dark fantasy

Book Review: Development by Henry Bassett

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Barney has been brought up under the watchful eye of humans, known as the Johnsons, where he has found a peacefully tolerable existence. Turmoil in the family pushes him out into the town which took the place of the forest that once stood before it. Darkness envelops him as he experiences humans who are less favourable of bears whilst he attempts to latch on to hope of his former way of life. 

Pre-order on Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Development is the second story in the series The Black Bear Brotherhood. Humans took over the bears’ planet in Arrival when Barney was just a cub. Now, Barney is grown and bears are the humans’ slaves. Barney doesn’t seem to remember freedom and accepts his place in this world. The way the bears are treated breaks my heart because most of them are treated poorly. They are considered property, not equals.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and I’m hoping the bears rebel. The only thing I don’t like about these stories is that they’re so short. I would prefer all of them in one book.

About the Author

Henry Bassett is an ebook writer first published in early 2019 with The Dead Chronicles of Martha Railer series; a supernatural urban dark fantasy which comprises of six instalments. He went on to write dark fantasy one-offs and, at this time, is working on a new dark fantasy series The Black Bear Brotherhood.

Website: Henry Bassett (wordpress.com)

Book Review: Arrival by Henry Bassett

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A bear, known only as Caver, recounts when his planet was covered in nature and not yet tainted by human touch. Since then, humans have branched out from another world and enveloped his planet. The differences between the two species result in an atmosphere of fear which rips apart the old way of life and enforces the creation of an apparently more civilised one. However, how much will be lost in the process?

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Arrival is the first story in the series The Black Bear Brotherhood. Although it’s short, it’s interesting. Caver is a bear whose planet is invaded by humans. As he works as their slave, he remembers when they first arrived. Both in the past and currently, some of what Caver sees is confusing, but it’s realistic since it’s from his point of view, and he can’t understand what he calls are our “screeches.”

This is a sad but true look at the way we would probably be perceived if we arrived on a planet. Arrival was too short and left me wanting more. Thankfully, I have the next installment to read, and it’s a little longer.

About the Author

Henry Bassett is an ebook writer first published in early 2019 with The Dead Chronicles of Martha Railer series; a supernatural urban dark fantasy which comprises of six instalments. He went on to write dark fantasy one-offs and, at this time, is working on a new dark fantasy series The Black Bear Brotherhood.

Website: Henry Bassett (wordpress.com)

Book Review: The Demon Within (Last War, Book I) by Josh Gagnier

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Demon Within by Josh Gagnier

Publisher: PorterMouth (Dec 18, 2016)
Category: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Tour dates: Mar & Apr, 2018
ISBN:  978-1520103358
Available in Print & ebook,  210 pages

Demon Within

 

Joe grew up listening to the voice in his head. It helped him through school, helped him gain wealth in his career.

The final temptation of power was too much. He hadn’t considered the cost.

Now he must find a way to defeat The Demon Within.

Little does he know, his every move is being recorded. Every misstep is being judged. As he gets ever closer to winning over his demon, heavenly eyes watch from above. Some root for his success while others hope he’ll fail.

While Joe fights his demon on the battlefront, the angel Michael fights for his Soul.

Will Joe win out? Will Michael be able to save Joe’s soul?

Or will the Demon win and thrust Joe into the Abyss.

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Book Review by Laura R.

‘The Demon Within’ sucked me in from page one in the prologue!  It is a courtroom scene, one the likes I have never witnessed.  It is a court that tries souls.  In this case, it is the soul of Joe.  Will he be sent to paradise?

This is a unique story of Good versus Evil. Joe has had a voice in his head for as long as he can remember.  He has relied on the voice his entire life and it helped him achieve wealth.  However, he does have demons and one may possibly be the voice he has always relied on.  Little does he know, his every move is being studied by a court in the great beyond.  His one defendant is an angel named Michael.

Josh Gagnier brings a fresh perspective on the old theme of good versus evil.  His writing transports the reader into the story to witness what happens first hand.  His characters are well drawn out.  If you enjoy dark fantasy, ‘The Demon Within’ is a must-read.  I give it 5 big stars!

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Other Praise for The Demon Within

“This author is amazingly talented, quite honestly the Dan Brown of the Dark Urban Fantasy genre. This is a book that will hook you in and you will find it very difficult to put down. I read this book in one sitting, it was that well written. I highly recommend this book. And I can’t wait for the next one!”- Andrew T., Reviewer

“The Demon Within is an outstanding read. It is a dark fantasy that will take you through twists and turns and keep you guess the whole way. The writer did a fantastic job with the creativity and complexity of the story line as well with the characters. You will not be disappointed!”- Nick Barth, Reviewer

“This book is amazing. The author has a way with words, his twists and turns keep you hooked. I couldn’t put it down. Waiting for part two, I see this as the door way into the fantasy realm!”- Andy Burk, Reviewer

“The Demon Within opens with an interesting twist on the ideas of Creation, God, Angels and Demons. It then morphs into what at first seems to be a courtroom drama – Defense and Prosecution “ministers” arguing based on a Soul’s actions to decide if that Soul is worthy of Heaven, while a Judge rules based on their arguments. The book evolves again as we delve deeper into the life and actions of the Soul in question, going back and forth between the actions and the court. The switches between each setting are very well done, and you never lose a sense of continuity. Each chapter builds on the last, leading to several INSANE revelations, and leaving you begging for more. The cliffhanger at the end makes you want to choke the author…or go all Dolores Claiborne on him until he writes the sequel (Hurry up, already!!!) A great read, and one which I will return to several times, in case I missed anything. I read this book in just a couple of sittings. The only reason it wasn’t a single sitting is that I had to go to work.”- Tommy Watson, Reviewer

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About the Author

Demon Within by Josh Gagnier

Josh has had a knack for writing from a young age; mostly poetry.  The Demon Within is his debut novel and, according to Josh, nearly wrote itself.  He is a US Army veteran and has been deployed to the Balkans and Middle East.  He has been an IT professional for about a decade.
Many of the events in The Demon Within were taken from Josh’s life and “put through the fiction blender” as he puts it.  When pressed for more details, he said he couldn’t give specifics for fear of “giving spoilers,” but, he did say the book includes fictional spins on things ranging from childhood bullying to being placed in the Las Vegas foster care system.
He currently lives in Columbus OH with his family and is working on book two of his ‘The Last War’ series.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshgagnierauthor/

 

Buy Demon Within by Josh Gagnier: Amazon

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Audiobook Review & Giveaway: Whiskey Witches by S.M. Blooding

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Author: S.M. Blooding

Narrator: Kalinda Little

Series: Whiskey Witches, Book 1

Length: 12 hours 15 minutes

Publisher: Whistling Book Press

Released: March 4, 2017

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

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Detective Paige Whiskey comes from a long line of witches. They may not all be the most powerful, but they are outspoken and supportive of their community. She alone has no gifts. She can’t summon fire, can’t read minds. She knows the arcane. She’s studied it. That, along with her connection to the Whiskey Witches, lands her some pretty strange cases.

Like the sacrificial murders of St. Francisville, Louisiana. There’s a killer on the loose, choosing people in a vain attempt to raise a demon. Not just any demon, though. A man born long ago, made a demon in order to protect the Gate to Hell.

Together with demon hunter, Dexx Colt, her kitchen-witch grandmother, and her paranormal investigator brother-in-law, they unravel a conspiracy far bigger than a few simple murders, and re-discover Paige’s gift.

She’s a demon summoner and she’s key to the killer’s plan.

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Frankie lives in beautiful Montana with her Darling Dork, his two part-time girls, and their cat, Tesla. She enjoys creating with her wonderful husband, doing everything from crochet, to sewing, to art, and, of course, writing. She’s lived a pretty colorful life, giving breath to her stories.

She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers, U.S. Government assassins, and slingshot terrorist. No. She is not kidding.

Website⎮Facebook⎮Twitter⎮Pinterest

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Narrator Bio

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Kalinda Little is a 28 year old web developer who started playing around with audio and never stopped. Currently based out of Portland Oregon, she has spent time all up and down the West Coast, including several years is Ashland where she worked backstage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She is a chapter leader for the Nine Bridges Writers, a nonprofit that aims to assist and support writers in all genres, by providing resources and critique.

While she only started recording professionally in April of 2016, she had over two hundred hours of amature recording and editing available before that point. To date, she has narrated 27 books, with another 3 set to come out before the end of 2017.

Facebook⎮Twitter

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I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by S.M. Blooding. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

When I decided to listen to this book I had no idea how dark it would be. I usually try to avoid dark fantasies because I prefer to read more positive novels. After a few minutes, I started wondering what I’d gotten myself into but I ended up liking it. There are some books that are better read and some that are better listened to, and I think I would have liked Whisky Witches even more if I’d read it.

Paige is smart and independent but broken. The problem is that she didn’t even know it because her memory of the last few years was erased by her family “for her own good.” They’re scared of her powers because she’s a demon summoner. Now that she has her memory back, she has terrible memories to deal with besides trying to find a killer and trying to keep herself and others safe from demons and angels. 

When I heard that Paige was a demon summoner, it made me wonder about her, but once I learned about this world’s demons and angels, a demon summoner didn’t sound so bad. Paige’s nonbelief in God and the way angels are portrayed may bother some readers. 

Kalinda Little does a good job narrating. She has good timing and inflection and I was able to follow the different characters by the changes in her voice.

Whisky Witches is a mostly dark supernatural adventure but it did make me laugh once or twice and there’s this sexual tension between Paige and Dexx that will hopefully be explored more in the next novel which I’ll be listening to soon. I’m looking forward to learning what happens next with Paige. Continue reading →