Recommend this book:
Sanctuary
Pauline Creeden
2014 Gold Medal
266 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Pauline Creeden's Christian fantasy novel, Sanctuary, is the story of Jennie, a young woman whose plans to return to college for her sophomore year are abruptly shattered by her parents' decision to keep her close to them. While they have no problem with her attending a local college for the next year, they are adamant that the family should be kept together. Their reasons are clear, even to Jennie: the earth has been invaded by aliens -- at least the ship remains a fixture of the sky, silvery and spinning. The aliens seem to have done something to the sun, making it less powerful, and, even in August, the weather in Virginia where Jennie and her parents live, feels like late fall. Portions of the earth's water supply have also been contaminated, and many lives in other countries were lost as a result. It all seems distant somehow and not all that relevant to Jennie until later that day when an unusual vibration fills the air and she sees see strange lion-like dogs running through the yard. One attacks her mother, and the family rushes off to the hospital to have her injuries treated.
Sanctuary is a fast-paced Christian fantasy thriller that is original and quite entertaining. The story revolves around Jennie and her family, Pastor Billy and his wife, and two brothers who are polar opposites of each other. Each chapter is presented in the point of view of Jennie, Brad or Hugh (the brothers), which gives Pauline Creedon's Sanctuary, a multidimensional feel. The three different story-lines merge into a full-fledged fantasy/horror novel that never sags or lets up on the action.
While there are Christian themes present in Sanctuary, and Jennie's faith is an important part of who she is, I, a non-Christian, did not feel I was being preached to or proselytized. I recommend Pauline Creedon's Sanctuary -- it's well-written and a lot of fun to read.
Pauline Creeden's Christian fantasy novel, Sanctuary, is the story of Jennie, a young woman whose plans to return to college for her sophomore year are abruptly shattered by her parents' decision to keep her close to them. While they have no problem with her attending a local college for the next year, they are adamant that the family should be kept together. Their reasons are clear, even to Jennie: the earth has been invaded by aliens -- at least the ship remains a fixture of the sky, silvery and spinning. The aliens seem to have done something to the sun, making it less powerful, and, even in August, the weather in Virginia where Jennie and her parents live, feels like late fall. Portions of the earth's water supply have also been contaminated, and many lives in other countries were lost as a result. It all seems distant somehow and not all that relevant to Jennie until later that day when an unusual vibration fills the air and she sees see strange lion-like dogs running through the yard. One attacks her mother, and the family rushes off to the hospital to have her injuries treated.
Sanctuary is a fast-paced Christian fantasy thriller that is original and quite entertaining. The story revolves around Jennie and her family, Pastor Billy and his wife, and two brothers who are polar opposites of each other. Each chapter is presented in the point of view of Jennie, Brad or Hugh (the brothers), which gives Pauline Creedon's Sanctuary, a multidimensional feel. The three different story-lines merge into a full-fledged fantasy/horror novel that never sags or lets up on the action.
While there are Christian themes present in Sanctuary, and Jennie's faith is an important part of who she is, I, a non-Christian, did not feel I was being preached to or proselytized. I recommend Pauline Creedon's Sanctuary -- it's well-written and a lot of fun to read.
Recommend this book:
The Gift
Jonathan Lynch
2013 Silver Medal
308 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Horror
Reviewed by Danita Dyess for Readers' Favorite
If you could strike a deal that would make all your problems vanish overnight, wouldn't it? That is exactly what happens in the book “The Gift” by Jonathan Lynch. Michael, the main character, is a pimply-faced, thin, 17-year-old teenager struggling with the daily torment of bullying, poverty and adolescent angst. Better to just end it all, he decides. So, he gobbles a mixture of pills and a bottle of Merlot and waits for death. But it doesn’t come. Instead, Lorcien, a 6-foot, mystical man with long, black hair and a knack for transcending walls appears in his apartment. He explains how he interceded Michael’s suicide. He calls it a gift. But this bestowal exacts a price, of course. Can you ever reclaim your soul after you haplessly sold it?
This work of fiction has paranormal undertones; Lynch says he grew up reading Stephen King. This intriguing, fast-moving book requires reading some parts twice. I recognized the conflict of man versus himself and good versus evil. I enjoyed the small-town setting and I appreciated the overall simplicity, that is, a teenage boy with an age old problem. Indeed, the birth of Lynch’s son inspired this novel. But his masterful narrative technique has made the plot more complex. He is skilled at writing in a conversational tone. He understands the importance of details that help the reader relate to the character. I will read his other book, “Dead Business.” “The Gift” is highly recommended.
If you could strike a deal that would make all your problems vanish overnight, wouldn't it? That is exactly what happens in the book “The Gift” by Jonathan Lynch. Michael, the main character, is a pimply-faced, thin, 17-year-old teenager struggling with the daily torment of bullying, poverty and adolescent angst. Better to just end it all, he decides. So, he gobbles a mixture of pills and a bottle of Merlot and waits for death. But it doesn’t come. Instead, Lorcien, a 6-foot, mystical man with long, black hair and a knack for transcending walls appears in his apartment. He explains how he interceded Michael’s suicide. He calls it a gift. But this bestowal exacts a price, of course. Can you ever reclaim your soul after you haplessly sold it?
This work of fiction has paranormal undertones; Lynch says he grew up reading Stephen King. This intriguing, fast-moving book requires reading some parts twice. I recognized the conflict of man versus himself and good versus evil. I enjoyed the small-town setting and I appreciated the overall simplicity, that is, a teenage boy with an age old problem. Indeed, the birth of Lynch’s son inspired this novel. But his masterful narrative technique has made the plot more complex. He is skilled at writing in a conversational tone. He understands the importance of details that help the reader relate to the character. I will read his other book, “Dead Business.” “The Gift” is highly recommended.
Contact Author -
