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Abyssal Sanctuary #1
Abyssal Sanctuary: Remnants of the Damned
Witness the Birth of Fear.
There has always been something wrong with the sinister and secluded town of Lakefield View. For one, people get murdered on the streets and nobody does anything about it. Even if they hear their screams curse the night skies, the number of saints has diminished. But it isn't the sick and twisted residents of Lakefield View that are the ones who you should avoid... it's the killers, the psychopaths, the witches and the monsters you should watch out for.
Five unsuspecting workers of a picturesque café get the shock of their lives when a family member is killed before their eyes. A chain of events ensue and they are all catapulted down a spiralling road of mystery and magic, each struggling to overcome constant obstacles that threaten their lives and the safety of their families. As the mystery progresses and the secrets get darker, the friends find it harder and harder to keep their heads above water.
The only thing worse than being alone in the dark, is finding out you're not!
_______________
A prism of genres, Remnants of the Damned promises to be a truly different approach of a series of novels with one of the main characters being gay – a rare occurrence in a mainstream piece of literature in this kind of genre.
There has always been something wrong with the sinister and secluded town of Lakefield View. For one, people get murdered on the streets and nobody does anything about it. Even if they hear their screams curse the night skies, the number of saints has diminished. But it isn't the sick and twisted residents of Lakefield View that are the ones who you should avoid... it's the killers, the psychopaths, the witches and the monsters you should watch out for.
Five unsuspecting workers of a picturesque café get the shock of their lives when a family member is killed before their eyes. A chain of events ensue and they are all catapulted down a spiralling road of mystery and magic, each struggling to overcome constant obstacles that threaten their lives and the safety of their families. As the mystery progresses and the secrets get darker, the friends find it harder and harder to keep their heads above water.
The only thing worse than being alone in the dark, is finding out you're not!
_______________
A prism of genres, Remnants of the Damned promises to be a truly different approach of a series of novels with one of the main characters being gay – a rare occurrence in a mainstream piece of literature in this kind of genre.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2013
11 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Gavin Hetherington
8 books158 followersGavin Hetherington, born 7 May 1992, currently resides in the town of Gateshead in the United Kingdom. A literature fanatic of fantasy, Gavin began writing stories when he was young, mainly about witches and the supernatural.
In 2006, Gavin’s short story, titled “Vanquished” won a nationwide competition to be included in a children’s anthology of short stories. The book, Telling T.A.L.E.S. Adventure into Fiction, Vol. 1, was published on 30 November 2006.
Gavin is gay and has never had a boyfriend, which he is grateful for as he wants his first boyfriend to be “the one”. Call it fictional but it’s true. Gavin loves film and scripted American television shows. His favourite films include the Harry Potter series, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Titanic and more. Almost every Disney animated classic and Pixar film, Gavin loves. His favourite television shows include Charmed, Desperate Housewives, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grey’s Anatomy, True Blood, The Walking Dead and many more.
While writing, Gavin also has a part-time job at Greggs the Bakers in Gateshead. Gavin attended Gateshead College from 2008 to 2009 before dropping out after feeling lost during a course change in the second year. Gavin returned to learning in September 2013 when he enrolled at Newcastle City Learning and will attend University in Fall 2014.
In 2006, Gavin’s short story, titled “Vanquished” won a nationwide competition to be included in a children’s anthology of short stories. The book, Telling T.A.L.E.S. Adventure into Fiction, Vol. 1, was published on 30 November 2006.
Gavin is gay and has never had a boyfriend, which he is grateful for as he wants his first boyfriend to be “the one”. Call it fictional but it’s true. Gavin loves film and scripted American television shows. His favourite films include the Harry Potter series, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Titanic and more. Almost every Disney animated classic and Pixar film, Gavin loves. His favourite television shows include Charmed, Desperate Housewives, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grey’s Anatomy, True Blood, The Walking Dead and many more.
While writing, Gavin also has a part-time job at Greggs the Bakers in Gateshead. Gavin attended Gateshead College from 2008 to 2009 before dropping out after feeling lost during a course change in the second year. Gavin returned to learning in September 2013 when he enrolled at Newcastle City Learning and will attend University in Fall 2014.
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July 17, 2016A reprehensible site and misunderstandings caused a witch hunt and it's bullshit. Kindle book is free as of 4/13/14.
dnf
September 19, 2014I genuinely tried, but the writing is not my thing.
"The moon descends a haunting glow on the spacious town that is locked in by miles and miles of evocative trees."
or
"'What did you see?' Christina asked, putting her delicate hand on Justin's broad shoulder. Christina was a beautiful girl. Her long black hair was perfect and her dark skin was flawless. She had empathy and pain in her eyes, her humanity emitted the sweet, mother-type figure Justin saw her as, even though they were the same age."
"The moon descends a haunting glow on the spacious town that is locked in by miles and miles of evocative trees."
or
"'What did you see?' Christina asked, putting her delicate hand on Justin's broad shoulder. Christina was a beautiful girl. Her long black hair was perfect and her dark skin was flawless. She had empathy and pain in her eyes, her humanity emitted the sweet, mother-type figure Justin saw her as, even though they were the same age."
May 30, 2014
4.5 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. I love a good horror novel and purchased it from B&N to read from instead.
Right from the get-go, the author had me tuned in. Some Prologues hint at what is to come, this one sets up the book masterfully, while giving the reader a few chills. Right away, the author talks about urban legends, and he doesn't stop with the Prologue, but feeds them to you bit by bit throughout the entire book. In some ways, it brought me back to my childhood, when my friends and I would see who had the scarier story. This in no way is making me say this book is juvenile, because it is sooo not that at all. I've always loved a bit of creepiness and this book filled what I've been lacking lately.
As the story progresses, you get to know the individuals that are being targeted. The storytelling is fantastic, the intricate layers being weaved to and fro, resulting in the ends reaching together at the end but not giving you the answers you wanted, which leads you to wanting the next book now. Too many times creepy, suspenseful stories lose their way with storylines that are repetitive of other books, give too much away to keep you interested or just lose their momentum. This book is not one of those. When you think that you're starting to figure something out, there's a shift in the story that totally makes you rethink things.
The author is superb in handling multiple POV's. I've read my fair share of books, as I'm sure you have, and sometimes seeing the same scene from another person's POV seem almost a carbon copy and starts to feel boring and overused. Not in this book. Each POV is as unique as each character is. The way the author brings each character into the fold keeps the reader attached to the story and keeps the flow of the action, keying in on the readers senses.
I recommend this book to all lovers of horror, but I do think that I would recommend it to those 16 and above and who can handle the bumps in the night without losing large amounts of sleep. I look forward to reading more in this series and whatever else author Gavin Hetherington writes.
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. I love a good horror novel and purchased it from B&N to read from instead.
Right from the get-go, the author had me tuned in. Some Prologues hint at what is to come, this one sets up the book masterfully, while giving the reader a few chills. Right away, the author talks about urban legends, and he doesn't stop with the Prologue, but feeds them to you bit by bit throughout the entire book. In some ways, it brought me back to my childhood, when my friends and I would see who had the scarier story. This in no way is making me say this book is juvenile, because it is sooo not that at all. I've always loved a bit of creepiness and this book filled what I've been lacking lately.
As the story progresses, you get to know the individuals that are being targeted. The storytelling is fantastic, the intricate layers being weaved to and fro, resulting in the ends reaching together at the end but not giving you the answers you wanted, which leads you to wanting the next book now. Too many times creepy, suspenseful stories lose their way with storylines that are repetitive of other books, give too much away to keep you interested or just lose their momentum. This book is not one of those. When you think that you're starting to figure something out, there's a shift in the story that totally makes you rethink things.
The author is superb in handling multiple POV's. I've read my fair share of books, as I'm sure you have, and sometimes seeing the same scene from another person's POV seem almost a carbon copy and starts to feel boring and overused. Not in this book. Each POV is as unique as each character is. The way the author brings each character into the fold keeps the reader attached to the story and keeps the flow of the action, keying in on the readers senses.
I recommend this book to all lovers of horror, but I do think that I would recommend it to those 16 and above and who can handle the bumps in the night without losing large amounts of sleep. I look forward to reading more in this series and whatever else author Gavin Hetherington writes.
August 1, 2014
Remnants of the Damned, the first book in the Abyssal Sanctuary series by Gavin Hetherington, takes place in a little eerie town called Lakefield View. Five friends, and co-workers from Pandora Café, are about to experience the worst 24 hours of their lives. It all starts when Tiffany’s sister is murdered right before their very eyes. Thinking that was the worst of it, Justin, Christina, Eric, Carmen, and Tiffany all go home and try to move on from the tragedy they just witnessed. Unfortunately, they each go through their own living nightmare. As they each struggle to survive and protect their loved ones, horrible secrets are revealed and puzzling mysteries get closer to being solved.
I will start by saying that Remnants of the Damned does not end with a nicely wrapped bow. There is pretty much no closure and readers are left with even more questions than answers. That being said, the huge cliffhanger had absolutely no negative effect on my feelings for this book; if anything, it made me even more intrigued and desperate to continue reading the series. New author Gavin Hetherington is such a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the book, we see things happen from different points of view. In each part of the book, more details emerge and readers get to see how these five friends are ultimately connected. Also, the plot was awesomely horrifying. There are some disgusting and disturbing scenes that will be ingrained in my brain for a very long time. It was unpredictable, completely memorable, and terrifying to the point where I had trouble sleeping, and I enjoyed it beyond words could describe. I will most definitely be keeping my eye on this author and the rest of this series.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
I will start by saying that Remnants of the Damned does not end with a nicely wrapped bow. There is pretty much no closure and readers are left with even more questions than answers. That being said, the huge cliffhanger had absolutely no negative effect on my feelings for this book; if anything, it made me even more intrigued and desperate to continue reading the series. New author Gavin Hetherington is such a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the book, we see things happen from different points of view. In each part of the book, more details emerge and readers get to see how these five friends are ultimately connected. Also, the plot was awesomely horrifying. There are some disgusting and disturbing scenes that will be ingrained in my brain for a very long time. It was unpredictable, completely memorable, and terrifying to the point where I had trouble sleeping, and I enjoyed it beyond words could describe. I will most definitely be keeping my eye on this author and the rest of this series.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
March 9, 2014
This book was recommended to me by my hair stylist. She deemed it one of the scariest books that she had ever read and I more than agree. So with that being said- if you like scary suspense, make that super scary suspense, reads-this one should be on your reading list.
On another note, I found the cover to be nicely done and represented nicely the type of story waiting inside. This book gave me chills from the first page. The author is quite gifted in painting the landscape with words and I could feel the dampness of the “sly fog”.
The author cuts to the chase fast as we are thrown right into the mayhem and murder.
I found the characters all very well crafted and the plot (which made me swallow hard a few times) was fast moving (and eerie) throughout.
When I read about a huge bang in the hallway, I about jumped out of my chair. This book zones in – hard- on your emotions.
To re-iterate -if you like true suspense – at the top of the scale suspense- this book is for you. I don’t think you’ll regret reading this one at all but you may find yourself looking over your shoulder especially at night for a few days afterwards.
On another note, I found the cover to be nicely done and represented nicely the type of story waiting inside. This book gave me chills from the first page. The author is quite gifted in painting the landscape with words and I could feel the dampness of the “sly fog”.
The author cuts to the chase fast as we are thrown right into the mayhem and murder.
I found the characters all very well crafted and the plot (which made me swallow hard a few times) was fast moving (and eerie) throughout.
When I read about a huge bang in the hallway, I about jumped out of my chair. This book zones in – hard- on your emotions.
To re-iterate -if you like true suspense – at the top of the scale suspense- this book is for you. I don’t think you’ll regret reading this one at all but you may find yourself looking over your shoulder especially at night for a few days afterwards.
December 4, 2013
Having just finished Abyssal Sanctuary, I can definitely attest that the author knows exactly how to execute suspense flawlessly in a manner that leaves you guessing what is going to happen next, yet always managing to play out differently.
The book is definitely intense and quite scary at some parts, but what I really like about this, and what makes it stand out compared to others in the genre, is the fact that I can tell the author has put a lot of time into character development, making them each seem dynamic with unique interactions between each other.
Too often do I feel that most horror writers rely too much on the 'shock factor', but Abyssal Sanctuary is different in that it's also impressive in many other aspects and it's an overall well-rounded book. I feel that I can't give it any less than the 5 stars that it deserves because of these reasons and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more.
The book is definitely intense and quite scary at some parts, but what I really like about this, and what makes it stand out compared to others in the genre, is the fact that I can tell the author has put a lot of time into character development, making them each seem dynamic with unique interactions between each other.
Too often do I feel that most horror writers rely too much on the 'shock factor', but Abyssal Sanctuary is different in that it's also impressive in many other aspects and it's an overall well-rounded book. I feel that I can't give it any less than the 5 stars that it deserves because of these reasons and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more.
January 11, 2019
How to start? hmm...
Well the book opens with a bang, it must be said. From the get go, you're given plenty of suspense, drama, action, mystery...you name it.
This book is filled with intense storylines, complex characters, sadistic killers. A thoroughly good read for anyone, though probably best targeted toward young adults who will certainly find it a very interesting and exciting read.
Couldn't put it down. :)
So anyone who loves a bit of the supernatural, definitely give it a read!
Well the book opens with a bang, it must be said. From the get go, you're given plenty of suspense, drama, action, mystery...you name it.
This book is filled with intense storylines, complex characters, sadistic killers. A thoroughly good read for anyone, though probably best targeted toward young adults who will certainly find it a very interesting and exciting read.
Couldn't put it down. :)
So anyone who loves a bit of the supernatural, definitely give it a read!
February 16, 2015
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
Remnants of the Dead was a dark and chilling tale about a creepy town where there's an abundance of sinister... things going on. One night 5 workers at the Pandora Cafe witness the murder of one of their co-worker's sister. And then things get worse. Each one of them then faces certain death, unaware that their lives are deeply intertwined. They don't know who is after them, but what ever it is, it wont stop until every single one of them is dead.
Okay, this book was great! I have mentioned that I love horror, right? I mean, to me, this book wasn't "Oh my god it was so scary I'm going to have nightmares for weeks!" since books don't typically scare me easily. But it did have that chilling factor that I love. It was like a whole bunch of urban legends mashed into one horror book... it was awesome! So if you love horror stories as much as I do, I think you should definitely give this book a go!
The story itself was also very action-packed--from start to finish. It will keep you hooked all the way through! You just want to know what will happen next! Oh the suspense nearly killed me! I loved it! :D
I also really liked all the diverse characters we had. We have Justin who is gay and is having some issues with his boyfriend (the jerk-face -_- *shakes fist at him*), but he is really a nice guy! Eric is the gorgeous, protective, and oh-so swoon-worthy guy! Carmen seems like the shy girl, one who is keeping a very dark secret. Christina is really nice and a loving older sister... she reminds me of myself ;) I love my bros (except for when they're annoying, lol). Tiffany is the snarky rich girl who I actually loved a lot! That girl has a mouth on her, and her attitude... she was just a really fun character to follow (despite all the tragedies)!
The book is split up into 7 parts: the prologue follows the victim that was murdered at the cafe... very cool point of view! The next 5 parts are told in the POV of each of the 5 main characters, each part overlapping with one another, which is another thing that I loved! Seeing the same scene told in the POV of different characters is really cool! I don't think many multiple POV books do that. Very unique!
The one thing that bothered me, however, is that we are left with a ton of unanswered questions! Granted, the characters still don't know what is going on either, but seriously! After one whole book we only get a little piece of the big puzzle! I admit, it's a little bit frustrating that I have more questions than answers, but hopefully they will be answered in the books to come!
Lately I've been really into Creepypastas (don't know what that is? Definitely check them out if you are a horror fan like me!), trying to satisfy my need for all things horror, and Remnants of the Dead definitely helped fill that void! The addition of magic and paranormal stuff was just a plus! ;)
With a dose of mystery and a grip of suspense (and a dash of sass) this novel will grasp you from the start and leave you wanting more!
Remnants of the Dead was a dark and chilling tale about a creepy town where there's an abundance of sinister... things going on. One night 5 workers at the Pandora Cafe witness the murder of one of their co-worker's sister. And then things get worse. Each one of them then faces certain death, unaware that their lives are deeply intertwined. They don't know who is after them, but what ever it is, it wont stop until every single one of them is dead.
Okay, this book was great! I have mentioned that I love horror, right? I mean, to me, this book wasn't "Oh my god it was so scary I'm going to have nightmares for weeks!" since books don't typically scare me easily. But it did have that chilling factor that I love. It was like a whole bunch of urban legends mashed into one horror book... it was awesome! So if you love horror stories as much as I do, I think you should definitely give this book a go!
The story itself was also very action-packed--from start to finish. It will keep you hooked all the way through! You just want to know what will happen next! Oh the suspense nearly killed me! I loved it! :D
I also really liked all the diverse characters we had. We have Justin who is gay and is having some issues with his boyfriend (the jerk-face -_- *shakes fist at him*), but he is really a nice guy! Eric is the gorgeous, protective, and oh-so swoon-worthy guy! Carmen seems like the shy girl, one who is keeping a very dark secret. Christina is really nice and a loving older sister... she reminds me of myself ;) I love my bros (except for when they're annoying, lol). Tiffany is the snarky rich girl who I actually loved a lot! That girl has a mouth on her, and her attitude... she was just a really fun character to follow (despite all the tragedies)!
The book is split up into 7 parts: the prologue follows the victim that was murdered at the cafe... very cool point of view! The next 5 parts are told in the POV of each of the 5 main characters, each part overlapping with one another, which is another thing that I loved! Seeing the same scene told in the POV of different characters is really cool! I don't think many multiple POV books do that. Very unique!
The one thing that bothered me, however, is that we are left with a ton of unanswered questions! Granted, the characters still don't know what is going on either, but seriously! After one whole book we only get a little piece of the big puzzle! I admit, it's a little bit frustrating that I have more questions than answers, but hopefully they will be answered in the books to come!
Lately I've been really into Creepypastas (don't know what that is? Definitely check them out if you are a horror fan like me!), trying to satisfy my need for all things horror, and Remnants of the Dead definitely helped fill that void! The addition of magic and paranormal stuff was just a plus! ;)
With a dose of mystery and a grip of suspense (and a dash of sass) this novel will grasp you from the start and leave you wanting more!
August 4, 2015
"...Everybody has a secret. Behind every smile lies a dark story. Behind every hello is a hidden goodbye."
* Silence...*
Do you feel that? That's the hair on the back of your neck standing up! That's the goosebumps slowly taking over. And that is a book you’re not going to want to put down. Holy jumpin' books! What an opening! From the book cover alone, you know your about to ready something spooky, add in the synopsis and I'm sure your ready to plug-in your night-light!
"A sly fog rolled into the town like a flood from the forest, completely embedding the ground, hiding the pavements and roads from naked eyes."
This was perfect for opening up on my imagination. The detailing and description through this book had me feeling like I was actually there among the characters, and that is an amazing feeling to have while reading a book. Remnants of the Damned started with a fast paced prologue that has you jumping right into the story. I loved how fast paced it was, this book had a perfect flow and there wasn't a point when I thought the story line was too slow or too fast.
Gavin decision to have multiple POV’s from all the main characters was absolute genius! From this you get to experience and see the scenario from a different angle, which makes this book so much more fastening. While there was room for improvement with the writing style I still strongly believe that Gavin Hetherington is an author to look out for!
Overall, Remnants of the Damned has every single element to classify this as a horror story and a good one at that! A spooky fast paced read that ends with a cliffhanger and makes you want to run out and grab the next book! Sadly, I’ll have to wait until October, cue the sigh! Sigh.
I give this 4 'high pitch screams' butterflies!
May 27, 2014
This is the first installment in the Abyssal Sanctuary, is from the horror genre. The cover alone is frightening, and lets you know just what you are in store for, some scariness for sure. But it was the blurb sealed it for me. Most of you know that I am a big fan of the books you don’t read in the dark, the scarier the better, and this one definitely delivers. It follow 5 people that have their lives turned all which ways by a bunch of horrific events but the why is was the best part of this.
These 5 main characters, Eric, Carmen, Justin, Christina and Tiffany were all great. We don’t get to know a lot about them, which I understand why. There isn’t a lot of time once everything starts happening. We do get enough that each of their own nightmare events pull you towards them. They each have their own struggles, their own fight for survival and those they they love too.
The plot is about 5 people who’s POV’s we get to read. From each of them there is a little more information, and some secrets given. This is more plot driven than character driven, which I think it a good things when it comes to reading horror type stories. each of the 5 work at the same cafe, and each of their stories are all intertwined and come together as the story progresses. Lakefield View might sound like a beautiful place to maybe visit, but this is one creepy little town. There is horribly scary creatures pulling people down empty train tunnels, masked people appearing inside houses, awful murders and this strange woman who is just always popping and there says some terrifying things, some making sense and most not. The ending was a cliffhanger, and it was a freaking awesome twist to the entire story, but it does a great job setting up for the next book. One that I most certainly be on the lookout for.
Hetherington did a fantastic job making me scared out of my wits and the more I read, I didn’t want to put it down. I wanted to know how all these people were all tied together and what scary thing could happen next to each of them. This is one of those books you don’t read at night and most definitely before you go to sleep.
This is one that I would say if you are frightened easily, I would warn you to read only during the day. lol.. Seriously, this is one scary mamma jamma, and fans of the horror genre will enjoy it. The characters were great, and the plot moves quickly and keeps you guessing as to the who and the why. Can’t wait to read Ashes of the Innocent in October, just in time for Halloween.
For more review, check out Visit Book Live Forever
These 5 main characters, Eric, Carmen, Justin, Christina and Tiffany were all great. We don’t get to know a lot about them, which I understand why. There isn’t a lot of time once everything starts happening. We do get enough that each of their own nightmare events pull you towards them. They each have their own struggles, their own fight for survival and those they they love too.
The plot is about 5 people who’s POV’s we get to read. From each of them there is a little more information, and some secrets given. This is more plot driven than character driven, which I think it a good things when it comes to reading horror type stories. each of the 5 work at the same cafe, and each of their stories are all intertwined and come together as the story progresses. Lakefield View might sound like a beautiful place to maybe visit, but this is one creepy little town. There is horribly scary creatures pulling people down empty train tunnels, masked people appearing inside houses, awful murders and this strange woman who is just always popping and there says some terrifying things, some making sense and most not. The ending was a cliffhanger, and it was a freaking awesome twist to the entire story, but it does a great job setting up for the next book. One that I most certainly be on the lookout for.
Hetherington did a fantastic job making me scared out of my wits and the more I read, I didn’t want to put it down. I wanted to know how all these people were all tied together and what scary thing could happen next to each of them. This is one of those books you don’t read at night and most definitely before you go to sleep.
This is one that I would say if you are frightened easily, I would warn you to read only during the day. lol.. Seriously, this is one scary mamma jamma, and fans of the horror genre will enjoy it. The characters were great, and the plot moves quickly and keeps you guessing as to the who and the why. Can’t wait to read Ashes of the Innocent in October, just in time for Halloween.
For more review, check out Visit Book Live Forever
May 25, 2014
What to say? I admit I had a hard time with just deciding on a rating for this book even more so on reviewing it. But then I decided I need to review it for what it is...a horror book. Horror books don't follow the same rules as Fantasy or Contemporary or any other genre, they don't have to and while I used to love reading "horror" when I was younger, I use the quotations because we're talking goosebumps and fear street, I don't really read that so much anymore, I read fantasy and contemporary which can't be compared to Horror because they are wildly different. Anyways on to the real review.
I would compare this to Fear Street because creepy Town where people die often and no one seems to care? Hello Fear Street. Also as a kind of weird mash up of Scream, Cabin in the Woods and Final Destination. Let me explain. Scream because of the men in masks who try to kill various character and pop up seemingly randomly until (spoiler alert) you realize there is more than one. Cabin In The Woods because, honestly, it's kinda pointless in the end, I mean there is going to be more books so the story will progress but still. And finally Final Destination because that's what it feels like at first because these character keep almost dieing and running from death and whatnot. Having said all of that it does make for a pretty great Horror story.
Likes -
- I liked the characters, they were wildly different from each other and yet all a little bit crazy. Also always a plus in my book one of the main characters is gay! Boom. Mind blown! Kudos to the author for that one. (Disclaimer: while it may sound like I'm being sarcastic here I swear I am not.)
- I also really liked the pacing of the book. It's broken down into six parts, one for each character that starts after they leave this Cafe where one of the characters sister has just been murdered and leading up to about twenty-four hours(I think) later when they're thrown back together again and the last part being the epilogue where they are all reunited and trying to figure just what is trying to kill them. But this way you get to everything from each characters point of veil and it definitely keeps you in suspense.
- Creepy - I fully admit this book creeped me out more than once, especially when I read a certain clown part in the middle of the night...yeah I didn't sleep that night and I am not normally afraid of clowns, you know except when they're in horror movies and books, but in general not afraid..
Dislikes -
- Lack of plot. But seriously how many horror movies and the like have a plot? I just wanted to know more.
Overall - This is definitely a horror story, lots of blood, all kinds of nasty things and fairly creepy. Which is a good thing but also means that there's not allot of plot or character development, there however is going to be more books so I'm sure some of the unanswered things will be answered. Basically if your a horror fan read it.
Would I Recommend This? Yes.
Who To? Horror fans
Will I read more from this author(or series)? Probably
I would compare this to Fear Street because creepy Town where people die often and no one seems to care? Hello Fear Street. Also as a kind of weird mash up of Scream, Cabin in the Woods and Final Destination. Let me explain. Scream because of the men in masks who try to kill various character and pop up seemingly randomly until (spoiler alert) you realize there is more than one. Cabin In The Woods because, honestly, it's kinda pointless in the end, I mean there is going to be more books so the story will progress but still. And finally Final Destination because that's what it feels like at first because these character keep almost dieing and running from death and whatnot. Having said all of that it does make for a pretty great Horror story.
Likes -
- I liked the characters, they were wildly different from each other and yet all a little bit crazy. Also always a plus in my book one of the main characters is gay! Boom. Mind blown! Kudos to the author for that one. (Disclaimer: while it may sound like I'm being sarcastic here I swear I am not.)
- I also really liked the pacing of the book. It's broken down into six parts, one for each character that starts after they leave this Cafe where one of the characters sister has just been murdered and leading up to about twenty-four hours(I think) later when they're thrown back together again and the last part being the epilogue where they are all reunited and trying to figure just what is trying to kill them. But this way you get to everything from each characters point of veil and it definitely keeps you in suspense.
- Creepy - I fully admit this book creeped me out more than once, especially when I read a certain clown part in the middle of the night...yeah I didn't sleep that night and I am not normally afraid of clowns, you know except when they're in horror movies and books, but in general not afraid..
Dislikes -
- Lack of plot. But seriously how many horror movies and the like have a plot? I just wanted to know more.
Overall - This is definitely a horror story, lots of blood, all kinds of nasty things and fairly creepy. Which is a good thing but also means that there's not allot of plot or character development, there however is going to be more books so I'm sure some of the unanswered things will be answered. Basically if your a horror fan read it.
Would I Recommend This? Yes.
Who To? Horror fans
Will I read more from this author(or series)? Probably
May 30, 2014
I give this book 4 1/2 STARS! What a truly different horror/paranormal novel for sure! Here is the blurb from Goodreads to start.......
Witness the Birth of Fear.
There has always been something wrong with the sinister and secluded town of Lakefield View. For one, people get murdered on the streets and nobody does anything about it. Even if they hear their screams curse the night skies, the number of saints has diminished. But it isn't the sick and twisted residents of Lakefield View that are the ones who you should avoid... it's the killers, the psychopaths, the witches and the monsters you should watch out for.
Five unsuspecting workers of a picturesque café get the shock of their lives when a family member is killed before their eyes. A chain of events ensue and they are all catapulted down a spiralling road of mystery and magic, each struggling to overcome constant obstacles that threaten their lives and the safety of their families. As the mystery progresses and the secrets get darker, the friends find it harder and harder to keep their heads above water.
The only thing worse than being alone in the dark, is finding out you're not!
_______________
A prism of genres, Remnants of the Damned promises to be a truly different approach of a series of novels with one of the main characters being gay – a rare occurrence in a mainstream piece of literature in this kind of genre.
OK.... so where do I start with this one? First of all, I have to say that I love the way the author wrote this book. It took a little time to get used to his writing style and the way in which the author unfolded the story..... but I found that once I got going I did not want to put this book down. I needed to find out or figure out what was going on! And let me emphasize that that was a challenge. For the most part, I was constantly guessing and trying to figure out what truly was happening and that is one of the reasons I loved this book so very much! It was refreshingly different and had quite a bit going on with the 5 main characters to keep you intrigued. :) I really do not want to say too much, because it would really ruin the point of this story which played out like a horror movie for me. All I can say is that I LOVED it! Just take my word for it. If you are a lover of horror and paranormal stories this book is totally for you! I cannot wait for the sequel because while I thought that I had figured out how this story was going to end, Gavin put a spin on it and left me quite surprised and intrigued! I am in need of the sequel like today, not October! Anyway, you need to check this out for yourself and October cannot come soon enough for me. And what a perfect month to release the sequel to this fabulous scary, horror, paranormal novel. Thanks to Gavin for a super fun and refreshingly different read!
Witness the Birth of Fear.
There has always been something wrong with the sinister and secluded town of Lakefield View. For one, people get murdered on the streets and nobody does anything about it. Even if they hear their screams curse the night skies, the number of saints has diminished. But it isn't the sick and twisted residents of Lakefield View that are the ones who you should avoid... it's the killers, the psychopaths, the witches and the monsters you should watch out for.
Five unsuspecting workers of a picturesque café get the shock of their lives when a family member is killed before their eyes. A chain of events ensue and they are all catapulted down a spiralling road of mystery and magic, each struggling to overcome constant obstacles that threaten their lives and the safety of their families. As the mystery progresses and the secrets get darker, the friends find it harder and harder to keep their heads above water.
The only thing worse than being alone in the dark, is finding out you're not!
_______________
A prism of genres, Remnants of the Damned promises to be a truly different approach of a series of novels with one of the main characters being gay – a rare occurrence in a mainstream piece of literature in this kind of genre.
OK.... so where do I start with this one? First of all, I have to say that I love the way the author wrote this book. It took a little time to get used to his writing style and the way in which the author unfolded the story..... but I found that once I got going I did not want to put this book down. I needed to find out or figure out what was going on! And let me emphasize that that was a challenge. For the most part, I was constantly guessing and trying to figure out what truly was happening and that is one of the reasons I loved this book so very much! It was refreshingly different and had quite a bit going on with the 5 main characters to keep you intrigued. :) I really do not want to say too much, because it would really ruin the point of this story which played out like a horror movie for me. All I can say is that I LOVED it! Just take my word for it. If you are a lover of horror and paranormal stories this book is totally for you! I cannot wait for the sequel because while I thought that I had figured out how this story was going to end, Gavin put a spin on it and left me quite surprised and intrigued! I am in need of the sequel like today, not October! Anyway, you need to check this out for yourself and October cannot come soon enough for me. And what a perfect month to release the sequel to this fabulous scary, horror, paranormal novel. Thanks to Gavin for a super fun and refreshingly different read!
May 29, 2014
Remnants of the Damned is a dark and creepy tale that utilizes many common urban legends and fits them into the storyline. I will have to say that this book really feels like all the popular horror movies rapped up into one neat little package. The story is told in sections from each characters point of view, until they all combine to finish the final arc of the story. This unique way of storytelling lets the author explore different forms of urban legends or common horror themes. I also like how each character experiences their own horror story, and then they join up with their co-workers to form the main horror story being told.
The characters are all very different but they are connected not only through their association with employment, but because whatever the sinister thing stalking Lakefield View seems to target them. As each story unfolds a little bit more of the reason behind these attacks is revealed ever so slightly. Even at the end of the book, I had many unanswered questions, and curiosities to be satisfied. Since this is only the first book in the series, I am hoping some of those questions and curiosities will be answered in the next installment.
I will have to say that any horror fan will enjoy the suspenseful writing of Gavin Hetherington, as the story does keep you on your toes. Trust me there is something in this novel for every horror fan, whether it is masked killers, unidentifiable monsters, or even super creepy clowns. This book is seriously like every childhood nightmare of mine rolled into one story. It is not something to read home alone at night, because sleep will become a most difficult thing after reading Remnants of the Damned.
I love the unique point of view story telling that Gavin Hetherington used, and I love the main plot of the story. I just really want to know what happens next, and what these five teenagers have to do with everything. Horror fans are in for a treat with Remnants of the Damned, and I cannot wait to read the next one. Best part is that it is currently free on Amazon, so grab your copy now!!
**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**
The characters are all very different but they are connected not only through their association with employment, but because whatever the sinister thing stalking Lakefield View seems to target them. As each story unfolds a little bit more of the reason behind these attacks is revealed ever so slightly. Even at the end of the book, I had many unanswered questions, and curiosities to be satisfied. Since this is only the first book in the series, I am hoping some of those questions and curiosities will be answered in the next installment.
I will have to say that any horror fan will enjoy the suspenseful writing of Gavin Hetherington, as the story does keep you on your toes. Trust me there is something in this novel for every horror fan, whether it is masked killers, unidentifiable monsters, or even super creepy clowns. This book is seriously like every childhood nightmare of mine rolled into one story. It is not something to read home alone at night, because sleep will become a most difficult thing after reading Remnants of the Damned.
I love the unique point of view story telling that Gavin Hetherington used, and I love the main plot of the story. I just really want to know what happens next, and what these five teenagers have to do with everything. Horror fans are in for a treat with Remnants of the Damned, and I cannot wait to read the next one. Best part is that it is currently free on Amazon, so grab your copy now!!
**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**
June 4, 2014
Actual Rating 3.5
Find the review here on my blog!
I want to start off saying I normally don't do .5 stars, but with this one I was so torn between 3 stars or 4, that i just said what the heck, and gave it a .5 :)
Abyssal Sanctuary: The Remnant of the Dead is a supernatural thriller that is creepily good! I loved the use of Urban Legends. They were the stories we told as kids around the campfire to scare eachother. Also there's this BEYOND CREEPY family that just sent shivers down my spine. This town of Lakefeild View sounds like not a nice place.
The story follows five teens who all work together at a local cafe. There is a part for each character and all their stories interlink and lead up to a creepy (i know I have used creepy alot but this book was creepy!), ending that will give you chills. I look forward to the next book.
I did have some problems with this book, which is obviously the reason for my torn between ratings. The characters could have used more development. There didn't feel like there was enough background or explanation on them to really relate to them or get a good enough feel on them. For me the Characters are a huge part of the story. I love to get attached to them, and while I enjoyed them sadly I didn't as much as i wished with this story.
There was also a few things I felt that were left unanswered, and I hope to maybe get them answered in book 2, we will see. Example: The little boy ghost Justin sees, and the fact he can see ghost. Or the fact that Carmen can have visions. There could have been more explanation.
I think what saved my liking for this book, and what I loved the most was the horror. I have always since a little girl, been fan of horror. I love that adrenaline rush of feeling you get when you scared(I know I'm weird).
Abyssal Sanctuary: Remnants of the Damned is for fans of horror. Gavin delivers exceptionally, including ghosts, mask killers, creepy clowns, cannibals, witches, and monstrous creatures!
I look forward to seeing how the next book plays out!
Find the review here on my blog!
I want to start off saying I normally don't do .5 stars, but with this one I was so torn between 3 stars or 4, that i just said what the heck, and gave it a .5 :)
Abyssal Sanctuary: The Remnant of the Dead is a supernatural thriller that is creepily good! I loved the use of Urban Legends. They were the stories we told as kids around the campfire to scare eachother. Also there's this BEYOND CREEPY family that just sent shivers down my spine. This town of Lakefeild View sounds like not a nice place.
The story follows five teens who all work together at a local cafe. There is a part for each character and all their stories interlink and lead up to a creepy (i know I have used creepy alot but this book was creepy!), ending that will give you chills. I look forward to the next book.
I did have some problems with this book, which is obviously the reason for my torn between ratings. The characters could have used more development. There didn't feel like there was enough background or explanation on them to really relate to them or get a good enough feel on them. For me the Characters are a huge part of the story. I love to get attached to them, and while I enjoyed them sadly I didn't as much as i wished with this story.
There was also a few things I felt that were left unanswered, and I hope to maybe get them answered in book 2, we will see. Example: The little boy ghost Justin sees, and the fact he can see ghost. Or the fact that Carmen can have visions. There could have been more explanation.
I think what saved my liking for this book, and what I loved the most was the horror. I have always since a little girl, been fan of horror. I love that adrenaline rush of feeling you get when you scared(I know I'm weird).
Abyssal Sanctuary: Remnants of the Damned is for fans of horror. Gavin delivers exceptionally, including ghosts, mask killers, creepy clowns, cannibals, witches, and monstrous creatures!
I look forward to seeing how the next book plays out!
September 6, 2014
The book has quite a strong start with the prologue giving the reader a very atmospheric introduction to the town where the story takes place. In part one we are introduced to the first character and the story moves forward, again very atmospherically, to give us the main stream of the story and events within the town. For me the book and the story then became unglued. I thought when I turned the page into part two and the next character (giving the story from their perspective) that I had, somehow, returned to the beginning of the first part as the opening of the second part was almost verbatim. The middle of the book went downhill for me here and it took a long time for the quality seen at the opening of the prologue and first part to re-emerge.
The characters that appeared in the first part weren't taken through the story with any credibility. The picture a reader forms in the minds eye just wasn't a cohesive whole as the author drops random bits of information throughout the book which often contradicts other snippets earlier. I also found the dialogue between the characters wearisome in places. Far too many words often said a very small thing - over use of verbs and adjectives makes a good story messy.
By the time the story reaches the epilogue it seems to be getting back on track and the story glues itself back together, giving us the structure needed to tempt us to pick up the sequel. A strong conclusion to book one is the saving grace and I will almost certainly have a go at the second book due out next month..I was privileged to be sent a preview of the beginning of book two and it has a very strong beginning!
The characters that appeared in the first part weren't taken through the story with any credibility. The picture a reader forms in the minds eye just wasn't a cohesive whole as the author drops random bits of information throughout the book which often contradicts other snippets earlier. I also found the dialogue between the characters wearisome in places. Far too many words often said a very small thing - over use of verbs and adjectives makes a good story messy.
By the time the story reaches the epilogue it seems to be getting back on track and the story glues itself back together, giving us the structure needed to tempt us to pick up the sequel. A strong conclusion to book one is the saving grace and I will almost certainly have a go at the second book due out next month..I was privileged to be sent a preview of the beginning of book two and it has a very strong beginning!
May 30, 2014
Okay, I am the first person to put my hand up and say I do not usually read scary/horror stories because I end up not being able to sleep.
I have read several by authors like Lindy Spencer and Rayne Hall in the past 6 - 8 months and they were so creepy. However, I read them during the day like a sensible person who doesn't like horrors ought to do. Was I sensible this time round? Errmmm no, I wasn't :(
Yup, smart ol' me decided to start reading this book when I went to bed one night. By the end of chapter one, I think if my hubby had tapped me on the shoulder, I'd have screamed in terror and fallen off the bed in an undignified heap :( so I waited till morning to finish the book. (I know, I know, I am a wuss!!)
Remnants of the Damned is a story that is told from several people's point of views which is a necessary part of the story, but the repetitivness kinda bugged me. To be fair, that's nothing to do with Gavin Hederington's writing or writing style and it didn't stop me from enjoying the story in any way.
If you asked me who my favourite character was, I would have to pick them all. There's not one that I liked more than the other. I definitely can't wait for the next part to find out what happens next.
Gavin does write a story that will have you wondering what is gonna happen to who next and he does it in such a way that had me almost imagining I was watching a tv series.
A massive 4.5 Shamrocks from this scaredy cat to a young writer whose story makes me long for the daylight and whose humor has me giggling :D
I have read several by authors like Lindy Spencer and Rayne Hall in the past 6 - 8 months and they were so creepy. However, I read them during the day like a sensible person who doesn't like horrors ought to do. Was I sensible this time round? Errmmm no, I wasn't :(
Yup, smart ol' me decided to start reading this book when I went to bed one night. By the end of chapter one, I think if my hubby had tapped me on the shoulder, I'd have screamed in terror and fallen off the bed in an undignified heap :( so I waited till morning to finish the book. (I know, I know, I am a wuss!!)
Remnants of the Damned is a story that is told from several people's point of views which is a necessary part of the story, but the repetitivness kinda bugged me. To be fair, that's nothing to do with Gavin Hederington's writing or writing style and it didn't stop me from enjoying the story in any way.
If you asked me who my favourite character was, I would have to pick them all. There's not one that I liked more than the other. I definitely can't wait for the next part to find out what happens next.
Gavin does write a story that will have you wondering what is gonna happen to who next and he does it in such a way that had me almost imagining I was watching a tv series.
A massive 4.5 Shamrocks from this scaredy cat to a young writer whose story makes me long for the daylight and whose humor has me giggling :D
June 27, 2014
This book was crazy!!
The writing was okay. It was a little redundant at times to reread the exact same conversation or set of events just being retold from another characters perspective but I understood why it was being done. I can't give it more stars bc there was almost TOO MUCH going on. It was like geez either these characters have terrible luck or this author just had too many ideas and couldn't pick one so decided to use them all. What makes this even more annoying is the timeline of this book seems to be about 24hrs max. Another annoyance is that because so much was thrown in this book you really don't feel that much of anything is resolved or answered. There were soooo many crazy things the author just dropped on us and never even went back to. This almost made me give it 3stars but despite this I still wanted to keep reading so I went with 4.
Lastly, the big ending was pretty cliche. If you didn't think that person was involved somehow then you have no common sense. BUT on the flip side while that characters involvement was expected how they are involved was yet another crazy twist. I'm not really sure if this review even makes sense or is helpful but this book made no sense and somehow was still enjoyable.
It was a free kindle book and it was a page turner. Would I recommend it? Yes but with the express condition that the story is just crazy lol
The writing was okay. It was a little redundant at times to reread the exact same conversation or set of events just being retold from another characters perspective but I understood why it was being done. I can't give it more stars bc there was almost TOO MUCH going on. It was like geez either these characters have terrible luck or this author just had too many ideas and couldn't pick one so decided to use them all. What makes this even more annoying is the timeline of this book seems to be about 24hrs max. Another annoyance is that because so much was thrown in this book you really don't feel that much of anything is resolved or answered. There were soooo many crazy things the author just dropped on us and never even went back to. This almost made me give it 3stars but despite this I still wanted to keep reading so I went with 4.
Lastly, the big ending was pretty cliche. If you didn't think that person was involved somehow then you have no common sense. BUT on the flip side while that characters involvement was expected how they are involved was yet another crazy twist. I'm not really sure if this review even makes sense or is helpful but this book made no sense and somehow was still enjoyable.
It was a free kindle book and it was a page turner. Would I recommend it? Yes but with the express condition that the story is just crazy lol
May 29, 2014
In Remnants of the Damned Gavin Hetherington blends horror and urban fantasy, repeatedly unwinding the events of two days from five viewpoints, all as dramatic as the other.
This is a fast-paced story which is horrific and alarming, but still we are obliged to continue reading. The fact that Lakefield View is an imaginary town in no specified country gives Gavin Hetherington's plot more impact. Although the Lakefield Ripper is just urban legend we are constantly aware that bloody murders, like those in the story happen all over the world and whether the reader is from the UK or US there is a level that these events resonate.
Each character in Remnants of the Damned is completely individual but all are connected by their workplace and the terrifying situations they are placed in. Although there are points in which their stories overlap this did not make me frustrated, only anxious for the mysteries to be solved and the perpetrator(s) found.
Gavin Hetherington is able to hook his reader into The Abyssal Sanctuary series by ending the novel with a shocking and unanticipated cliffhanger. I hope the sequel is released soon but for the time being I urge you to go and grab Remnants of the Damned while it is still FREE!!
This is a fast-paced story which is horrific and alarming, but still we are obliged to continue reading. The fact that Lakefield View is an imaginary town in no specified country gives Gavin Hetherington's plot more impact. Although the Lakefield Ripper is just urban legend we are constantly aware that bloody murders, like those in the story happen all over the world and whether the reader is from the UK or US there is a level that these events resonate.
Each character in Remnants of the Damned is completely individual but all are connected by their workplace and the terrifying situations they are placed in. Although there are points in which their stories overlap this did not make me frustrated, only anxious for the mysteries to be solved and the perpetrator(s) found.
Gavin Hetherington is able to hook his reader into The Abyssal Sanctuary series by ending the novel with a shocking and unanticipated cliffhanger. I hope the sequel is released soon but for the time being I urge you to go and grab Remnants of the Damned while it is still FREE!!
September 20, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is a self published book by a lovely young man, so stop and give it a try.
It will be available in ebook format from Amazon sometimes in october (sorry i don't have the exact date) and will be free for the day the site will allow.
So on the review finally.
This isn't my normal ready genre, but i have to say i enjoyed it.
So start as mean to go on this book is fast paced, you never get to that point where you think "i'll just put it down before the next big thing happens. There are no long pauses between action, is too much??
Surprisingly no, the book follows Justin Rutherford, Tiffany Hawkins, Eric Watson, Christina Mayer, and Carmen Stevens after Tiffany's older sister dies in front of them. The book follows each of them after this first ordeal.
I won't say anymore about the plot of this book because the discovering is always the greatest part.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy a bit gore and are open minded to supernatural genre.
Give a new author a shot, grab this book and delve into the weird and creepy town that is LakeField view!!
This is a self published book by a lovely young man, so stop and give it a try.
It will be available in ebook format from Amazon sometimes in october (sorry i don't have the exact date) and will be free for the day the site will allow.
So on the review finally.
This isn't my normal ready genre, but i have to say i enjoyed it.
So start as mean to go on this book is fast paced, you never get to that point where you think "i'll just put it down before the next big thing happens. There are no long pauses between action, is too much??
Surprisingly no, the book follows Justin Rutherford, Tiffany Hawkins, Eric Watson, Christina Mayer, and Carmen Stevens after Tiffany's older sister dies in front of them. The book follows each of them after this first ordeal.
I won't say anymore about the plot of this book because the discovering is always the greatest part.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy a bit gore and are open minded to supernatural genre.
Give a new author a shot, grab this book and delve into the weird and creepy town that is LakeField view!!
January 8, 2014
I really liked this book. I can’t believe how scared and on the edge of my seat I was while reading. It’s been a very long time since I’ve picked up a book that made me feel this way. Some of the scenes in this book were so vivid, making it difficult for me to put down. The author was exceptional at making you feel as though you were right there with the characters which I know is difficult to accomplish.
Well done!
The book is fast paced with a bit of gore and lots of suspense. The best part is that it carters to the supernatural genre which I love!
I’ll try not to give away too many spoilers. Five chapters of the book consist of the employees of Pandora Café, telling their version/experience after witnessing a brutal murder at the café. Not long after, each of them end up witnessing more murders and eventually, end up fighting for their own lives as well.
This book was a great action packed suspense novel and I will be looking forward to more work from the author. Great writing that will keep you wanting more. He just made my favorites list!
Well done!
The book is fast paced with a bit of gore and lots of suspense. The best part is that it carters to the supernatural genre which I love!
I’ll try not to give away too many spoilers. Five chapters of the book consist of the employees of Pandora Café, telling their version/experience after witnessing a brutal murder at the café. Not long after, each of them end up witnessing more murders and eventually, end up fighting for their own lives as well.
This book was a great action packed suspense novel and I will be looking forward to more work from the author. Great writing that will keep you wanting more. He just made my favorites list!
March 18, 2016
One of Wattpad's best undiscovered gems, this one, like Malus Domestica, owes a huge debt to the old master of horror himself, Stephen King - as well as to Twin Peaks and its many other spiritual successors about small towns with dark, dark secrets. Here we follow five young people, all with a shocking connection to some past horror in this dreadfully disturbing town, and now their past is really coming back to haunt them as more and more deaths happen all around.
Be warned - this book demands your attention and makes you want to finish yesterday. And it's gory, goopy, visceral, and loaded with varying amounts of just about every bodily fluid you can think of, and even some you didn't even know were invented yet.
Hard to believe Gavin Hetherington's another young millennial writer - he feels tons more seasoned than some of the rest of us. And as a fan of Brett Michael Orr's and Taran Matharu's books, that's saying something.
Be warned - this book demands your attention and makes you want to finish yesterday. And it's gory, goopy, visceral, and loaded with varying amounts of just about every bodily fluid you can think of, and even some you didn't even know were invented yet.
Hard to believe Gavin Hetherington's another young millennial writer - he feels tons more seasoned than some of the rest of us. And as a fan of Brett Michael Orr's and Taran Matharu's books, that's saying something.
December 29, 2013
(CONTAINS SPOILERS!)
I really liked this book, it had my heart racing as I read it. I probably would have liked it even more if I didn't have to constantly stop reading it due to family and holiday stuff.
I was left wondering why Roberto was trying to kill Carmen? Or why were these kids targeted after surviving a nursery massacre many years before?
Why was this particular family (the cannibals) after them?
Who was the little boy ghost leading Justin to the attic of his parents house?
I think I might read the book a second time. Maybe I missed something due to my constant and extremely annoying interuptions.
Even with all of the unanswered questions I have, this book gets 5 stars from me due to the authors way of creating such vivid murder scenes that played out in my mind and scaring the crap out of me!
Can't wait to read more from him!
I really liked this book, it had my heart racing as I read it. I probably would have liked it even more if I didn't have to constantly stop reading it due to family and holiday stuff.
I was left wondering why Roberto was trying to kill Carmen? Or why were these kids targeted after surviving a nursery massacre many years before?
Why was this particular family (the cannibals) after them?
Who was the little boy ghost leading Justin to the attic of his parents house?
I think I might read the book a second time. Maybe I missed something due to my constant and extremely annoying interuptions.
Even with all of the unanswered questions I have, this book gets 5 stars from me due to the authors way of creating such vivid murder scenes that played out in my mind and scaring the crap out of me!
Can't wait to read more from him!
October 15, 2013
In Lakefield View everybody has a secret, and not just any secret…
secrets so sinister you’ll wish you could get as far away from Lakefield as possible but… If you leave you die.
Abyssal Sanctuary is my kinda book. It’s full of scary creatures, likable characters, and so much action I could have easily read it in one night, if it wasn’t for my kids wanting to eat, and this thing called sleep.
From beginning to end I couldn’t get enough, I recommend this book to anyone looking to get lost in the secrets at Lakefield View.
secrets so sinister you’ll wish you could get as far away from Lakefield as possible but… If you leave you die.
Abyssal Sanctuary is my kinda book. It’s full of scary creatures, likable characters, and so much action I could have easily read it in one night, if it wasn’t for my kids wanting to eat, and this thing called sleep.
From beginning to end I couldn’t get enough, I recommend this book to anyone looking to get lost in the secrets at Lakefield View.
January 17, 2014
Oh gosh it left at such a cliff hanger, I can't wait to read the next book. I don't usually like horrors but this is an exception. Wonderful storyline and characters! great work Gavin! :)
July 21, 2016
Actual rating - 2.75
Not an awful read, but it really struggled to keep my interest.
Not an awful read, but it really struggled to keep my interest.
May 14, 2015
Did not finish. I hate not finishing books, and I hate writing reviews for books I don’t finish—because I know that people are going to harass me over it. It happens every single time…. but I’m going to write this review anyway because I believe that any time a reader can’t get through a book, there’s usually a good reason. As a reviewer, it is my obligation to give my opinion to other readers out there and let them know the pitfalls and triumphs of the books I review. You may agree with me, you may not, but this is my personal opinion.
To be frank, this book, in my opinion, was awful. How awful? I gave up 2 1/2 pages in—that may literally be the quickest I’ve ever given up on a book. Go ahead, take the time to cry foul and argue that it’s not fair of me to say a book sucks without having read the whole thing. I’ll wait. Here’s the thing… whatever the plot was, however wonderfully written the characters may have been, I couldn’t get past those first 2 1/2 pages. The sentence structure was convoluted, and littered with both run-on sentences and fragments. The wording was odd and had a disjointed feel to it, and the words used were often misused and ill-placed.
I am a firm believer that narrative should practically disappear. It should be effortless and flow from one idea to the next in such a way that you forget you’re reading a book. Instead, you become part of the story for a few short hours. I didn’t get that with this book. You don’t have to take my word for it—I have some quotes to share.
//The stories began when the town was first founded one thousand years ago. One particular urban legend is that once you leave the town and return, you’re doomed to die. In fact, just stepping foot in Lakefield View is enough to curse a soul to a promised home in the ground.//
//There is a monster. It cloaks itself with a human identity. There are many monsters that live in the shadows, but only one is solely responsible for the fate of this abyssal sanctuary.//
//The moon descends a haunting glow on the spacious town that is locked in by miles and miles of evocative trees.//
//With gorgeous houses lining the street, the residents milk the opportunity to brag about their homes. Not all of the people who live there are smug and condescending, but the majority have a death wish.//
These are just a few lines from the first two pages. It’s hard to explain exactly why the narrative feels so off to me—perhaps because it’s hard to understand what the author was trying to tell us. The paragraphs contained several disjointed thoughts at once, often without anything to tie them together. Attention was drawn to certain aspects of the story (like the monster) only to be glossed over and ignored further down the page. I guess the word I’m looking for to describe the narrative is CHAOTIC.
There are probably people out there that will be able to get through this book and thoroughly enjoy it far more than I did. Speaking only for myself, I couldn’t stomach it. After 2 1/2 pages I had no interest in reading on to the third page, let alone the rest of the book, and I’m not going to waste my time forcing myself to read a book I obviously have no interest in. If you’re interested in reading this story I would suggest taking a look at the preview on Amazon first to determine if it’s something your interested in. As for me, well, this just wasn’t my cup of tea, so I’m going to move on. I honestly wish I had liked it more than I did, but you know, not every book is for every person.
To be frank, this book, in my opinion, was awful. How awful? I gave up 2 1/2 pages in—that may literally be the quickest I’ve ever given up on a book. Go ahead, take the time to cry foul and argue that it’s not fair of me to say a book sucks without having read the whole thing. I’ll wait. Here’s the thing… whatever the plot was, however wonderfully written the characters may have been, I couldn’t get past those first 2 1/2 pages. The sentence structure was convoluted, and littered with both run-on sentences and fragments. The wording was odd and had a disjointed feel to it, and the words used were often misused and ill-placed.
I am a firm believer that narrative should practically disappear. It should be effortless and flow from one idea to the next in such a way that you forget you’re reading a book. Instead, you become part of the story for a few short hours. I didn’t get that with this book. You don’t have to take my word for it—I have some quotes to share.
//The stories began when the town was first founded one thousand years ago. One particular urban legend is that once you leave the town and return, you’re doomed to die. In fact, just stepping foot in Lakefield View is enough to curse a soul to a promised home in the ground.//
//There is a monster. It cloaks itself with a human identity. There are many monsters that live in the shadows, but only one is solely responsible for the fate of this abyssal sanctuary.//
//The moon descends a haunting glow on the spacious town that is locked in by miles and miles of evocative trees.//
//With gorgeous houses lining the street, the residents milk the opportunity to brag about their homes. Not all of the people who live there are smug and condescending, but the majority have a death wish.//
These are just a few lines from the first two pages. It’s hard to explain exactly why the narrative feels so off to me—perhaps because it’s hard to understand what the author was trying to tell us. The paragraphs contained several disjointed thoughts at once, often without anything to tie them together. Attention was drawn to certain aspects of the story (like the monster) only to be glossed over and ignored further down the page. I guess the word I’m looking for to describe the narrative is CHAOTIC.
There are probably people out there that will be able to get through this book and thoroughly enjoy it far more than I did. Speaking only for myself, I couldn’t stomach it. After 2 1/2 pages I had no interest in reading on to the third page, let alone the rest of the book, and I’m not going to waste my time forcing myself to read a book I obviously have no interest in. If you’re interested in reading this story I would suggest taking a look at the preview on Amazon first to determine if it’s something your interested in. As for me, well, this just wasn’t my cup of tea, so I’m going to move on. I honestly wish I had liked it more than I did, but you know, not every book is for every person.
July 17, 2014
***DISCLAIMER*** I have an imagination and am easily entertained...
This was a free download from Amazon.com.
Remnants of the Damned by Gavin Hetherington as experienced by Amy Beth Burke.
I would have liked to give this book 3.5 stars, but the system here does not allow for that.
Things I enjoyed about this book...
1) It was, without doubt, full of edge of your seat thrills and chills.
2) The main characters were likable, yet all had flaws.
3) Who doesn't like a character who sees dead people?
4) The story line peaked my interest and made me want to continue to the end.
5) I enjoyed the viewing of events from each main characters perspective.
Things I think could use a little work in the book...
1) The characters could be fleshed out a bit more long with the story arc.
2) The descriptive language was sometimes repetitive or seemed out of place.
3) The reaction to some situations in the book seemed VERY disjointed or plain out of character for any normal person.
4) I personally would have preferred more resolution to this particular story arc as I was left feeling as if I missed something along the way. I realize that there needs to be a lead in to the next book, but I still have no idea what the reasoning was behind all the events of the book. I know how the main characters connect... but not why they were targeted as they were.
5) Editing... I am certain that this book would have benefited from a good editing and a bit of brainstorming to make it a bit more clear, concise and grammatically correct.
I am given to understand that Gavin Hetherington is a relatively new author; I am certain that his work will become more polished over time. I would recommend the book if you like the thrill factor, are not overly concerned with a smooth read and don't mind a fair amount of loose ends and no real resolution to the story. If the previously mentioned items are important to you, I would still recommend the book, but I would suggest waiting to read the series until the 3rd book in this Trilogy comes out in 2015. At that point I would expect this book to be polished up as well as Mr. Hetherington's writing to have progressed.
This was a free download from Amazon.com.
Remnants of the Damned by Gavin Hetherington as experienced by Amy Beth Burke.
I would have liked to give this book 3.5 stars, but the system here does not allow for that.
Things I enjoyed about this book...
1) It was, without doubt, full of edge of your seat thrills and chills.
2) The main characters were likable, yet all had flaws.
3) Who doesn't like a character who sees dead people?
4) The story line peaked my interest and made me want to continue to the end.
5) I enjoyed the viewing of events from each main characters perspective.
Things I think could use a little work in the book...
1) The characters could be fleshed out a bit more long with the story arc.
2) The descriptive language was sometimes repetitive or seemed out of place.
3) The reaction to some situations in the book seemed VERY disjointed or plain out of character for any normal person.
4) I personally would have preferred more resolution to this particular story arc as I was left feeling as if I missed something along the way. I realize that there needs to be a lead in to the next book, but I still have no idea what the reasoning was behind all the events of the book. I know how the main characters connect... but not why they were targeted as they were.
5) Editing... I am certain that this book would have benefited from a good editing and a bit of brainstorming to make it a bit more clear, concise and grammatically correct.
I am given to understand that Gavin Hetherington is a relatively new author; I am certain that his work will become more polished over time. I would recommend the book if you like the thrill factor, are not overly concerned with a smooth read and don't mind a fair amount of loose ends and no real resolution to the story. If the previously mentioned items are important to you, I would still recommend the book, but I would suggest waiting to read the series until the 3rd book in this Trilogy comes out in 2015. At that point I would expect this book to be polished up as well as Mr. Hetherington's writing to have progressed.
November 1, 2014
For more reviews, please visit my site.
The first book in The Abyssal Sanctuary Series is a standard horror story. There is a lot of bloodiness and a fair bit of gruesome gore. A lot of vicious attacks and a bit of murder and cannibalism, all in one city. Oh, and people in masks. However, if I had to rate the creepiness factor, it's about a 6 for me, but I have a feeling that reading all these bloodthirsty YA novels has had a hand in it, because the blood loss no longer scares me, and being hunted by things just means you have to fight back.
The narrative comprises of five viewpoints of the main characters, who all saw the aftermath of a murder at their workplace. Something connects all of them, and someone is trying to kill all of them, too. The book begins as a young girl if horrifically murdered in front of a crowd of people at a cafe, including her own sister, and the viewpoints culminate to one event, where they team up to find out what on earth is going on.
This book is seriously bloodthirsty and full of action, perfect for those of you who like a bit of gore. It is not especially frightening, though people are dying all the time in quite horrible ways. The thing it seemed to be lacking is character development. Although this is realistic, (because who on earth develops within 24 hours anyway?) it doesn't give the depth of character that we need to like and care about these five. You do root for them, but it is half-hearted as most of them seem too nice and innocent to be real. Maybe there will be more development in the next book as it seems like the town isn't quite done with them yet, and there is a lot being left unanswered here.
There were a few spelling a typo issues, but the most obvious one to me was 'smelt' instead of 'smelled'.
Overall this was a good read, but not exemplary. However, in a horror genre, I do not expect mind blowing things to happen, so this was fine by me. It was quite scary, but not enough to give me nightmares.
The first book in The Abyssal Sanctuary Series is a standard horror story. There is a lot of bloodiness and a fair bit of gruesome gore. A lot of vicious attacks and a bit of murder and cannibalism, all in one city. Oh, and people in masks. However, if I had to rate the creepiness factor, it's about a 6 for me, but I have a feeling that reading all these bloodthirsty YA novels has had a hand in it, because the blood loss no longer scares me, and being hunted by things just means you have to fight back.
The narrative comprises of five viewpoints of the main characters, who all saw the aftermath of a murder at their workplace. Something connects all of them, and someone is trying to kill all of them, too. The book begins as a young girl if horrifically murdered in front of a crowd of people at a cafe, including her own sister, and the viewpoints culminate to one event, where they team up to find out what on earth is going on.
This book is seriously bloodthirsty and full of action, perfect for those of you who like a bit of gore. It is not especially frightening, though people are dying all the time in quite horrible ways. The thing it seemed to be lacking is character development. Although this is realistic, (because who on earth develops within 24 hours anyway?) it doesn't give the depth of character that we need to like and care about these five. You do root for them, but it is half-hearted as most of them seem too nice and innocent to be real. Maybe there will be more development in the next book as it seems like the town isn't quite done with them yet, and there is a lot being left unanswered here.
There were a few spelling a typo issues, but the most obvious one to me was 'smelt' instead of 'smelled'.
Overall this was a good read, but not exemplary. However, in a horror genre, I do not expect mind blowing things to happen, so this was fine by me. It was quite scary, but not enough to give me nightmares.
May 21, 2014
The dark creepy synopsis of Remnants of the Damned had me intrigued so I had to pick up this book for the book tour. I am always looking for that book that will creep you out so much you can barely sleep. Although this book didn’t hit the creepiness level I was hoping, it did keep me wondering what was going to happen next.
Likes:
The format of the book was intriguing. The main characters each told their side of the story, all on one day. They all work at a café in a creepy town with a traumatic history.
There was this family that wove into the story that was probably my favorite part of the story, sadly they didn’t really get a starting role until the end, but man I could have read a whole story about that family alone. They ate humans, lived without electricity and bathed in the same bathwater for year, crazy town!
The women detective that wove her way into the story was really interesting too, I imagined her as a creepy version of Nanny McPhee.
Gripes:
The writing really was lacking, it is the first novel by Gavin and you can tell. A for effort, C for actual composition. I am sure his writing will really grow as he grows as a writer, so keep your eye on him.
The world-building was really lacking for me as well, this also can be from inexperience. I really wanted more of the creepy details and a lot of the time the scenes barely skimmed the surface. I hope as this series grows, the fine details will come to life.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
The format of the book was intriguing. The main characters each told their side of the story, all on one day. They all work at a café in a creepy town with a traumatic history.
There was this family that wove into the story that was probably my favorite part of the story, sadly they didn’t really get a starting role until the end, but man I could have read a whole story about that family alone. They ate humans, lived without electricity and bathed in the same bathwater for year, crazy town!
The women detective that wove her way into the story was really interesting too, I imagined her as a creepy version of Nanny McPhee.
Gripes:
The writing really was lacking, it is the first novel by Gavin and you can tell. A for effort, C for actual composition. I am sure his writing will really grow as he grows as a writer, so keep your eye on him.
The world-building was really lacking for me as well, this also can be from inexperience. I really wanted more of the creepy details and a lot of the time the scenes barely skimmed the surface. I hope as this series grows, the fine details will come to life.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
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