Excellent little supernatural read
932501
Excellent little supernatural read. It's a bout time travel, but if you like tht sort of thing, then it's surprisingly charming, and full of wit,
1051492
This story was more like short stories spanning several decades. You are introduce to the agents of the BSI, a special does not exist branch of government, that investigate supernatural crimes and the Immortals, who watch and govern when needed. Very well written and interesting storylines! The characters are interesting and I want to learn more. Each mini story takes place in a different decade.
  I enjoyed this book and it is one of the series. I will be reading the rest of them. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the paranormal and maybe even a little romance. Definitely some violence and action, but I found nothing offensive. I truly enjoyed!
Thank you for the adventures, I had fun!
3407979
Loved this short story! If Lovecraft had grown up on a rural farm, I believe this is what would have been produced.
Though not exactly cosmic in scope, dealing with an ancient god who requires blood sacrifice to make crops grow isn't exactly your typical horror tale, either.
I loved the mention of Lovecraft and Chambers, and how their works affected the old farmer. I want to know more about his little collection of esoteric books that gives his wife the heebie-jeebies. And I would love to know how those Ah-Tzenul Jack-o'-lanterns  turned out for Halloween.
I want to read more about Clifton Heights and it's creepy goings-on.
Well done, Mr. Lucia. 4 1/2 stars.
2035403
I really have no interest in occult-style horror novels, but a friend DEMANDED that I read it, and I'm quite glad I did.  The characterization is outstanding and the pace is just right.  Looking forward to a sequel!
2910621
What a great little ghost story. Told from alternating points of view, it really does a lovely job of getting us into the minds of two believable, relatable tweens, Corey and Pepper. They are both coping with loss and grief and circumstances beyond their control have left each of them alone in their own way. Their struggles and emotions feel real, and the unlikely friendship they form is one-of-a-kind. What I loved most about this middle grade paranormal is that it had the supernatural element without getting creepy and gory and nightmarish. You still get shivers and "woah, that was weird" moments, but I doubt any young reader would be traumatized by anything. I'm glad this is going to be a series because Pepper is a keeper.

It reminded me a little of Avi's "Something Upstairs", so it's in good company.
2194385
I enjoyed this immensely and plan to read the sequel.  I highly recommend it, if you like the supernatural and suspense.  Ms. Olson has create a lovely mythology that is consistent throughout the story.  Enjoy
2250343
YA, especially YA Paranormal, is one of the genres that tends to be either very good or very bad. In spite of a few small issues I very much enjoyed this YA paranormal by Wendi Wilson.
I found the teenage characters believable, the relationship and dialogue between Melanie and her best friend Tara in particular seemed especially strong. The main characters felt like real people and I found Melanie's journey from self-loathing to strength, with the support of her mother, best friend and handsome new boyfriend, quite delightful.
The plot is somewhat predictable but the story is well written, and because of the strength of the characters, the predictability doesn't detract from an entertaining read. The pace varies enormously, it's mostly just right for the story but it does feel a little sluggish in parts, Melanie's insistence on doubting herself and in particular doubting Jeremy's feelings for her do become the tiniest bit repetitive.
I've become accustomed to YA books in the first person, this is written in the third person, but with a strong narrative voice. The character of Melanie is detailed quite quickly and held consistently to the end of the story. The ending is great  it's a bit of a cliffhanger and I'm sure it leads nicely into the next book  but Melanie's biggest problem is neatly resolved.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who enjoys YA paranormal reads.
1811129
This is an excellent start to a new series blending mystery and the supernatural. The characters are well developed, the plot is fluid and coherent and the ending is well developed. The book stands alone while allowing for ongoing stories. I fully recommend this book and look forward to the next volume. If you wonder why 4 instead of 5 stars, I reserve a star for the great books .
2215559
You don't have to fully believe in ghosts, vampires and such to appreciate this book although you probably would not have picked it up unless you had some interest in the possibility of other dimensions. It is well written and totally believable from start to finish. Autumn has, indeed, had some strange events happen to her over her 27 years most of which she just decided not to think about because as a child she did not understand them. The major one being the total disappearance of her sister Cassie when Autumn was only 15. But there are many people who have disappeared and were never heard of again no matter how thorough police searches have been.
Now we find her as a widow whose husband was killed in a car accident they were in. She has spent a year unable to face that reality, drinking too much and living her life holed up in her apartment. But she begins to see beings that cannot be there. A ghost? No. This being says she is NOT dead. Someone stole her body. Unbelievable to Autumn. As the story enfolds, she sees other strange beings, meets Ian who has also had someone go missing in his life. Together they face some pretty odd situations which actually, as explained by the author, are quite believable. .Even the existence of vampires (which I never thought I'd be able to believe in). Apparently in a parallel dimension there is a place called Vamanec P'yrinn from which come Vamanec P'yrinn (shorten to vampires) who's ancestors used to drink blood but who do not anymore. They are part of the magical, demon, spirit world that Autumn is embroiled in.
 You've got to read this. It is quite a good book. I was given a copy to review.and once I began page 1 that was it for me doing anything else until I finished. Book 2 cannot come soon enough.
3806798
Spiritwood earned five stars not because it is flawless, but because it is an entertaining, satisfying read.

George Wise is reminiscent of author Bentley Little in his introduction of supernatural horror into the everyday familiar. Artist Jed Guinness escapes Chicago for rural Wisconsin. The town of Spiritwood is familiar to anyone  who has lived in small town USA, but is the unique and rich characters that really bring this story to life. Flawed heroes strive against villains who are horrific before they have a supernatural reason to be so. If you don't see yourself in one or more of each you're not looking.

The plot unfolds quickly. It takes unexpected turns that will help and hinder hero and villain alike. There is a particular scene set in a blacked-out hospital that terrified me even as I sat warm and safe at home. The ending is satisfying and not what I thought I saw coming. I like that plans are made, then changed on the fly due to the actions of the opposition. This is true for thee bad guys as well as the good!

Mr. Wise's voice is friendly and accessible, even as he's taking you through Hell.

I highly recommend this book and will purchase other products from this author. If you are looking for an entertaining read, taking you from the familiar to Hell and back, accompanied by a variety of unique heroes and villains, you should give Spiritwood a chance.
682369
Good read. My last experience with a "Bram Stoker Award Winner" left me a little leery, but I'm glad I took the chance on this book. The author has serious talent, able to give you pretty near the perfect short story in a limited amount of pages. I loved his pacing, his descriptions, and the tension he was able to ratchet up so quickly.

The only thing I didn't like was the predictability. I won't say much for fear of 'spoiling' it for anyone, but if you've read any amount of horror involving little kids, you've probably read some version of this plot at least a handful of times.

Still, its a good read and has me interested in reading more in the series. Bite-sized horror stories you can read over lunch are a delight.
2906203
I got hooked on reading books by Dean Koontz back in '92, and while I stumbled across a small sci-fi book called "Star Blood", he really excels with supernatural thrillers.

As far as this book goes, his character descriptions and development are incredible - you feel like you know each of the characters in the book. More, he goes to great lengths to try to explain some of the mystifying supernatural events - putting it in ways that makes the fantastic seem more plausible and mundane. He does a great job in tying in central characters (I often found myself skipping ahead a few pages to find out what happened to that particular character next...and then had to stop myself and go back to where I just left off, knowing that I could miss something important) and finds ways of making subtle ideas and clues develop into key points (if I said too much on this it'd ruin the story for you!).

Perhaps the best part though, is his descriptive style which draws you in, perhaps a little slowly in the first few pages, but then gathers speed - you get an ever-increasing sense of doom, and towards the end, you can't turn the pages fast enough or put the book down.

An excellent book, and one which I would thoroughly recommend.
1278212
REVIEW: THE ABANDONED ORPHANAGE by John Carter

I leaped at this title and description and was not disappointed. The author did a fine job of relating and contrasting a historical period (1910-1943) with contemporary time, in a quiet small community in Illinois, a community mainly distinguished by the number of disappearances, both children and adult. This is a spooky supernatural, with that wonderful implacability essential for horror. Sensitive souls may find it disturbing due to historical child abuse.
I rated it 4 rather than 5 due to a need for proofreading for spelling and grammar.

I read this via Kindle Unlimited
2676590
I loved this book. It was a very easy read, and had a warm undertone. The references to other works allows one to look further into the history of these subjects. It touched upon many phenomenoms that those that believe in the supernatural love to read about. I also enjoyed how the author prefaced upcoming chapters. It made me look forward to reading the next chapter. This should be a text book in a college that offers courses on the supernatural.
3765368
This book is surprisingly good.  I didn't expect a lot from a book based on a TV show, but the story is very interesting and the characterization of the main two characters is true to the show.  Good read, good fun.  It probably wouldn't be very good to someone who didn't watch Supernatural though.
396750
I Love the Supernatural. This book has that X3. If you like a little romance with you're story this ones for you. The characters in the book at times get somewhat complex. It had just enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages. The last Book of the First 3, leaves you wanting more. I will purchase the other books in the series. It was nice to be able to enjoy the first 3 books free. I did really Like this Authors style of writing. I hate to start reading a book, to find the Author doesn't know when to end a chapter. Some will agree on this.
4198212
Upon picking up this book, I was unsure as to whether I would enjoy it or not. I'd read some of Neil's short stories and really liked them, but I wasn't sure what this book was really about. Needless to say, my fear was extinguished when I began reading.
The book follows a young boy who meets a girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her eccentric family. They hit it off, but things take a turn for the worse when he and Leftie unleash something ancient.
The book brought up many interesting concepts, and reminded me a lot of "A Wrinkle in Time." The characters are strangely developed in that you get a sense that the Hempstocks are almost infinitely wise, and full of secrets. And while they're distinguishable at first, nothing really changes about their personality, and they actually begin to bleed into one another's personalities. Juxtaposed to the mundane family belonging to the main character, which is touched upon, but is always in the background. The majority of the developing was done by the main character. He goes from your average seven-year old bookworm kid to a man whose very sense of purpose is put on the line. The book felt short (but that could be because I tore through it!) but it was a great experience while it lasted. I am looking forward to reading more works by Neil Gaiman.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for either a good, quick read that has a lot of substance to it, or somebody who is looking for a good supernatural fiction book.