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Yeval by C. W. Schultz (5-Jul-2007) Paperback
In his debut novel 'YEVAL', C.W. Schultz explores the differences between the portrayal and reality of violence. Randy Mulray is on the threshold of madness, envisioning incommunicable murders in a room (called the 'Dark Room') he is mentally forced into by a monster named Yeval. A horror story like never before, 'YEVAL' flirts with the notion that violence in entertainment is too shallow and appealing for audiences to really grip the iniquity and futility.
Paperback
First published July 5, 2007
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80 people want to read
About the author
C.W. Schultz
5 books114 followersC. W. Schultz is an American author who was born in Seattle, WA on January 24, 1985. On July 5, 2007, Schultz’s debut novel “YEVAL” was released, a story which came to be through a script Schultz had written for a film. Schultz, being a major animal lover, started 2008 with a short-lived blog about bird care for the fallen Seattle Post-Intelligencer called “BIRDIE BASICS”, but soon resigned due to finding it unnecessarily repetitive, explaining that, “You can’t eternally expand something written in the manner of a textbook. I said what needed to be said for basic information about bird care for beginners. It’s time to move on. The blog is complete. The mission is accomplished.” Throughout much of 2008, Schultz got a gig writing trivia questions for game-show “EASTERN EXPEDITION” before the show was eventually cancelled. In 2010, Schultz released his second novel “THE PACK” and wrote the film “WATCH” which premiered at the Gig Harbor Film Festival in 2012 and was well-received, being listed as the Director’s Choice Awards’ First Runner-Up for Best Short Film. Schultz's third novel "JILL" was released on December 7, 2012; and his fourth novel "A BOOK ABOUT A FILM" on September 8, 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 12, 2014
It's no secret why Yeval is vanity printed, the horrendous writing and unbelievable dialogue assault your eyes on the very first page. I couldn't read more than ten pages a night due to the flat, awful characters and unnecessary details that were a complete waste of time. C.W. Schultz would take entire pages to talk about albums that the main character, Randy Mulray, would listen to, and then never mention them again.
Randy constantly throws slurs at people, calls women "Hot bitches," "Slutty whores" and "fuckable asses." and somehow thinks he's hot shit that every woman wants to bone. He's also the most egotistical man I've ever seen.
He refers to his father as "Asshole" for four fifths of the book, does absolutely nothing to try and fix his relationship with him, then complains about how his father doesn't like him for six chapters.
Randy isn't the only awful character, however, all the characters in the book are flatter than the page they're printed on, and will completely change their personalities whenever Schultz didn't want to write a difficult scene.
The story of Yeval is one filled with "twists" that can be seen coming from a mile away, useless information, the worst characters I've ever encountered and an ending that didn't make any sense at all. I killed my pen writing in the book's margins about everything that was wrong or unnecessary. I can count on one finger the times that I praised C.W. Schultz throughout the entire book.
The main villain in Yeval, was unrealistic and when you finally learn their identity, it makes as much sense as Randy having a telepathic link with them. Which also, unfortunately, happened as well, only to never again be mentioned or explained.
If you're thinking about reading Yeval, please reconsider immediately. It's not worth the pages it's printed on and certainly not worth your time.
However, if you and your friends want to get together and read a horrible book to make fun of, then this is definitely one to pick up.
Randy constantly throws slurs at people, calls women "Hot bitches," "Slutty whores" and "fuckable asses." and somehow thinks he's hot shit that every woman wants to bone. He's also the most egotistical man I've ever seen.
He refers to his father as "Asshole" for four fifths of the book, does absolutely nothing to try and fix his relationship with him, then complains about how his father doesn't like him for six chapters.
Randy isn't the only awful character, however, all the characters in the book are flatter than the page they're printed on, and will completely change their personalities whenever Schultz didn't want to write a difficult scene.
The story of Yeval is one filled with "twists" that can be seen coming from a mile away, useless information, the worst characters I've ever encountered and an ending that didn't make any sense at all. I killed my pen writing in the book's margins about everything that was wrong or unnecessary. I can count on one finger the times that I praised C.W. Schultz throughout the entire book.
The main villain in Yeval, was unrealistic and when you finally learn their identity, it makes as much sense as Randy having a telepathic link with them. Which also, unfortunately, happened as well, only to never again be mentioned or explained.
If you're thinking about reading Yeval, please reconsider immediately. It's not worth the pages it's printed on and certainly not worth your time.
However, if you and your friends want to get together and read a horrible book to make fun of, then this is definitely one to pick up.
April 21, 2015
I found Yeval used on Amazon after reading a list of the top ten horror books of the year on some website. To the person who composed that list, probably C.W. Schultz himself, May you burn for publishing such misleading information.
Upon receiving Yeval in the mail I immediately recognized it was a vanity pressed book (meaning it could not find a publisher so the author published copies himself and sold them). On the inner cover it reads, "Scott & Susan, It means a lot to me that you're reading my first book. Thank you for the support. Best, C.W. Schultz"
My first impression was that Scott and Susan were assholes for giving away a book signed specifically for them...then I read the first page.
Writing this review is going to be hard without completely ripping the author to shreds, so I will say this as a preface: I believe anyone that finds joy in writing should write. But not all writing should be published, even by a vanity press.
Yeval is a novel that doesn't follow a story arch. In fact, the premise is lost within the first 40 pages (it feels like 40 pages after 5, so good luck reaching page 175).
It's original concept follows Randy Mulray and his connection to a monster named Yeval. Yeval shows him visions through the eyes of a serial killer dubbed The Seattle Slayer. Randy must race against time to find the identity and catch the killer. Yes, the concept is interesting, but that's where the interest ends.
The first problem I had, almost immediately, is how despicable the protagonist was. I don't have a problem with characters being sexist, politically incorrect, etc. But when the author doesn't seem to understand how awful his character is, it begins to grate on my nerves. Not once does Randy refer to a woman as anything other than a "cunt" or a "bitch" or a "slut," immediately following the slur with a comment about her "tits" or her ass.
Once introduced to the rest of the cast, however, it becomes apparent that none of them are differentiated in terms of dialogue. Everyone speaks the same, Randy only having the exception of constantly mentioning his "giant penis" every tenth page.
So many things ring untrue. Yeval is hardly a monster and more a demonic munchkin from Oz. Not creepy in the slightest. Just silly. And his presence does little to propel the story in any direction. There are entire sections where he just disappears. There are pages and pages dedicated to useless information about music and concerts and just...bullshit. Everyone's characters are uneven. Randy falls asleep conveniently when the Slayer needs to escape. The list just goes on and on.
I could honestly write a 30 page essay on all of the things wrong with EVERYTHING about Yeval. It's flat and colorless writing seem to physically drain you after a few pages. It is essentially a chore in book form. And the fact that he has multiple novels written causes me to shutter.
No C.W. Schultz. No.
Upon receiving Yeval in the mail I immediately recognized it was a vanity pressed book (meaning it could not find a publisher so the author published copies himself and sold them). On the inner cover it reads, "Scott & Susan, It means a lot to me that you're reading my first book. Thank you for the support. Best, C.W. Schultz"
My first impression was that Scott and Susan were assholes for giving away a book signed specifically for them...then I read the first page.
Writing this review is going to be hard without completely ripping the author to shreds, so I will say this as a preface: I believe anyone that finds joy in writing should write. But not all writing should be published, even by a vanity press.
Yeval is a novel that doesn't follow a story arch. In fact, the premise is lost within the first 40 pages (it feels like 40 pages after 5, so good luck reaching page 175).
It's original concept follows Randy Mulray and his connection to a monster named Yeval. Yeval shows him visions through the eyes of a serial killer dubbed The Seattle Slayer. Randy must race against time to find the identity and catch the killer. Yes, the concept is interesting, but that's where the interest ends.
The first problem I had, almost immediately, is how despicable the protagonist was. I don't have a problem with characters being sexist, politically incorrect, etc. But when the author doesn't seem to understand how awful his character is, it begins to grate on my nerves. Not once does Randy refer to a woman as anything other than a "cunt" or a "bitch" or a "slut," immediately following the slur with a comment about her "tits" or her ass.
Once introduced to the rest of the cast, however, it becomes apparent that none of them are differentiated in terms of dialogue. Everyone speaks the same, Randy only having the exception of constantly mentioning his "giant penis" every tenth page.
So many things ring untrue. Yeval is hardly a monster and more a demonic munchkin from Oz. Not creepy in the slightest. Just silly. And his presence does little to propel the story in any direction. There are entire sections where he just disappears. There are pages and pages dedicated to useless information about music and concerts and just...bullshit. Everyone's characters are uneven. Randy falls asleep conveniently when the Slayer needs to escape. The list just goes on and on.
I could honestly write a 30 page essay on all of the things wrong with EVERYTHING about Yeval. It's flat and colorless writing seem to physically drain you after a few pages. It is essentially a chore in book form. And the fact that he has multiple novels written causes me to shutter.
No C.W. Schultz. No.
March 30, 2013
Yeval by C.W Schultz is a intresting read, but as we should note it is his first novel so we should take that into consideration. Yeval follows Randy, Depressed and down on himself for everything that has happened up to this point in his life. The story begins slowly and eventually you see the main aspiration of the novel. The story speaks about the "Seattle Slayer" and his various crimes to which Randy sees through his friend, Yeval and the "Dark Room".
C.W Schultz has no problem explaining in detail the manner in which each person is taken at the hands of the seattle slayer. Although ive meet a few people who seem to think that it was "over" graphicalized, i really dont see a problem. However that is to say that we shouldnt think it is a cake walk of a book to read especially if you are even slightly put off by graphic violence in a novel.
Schultz also portrays violence the way it should be viewed in society, as down and dirty and extremely uncompromsing. The moral message however that is conveyed at the end of the story i really isnt something i expected, but it was almost bittersweat once you get to the last chapter. It was a quick and short read, well worth picking up if you can get it. I almost didnt buy it because of the actual list price on amazon but i am glad that i did. I imagine i will come back to this book at another time, but not really anytime soon.
Pros:
Quick Pace
Memorable
Gruesome Violence
Multiple Themes
Cons:
Might "put off" people who cant take the violent depictions
Although i do not regret reading it, it felt like a new authors book (still not much of a con though)
Almost felt rushed at certain points, where there is several jump cuts to different locations with no dialogue
C.W Schultz has no problem explaining in detail the manner in which each person is taken at the hands of the seattle slayer. Although ive meet a few people who seem to think that it was "over" graphicalized, i really dont see a problem. However that is to say that we shouldnt think it is a cake walk of a book to read especially if you are even slightly put off by graphic violence in a novel.
Schultz also portrays violence the way it should be viewed in society, as down and dirty and extremely uncompromsing. The moral message however that is conveyed at the end of the story i really isnt something i expected, but it was almost bittersweat once you get to the last chapter. It was a quick and short read, well worth picking up if you can get it. I almost didnt buy it because of the actual list price on amazon but i am glad that i did. I imagine i will come back to this book at another time, but not really anytime soon.
Pros:
Quick Pace
Memorable
Gruesome Violence
Multiple Themes
Cons:
Might "put off" people who cant take the violent depictions
Although i do not regret reading it, it felt like a new authors book (still not much of a con though)
Almost felt rushed at certain points, where there is several jump cuts to different locations with no dialogue
June 14, 2015
A disturbing but gripping internal monologue
There’s something very alive and vivid about this set of messed-up characters. Randy as a narrator is, necessarily, almost completely unreliable, as he is bullied and tormented by a figure in his mind called Yeval, who Randy describes as being created by his own guilt over the death of his mother.
Randy’s voice jerks and despairs as his reality becomes less and less stable over the course of the novel. This lends a suspenseful and unpredictable mood to it. The angry eruptions of the narrative voice make the reading experience feel dangerous but quick-moving. At times I felt I needed a less chaotic way through, from one event to the next, but I appreciated the author’s commitment to the scattered, often terrifying, movement of his main character’s psyche.
Some of this story is deeply unsettling, and that’s a necessary evil of its subject matter, but I was impressed with how tender and warm the narrative was able to get between the angrier episodes...
Read the full review at Towerbabel here: http://www.towerbabel.com/library/140...
There’s something very alive and vivid about this set of messed-up characters. Randy as a narrator is, necessarily, almost completely unreliable, as he is bullied and tormented by a figure in his mind called Yeval, who Randy describes as being created by his own guilt over the death of his mother.
Randy’s voice jerks and despairs as his reality becomes less and less stable over the course of the novel. This lends a suspenseful and unpredictable mood to it. The angry eruptions of the narrative voice make the reading experience feel dangerous but quick-moving. At times I felt I needed a less chaotic way through, from one event to the next, but I appreciated the author’s commitment to the scattered, often terrifying, movement of his main character’s psyche.
Some of this story is deeply unsettling, and that’s a necessary evil of its subject matter, but I was impressed with how tender and warm the narrative was able to get between the angrier episodes...
Read the full review at Towerbabel here: http://www.towerbabel.com/library/140...
May 6, 2016
Review originally published on http://www.curious-daisy.com/book-rev...
I did not like this book at all. The main character has deep psychological issues and blames himself for the death of his mother, retardation of his younger brother and the distance of his father. As if that weren’t enough, there’s a monster in his head forcing him to witness how the ‘Steel Slayer’ brutally murders innocent people. And we get to see it all through Randy’s eyes. The author had warned me that I should read this when I’m in a mood for a horror and a book with a twisted sense of humor. I don’t really like either of those but I thought it couldn’t be so bad. Boy, was I wrong. Despite all warnings, I wasn’t able to stomach some of the scenes. It was too much for my poor heart. I started skim reading and couldn’t wait to read the last page. I shall be donating my copy to the local library.
Rating - 1 star
I could not guess who the culprit was – the only redeeming quality of this book.
I did not like this book at all. The main character has deep psychological issues and blames himself for the death of his mother, retardation of his younger brother and the distance of his father. As if that weren’t enough, there’s a monster in his head forcing him to witness how the ‘Steel Slayer’ brutally murders innocent people. And we get to see it all through Randy’s eyes. The author had warned me that I should read this when I’m in a mood for a horror and a book with a twisted sense of humor. I don’t really like either of those but I thought it couldn’t be so bad. Boy, was I wrong. Despite all warnings, I wasn’t able to stomach some of the scenes. It was too much for my poor heart. I started skim reading and couldn’t wait to read the last page. I shall be donating my copy to the local library.
Rating - 1 star
I could not guess who the culprit was – the only redeeming quality of this book.
Want to read
September 30, 2008This is Calen's first book!! EVERYBODY READ IT!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews