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Leviticus #2
Under the Wall
Where 'Through the Woods' ended, the real story begins...
Out of an entire litter of dangerously telekinetic felines, two cats alone remain. Deinonychus, bent on domination, has been adopted by an apathetic mother and her overly-enthusiastic little girl. Without the live food or freedom to wield his power, he is going slowly mad with boredom and is furious at how useless he feels. His powers might be dried up until he can bathe them in blood once more, but his cunning and ruthlessness have not deserted him, and he waits and watches for his chance to slip out the door.
Leviticus, the runt of the litter but with a deep and sleeping power coveted by his malicious brother, feels at peace with his new adoptive family, the Redcliffes, and feels that, for the first time, his life makes sense. Unfortunately, the calm isn't permitted to last long.
Fresh NUCPA agent Ben Chesterton, a former supply clerk promoted after proving himself resourceful in the events of THROUGH THE WOODS, teams up once more with his old boss Rick Hathaway to track down the escaped felines. Unfortunately for the team, the NUCPA group aren't the only people aware of what's at stake.
Navigating a web of treachery and violence, the team try to track down the cats before the rivalry erupts into unrestrained mayhem, but with the fate of the Twin Cities-and perhaps beyond-in the balance, when is exactly has it become 'too late?'
The circle of influence for each cat expands as they gain control of their own powers, but will Leviticus find the inner strength to withstand the trials ahead?
A murderous lunatic, a bloodthirsty cat of demonic abilities, and a ruthless espionage organization converge on the unsuspecting Redcliffe family, the gentle but nearly omnipotent Leviticus, and the in-over-their-heads team of Ben and Rick in a battle against time, power, and fate.
Out of an entire litter of dangerously telekinetic felines, two cats alone remain. Deinonychus, bent on domination, has been adopted by an apathetic mother and her overly-enthusiastic little girl. Without the live food or freedom to wield his power, he is going slowly mad with boredom and is furious at how useless he feels. His powers might be dried up until he can bathe them in blood once more, but his cunning and ruthlessness have not deserted him, and he waits and watches for his chance to slip out the door.
Leviticus, the runt of the litter but with a deep and sleeping power coveted by his malicious brother, feels at peace with his new adoptive family, the Redcliffes, and feels that, for the first time, his life makes sense. Unfortunately, the calm isn't permitted to last long.
Fresh NUCPA agent Ben Chesterton, a former supply clerk promoted after proving himself resourceful in the events of THROUGH THE WOODS, teams up once more with his old boss Rick Hathaway to track down the escaped felines. Unfortunately for the team, the NUCPA group aren't the only people aware of what's at stake.
Navigating a web of treachery and violence, the team try to track down the cats before the rivalry erupts into unrestrained mayhem, but with the fate of the Twin Cities-and perhaps beyond-in the balance, when is exactly has it become 'too late?'
The circle of influence for each cat expands as they gain control of their own powers, but will Leviticus find the inner strength to withstand the trials ahead?
A murderous lunatic, a bloodthirsty cat of demonic abilities, and a ruthless espionage organization converge on the unsuspecting Redcliffe family, the gentle but nearly omnipotent Leviticus, and the in-over-their-heads team of Ben and Rick in a battle against time, power, and fate.
538 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
8 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Troy Blackford
24 books2,477 followersTroy Blackford lives in the Twin Cities. He has nineteen published short stories, and eight longer works available for Kindle and in paperback.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 29, 2015
In this novel, writer Troy Blackford reaches deep into his seemingly infinite stock of imagination.
What he pulls out is a fast paced, gruesome/funny story about cats in which no stone is left unturned (well, maybe a few). The story is set in the author's own hometown, Minneapolis/St.Paul around Christmas this year. So if you plan to go to the Twin City area this Christmas you better reconsider, because there'll be some evil forces at work:
▶ Paranormal cats with psychic abilities and telekinetic powers that make Stephen King's "Carry" look pale in comparison.
▶ A giant killer with a dark secret buried in his past.
▶ Two government agents who seem to be always one step behind.
▶ A vast amount of animals gathering to form some sort of evil twin to Noah's ark.
But it's not all action, mayhem, and fun that's depicted here. The description of the humans (called Namers in the book) and their "achievements" from the perspective of the cats are well worth reading, as well as their relationship to nature and the treatment of animals in shelters and in zoos.
I've had a blast reading the up to now longest work by Troy Blackford. Although this is part two in the "Leviticus" series the book works just as well as a stand-alone. Recommended!
________________
Update 9/29/15
Troy Blackford wrote an article on his blog in which he outlines the history of his writing in general and of his novels about paranomal cats and this book here in particular. A highly readable article about the life as an indie author:
The Story of 'Under the Wall' - How I Came to Write My FOURTH Book About Magic Cats...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
What he pulls out is a fast paced, gruesome/funny story about cats in which no stone is left unturned (well, maybe a few). The story is set in the author's own hometown, Minneapolis/St.Paul around Christmas this year. So if you plan to go to the Twin City area this Christmas you better reconsider, because there'll be some evil forces at work:
▶ Paranormal cats with psychic abilities and telekinetic powers that make Stephen King's "Carry" look pale in comparison.
▶ A giant killer with a dark secret buried in his past.
▶ Two government agents who seem to be always one step behind.
▶ A vast amount of animals gathering to form some sort of evil twin to Noah's ark.
But it's not all action, mayhem, and fun that's depicted here. The description of the humans (called Namers in the book) and their "achievements" from the perspective of the cats are well worth reading, as well as their relationship to nature and the treatment of animals in shelters and in zoos.
I've had a blast reading the up to now longest work by Troy Blackford. Although this is part two in the "Leviticus" series the book works just as well as a stand-alone. Recommended!
________________
Update 9/29/15
Troy Blackford wrote an article on his blog in which he outlines the history of his writing in general and of his novels about paranomal cats and this book here in particular. A highly readable article about the life as an indie author:
The Story of 'Under the Wall' - How I Came to Write My FOURTH Book About Magic Cats...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
January 27, 2016
Overall Score: 4.5/5
I've never taken any sort hallucinogenic or psychotropic drugs or medication, but I'd imagine the subsequent trip to be something akin to Under the Wall. This book is a trip. Not quite the face-melting tripping-balls kind, but a surreal, astral-projection kind of trip about sibling felines, products of government experiments, surviving in new worlds after a near cataclysmic event. An event they were thought to have perished in.
Now, I've read a few works from Troy Blackford in the past so I know that the only thing a reader can truly expect from him is the unexpected so it wasn't surprising that this book defies categorization.
Let me amend that first statement, there's a second constant that can be expected with a Troy Blackford read, that being rich, involving prose. Intelligent without talking down to you. Like you are being led by the hand through an off balance landscape by someone who cares for you and your well being. Someone slightly more experienced, someone who has already put the pieces together and will show you how they fit if you haven't solved the puzzle, in time. A precisely controlled chaos that is constantly entertaining.
And that statement holds true here. I was hooked by the lives of these felines immediately. With the cat point of view being quite refreshing. The biggest hurdle for me here is that Under The Wall is a direct sequel to a book I haven't read, Through The Woods. And while I don't feel it a necessity to have prior knowledge of Through The Woods to enjoy Under The Wall, there are quite a few nods to the previous events that seem awfully interesting and I'd love to know how that story played out. I have the gist of it, with minimal to no spoilers, enough to know that this is a new stage in their lives. Something tells me that I'll want to venture there soon. I'll have to go at it Tarantino style, out of order.
The book follows Deinonychus, his journey and the journey of the humans (the Namers) tracking him, hunting him, while he hunts territorial alphas and then his sibling, more so than the path of Leviticus. I'd love to know more about Leviticus, again a gentle pull toward Through The Wall. But I can't be upset about spending time following the thoroughly destructive path Deinonychus struts as he becomes acclimated to the return of his abilities. Especially during the intense & chaotic back third of the book. Where Deinonychus is asserting his full control and the hired muscle trying to capture the pair of cats is loosing his faculties.
Under The Wall is a hell of a read in size and scope. You should definitely check it out, but maybe hit up Book 1 first.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
Www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
**Note: I was gifted a copy of this book from the author on the promise of an honest review. These are my unbiased feelings.
I've never taken any sort hallucinogenic or psychotropic drugs or medication, but I'd imagine the subsequent trip to be something akin to Under the Wall. This book is a trip. Not quite the face-melting tripping-balls kind, but a surreal, astral-projection kind of trip about sibling felines, products of government experiments, surviving in new worlds after a near cataclysmic event. An event they were thought to have perished in.
Now, I've read a few works from Troy Blackford in the past so I know that the only thing a reader can truly expect from him is the unexpected so it wasn't surprising that this book defies categorization.
Let me amend that first statement, there's a second constant that can be expected with a Troy Blackford read, that being rich, involving prose. Intelligent without talking down to you. Like you are being led by the hand through an off balance landscape by someone who cares for you and your well being. Someone slightly more experienced, someone who has already put the pieces together and will show you how they fit if you haven't solved the puzzle, in time. A precisely controlled chaos that is constantly entertaining.
And that statement holds true here. I was hooked by the lives of these felines immediately. With the cat point of view being quite refreshing. The biggest hurdle for me here is that Under The Wall is a direct sequel to a book I haven't read, Through The Woods. And while I don't feel it a necessity to have prior knowledge of Through The Woods to enjoy Under The Wall, there are quite a few nods to the previous events that seem awfully interesting and I'd love to know how that story played out. I have the gist of it, with minimal to no spoilers, enough to know that this is a new stage in their lives. Something tells me that I'll want to venture there soon. I'll have to go at it Tarantino style, out of order.
The book follows Deinonychus, his journey and the journey of the humans (the Namers) tracking him, hunting him, while he hunts territorial alphas and then his sibling, more so than the path of Leviticus. I'd love to know more about Leviticus, again a gentle pull toward Through The Wall. But I can't be upset about spending time following the thoroughly destructive path Deinonychus struts as he becomes acclimated to the return of his abilities. Especially during the intense & chaotic back third of the book. Where Deinonychus is asserting his full control and the hired muscle trying to capture the pair of cats is loosing his faculties.
Under The Wall is a hell of a read in size and scope. You should definitely check it out, but maybe hit up Book 1 first.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
Www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
**Note: I was gifted a copy of this book from the author on the promise of an honest review. These are my unbiased feelings.
July 31, 2010
In the book Under the Wall by Troy Blackford, the Redcliffes are a loving family who are getting ready for the Christmas holiday, when they suddenly notice something is not quite right with their beloved cat, Leviticus. All the while, a serial killer has been on a manhunt that eventually lands him at the door step of the Redcliffes. What no one knows, is that Leviticus has "left" the building and is going to save his family from the horrible fate that awaits them at the hands of a psychopath.
When I was introduced to this book, the description left me feeling apprehensive. But, I must say that I really enjoyed this book. The story was much better than I had anticipated. The author is very descriptive and really delves into the scenes with an urgency to get his point made clearly.
The only difficulty I had with this book is that the author obviously has such an earnestness to have his audience fully understand his point, that portions of the book were a bit overly done. Some scenes or explanations needed only a few paragraphs, while the author felt the need to expand much further. Overall, however, I was thankful for the quality of the details, as they made the story much stronger.
On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3. From now on, I will definitely be looking at my dog differently!
This review can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/23llrdj
When I was introduced to this book, the description left me feeling apprehensive. But, I must say that I really enjoyed this book. The story was much better than I had anticipated. The author is very descriptive and really delves into the scenes with an urgency to get his point made clearly.
The only difficulty I had with this book is that the author obviously has such an earnestness to have his audience fully understand his point, that portions of the book were a bit overly done. Some scenes or explanations needed only a few paragraphs, while the author felt the need to expand much further. Overall, however, I was thankful for the quality of the details, as they made the story much stronger.
On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3. From now on, I will definitely be looking at my dog differently!
This review can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/23llrdj
October 26, 2010
As silly as I think authors reviewing their own books is, I have to say that Amy has a point: this was my first novel and I really didn't know what I was doing.
I think the characters are largely flat and that the elements that work to the story really have a huge load to carry - my actual ability to write a story did not yet match my ability to think one up.
Hopefully Amy won't hold the rambling tone in this book against me if she ever tries to read any of my newer stuff. :)
I think the characters are largely flat and that the elements that work to the story really have a huge load to carry - my actual ability to write a story did not yet match my ability to think one up.
Hopefully Amy won't hold the rambling tone in this book against me if she ever tries to read any of my newer stuff. :)
October 17, 2010
The book centers around Leviticus, a housecat who is anything but ordinary. He has the ability to feel the thoughts of those around him. Most of these thoughts don't make any sense to him, being a cat and not understanding the human language. Often, the thoughts pass through him without much attention; they come and go, but he ignores them not realizing it is not normal for a cat to sense these things. When a serial killer begins to stalk his family, however, he picks up on horrific images that he immediately realizes he must act upon.
The author is very descriptive, but excessively so. Scenes seem to go on forever when it just isn't necessary. Blood plays a huge role in this book and is described in every way possible. It got to the point where I was skimming over parts just because I was bored with the endless rambling.
The story was a good one, but it was poorly told. I think this may have made a very good short story. Unfortunately, the author went too far. I got the feeling that the author is the kind of person who talks a lot, just because he likes to hear his own voice. It was annoying. On top of that, there were several typos in the book that stood out like flashing neon signs.
Needless to say, this is not a book I will not be keeping on my bookshelf.
The author is very descriptive, but excessively so. Scenes seem to go on forever when it just isn't necessary. Blood plays a huge role in this book and is described in every way possible. It got to the point where I was skimming over parts just because I was bored with the endless rambling.
The story was a good one, but it was poorly told. I think this may have made a very good short story. Unfortunately, the author went too far. I got the feeling that the author is the kind of person who talks a lot, just because he likes to hear his own voice. It was annoying. On top of that, there were several typos in the book that stood out like flashing neon signs.
Needless to say, this is not a book I will not be keeping on my bookshelf.
May 27, 2019
At first I was hesitant to read these books, I'm a cat lover and didn't want to read about cats getting experimented on. Fortunately there was none of that. It's been a long time since I've rooted for the bad guy and even longer since a book has made me cry and feel broken hearted. I wanted both of the cats to come out the winners!! They were very accurate on what seems to go on in cats minds! Now when I wake up in the middle of the night find one of my 5 cats watching me sleep I am going to feel and think differently!
May 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and thought the author has definitely come a long way in his writing since the first book in the Leviticus series, "Through the Woods". As a cat lover myself, I was captivated with this story and literally couldn't put it down until I finished!
February 14, 2011
Will include my review shortly!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews