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Edge of Reflection #1
Twisted Mirrors
Rage, hatred, an insatiable sexual appetite...these things come natural to our dark doppelgangers on the other side of the mirror. When Gabe, an average Joe, finds himself trapped on the other side, he realizes the only thing stopping him from getting home and saving the woman he loves is The Darkness of Man.
This is a love story laced with maniacs and monsters.
BE ADVISED, THIS IS A DARK FANTASY BOOK WITH GRAPHIC SEX AND VIOLENCE. BUYER BEWARE.
This is a love story laced with maniacs and monsters.
BE ADVISED, THIS IS A DARK FANTASY BOOK WITH GRAPHIC SEX AND VIOLENCE. BUYER BEWARE.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2015
12 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 6, 2020
This concept is super cool. Imagine that we have mirror images of ourselves on the other side of the glass, yet they're more wicked than we are. I can't tell you how many times I've stared in the mirror and cussed myself or been down on my luck... I'm only glad that my bad image didn't grab me and send me to the other side. This is more fantasy than horror, but I still really liked it so much. I hate that it was kinda a cliff hanger, but that means I'll have to read the next one!( so that's a good thing)
April 3, 2021
Twisted Tale
Looks like Carver Pike is getting more of my money. Loved this version of a mirrored universe. Great characters, great story flow...can’t wait to read part 2. Well Done.
Looks like Carver Pike is getting more of my money. Loved this version of a mirrored universe. Great characters, great story flow...can’t wait to read part 2. Well Done.
August 10, 2016
Phew....okay I have to say that this book is crazy! I mean like insane, make you wonder, looking in the mirror, swear it’s not real so you can sleep, CRAZY!!! Of course like my update at 70% said…” this book is scary good and insanely hot!! I keep putting it down and coming back to it because I am a wimp....there I said it...I AM A WIMP!! But JHC!! This book is written so well and the characters are creepily good...I am freaking out!!” But it’s true!! Seriously pick this up and see for yourself the dark-erotic-fantasy-horror Mr. Genovese has created.
If you ever wondered what was on the other side of the mirror, or what an alternate universe might be like, or maybe if you really had a doppelganger?? Well. THIS BOOK IS WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE....or should I say, 'Dear God! I hope not!'! LOL
*disclaimer, no zombies....just phuny!!*
The author takes you on this journey 'literally' through the looking glass, not by your choice and definitely not what you expect. Imagine a world where all your nightmares come true and all your darkest desires take form...THAT's what this book is. Gabe is our hero and the main character we follow through this nightmare worthy, totally crazy, and kind of erotic fantasy world. While Lisa, our heroine, is all sweetness and light and totally innocent, although deeply loves Gabe from afar. But when she confronts his horrible girlfriend and breaks down in the women’s bathroom, she doesn't know that when she says to herself that she "CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE", it will change her life as she knows it.
Kind of left me feeling sort of like this book does....LMAO
I won’t say more than when Gabe and Lisa reunite on the other side of the mirror, it’s not like life was before….fighting to stay alive and trying to stop events from happening, they will come together and fight for both life and love in the most horrifically beautiful love story I have had the privilege of reading in a long time.
Take a chance, if you like a little creepy, a little erotic, a little fantasy, and a little craziness then this book is one series you will want to one click.
It will have you avoiding mirrors and realizing just how good you have it on this side of the mirror!
#MUSTREAD #ONECLICK #GABEisHOT #LISAisSTRONGERthanSHElooks #BEWAREOFTHEMIRRORIMAGES
#CUTTERISCRAZY #ILOVEHAYLAY
If you ever wondered what was on the other side of the mirror, or what an alternate universe might be like, or maybe if you really had a doppelganger?? Well. THIS BOOK IS WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE....or should I say, 'Dear God! I hope not!'! LOL
*disclaimer, no zombies....just phuny!!*
The author takes you on this journey 'literally' through the looking glass, not by your choice and definitely not what you expect. Imagine a world where all your nightmares come true and all your darkest desires take form...THAT's what this book is. Gabe is our hero and the main character we follow through this nightmare worthy, totally crazy, and kind of erotic fantasy world. While Lisa, our heroine, is all sweetness and light and totally innocent, although deeply loves Gabe from afar. But when she confronts his horrible girlfriend and breaks down in the women’s bathroom, she doesn't know that when she says to herself that she "CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE", it will change her life as she knows it.
Kind of left me feeling sort of like this book does....LMAO
I won’t say more than when Gabe and Lisa reunite on the other side of the mirror, it’s not like life was before….fighting to stay alive and trying to stop events from happening, they will come together and fight for both life and love in the most horrifically beautiful love story I have had the privilege of reading in a long time.
Take a chance, if you like a little creepy, a little erotic, a little fantasy, and a little craziness then this book is one series you will want to one click.
It will have you avoiding mirrors and realizing just how good you have it on this side of the mirror!
#MUSTREAD #ONECLICK #GABEisHOT #LISAisSTRONGERthanSHElooks #BEWAREOFTHEMIRRORIMAGES
#CUTTERISCRAZY #ILOVEHAYLAY
August 30, 2015
This was the first book I’d read by this author, and I am sure it will not be the last. I really didn’t know what to expect when I started, and sometimes that’s the best way to go into a book. I had been intrigued by the teasers and so decided to give it a shot.
From the very beginning the book immerses you in incredible and original lore with fantastical creatures and characters straight out of nightmares. I enjoyed the division and portrayal of the two worlds, and although this was a fantasy, each character was completely believable and unique. They all had flaws and strengths, and distinctive voices that you don’t often find in books with this many characters. The pacing was excellent, and held my attention the entire time. The battle scenes were well done and exciting. C.C. Genovese’s fluid writing style makes it easy to picture everything as it happens, playing as a movie in your mind.
If I had one minor complaint, it would be in the perspective. As with many fantasies, this book is written in third person. With so many characters, you almost have to or you miss so many opportunities for character and story advancement. I actually prefer third person for fantasy, BUT this one is written in borderline omniscient POV, so it sometimes switches POV character without dedicated breaks. Not often, but it happened. A couple of times I had to reread a section to be absolutely certain whose head I was supposed to be in. Most of the time, the POV breaks were completely clear, though, so this is truly a minor thing and not even worth lowering the star rating for.
Another thing I’d like to note, often times in urban fantasies and things of that nature stories tend to fall into a predictable pattern. You know what I mean, one action sets off a chain of events that sets off another. How you get there is always different, but it’s like they follow a formula. Not this one. This book was unique and distinctive and kept me guessing the entire time. I will be looking forward to the next book in this series.
I recommend this book to any who enjoys fantasy with a fair bit of horror, action, and romance mixed in. Darkness of Man has something in it for everyone, and at its heart is a detailed and intricate world and story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I rate this book 5 stars, and look forward to more books from this author.
From the very beginning the book immerses you in incredible and original lore with fantastical creatures and characters straight out of nightmares. I enjoyed the division and portrayal of the two worlds, and although this was a fantasy, each character was completely believable and unique. They all had flaws and strengths, and distinctive voices that you don’t often find in books with this many characters. The pacing was excellent, and held my attention the entire time. The battle scenes were well done and exciting. C.C. Genovese’s fluid writing style makes it easy to picture everything as it happens, playing as a movie in your mind.
If I had one minor complaint, it would be in the perspective. As with many fantasies, this book is written in third person. With so many characters, you almost have to or you miss so many opportunities for character and story advancement. I actually prefer third person for fantasy, BUT this one is written in borderline omniscient POV, so it sometimes switches POV character without dedicated breaks. Not often, but it happened. A couple of times I had to reread a section to be absolutely certain whose head I was supposed to be in. Most of the time, the POV breaks were completely clear, though, so this is truly a minor thing and not even worth lowering the star rating for.
Another thing I’d like to note, often times in urban fantasies and things of that nature stories tend to fall into a predictable pattern. You know what I mean, one action sets off a chain of events that sets off another. How you get there is always different, but it’s like they follow a formula. Not this one. This book was unique and distinctive and kept me guessing the entire time. I will be looking forward to the next book in this series.
I recommend this book to any who enjoys fantasy with a fair bit of horror, action, and romance mixed in. Darkness of Man has something in it for everyone, and at its heart is a detailed and intricate world and story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I rate this book 5 stars, and look forward to more books from this author.
May 28, 2021
Fast paced tale that hooked me in from the prologue. Can't wait to see what happens next!
June 18, 2021
Oh where to start. First, I Love this book. I think I love it more than Diablo Snuff and that’s saying a lot. Ever look in the mirror and wonder if it’s another world, another dimension? This book will make you never want to look in the mirror again. It feels Mad Maxish, with a lil Wayward Pines meets Suicide Squad. It’s fast paced, grabbing you right away and not letting go. I can picture every character, I can totally see this as a movie. It needs to happen.
July 15, 2016
Ok...are you ready for this one?! * rubs hands together and takes a deep breath* Get ready! Because Chris Genovese is about to blow your brains out!
maybe your stuck jn a book rut and are hankering for something a little differant. Maybe your looking for a little adventure and romance and just want to be taken away for a little while. or maybe your like me...youve been a fan of Genovese for awhile but you just knew that deep down he had that somethin somethin to create an out of this world tale that would knock your socks off. Well then youve come to the right place, my friend!!
I won't waste your time or mine explaining what the book is about because that's in the blurb but let me just say, even the blurb doesn't do this book justice! Its a tiny bit western, with a little bit of horror,, mixed up with an awesome dose of sci-fi, a boiling measure of erotica and romance and a good shot of action and adventure thrown in! That's one of the things I absolutely loved about it! It can appeal to readers in so many genres.
Gabe and Cutter are angel and sinner. Love and hate. Tough as nails and soft as a feather.
Lisa and Ivy are soft and hard. Shy and outgoing. Love and lust.
And the secondary characters are some you will grow to love so much that your heart strings are tugged and a tear comes to your eye at their loss.
You WILL NOT be disappointed with this book and If you come back and say, you know what Alicia, it just wasn't that great. Then to that I say you dont know what the fudge a d*n* good book is!!
Buy it! Read it! But make sure you take your time and really savor it!
To me this story was reminiscent of a Stephen King novel. Im shocked more people haven't indulged in it and would not be surprised to see it at the top of a best seller list some day.
Keep up the good work Chris. Gabe deserves to have his story told...
maybe your stuck jn a book rut and are hankering for something a little differant. Maybe your looking for a little adventure and romance and just want to be taken away for a little while. or maybe your like me...youve been a fan of Genovese for awhile but you just knew that deep down he had that somethin somethin to create an out of this world tale that would knock your socks off. Well then youve come to the right place, my friend!!
I won't waste your time or mine explaining what the book is about because that's in the blurb but let me just say, even the blurb doesn't do this book justice! Its a tiny bit western, with a little bit of horror,, mixed up with an awesome dose of sci-fi, a boiling measure of erotica and romance and a good shot of action and adventure thrown in! That's one of the things I absolutely loved about it! It can appeal to readers in so many genres.
Gabe and Cutter are angel and sinner. Love and hate. Tough as nails and soft as a feather.
Lisa and Ivy are soft and hard. Shy and outgoing. Love and lust.
And the secondary characters are some you will grow to love so much that your heart strings are tugged and a tear comes to your eye at their loss.
You WILL NOT be disappointed with this book and If you come back and say, you know what Alicia, it just wasn't that great. Then to that I say you dont know what the fudge a d*n* good book is!!
Buy it! Read it! But make sure you take your time and really savor it!
To me this story was reminiscent of a Stephen King novel. Im shocked more people haven't indulged in it and would not be surprised to see it at the top of a best seller list some day.
Keep up the good work Chris. Gabe deserves to have his story told...
September 19, 2017
I'm not sure where to start with this review. I normally take a moment to think about what I read before I render my opinion on something. But I feel the need to write this book to go onto the next in this damn book.
Sometimes you read a book and it can take a few pages or sometimes even a few chapters to get into it. Well I can honestly say that with Twisted Mirrors you will have the opposite problem. Chris Genovese comes out with both barrels firing on automatic and never let's up. I'm going to be honest and say it took me 4 chapters to catch up and even though I've finished reading my mind is still absorbing everything that was thrown at me.
Have you ever wondered about your doppelganger? Or maybe an alternate universe. Chris Genovese as he often says taking the genres you love and setting them on 🔥🔥🔥🔥. I believe though in this one he blew them the f**k up. I will never be able to look in the mirror again without chills going down my spine and the thought of this book. I definitely will never talk to myself in the mirror again and the phrase "I can't take this anymore", has been stripped from my vocabulary.
I don't really believe that I need to go into detail on this review but I'll give you a bit of tease. Gabe is a nice man that's being screwed over by his girlfriend and his boss. Then sweet little Lisa his co-worker is so shy but is attracted to Gabe and knows he's being cheated on.
When their alter egos take over for them as Cutter and Ivy in their world Gabe and Lisa are banished to the other side of the mirror. Perhaps you could say the dark side where everything is as messed up as you can imagine. Come look into the Twisted Mirror for yourself do you think you'll like what you see?
Sometimes you read a book and it can take a few pages or sometimes even a few chapters to get into it. Well I can honestly say that with Twisted Mirrors you will have the opposite problem. Chris Genovese comes out with both barrels firing on automatic and never let's up. I'm going to be honest and say it took me 4 chapters to catch up and even though I've finished reading my mind is still absorbing everything that was thrown at me.
Have you ever wondered about your doppelganger? Or maybe an alternate universe. Chris Genovese as he often says taking the genres you love and setting them on 🔥🔥🔥🔥. I believe though in this one he blew them the f**k up. I will never be able to look in the mirror again without chills going down my spine and the thought of this book. I definitely will never talk to myself in the mirror again and the phrase "I can't take this anymore", has been stripped from my vocabulary.
I don't really believe that I need to go into detail on this review but I'll give you a bit of tease. Gabe is a nice man that's being screwed over by his girlfriend and his boss. Then sweet little Lisa his co-worker is so shy but is attracted to Gabe and knows he's being cheated on.
When their alter egos take over for them as Cutter and Ivy in their world Gabe and Lisa are banished to the other side of the mirror. Perhaps you could say the dark side where everything is as messed up as you can imagine. Come look into the Twisted Mirror for yourself do you think you'll like what you see?
August 27, 2015
I take my urban fantasy books seriously. They are such a delicate balance of rich characters, world/lore building, not too much love/romance, violence and uneasy conclusions.
This book is beautifully written. Gabe is a man adrift, life seems to be happening to him, around him and he doesn't seem to know how or want to be part of it. He finally musters up enough frustrated emotion to compel he & his mirror image to cross over into each others world.
This story is dirty, gritty, violent, there is abusive sex and rampant bloodletting. It is right on track for the genre. Relationships are formed quickly on gut feelings and quicksand. There are a few love story themes but the image lands don't allow for hearts & flowers. People are grabbing their chance for any moments of happiness where & when they can, all in for wherever that ride takes them.
The mythology and description of the flipside is done well. Not overly detailed and kept relatable. The fights were well written & flowed smoothly. Read like you could watch them.
The supporting characters each had very clear voices & purpose.
The problem I had was at about 80% through the book, I realized there wasn't enough book left for it to wrap up how I imagined it could/would. I would be waiting for an excruciatingly long few months for the next in the series! Book people problems, right? :-P
I highly recommend this book if you like well done urban fantasy with a dark dirty edge.
This book is beautifully written. Gabe is a man adrift, life seems to be happening to him, around him and he doesn't seem to know how or want to be part of it. He finally musters up enough frustrated emotion to compel he & his mirror image to cross over into each others world.
This story is dirty, gritty, violent, there is abusive sex and rampant bloodletting. It is right on track for the genre. Relationships are formed quickly on gut feelings and quicksand. There are a few love story themes but the image lands don't allow for hearts & flowers. People are grabbing their chance for any moments of happiness where & when they can, all in for wherever that ride takes them.
The mythology and description of the flipside is done well. Not overly detailed and kept relatable. The fights were well written & flowed smoothly. Read like you could watch them.
The supporting characters each had very clear voices & purpose.
The problem I had was at about 80% through the book, I realized there wasn't enough book left for it to wrap up how I imagined it could/would. I would be waiting for an excruciatingly long few months for the next in the series! Book people problems, right? :-P
I highly recommend this book if you like well done urban fantasy with a dark dirty edge.
December 4, 2015
Darkness of Man is based on an interesting premise. When a human finally has a truly dark urge for violence, the urge creates an image copy of the person in a mirror world. Occasionally, the two worlds meet when the person views his image and each is transported to the other's world.
Gabe finds out that Allie, his girlfriend, is creating on him with his boss. The desire to do her violence transports him through the mirror and allows Cutter, his image, to escape that dark world and wreak havoc in the 'real' world. Meanwhile, Lisa, Gabe's shy friend at the office, has her own transfer with Ivy, her alter ego. Lisa has always had a crush on Gabe, but it isn't until they're locked in this dark world together and struggling to return to their real world that Gabe realizes Lisa's worth.
Gabe's arrival has been foreordained as the Haissem and he gathers a crew of interesting people and images to support him in his quest. I enjoyed these side characters almost as much as the main characters. Nothing is black or white and even the worst characters have good points. There are also many dangers in this alternate world which move the story right along.
This was an interesting concept and way to visualize the struggle between good and evil. The writing is good, but be warned: the story is raw with both graphic sex and violence. It is an engrossing read, dark fantasy at its finest. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Gabe finds out that Allie, his girlfriend, is creating on him with his boss. The desire to do her violence transports him through the mirror and allows Cutter, his image, to escape that dark world and wreak havoc in the 'real' world. Meanwhile, Lisa, Gabe's shy friend at the office, has her own transfer with Ivy, her alter ego. Lisa has always had a crush on Gabe, but it isn't until they're locked in this dark world together and struggling to return to their real world that Gabe realizes Lisa's worth.
Gabe's arrival has been foreordained as the Haissem and he gathers a crew of interesting people and images to support him in his quest. I enjoyed these side characters almost as much as the main characters. Nothing is black or white and even the worst characters have good points. There are also many dangers in this alternate world which move the story right along.
This was an interesting concept and way to visualize the struggle between good and evil. The writing is good, but be warned: the story is raw with both graphic sex and violence. It is an engrossing read, dark fantasy at its finest. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 28, 2015
Darkness of Man by C.C. Genovese
Imagine if another world existed, a place where your deepest, darkest desires come to life, where its normal to be a murderer or rapist. Where people get attacked in the streets and nobody cares. What is you were sucked into his world unknowingly? That's exactly what happens to Gabe.
One minute he is leading a boring existence, boring job, girlfriend is losing Interest, and the next he is being pulled into the mirror world and his image has taken his place.
Along with other images and people who have also been dragged through the mirror Gabe fights his way through this new world full of darkness and the worst kind of creatures and people you can imagine, in order to try to get back to the normal world to save his girlfriend Allie from his image Cutter who wants to kill her and frame Gabe for it.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The writing was descriptive and so cleverly done that I actually felt like I was traveling through this dangerous world with the characters. The nice characters were great and I felt sad when one of them got lost or died and happy if they won. The bad characters were really bad and it was easy to hate them.
I would recommend this book to all who love a good, scary adventure through dangerous and uncertain terrain, with a variety of creatures all wanting a piece of flesh.
Imagine if another world existed, a place where your deepest, darkest desires come to life, where its normal to be a murderer or rapist. Where people get attacked in the streets and nobody cares. What is you were sucked into his world unknowingly? That's exactly what happens to Gabe.
One minute he is leading a boring existence, boring job, girlfriend is losing Interest, and the next he is being pulled into the mirror world and his image has taken his place.
Along with other images and people who have also been dragged through the mirror Gabe fights his way through this new world full of darkness and the worst kind of creatures and people you can imagine, in order to try to get back to the normal world to save his girlfriend Allie from his image Cutter who wants to kill her and frame Gabe for it.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The writing was descriptive and so cleverly done that I actually felt like I was traveling through this dangerous world with the characters. The nice characters were great and I felt sad when one of them got lost or died and happy if they won. The bad characters were really bad and it was easy to hate them.
I would recommend this book to all who love a good, scary adventure through dangerous and uncertain terrain, with a variety of creatures all wanting a piece of flesh.
August 26, 2015
First off I have to say HOLY SMOKES C.C. Genovese what away to start the book. I was hooked from paragraph one.
I knew that this was going to be a dark but hot read and it was so much more.
This book starts out with a bang and when you think it cant get anymore exciting C.C. throws in twist and turns. I fell in love with Gabe's character from the very beginning. As C.C. took me through both the dark side and the world side of things I became so engulfed in this story I didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was on an emotional ride for my life running with the characters to stay alive. This story will keep you wanting more and you'll not want it to end.
I was so impressed with the details I could see it happening as I was reading.
C.C. you did a fantastic job on this story and I'm so glad your book was my first dark fantasy.
You truly are a gifted author.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark fantasies or is looking for something amazing to read.
I knew that this was going to be a dark but hot read and it was so much more.
This book starts out with a bang and when you think it cant get anymore exciting C.C. throws in twist and turns. I fell in love with Gabe's character from the very beginning. As C.C. took me through both the dark side and the world side of things I became so engulfed in this story I didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was on an emotional ride for my life running with the characters to stay alive. This story will keep you wanting more and you'll not want it to end.
I was so impressed with the details I could see it happening as I was reading.
C.C. you did a fantastic job on this story and I'm so glad your book was my first dark fantasy.
You truly are a gifted author.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark fantasies or is looking for something amazing to read.
March 1, 2017
I didn't know if I would like this book as its not a genre I would read. I went on an amazing journey. From the first couple of pages to the end it was fast paced and action packed. Some parts were a bit much for me but I covered my eyes and read through the slits. Sometimes authors put too much violence in the writing that really doesn't go with the story, but this author only wrote what was necessary to the storyline. I can read most things if it's important to the story. I loved the characters they became a family of sorts and I very much wanted them to succeed. It's not often that a book can make me cry but this one had me in tears at one point. It made me think as well that we all have two sides to us the good/bad but at our core most of us are good. What societies perception of us and who we are can be totally different. I can't wait for more from this author totally enjoyed the book.
July 11, 2016
If you haven't read a Dark Fantasy this is the place to start.
This is the first dark fantasy book I have read so I didn't really know what to expect. I entered Gabe and Lisa's world cautiously and found myself immediately swept away on their fast and frantic journey on the other side of the mirror in the world of 'Images'. The story has a bit of everything, romance, sex (to be expected it is a C.C. Genovese book after all), people you would rather not meet ever again and some you would. And then there are the creatures that Gabe and his group battle it seems at every turn they take. It has many WTF moments and I found myself reading too fast to appreciate what was happening and then having to reread. Yes it's full on and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book and won't hesitate to read the next one. C.C. Genovese certainly has a good imagination and he puts it to fine use writing Twisted Mirrors. Four and half stars.
This is the first dark fantasy book I have read so I didn't really know what to expect. I entered Gabe and Lisa's world cautiously and found myself immediately swept away on their fast and frantic journey on the other side of the mirror in the world of 'Images'. The story has a bit of everything, romance, sex (to be expected it is a C.C. Genovese book after all), people you would rather not meet ever again and some you would. And then there are the creatures that Gabe and his group battle it seems at every turn they take. It has many WTF moments and I found myself reading too fast to appreciate what was happening and then having to reread. Yes it's full on and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book and won't hesitate to read the next one. C.C. Genovese certainly has a good imagination and he puts it to fine use writing Twisted Mirrors. Four and half stars.
August 24, 2015
For all you readers who are into Dark Fantasy this is the book to read its so well written I couldnt put it down.For those who are not into the darker side of fantasy this is still the book to read... The story will take you on a path of the darker side of the minds desire then twist it into a whole different dark.The sexual desire of the inner dark part of the minds fantasies are brought to life with the authors great imagination,and the monsters that lurk in the dark kept me on the edge of my seat with butterflies in my stomach. I truly loved this book and hope that the journey is not over and we are gifted with book 2.....
September 5, 2015
What a thrilling story, I was very entranced, chewing my nails, wondering what was going to happen next. There was some steamy sex scenes but the story was what was so good. This book is well written, the story flows,and I was entertained. Gabe, Lisa, Cutter, Ivy, Haylay, Dozier and all the rest were great characters. I can't wait to read book 2 to see what happens. I love thrillers and this one did not disappoint me at all.
October 18, 2015
Another great story by CC! This isn't usually a story I would of picked myself to read but I guess that's the point! I live this author so I gave it a go.
I loved the characters - they drew me in from he beginning and I couldn't seem to out down the book! The characters wee intriguing. This story line had so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat - I loved it!!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
I loved the characters - they drew me in from he beginning and I couldn't seem to out down the book! The characters wee intriguing. This story line had so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat - I loved it!!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
November 16, 2015
I'm going to be honest up front: I couldn't finish this book.
It's not because it was poorly written; the writing was passable in most places, fairly decent in others. There's two main reasons why this is a 2.5 for me and I couldn't finish. But first... the good!
The story idea was VERY interesting. So interesting in fact I was holding onto this one purposefully for when I wanted something "meaty" to sink my teeth into. The cover is very attractive, the blurb was great--totally caught my attention!--and I read so many good reviews I was excited about this book.
The basic plot is that there are two worlds, one behind the mirror where "darkness" resides (or evil, or our evil twins, whatever you want to call it). This place is a reflection of our world, and the people there are called images. Cool idea, right? One thing I did really like was that there were no children in this world. People popped into being when people from our world grew a bit past adolescence and they'd lost their innocence. Great idea! The main character was alright too, and he acted in a believable fashion, which is also a plus. When you hate the MC, it makes a book impossible to read.
Now for the bad. Minor-ish first. The formatting was not good. There was a space between each paragraph, which normally I don't mind (I don't LIKE that formatting, but I can live with it), but in addition to that, some paragraphs were randomly indented. I'm not quite... sure why? Formatting error when compiling? Could be, but it was very distracting. Lumped in with the formatting is the format of the story. It's third personal universal, which means there were a lot of jumps from character POV to a different character POV to yet another character POV... sometimes in the span of a couple paragraphs, sometimes without being denoted clearly there was a change. That really got me. I don't mind books with multiple character POVs (some of my favorite books have them!), BUT... they are generally done chapter by chapter, in a clear and concise manner, showing us who it is. If you have to switch to a character POV for a couple of paragraphs... do we REALLY need that switch?
The last comes down to personal preference, and it is here that I will be pretty verbose, so please bear with me. The idea between the good and evil nature of man is a classic theme for many books. People often write about being on the edge of it (Edge of Reflection, right? Going to be about that?) or what makes a person good/evil, and it's this philosophical push and pull that interested me. What was this author's take on it? He must have something, because there's a whole book about it! At least that's what I thought.
Unfortunately, the opportunity to really explore the meaning between good and evil was completely negated here. The people on "our" world are good, and the people from the mirror world are their evil twins. The main character thinks this, after meeting a football player from our world who had changed places with his image. The image went on, IIRC, a drug spree and like beat his girlfriend or something. Maybe it was running a drug ring... at any rate, he did some bad things. But it wasn't the football player, no. Ok, well, it's a dirty, nasty world, so bad people do bad things when they get to some place that's maybe not ready for it.
Then the main character thinks that all the bad things done in our world must be done by the images. Uh. Ok. Then, the football player basically laughs and says "Why do you think there are so many people in prison saying they are innocent?" Uhm. And then, the most problematic of what I read, the main character runs into a lady who is frantic about her kids. He recognizes her. And then he realizes he saw her in the news... for drowning her three children. Although the female character is not named, she is obviously inspired by Andrea Yates who drowned her five kids in a bathtub after suffering from postpartum depression/psychosis. Whether or not it was postpartum or something else in her mind gone wrong, the woman was sick... not evil. That example is what sort of summed up what I found wrong about the book: you can't classify people as all good or all evil. Instead of a discussion and exploration of that theme, it got summed up as the "real" world is good, the mirror world is evil.
I was actually offended by that, and I don't get offended often. Perhaps I had built the book up too much in my head--it looked really awesome!--but I just had to put it down. It was too simplistic. But when you take that idea and expand it out... it gets crazy offensive really fast. Ted Bundy? Oh, that was his mirror image doing all that. John Wayne Gacy? Mirror image. Terrorists? Images. 9/11? Oh, totally evil images doing that. Hitler? Image, all the way. See what I mean? It's not recognizing that people are complicated, and good people do bad things, and bad people do good things. The characters in the mirror world even refer to our world as "good" and laugh it off as basically defenseless... which negates every single vile thing people have done in our world.
Alright, alright, it's a fantasy book, can't I take it as that? Does it have to be a big philosophical to-do? Let's take the idea of the mirror world further then. If our world is always good, and theirs is always bad... then why do people get so upset they trigger the switch? Insanity? Natural death? Why do we have police? Or why aren't the police like in Demolition Man? You know, mostly ineffective because there's hardly any crime, and what crime there is is like vandalism or something. Why aren't we living in a utopia? And why are there weapons? The whole idea of one side being good and the other evil (or light/dark), even with minor shades of the other in both (ie, little evils in the good world, little goods in the bad) our world would be fucking awesome still! If this world had us all putting our best foot forward most of the time--still not perfect or perfectly good, just the best "us" we can be--we would be living in paradise!
Yes, I put a lot of thought into this. I revel in discussions on these things, and ethics and morality, and that's why I was so disappointed. It's worse than hating a book. I can hate on stupid books all day. Being disappointed is like... well, like having your parents be disappointed in you, you know? Instead of them yelling and screaming, they just say, "I am very disappointed in you son/daughter." And that's it. It's like the worst.
I'm still waffling back and forth between trying to finish and not, because I want to believe in that potential! I want to believe it's there, and if I just go through a bit more... but that's the rub, isn't it? I read a third of it. That's a good introduction, and into the rising action. I should have a decent idea if I'll like it by now, or if I won't. Perhaps that exploration on the nature of humanity is further in. Perhaps that discussion on morality and ethics is there just around the corner. But I just can't. And the reason why is Lisa.
Lisa, in our world, is sort of a mousy girl, attractive, but shy, who is into the MC Gabe and wants to date him, and protect him from his horrible current girlfriend who is cheating on him. She gets sucked into the mirror world, and is replaced with Ivy. Ivy who acts on Lisa's impulses and shows Gabe his girl cheating on him, and then has mind blowing sex with him. Gabe finds Lisa later in the mirror world and she's all small and he needs to protect her and blah blah blah.
Pretty typical, right? Except Ivy's portrayed as a sexy siren and enjoys sex, but she's the "image" so she's full of darkness, right? We won't even say she's evil, she's just honest about what she wants and she wants to fuck! Inadvertently, the author is telling us that women have sex for fun are full of darkness ("evil" for simplicity's sake), and that being shy and quiet and having an emotional connection is the "good" side of a woman, and being aggressive and sexual is the "dark" side.
I don't think the author meant it that way, but that's how it comes across.
TL;DR: 2.5 stars, decent writing, fan-fucking-tastic idea, poor implementation.
It's not because it was poorly written; the writing was passable in most places, fairly decent in others. There's two main reasons why this is a 2.5 for me and I couldn't finish. But first... the good!
The story idea was VERY interesting. So interesting in fact I was holding onto this one purposefully for when I wanted something "meaty" to sink my teeth into. The cover is very attractive, the blurb was great--totally caught my attention!--and I read so many good reviews I was excited about this book.
The basic plot is that there are two worlds, one behind the mirror where "darkness" resides (or evil, or our evil twins, whatever you want to call it). This place is a reflection of our world, and the people there are called images. Cool idea, right? One thing I did really like was that there were no children in this world. People popped into being when people from our world grew a bit past adolescence and they'd lost their innocence. Great idea! The main character was alright too, and he acted in a believable fashion, which is also a plus. When you hate the MC, it makes a book impossible to read.
Now for the bad. Minor-ish first. The formatting was not good. There was a space between each paragraph, which normally I don't mind (I don't LIKE that formatting, but I can live with it), but in addition to that, some paragraphs were randomly indented. I'm not quite... sure why? Formatting error when compiling? Could be, but it was very distracting. Lumped in with the formatting is the format of the story. It's third personal universal, which means there were a lot of jumps from character POV to a different character POV to yet another character POV... sometimes in the span of a couple paragraphs, sometimes without being denoted clearly there was a change. That really got me. I don't mind books with multiple character POVs (some of my favorite books have them!), BUT... they are generally done chapter by chapter, in a clear and concise manner, showing us who it is. If you have to switch to a character POV for a couple of paragraphs... do we REALLY need that switch?
The last comes down to personal preference, and it is here that I will be pretty verbose, so please bear with me. The idea between the good and evil nature of man is a classic theme for many books. People often write about being on the edge of it (Edge of Reflection, right? Going to be about that?) or what makes a person good/evil, and it's this philosophical push and pull that interested me. What was this author's take on it? He must have something, because there's a whole book about it! At least that's what I thought.
Unfortunately, the opportunity to really explore the meaning between good and evil was completely negated here. The people on "our" world are good, and the people from the mirror world are their evil twins. The main character thinks this, after meeting a football player from our world who had changed places with his image. The image went on, IIRC, a drug spree and like beat his girlfriend or something. Maybe it was running a drug ring... at any rate, he did some bad things. But it wasn't the football player, no. Ok, well, it's a dirty, nasty world, so bad people do bad things when they get to some place that's maybe not ready for it.
Then the main character thinks that all the bad things done in our world must be done by the images. Uh. Ok. Then, the football player basically laughs and says "Why do you think there are so many people in prison saying they are innocent?" Uhm. And then, the most problematic of what I read, the main character runs into a lady who is frantic about her kids. He recognizes her. And then he realizes he saw her in the news... for drowning her three children. Although the female character is not named, she is obviously inspired by Andrea Yates who drowned her five kids in a bathtub after suffering from postpartum depression/psychosis. Whether or not it was postpartum or something else in her mind gone wrong, the woman was sick... not evil. That example is what sort of summed up what I found wrong about the book: you can't classify people as all good or all evil. Instead of a discussion and exploration of that theme, it got summed up as the "real" world is good, the mirror world is evil.
I was actually offended by that, and I don't get offended often. Perhaps I had built the book up too much in my head--it looked really awesome!--but I just had to put it down. It was too simplistic. But when you take that idea and expand it out... it gets crazy offensive really fast. Ted Bundy? Oh, that was his mirror image doing all that. John Wayne Gacy? Mirror image. Terrorists? Images. 9/11? Oh, totally evil images doing that. Hitler? Image, all the way. See what I mean? It's not recognizing that people are complicated, and good people do bad things, and bad people do good things. The characters in the mirror world even refer to our world as "good" and laugh it off as basically defenseless... which negates every single vile thing people have done in our world.
Alright, alright, it's a fantasy book, can't I take it as that? Does it have to be a big philosophical to-do? Let's take the idea of the mirror world further then. If our world is always good, and theirs is always bad... then why do people get so upset they trigger the switch? Insanity? Natural death? Why do we have police? Or why aren't the police like in Demolition Man? You know, mostly ineffective because there's hardly any crime, and what crime there is is like vandalism or something. Why aren't we living in a utopia? And why are there weapons? The whole idea of one side being good and the other evil (or light/dark), even with minor shades of the other in both (ie, little evils in the good world, little goods in the bad) our world would be fucking awesome still! If this world had us all putting our best foot forward most of the time--still not perfect or perfectly good, just the best "us" we can be--we would be living in paradise!
Yes, I put a lot of thought into this. I revel in discussions on these things, and ethics and morality, and that's why I was so disappointed. It's worse than hating a book. I can hate on stupid books all day. Being disappointed is like... well, like having your parents be disappointed in you, you know? Instead of them yelling and screaming, they just say, "I am very disappointed in you son/daughter." And that's it. It's like the worst.
I'm still waffling back and forth between trying to finish and not, because I want to believe in that potential! I want to believe it's there, and if I just go through a bit more... but that's the rub, isn't it? I read a third of it. That's a good introduction, and into the rising action. I should have a decent idea if I'll like it by now, or if I won't. Perhaps that exploration on the nature of humanity is further in. Perhaps that discussion on morality and ethics is there just around the corner. But I just can't. And the reason why is Lisa.
Lisa, in our world, is sort of a mousy girl, attractive, but shy, who is into the MC Gabe and wants to date him, and protect him from his horrible current girlfriend who is cheating on him. She gets sucked into the mirror world, and is replaced with Ivy. Ivy who acts on Lisa's impulses and shows Gabe his girl cheating on him, and then has mind blowing sex with him. Gabe finds Lisa later in the mirror world and she's all small and he needs to protect her and blah blah blah.
Pretty typical, right? Except Ivy's portrayed as a sexy siren and enjoys sex, but she's the "image" so she's full of darkness, right? We won't even say she's evil, she's just honest about what she wants and she wants to fuck! Inadvertently, the author is telling us that women have sex for fun are full of darkness ("evil" for simplicity's sake), and that being shy and quiet and having an emotional connection is the "good" side of a woman, and being aggressive and sexual is the "dark" side.
I don't think the author meant it that way, but that's how it comes across.
TL;DR: 2.5 stars, decent writing, fan-fucking-tastic idea, poor implementation.
November 4, 2020
Another fantastic story by Carver Pike. This book starts with a bang and just keeps going. From the first page until the last I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I absolutely adored the characters and fell in love with Gabe. This book is gritty, intense and absolutely amazing and one I recommend you read for yourself, you’ll be happy you did.
April 26, 2020
Action, horror and genius writing!
Who knew that this was possible? Carver has a sick and twisted imagination and it hits hard in this book! Holy catballs Batman! This book is insane!!! Look out Stephen King, Carver is one to you and then some!
Who knew that this was possible? Carver has a sick and twisted imagination and it hits hard in this book! Holy catballs Batman! This book is insane!!! Look out Stephen King, Carver is one to you and then some!
February 9, 2020
This is a dark fantasy romance that you don’t want to miss out on! Great book! This book kept me on edge and at times it twisted my mind! I can’t wait to see what this author has coming next
February 25, 2020
Love it!!
This book will leave you sitting here saying wth did I just read? I will never be able to look into a mirror and say so!etching again! Now into book 2!
This book will leave you sitting here saying wth did I just read? I will never be able to look into a mirror and say so!etching again! Now into book 2!
December 5, 2019
Dark
Intense
Extreme
Fantasy
...exhilarating and titillating, it will get your heart racing more ways than one!!
Intense
Extreme
Fantasy
...exhilarating and titillating, it will get your heart racing more ways than one!!
January 10, 2021
I have to be honest, horror/thriller isn't my really my genre and I struggled to read this. Having said that, I've given it 4 stars as it is very well written, is very imaginative, and there is a lot happening.
Carver Pike certainly knows how to give a good description!!!
So if you're into horror, then this is a great read!
Carver Pike certainly knows how to give a good description!!!
So if you're into horror, then this is a great read!
December 3, 2020
There are several authors that I have really enjoyed reading. I am making a point of going back and reading some of their other stuff to see if I enjoy their older books as much as their current stuff. Carver Pike did not disappoint in Book 1 of this Edge of Reflection Series!
We have all heard the saying, “Everyone has a twin in this world.” A doppelgänger, or an image as Pike calls them in this story. Gabe Cutter is a guy stuck in the corporate rut doing what he needs to do to get by. He gets some disturbing information about the girl he’s seeing and conveys his emotions and feelings out loud to himself. What he doesn’t know is there’s a parallel world with his image waiting for the chance to come into Gabe’s world to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting people of our world. Gabe gets pulled into the Dark World while his image replaces him in this world. Gabe must now find a way to stop the chain of events that have started and get back to living his life in the correct world.
The characters are great and relatable. This is a dark fantasy with horror and eroticism thrown in. Buckle up for some of those erotic scenes! Is it hot in here or is it just me? This is a fast read as I finished it in 3 days. Lots of action and suspense kept me reading! I’m glad I have Book 2 so I can find out what happens next! Check it out!
We have all heard the saying, “Everyone has a twin in this world.” A doppelgänger, or an image as Pike calls them in this story. Gabe Cutter is a guy stuck in the corporate rut doing what he needs to do to get by. He gets some disturbing information about the girl he’s seeing and conveys his emotions and feelings out loud to himself. What he doesn’t know is there’s a parallel world with his image waiting for the chance to come into Gabe’s world to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting people of our world. Gabe gets pulled into the Dark World while his image replaces him in this world. Gabe must now find a way to stop the chain of events that have started and get back to living his life in the correct world.
The characters are great and relatable. This is a dark fantasy with horror and eroticism thrown in. Buckle up for some of those erotic scenes! Is it hot in here or is it just me? This is a fast read as I finished it in 3 days. Lots of action and suspense kept me reading! I’m glad I have Book 2 so I can find out what happens next! Check it out!
December 31, 2020
This book is terrifyingly good. It’s a pretty cool concept and done really well!
August 31, 2016
rmat: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
First off I have to say HOLY SMOKES C.C. Genovese what away to start the book. I was hooked from paragraph one.
I knew that this was going to be a dark but hot read and it was so much more.
This book starts out with a bang and when you think it cant get anymore exciting C.C. throws in twist and turns. I fell in love with Gabe's character from the very beginning. As C.C. took me through both the dark side and the world side of things I became so engulfed in this story I didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was on an emotional ride for my life running with the characters to stay alive. This story will keep you wanting more and you'll not want it to end.
I was so impressed with the details I could see it happening as I was reading.
C.C. you did a fantastic job on this story and I'm so glad your book was my first dark fantasy.
You truly are a gifted author.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark fantasies or is looking for something amazing to read.
First off I have to say HOLY SMOKES C.C. Genovese what away to start the book. I was hooked from paragraph one.
I knew that this was going to be a dark but hot read and it was so much more.
This book starts out with a bang and when you think it cant get anymore exciting C.C. throws in twist and turns. I fell in love with Gabe's character from the very beginning. As C.C. took me through both the dark side and the world side of things I became so engulfed in this story I didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was on an emotional ride for my life running with the characters to stay alive. This story will keep you wanting more and you'll not want it to end.
I was so impressed with the details I could see it happening as I was reading.
C.C. you did a fantastic job on this story and I'm so glad your book was my first dark fantasy.
You truly are a gifted author.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark fantasies or is looking for something amazing to read.
January 14, 2017
Now this is a true horror book. Truthfully, I cannot remember when I book scared me this bad. I covered the mirrors with blankets and had to read it with the lights on. I have a new found fear of mirrors. And that is what makes this book AMAZING!!
Just imagine when you are having a bad day and you look at your reflection and say," I cant take this anymore." and your image pulls you in the mirror and you switch places. You get the dark, evil, sadistic world and they get the bright, happy, structured world. And they are more than willing to kill or hurt the people that you only thought about hurting. And the only way to switch places is somehow to face each other at the exact same mirror.
One of the reasons I loved this book was because Chris writes in such a way it is like you are in the story. Instead of reading Gabe's and Lisa's story-- you feel as if you are in the story with them. And after that ending, I am off to read the next book in the series.
"Imagine being born and bred in a world full of evil and pain, and never being allowed to leave it." Ty
Just imagine when you are having a bad day and you look at your reflection and say," I cant take this anymore." and your image pulls you in the mirror and you switch places. You get the dark, evil, sadistic world and they get the bright, happy, structured world. And they are more than willing to kill or hurt the people that you only thought about hurting. And the only way to switch places is somehow to face each other at the exact same mirror.
One of the reasons I loved this book was because Chris writes in such a way it is like you are in the story. Instead of reading Gabe's and Lisa's story-- you feel as if you are in the story with them. And after that ending, I am off to read the next book in the series.
"Imagine being born and bred in a world full of evil and pain, and never being allowed to leave it." Ty
July 22, 2016
Non stop ride!
I will never be able to look in a mirror again and not think of the alternate world that C.C. Genovese has created in Edge of Reflection. The world that is on the other side of the mirror is not for the faint of heart. It is a crazy dark world where people do whatever they need to do to survive. It is a world where monsters lurk in the dark. It is a world without rules. If you think you are safe you are sadly mistaken. In the middle of this crazy lawless world are two people who are in love and just trying to survive. This story is an adventure of epic proportions that will have you on the edge of your seat. The writing is spectacular and will pull you in from the start leaving you wanting more. The love story is hot, and well if you have read C.C Genovese you know how darn sexy he writes! This is a dark urban fantasy you won't soon forget! I can't wait for the next book! This was a fantastic beginning to a story that I can't stop thinking about.
I will never be able to look in a mirror again and not think of the alternate world that C.C. Genovese has created in Edge of Reflection. The world that is on the other side of the mirror is not for the faint of heart. It is a crazy dark world where people do whatever they need to do to survive. It is a world where monsters lurk in the dark. It is a world without rules. If you think you are safe you are sadly mistaken. In the middle of this crazy lawless world are two people who are in love and just trying to survive. This story is an adventure of epic proportions that will have you on the edge of your seat. The writing is spectacular and will pull you in from the start leaving you wanting more. The love story is hot, and well if you have read C.C Genovese you know how darn sexy he writes! This is a dark urban fantasy you won't soon forget! I can't wait for the next book! This was a fantastic beginning to a story that I can't stop thinking about.
July 25, 2016
Twisted Mirrors
I have read some of this author's other books and loved his writing style so I figured I would give this book a try, even though I am not a fan of horror. This book blew me away! Yes there were parts that I cringed at, but could it really be considered horror without it.
I loved the character development and was able to truly believe the story and as for the story, I loved it was not one of your cookie cutter stories. Imagine that there was a whole bass ackward world just outweighed side of your mirror. Well that is what this story is about. This author truly has a creative mind with everything he has put into this story and this is only book one!
I cannot wait to buy and read book two and to find out more with Gabe and Lisa and Ivy and even Cutter! Will Cutter finish wheat he set out to do? Will Gabe be able to get back? What exactly is the Haissem(I actually think it was a clever idea to use this) expected to do and will it happen?
I have read some of this author's other books and loved his writing style so I figured I would give this book a try, even though I am not a fan of horror. This book blew me away! Yes there were parts that I cringed at, but could it really be considered horror without it.
I loved the character development and was able to truly believe the story and as for the story, I loved it was not one of your cookie cutter stories. Imagine that there was a whole bass ackward world just outweighed side of your mirror. Well that is what this story is about. This author truly has a creative mind with everything he has put into this story and this is only book one!
I cannot wait to buy and read book two and to find out more with Gabe and Lisa and Ivy and even Cutter! Will Cutter finish wheat he set out to do? Will Gabe be able to get back? What exactly is the Haissem(I actually think it was a clever idea to use this) expected to do and will it happen?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews