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Hazard
Phil Hammer, a young man living in a destitute drug-riddled town dependent on a shady chemical plant, is excited to have his brother Jimmy back from serving as an officer in the army –the Hammer brothers finally reunited. But things are not how Phil remembered. Jimmy seems haunted by his own past and may be leaving out important details as to why he returned home.
Monsters lurk around every turn of his brother’s haunted past. Phil suddenly finds himself confronted with something so sinister, he fears for the future of his family and the small town he calls home.
Monsters lurk around every turn of his brother’s haunted past. Phil suddenly finds himself confronted with something so sinister, he fears for the future of his family and the small town he calls home.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2024
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2025
I really enjoyed Aaron's first novel. He has a keen eye for detail, and it's clear that he really knows and understands his characters. Because of that, it made me feel like I knew them, too.
I especially enjoyed a chapter in which a character tells a story. It felt as if this was real and Aaron was pulling from memory. I was riveted.
There is a lot going on in this book. It's a little over 200 pages, and we get a lot almost all at once. There's love, heavy drama, intense action, and even a little horror. I'm sure there will be a sequel. I'd like to see a little more focus on one or two of these "genres". When I first picked up the book, I was expecting a straight-up horror novel. It's not that, and that's fine. But I do think the next book should have a clearer identity in what it wants to be.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book, but I'm also looking forward to reading anything new Aaron writes. This is an excellent first novel, and I'm excited to see what he does next!
The main character is practically Appalachian Punisher.
I especially enjoyed a chapter in which a character tells a story. It felt as if this was real and Aaron was pulling from memory. I was riveted.
There is a lot going on in this book. It's a little over 200 pages, and we get a lot almost all at once. There's love, heavy drama, intense action, and even a little horror. I'm sure there will be a sequel. I'd like to see a little more focus on one or two of these "genres". When I first picked up the book, I was expecting a straight-up horror novel. It's not that, and that's fine. But I do think the next book should have a clearer identity in what it wants to be.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book, but I'm also looking forward to reading anything new Aaron writes. This is an excellent first novel, and I'm excited to see what he does next!
The main character is practically Appalachian Punisher.
February 3, 2025
Learned of this book from my buddy who then got it for me for Christmas. As a teacher I am always told not to start feedback off negatively, but I would rather get it out of the way at the start:
So, some of the big things that stood out as issues were unnecessary or repeated exposition and details, rapid pacing for many scenes that could have benefited from little time to breathe, common early writer mistakes like awkward dialogue and a lot of “Hell yeah!” Badass mother-trucker scenarios, and as my buddy also said, the need to focus on a genre (or even tighten the thread on the crime thriller/horror more concisely). The biggest though was the need for a thorough proofreading which isn’t all on Aaron here. A few added/omitted words that were obvious, and some other issues found were very noticeable.
I say all that to say this, as someone who has been trying to write a damn book for years, I absolutely applaud Aaron and this being his first book. I absolutely enjoyed it! Is it obvious it’s a first time book? Yes. Does it have flaws? Yes. Are they fixable? For sure! Despite everything I said at first I still couldn’t put it down. The mysterious zombie-like creatures had me hooked with their unique description and ferocity, the military/local small town conspiracy and vigilante friend/family troop is always a hook for me, and the sweethearted-genius-engineer uncle was great. Also helped that my own brother and I ended up finally liking each other and realized how much we loved each other after I went into the military so it definitely struck a chord.
Even with all its flaws, the fact I couldn’t put it down and it left me wanting more and excited to see his writing improve and the story unfold? Feel like that’s all you could ask for as a starting author. I’ll definitely be checking out his future work!
So, some of the big things that stood out as issues were unnecessary or repeated exposition and details, rapid pacing for many scenes that could have benefited from little time to breathe, common early writer mistakes like awkward dialogue and a lot of “Hell yeah!” Badass mother-trucker scenarios, and as my buddy also said, the need to focus on a genre (or even tighten the thread on the crime thriller/horror more concisely). The biggest though was the need for a thorough proofreading which isn’t all on Aaron here. A few added/omitted words that were obvious, and some other issues found were very noticeable.
I say all that to say this, as someone who has been trying to write a damn book for years, I absolutely applaud Aaron and this being his first book. I absolutely enjoyed it! Is it obvious it’s a first time book? Yes. Does it have flaws? Yes. Are they fixable? For sure! Despite everything I said at first I still couldn’t put it down. The mysterious zombie-like creatures had me hooked with their unique description and ferocity, the military/local small town conspiracy and vigilante friend/family troop is always a hook for me, and the sweethearted-genius-engineer uncle was great. Also helped that my own brother and I ended up finally liking each other and realized how much we loved each other after I went into the military so it definitely struck a chord.
Even with all its flaws, the fact I couldn’t put it down and it left me wanting more and excited to see his writing improve and the story unfold? Feel like that’s all you could ask for as a starting author. I’ll definitely be checking out his future work!
September 25, 2024
This book constantly had me figuring out what was coming next and who it was going to involve. I didn’t imagine I’d be asking if there was going to be a sequel BUT I NEED A SEQUEL. I need to know hat happens in Raven Creek and if they come back to Ravens Creek, if they become a family, if they all find out the truth…I NEED ANSWERS.
Well written and impressive for a first release from Aaron.
Well written and impressive for a first release from Aaron.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews