The Unseen

by Luke Alistar

America, 1849. It was a time of great change, as the nation expanded westward and grew richer and more powerful. But beneath what we all know lurked darker things, events that even now are hardly mentioned, and certainly not in our school history books. A girl, who spent twelve years of her life in an insane asylum, doesn't care about what happens beyond the small world she knows. She's been convinced that she is the only one who can see the ghosts. Broken by torture and maltreatment, she's ready to accept that she really is crazy. When she siezes a chance to escape, she finds herself alone in a harsh and frightening world, a young woman with the mind of a child. When all she knows is rejection, and with no idea where to go, can she find even one person who will care for her?

Genres: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, 19th Century, Ghosts

316 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2011

About the author

Luke Alistar is a freelance author, humorist, novelist, composer, pianist, guitarist, mandolin player, blogger, amateur actor, carpenter, and much more. He currently has five books available for sale, and just put together a band with their debut album in the plans for 2012.

Luke has been published in the Writer's Digest magazine, and his novella Offset placed as a finalist in the 2010 One Year Adventure Novel Contest. His thriller Snapshots then took first place in the 2011 contest, winning him a college scholarship and other goodies. He writes regularly for Kingdom Pen, an e-magazine for young Christian writers, and is a member of the Northwest Independent Writer’s Association.

Luke’s blog, running since February 2010, has gathered a strong readership; he updates it regularly and posts a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, poems, songs, essays, book reviews, and articles on many different subjects. Go to www.lukealistar.com to take a look.

Reviews

[Gina Barlean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept putting this book down, not wanting to read anymore. The writing left something to be desired. But the story held me there. I kept hoping the girl would find some kind of happiness. This book was so sad, and I personally wrote a sad book, too, so it made me really think about how I might change it to have some relief between the sad. The Unseen was a bit of sad-overload. Although, it wasn't unbelievable. I think the best testament to the story is that in spite of it being sad and what I felt wasn't very good writing, I kept reading. It took me several days, but I kept coming back to it. I so wanted to see Lucy be loved.

Here's what I think grabbed me and held me. The author was shooting for a deeper meaning. I like the very ending where we realized the truth of the whole story, and although I had some suspicion of it, the truth still surprised me a little. I actually did like the ending. It made me feel good about the whole thing.

So, in the end, I would say this. There is some very nice word play and writing mixed in with some not so great writing. The story, although sad, is solid and worth reading. And most of all I have to say the cover is awesome. It pulled me in and made me download the book.

[Brina Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

So perhaps this book was not my cup of tea but wow was it depressing. I was hoping and praying that at some point Lucy would turn it around for herself. I understand the time frame, setting not so much as I live in PA and there have never been prairies here, but I feel as though this was a bit of a knock on a poor girl. Why could she have not fended for herself? I understand her insanity but many crazy people lead perfectly normal lives, even after horrific things have happened to them. Also at the end when everything is explained, I took issue with how she did those things herself when she was alone. (You'll understand when you read, don't want to spoil it.) She wouldn't have known any of that living in the asylum just as she could barely handle herself in the store. And how many times does this girl have to get hurt by men? I was dying for her to stand up and be strong, mental illness is not a death sentence.
The part I enjoyed was the actual writing, it flowed nicely and had very little pause. Also the part about her family was believable and heart wrenching.
Sorry not for me.

[Tammy V · Rating 2 out of 5]

a free kindle choice book from several months back that I just got around to.

I tried really hard. I really wanted to like it. I love the premise of speaking with unseen things (ghosts?) but really the protagonist learns nothing, there is scene after abusive scene with no learning, she wants a family - gets one that takes care of her for a long while and then it all falls apart as if they hadn't spent a lot of time together (just told, not shown).

The writing is mediocre at best but I read 1/2 way through hoping it would get better and then finally gave up. Life's too short. Gave it 2 because I didn't finish and there's a smidge of a chance it got better by the end. Very small smidge.

[Jill Garvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time like I did

This book is awful! I kept reading it, thinking it would get better. It did not. There sending was so bad. It felt like the author just didn't know what to do to wrap it up. The lesson in the end is basically that, it the waste really bad, you should probably just did.

[SoDark · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the saddest books I've ever read

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing but left too many unanswered questions. Wth.

[Elizabeth Altenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was talking to Luke one day back in April or May when he suggested I go and download his book because he was doing a promotion wherein he gave it away for free.
"A free book!" I thought, and hurried off to download it.
I was up until 3am reading it; I could not put it down. It was so mind-bending, so dark... Lucy pulled me into the story as if it were real life.
Luke is a very skilled writer in that he can immerse himself completely into his characters' minds, no matter the age, sex, etc. He really considers their personalities and quirks, how everything makes them feel, how they react to stimuli.
That said, I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is not at least 14, if not older. Though he does not go into full detail, there are certain scenes with implications just barely left to the imagination.
Lucy is a tortured character; the world hates her, and everywhere she turns, she finds more abuse. The ending sees this problem solved, but not in the way one would expect.
It's a depressing read, making you want to cry at every twist and turn, but even if I hadn't been friends with Luke and therefore felt obligated, I would not have put it down once I read the first line of the first chapter.
I have yet to read anything else by him, but I will soon.
Keep up the amazing writing, Luke!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I received this book for free from amazon and I have given it an honest review.

This is a historical novel set in America in 1849, a time of significant change and westward expansion for the nation. It explores the hidden and often darker aspects of this era, shedding light on events rarely mentioned in conventional history books.

The story revolves around a girl who has spent twelve years of her life in an insane asylum. During her time there, she has been subjected to torture and maltreatment, leading her to believe that she is the only one who can see ghosts. Isolated and broken, she has come to accept her own insanity. However, an opportunity to escape presents itself, and she seizes it, finding herself alone in a harsh and unfamiliar world. With a fragile mental state and a childlike understanding of the world, she faces rejection and uncertainty.

This book was depressing!!! I tried so hard to like it but I didn't even like Lucy that much and she was the main character. This was a really tough one for me to get through, I did eventually make it but I was sad throughout the whole thing.

[Feanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about ghosts, and crazy people, so I decided to check this out. It's an amazing story with a main character I loved since the first page. It was hard to read though because my eyes kept filling with tears and making my vision blurry. (I have never cried so much over a book. Seriously dude, why? -_-)
I couldn't give it 5 stars though, because the actual prose is bad in a lot of places. It was sometimes difficult to fully immerse myself into the story because I kept noticing the flaws. However I still love it, and was only slightly bored in some of the middle chapters. I'd totally recommend it. And I hope it eventually gets properly edited and published because of major awesomeness potential.
(Apologies for the length. xP)

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book of of Pixel of Ink for my kindle, for free. I wouldn't had chose this book otherwise. I have mixed feelings of this book. I didn't love it. I don't hate it. It's defiantly a sad, depressing book.

This poor girl goes through so much in her life. With being abused, used, unwanted, mistreated. With the help of some spirits, she struggles in an insane asylum. She encounters demons who are out to harm her. She encounters people who have evil ways. Basically, it's the real world.

It's an ok read!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistar is a new author for me. I got it from Amazon's daily freebies and took a chance. The story line and reviews made me a little doubtful since it's not the normal kind of story I would read. But after I got into it, I had trouble putting it down. Last night, however, I stayed up very late, wanting to find out what happened next. It's been a long time since a book made me cry. It was hard to finish reading, with the sniffles and the tears, but I'm glad I did. The story is an emotional tear-jerker. I'm glad I read it.

[Kiehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I love Luke Alistar's writing style and the concepts he brings into the story. When you think the story is just about to end, he adds another twist to the story. With each turn of the page, a new adventure unfolds for the characters and the reader. It's a book that is hard to set down. You feel the pain, the loneliness, the fear along with the hero. It's as if you were actually walking with her on her journey.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, obviously. I read it in two days. The story grabbed me in right from the beginning and kept me turning page after page to see if Lucy would survive her ordeal. I highly recommend it!

[Finvarra Penn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. I read it in a day, the plot was that intriguing. I enjoyed the ending; it was nothing like I had been thinking it might be.

The writing style needs a little polishing, but all in all it was good.

[Mickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am giving this book a Two because it is well written I truly couldn't put it down, but just not my kind of book. Truthfully I found the book depressing. Poor Lucy the pain just piled up and piled up. I am sure other will love the ending but I really hated it.

[Dave Tovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

not at all my usual genre but I could not put it down from the very start. its just an amazingly well written book that has you getting to know the main character and spending every page feeling her sorrow and sharing her hope. bit of an emotional roller coaster of a book. loved it.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of my favorite books. I love Alistar's writing style, and how well everything flows together. This story breaks my heart every time I read it, but it seems to get better each time! It is a very depressing story, but the ending is a triumph for poor, dear Lucy beyond measure.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will admit this genre is not my cup of tea .... Parts of the book was interesting and the historical aspect was a draw ( although I wonder about the correctness ) , but damn was this book depressing !

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story with an unexpected twist

This book was a very easy read. I read the whole book in one sitting. The characters are very interesting. The author gave this story a very unexpected twist and made this book one of the best I've read in a long time.

[Samara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free kindle book that I enjoyed. Every now and then I get a dud but this one held my attention and I read it in 2 days.

[Cheryl Davitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a sad story. I kept rooting for something good to happen for Lucy Satin. Just as when it looked like something good was happening it turned bad. I was surprised by the end.

[Sharla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it was very depressing. The writing was engaging, and the character, as well as her situation, was interesting.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

For free book it was good. It was a depressing book and the ending took a twist for something I did not expect. The author does have a way to his writing and pulling you in though.

[Jocelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

keep my interest, but a strange read tugged at my heart, was a enjoying read.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Couldn't really get into this one. If there is going to be a supernatural component to a book I want to be haunted, and I was mostly annoyed by the phantoms and ghosts.

[Sandee Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read story!

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

very depressing! Cried. Wished she had of found some peace in her existence. Bittersweet ending.

[Cheryl Leon Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept reading, hoping for the best. The characters were irritating and it was childishly written. So much for trying out a new author.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the usual type of book I read but for some reason I couldn't put it down either.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was heartbreaking, sad, and heart wrenching. It's a haunting book, that stays with you for a long time.