Book Review: The Boy in the Walls by Anthony Redden

Summary:

When Edward Greyson found himself invited to join the finest occult society of the nineteenth century, he undertakes the initiation with relish. However, nothing had prepared him for the horrors he would unveil at Blackwood Hall. What is the true source of the ghostly disturbances at the old orphanage, and just who is the boy in the walls?

Written in 2019 as part of a project addressing the lack of representation for people with disabilities in mainstream fiction, The Boy in the Walls is a Victorian ghost story that attempts to entertain, intrigue and educate.

Amazon

Review:

I have been very torn on this story. The first half of the story had clumsy writing and long passaged that dumped information. It took too long to establish the setting and I still wasn’t 100% sure on the era. It made for a rocky start. That being said once the story and writing finds its stride and shines. When the ghost story and mystery wrap up, it was predictable but had another layer to the story and twist that made it more enjoyable. Overall an enjoyable short story ghost story that is worth the read, if nothing else then for the fascinating conclusion. I would read more by this author and hope to based on the potential behind this story!

Rating:

3.5 (rounded up)

Fantastic plot, okay characters, an underdeveloped setting, and an unrefined writing style. At the heart of it is a ghost story that’s well worth the read.

Tiny Wholesome Tales by Prateek Agrawal

Summary

In our everyday life, the tiniest of things can make the grandest of impact.

In Tiny Wholesome Tales, Prateek Agrawal delves into more than 160 feel-good tales of kindness, humor, friendship, love, and happiness. Experience life from the perspective of men, women and children from around the world, collecting joyous moments in their day-to-day lives.

Vivid and amusing illustrations accompany the tales.

Amazon

Overall

The stories were tiny – some a sentence and some more than a page. Most falling in between those extremes. The writing was easy to follow and the pictures along with them were cute additions. It felt like the author just wanted to spread happiness and that wholesome message was welcome. Some of them did feel two short – leaving me wanting more – but thankfully it was quickly onto the next one with curiosity. I even enjoyed some use of language and phrases that I wasn’t familiar with – such as having a ‘gala time.’

The only problem I had was origin. Many of these stories I’ve seen displayed across the internet for public consumption. This devalued the other stories in my mind because they weren’t original stories the author had collected personally. Instead many of them felt like they’d been plucked from the internet and tossed in. I would hope for original fictional tales or non-fiction tales with references to their origin. Unless that was exactly the source – the internet – in which case it would have been nice to know that.

Rating

3.5 stars (rounded up)

Enjoyable but not necessarily original tales by the author. A collection of stories that may take you a trip down memory lane.

The Legend of Skaluni by Bruce E Arrington

Summary

Skaluni, an archetypal outsider with unusual powers, comes of age in his village. He becomes someone the villagers never would have expected, and though he faces constant rejection, he chooses to put others before himself, with increasingly fantastic results. But with the end of the world at hand, will he use his ability to help in time of great need?

Amazon

Overall

This short story was so richly written it was easy to enjoy in one sitting. The creativity and modern day quandaries were not hard to miss. The underlying tone and unique setting made it feel like a lost mythology. This has a coming of age story mixed with adopted family themes. The main character, Skaluni, is a powerful but outcast character whose charm is in his boyish desires. He wants to fit in but eventually realizes he just wants to belong – even if it is with Kalaj his caretaker.

Overall a fantastic little read with an unexpected but not unpredictable ending.

Rating

5 stars

Well worth the time and the read. I thoroughly enjoyed this little mythic fantasy. If there was more, I’d certainly read it.

Where did I get it?

Author sent me a copy – this honest review is voluntary.

Raavana’s Daughter by Nadishka Aloysius

Summary

Sita Devi, the wife of Lord Rama has been abducted by the Demon King Raavana. Hanuman, the Ape hero, is tasked with building a bridge to facilitate the invasion of Lanka. The expedition is however brought to a halt by the workings of the Mer-People who inhabit the Indian Ocean. Will Hanuman be able to overcome their enchantments and complete his task? Who is the mysterious Mer-Queen? What part has she to play in this epic war? Is all fair in love and war?

Taking inspiration from the Ramakien the Thai version of the Hindu tale this story will take you into the heart of the epic conflict.

Discover the characters of the Ramayana retold as never before.

Amazon

Overall

This follows the story of Hanuman, an Apeman, who is a general of Lord Rama’s army. He has some interesting visions and adventures trying to get across the water to the land in order to defeat the Demon King Raavana. With fantastical scenes and vivid imagery, this story will sweep you up in its tale. From Gods to Mermaids, follow Hanuman on what I hope is the first installment of a serious of Asian Mythology stories. It can be predictable but that doesn’t detract from the overall story. The dialogue can be stilted in places but overall the writing is enjoyable. If only the ending wouldn’t have been so abrupt! It just means there better be more in the future!

Rating

4 Stars

A fantastical tale that feels like a fairy-tale that draws you in to the point that the abrupt ending is disappointing!

This is a voluntary review.

Manic Sonata Movement I by Justin Bohardt

Summary

Gaius Julius Mahler is a thirty year old bipolar pianist who exists in three states: Mania- when he is possessed of enough energy to stay awake for five straight days, playing piano, getting high, and finding unprotected sex in any location he can get it; Depression- where he wallows in his old familiar friend pathos and allows himself to be weighed down by his parents’ suicides, the miseries of his own failings, and the iniquities done unto him; and the Middle- that purgatory known as Des Moines where he is capable enough of function, but is buried under enough phobias and anxieties to leave him socially crippled. His roommate is the ghost of Ludwig van Beethoven, and he is quite aware that it is a hallucination, but he finds Ludwig’s presence rather comforting even though the composer is often quite annoying.

Gaius is currently in the middle, waiting to see which direction the conductor will send him next: an accellerando to mania or a diminuendo to depression, when his few friends give him an odd impetus to head out and socialize. Certain that any societal contact will send him spiraling into a depression (and seeing nothing wrong with that- the middle can be awfully tiresome), he instead meets a girl named Lenore and goes on a manic trip through a night of zombie waiters, sentient hamburgers, stormtroopers in ambulances, shifts in planetary gravity, Papageno from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and the moon, which he stole from the night sky.

Amazon

Overall

I’d like to start by saying the story surprised me. Mostly because going into I wasn’t sure how all of the pieces were going to fit into the overall puzzle. After a bit of a rocky start, the story picks up pace and goes into overdrive. Gauis is a sort of sad character but he endears himself to you somehow. Especially after he meets Lenore. It is an odd but interesting story. Melding music with mental illness. Not to mention if breaks the fourth wall. It made me laugh out loud a few times. As the first installment of this dark comedy, it finishes with a bit of a non-ending, but I’d be interesting in reading the next one. An intellectual read with a trippy feel.

Rating

4 stars

A dark comedy that after a confusing start evens out and takes you on one wild ride!

Where did I get a copy?

From the author. This is a voluntary review.

Symbiont Dawn by R. Leib

Summary

Robert Breslawn was a modern man, a man of urban mediocrity, but a desire for so much more roiled within him. He took a trek into the country side, in the hope of finding something special within himself there. Instead something special found him, and he was changed in ways no one could have ever imagined.

Overall

This short story reads like a quick fairy-tale. It has the lesson (don’t do the thing or something bad will happen) which of course our protagonist ignores. The beginning is a confusing cloud of information that are like scattered pieces of a puzzle. As the story progresses the pieces fall into place and becomes very interesting. It can easily be read in one sitting. I loved the descriptions and playfulness of the story. The author paints vivid pictures that are intriguing and easy to follow. Overall a worthwhile read.

Rating

4 stars

You need a short story with a unique fairy-tale feeling story? Read this one.

Where did I get a copy?

Author provided me with copy. This is a voluntary review.

Eating Crow by J.D. Buffington

Summary

Kidnapped, bound, and nearly starved, I am forced to watch the torture and murder of an endless parade of innocent victims. What is this murderer after? Why won’t he just kill me and be done with it? How can I ever get out of this nightmare?

Overall

This short story is hair raising. The story doesn’t wait a minute but throws you into the deep end head first. It is dark and twisted. The main character is caught up in a terrible delusion (or is it?) of a killer. He kills without hesitation to prove a point. See it from the victims point of view. What an excellently chilling piece. Easy to read in one sitting and would make a great intro for a bigger series. Won’t say anymore for the risk of giving it away – well worth the time!

Rating

4 Stars

Chilling! If you love horror and want a quick thrill before bed – this is it!

Where did I get it?

Received a free copy from the author. This is a voluntary review.

I Once Was Lost, But Now I’m Found: Daisy and the Olympic Animal Sanctuary Rescue by Laura Koerber

Summary

On the far side of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, halfway between the mountains and the ocean, stands the little town of Forks. In that town, in a quiet neighborhood of modest homes and shabby businesses, there remains a dilapidated pink warehouse.

Packed inside that warehouse, living in deplorable conditions, were once over 120 dogs. Some of the dogs were kept in crates piled high on shelves, arranged in rows along the walls, and shoved into corners behind heaps of garbage and urine-saturated straw. Some of the dogs were confined to wire-sided or glassed-in kennels. One was kept in an old horse trailer. Dead ones were stored in a cooler.

In one of the crates was a black dog named Daisy. This is her story.

Overall

This is a harrowing tale of tragedy that could have been avoided. It educates the reader in addition to telling a story. If you love animals this will hit home – if you are human, this will be eye opening and heartbreaking. The narration was interesting and easy to follow. There were sections of supposition that felt unnecessary and undercut the strength of the story. It was smart to focus on one dog over others, it added an extra layer. Adding to the fact that the author was a small part of the protest and followed the story, that you could feel the passion.

This isn’t just a story about the pets though, it is also about the people. The fact that a few people who were seriously concerned got together and eventually made a difference. I don’t want to ruin the story but some do see a happy ending – which brings an overall positive dynamic to the story. Well worth the read!

Rating

4 Stars

If you like non-fiction books, especially about pets, this is a great read!

Where did I get it?

The author gifted me a kindle copy.

 

 

 

 

Gabriel’s Send-Off by Elle Danielson

**Contains Adult Content**

Summary:

Practically every woman at Klingman and Landis Accounting has a crush on their office manager Gabriel. He’s thoughtful, honest, and fills out a business suit like a GQ model. Of course there are strict policies against hooking up with the boss, but when Gabe announces he’s leaving the company, a few of his most ardent devotees come up with a plan to show him their appreciation. Will their beloved supervisor take them up on their offer?

Overall

This was an erotica with a sweet vein. I have too say there are two redeeming factors in this book – the main guy, Gabriel, seems like a genuinely nice guy and the steamy scenes were very sexy. There was a sweetness to them mixed with the hotness. Although there were a few words used that were more crude and disrupted the flow, there weren’t many of them.

It is fast paced and easy to read in one sitting. There were a few character inconsistencies that weren’t logical, but for the genre it wasn’t the focus. I was surprised at the depth of character development and it brought an extra layer to the story. The biggest drawback was the story felt like it rushed to be something that didn’t fit quite right. Although it was cute it was also very impulsive.

Rating

3. 5 stars (rounded up)

I have to round this up just for how sweet Gabe was. He really did feel like a nice guy. Drawbacks aside this was a cute short read with just the right amount of steam.

Where did I get it?

Picked up a copy on Amazon.

Eyesha and The Great Elephant Gathering by Nadishka Aloysius

Summary:

Eyesha the baby elephant visits the Minneriya Tank with her family for the first time to experience the annual Great Gathering. Curious and adventurous, she makes new friends – but will she be able to stay out of trouble?

Overall:

This is just too cute! A sweet short story about a young elephant who is spunky and curious. I read it in one sitting! I loved the subtle information drops about elephants and how they are. Good for reading to younger kids. It also contains a lot of useful information at the end that was just as fun to read as the story.

Rating

4 stars

This is an adorable little read. If you love elephants and your children do, this is a great read before bed.

Where did I get it?

Author gifted a copy to me.