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The Trouble with Nightingale
When eighteen-year-old Millie Scrubbings moves to new digs on East London’s Nightingale Estate, she believes she’s finally closed the door on a childhood dictated by strangers. But overnight, her peaceful high-rise turns bonkers, and a series of grisly murders leaves Millie frightened and more helpless than ever.
Millie must accept her lead role in rescuing Nightingale from its descent into anarchy, or risk all Hell breaking loose.
Millie must accept her lead role in rescuing Nightingale from its descent into anarchy, or risk all Hell breaking loose.
- GenresYoung AdultCollege
38 pages, ebook
First published January 20, 2011
1 person is currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Amaleen Ison
3 books22 followersAmaleen Ison is a married mother of one. She lives with her family in Hertfordshire, England, along with her two cats (Oscar and Winston) and two guinea pigs (Thelma and Lou Lou). She writes Young Adult, Fantasy and Horror novels. Amaleen spends way too much time daydreaming, imagining herself in mystical lands populated by the weird and wonderful. But her love of the bizarre helps with the day job as an art technician. She loves to hear from readers, so don't hesitate to email!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 24, 2012
This is a lovely, quirky, gothic read. Amaleen Ison perfectly blends a gritty, realistic view of suburban London with classic images and ideas of the inferno, demons, portals, and sorcery.
I loved the guinea pig side-kick too. Inspired.
Millie Scrubbings, the heroine, is realistic and sympathetic and tho her plight is, well, paranormal, you completely feel for her.
This is a super imaginitive, exciting, funny short read. i recommend ti for everybody and I hope Amaleen Ison writes more set in this world!
I loved the guinea pig side-kick too. Inspired.
Millie Scrubbings, the heroine, is realistic and sympathetic and tho her plight is, well, paranormal, you completely feel for her.
This is a super imaginitive, exciting, funny short read. i recommend ti for everybody and I hope Amaleen Ison writes more set in this world!
January 24, 2012
This story was simply brilliant. All of the ingrediants of a fantastic read were there--fast pacing, clever writing, high-stakes, and heavy on the occult and paranormal (a topic I can never get enough of!). Plus it doesn't hurt that this author seems to have a knack for writing descriptions stunning in their originality! Overall a fantastic read from start to finish, which I'd be glad to recommend to all my friends.
January 31, 2012
This story might have been short, but the pacing was just so that I was able to take my time with it. I have to admit, I did worry that I was going to be faced with a story that had been crammed into too few words. Whilst, yes, it would probably make an awesome novel because Millie and the GP could be sent on so many adventures cleaning up the neighbourhood, I didn't reach the end and find the story particularly lacking for its length. Ms Ison's prose was pretty smooth, allowing the reader to amble along without a hitch, her descriptions were cool, ensuring I always knew what was happening and what the MC was seeing, and her characters were witty. Whilst I did like Millie a lot, I do believe Mr-Nekkid-Guinea Pig-Polar Bear-FABian almost stole the show from her because he was a hoot. I've read a few of the reviews that have described this as a dark and creepy tale. Personally, I giggled most of the way through it. The ending certain induced a snort that gained me a few stares. Maybe I have a perverse sense of humour. But this is, without doubt, a fun little tale that would suit almost anyone for a bit of light-hearted entertainment.
January 18, 2013
Another recommended short story. I really liked the world-building in this. London...rubbishy old estate...demons. It all really came together to create the perfect background and I definitely would not mind a full-length novel set against it. Millie was a likeable protag. You can easily tell she's been through a lot and now she's just trying to get through life. I felt that despite the doubt, she was very quick to accept her situation - but then that's probably down to the fact that this is only short. There's very much this sense of her having lost a lot already and now she refuses to let anyone take anything else away from her.
I quite liked Fabian too, with his cheekiness and his ability to turn into cute fuzzy animals while at the same time being able to fight. I like that Ison created a hint of something between him and Millie that suggested they could potentially develop a relationship without actually making it one. A new romance in a short story would not work, and the author has kept this in mind, something I appreciate. Overall her characterisation and world-building made this very enjoyable.
This review is also posted on my blog.
I quite liked Fabian too, with his cheekiness and his ability to turn into cute fuzzy animals while at the same time being able to fight. I like that Ison created a hint of something between him and Millie that suggested they could potentially develop a relationship without actually making it one. A new romance in a short story would not work, and the author has kept this in mind, something I appreciate. Overall her characterisation and world-building made this very enjoyable.
This review is also posted on my blog.
February 7, 2012
I found myself chuckling quite a lot as I read The Trouble With Nightingale. Ison does a wonderful job envisioning paranormal elements such as witchcraft, heaven, hell and demons. I'm guessing this short story is a prequel to bigger things. At times I wanted to feel sorry for the main character, Millie, but at the end of the tale I knew she'd found her calling. Really cute ending which left me with a smile on my face. Well done, and I will be looking for more from this author!
September 22, 2012
A short story that is very fast paced and trip to the dark side. Millie (18) is having problems around her flat lately. People dying and the unusual neighbor that makes you feel uncomfortable to be around.
She comes home to a package she has ordered of an assortment of candles and products to cast some spells. Soon a policeman is knocking on her door to let her know they have found a body in the lift, that has been there just about the same time she came home the night before.
When she finally does get around to saying some of the incantations all hell breaks loose (and she thought she had it bad before)
Without giving spoilers, there are demons, hellhounds and more.
It's a great short story, especially if you want a quick fun read for the upcoming Halloween season, but it will only take about an hour or so to read.
She comes home to a package she has ordered of an assortment of candles and products to cast some spells. Soon a policeman is knocking on her door to let her know they have found a body in the lift, that has been there just about the same time she came home the night before.
When she finally does get around to saying some of the incantations all hell breaks loose (and she thought she had it bad before)
Without giving spoilers, there are demons, hellhounds and more.
It's a great short story, especially if you want a quick fun read for the upcoming Halloween season, but it will only take about an hour or so to read.
January 25, 2012
I had the amazing pleasure of reading this tale during the editing phase, and right from word one Amaleen Ison set the spooky mood well enough all of the little hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Seriously. Freakin'. Creepy.
Her descriptions are spectacular, writing style smooth and engaging, and her imagination knows no bounds. This tale will have you gripping your e-reader, flipping page after page until you make it to the end. The Trouble with Nightingale is a must read for horror and thriller lovers. She's an author to watch out for, as I'm sure this is only the beginning for her.
Her descriptions are spectacular, writing style smooth and engaging, and her imagination knows no bounds. This tale will have you gripping your e-reader, flipping page after page until you make it to the end. The Trouble with Nightingale is a must read for horror and thriller lovers. She's an author to watch out for, as I'm sure this is only the beginning for her.
June 13, 2012
On the job training.
THE TROUBLE WITH NIGHTINGALE by AMALEEN ISON has something for everyone. It's funny, it's gross, it's scary. Millie thinks she's got her life under her own control until she finds out that she's been duped into being Hell's Gatekeeper. She has everything she needs to do the job, except the knowhow. She has to learn fast from her guinea pig familiar. This short story moves at a fast pace, so hold on to your drawers and get ready for a really fun ride! I highly recommend this read.
THE TROUBLE WITH NIGHTINGALE by AMALEEN ISON has something for everyone. It's funny, it's gross, it's scary. Millie thinks she's got her life under her own control until she finds out that she's been duped into being Hell's Gatekeeper. She has everything she needs to do the job, except the knowhow. She has to learn fast from her guinea pig familiar. This short story moves at a fast pace, so hold on to your drawers and get ready for a really fun ride! I highly recommend this read.
January 25, 2012
Ison is cunningly-clever. The door to where evil dwells could be anywhere, in any city. She choose Nightingale in London. Reader beware: this short 'n' scary romp with demons and denial should be read WITH the lights ON and your back against the wall! Kudos to Ison on her debut story!
February 2, 2012
3.5 stars, but on the 'high' side since I can't do 1/2 stars.
The trouble I had with nightingale was that it was too short.
It took me, *maybe* an hour to read and was a nice filler, while, of all things, G-Force played on the t.v. for my kids. This is significant, IF you read the book, but, I shan't tell you why it's important.
Amaleen is a very descriptive writer who paints a very vivid and grotesque set of scenes with her characters. Now, because this is a short, there isn't much character development, and that's part of the reason I can't give it the super high stars. I found a few of the scenes contrived, but that's only because Amaleen didn't have time, in a short, to build in the who, what, where, when and why to make those few moments believable.
For example,
Don't get me wrong, these issues would have been believable with a bit more build up. That being said, keeping in mind this is written to BE a short, it's important to set aside some of what we think is reality and let the moment 'just happen'.
The other issue I had is that the main character, Millie, is supposed to be eighteen and thus make this a YA story. But her voice is far older, and Millie experiences nothing in life that is key to teenagers. Just because a story has a main character who is a teenager, doesn't make the story YA (in my opinion). In Millie's case, her life is beyond that of teens. She's already working, making a home, making a life. This is one of those things that could have been 'dealt' with if the story were longer — we could have seen more about what she dealt with in life.
If, however, we take into account this was MEANT to be a short, then it's a great(!) short. Millie has a singular focus, and she's got to overcome a few obstacles to find out both who she is, how to make it all work and what it holds for her future.
Mrs. Cruikshank is an absolutely gruesome character, and Fabian is beyond funny. The combination of horror and comedy gave me several laugh out loud moments and quite a few more involuntary smiles as I read.
Looking for a quick read? This one's a good one ... just don't read it if you've just moved into a brand new apartment, on the 10th floor of a complex that has quite a few very odd smells. ;)
The trouble I had with nightingale was that it was too short.
It took me, *maybe* an hour to read and was a nice filler, while, of all things, G-Force played on the t.v. for my kids. This is significant, IF you read the book, but, I shan't tell you why it's important.
Amaleen is a very descriptive writer who paints a very vivid and grotesque set of scenes with her characters. Now, because this is a short, there isn't much character development, and that's part of the reason I can't give it the super high stars. I found a few of the scenes contrived, but that's only because Amaleen didn't have time, in a short, to build in the who, what, where, when and why to make those few moments believable.
For example,
Don't get me wrong, these issues would have been believable with a bit more build up. That being said, keeping in mind this is written to BE a short, it's important to set aside some of what we think is reality and let the moment 'just happen'.
The other issue I had is that the main character, Millie, is supposed to be eighteen and thus make this a YA story. But her voice is far older, and Millie experiences nothing in life that is key to teenagers. Just because a story has a main character who is a teenager, doesn't make the story YA (in my opinion). In Millie's case, her life is beyond that of teens. She's already working, making a home, making a life. This is one of those things that could have been 'dealt' with if the story were longer — we could have seen more about what she dealt with in life.
If, however, we take into account this was MEANT to be a short, then it's a great(!) short. Millie has a singular focus, and she's got to overcome a few obstacles to find out both who she is, how to make it all work and what it holds for her future.
Mrs. Cruikshank is an absolutely gruesome character, and Fabian is beyond funny. The combination of horror and comedy gave me several laugh out loud moments and quite a few more involuntary smiles as I read.
Looking for a quick read? This one's a good one ... just don't read it if you've just moved into a brand new apartment, on the 10th floor of a complex that has quite a few very odd smells. ;)
December 20, 2012
What a wonderful short story!
I gave this one a read yesterday while on the train to NYC for work and I just LOVED it. It had been on my Nook waiting for me to find some time to read it for months and I am so glad I finally got the chance. The characters were vibrant and realistic, even in the context of a paranormal type tale. A completely unique twist on the dark arts and witchcraft. I wasn't sure where the story would end up -- happy ending or sad, but the ride was fantastic.
Ms Ison has a gift for descriptive tales or the supernatural, and The Trouble with Nightingale is no different. I fell in love with the characters, most especially Fabian. Just too cute for words. I don't put spoilers in my reviews, so I won't get into too much detail on him, but I bet if you give it a read, you will agree with me.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in paranormal tales appropriate to a YA audience and those who enjoy reading stories about the occult or witchcraft.
I gave this one a read yesterday while on the train to NYC for work and I just LOVED it. It had been on my Nook waiting for me to find some time to read it for months and I am so glad I finally got the chance. The characters were vibrant and realistic, even in the context of a paranormal type tale. A completely unique twist on the dark arts and witchcraft. I wasn't sure where the story would end up -- happy ending or sad, but the ride was fantastic.
Ms Ison has a gift for descriptive tales or the supernatural, and The Trouble with Nightingale is no different. I fell in love with the characters, most especially Fabian. Just too cute for words. I don't put spoilers in my reviews, so I won't get into too much detail on him, but I bet if you give it a read, you will agree with me.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in paranormal tales appropriate to a YA audience and those who enjoy reading stories about the occult or witchcraft.
August 4, 2012
The Trouble With Nightingale is a very entertaining read. It's fresh and exciting with unexpected turns, dark humor, and vivid visual imagery. The main character Millie Scrubbings (gotta love that name) is a likable reluctant hero drawn into a set of circumstances beyond her control. I thoroughly enjoyed this and had a smile on my face for most of it. The ending was great. Looking forward to Amaleen's next work!
February 24, 2012
After a slow start getting into it, I really enjoyed this book once the gates of Hell literally opened before me! Millie is loads of fun and once she gets paired up with the help that's been assigned to her, it all really goes into high gear. This is marketed as YA, but beware of Millie's tendency to curse! Would love to see this one continued into another book, hint, hint!!!
March 14, 2012
Originally posted at: http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...
Millie knows something funny is going on in the building she lives in. They keep finding tenants murdered…
Ms. Ison does an excellent job of creating a fast-paced amusing fantasy tale filled with danger. It stars a clueless young woman who is supposed to be the new gatekeeper. Once I sat down and started reading this story, I didn’t get back up again until I finished it. Ms. Ison grabs your attention on the first page and keeps the story moving along at a good pace until the end.
Millie’s parents have died and she moved through various foster homes until she became emancipated. This apartment house was part of her dreams of having her own place, but she didn’t expect it to be a dangerous place to live. After all her bad luck in her earlier life, it’s easy to empathize with Millie and hope she can learn what she needs to know fast enough to stay alive.
My favorite character is Millie’s familiar. He’s a handsome hunk in her presence but transforms into a pet when other people are around. You’ll never guess what he transforms into. Trust me, you won’t. I laughed when I found out... it's so fun!
The Trouble with Nightingale is written for young adults, but this adult-reader really enjoyed it as well. No character is overdone. Millie acts like everyone else. The few powers she discovers actually help round out her character and give her the ability to fight back against demons.
Why not join Millie in her quest to save her apartment house (and maybe the world) from demon danger? You’ll find yourself rooting for the familiar, even if he’s not what you’d call a dangerous animal. I know I did.
Millie knows something funny is going on in the building she lives in. They keep finding tenants murdered…
Ms. Ison does an excellent job of creating a fast-paced amusing fantasy tale filled with danger. It stars a clueless young woman who is supposed to be the new gatekeeper. Once I sat down and started reading this story, I didn’t get back up again until I finished it. Ms. Ison grabs your attention on the first page and keeps the story moving along at a good pace until the end.
Millie’s parents have died and she moved through various foster homes until she became emancipated. This apartment house was part of her dreams of having her own place, but she didn’t expect it to be a dangerous place to live. After all her bad luck in her earlier life, it’s easy to empathize with Millie and hope she can learn what she needs to know fast enough to stay alive.
My favorite character is Millie’s familiar. He’s a handsome hunk in her presence but transforms into a pet when other people are around. You’ll never guess what he transforms into. Trust me, you won’t. I laughed when I found out... it's so fun!
The Trouble with Nightingale is written for young adults, but this adult-reader really enjoyed it as well. No character is overdone. Millie acts like everyone else. The few powers she discovers actually help round out her character and give her the ability to fight back against demons.
Why not join Millie in her quest to save her apartment house (and maybe the world) from demon danger? You’ll find yourself rooting for the familiar, even if he’s not what you’d call a dangerous animal. I know I did.
February 23, 2012
The Trouble with Nightingale is a quick, fun read. So quick, in fact, that I'm not sure I can dive into much of it without revealing things that will spoil the party. Millie has had a rough life and it gets worse when she moves into Nightingale. There, a number of bizarre deaths and disappearances plague the tenants and our main character receives strange gifts in the mail. Through these gifts, Millie discovers her purpose and has a choice to make, which will impact everyone in the building and beyond. The characters are interesting, though most appear too briefly to gain much substance. The writing is vibrant and the world comes alive.
The pace is breakneck, which is a detriment at times as it gives certain parts a rushed feeling. There is a point in the story where everything comes to a head and Millie is left with a choice and the consequences of it. But, before the reader has enough time to let the ramifications sink in, dear Millie is running off and yanking us with her. The last fight scene was also surprisingly short, given how much hype and power the antagonist has.
There is a definite feel that Millie has many more adventures in her future, and I can see this story spawning something of a series similar to The Dresden Files or Supernatural. I hope the author, Amaleen Ison, explores her further.
The pace is breakneck, which is a detriment at times as it gives certain parts a rushed feeling. There is a point in the story where everything comes to a head and Millie is left with a choice and the consequences of it. But, before the reader has enough time to let the ramifications sink in, dear Millie is running off and yanking us with her. The last fight scene was also surprisingly short, given how much hype and power the antagonist has.
There is a definite feel that Millie has many more adventures in her future, and I can see this story spawning something of a series similar to The Dresden Files or Supernatural. I hope the author, Amaleen Ison, explores her further.
May 17, 2012
The trouble? I'll tell you what the trouble is - this story is too stinkin' short!!!
The MC, Millie, drew me right in, and her neighbor, Mrs. C's, descritpion brought her alive - jumping right off the page & onto the porch with me.
Not paying attention to the percentage flitting by with every page click on my kindle, the 'the end' actually made me gasp, "WHAT?!?!?!?" I was all settled in for a good read and it ended. Just like that.
Blah.
Yes, the villian had been slain, but I felt sure another was about to make an entrance. Double blah.
Ms. Ison has a great imagination, an awesome grip on characterization, and a distinct voice. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for more of her work!!
The MC, Millie, drew me right in, and her neighbor, Mrs. C's, descritpion brought her alive - jumping right off the page & onto the porch with me.
Not paying attention to the percentage flitting by with every page click on my kindle, the 'the end' actually made me gasp, "WHAT?!?!?!?" I was all settled in for a good read and it ended. Just like that.
Blah.
Yes, the villian had been slain, but I felt sure another was about to make an entrance. Double blah.
Ms. Ison has a great imagination, an awesome grip on characterization, and a distinct voice. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for more of her work!!
December 11, 2012
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
There has been a string of gruesome murders occurring since Millie Scrubbings has moved into her new apartment in Nightingale. The murders have even followed Millie into her apartment complex, where other residents are being killed. After opening another mystery package from an unknown sender full of more witchcrafting books, Millies life is turned upside down.
After meeting her familiar and learning she has no choice but to embrace her new job: Hell's Gate Keeper, or all Hell will break loose.
This novel is a great quick read with humor, danger, and naked men.
There has been a string of gruesome murders occurring since Millie Scrubbings has moved into her new apartment in Nightingale. The murders have even followed Millie into her apartment complex, where other residents are being killed. After opening another mystery package from an unknown sender full of more witchcrafting books, Millies life is turned upside down.
After meeting her familiar and learning she has no choice but to embrace her new job: Hell's Gate Keeper, or all Hell will break loose.
This novel is a great quick read with humor, danger, and naked men.
February 2, 2012
First I must admit to being an adult, but I found a lot to like in this young adult paranormal story. It's very well written, has fun characters (I'll never look at guinea pigs the same way again), great descriptions, a good pace, and it's just the right length. Millie is a very likeable character, tricked into serving as gatekeeper...to Hell. Making it worse, she's not taking over a smooth running job; she's dumped into a dangerous mess. Lots of fun to read and the ending clinched the 5th star for me.
March 15, 2012
This is a short story. Too short I say. I loved it and wanted more.
Millie has done everything right. She moved into an apartment, got a job, and made the right choices. Or at least she thought so, until her life went pear shaped.
What stands out for me is how it drew me in. One minute I was reading on the sofa the next I was in England in a one bedroom apartment. Its been along time since a story has done that.
I don't know of any other works, but trust me I'll be looking.
Millie has done everything right. She moved into an apartment, got a job, and made the right choices. Or at least she thought so, until her life went pear shaped.
What stands out for me is how it drew me in. One minute I was reading on the sofa the next I was in England in a one bedroom apartment. Its been along time since a story has done that.
I don't know of any other works, but trust me I'll be looking.
Read
February 2, 2012Short and sweet! Novelette length, so this is just as pacy as it is fun. I pulled my this-is-gross! face more than once. Demons, angels, hellhounds, gate keepers and familiars all packed in to one fast, fun story.
March 13, 2012
Great short story! Keeps your attention the whole way through. Great characters. I hope they develop into a novel length book!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews