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Wink
In this thriller set in a rural Gulf Coast town, twelve-year-old Marty Jameson finds refuge in the attic from his mother’s abusive rages. But only during the day. At night the attic holds terrors even beyond what he witnesses in his home. With a family made up of a psychotic mother, a drug-dealing father and a comatose older brother withering away in the spare bedroom, Marty feels trapped.
Next door, wheel-chair bound Sadie Marsh obsessively watches Marty’s comings and goings from her bedroom window, despite her mother’s warning about the evil in that house. Evil which appears to Sadie as huge black-winged creatures.
Marty, emotionally torn by the violence and dysfunction in his family, is drawn to Sadie and her kindly mother. But if he is to save his new friend from the supernatural horror threatening them all, Marty must transform himself from victim to hero. And to do so, he must first confront what lurks hidden in the shadows of his attic.
Next door, wheel-chair bound Sadie Marsh obsessively watches Marty’s comings and goings from her bedroom window, despite her mother’s warning about the evil in that house. Evil which appears to Sadie as huge black-winged creatures.
Marty, emotionally torn by the violence and dysfunction in his family, is drawn to Sadie and her kindly mother. But if he is to save his new friend from the supernatural horror threatening them all, Marty must transform himself from victim to hero. And to do so, he must first confront what lurks hidden in the shadows of his attic.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 10, 2013
Sometimes we hear a voice. Deep at times, at times trembling on the very edge of hearing, a vibration, a whisper. A voice that reaches into your soul and changes what was there before. Rarely do you find these voices, but when they do, they are to be cherished.
Eric Trant has that voice. He speaks of the darkness in the human soul. The pain, the agony of savagery and brutality, of hopelessness and agony too deep to bear. Of the absolute depths of what can pass for a human soul. I could taste Trant’s characters on the back of my tongue, copper and brass and old, diseased blood. Smell the decay of souls rotted beyond redemption.
Yet on top of that, he layers a sheen of hope, a blue-shimmering breath of possibility, scented and yet not seen. Two children, separated by the width of a yard, and by a chasm of darkness without end. One child broken, trapped within her house, neat and tidy and real. The other living inside a nightmare with no end: "It was a place where the unburied dead mired themselves between life and death. It was a place of half-living, half-dead, spiritless creatures, and except for Marty, what lived there did not walk and dwell like other living things, but crawled and crept and slithered and hid from the light."
So much of this book is lived within the ‘real world’. A world of poverty, drug addiction, hoarding, hatred and child abuse. A world of no hope, no joy, no possibilities. And then, things begin to change . . .
Thrilling, painful, heart-rending and yet hopeful. All of these things and more. I highly recommend this book, no matter if you like thrillers and paranormal, or are up for some heavy-duty literary fiction. The book walked right inside me and turned on a light in a dark place.
Eric Trant has that voice. He speaks of the darkness in the human soul. The pain, the agony of savagery and brutality, of hopelessness and agony too deep to bear. Of the absolute depths of what can pass for a human soul. I could taste Trant’s characters on the back of my tongue, copper and brass and old, diseased blood. Smell the decay of souls rotted beyond redemption.
Yet on top of that, he layers a sheen of hope, a blue-shimmering breath of possibility, scented and yet not seen. Two children, separated by the width of a yard, and by a chasm of darkness without end. One child broken, trapped within her house, neat and tidy and real. The other living inside a nightmare with no end: "It was a place where the unburied dead mired themselves between life and death. It was a place of half-living, half-dead, spiritless creatures, and except for Marty, what lived there did not walk and dwell like other living things, but crawled and crept and slithered and hid from the light."
So much of this book is lived within the ‘real world’. A world of poverty, drug addiction, hoarding, hatred and child abuse. A world of no hope, no joy, no possibilities. And then, things begin to change . . .
Thrilling, painful, heart-rending and yet hopeful. All of these things and more. I highly recommend this book, no matter if you like thrillers and paranormal, or are up for some heavy-duty literary fiction. The book walked right inside me and turned on a light in a dark place.
February 6, 2014
4.5 stars.
This was quite a surprisingly good story! I'd never read anything by this author before, but was captivated by his imagery and characterizations from the very first chapter. A heart-renching, supernatural story about a boy from a horrible family, to whom abuse is an everyday occurrence, and his fight against everyday life AND the evil surrounding him.
Recommended!
This was quite a surprisingly good story! I'd never read anything by this author before, but was captivated by his imagery and characterizations from the very first chapter. A heart-renching, supernatural story about a boy from a horrible family, to whom abuse is an everyday occurrence, and his fight against everyday life AND the evil surrounding him.
Recommended!
March 4, 2014
Considerably better than one has any right to expect from an unknown author. Trant has done a terrific job of creating an excellent work of southern gothic with this coming of age story. White trash is pretty terrifying in its own right, and Trant portrays it in his book with unflinching realism, but with evil at their backs, it's a whole other dimension of brutality. Not without problems, mainly the supernatural aspect of seemed clunky at times and too drawn out, but the writing itself (and first quarter or so of the book is actually supernatural free zone) and particularly the genuinely multi dimensional characters (whether appalling or captivating) were absolutely first rate. The bio says this is the author's second novel, but the first one seems to be impossible to find, so this might as well be a debut and at any rate it's very impressive. Recommended.
December 25, 2017
In a small Gulf Coast town, a twelve-year-old boy finds a reprieve from his dysfunctional and broken family in the attic that would become his source of strength and his window into a dark world where he is so much more than the brother of a comatose boy, the emotional whipping boy of a raging mother and drug dealing father. It is only in the magic of his whittling, his knife and the beauty of the animals he carves that he finds protection as he becomes more than human. Is he becoming a monster or has his mind merely given him an escape from the horrors of his life?
His house is called evil, but it didn’t stop the wheelchair bound Sadie from becoming his friend, from being a witness to the creatures with the huge, black wings or from witnessing the changes in Marty, the lonely boy who had no one to protect him, but himself and the dark creatures. Now Marty must keep his one friend safe from the evil that lurks within the attic, now Marty must learn to believe in himself and become the hero he never had.
WINK by Eric Trant is a dark, edgy and sometimes heart wrenching tale of a young boy, abused, alone and living with only fleeting memories of a time when someone cared. Filled with the horrors of the unknown, this story is told through the eyes and maturity of a young boy who sees things that go bump in the night and believes he can keep them at bay, but at what cost?
Gritty, veiled in family stories, the unknown, Marty is the type of character that one cannot help but root for, no matter what.
Publisher: WiDo Publishing (April 16, 2013)
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
Genre: Horror
Print Length: 275 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
His house is called evil, but it didn’t stop the wheelchair bound Sadie from becoming his friend, from being a witness to the creatures with the huge, black wings or from witnessing the changes in Marty, the lonely boy who had no one to protect him, but himself and the dark creatures. Now Marty must keep his one friend safe from the evil that lurks within the attic, now Marty must learn to believe in himself and become the hero he never had.
WINK by Eric Trant is a dark, edgy and sometimes heart wrenching tale of a young boy, abused, alone and living with only fleeting memories of a time when someone cared. Filled with the horrors of the unknown, this story is told through the eyes and maturity of a young boy who sees things that go bump in the night and believes he can keep them at bay, but at what cost?
Gritty, veiled in family stories, the unknown, Marty is the type of character that one cannot help but root for, no matter what.
Publisher: WiDo Publishing (April 16, 2013)
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
Genre: Horror
Print Length: 275 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 15, 2017
I love coming-of-age horror stories, and this book is another truly fine specimen of the subject.
The characters, their homes and neighborhood are introduced in a way that you can not only envision, but see, smell and feel it all like standing immediately nearby the whole time. The summer heat with lazy swirling dust motes, stale air and the ever-present stink of the cluttered house or even the unbearable heat of fire at the end of the book - reading this book, I was constantly reminded of some King works by the way the author managed to make it all feel so real.
Wink is the outstanding story of a young anti-hero, who suffers from his negligent and violent parents. He must outgrow his human boundaries and turn into something supernatural in order to defy an ancient evil. Highly recommended.
The characters, their homes and neighborhood are introduced in a way that you can not only envision, but see, smell and feel it all like standing immediately nearby the whole time. The summer heat with lazy swirling dust motes, stale air and the ever-present stink of the cluttered house or even the unbearable heat of fire at the end of the book - reading this book, I was constantly reminded of some King works by the way the author managed to make it all feel so real.
Wink is the outstanding story of a young anti-hero, who suffers from his negligent and violent parents. He must outgrow his human boundaries and turn into something supernatural in order to defy an ancient evil. Highly recommended.
July 17, 2013
Shades of Stephen King... Wonderful story that was scary as hell! Trant did a great job of pulling the reader in and having them empathize with Marty, the 12 year old main character. His life was a living hell, and that was even before the "things" in the attic, the dark, shadowy, creatures got involved.
Trant's voice at times reads almost like poetry. But he has a real knock at writing edge of your seat scenes. Some were so vivid, I felt my heart pound.
This is suspense and horror all rolled into one. Not usually my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well edited, good read. Five stars.
Trant's voice at times reads almost like poetry. But he has a real knock at writing edge of your seat scenes. Some were so vivid, I felt my heart pound.
This is suspense and horror all rolled into one. Not usually my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well edited, good read. Five stars.
March 21, 2018
This book started out as a story of a young boy who endures horrific abuse and neglect at the hands of his drug addled parents and it just gets worse from there. The only people who seem to realize his horrible situation are a neighbor girl and her mother and his dead uncle. The police who are periodically called to the house seem to ignore the obvious signs. The neighbor girl has some empathy but her mother alternately fears the family and hands out peace-meal help by offering meals and calling the police. I kept thinking that something was going to happen to help this boy but when it does it follows a ridiculous story path. He is haunted by supernatural creatures, digs into his dead uncle's grave to retrieve his glass eye, gouges out his own eye to insert the "magic" glass one, witnesses the horrific deaths of several people including his mother and a police officer, and is transformed into an owl creature that comes back from the dead. The story did not have a resolved ending. Even after his "resurrection" there is no solution to his living conditions, his neighbor girl is without a home or parent to care for her and as far as we know the Boogerbears are still at large in the world. I really DID NOT like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2018
Surprisingly Good!!
This book was labeled as a thriller, but it is so much more than that!! Trant's character development and storyline skills are very evident in this book. He drew me in, made me FEEL, made me CONNECT with Marty and Sadie, made me scream and yell at Marty's no-good white trashy abusive parents, and made me ROOT for Sadie's mother as she protects her daughter while trying to help Marty feel that he is cared for.
This is a supernatural coming of age story full of evil (with the dirty home, drug-dealing father and psychotic mother as the prime evil) and good (caring, if a little over-protective, mother, clean house, nurturing), and the battle that takes place, both realistically and supernaturally. Trant describes scenes so realistically, you can SMELL the nastiness of Marty's house versus the cleaniness of Sadie's. It reminds me of Stephen King's work, though not quite as drawn out and eloquent, which is actually a good thing!
I thought I was going to be crying hardcore by the time I finished the book, but instead, I was whooping with joy. This book is that powerful.... I hope to read more and more of Trant!
This book was labeled as a thriller, but it is so much more than that!! Trant's character development and storyline skills are very evident in this book. He drew me in, made me FEEL, made me CONNECT with Marty and Sadie, made me scream and yell at Marty's no-good white trashy abusive parents, and made me ROOT for Sadie's mother as she protects her daughter while trying to help Marty feel that he is cared for.
This is a supernatural coming of age story full of evil (with the dirty home, drug-dealing father and psychotic mother as the prime evil) and good (caring, if a little over-protective, mother, clean house, nurturing), and the battle that takes place, both realistically and supernaturally. Trant describes scenes so realistically, you can SMELL the nastiness of Marty's house versus the cleaniness of Sadie's. It reminds me of Stephen King's work, though not quite as drawn out and eloquent, which is actually a good thing!
I thought I was going to be crying hardcore by the time I finished the book, but instead, I was whooping with joy. This book is that powerful.... I hope to read more and more of Trant!
September 26, 2018
I gave this book only 2 stars because it really struggles to reach its conclusion. The plot keeps piling on more and more and more and more so as to become exhausting. I found the last third particularly difficult to get through, which is also the portion where the magical realism is amped up.
The author has a good voice, and I was pleased by his ability to tell short sections of the story from the perspective of different characters.
With that said, the author really struggles with spatial relationships, I was constantly confused by where things were and I think he over-describes physical space. He also struggles with timeline. The best way to describe this without spoiling the book is that it's like this: one character starts pouring a glass of milk, the other character goes for a 5 mile jog, when the other character gets back, the glass is finally full.
Also, I found the hints of some kind of evangelical / religious thinking to be way too much.
The author has a good voice, and I was pleased by his ability to tell short sections of the story from the perspective of different characters.
With that said, the author really struggles with spatial relationships, I was constantly confused by where things were and I think he over-describes physical space. He also struggles with timeline. The best way to describe this without spoiling the book is that it's like this: one character starts pouring a glass of milk, the other character goes for a 5 mile jog, when the other character gets back, the glass is finally full.
Also, I found the hints of some kind of evangelical / religious thinking to be way too much.
September 21, 2017
Totally weird
Totally weird...but I couldn’t put it down! Not my kind of book at all but I had to see it to the end to try and understand it.
Totally weird...but I couldn’t put it down! Not my kind of book at all but I had to see it to the end to try and understand it.
June 25, 2018
good story
December 26, 2013
I'd give Wink a rating of 3.5 instead of just 3. When I began Wink, I found the story to be just about bearable. It regales you with the background and environment that Marty faces every day. While most of it was relatively interesting, it seemed to stretch on a bit without really going anywhere. I read on because it still managed to pique my curiosity, although not too strongly. But then it got interesting, and simply didn't let up; finally making me go from mild curiosity to not being able to put the book down.
Eric Trant has created a character with which readers can really associate. It isn't just Marty that you feel for, but everyone else that features in the book, however small a role they may play. His writing style may seem a bit odd in the beginning, but does grow on you, making the entire read much smoother. The only problem with that style though was in the odd shift of point of view. There are many chapters that are written from a first person point of view that come up at random moments in the book, which is otherwise written entirely from a third person point of view. The shift is a little too abrupt and takes more getting used to than the overall style of writing. Trant's addition of chapter names, however, adds a little guidance to the change, in effect making the shift a bit easier as you get used to considering the names more than just a header.
The story itself is quite interesting, sometimes predictable, but never boring once past the first few chapters. There's a lot happening at every turn and most of it adds to the complexity of the situation in which a simple boy finds himself. That makes the reader associate that much more with Marty who mostly carries the story himself, with little responsibility falling on the additional characters. While I wouldn't say that the book was scary or frightening, it was definitely blunt in its narration of gruesome aspects while being intricately descriptive. That leaves you almost able to see the things that are being written about, sometimes with a clarity that can be chilling.
The idea around which the story is based is very interesting and seems like it can have more stories written around it. But I did find it lacking in depth. Throughout the story, and also towards the end, I kept hoping for more clarity and more explanation on every supernatural aspect. Also, many basic things that need to be wrapped up were left hanging, leaving me wondering just what was going to happen to the characters after the story ended.
All in all, Wink is a story that is written blatantly, depicting the good and bad for what it is without softening the blow. It may seem a bit too graphic and disturbing to some, but for those who don't mind some graphic reading, it is a book that will make for good time spent. While I won't say that I will be the first to buy a book that Trant writes, he is definitely an author that I could return to. And if you like fantasy thrillers, then Wink is a book that you should pick up - it may not be the best that you read, but it is in no way disappointing. What you take away in a positive light will definitely beat the few drawbacks that the book had.
Eric Trant has created a character with which readers can really associate. It isn't just Marty that you feel for, but everyone else that features in the book, however small a role they may play. His writing style may seem a bit odd in the beginning, but does grow on you, making the entire read much smoother. The only problem with that style though was in the odd shift of point of view. There are many chapters that are written from a first person point of view that come up at random moments in the book, which is otherwise written entirely from a third person point of view. The shift is a little too abrupt and takes more getting used to than the overall style of writing. Trant's addition of chapter names, however, adds a little guidance to the change, in effect making the shift a bit easier as you get used to considering the names more than just a header.
The story itself is quite interesting, sometimes predictable, but never boring once past the first few chapters. There's a lot happening at every turn and most of it adds to the complexity of the situation in which a simple boy finds himself. That makes the reader associate that much more with Marty who mostly carries the story himself, with little responsibility falling on the additional characters. While I wouldn't say that the book was scary or frightening, it was definitely blunt in its narration of gruesome aspects while being intricately descriptive. That leaves you almost able to see the things that are being written about, sometimes with a clarity that can be chilling.
The idea around which the story is based is very interesting and seems like it can have more stories written around it. But I did find it lacking in depth. Throughout the story, and also towards the end, I kept hoping for more clarity and more explanation on every supernatural aspect. Also, many basic things that need to be wrapped up were left hanging, leaving me wondering just what was going to happen to the characters after the story ended.
All in all, Wink is a story that is written blatantly, depicting the good and bad for what it is without softening the blow. It may seem a bit too graphic and disturbing to some, but for those who don't mind some graphic reading, it is a book that will make for good time spent. While I won't say that I will be the first to buy a book that Trant writes, he is definitely an author that I could return to. And if you like fantasy thrillers, then Wink is a book that you should pick up - it may not be the best that you read, but it is in no way disappointing. What you take away in a positive light will definitely beat the few drawbacks that the book had.
July 13, 2013
Book Review: Wink – Thriller by Eric W. Trant
By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Wink takes place in a rural Gulf Coast town. The main character, Marty Jameson, is an unusual young man with a disturbing home life. Marty’s mother is abusive to Marty as well as other substances provided to her by Marty’s father who is absent most days while wheeling and dealing drugs in neighboring towns. Marty seeks refuge in the attic of his home where he can avoid the hoarding and abusive tantrums of his mother and stay out of sight and smelling range of his older brother who is comatose and wasting away in his bedroom.
Marty is damaged, but somehow not defeated. Surrounded by unthinkable sadness and anger, he is able to escape to the attic to find his own refuge and peace. He is a determined young man who seems to find joy in the most unlikely places. He forgives his mother time and time again even though she is not willing to offer him the same unconditional love and emotional support. His optimism and resilience is incredible and seems to be the driving force behind any goodness in his life.
Right next door in a house very similar to Marty’s lives a family so different in many ways from the Jameson’s. Sadie Marsh’s life is anything but perfect; she is confined to a wheelchair and yet her home is filled with love and light where Marty seems to be surrounded by evil and darkness. Sadie feels for Marty and waits by her own window to see what is going on at the Jameson’s. Sadie’s mother has warned her about that family next door and yet Sadie is drawn to Marty and the goodness she knows lives within him. Sadie is convinced Marty is not the devil her mother makes him out to be, but those huge black-winged creatures she sees at his house have her wondering if her mother was right. When Sadie’s mother admits to seeing them too, they both know Marty is dealing with more darkness than they had imagined.
Marty is drawn to Sadie just as she is to him. He sees the goodness in her home and in his own way longs to experience the love within their walls instead of enduring the torture and hatred of his own family dynamic. Emotionally scarred Marty is torn but determined. The key to his triumph lies in the attic and the stories told to him by his one-eyed uncle. He’s pulled between the darkness and light as the winged creates threaten everything he has ever known.
Trant’s imagery and storytelling is incredibly. The story of Wink left my head spinning and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or just hold my children tight. Trant’s brilliant writing places the reader in the middle of the chaos as the story unfolds. The tension builds and you find yourself unable to put the book down. This is a story of family and triumph but most definitely a ‘keep you at the edge of your seat’ thriller to say the least.
By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Wink takes place in a rural Gulf Coast town. The main character, Marty Jameson, is an unusual young man with a disturbing home life. Marty’s mother is abusive to Marty as well as other substances provided to her by Marty’s father who is absent most days while wheeling and dealing drugs in neighboring towns. Marty seeks refuge in the attic of his home where he can avoid the hoarding and abusive tantrums of his mother and stay out of sight and smelling range of his older brother who is comatose and wasting away in his bedroom.
Marty is damaged, but somehow not defeated. Surrounded by unthinkable sadness and anger, he is able to escape to the attic to find his own refuge and peace. He is a determined young man who seems to find joy in the most unlikely places. He forgives his mother time and time again even though she is not willing to offer him the same unconditional love and emotional support. His optimism and resilience is incredible and seems to be the driving force behind any goodness in his life.
Right next door in a house very similar to Marty’s lives a family so different in many ways from the Jameson’s. Sadie Marsh’s life is anything but perfect; she is confined to a wheelchair and yet her home is filled with love and light where Marty seems to be surrounded by evil and darkness. Sadie feels for Marty and waits by her own window to see what is going on at the Jameson’s. Sadie’s mother has warned her about that family next door and yet Sadie is drawn to Marty and the goodness she knows lives within him. Sadie is convinced Marty is not the devil her mother makes him out to be, but those huge black-winged creatures she sees at his house have her wondering if her mother was right. When Sadie’s mother admits to seeing them too, they both know Marty is dealing with more darkness than they had imagined.
Marty is drawn to Sadie just as she is to him. He sees the goodness in her home and in his own way longs to experience the love within their walls instead of enduring the torture and hatred of his own family dynamic. Emotionally scarred Marty is torn but determined. The key to his triumph lies in the attic and the stories told to him by his one-eyed uncle. He’s pulled between the darkness and light as the winged creates threaten everything he has ever known.
Trant’s imagery and storytelling is incredibly. The story of Wink left my head spinning and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or just hold my children tight. Trant’s brilliant writing places the reader in the middle of the chaos as the story unfolds. The tension builds and you find yourself unable to put the book down. This is a story of family and triumph but most definitely a ‘keep you at the edge of your seat’ thriller to say the least.
July 7, 2015
Wink is definitely unlike anything else I have ever read. Marty is a 12 year old living an unusual life in a filthy home with his abusive parents and his half-dead brother whom he accidentally shot. To escape his mother's rages in which she becomes violent and animal-like, Marty spends time in the attic, but things get strange at night. Mysterious winged creatures come out and no one seems to know what they are... except for maybe Marty's dead Uncle Cooper, who used to tell him stories before he died. Marty's wheelchair bound neighbor, young Sadie, is very interested in befriending Marty, but her mother is suspicious about the evil that seems to surround his family and home. Marty has a lot of things he needs to overcome in order to gain control of his life and escape all of the evil that surrounds him.
This story was incredibly unique and bizarre. The whole story was shrouded in mystery as I wondered time and again what the mysterious winged creatures were. They kept me guessing throughout. The story was not only bizarre and unique because of the creatures, but also because of the life Marty was living, and his very strange and violent family. His mom seemed just plain crazy, saying loving things one second, to viciously attacking and threatening Marty the next. His dad was similar, very abusive and threatening. They also seemed to be hoarders, filling up the house with random boxes and objects that made it hard to move around. Lastly, his brother was kept in a room on a breathing machine, barely alive and uncared for, with a bad stench permeating the entire room. Needless to say, Marty was up against a lot, and yet still managed to be polite and seemingly normal despite his horrendous upbringing.
Trant is a very talented and skilled writer and was able to create a myseterious and spooky tale. I had a hard time connecting with the story at times just because Marty's life was so strange that I couldn't always comprehend it or wrap my mind around it. All in all though, this was a quick read that I would recommend if you are looking for something very different!
Note: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story was incredibly unique and bizarre. The whole story was shrouded in mystery as I wondered time and again what the mysterious winged creatures were. They kept me guessing throughout. The story was not only bizarre and unique because of the creatures, but also because of the life Marty was living, and his very strange and violent family. His mom seemed just plain crazy, saying loving things one second, to viciously attacking and threatening Marty the next. His dad was similar, very abusive and threatening. They also seemed to be hoarders, filling up the house with random boxes and objects that made it hard to move around. Lastly, his brother was kept in a room on a breathing machine, barely alive and uncared for, with a bad stench permeating the entire room. Needless to say, Marty was up against a lot, and yet still managed to be polite and seemingly normal despite his horrendous upbringing.
Trant is a very talented and skilled writer and was able to create a myseterious and spooky tale. I had a hard time connecting with the story at times just because Marty's life was so strange that I couldn't always comprehend it or wrap my mind around it. All in all though, this was a quick read that I would recommend if you are looking for something very different!
Note: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2013
I found it very difficult to put down this book. Marty just seemed to reach out and pull me into his incredibly difficult and horrific life and I didn't want to let him go at the end of the story. The character development in Wink is some of the best I've ever read - not just the major players, but also the secondary guys and as much as you may dislike some of the characters in this book, at least you can understand their motivations, right or wrong, as the story is told from varying points of view.
The blend of suspense and supernatural elements kept me turning the pages (despite my complete and utter disgust for snakes) and, at some points, I felt some shades of Stephen King - always a good thing in my book. The author's words did an amazing job of portraying the imagery of Marty's bleak surroundings and although some of the things in this book were not of this world, I had no problem picturing them. Marty also had some bright spots in his life - his friend, Sadie, and his Uncle Cooper, who had darkness in their own lives as well, but offered the love and support Marty didn't receive from his parents.
If you're a fan of thrillers and enjoy a little paranormal thrown in or just enjoy reading a well-written book with excellent character development, I'd highly recommend Wink.
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The blend of suspense and supernatural elements kept me turning the pages (despite my complete and utter disgust for snakes) and, at some points, I felt some shades of Stephen King - always a good thing in my book. The author's words did an amazing job of portraying the imagery of Marty's bleak surroundings and although some of the things in this book were not of this world, I had no problem picturing them. Marty also had some bright spots in his life - his friend, Sadie, and his Uncle Cooper, who had darkness in their own lives as well, but offered the love and support Marty didn't receive from his parents.
If you're a fan of thrillers and enjoy a little paranormal thrown in or just enjoy reading a well-written book with excellent character development, I'd highly recommend Wink.
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2016
Books in the thriller section can be pretty terrifying or nerve wracking. But you know what I found out today? They’re much more terrifying if you aren’t even aware that it’s a thriller novel.
Yes, I picked up Wink thinking it was a ‘normal’ story about the friendship between a boy who suffers from domestic abuse and a girl who is paralyzed from the waist down. I had hoped that it would end with the boy, Marty Jameson, escaping the daily nightmare that resides in his home, and living ‘happily ever after’ with the girl, Sadie Marsh, and her mother. Instead, an entirely different door of horror was opened and I was sucked in without a chance to protest. While I am not completely clear on if Wink is a Young Adult novel, there’s no doubt that it is definitely meant for teenagers and up.
Surprisingly, I did enjoy Wink . Thrillers aren’t my favorite type of genre, but Trant made the plot really easy to get lost in. Trant’s tone of voice for the story written in an omniscient third-person perspective helped to bring each character, both human and otherwise, to life. The tone that was set for Wink, reminded me of the man who reads in the Narnia Audiobooks, if you have ever listened to those, but with a much eerier feel...
Read the rest at: https://paigeturnerreads.wordpress.co...
Yes, I picked up Wink thinking it was a ‘normal’ story about the friendship between a boy who suffers from domestic abuse and a girl who is paralyzed from the waist down. I had hoped that it would end with the boy, Marty Jameson, escaping the daily nightmare that resides in his home, and living ‘happily ever after’ with the girl, Sadie Marsh, and her mother. Instead, an entirely different door of horror was opened and I was sucked in without a chance to protest. While I am not completely clear on if Wink is a Young Adult novel, there’s no doubt that it is definitely meant for teenagers and up.
Surprisingly, I did enjoy Wink . Thrillers aren’t my favorite type of genre, but Trant made the plot really easy to get lost in. Trant’s tone of voice for the story written in an omniscient third-person perspective helped to bring each character, both human and otherwise, to life. The tone that was set for Wink, reminded me of the man who reads in the Narnia Audiobooks, if you have ever listened to those, but with a much eerier feel...
Read the rest at: https://paigeturnerreads.wordpress.co...
March 2, 2014
Eric Trant has the rare gift of submerging his reader's heart and mind. This story needs to be read all at once to really feel the emotional impact! I jumped up at the end of this novel, fist pumped and yelled "H-LL YEAH". That is the way to tell a story!.
The synopsis of the book tells the basics of the story; being a paranormal fiction there are certain creepy things you expect to see and Eric Trant does not disappoint! There is no fumbling or stumbling while trying to weave a believable story with dimensional characters and crazy paranormal plot... he intertwines everything seamlessly and with magic.
The description of the story does not hint at the emotional ride you are boarding. It's like watching an awesome roller coaster ride on TV... although thrilling, it is nothing close to actually riding it yourself.
Do yourself a favor, grab on to this story and hold on with both hands.. feel the freedom of being 12 years old, feel the terror as a 12 year old, feel the fearlessness of being 12 years old and feel the innocent courage.
OUTSTANDING MUST READ FOR ALL AGES!!!!
The synopsis of the book tells the basics of the story; being a paranormal fiction there are certain creepy things you expect to see and Eric Trant does not disappoint! There is no fumbling or stumbling while trying to weave a believable story with dimensional characters and crazy paranormal plot... he intertwines everything seamlessly and with magic.
The description of the story does not hint at the emotional ride you are boarding. It's like watching an awesome roller coaster ride on TV... although thrilling, it is nothing close to actually riding it yourself.
Do yourself a favor, grab on to this story and hold on with both hands.. feel the freedom of being 12 years old, feel the terror as a 12 year old, feel the fearlessness of being 12 years old and feel the innocent courage.
OUTSTANDING MUST READ FOR ALL AGES!!!!
March 5, 2015
What can I say other than I really love this book! Wink is the story of a boy living in an impossible situation and trying to survive. It is a new take on the issues of drug abuse and violence within the home. This story explores the folklore and tales of the past bringing them into the future and into the lives of the Jameson family. It gradually drops you into the family and piece by piece explains their existence. The mother who used to be a great friend, the brother young Marty looked up too, Uncle Cooper who saved Marty's life in so many ways, and the dad, Ike Jameson, who may be the origin of the horror in the household.
Little by little you discover what is causing the violence, the sickness, and death around them. Once you have it you will be focused on the path laid out for Marty's life and his struggle to succeed. I loved the strength of this young boy and found joy in his friendship with Sadie. One true friend is worth more than money can buy, and Marty gives all for that friendship. Read the book - I think you will enjoy it too!
Little by little you discover what is causing the violence, the sickness, and death around them. Once you have it you will be focused on the path laid out for Marty's life and his struggle to succeed. I loved the strength of this young boy and found joy in his friendship with Sadie. One true friend is worth more than money can buy, and Marty gives all for that friendship. Read the book - I think you will enjoy it too!
October 5, 2015
Wink by Eric Trant
Twelve year old Marty Jameson has a drug dealing father, a Mother who goes into violent psychotic rages, and a brother who is comatose. He finds solace in his attic.
The girl next door, Sadie Marsh who is in a wheel chair becomes obsessed with Marty. It is not long that when she disobeys her Mothers orders to stay away from the Evil house, and makes friends with Marty.
One day Sadie sees huge black winged creatures in Marty's attic. It is up to Marty to save his new friend and her Mother from the supernatural horrors within his house.
Both Marty and Sadie are likable. Marty has a very dysfunctional family, while Sadie lives with a loving and (a bit over protective) Mother. But this does not stop the two from becoming friends.
The plot is original, and fresh. Story moves at a fast pace, with a lot of suspense , action and drama. Overall I feel those who like a good supernatural horror story will enjoy Wink.
Twelve year old Marty Jameson has a drug dealing father, a Mother who goes into violent psychotic rages, and a brother who is comatose. He finds solace in his attic.
The girl next door, Sadie Marsh who is in a wheel chair becomes obsessed with Marty. It is not long that when she disobeys her Mothers orders to stay away from the Evil house, and makes friends with Marty.
One day Sadie sees huge black winged creatures in Marty's attic. It is up to Marty to save his new friend and her Mother from the supernatural horrors within his house.
Both Marty and Sadie are likable. Marty has a very dysfunctional family, while Sadie lives with a loving and (a bit over protective) Mother. But this does not stop the two from becoming friends.
The plot is original, and fresh. Story moves at a fast pace, with a lot of suspense , action and drama. Overall I feel those who like a good supernatural horror story will enjoy Wink.
May 23, 2013
Wink is a powerful story. It begins with Marty, a boy whose life is anything but normal. His parents are abusive and his home dirty and overrun with snakes. He clings to sanity and hope through what his Uncle Cooper taught him and the attention of the crippled girl next door, Sadie. There is evil around him and as the story progresses, Marty begins to unravel his gift and destiny.
Your heart will simply bleed for Marty. He’s far from perfect - as damaged as those around him - but Trant successfully makes us care for Marty. The story drifts into the supernatural and you really need to suspend belief for the ending. But this book is a powerful read and you won’t want to put it down.
Your heart will simply bleed for Marty. He’s far from perfect - as damaged as those around him - but Trant successfully makes us care for Marty. The story drifts into the supernatural and you really need to suspend belief for the ending. But this book is a powerful read and you won’t want to put it down.
September 29, 2013
this book will stay with of long after I read it, Marty was such a great character, just a boy but so much more. all the characters have been so deeply portrayed and the story so well developed that at half of the book I started thinking what is this all about but I never lost interest to keep reading it. I know about child abuse but this is the first time I caught a good glimpse through this book an idea how it all probably looks like...sure maybe not all this can happen to some kid but I think it is probably even worse sometimes. some people should never have kids
May 29, 2014
It was very weird to start out, but the more you read, the more interesting it gets! It was difficult for me to put it down. I really felt bad for Marty. He's just a kid and he gets blamed for everything. His parents hate him and beat him regularly. His mom always tries to kill him, and half of the time it's because of the drugs she is on. Marty has a secret though and you find out what it is later on. The ending was sad, but surprisingly good! Not terrifying, but a good horror novel.
September 14, 2013
From page 1, I was ready to give this book 5 stars. The writer has a way of wielding his words that make you feel, smell & see them. I ended up only giving it 3 stars because I was rather disappointed with the last 25% or so of the book. It just kind of felt like he lost steam........or started & then didn't quite know where to go with it. Feeling a little confused.
October 21, 2013
Some decent thrills and a very well read human suffering and dysfunctional family. I was a bit disappointed in the fantasy aspect, as I thought this would have been horror. That being said it was a good and decent read.
November 10, 2014
Wow!!! Now that's a supernatural suspense story!!! I couldn't put it down, especially near the end. Eerily creepy yet somehow captivating. You will get lost in this story. The characters are believable & so beautifully written. A must read.
February 18, 2014
I did not enjoy this book. It took 200 of the 275 pages for anything remotely interesting to happen. It is listed as a "horror" book but it was barely paranormal. The writing was decent it just didn't really go anywhere.
November 12, 2014
The life of an abused young boy transforms when he befriends the girl next door but his mental parents can't take it and it becomes clear that there is something supernatural at play. Brilliant book that has you rooting for the main character from page 1 to the end.
August 5, 2013
3.5/5 stars. My review: http://booksithinkyoushouldread.blogs... and enter to win a copy! Contest ends 8/12/13.
August 17, 2013
Loved the blending of realism with fantasy elements. A good distraction from my normal reading. Great find and awesome book!
October 4, 2013
That was an excellent story. Very original and emotional. It held my attention throughout and was hard to put down.
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