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Divine Scream
For Jared Kare, every part of life is terrifying. He relies heavily on his friends and family for everything in his day to day existence. So when he is confronted by a banshee who would soon herald his death, Jared finds a new type of terror.
There are things much worse than dying though.
Jared has been given as a gift to the Assembly, a demonic group who hunger to possess and torture him forever. Will the banshee save him from the assembly, watch him die, or both?
Love can be found in the most unlikely places, but nothing can be accomplished without a great deal of luck, and sacrifice.
There are things much worse than dying though.
Jared has been given as a gift to the Assembly, a demonic group who hunger to possess and torture him forever. Will the banshee save him from the assembly, watch him die, or both?
Love can be found in the most unlikely places, but nothing can be accomplished without a great deal of luck, and sacrifice.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2015
About the author
Benjamin Kane Ethridge
30 books234 followersBenjamin Kane Ethridge is the Bram Stoker Award winning author of the occult fantasy novel BLACK & ORANGE. He also wrote a master's thesis entitled, "CAUSES OF UNEASE: The Rhetoric of Horror Fiction and Film." Available in an ivory tower near you. Ben lives in Southern California. When he isn't writing, reading, videogaming, he's figuring out ways to keep from writing.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 3, 2015
Review copy
If you've never read Benjamin Kane Ethridge be prepared for a wild ride, like a roller coaster in the dark, you just don't know which way your're going to go, you just know it'll be fast, furious, and filled with twists and turns.
When Jared Kare meets his personal Banshee, he doesn't know what to think. "A myriad of considerations passed through Jared's mind. She was going to rob him. She was going to hurt him. She's a female serial killer. He had fallen into a trap to be murdered--over boobs."
Up until now Jared's life has been fairly ordinary, but all that's about to change in a heartbeat. To say things become a bit surreal doesn't begin to describe what happens in Divine Scream. Actually what happens in the course of the next twenty-four hours is damn near indescribable, unless you happen to be Benjamin Kane Ethridge.
As strange as the story is, I quickly found myself totally immersed in the writer's world. Mixed in with all the weirdness, there is a wonderful story of feelings, emotions, and relationships. One line I particularly like was, "never forget, a best friend is the greatest kind of problem to have." So true.
I've come to accept that Benjamin's mind doesn't work like mine. Having read Black & Orange and Nightmare Ballad, I've learned to expect the unexpected. So I just strap myself into the passenger seat and go along for the ride.
BTW, one footnote, Benjamin writes drunk really well. Wait, I'm not saying he was drunk when he was writing, what I mean is there's a great scene in Divine Scream where one of his characters is falling-down drunk and he really captured the experience with his words. Phew.
Also, kudos to Rob Grom for putting together a very eye-catching cover.
Divine Scream is a multi-layered story combining horror and fantasy, all in an amazing world from the wild and vivid imagination of a talented writer. It's available now in both paperback and e-book formats from JournalStone publishers.
Definitely recommended.
If you've never read Benjamin Kane Ethridge be prepared for a wild ride, like a roller coaster in the dark, you just don't know which way your're going to go, you just know it'll be fast, furious, and filled with twists and turns.
When Jared Kare meets his personal Banshee, he doesn't know what to think. "A myriad of considerations passed through Jared's mind. She was going to rob him. She was going to hurt him. She's a female serial killer. He had fallen into a trap to be murdered--over boobs."
Up until now Jared's life has been fairly ordinary, but all that's about to change in a heartbeat. To say things become a bit surreal doesn't begin to describe what happens in Divine Scream. Actually what happens in the course of the next twenty-four hours is damn near indescribable, unless you happen to be Benjamin Kane Ethridge.
As strange as the story is, I quickly found myself totally immersed in the writer's world. Mixed in with all the weirdness, there is a wonderful story of feelings, emotions, and relationships. One line I particularly like was, "never forget, a best friend is the greatest kind of problem to have." So true.
I've come to accept that Benjamin's mind doesn't work like mine. Having read Black & Orange and Nightmare Ballad, I've learned to expect the unexpected. So I just strap myself into the passenger seat and go along for the ride.
BTW, one footnote, Benjamin writes drunk really well. Wait, I'm not saying he was drunk when he was writing, what I mean is there's a great scene in Divine Scream where one of his characters is falling-down drunk and he really captured the experience with his words. Phew.
Also, kudos to Rob Grom for putting together a very eye-catching cover.
Divine Scream is a multi-layered story combining horror and fantasy, all in an amazing world from the wild and vivid imagination of a talented writer. It's available now in both paperback and e-book formats from JournalStone publishers.
Definitely recommended.
August 12, 2015
Benjamin Kane Ethridge is the Bram Stoker Award winning author of the novel “BLACK & ORANGE”, “NIGHTMARE BALLAD” and “BOTTLED ABYSS”. The first story of his I read was “The Slaughter Man" which I really enjoyed. The premise was based in science fiction. Now with “The Devine Scream” Mr. Ethridge has entered the urban fantasy realm with the story of earth shaking plot and quite human characters.
The book is fast and funny and immensely readable The tale is told with toungue firmly planted in cheek and one hand on the hallucinogenic popsicle . The story is told through three voices all fully realized. The Assembly, Jared Kare and Bansh (Jared’s Banshee)
“The Assembly” was immortal and from time to time they are offered “Gifts” of souls to torture for a deadly forever. Their weakness was that they loathed this ocean. Their latest “gift” was Jared Kare a meek and mild sheltered individual who didn’t even know how to drive a car. However Jared has a secret weapon. Jared has a banshee who has loved him and watched him his entire life and wants to save him from an eternity of torture.
The story is told in a fast paced narrative with the alternating points of view and motivation. We learn the back story of all involved and how they have converged to the present time.
This book is an entirely enjoyable experience.
The book is fast and funny and immensely readable The tale is told with toungue firmly planted in cheek and one hand on the hallucinogenic popsicle . The story is told through three voices all fully realized. The Assembly, Jared Kare and Bansh (Jared’s Banshee)
“The Assembly” was immortal and from time to time they are offered “Gifts” of souls to torture for a deadly forever. Their weakness was that they loathed this ocean. Their latest “gift” was Jared Kare a meek and mild sheltered individual who didn’t even know how to drive a car. However Jared has a secret weapon. Jared has a banshee who has loved him and watched him his entire life and wants to save him from an eternity of torture.
The story is told in a fast paced narrative with the alternating points of view and motivation. We learn the back story of all involved and how they have converged to the present time.
This book is an entirely enjoyable experience.
May 17, 2015
This book was provided via Librarything and Book View Cafe in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much.
I really had my struggles with this book and being in a reading slump didn't help either.
This book was somewhat unique and I've never read a novel like this before. But the book was also very confusing sometimes and personally I found the English used a little weird, but that might be because I'm not a native English speaker.
The entire story basically happens within one day, so the characters don't really show a lot of development which I usually find important for a story. So Jared - the protagonist - always stays the same anxious guy. From his behaviour I first thought he was much, much younger than he actually turned out to be.
Then there's The Banshee. I really liked her character but again I found the reader doesn't really get to know her since the entire book happens within one day. All the other things like the Assembly and the Silent Kings...it's was just too confusing and that actually really annoyed me. But again that again, that might be because I was in a reading slump and really forced myself to finish the book. Others may like the book but personally it just wasn't my kind of book.
Because the story was somewhat unique, I gave the book 3 Stars.
I really had my struggles with this book and being in a reading slump didn't help either.
This book was somewhat unique and I've never read a novel like this before. But the book was also very confusing sometimes and personally I found the English used a little weird, but that might be because I'm not a native English speaker.
The entire story basically happens within one day, so the characters don't really show a lot of development which I usually find important for a story. So Jared - the protagonist - always stays the same anxious guy. From his behaviour I first thought he was much, much younger than he actually turned out to be.
Then there's The Banshee. I really liked her character but again I found the reader doesn't really get to know her since the entire book happens within one day. All the other things like the Assembly and the Silent Kings...it's was just too confusing and that actually really annoyed me. But again that again, that might be because I was in a reading slump and really forced myself to finish the book. Others may like the book but personally it just wasn't my kind of book.
Because the story was somewhat unique, I gave the book 3 Stars.
April 9, 2015
For Jared Kare, every part of life is terrifying. He relies heavily on his friends and family for everything in his day to day existence. So when he is confronted by a banshee who would soon herald his death, Jared finds a new type of terror.
There are things much worse than dying though.
Jared has been given as a gift to the Assembly, a demonic group who hunger to possess and torture him forever. Will the banshee save him from the assembly, watch him die, or both?
Love can be found in the most unlikely places, but nothing can be accomplished without a great deal of luck, and sacrifice.
There are things much worse than dying though.
Jared has been given as a gift to the Assembly, a demonic group who hunger to possess and torture him forever. Will the banshee save him from the assembly, watch him die, or both?
Love can be found in the most unlikely places, but nothing can be accomplished without a great deal of luck, and sacrifice.
November 13, 2015
A very good story that follows a young man named Jared and his coming to grips with the appearance of his “Banshee” that is trying to keep him from becoming a gift to The Assembly, which basically means an eternity of horrible pain. Very well written and not as complex as it sounds, BKE makes it look easy without losing me in the process. (Ok, he may have lost me once…but I recovered) If Sci-Fi is your bag, you will dig this one. It isn’t mine and I still really enjoyed it and am giving it 3.5 Stars. Damn you, Goodreads! I want half stars!
June 15, 2015
Divine Scream takes place in one day, the day that Jared Kare finds out that he is supposed to die. While waiting for a doctor's appointment (one in which Jared is going to be given the bad news) a banshee who is supposed to be the herald for his death intervenes. She has been following Jared for his whole life and knows every detail about him. She is defying all the laws of the universe in intervening in his death because he is destined to be a gift to the Assembly, a group of beings who operate in a hive mentality sharing each other's thoughts and consciousness. They serve a purpose in the order of the universe but are also psychopathic and depraved. Their plan is to torture Jared in the most creative manner until Jared is used up, and they discard him.
I found the universe that Benjamin Kane Ethridge created in this novel to be utterly fascinating. It was such a cool concept and Ethridge built layers and nuance into it. It was also orderly and well-conceived with many rules that flowed in a logical manner. This novel moves at a lightning fast pace with all of the action taking place within a few hours of story time. The Assembly is constantly coming at Jared, and the Banshee does everything in her power to keep him from becoming their gift. This mostly consists of various screams, which can bend the world around them. I liked the creativity that can be found in the variety of screams. About my only criticism is that Jared isn't a very strong character. He doesn't have many skills and relies on people around him to do things for him. I would prefer a stronger and more assertive main character. He does, however, experience change during the course of the novel, so he does evolve in the process and by the end isn't quite so weak. This is a really cool novel that I would certainly recommend.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
I found the universe that Benjamin Kane Ethridge created in this novel to be utterly fascinating. It was such a cool concept and Ethridge built layers and nuance into it. It was also orderly and well-conceived with many rules that flowed in a logical manner. This novel moves at a lightning fast pace with all of the action taking place within a few hours of story time. The Assembly is constantly coming at Jared, and the Banshee does everything in her power to keep him from becoming their gift. This mostly consists of various screams, which can bend the world around them. I liked the creativity that can be found in the variety of screams. About my only criticism is that Jared isn't a very strong character. He doesn't have many skills and relies on people around him to do things for him. I would prefer a stronger and more assertive main character. He does, however, experience change during the course of the novel, so he does evolve in the process and by the end isn't quite so weak. This is a really cool novel that I would certainly recommend.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
August 10, 2015
Divine Scream was a jolt of a read, with a deadline of August 31st. The story was about Jared Kare and his death. A Banshee or Utumm Resona, decided she was going to rescue him from a dreaded, predetermined eternity with a group called The Assembly. The Assembly are known for taking souls before they're expiration date, to devour and torture for endless years. And there is such thing as more...
Jared is chucked into a world where souls aren't just carried to Heaven or Hell, they're snatched and sometimes ripped apart. Even those on earth can be used on a whim, as long as the user follows the rules. With a sort of Overseer named "Banch", Jared is attacked by scouts, forced to reach into another dimension for green dirt and so much more.
This book was a fun yet knobby of a read. I loved the action right from jump. The story has our protagonists on the go from beginning to end and that makes for a fun ride. Banch's light humor was off yet workable but her use of pet names and endearments was confusing. Later that's explained, but then there's Jared.
He's as annoying as a wasp in your enclosed vehicle while driving 70 mph! He's weak, both emotionally and physically! He sees danger smack-dab in the face, yet he still whines like a baby and doesn't fight for himself! He faints, but he's got a back ticker- but no spoilers, yeah? Anyway, the stories fun, crazy, annoying and fast- all the things that make for a good read. Pick it up and give it a whirl!
Jared is chucked into a world where souls aren't just carried to Heaven or Hell, they're snatched and sometimes ripped apart. Even those on earth can be used on a whim, as long as the user follows the rules. With a sort of Overseer named "Banch", Jared is attacked by scouts, forced to reach into another dimension for green dirt and so much more.
This book was a fun yet knobby of a read. I loved the action right from jump. The story has our protagonists on the go from beginning to end and that makes for a fun ride. Banch's light humor was off yet workable but her use of pet names and endearments was confusing. Later that's explained, but then there's Jared.
He's as annoying as a wasp in your enclosed vehicle while driving 70 mph! He's weak, both emotionally and physically! He sees danger smack-dab in the face, yet he still whines like a baby and doesn't fight for himself! He faints, but he's got a back ticker- but no spoilers, yeah? Anyway, the stories fun, crazy, annoying and fast- all the things that make for a good read. Pick it up and give it a whirl!
May 27, 2015
LOVED this strange, strange world - especially The Assembly and their hunger...
Highly recommended for anyone who likes soft horror with a great voice.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes soft horror with a great voice.
August 29, 2015
Divine Scream took me by surprise. When I read the synopsis and saw “banshee” I immediately thought of the classic Irish variety. I was so wrong. When you crack the cover, dismiss any preconceived ideas because the author will blow them away. The world Ethridge builds is fresh, imaginative, and subject to change into a surreal landscape of shadows and alternate realities.
Jared Kare is already uncomfortable with living in his world, and a troubling health condition doesn’t help. He’s a man who can’t fully function in society, so his best friend Kaitlyn and family friends, the Kangjuns, help him manage his life. When the banshee lures him away from this comfortable world, he’s slammed into a multi-dimensional journey that may very well end with his death.
The more I got to know Jared as a character, the more I believe that he’s not neurotypical. I’m not sure if that was intentional or if I was reading my own bias into it, but it helped me connect to Jared. It was a joy to watch him evolve as he came to grips with his situation and gained confidence without losing his unique personality.
Banch, the banshee, with her magical voice, risks everything to keep Jared safe despite the horrific being pursuing them. Her voice is the inspiration for the book’s title, and I don’t want to reveal too much for fear of spoilers.
What are they running from? The Assembly, a mono-mind entity with ten bodies, is possibly the most terrifying antagonist I’ve encountered since Clive Barker’s Cenobites. They are your worst gore-soaked, indiscriminately vicious nightmare, and they are relentless.
Divine Scream is not without its faults. In my opinion, it suffers from a bad case of too much explanation. When something happens, it’s described and discussed in so much detail that I didn’t have enough room to sit back and enjoy the magic. The first half of the novel builds tension well. The sense of urgency is palpable, and I was right there with it for a while, but the story sags a bit in the middle. I started skimming pages to get to where the action picked up again, but I wasn’t disappointed by the end.
Overall, Divine Scream is one of the most original horrific urban fantasy novels I’ve come across this year. Benjamin Kane Ehtridge is a Bram Stoker Award winning novelist, and it shows. I recommend it for readers who enjoy a frightening, blood-soaked, physical and emotional mind trip.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review that originally appeared at The Bookie Monster.
Jared Kare is already uncomfortable with living in his world, and a troubling health condition doesn’t help. He’s a man who can’t fully function in society, so his best friend Kaitlyn and family friends, the Kangjuns, help him manage his life. When the banshee lures him away from this comfortable world, he’s slammed into a multi-dimensional journey that may very well end with his death.
The more I got to know Jared as a character, the more I believe that he’s not neurotypical. I’m not sure if that was intentional or if I was reading my own bias into it, but it helped me connect to Jared. It was a joy to watch him evolve as he came to grips with his situation and gained confidence without losing his unique personality.
Banch, the banshee, with her magical voice, risks everything to keep Jared safe despite the horrific being pursuing them. Her voice is the inspiration for the book’s title, and I don’t want to reveal too much for fear of spoilers.
What are they running from? The Assembly, a mono-mind entity with ten bodies, is possibly the most terrifying antagonist I’ve encountered since Clive Barker’s Cenobites. They are your worst gore-soaked, indiscriminately vicious nightmare, and they are relentless.
Divine Scream is not without its faults. In my opinion, it suffers from a bad case of too much explanation. When something happens, it’s described and discussed in so much detail that I didn’t have enough room to sit back and enjoy the magic. The first half of the novel builds tension well. The sense of urgency is palpable, and I was right there with it for a while, but the story sags a bit in the middle. I started skimming pages to get to where the action picked up again, but I wasn’t disappointed by the end.
Overall, Divine Scream is one of the most original horrific urban fantasy novels I’ve come across this year. Benjamin Kane Ehtridge is a Bram Stoker Award winning novelist, and it shows. I recommend it for readers who enjoy a frightening, blood-soaked, physical and emotional mind trip.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review that originally appeared at The Bookie Monster.
September 13, 2015
The Assembly is the best part of this book. As a blood soaked group of ten functioning as a single organism, they are creepy and terrifying. I would not want to come across them in a sunny field of daisies let alone dark alley. And, yet, they were also the most sympathetic characters in the novel, because their function is vital in holding reality together and because it is their very job that has made them the disturbing creature they are. It was easy to pity them and though I couldn't quite route for them (because no person good or evil deserves to be placed at their hands), I couldn't help wanting them to receive some sort of gain out of all that happens.
The good guys on the other hand were entirely uninteresting to me. Jared Kare, who is scheduled to be granted to the Assembly as a Gift, is an anxiety ridden man in his 20s incapable of functioning on his own and apparently without any passions. The banshee, who doesn't even have a proper name, is a manic pixie dream girl in every sense, including metallic blue-purple hair and cerulean eyes, who literally drags the reluctant Jared into the unseen magic of the world in order to save him from the assembly. The banshee, a being that sings mortal souls into the light, is willing to help Jared out of all the other human's she serves because of her particular fondness for him (though it's hard to understand why, since he's as bland as white bread and is incapable of functioning as an adult in the world, with friends cooking, cleaning, and even depositing his checks for him). The banshee doesn't understand human girls who go for confident men and don't coddle all these good-hearted nice guys, like Jared, into being the greatness they secretly are (because what is the purpose of a woman, if not to make reluctant men great). For the first half of the book, she drives all of the action with Jared just dragging his feet by her side.
I probably would have not bothered finishing this one, if the Assembly didn't scare the crap out of me every time they showed up, which kept things interesting. Thankfully, the second half of the book got more interesting and wrapped up well, making it mostly enjoyable.
Note: I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.
June 27, 2015
Thanks to the author and LibraryThing for a review copy of this book.
This was one really different read, and even after finishing it a couple of weeks ago, I don't know what to make of it. It was interesting, engaging, and definitely different. The Banshee in the novel was an interesting creature (even with the really horrible moniker of Bansh :). I liked her and how she handled Jared and his insecurities and issues. I don't know how she managed it at some points, because I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and slap Jared up the side of the head with a "hello, don't be such a wuss!" (Not that I'd ever do that in real life, but just to give you an idea of some of his troubles--he does mature throughout the book, which was gratifying.) The world and situation they were in, with some crazy interdimensional struggles and quite terrifying bad guys, was both really original...and sometimes made me wonder if there was any order or reason for why certain things happened. I don't want to get specific for fear of spoilers, but some aspects of the world didn't feel organic, more like they were placed in the world just to make things either problematic/convenient for the characters (okay, one small example--the Banshee couldn't lose connection with the ground, so no riding in cars or getting off of floor level. But what about basements? Or underground tunnels?). So, those kind of made me a little confused. Still, it was an interesting ride of a book and definitely enjoyable.
This was one really different read, and even after finishing it a couple of weeks ago, I don't know what to make of it. It was interesting, engaging, and definitely different. The Banshee in the novel was an interesting creature (even with the really horrible moniker of Bansh :). I liked her and how she handled Jared and his insecurities and issues. I don't know how she managed it at some points, because I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and slap Jared up the side of the head with a "hello, don't be such a wuss!" (Not that I'd ever do that in real life, but just to give you an idea of some of his troubles--he does mature throughout the book, which was gratifying.) The world and situation they were in, with some crazy interdimensional struggles and quite terrifying bad guys, was both really original...and sometimes made me wonder if there was any order or reason for why certain things happened. I don't want to get specific for fear of spoilers, but some aspects of the world didn't feel organic, more like they were placed in the world just to make things either problematic/convenient for the characters (okay, one small example--the Banshee couldn't lose connection with the ground, so no riding in cars or getting off of floor level. But what about basements? Or underground tunnels?). So, those kind of made me a little confused. Still, it was an interesting ride of a book and definitely enjoyable.
August 31, 2015
I received this book for free from Journal Stone Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
"Divine Scream"is an awesome book. It has a terrific blend of fantasy and horror. Mr. Ethridge is a superb writer, and the imagery he provides in this book is extraordinary. From beginning to end, this book was riveting. I really cared about the main characters and was thoroughly interested in their character developments and relationships.
The book places an awesome spin on the concepts of death, after-life, immortality, love, and just being human. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that will really sweep them into another dimension. I can't wait to read Mr.Ethridge's other works.
"Divine Scream"is an awesome book. It has a terrific blend of fantasy and horror. Mr. Ethridge is a superb writer, and the imagery he provides in this book is extraordinary. From beginning to end, this book was riveting. I really cared about the main characters and was thoroughly interested in their character developments and relationships.
The book places an awesome spin on the concepts of death, after-life, immortality, love, and just being human. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that will really sweep them into another dimension. I can't wait to read Mr.Ethridge's other works.
August 12, 2015
Jared Kare has spent his life being afraid of everything now he's dying and the assembly wants him, he is the gift for these immortal beings who hold the dimensions apart. They will spend eternity playing with their gift torturing him in the most vile ways ever imagined, unless his banshee can save him. Banch has been watching him his entire life and she knows the horrors he faces if the assembly gets him and she will not allow that to happen, she knows a way to save him and end her eternal life. Can Jared and Banch escape the assembly and the machinations of the silent kings, can they save the love they have found together? Find out in this fast paced well developed page turner.
September 1, 2015
Divine Scream is a mild horror story. Jared Kane is dying he has spent his life being scared of everything. Now the Assembly wants him, he is to be a gift for these immortal beings who keep the dimensions apart. He will be tortured for eternity by these beings in the most vile ways. Unless his Banshee can save him. Ba has been watching him his entire life she knows the horrors he will face if the Assembly gets him. S he will not allow that to happen, she knows a way to save him and also end her Eternal life. Can Banch and Jared escape the Assembly and save the love they have found for each other? A fast paced page turner of a read.
June 19, 2015
THis is a great novel, with a novel idea behind it. but I did find some of the POV's that was used a bit strange and at times a bit too long, some could have been summed up in a paragraph or two. But overall I enjoyed it, and would recommend it
August 18, 2015
This is a very creative and suspenseful story by Bram Stoker Award winner Benjamin Kane Etheridge. It is about a young man who finds love and learns to have faith in himself.
August 26, 2019
Took me a little while to get into the plot of this book but it was worth the effort. Interesting premise and lots of detail made it very engaging. I just wish it had been longer and a little more descriptive in the beginning.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
September 14, 2015
Let me state up front that I received an eBook edition of this book from the publishers (www.journalstone.com) in return for a review, and that I also have taken longer than agreed to read the book and write my review. My apologies to JournalStone for that.
I also should state that I don't normally read horror, but was willing to give the book a fair go. And I'm glad I did, as I enjoyed it more than I expected. It's not really "horror", as far as my definition of "horror" goes, more like extremely dark fantasy, with lashings of humour as well. Is this a new genre? I don't know, but I'm going to look for more books written in the same style.
The plot involves one Jared Kare, who is quite possibly the most annoyingly cloying character I have read for many years. Possibly on the low end of the Asperger's scale, he is scared by everything and could not survive without the support given to him by family, friends and neighbours. Unfortunately for him he is scheduled to die, and his personal banshee, a spirit who watches you during your life and appears at the end to take you to your destination, be it into the light, or to somewhere worse.
In Jared's case his banshee has seen far too many people die in the past and when she learns he has been scheduled by the powers that be to be given as a gift to the Assembly, so he can be tortured for eternity for their amusement, she cannot accept this and is determined to same him.
What follows is a fast-paced and exciting chase as Bansh (the highly original name that Jared gives to his banshee) tries to get Jared to the safety of the ocean. (Apparently banshees and other fantasy inhabitants of the world the novel is set in cannot survive in the sea. Don't think about it. Just accept it.) Problem is Jaren is useless at doing anything to help them, or at least he is at first, and gradually becomes more able to not only stand on his own too feet, but also to plan and take action against the Assembly himself. So it is also to a certain extent a coming of age story.
As I mentioned I don't normally read this genre, but one of the features which makes "Divine Scream" such a good read is that the world the book inhabits has been well thought out, and provided you are willing to go along with its rules, the events in the book are "logical".
I give it 4 out of 5 stars. If you particularly like this genre, make it a ****1/2.
I also should state that I don't normally read horror, but was willing to give the book a fair go. And I'm glad I did, as I enjoyed it more than I expected. It's not really "horror", as far as my definition of "horror" goes, more like extremely dark fantasy, with lashings of humour as well. Is this a new genre? I don't know, but I'm going to look for more books written in the same style.
The plot involves one Jared Kare, who is quite possibly the most annoyingly cloying character I have read for many years. Possibly on the low end of the Asperger's scale, he is scared by everything and could not survive without the support given to him by family, friends and neighbours. Unfortunately for him he is scheduled to die, and his personal banshee, a spirit who watches you during your life and appears at the end to take you to your destination, be it into the light, or to somewhere worse.
In Jared's case his banshee has seen far too many people die in the past and when she learns he has been scheduled by the powers that be to be given as a gift to the Assembly, so he can be tortured for eternity for their amusement, she cannot accept this and is determined to same him.
What follows is a fast-paced and exciting chase as Bansh (the highly original name that Jared gives to his banshee) tries to get Jared to the safety of the ocean. (Apparently banshees and other fantasy inhabitants of the world the novel is set in cannot survive in the sea. Don't think about it. Just accept it.) Problem is Jaren is useless at doing anything to help them, or at least he is at first, and gradually becomes more able to not only stand on his own too feet, but also to plan and take action against the Assembly himself. So it is also to a certain extent a coming of age story.
As I mentioned I don't normally read this genre, but one of the features which makes "Divine Scream" such a good read is that the world the book inhabits has been well thought out, and provided you are willing to go along with its rules, the events in the book are "logical".
I give it 4 out of 5 stars. If you particularly like this genre, make it a ****1/2.
April 25, 2016
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I expected better from an author who has won the Bram Stoker Award. For the first third of the book I kept thinking, "This reads like someone tried to emulate Big Trouble in Little China and failed." Coincidentally, the author refers to that movie a couple times. The dry, ironically comedic, backstory-in-a-rush style worked for Big Trouble. It did not work for Divine Scream.
This book was clumsy at best. Someone needs to fire the editor too. He missed some doozies. Dialogue was choppy, sentences were ill-conceived, and the plot was just...dumb. I didn't understand the point of the Assembly and their insatiable bloodlust. I didn't understand what the Silent Kings were for - or why they weren't terribly silent. Jared was pathetic and Banch (short for banshee - wtf?) was rude. A lot of things weren't explained, and the ones that were generally received a boring encyclopedia-style run through.
Kaitlin saved you, Benjamin Kane Ethridge, as did some of your moments of ridiculous creativity. I enjoyed the characterless segments and the ones with Jared's BFF. I just wish we had seen more of her.
I expected better from an author who has won the Bram Stoker Award. For the first third of the book I kept thinking, "This reads like someone tried to emulate Big Trouble in Little China and failed." Coincidentally, the author refers to that movie a couple times. The dry, ironically comedic, backstory-in-a-rush style worked for Big Trouble. It did not work for Divine Scream.
This book was clumsy at best. Someone needs to fire the editor too. He missed some doozies. Dialogue was choppy, sentences were ill-conceived, and the plot was just...dumb. I didn't understand the point of the Assembly and their insatiable bloodlust. I didn't understand what the Silent Kings were for - or why they weren't terribly silent. Jared was pathetic and Banch (short for banshee - wtf?) was rude. A lot of things weren't explained, and the ones that were generally received a boring encyclopedia-style run through.
Kaitlin saved you, Benjamin Kane Ethridge, as did some of your moments of ridiculous creativity. I enjoyed the characterless segments and the ones with Jared's BFF. I just wish we had seen more of her.
August 15, 2015
This story is about Jared a lonely recluse who cannot seem to do anything for himself without risking danger. Kaitlin his long time friend and savior from back when they were kids took care of him on a daily basis, setting her own life to the side to care for him. When he decides to take fate into his own hands one day and go to the doctor alone his whole world is turned upside down. When Jared meets his Banshee and unknown factor in life and death, he names her Banch and over the short time they spend together, Jared falls deeply in love with her. Banshees are not supposed to reveal themselves to their human callings but Banch does not follow the rules. She wants to end her immortal life and get on with it quickly but first she needs to find a way to save Jared from the calling of being a gift to the lords. The lords are a torturous group that love to defile their gifts for hundreds of years. Watching each gift squirm and scream made them happy. What will happen if he becomes a gift, what will happen if he gets away from them, and what will become of Banch once it’s all said and done? Unusual read and takes you to new places you never imagined!
July 10, 2015
I wanted to slap the crap out of the main character, Jared. I do not know how his best friend, Kaitlyn, handled being around him for a goodly portion of their lives. How he managed to get out of bed each day and not get the snot slapped out of him was beyond me. A well-written character if I felt that strongly about it. The story was a bit choppy to read, but the characters (in whatever form that took) told it and moved the story quickly. There was quite a bit of going back in time explaining Jared and his hang-ups in life and there was the Banshee who gave up quite a lot to rescue him from "The Assembly', a gruesome band of creatures determined to have the gift promised them. I sort of read their parts with my hand over my eyes and reading between my fingers and my feet up in the seat, like I was at a horror slasher flick.
August 17, 2015
Received this book in return for a review. It is sad, strange, heart warming, scary and funny; but mostly strange. What an imagination this author has. I think it is more of a young adult book and in that case it should maybe have 4 stars.
August 23, 2015
I found the main character annoying for much of the book, although by the end, I did like him. Also, I found the mythology somewhat confusing.
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