Ethan

Brightest Kind of Darkness #0.5

by P.T. Michelle

Librarian's note: There is an Alternate Cover Edition for this edition of this book here.

Ethan Harris never thought monsters and darkness would consume his daily thoughts, but every night the same visions repeat in his dreams. He’s careful to project a semblance of normalcy, keeping the suffocating darkness locked inside. As much as he wishes he could focus on girls, sports, and cars like other seventeen-year-olds; nothing distracts him from his own demons or shines through.

Until Nara Collins crosses his path. The blonde fascinates and intrigues him, giving him a measure of peace he’s never felt before.

When Ethan discovers there’s more to Nara than she allows others to see, that she might have a unique secret of her own, suddenly his world comes into focus.

Note: Ethan is a novella PREQUEL to Brightest Kind of Darkness. This story will give some of Ethan’s background and lead up until the day he tells Nara there’s a bomb in the school.

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Novella, Supernatural

ebook

First published January 11, 2013

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling author of the IN THE SHADOWS and BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series.

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Current books in P.T.'s Contemporary Romance series IN THE SHADOWS, a New York Times, USA Today and International bestseller.:

IN THE SHADOWS SERIES:

NOW AVAILABLE…

MISTER BLACK (1) (Sebastian & Talia Part 1, Novella)
SCARLETT RED (2) (Sebastian & Talia Part 2, Novel)
BLACKEST RED (3) (Sebastian & Talia Part 3, Novel)
GOLD SHIMMERr (4) (Cass & Calder Part 1, Novel)
STEEL RUSH (5) (Cass & Calder Part 2, Novel)
BLACK PLATINUM (6) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)
REDDEST BLACK (7) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)
BLOOD ROSE (8) (Cass & Calder, Stand alone)
NOBLE BRIT (9) (Mina & Den, Stand alone)
BLACK AND RED (10) (Sebastian & Talia, Stand alone)

COMING…

BLACK STEEL (10) (Stand alone) - December 2020

Books in P.T.'s BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series:

* ETHAN (Prequel Novella 0.5) (ETHAN is written in Ethan's point-of-view and can be read before or after BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS and LUCID)

* BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS (Book 1)
* LUCID (Book 2)
* DESTINY (Book 3)
* DESIRE (Book 4)
* AWAKEN (Book 5)

Reviews

[Magen Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was sent this novella by the author in exchange for an honest review*

My Mini Review:

ETHAN was amazing! How can I put into words how much I just loved reading about Ethan? It's hard! It really is! This was a novella worth the wait. It placed me right into Ethan's world, giving me a glimpse into a character I just love. And boy, did I enjoy being in Ethan's head!

What I just loved most is that Ethan is a wonderful character, he really is. In LUCID you didn’t get to seem him a lot at all. Which was very sad, so, the novella, in a way, quenched my thirst for some more Ethan. If you know what I mean!! Anyways, this novella shows and proves just what an amazing guy he is. We get to see his many sides, and who he was before he met Nara, and just how much she really did ‘save’ him in a way.

She’s the bright light shining in my periphery, edging out the creeping darkness.

ETHAN takes place right before he starts at Nara’s school. Ethan is trying hard to adjust, and the keep his ‘nightmares’ at bay. But nothing seems to work. With his parents still being people who give him the cold shoulder, and his brother, Samson, trying to help but not really understanding, Ethan feels like he is all on his own. He tries and finds ways to keep the ‘voices’ away, some things seem to help, but only temporarily. And let's not forget the very strange things that begin to happen to him, which puts Ethan on the edge.

However, when Ethan does finally starts school, there he notices a girl who for some reason quiets the voices that haunt his every step. She makes his darkness disappear, if only for a while. Intrigued, Ethan begins noticing Nara more and more, but as he watches her, he also notices something is different. Nara isn’t what she seems. And he wants nothing more to get to know her, and for her to know him, the real him.

She’s sweetness sitting on the tip of my tongue, waiting for me to swallow.

If you haven’t started P.T. Michelle’s BKoD series, I think you should at least give it a try! She created this world filled with mystery, depth, emotion, wonder characters and a world that is beyond belief. It has become a series I just adore!!

P.T. Michelle did wonderful, and this is a great novella for the series. It allows the readers and fans to see and experience more of the BKoD series. To get a greater understanding of the world Michelle created. It's a world I love getting lost in. It is also helping me with the wait for DESTINY! Which I am even more excited about now!

ETHAN was nicely paced, with simple but wonderful detail, and it gives insight into the brilliant and amazing character, Ethan. I experienced every emotion he did, seen everything he did, and came to understand him even more. I also did some major fan-girling :)

If you are a fan of this series, pick up this novella as soon as you can!!!

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan has a hard time keeping the voices and the dark images from plaguing his mind and thoughts. That is until he meets Nara. Nara brings with her the smell of sunshine and flowers and Ethan finds she is all he can think about. And soon Ethan starts noticing things about her others seem to miss. What is it about that girl and will he chance rejection to know her more? You betcha he will.

ETHAN is a really short read…a mere 50 some odd pages long on my nook. Readers get a special peek into Ethan’s life before him and Nara; before BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. I just loved being able to see him before we were introduced to him in BKofD but felt there was a part or two that was a bit slow. I know that is kind of weird since it is a short story, but it was to me. However, I do adore me some Ethan, so I will take whatever I can get and over look the small stuff.

ETHAN is a great addition to a fabulous series. If you have read the series…pick it up today and get a better look at Ethan before you fell in love with him in BKofD. Haven’t read the series yet? No problem. I think you should at least read BKofD first so you can appreciate this one a little more when you read it. Because when I read the last few sentences I had the biggest smile on my face.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many more questions than answers in this; I don't know what to make of Ethan, he's a difficult chap to understand, but then his protective instincts and his gift with dogs made me want to learn more.
Reading on with the next part...

[Tracy's Place · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 4

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: January 11, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.ptmichelle.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift from the author
Part of a Series: Yes, 0.5, Brightest Kind of Darkness Series
Series Best Read In Order: Prequel can be read before or after Book 1
Steam Level: Chaste
Pet Peeves: Not a Self-Contained Story, Cliff-Hanger
Favorite Tropes: Male Point-of-View, Tattoo

Even though I've read Brightest Kind of Darkness, it's been a long time, and a lot of books in between, and so while I remembered that I enjoyed the book, I honestly didn't remember the specifics of what it was about. As such, I read Ethan almost as a newcomer to the series, and so the only real drawback to this novella was the cliff-hanger ending. This was a rather minor point, since I knew going into it that it ended at a specific point, but I do think newcomers to the series should be aware that this is not a self-contained story in and of itself.

Overall, I loved getting Ethan's point of view, as well as a taste of his back story.  While I would have been a bit disappointed at the lack of actual "romance" in the book had I not already read BKOD, I did enjoy seeing Nara through Ethan's eyes.

While Ethan can be read either before or after reading Brightest Kind of Darkness, I think I would personally recommend reading this second. However, the good news is that at the time of this review, Brightest Kind of Darkness is free* on Kindle. I honestly have no idea how long it will be available at that promotional price, but I reviewed that story when it first came out and gave it 4.5/5 Stars (WHICH YOU CAN READ BY CLICKING HERE), and would highly recommend picking it up while it's still available on this promotion.

 4/5 Stars, and recommended for any fan of the series.


*Always check the price of any book before purchasing it. ;)

[D Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: PG13 for language
Sex: none
Language: 3 F words, 9 Lord's name in vain, 15 S words
Violence: none
HEA or Cliffhanger: this is a between book
Do I need to read books before this one: yes
Would I read more of the series: yes

I want expecting to write a review on a prequel, but this book is too good. It adds depth to Ethan's history.

Comfort is fleeting; it means you depend on someone else to get you through. I've learned that pain, both emotional and physical, can be a necessary evil, a visceral reminder life is gritty and real. When you finally stumble your way through the discomfort, you learn from it. Coping tools are better. They teach you how to survive.

Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself, even if the way you choose to do things is different from everyone else. It doesn't make you any less. It just makes you unique. Never compromise your exceptionalness.

----SPOILERS----
Ethan wakes from nightmares. He discards the medication that numbs his mind. It's his birthday. Samsung gets him a phone, but Ethan doesn't want it because it'll keep tabs on him. His parents had had him arrested because they thought he was the one who broke into their lake house and vandalized the BMW. Ethan gets a card from his parents for his birthday, goes to the willow in the cemetery to read it. It's his hideout. The card is incredibly generic with a check for $10K. He burns the whole thing. He hears somebody crying and goes to investigate. A 6yo boy is at his mom's grave site. His dad abuses him. Ethan teaches Marcus how to tie his shoes the bunny ear method. If you ever need to talk, leave a car on your mom's headstone and I'll be here the next day.

Ethan goes to a bar to check out a new band. His friends from his old school recommended the band. His friends are Blade (switchblade skills), Creeper (undresses women with eyes), Mo (Mohawk), and Shaun. He might not have the chance otherwise since he starts a new school tomorrow. Their bassist, Duke, was out with Miranda late last night, Ethan volunteers to fill in. No voices or visions while he's creating music. The others are Dom, Ivan, and Chance. Ethan introduces himself as Add, they call him Adder. Doesn't know how he played the guitar.

He drives home, Shaun is there with a birthday gift from the guys, the headphones he wanted. He goes inside, sees a birthday card. Sampson had returned the phone, got him speakers for his car. Last year he got him a Mustang project. For his new birthday for a new beginning, October 24th.

Nightmares, possibly Marcus's. He starts at the new school, sees Nara in the office. Her features don't blur into a monster, and the voices fade. All day. Why are there ravens on my car? He goes home, sees three kids being chased by a Rottweiler, runs to their rescue. Except he's rescuing the Rottweiler. They had slingshotted him in the mouth. He makes the boy apologize. Ethan has a weird connection with animals, sensing what they need. He takes the Rottweiler to the local animal shelter to get stitches and help finding the owner. The manager there offers him a volunteer position. He clarifies with the animals.

He dreams about Nara, eagerly awaits her in history class. She writes intently on her palm. That's not just some guys phone number. He's intrigued. He listens to Nate and Jake make plans to tap that. Nate saw that her back tire is almost flat. When school's over he's going to be there changing it. Ethan beats him to it. He also gets her tire fixed then swapped the next day. Ethan likes that she shines, reaches deep for the good in others. He can feel her presence when she comes into a room. He wants to be friends, get to know her better, but then she'll find out about his secrets. Wishes by their nature might remain unfulfilled, but they can also never be taken away.

He gets home from school one day, answers the phone. It's Dad, wondering about the check. First phone call in two years, doesn't ask how he is. Slams the phone, breaking it. He goes go the bar, jams with the band, doesn't realize it turned into a performance. And he's been singing. He never sings. He gets off stage, 2 groupies attach, one writes her name and phone number on his hand while he's imagines it's Nara. On the way to his car he gets mugged. Violence erupts out of him, along with moves he didn't know he had. When he gets home, Samson asks about the broken phone and tells him he has to reach across the fence to mend it. When he goes to bed, he thinks Nara would forgive her father, and his back itches.

At school, the voice is at him again to commit suicide. The second he looks at Nara, the voice cuts off. He overhears Nate and Jake conspire to praise Nara and Lainey after soccer practice so they'll get some action. Ethan goes, is amazed she never makes an error until she makes two obvious ones. He lets all the air out of Nate's tires, leaves a note that good girls have guardian angels, Protection and Vengeance. You don't want to meet Vengeance. Then he goes to the animal shelter. He's supposed to help bathe six dogs. One of them isn't barking. He approaches, and overwhelming sadness hits him. He picks him up, carries him outside to a tree, and sits with him on his lap. Manager comes outside because he needs to be working. It's Buddy's last night and he deserves to be surrounded by affection, not a cage. Another employee says Nara has arrived and wants to work. Ethan's excited about that. When he carries Buddy back in, Sally says she won't doubt him again.

Ethan's at school, exhausted. Then he sees Nara, and how she avoids getting hit by a basketball or jammed by trombone case. She's like a stuntman, perfectly coordinated. She presents the perfect opportunity for him to test his theory of her intuitiveness. They're playing soccer in the hall, and he stays out of her line of sight before suddenly veering into her path. As she goes by him, almost touching, he feels an electric sensation, hot and cold shoots from his head to his feet right before laser sharp awareness zips up his spine and seizes his lungs. He dreams about her that night, and every night for almost two weeks. He's afraid to talk to her in case he loses the dreams.

He wakes because of a nightmare with Nara. He races to the school to make sure she's okay, and sees her. Her hand moves toward him. He looks at her face, realizing dreams are air and reality is true sustenance. She's worth the risk of rejection. He pulls out his earbuds, What did you say?

[chucklesthescot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read Ethan before I decided whether or not to read the longer first book in the series. In hindsight, it might have been the wrong decision because reading this prequel put me off reading anything else in the series.

There was nothing wrong with the actual writing. It was a solid piece of writing, nicely put together and an attempt to build the character for the reader. This is why I think I might have been better reading the prequel once I got to know the characters in the present-because I really disliked the Ethan that we were introduced to here. I just found him to be whiny and annoying, spending all his time hanging about in pubs and with gangs, moaning about being accused of lawbreaking just because his friends were criminals. Oh my heart bleeds! Ethan is pretty much a tosser and his friends are asshats so it didn't take long to lose interest in his story.

Even with a personality transplant, I wouldn't be interested in reading more about Ethan's woes.

[Gayatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan was plagued by nightmares where he sucked other people's pain. If that was not enough his parents were convinced he was crazy and he left the house to live with his brother Samson. Ethan thought he had no hope. He thought he only brought darkness and negativity wherever he went. But, when he met Nara, she was light when he was dark, she was hope when all his hope was lost. She was trust when he was unreliable and she was still, when he was restless. Nara was everything he needed. He tried to convince himself that he was no good for her. This book was a short novella on the days leading up to Ethan meeting Nara, the troubles he faced. A little more of who Ethan was. It was a good insight into the person we all knew and loved in The Brightest Kind of Darkness but never really got to understand.
If you love Ethan like I do this was an amazing book :)

[Joey Berube · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is written in Ethan's point-of-view and takes place mostly prior to the first book of the series. I'm a fan of the series having already read the first two books and so can't judge if this book reads well as a stand-alone or not, because knowledge of what is going to happen infused my reading of the chapters. I already loved Ethan, but I really gained a deeper understanding of his character and the way his mind and gifts work through this book. I found myself smiling and crying at a few points in the book, and I love when a book can pull out those strong emotional reactions. Overall, if you are already a fan of the series, this prequel is a must read! If you aren't already reading this series, then you should be!

[Thalia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the review on my blog:
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/7...

[M. A. Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the whole "Brightest kind of darkness" series and Ethan was no different. It was a great waynto get a better understanding as to whomEthan is. I am just waiting on the next book to come out.

[Lotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for free on my kindle, and read it to see if I wanted to read the first book in the series -- I did! I liked Ethan's voice and found him to be an interesting character.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5*

I got both Ethan (book #0.5) and Brightest Kind of Darkness (book #1) at the same time for free during a promotional deal. Since Ethan was the 0.5 novella, I of course, read that first. But I would caution you to do this now that I’ve read book #1.

Even though Ethan takes place largely before book #1, jumping into Ethan’s story was odd. There didn’t seem to be much of a purpose behind the story being told and, by the end of the book, there seemed to be more questions than answers.

I was hoping that Brightest Kind of Darkness would clear some things up for me to help make this novella make more sense, but it almost exacerbated the problems within Ethan, instead of helped them.

I didn’t know what to make of Ethan as a person, what to make of his dreams, or what to make of his new obsession with Nara. He was a mystery, but not one I was all that anxious to try to figure out. Instead, I found myself fairly apathetic and he came across as oddball and strange. He also felt very ‘woe is me!’ all of the time, which didn’t exactly endear me to him, even if what he was dealing with was hard.

The writing style was okay, but at the end of the day, I wasn’t hooked to the story and this novella did nothing to amp up my excitement for book #1.

Ethan was also really short. There wasn’t a lot of time to dig into Ethan’s history and there was very little character depth introduced. I just wasn’t impressed with this story and, while I did go on to read book #1, I don’t think that Ethan contributed much of anything to the actual storyline. You don’t need to read this to jump into book #1 and I would almost suggest you read this after book #1 if you read it at all. It wasn’t built as a great introduction into the story.

I’m genuinely surprised by the amount of 5* ratings this novella has received…but as I’ll discuss in my review of book #1, I haven’t fallen in love with the series either way, so this may just not be the series for me.

[Ann L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a prequel to the "Brightest Kind of Darkness" series, but it's best read after you read the first book to the series. I recommend following that order because this particular novella talks about some things that go along with the first book. Ethan is narrating his story of what is going on with him before he meets Nara and what he thinks about her when he sees her for the first time, and what he sees in her that she doesn't even realize she has and does, and so that's enlightening because I didn't even know about certain intuitive abilities she has until after reading this novella. It's a free book, along with the first book in the series, so grab yours today.

I'm going to continue reading this series, because there's definitely some cool things happening in it, and a supernatural, paranormal mystery wrapped up in both Ethan and Nara's lives. There's a whole background story that I just know will unravel itself in the upcoming novels, so I'm looking forward to it.

[⭐Barbara S⭐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan (Brightest Kind of Darkness, #0.5)


Speechless 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


This prequel is written in Ethan's point-of-view, it is interesting and exciting but short



Ethan is not an ordinary boy he sees visions,
fights terrible dreams, helps those who need help


Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself, Marcus, even if the way you choose to do things is different from everyone else. It doesn’t make you any less. It just makes you unique. Never compromise your exceptionalness.”


I liked the scene with the little boy it was so cute and emotional 😢


He has terrible headaches when he meets Nara he sees light in his darkness


She’s the bright light shining in my periphery, edging out the creeping darkness.


It was emotional and dramatic with interesting scenes from the book
But the question is still Who is Ethan?


I'm excited about what's going to happen in Lucid!



Thank you!

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty well done

I enjoyed this little snippet of Ethan’s story. One thing that I noticed is that when you read the book you have to think about the situations in the book in a new way. It’s not just a fantasy read, but rather there is an underlying thing or message with each event or vision, etc.

I tried to explain how my thinking pattern worked for this book without spoilers, but you just have to read the book to figure out what I’m talking about.

This novella should be read after brightest kind of darkness and before the second book in the series.

I think this was a good read, and I definitely appreciate Ethan‘s character more while reading this book. So many unanswered questions! But hopefully in the next four books we will figure out those answers.

5.0 star rating

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the beginning of a series and it was a very short introduction but let me tell you in these few pages Ethan Harris has the reader along with him every step of the way. This teenager is carrying more than his fair share of the worlds weight on his weary shoulders and yet he still has a draw to him that the darkness inside cannot overshadow.

There is one scene in particular that nearly broke me on his behalf and several that made me cry but for sure he will not be forgotten soon even though he was barely met in this quick read and then gone again.

[Dawn Cavenee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of stories of teenagers. Most of the time, if a blurb mentions school or academy, I quickly put the book back. For some reason, I did not notice with this book and since I started it, I finished the novella. There were not enough answers, information or details. I feel like I’m in a fog and am going nowhere. Definitely NOT be continuing this series. I am NOT hooked - in the slightest!! ☹️

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read "Brightest Kind of Darkness," saw that there was a prequel and that it was a free Kindle download, so I read this novella. I really liked 'Ethan,' the character, and I'm so glad I read this before reading the previously named book. It lays a good foundation for understanding what is going on.

[Delaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was good. And I want more.
Who is Ethan and what are his demons?
What’s the darkness that talks to him?
Who is Nara and what is she hiding? How does she move the way she does?
What connection do they have to each other?
Will Ethan’s parents come around?
Will Samson figure out what’s going on with Ethan?
Who is Adder?

Very happy I stumbled across this one :)

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started with this book so with that being said it didn’t really WOW me. I do have ant to know what happens and why certain things are happening. However, I’m not going to die if I don’t get around to reading it like I feel with some of my books!

[Jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This insight to Ethan's life was pretty intriguing, but the story was so short, I didn't know if I should add it to my reading list since about 15% of the book was excerpts from latter books in the series.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the series! Really enjoyed getting to know Ethan's background. I look forward to reading the series!

[Barbara Beauchamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Good but should of read first
I love there story can't wait to read more.
Dreams are scary sometimes but wow

[Indie Wish List · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series review featured on: https://indiewishlist.wixsite.com/blo...

[Martip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really really short. Good. Short.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to get to know Ethan! I’m increasingly intrigued by his nature. So mysterious!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

great to get the back story to Ethan

[Georgina Lacayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reminded why I fell in love with Brightest Kind of Darkness. Can't wait to finish this series. I hope it doesn't flail like Lucid.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]