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American Succubus
A coven of heroic women struggles to protect the men of Earth from a sinister female society that views them as food. How are these loons going to win a cage match with the meanest women in the universe? Now, listen up, men! It doesn't matter if you're a fighter, a fighter pilot, a cellist or a ballet dancer. If you've been stalked by one, lived with one, married one or heaven forbid picked a fight with one - well, you're not going to need us to tell you the kind of trouble you're in.
340 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2012
81 people want to read
About the author
G.F. Skipworth
22 books2 followersToured much of the world as a concert pianist, symphonic and operatic conductor, vocalist and composer. Went to school at Whitman, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, UCLA.
Beginning to write again for the first time since childhood, I realized that this was a long-held desire that had been pushed aside by my musical pursuits long ago.
I am currently taking a short breather from concert touring, sitting on the Oregon coast, writing and watching the waves. Love to hear what people from other walks of life and ages are doing, the fun of meeting people without the professional anxiety. My side interests run from boxing and motorcycles to ballet and baseball. I am an unabashed college football maniac - Go Ducks.
Anything that has life is interesting to me. Please write and tell me what you're up to. Meanwhile, much happiness and success to all fellow writers.
Beginning to write again for the first time since childhood, I realized that this was a long-held desire that had been pushed aside by my musical pursuits long ago.
I am currently taking a short breather from concert touring, sitting on the Oregon coast, writing and watching the waves. Love to hear what people from other walks of life and ages are doing, the fun of meeting people without the professional anxiety. My side interests run from boxing and motorcycles to ballet and baseball. I am an unabashed college football maniac - Go Ducks.
Anything that has life is interesting to me. Please write and tell me what you're up to. Meanwhile, much happiness and success to all fellow writers.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 12, 2012
G.F. Skipworth's "American Succubus" should be a horror story if the title has anything to do with it. However, horror is an almost non-existent fraction of the equation in this elusive new novel, and even when it occurs, it isn't really the point. Frankly, we don't know what to call it. It's suspenseful, humorous and witty, intellectually interesting and, at times, far-fetched in the best sense.
This mixture of fantasy and modern reality depicts a heroic clan of women protecting Earth's men from a darker society of females who view them as food. The Sisters of Cladei are trying to get it through their darker sisters' heads that the practice was halted centuries ago.
Skipworth throws in the kitchen sink, pitting modern science against magic in a female and supernatural version of the American Civil War, to be fought in Maryland in the mid to late twentieth century. Tongue-in-cheek situations and light banter give way to a poignancy not found in many paranormal offerings. You can't turn around without knocking over a symbol, and there's a lot to tie together, but somehow, Skipworth does it.
Some of Skipworth's characters are absolute loons trying to stay alive in a magical cage match with the most lethal women in the universe. This book is a lot of fun, despite one slow stretch early on, and thought-provoking at times. There's an undercurrent of truth to relationships we would probably all recognize, even if it's not always pretty. Regardless, may the best woman win - TC/Chiloquin Lit.
This mixture of fantasy and modern reality depicts a heroic clan of women protecting Earth's men from a darker society of females who view them as food. The Sisters of Cladei are trying to get it through their darker sisters' heads that the practice was halted centuries ago.
Skipworth throws in the kitchen sink, pitting modern science against magic in a female and supernatural version of the American Civil War, to be fought in Maryland in the mid to late twentieth century. Tongue-in-cheek situations and light banter give way to a poignancy not found in many paranormal offerings. You can't turn around without knocking over a symbol, and there's a lot to tie together, but somehow, Skipworth does it.
Some of Skipworth's characters are absolute loons trying to stay alive in a magical cage match with the most lethal women in the universe. This book is a lot of fun, despite one slow stretch early on, and thought-provoking at times. There's an undercurrent of truth to relationships we would probably all recognize, even if it's not always pretty. Regardless, may the best woman win - TC/Chiloquin Lit.
September 2, 2012
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Thanks to the author for autographing and personalizing my copy.
Blurb:
A coven of heroic women struggles to protect the men of Earth from a sinister female society that views them as food - Now, listen up, men! It doesn't matter if you're a fighter or a fighter pilot, a cellist or a ballet dancer. If you've been stalked by one, lived with one, married one or heaven forbid picked a fight with one - well, you're not going to need us to tell you the kind of trouble you're in.
This novel wasn't quite what I expected from the blurb.
I found the opening too slow. I understand the necessity of background but it seemed to go on forever. Tighten up the pace--your reader needs to know where the novel is going.
There were way too many characters. And since the pace was slow, I found the characters confusing and not quite well thought out.
This novel had a minimum of 'white space'. By that I mean, a minimum amount of conversation.
The descriptions of the characters thinking was confusing. For example, on p. 46 "His inner life was so calm and fearless that he'd brought everything of interest into his waking world already." I really didn't know what the author was trying to say.
There was too much exposition. I need action and conversation.
Some passages were properly descriptive, but some were "tell, rather than show".
All in all, I felt that the author enjoyed writing this novel. If he could tighten it up and show more excitement, it might be quite well received.
Thanks to the author for autographing and personalizing my copy.
Blurb:
A coven of heroic women struggles to protect the men of Earth from a sinister female society that views them as food - Now, listen up, men! It doesn't matter if you're a fighter or a fighter pilot, a cellist or a ballet dancer. If you've been stalked by one, lived with one, married one or heaven forbid picked a fight with one - well, you're not going to need us to tell you the kind of trouble you're in.
This novel wasn't quite what I expected from the blurb.
I found the opening too slow. I understand the necessity of background but it seemed to go on forever. Tighten up the pace--your reader needs to know where the novel is going.
There were way too many characters. And since the pace was slow, I found the characters confusing and not quite well thought out.
This novel had a minimum of 'white space'. By that I mean, a minimum amount of conversation.
The descriptions of the characters thinking was confusing. For example, on p. 46 "His inner life was so calm and fearless that he'd brought everything of interest into his waking world already." I really didn't know what the author was trying to say.
There was too much exposition. I need action and conversation.
Some passages were properly descriptive, but some were "tell, rather than show".
All in all, I felt that the author enjoyed writing this novel. If he could tighten it up and show more excitement, it might be quite well received.
August 25, 2012
I received this book as a 'first-reads' from Goodreads. First off, I want to thank the author for the book, they were kind enough sign it and that is awesome. Pffft, now the hard part, the part that never fails to make me feel like dog doo. This book wasn't for me. I have no interest what-so-ever in boxing or cellists, it was the succubi and witches that attracted me to the book, and I felt like this book had too little of that story line. HOWEVER, I do think there is an audience for this book, those who enjoy Christopher Moore would enjoy Skipworth's satire and humor. If that's you, read it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews