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A Silence Kept
Manhattan-based Mikal Gray rents a summer getaway and discovers there's already someone in residence: a very persistent ghost. His friend, Alice, sends help in the form of a sexy ghost hunter named Seth. Together, they unravel the mystery behind the haunting and discover the heart always searches for what it needs...and often finds it.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2011
79 people want to read
About the author
Theo Fenraven
32 books75 followersTheo Fenraven happily lives in south Florida, where it is hot and sunny much of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 17, 2014
Lovely, oh so lovely!
Perfect story telling of love, of hope, of helpfulness, of change, and regrets. I laughed, I had frissons, I was sad, I cried and had this warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a good, well-told tale.
Shades of the Ghost and Mrs. Muir...
Perfect story telling of love, of hope, of helpfulness, of change, and regrets. I laughed, I had frissons, I was sad, I cried and had this warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a good, well-told tale.
Shades of the Ghost and Mrs. Muir...
October 25, 2011
This is one of the best ghost romance I've read in M/M genre. The story itself is standard. A man rent a haunted house and hires a ghost buster to deal with the ghost. What's amazing about this book is it's quite short but we get to know a lot about the ghost, and also the MC, especially Mikal who just broke up with his cheating boyfriend. The ghostbuster, Seth, is not as developed as other characters, but it's still good. The one that we know the best actually is the ghost himself...
December 26, 2011
Very good short paranormal m/m romance about a guy who rents a place a bit off the beaten path for his summer weekend getaway after he catches his boyfriend cheating on him. He doesn't really believe the place is haunted... at first.
February 20, 2013
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
Mikal has just had his heart broken by his cheating boyfriend and doesn't want to deal with the Fire Island scene this summer. Still wanting a weekend escape from Manhattan's summer heat, he finds a rental in N. Y. state. The house is beautiful but it already has an occupant, the ghost of the first owner, Thomas. Mikal's best friend puts him in touch with a hot ghost chaser, Seth, and things start heating up in the house.
Mr. Fenraven has the innate ability to drop the reader right into the center of his stories. Told from Mikal's POV, I found myself feeling the hurt of his recent break up to his utter despair over Thomas's situation. The characters are rich, real and well developed. The political and societal message that the GLBT community needs to be totally accepted was beautifully illustrated by Thomas's tragic life and death. I was glad to see that Thomas had one moment of true happiness in being himself. The movements from the past with the diary to the present with Mikal and Seth's budding romance flowed well. Due to be released on March 1,this charming short ghost story is guaranteed to leave any fan of the paranormal smiling and feeling good.
Mikal has just had his heart broken by his cheating boyfriend and doesn't want to deal with the Fire Island scene this summer. Still wanting a weekend escape from Manhattan's summer heat, he finds a rental in N. Y. state. The house is beautiful but it already has an occupant, the ghost of the first owner, Thomas. Mikal's best friend puts him in touch with a hot ghost chaser, Seth, and things start heating up in the house.
Mr. Fenraven has the innate ability to drop the reader right into the center of his stories. Told from Mikal's POV, I found myself feeling the hurt of his recent break up to his utter despair over Thomas's situation. The characters are rich, real and well developed. The political and societal message that the GLBT community needs to be totally accepted was beautifully illustrated by Thomas's tragic life and death. I was glad to see that Thomas had one moment of true happiness in being himself. The movements from the past with the diary to the present with Mikal and Seth's budding romance flowed well. Due to be released on March 1,this charming short ghost story is guaranteed to leave any fan of the paranormal smiling and feeling good.
January 23, 2012
I'm a sucker for ghost stories and this is a nice one. A very likeable MC narrator, an interesting ghost and a warm developing relationship make this story well worth reading.
July 8, 2013
Really getting into my ghost stories at the minute
. This was a cute one with 2 likeable MC's, currently unemployed and single Mikal and Ghost Hunter Seth, set in the Hudson Valley north of NYC, and an area I love, scenery is gorgeous. It was quite a short but ultimately sad tale, and I felt really sorry for the ghost (stupid woman
!). Theo's writing as usual was spot-on, and of course there was a kick-ass best (girl) friend. 4 stars.
October 3, 2015
2.5 stars rounded up because of inclusivity. Theo did a great job of considering people of different colors and creeds, something rare in M/M romance. I didn't think it was very well written, something was just missing. Maybe it would have been better if it were longer. I think there's potential here, but this one wasn't quite there.
March 14, 2016
Ghost stories not the usual for me but from the few that I have read this is one of the even fewer that I was glad to have read. Very well written and very well edited. The story held my interest from start to finish, I was involved with the events around Thomas, who was the ghost. His story was tragic and tugged at my heartstrings.
Then there were the MC's, the live ones. Mikal running away from a failed relationship and looking for peace and quiet only to find a haunted house and Seth the ghost hunter. The attraction between these two struck me as being more of slow sizzle which was a nice change of pace from the usual flash fire that is attempted in short stories because of the lack of time available to go from start to finish.
I really enjoyed this read and hope that maybe there is more to come about Mikal and Seth, they were a sweet couple and their personalities worked well together.
Then there were the MC's, the live ones. Mikal running away from a failed relationship and looking for peace and quiet only to find a haunted house and Seth the ghost hunter. The attraction between these two struck me as being more of slow sizzle which was a nice change of pace from the usual flash fire that is attempted in short stories because of the lack of time available to go from start to finish.
I really enjoyed this read and hope that maybe there is more to come about Mikal and Seth, they were a sweet couple and their personalities worked well together.
September 23, 2011
A decent ghost short story with the two likeable MCs. I know that it's not enough of an opinion, but while I don't find this as bad but I can't say it's remarkable as well.
March 19, 2013
This is a great paranormal novella. The writing and editing are solid and the story is very engaging. The ghostly aspect was well done with a strong creepy factor coupled with a sweetness and a sadness that is was compelling.
The attraction between Mikal and Seth is irresistible but before they can act on it they have to fix their ghost problem. These guys are worth the wait and the build up is fun to watch.
Mikal has a strong voice laced with humor and self-deprecation. He shows a depth of heart and integrity that plays out in his actions throughout the story.
Seth is hot! He arrives on a motorcycle with accompanying leathers and pretty much has Mikal's interest from there. Things between the men develop quickly, which is to be expected in a novella. Seth is also sweet, smart, brave, sensitive and funny. What's not to love?
Thomas is not just a plot device but an integral character in the novella. His story will break your heart. His pain and struggle is made very real to the reader. I found myself wishing he could have his own story where he finally finds the peace and love that everyone deserves.
I measure the greatness of a novella by my sense of whether the story was complete and made sense without being rushed or feeling chopped off but left me wanting more. If, when I've finished, I'm left feeling like I wish it had been longer because I wanted to spend more time in that world, then it was a great story. This story succeeded admirably. In fact I would love to revisit these boys in the future to see how things work out for them.
Reviewed by: Nina
The attraction between Mikal and Seth is irresistible but before they can act on it they have to fix their ghost problem. These guys are worth the wait and the build up is fun to watch.
Mikal has a strong voice laced with humor and self-deprecation. He shows a depth of heart and integrity that plays out in his actions throughout the story.
Seth is hot! He arrives on a motorcycle with accompanying leathers and pretty much has Mikal's interest from there. Things between the men develop quickly, which is to be expected in a novella. Seth is also sweet, smart, brave, sensitive and funny. What's not to love?
Thomas is not just a plot device but an integral character in the novella. His story will break your heart. His pain and struggle is made very real to the reader. I found myself wishing he could have his own story where he finally finds the peace and love that everyone deserves.
I measure the greatness of a novella by my sense of whether the story was complete and made sense without being rushed or feeling chopped off but left me wanting more. If, when I've finished, I'm left feeling like I wish it had been longer because I wanted to spend more time in that world, then it was a great story. This story succeeded admirably. In fact I would love to revisit these boys in the future to see how things work out for them.
Reviewed by: Nina
March 5, 2013
I believe this is my favorite of Theo Fenraven’s works so far! Mikal and Seth are very sweet together. Their relationship worked very well in the context of the story. I would love to see more of these characters!
Once again Theo did a wonderful job of setting the location, I felt like I was in the clearing where the house and barn were located, I could feel the sun shining down & the cool of the house. He is amazing at making me feel like I am in the location he is describing! He also writes wonderful secondary characters, I would have liked to have seen a little more of Alice.
Thomas’s story is heartbreaking and I wish he had shared the details of what happened to him although, being a ghost that would have been difficult.
This is a wonderful sweet ghost story that will still manage to give you the chills at times.(less)
Once again Theo did a wonderful job of setting the location, I felt like I was in the clearing where the house and barn were located, I could feel the sun shining down & the cool of the house. He is amazing at making me feel like I am in the location he is describing! He also writes wonderful secondary characters, I would have liked to have seen a little more of Alice.
Thomas’s story is heartbreaking and I wish he had shared the details of what happened to him although, being a ghost that would have been difficult.
This is a wonderful sweet ghost story that will still manage to give you the chills at times.(less)
June 1, 2013
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5
Great characterizations and a compelling story make this a ghostly gem of a read. Don't pass it by.
For my full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-1h1
or http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords... for more of Theo Fenraven's stories.
May 10, 2013
A cute ghost story! I always enjoy a Fenraven story ;)
May 30, 2023
What a lovely ghost story!
August 7, 2023
I feel the author was torn between making the ghost a more darker presence or a more tragically sad one. The emotional tone just pulled right back whenever I started getting those scary 'çhills' - plunging back into the romance aspects . The last few pages felt like a zipping fast-forwarding of events just to wind things up. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
May 30, 2014
I’m a huge fan of Theo Fenraven’s work, but I’ve been putting off reading his backlist because I don’t want to get to the point where I don’t have new words of his to read! But since he is one of the GR Authors of the Month, I figured this was a good time to pick up some of his “older” stories. A Silence Kept was the one everyone said I should read first.
I’m not real big on ghost stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It had a creepy moment or two, but for the most part, I found myself feeling profoundly sad for Thomas, the ghost. I felt he was simply trying to get Mikal to notice him. The descriptions of the moments when Mikal did, most certainly, notice Thomas, were chilling, moving and almost erotic – all at the same time – and that’s classic Fenraven. No other author I’ve found can so easily make me “feel” everything with such clean, simple prose.
I ran across a passage that I had seen before on a blog or something a long time ago. I recognized it the instant I hit it in A Silence Kept. Such a simple paragraph that describes time, setting and mood between Mikal and Seth all in one simple paragraph.
“We sat for a while in what was now full darkness, neither of us getting up to turn on lights, either inside or out. His silent presence was soothing, and I did not want the evening to end. But time doesn’t care; it moved on relentlessly, and it was time to say goodnight.”
I say it every time I review one of Theo’s books, but his ability to paint a picture makes reading effortless. Case in point:
“He’d been crying as if someone was tearing the soul out of his body through a keyhole.”
The storyline between Mikal and Seth was realistic and cute, but, for me, Thomas is the character that has haunted me since finishing the book. I highly recommend this sweet ghost story and anything else Theo Fenraven writes. You won’t be disappointed.
I’m not real big on ghost stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It had a creepy moment or two, but for the most part, I found myself feeling profoundly sad for Thomas, the ghost. I felt he was simply trying to get Mikal to notice him. The descriptions of the moments when Mikal did, most certainly, notice Thomas, were chilling, moving and almost erotic – all at the same time – and that’s classic Fenraven. No other author I’ve found can so easily make me “feel” everything with such clean, simple prose.
I ran across a passage that I had seen before on a blog or something a long time ago. I recognized it the instant I hit it in A Silence Kept. Such a simple paragraph that describes time, setting and mood between Mikal and Seth all in one simple paragraph.
“We sat for a while in what was now full darkness, neither of us getting up to turn on lights, either inside or out. His silent presence was soothing, and I did not want the evening to end. But time doesn’t care; it moved on relentlessly, and it was time to say goodnight.”
I say it every time I review one of Theo’s books, but his ability to paint a picture makes reading effortless. Case in point:
“He’d been crying as if someone was tearing the soul out of his body through a keyhole.”
The storyline between Mikal and Seth was realistic and cute, but, for me, Thomas is the character that has haunted me since finishing the book. I highly recommend this sweet ghost story and anything else Theo Fenraven writes. You won’t be disappointed.
September 16, 2011
I'm a sucker for a good ghost story, and I had chills from this one several times over. The main character, Mikal, was sympathetic, but I thought Seth was a total scene stealer and I really hope the author considers a sequel with these two.
When Mikal realizes he's moved into a haunted house, his reaction is believable to me, and I found myself immediately drawn to the ghost's history. When Seth shows up to do his thing, I couldn't put it down to answer the phone, make dinner, or bother with real life at all. It was engrossing and money well spent. Overall a great read and I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in depth within this genre and not just the NC-17 parts.
When Mikal realizes he's moved into a haunted house, his reaction is believable to me, and I found myself immediately drawn to the ghost's history. When Seth shows up to do his thing, I couldn't put it down to answer the phone, make dinner, or bother with real life at all. It was engrossing and money well spent. Overall a great read and I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in depth within this genre and not just the NC-17 parts.
July 27, 2016
Mikal's ghost scepticism is sorely tested the first night he moves into his suppopsedly haunted summer rental. A call to his BF brings her and ghost hunter Seth to his house. The story element I really liked (if you can like a disaster waiting to happen) is Thomas's. Its quite heart breaking. And he's obviously been waiting a long time for a sympathetic resident.
A shortish read but packed full of detail so I could really imagine the farmhouse hot outside and cool inside and the chilly barn. And one of those reads that probably gives you more at each reread, so something to look forward too! If I could have anything different, it would be as a longer read.
A shortish read but packed full of detail so I could really imagine the farmhouse hot outside and cool inside and the chilly barn. And one of those reads that probably gives you more at each reread, so something to look forward too! If I could have anything different, it would be as a longer read.
May 29, 2013
Nice easy read novella which I felt could have been more by developing the characters more but an enjoyable read nevertheless. Story is about the aftermath of a break up of Mikal and his chef partner who happen to work together (never a good idea at the best of times). Mikal quits the job and finds a "quiet" house in the country to salve his wounds and get his life back on track - the only problem is that the house is haunted. The rest of the book is about how the ghost is dealt with and subsequent relationship with Seth, the ghost hunter brought in to help.
Simple enough story, quite predictable at times but if you need an angst free read then this is for you.
Four stars
Simple enough story, quite predictable at times but if you need an angst free read then this is for you.
Four stars
January 27, 2015
Well crafted story! I like the attraction between Mikal and Seth. The ghost was suitably spooky without being scary. It definitely made you think about the differences between now and 100 years ago, and yet I think many things are the same...
June 6, 2013
I really like this ghost story. The MCs were very appealing. I particularly liked how the author handled the ghost.
May 16, 2017
This ghost story started out with some pretty creepy moments, but the non-existent relationship development and awful insta-love made this book a read I didn’t enjoy.
Mikal caught his boyfriend cheating on him, so he leaves his town, leaves his job (since they were working together), and rents an old farmhouse for the summer.
When he arrives there he finds out the place is haunted. Because he doesn’t want to leave he calls the help of ghostbuster Seth, who a friend of his recommended.
When Seth arrives it is lust at first sight (of course, since this book is only 60 pages, we had to speed things up, no time for slow seduction here). But whenever Mikal and Seth try to kiss or touch, the ghost gets angry and starts moving things…
I thought the first half wasn’t too bad. I did like Mikal and I could understand his desire to get away from his life for the moment.
But the romance…. ugh, it was awful. These guys meet, they talk a bit, they kiss (the sex is off page), they help the ghost pass on and then they decide to buy the house together. Because yes, that’s what you do when you just came out of a relationship, have no job, and you only know the other person for a few days.
I kept wondering what Mikal was going to do about a job or how he would be able to afford buying the house, but I guess Seth being a trust fund baby solved that problem.
I think this could actually have been something if it was 100 pages longer than the 60 pages it is now. Everything felt rushed. Even the conclusion to the ghost story felt sudden. And that was too bad, because I did like the creepy parts.
Mikal caught his boyfriend cheating on him, so he leaves his town, leaves his job (since they were working together), and rents an old farmhouse for the summer.
When he arrives there he finds out the place is haunted. Because he doesn’t want to leave he calls the help of ghostbuster Seth, who a friend of his recommended.
When Seth arrives it is lust at first sight (of course, since this book is only 60 pages, we had to speed things up, no time for slow seduction here). But whenever Mikal and Seth try to kiss or touch, the ghost gets angry and starts moving things…
I thought the first half wasn’t too bad. I did like Mikal and I could understand his desire to get away from his life for the moment.
But the romance…. ugh, it was awful. These guys meet, they talk a bit, they kiss (the sex is off page), they help the ghost pass on and then they decide to buy the house together. Because yes, that’s what you do when you just came out of a relationship, have no job, and you only know the other person for a few days.
I kept wondering what Mikal was going to do about a job or how he would be able to afford buying the house, but I guess Seth being a trust fund baby solved that problem.
I think this could actually have been something if it was 100 pages longer than the 60 pages it is now. Everything felt rushed. Even the conclusion to the ghost story felt sudden. And that was too bad, because I did like the creepy parts.
January 27, 2023
This book could have been great if it had time to get a little bit of character development but it seemed that the author was trying to cram way too much in too quickly. Between the ghostly possession sexual assault, unrealistic love story and quoting the movie “speed”, it was all too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2015
This book is a gem, and it doesn’t reveal its full sparkle until the very last sentence on the very last page. This story achieved the impossible in that it left me both heart-grushingly devastated and joyfully happy. I’m an emotional mess right now and hard pressed to articulate how I feel. I have a smile on my face while feeling sad, and it’s kinda wonderful J
In fact, the whole book is like that. A Silence Kept is a wonderful mixture of spooky and sweet, sad and happy. One minute I would find myself reading with my heart in my throat only to have a smile stretched across my face a few paragraphs later, just before my heart was crushed by the palatable despair one of the characters conveys. And the progression from one emotion to the next was so unforced, smooth, and natural, my own reactions took me by surprise occasionally.
I liked Mikal and Seth and how they interacted. The connection between them is almost instant which could have been too much of a good thing, except that the situation they’re in forces them to take it slow-ish. Besides, I’m a firm believer in love at first sight. It happened to me and twenty-eight years later I can vouch for the fact that sometimes what you feel the moment you meet someone is very real and can be very lasting. So, not only do I buy insta-love, I enjoy reading it because it brings back wonderful memories.
I liked Mikal’s relationship and connection with Thomas, his ghost, as much as I liked his interaction with Seth. The way Mikal approached Thomas, once he got over his fear, made him a rather wonderful character. It’s hard not to fall for a man who would hug a crying ghost because he’s sounding so very desperate.
I don’t want you to think this was a soppy story though. There’s a constant underlying threat of danger. While Seth seemed very certain that Thomas was unlikely to hurt either Mikal or him, I found myself constantly afraid he might be wrong and reading along on the edge of my seat—literally waiting for something (else) to go boom in the night.
I’m almost sorry we didn’t also get the story from the ghost’s point of view. Because I have my theories about what might have been going through Thomas’s mind while he observed Seth and Mikal trying to figure out what had happened to him and why. Having said that, the ghost’s actions, and the way they changed, gave a very clear impression of what he had to be thinking and feeling. A clear case of ‘showing not telling’ done very, very well.
You’d think I’d be used to it after all the books I’ve read by this author, but his ability to bring a place or person to life using only a few, very well chosen, words still takes my breath away. I felt the heat while reading this story and the chills were so graphic I found myself moving closer to the electric heater, just to stay warm. Theo Fenraven’s skill with the English language takes what are intriguing stories to a whole new level of awesome. I read his books as much to lose myself in the fantasy as to admire the beauty of the language and the masterful way in which he uses it.
It’s funny. I rarely read ghost or other scary stories. It never occurred to me to look for Halloween themed books in October as I do for Christmas reads in December. And yet, this is the second ‘spooky season’ in a row during which Theo Fenraven has me reading a seasonal book. Last year I lost myself in The Haunted Maze—a story that still plays on my mind occasionally, and this year I decided to dive into A Silence Kept. The authors for whom I happily leave behind my tried and trusted genres and delve into something new and potentially uncomfortable, are few and far between, Fen is one of them.
In fact, the whole book is like that. A Silence Kept is a wonderful mixture of spooky and sweet, sad and happy. One minute I would find myself reading with my heart in my throat only to have a smile stretched across my face a few paragraphs later, just before my heart was crushed by the palatable despair one of the characters conveys. And the progression from one emotion to the next was so unforced, smooth, and natural, my own reactions took me by surprise occasionally.
I liked Mikal and Seth and how they interacted. The connection between them is almost instant which could have been too much of a good thing, except that the situation they’re in forces them to take it slow-ish. Besides, I’m a firm believer in love at first sight. It happened to me and twenty-eight years later I can vouch for the fact that sometimes what you feel the moment you meet someone is very real and can be very lasting. So, not only do I buy insta-love, I enjoy reading it because it brings back wonderful memories.
I liked Mikal’s relationship and connection with Thomas, his ghost, as much as I liked his interaction with Seth. The way Mikal approached Thomas, once he got over his fear, made him a rather wonderful character. It’s hard not to fall for a man who would hug a crying ghost because he’s sounding so very desperate.
I don’t want you to think this was a soppy story though. There’s a constant underlying threat of danger. While Seth seemed very certain that Thomas was unlikely to hurt either Mikal or him, I found myself constantly afraid he might be wrong and reading along on the edge of my seat—literally waiting for something (else) to go boom in the night.
I’m almost sorry we didn’t also get the story from the ghost’s point of view. Because I have my theories about what might have been going through Thomas’s mind while he observed Seth and Mikal trying to figure out what had happened to him and why. Having said that, the ghost’s actions, and the way they changed, gave a very clear impression of what he had to be thinking and feeling. A clear case of ‘showing not telling’ done very, very well.
You’d think I’d be used to it after all the books I’ve read by this author, but his ability to bring a place or person to life using only a few, very well chosen, words still takes my breath away. I felt the heat while reading this story and the chills were so graphic I found myself moving closer to the electric heater, just to stay warm. Theo Fenraven’s skill with the English language takes what are intriguing stories to a whole new level of awesome. I read his books as much to lose myself in the fantasy as to admire the beauty of the language and the masterful way in which he uses it.
It’s funny. I rarely read ghost or other scary stories. It never occurred to me to look for Halloween themed books in October as I do for Christmas reads in December. And yet, this is the second ‘spooky season’ in a row during which Theo Fenraven has me reading a seasonal book. Last year I lost myself in The Haunted Maze—a story that still plays on my mind occasionally, and this year I decided to dive into A Silence Kept. The authors for whom I happily leave behind my tried and trusted genres and delve into something new and potentially uncomfortable, are few and far between, Fen is one of them.
January 4, 2016
4.5*
First, let me start off by saying, I am not a huge fan of ghost stories. It is not that I am creeped out by them; the opposite is true, in fact. I do not know what it is about the horror genre that has me rolling my eyes and saying “is it over yet?”. When I started A Silence Kept, I was only going to read a chapter or two and then go to sleep… well, it is now 2:30 am, and I am up writing a review. I finished the book a few hours ago, but it would not let go of me. I tried to read another book for a while, yet here I sit with everyone else in my house asleep.
For me, it is not the “horror” aspect that has me up well past my bedtime. I was not closing my eyes and seeing ghosts jumping out from dark corners. I was not afraid to turn off the light (I, in fact, read the book in the dark). In all honesty, I am not completely sure WHY this book grabbed me so thoroughly. I liked Mikal well enough. I felt badly for him because of his dick of an ex. Seth was an interesting enough guy. He is a trust-fund baby with a penchant for ghost hunting who rides a motorcycle. Together they make an interesting couple. I ended the book wanting to know what was next for them as a couple and separately. But none of those are enough to keep me up formulating reviews in my head at 2am. In the end, I think what got me was the prose itself, the setting, and the ghost (but not how you think).
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
First, let me start off by saying, I am not a huge fan of ghost stories. It is not that I am creeped out by them; the opposite is true, in fact. I do not know what it is about the horror genre that has me rolling my eyes and saying “is it over yet?”. When I started A Silence Kept, I was only going to read a chapter or two and then go to sleep… well, it is now 2:30 am, and I am up writing a review. I finished the book a few hours ago, but it would not let go of me. I tried to read another book for a while, yet here I sit with everyone else in my house asleep.
For me, it is not the “horror” aspect that has me up well past my bedtime. I was not closing my eyes and seeing ghosts jumping out from dark corners. I was not afraid to turn off the light (I, in fact, read the book in the dark). In all honesty, I am not completely sure WHY this book grabbed me so thoroughly. I liked Mikal well enough. I felt badly for him because of his dick of an ex. Seth was an interesting enough guy. He is a trust-fund baby with a penchant for ghost hunting who rides a motorcycle. Together they make an interesting couple. I ended the book wanting to know what was next for them as a couple and separately. But none of those are enough to keep me up formulating reviews in my head at 2am. In the end, I think what got me was the prose itself, the setting, and the ghost (but not how you think).
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
November 2, 2014
4-1/2 STARS!
This novella starts off with a bang, to see Mikal tell Dave off brought a huge smile to my face, even if we didn't get to read what Dave did as it happened but in Mikal's inner monologues instead, you just knew it was gratifying. I loved Mikal's reaction when he first "meets" Thomas, true classic ghost story moment. The immediate attraction between Mikal and "ghost busting" Seth was palable and had I read this in a print copy, I have no doubts those two could have set the pages alight with just the looks they shared. This is the first the story of Theo Fenraven that I've read. I have a few in my Kindle and all are on my TBR list but it is the first I've read. It was a perfect choice given the time of year but Halloween or not, I recommend this tale and the author most heartily. The only reason I am giving A Silence Kept 4-1/2 bookmarks instead of 5 is it's length. I would have loved to read Thomas' story in greater detail, but that's more of a personal preference as I have always been drawn to 300+ page books more so than the short story/novella. However, I must admit over the past year I'm finding the shorter tales very intriguing, as to how much emotion authors can pack into so few pages, a true testament to their talent.
This novella starts off with a bang, to see Mikal tell Dave off brought a huge smile to my face, even if we didn't get to read what Dave did as it happened but in Mikal's inner monologues instead, you just knew it was gratifying. I loved Mikal's reaction when he first "meets" Thomas, true classic ghost story moment. The immediate attraction between Mikal and "ghost busting" Seth was palable and had I read this in a print copy, I have no doubts those two could have set the pages alight with just the looks they shared. This is the first the story of Theo Fenraven that I've read. I have a few in my Kindle and all are on my TBR list but it is the first I've read. It was a perfect choice given the time of year but Halloween or not, I recommend this tale and the author most heartily. The only reason I am giving A Silence Kept 4-1/2 bookmarks instead of 5 is it's length. I would have loved to read Thomas' story in greater detail, but that's more of a personal preference as I have always been drawn to 300+ page books more so than the short story/novella. However, I must admit over the past year I'm finding the shorter tales very intriguing, as to how much emotion authors can pack into so few pages, a true testament to their talent.
April 7, 2014
This was a great little ghost story/romance. Not too scary but an interesting mystery about the haunting & surprisingly touching. Themes of loneliness, heartbreak,cruelty & historic homophobia. When the truth of what had happened to the person who became the ghost was revealed, I sat here and cried for a while. The romance was short & sweet, perfect to the book length, and added a nice, positive & hopeful counterpoint to the sadness of the ghost's tale.
September 18, 2014
4.5 stars
A lovely story, I had some tears at the end, it's definitely bittersweet but lovely all the same.
A lovely story, I had some tears at the end, it's definitely bittersweet but lovely all the same.
September 24, 2016
Excellent! Still shivering.
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