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Hollow Ocean #2.6
The Lottery
Vanessa Pearce has grown used to a life in poverty. After the death of her mother she had no choice but to move in with her father in order to provide for her son. Vanessa works hard at her dead-end job, one most people don't want, but in a world full of supernatural, extraordinary people, she'll never get anywhere as a human.That's the way it is, the way it's been for one hundred years, but what if it didn't have to be?The Human Lottery.A chance to win nine million dollars.The rules are simple, finish each challenge to move closer to the prize. It sounds too good to be true and chances are it probably is. But the chance to change it all is too good to pass up, too tempting not to try, not only for herself but for her son.The Human Lottery might test Vanessa in ways she never knew, but she'll do anything to win...
102 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2023
About the author
Dani M. Ward
17 books116 followersDani M. Ward lives in a state with more corn than people. As a kid, she daydreamed about living in a world with vampires, witches, and fairies. Dani realized later supernatural creatures hide in plain sight, so she looks for them everywhere she goes. When she's not hunting for supernatural creatures, Dani is chugging coffee and writing. Dani writes fantasy romance for lovers of diverse fiction. Her characters include strong women saving themselves with swoon-worthy men who stand beside them. She loves sass, spice, and smut. When she's not writing, she can be found trying to wrangle her two children, watching Asian dramas with her two poodles, or playing video games with her husband. Dani enjoys reading, napping, and pairing wine with food. She has a BA in Anthropology and is getting her MFA in Creating Writing. She's hoping to catch a demon; so she doesn't have to pay her student loans back.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 11, 2025
The Lottery is a quick read about Vanessa, a single mother of a teenaged boy, who is struggling to make ends meet. She decides to buy a ticket for a lottery that that only comes around every 5 years. A lottery designed to allow humans a better future.
Hey Dani…come outside. I just want to talk to you
💥👊🏾
I love a good twist and this story definitely gave surprise 😮. Fast paced and suspenseful. Even with under 100 pages Dani managed to make me connect with Vanessa and want the best for her 💪🏾. Cheer squad over here 📣
The competition had pacing the floor one minute then frozen the next. I didn’t know what to do. A giant snake, tests of endurance, a maze?! In-freaking-tense 😬. My girl Nessa held it down so she could provide a better life for her and her son 💵
But that ending 🫨🫨
Yea it’s a recommendation for me
Side note: would it be wrong to deduct a star rating for emotional trauma 😂😂
Hey Dani…come outside. I just want to talk to you
💥👊🏾
I love a good twist and this story definitely gave surprise 😮. Fast paced and suspenseful. Even with under 100 pages Dani managed to make me connect with Vanessa and want the best for her 💪🏾. Cheer squad over here 📣
The competition had pacing the floor one minute then frozen the next. I didn’t know what to do. A giant snake, tests of endurance, a maze?! In-freaking-tense 😬. My girl Nessa held it down so she could provide a better life for her and her son 💵
But that ending 🫨🫨
Yea it’s a recommendation for me
Side note: would it be wrong to deduct a star rating for emotional trauma 😂😂
December 16, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! So different to what Dani normally writes, but it will definitely keep you turning the pages!
If you like your books thrilling with a fight for survival - then you'll want to read this!
If you like your books thrilling with a fight for survival - then you'll want to read this!
December 8, 2024
This book, after reading Where Your Eyes Linger and Things That Go Bump, I just knew without a thought that I was going to enjoy this one. And boy, was I right. I just had no idea what I was in for when I turned on my Kindle and opened this one up.
We start off by meeting our FMC Vanessa Pearce. She is already in the lottery. Yes, you read that right. I said she is IN the lottery. In this one, the lottery happens to be a human lottery, and the monsters rule the world. And let me tell you, this novella sucks you in from the very start. And as we go, we learn how Vanessa ended up in the lottery.
After Vanessa's mom passes, she moves back in with her dad to help him. Sadly, her father is lazy, and he puts everything on her, like he probably put everything on her mom. And since she was old enough to play the lottery, she decided to throw her lot in and low and behold, she actually won.
Not knowing what to do or expect, she had to trust what her boss tells her, not like her father is going to tell her the truth, so she makes a deal with her boss to take care of her son. I have to say that it is so sad that she must trust her boss and make a deal with him to take care of her son over her dad as he can't be trusted to take care of his own grandson, how pathetic is that? But that's the choice she makes, and off she goes.
I loved how quick and fast-paced this book is. The amazing monster scenes are just perfect.
The character arcs are well constructed and played out. Each character is well developed, and even the minor characters feel like they matter and have their moments where they take center stage.
The new monster world is well developed, and you feel like you know how everything has happened and the laws of the land.
I love the graphic scenes as you really get a feel for the world. I do feel like this one could have been a bit longer, but even at the current length, it is a great book, and you feel like it is complete, and the lottery fully plays out. You just want more.
And then you have that ending. Oh....My....God...!!!!
We start off by meeting our FMC Vanessa Pearce. She is already in the lottery. Yes, you read that right. I said she is IN the lottery. In this one, the lottery happens to be a human lottery, and the monsters rule the world. And let me tell you, this novella sucks you in from the very start. And as we go, we learn how Vanessa ended up in the lottery.
After Vanessa's mom passes, she moves back in with her dad to help him. Sadly, her father is lazy, and he puts everything on her, like he probably put everything on her mom. And since she was old enough to play the lottery, she decided to throw her lot in and low and behold, she actually won.
Not knowing what to do or expect, she had to trust what her boss tells her, not like her father is going to tell her the truth, so she makes a deal with her boss to take care of her son. I have to say that it is so sad that she must trust her boss and make a deal with him to take care of her son over her dad as he can't be trusted to take care of his own grandson, how pathetic is that? But that's the choice she makes, and off she goes.
I loved how quick and fast-paced this book is. The amazing monster scenes are just perfect.
The character arcs are well constructed and played out. Each character is well developed, and even the minor characters feel like they matter and have their moments where they take center stage.
The new monster world is well developed, and you feel like you know how everything has happened and the laws of the land.
I love the graphic scenes as you really get a feel for the world. I do feel like this one could have been a bit longer, but even at the current length, it is a great book, and you feel like it is complete, and the lottery fully plays out. You just want more.
And then you have that ending. Oh....My....God...!!!!
December 2, 2024
This cover, if you read off looking at the cover you know... this one is beautiful and had to read it off just that.
Ohhh this book!!!
So the book starts off when Vanessa Pearce Is already in the lottery and give you a little of what is going to happen. Which sucks you in right away. Then you go back to how she gets there. By the way did I tell you she is in a human lottery and monsters really rule the world. Which I love and wish it talked more about.
Anywho.... She has to move back in with her father after her mother passed to help out. But little did she know she would be doing everything and her father was lazy. She is old enough to finally play the lottery and goes for it and wins!
She doesn't know what to expect and is relying on what her boss tells her... Because she can't trust her own father , So she makes a deal with him to take care of her son and off she goes! And that is where I am going to stop the story.
This book is fast paced and has a great monster action sense in it. Which I love me some monsters. I did feel a few times one chapter ( or should I say the scene felt a little too long but in the end it always played out well. I love a few parts where it is graphic aswell. I do wish this one was a little longer and had the lottery play out more. The ending ..... Girl!!! 🤣
Rate: 4/5 📚
~ Screams & Reviews
Ohhh this book!!!
So the book starts off when Vanessa Pearce Is already in the lottery and give you a little of what is going to happen. Which sucks you in right away. Then you go back to how she gets there. By the way did I tell you she is in a human lottery and monsters really rule the world. Which I love and wish it talked more about.
Anywho.... She has to move back in with her father after her mother passed to help out. But little did she know she would be doing everything and her father was lazy. She is old enough to finally play the lottery and goes for it and wins!
She doesn't know what to expect and is relying on what her boss tells her... Because she can't trust her own father , So she makes a deal with him to take care of her son and off she goes! And that is where I am going to stop the story.
This book is fast paced and has a great monster action sense in it. Which I love me some monsters. I did feel a few times one chapter ( or should I say the scene felt a little too long but in the end it always played out well. I love a few parts where it is graphic aswell. I do wish this one was a little longer and had the lottery play out more. The ending ..... Girl!!! 🤣
Rate: 4/5 📚
~ Screams & Reviews
September 15, 2025
The Lottery is a novella in the Hollow Ocean series written by Dani M. Ward.
💜 humans
💜 single mother
💜 lottery
💜 dead end job
Vanessa is just so tired. She works so so hard for her son to have a chance at life. You see, she’s human in a world where that means you are the lowest level of low. You can only get jobs that barely pay anything because you have nothing special to set you apart. She and her son live with her dad and because of that she has to be the one who works and pay for his things. What if she played the Human Lottery once like her father? Would she participate if she won? What would that be like?
This was a good addition to the series. It’s interesting to see what life is like for humans in this world. I would say this is more on the side of suspense and horror than any of the others. Vanessa really has to make some tough decisions. It’s interesting to read what happens along the way of this novella. I’m glad that I read it and can’t wait to see what else will come out in this series.
💜 humans
💜 single mother
💜 lottery
💜 dead end job
Vanessa is just so tired. She works so so hard for her son to have a chance at life. You see, she’s human in a world where that means you are the lowest level of low. You can only get jobs that barely pay anything because you have nothing special to set you apart. She and her son live with her dad and because of that she has to be the one who works and pay for his things. What if she played the Human Lottery once like her father? Would she participate if she won? What would that be like?
This was a good addition to the series. It’s interesting to see what life is like for humans in this world. I would say this is more on the side of suspense and horror than any of the others. Vanessa really has to make some tough decisions. It’s interesting to read what happens along the way of this novella. I’m glad that I read it and can’t wait to see what else will come out in this series.
March 25, 2026
Brillant Fantasy Suspense
⚠️ Warning: This is not a Romance in any way, shape, or form
But if in the mood to read Dark Fantasy or Fantasy Suspense with a Black single mother, human, bone-tired, trying to make ends meet in harrowing times, enter the Human Lottery then pull up a chair!
This book packs a punch from the very beginning. My overall book reactions were:
•WTF!,
•they got me fuckkedd up,
•she got me fucked up,
•sliding down walls,
•ohhhh that's what the fuck we're doing?,
•that's right Bitch!!!!,
•well damn
Dani M Ward excels at writing haunting Suspense, the kind that makes you weary and leery. Even though some big twists were obvious, it's clearly written that way to give that ending that will leave you like bitchhhhhhhhh! Just like a good writer should.
This gives the perfect peek at the lives of regular humans are coping in this fantastical alternate world and it's not pretty. But it is interesting and it does a great job of making you feel for the FMC fighting for a better life for her son..
⚠️ Warning: This is not a Romance in any way, shape, or form
But if in the mood to read Dark Fantasy or Fantasy Suspense with a Black single mother, human, bone-tired, trying to make ends meet in harrowing times, enter the Human Lottery then pull up a chair!
This book packs a punch from the very beginning. My overall book reactions were:
•WTF!,
•they got me fuckkedd up,
•she got me fucked up,
•sliding down walls,
•ohhhh that's what the fuck we're doing?,
•that's right Bitch!!!!,
•well damn
Dani M Ward excels at writing haunting Suspense, the kind that makes you weary and leery. Even though some big twists were obvious, it's clearly written that way to give that ending that will leave you like bitchhhhhhhhh! Just like a good writer should.
This gives the perfect peek at the lives of regular humans are coping in this fantastical alternate world and it's not pretty. But it is interesting and it does a great job of making you feel for the FMC fighting for a better life for her son..
November 5, 2024
Oof, this was a rough read. The lottery is a novella that’s part of the Hollow Ocean series. Nessa is a single mother working any job she can and barely scraping by. After the death of her mother she’s forced to move in with her father who doesn’t give two shits about her or her son other than her ability to financially support him.
While out shopping, she decides to buy a lottery ticket for the human lottery- an entry for a life changing chance to compete for $900,000.
This story is basically a mashup of Squid Games, The Hunger Games and The Running Man. It’s very well written, fast paced, emotional and gritty. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t put it down, but more that I couldn’t “look” away. It’s not my normal read- I’m very much in my romance era and there is no romance here lol- but I still enjoyed it.
While out shopping, she decides to buy a lottery ticket for the human lottery- an entry for a life changing chance to compete for $900,000.
This story is basically a mashup of Squid Games, The Hunger Games and The Running Man. It’s very well written, fast paced, emotional and gritty. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t put it down, but more that I couldn’t “look” away. It’s not my normal read- I’m very much in my romance era and there is no romance here lol- but I still enjoyed it.
December 23, 2024
THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME
WOW, this book was not what I was expecting and certainly ended not where I thought. This whole book was one twist after another and had me gripping the edge of my kindle the entire way. Dani M. Ward has created such an intricate, emotionally charged world, with characters you fall in love with. The human side of this paranormal world is not one I'd want to live in and the thought of The Lottery is intriguing but dangerous. This entire series is amazing and the descriptive, engaging writing in this novella is nothing short of excellent. Read this series, read this book!!
WOW, this book was not what I was expecting and certainly ended not where I thought. This whole book was one twist after another and had me gripping the edge of my kindle the entire way. Dani M. Ward has created such an intricate, emotionally charged world, with characters you fall in love with. The human side of this paranormal world is not one I'd want to live in and the thought of The Lottery is intriguing but dangerous. This entire series is amazing and the descriptive, engaging writing in this novella is nothing short of excellent. Read this series, read this book!!
April 22, 2023
Another amazing read by Dani Ward!! This book isn't like the others in the Hollow Ocean series but still amazing! This thriller keeps you on your toes the entire time with an ending that leaves you speechless! The FMC is strong (of course) and her journey is completely unpredictable. I LOVED IT!!! Great Job Dani!
November 26, 2023
Readers will find themselves back in the Hollow Ocean, this time with a desperate glimpse into how dark and dismal life can get for those without a supernatural side.
There's no romantic twist in this short story, be prepared to dive straight into the heart rending gut punches of a fantasy Squid Game that only our Dani can deliver.
There's no romantic twist in this short story, be prepared to dive straight into the heart rending gut punches of a fantasy Squid Game that only our Dani can deliver.
October 31, 2024
For a short story this one packs a punch, but it's such a GOOD one. My introduction to this author, but definitely a good one. That ending was unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the dark competition feels and this was not some happily ever after so beware all ye who enter here, but if you like dark twists, dive in!
November 27, 2024
This is a novella from the hollow ocean series. I’ve read a couple from the series but this one was different. I usually love dystopian but this one fell a bit short. It was a great story line and I really wish it had of been a full book. I just wanted more detail from the story. Also I absolutely hated the ending. But think that’s just me. I don’t like snakes 😂😂
July 23, 2023
I was not ready for this
This was a short but thrilling amazing journey.
I did not know what I expected but this wasn’t it. This was wild and horrifying but beautiful somehow.
Please somebody put Kai on the case !
Daniiiiii what are you doing to us !!!!!
This was a short but thrilling amazing journey.
I did not know what I expected but this wasn’t it. This was wild and horrifying but beautiful somehow.
Please somebody put Kai on the case !
Daniiiiii what are you doing to us !!!!!
April 27, 2025
Gggrrrrr
Excuse me ma'am.....how dare you. the world building is impeccable 👌 but again I say....how....dare.....you....😭😭😭🤯🤯🤯you really feel the fear in these characters as they are tested in every possible to win.
Excuse me ma'am.....how dare you. the world building is impeccable 👌 but again I say....how....dare.....you....😭😭😭🤯🤯🤯you really feel the fear in these characters as they are tested in every possible to win.
November 10, 2025
This was a very watered down squid game. I kept waiting for this to get exciting and just when I thought it would, the tension would stop and the story would move on with no real big event. Very forgettable.
April 29, 2023
Wow! This is insane!!! I loved it. This is a dark, twisted, fantastic story!!! The ending shocked me; I did not expect it at all. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2023
Enjoyable book. Fast read. Enticing story of survival.
October 28, 2023
Holy Smokes
Wow 😮 I don’t even know what to say. You had me hooked from the very beginning. I was NOT expecting that ending. This is a great book!
Wow 😮 I don’t even know what to say. You had me hooked from the very beginning. I was NOT expecting that ending. This is a great book!
October 30, 2023
Well... That was a first for me...
I won't spoil it buuuut... It should've ended better than how it did, all that just for THAT?! Ugggggggggg. Good read though
I won't spoil it buuuut... It should've ended better than how it did, all that just for THAT?! Ugggggggggg. Good read though
November 1, 2024
This short and suspenseful read had me on the edge of my seat! I loved it and couldn’t believe the ending! WOW! I definitely recommend giving this one a read!
November 5, 2024
This was a crazy short read. My mind is still trying to work out what happened because the ending was so unexpected. Not often a book catches me off guard but this one sure did! Wow.
November 26, 2024
A great short read following the hollow ocean universe. This hard my on the edge of seat wondering what was going to happen next. I kind of wish the ending was a little different.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews