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The Anesthesia Game
40-something hannah, 50-something Mitsy, and 60-something Pandora indulge in a creative assortment of addictions that obscure the mysterious connection to a common past that haunts them all.
Estate reserve pinot noir, QVC, and a deck of maxed-out credit cards drive Hannah and her Virginia horse farm into a financial corner. Religion, spiritualism, and an addiction to the telephone mystic, Pandora, create the agoraphobic cave into which Mitsy retreats from everyone, including her critically ill 15-year-old daughter, Sydney. Pandora trades her green tea and tofu for the cigarettes, coffee, snickers, fine wine, and hashish that muddy her mystical vision just when she needs it most.
The link to their recovery is Sydney, the child among them, and the stake they all share in her perilous condition and unlikely cure. As Syd submits to weekly treatments for an illness she refuses to grace with a name, she plays The Anesthesia Game, a game that ultimately leads her to the origin of her disease and a possible way out of the struggle that binds them all.
Estate reserve pinot noir, QVC, and a deck of maxed-out credit cards drive Hannah and her Virginia horse farm into a financial corner. Religion, spiritualism, and an addiction to the telephone mystic, Pandora, create the agoraphobic cave into which Mitsy retreats from everyone, including her critically ill 15-year-old daughter, Sydney. Pandora trades her green tea and tofu for the cigarettes, coffee, snickers, fine wine, and hashish that muddy her mystical vision just when she needs it most.
The link to their recovery is Sydney, the child among them, and the stake they all share in her perilous condition and unlikely cure. As Syd submits to weekly treatments for an illness she refuses to grace with a name, she plays The Anesthesia Game, a game that ultimately leads her to the origin of her disease and a possible way out of the struggle that binds them all.
- GenresFictionParanormal
353 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
62 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Rea Nolan Martin
6 books79 followersRea Nolan Martin is the author of four novels: THE SUBLIME TRANSFORMATION OF VERA WRIGHT (2009), MYSTIC TEA (2014), THE ANESTHESIA GAME (2015), SUNNYSIDE UP (2022), and a collection of inspirational essays, WALKING ON WATER (2016). She is the author of numerous short stories and poetry published in national literary magazines and anthologies, and a founding editor of INKWELL literary magazine. MYSTIC TEA was the recipient of the prestigious IPPY gold medallion in 2014 and US BEST BOOK award for Visionary Fiction, as well as the 2014 PINNACLE gold medallion in Literary Fiction. THE ANESTHESIA GAME is the recipient of a five star insignia from both Readers' Favorite and Clarion/Foreword, as well as the 2016 IPPY gold medallion in the category of Visionary Fiction. THE ANESTHESIA GAME is also an award-winning finalist in the current 2017 International Book Awards, as well as the recipient of Book Viral's first Crimson Quill Award. WALKING ON WATER won the silver medallion in the coveted 2016 Nautilus Awards for books that transform lives. Her inspirational blogs are appeared in HUFFPOST, CHARTER FOR COMPASSION, and SIVANA EAST.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 5, 2020
My Blog Review
The Anesthesia Game is a wow factor. I was swept away by the charecters and the way the author constructed this amazing tale. Rea Nolan Martin is a genius. This story has an apt title with a deeper meaning.[I Don't want to spoil it... I recommend this to everyone who has a fascination with the mystic world]. I recieved this ARC from the author via Booktasters
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The Anesthesia Game is a wow factor. I was swept away by the charecters and the way the author constructed this amazing tale. Rea Nolan Martin is a genius. This story has an apt title with a deeper meaning.[I Don't want to spoil it... I recommend this to everyone who has a fascination with the mystic world]. I recieved this ARC from the author via Booktasters
You have to let go. You have to rememberThis story starts of with Hannah realising her addiction towards money and how broke she really is. It has an amazing starting. But the only turn of at the start was the very detailed description of almost everything. But don't you worry, the pace gets incredible and better as the story picks on. Then, our little angel Sydney is introduced. I'd say she is the reason I love the whole book. Every charecters where built with problems, addiction or trials of their own. I liked how the author brings about the liveliness within each of them. For animal lovers like me, there is a dog involved and her name is Godiva and horses. What more reason do you need to pick this up.
how to say yes to life even when it pushes you off a twenty-story ledge into a pile of broken glass.
No one understands how demanding the pure life can be. The only way to cleanse yourself of it is to plunge yourself into the murky pit of veniality. For a time. Not forever, obviously. Enough to remember what it was like to be tainted. To be real.The plot is going to make you feel like crying, laughing and depressed all at once. The ending is really great and everything you could hope for. Relationships were beautifully constructed in this book. How a family revolves around one another and how every one of your action might affect the ones you love.
“Shouldn’t you know my name? Aren’t you psychic?”I enjoyed this with my whole heart. The life of Hannah, the fiery shopping addict, Mitsy, the one who is broken, Sydney, a fierce soul, Pandora, our phsycic with a tint of humor and ofcourse Godiva, my cute little pie, will make your life better. I'd rate this book a 4 star.
“Oh, right, the belligerent skeptic,” Pandora says. “Oh right, the heretic fraud,” Hannah retorts.
“What’s mine is yours,”
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September 20, 2015
Best Trip You'll Ever Take!
What if the anesthesia game isn’t a game at all? This is the question I asked myself after finished Rea Martin’s latest journey into the incredible potential of human existence. First and foremost, Martin is a storyteller of the highest order. From page one, I was invested in the lives of each of the people whose lives are intertwined in this book. Fifteen year old Sydney, afflicted with a deadly disease, is the one who is being administered anesthesia, and who creates the game to survive. But the three women linked to her are administering their own creative forms of anesthesia—drugs, alcohol, religion. Sydney is the key to their survival. And they, if they can meet the challenge, are the key to hers. Their remarkable trajectory richochets between hilarity and tragedy, fear and courage—in fact, a mirror of the human condition, particularly as we find it today. Read this book. Your world, and its incredible potential, may never look the same.
What if the anesthesia game isn’t a game at all? This is the question I asked myself after finished Rea Martin’s latest journey into the incredible potential of human existence. First and foremost, Martin is a storyteller of the highest order. From page one, I was invested in the lives of each of the people whose lives are intertwined in this book. Fifteen year old Sydney, afflicted with a deadly disease, is the one who is being administered anesthesia, and who creates the game to survive. But the three women linked to her are administering their own creative forms of anesthesia—drugs, alcohol, religion. Sydney is the key to their survival. And they, if they can meet the challenge, are the key to hers. Their remarkable trajectory richochets between hilarity and tragedy, fear and courage—in fact, a mirror of the human condition, particularly as we find it today. Read this book. Your world, and its incredible potential, may never look the same.
December 11, 2015
The Anesthesia Game begins with newly middle-aged Hannah Chandler camping out on a sofa debating options regarding her ownership of the Virginia family horse farm, her dwindling income, her mounting bills, and her marriage which her husband thinks is already dead. Hannah believes something will come her way, maybe she could write a book, or maybe she can continue to channel surf and buy pointless things from shopping networks. However something does intervene but it involves her brother-in-law calling asking for help in Connecticut with his dying daughter and increasingly non-functional wife.
The Anesthesia Game is more about self-discovery than it is about visits to a hospital children’s ward even though fifteen-year-old Sydney has been spending a lot of time there with a disease that is never revealed to the reading audience (chemo and hair loss are mentioned). Sydney’s relationship with her mother, Mitsy, is problematic mainly because her mother is the naysayer of all that could be fun for a girl who might not make it to sixteen. Mitsy’s only outlet, beyond fussing over her daughter’s diet and whatnot, are her telephone conversations with a psychic named Pandora who lives in California. What poor put upon Mitsy doesn’t know is that Pandora is far more concerned about Sydney than Mitsy because she believes the girl has untapped power and has died much too young for several lifetimes. In some ways Sydney believes this too otherwise why play the anesthesia game?
I liked The Anesthesia Game, Martin has a way with dialogue even in circumstances that challenge a reader’s suspension of disbelief – a teen boy willingly going on a road trip with a troublesome mother of a friend, a friend whom he had just betrayed. Probably the best aspect of the novel is wondering how Martin is going to tie everything together between glamourous spend-thrift Hannah, ailing Sydney, mysterious Pandora, and poor Mitsy who has taken to wearing sweatpants 24/7. Without giving away too much, I’ll reveal that Mitsy does get a much needed makeover. Where Anesthesia stumbles a little is the writing of the male characters, particularly Hannah’s husband, who comes off too judgmental in one particular scene which kills a reader’s vibe for hoping Hannah will win him back.
I recommend The Anesthesia Game. I think it makes for a good fall read for those interested in a new age themed novel without the elements of horror or too many things that go “boo.” The book had me looking up concepts such as the “Fourth Way” which was fun.
Happy reading!
The Anesthesia Game is more about self-discovery than it is about visits to a hospital children’s ward even though fifteen-year-old Sydney has been spending a lot of time there with a disease that is never revealed to the reading audience (chemo and hair loss are mentioned). Sydney’s relationship with her mother, Mitsy, is problematic mainly because her mother is the naysayer of all that could be fun for a girl who might not make it to sixteen. Mitsy’s only outlet, beyond fussing over her daughter’s diet and whatnot, are her telephone conversations with a psychic named Pandora who lives in California. What poor put upon Mitsy doesn’t know is that Pandora is far more concerned about Sydney than Mitsy because she believes the girl has untapped power and has died much too young for several lifetimes. In some ways Sydney believes this too otherwise why play the anesthesia game?
I liked The Anesthesia Game, Martin has a way with dialogue even in circumstances that challenge a reader’s suspension of disbelief – a teen boy willingly going on a road trip with a troublesome mother of a friend, a friend whom he had just betrayed. Probably the best aspect of the novel is wondering how Martin is going to tie everything together between glamourous spend-thrift Hannah, ailing Sydney, mysterious Pandora, and poor Mitsy who has taken to wearing sweatpants 24/7. Without giving away too much, I’ll reveal that Mitsy does get a much needed makeover. Where Anesthesia stumbles a little is the writing of the male characters, particularly Hannah’s husband, who comes off too judgmental in one particular scene which kills a reader’s vibe for hoping Hannah will win him back.
I recommend The Anesthesia Game. I think it makes for a good fall read for those interested in a new age themed novel without the elements of horror or too many things that go “boo.” The book had me looking up concepts such as the “Fourth Way” which was fun.
Happy reading!
February 14, 2021
Absolutely fantastic
Not sure where to go from here. This book was such a full on read that I don't think I can go on without it. The characters, the story, the feels!!!! I'm definitely going to be reading the other books this author has released.
Not sure where to go from here. This book was such a full on read that I don't think I can go on without it. The characters, the story, the feels!!!! I'm definitely going to be reading the other books this author has released.
August 19, 2018
This amazing story revolves around a terminally ill fifteen year-old girl, Sydney; her clinically depressed mother, Mitsy; her somewhat-flakey-but-well-meaning aunt, Hannah; and a somewhat fallen-from-grace mystic, Pandora, who has succumbed to indulgence in some substances that compromise her many talents. The story's viewpoint rotates by chapter from woman to woman, and I must say that I almost didn't make it past Chapter 1 where I met Hannah, since she was such a piece of work I wasn't sure I could handle an entire book about this self-centered, dysfunctional woman.
We all know that there's nothing more boring than perfect people, especially in a novel, but sometimes they can be so flawed that you just want to slap them upside the head. Fortunately, I usually give a book three chapters to grab me, and I'm glad I persevered, because it got better and better after that.
Nonetheless, the dysfunctionality of this group was rather extreme, though I suppose credible; there are plenty of people out there that are that messed up. The only thing that keeps Mitsy sane as she deals with her daughter's horrible illness is her phone consultations with Pandora, a psychic who's really out there, but that's what makes her good at what she does. Being in touch with other dimensions and the etheric plane is what defines a psychic's value. Hannah, however, thinks she's a fraud, a complete unbeliever in such hocus-pocus.
Everyone's life in the story revolves around Sydney, a feisty, wonderful teenager with some horrible disease the name of which they refuse to say or even think, though the implications are that it's leukemia. When Sydney goes in for treatments, she plays the "anesthesia game", where she asks Hannah to mention a place for her to "visit" while she's unconscious, then come back and report what she finds.
However, as it turns out, these are not hallucinations or dreams, but excursions to another place and time during which these women were also connected, though this is not obvious to her. At some time or another, all of them have the same dream, though the only one who comprehends its significance is Pandora. The entanglement of these four women throughout the ages has involved repeated tragedies and problems, which have again manifested in their current lifetime. Pandora believes it's her mission to heal the root cause, once and for all, through identifying the problem at the energy level.
The main story revolves around whether or not Pandora would succeed in healing Sydney, but there were subplots galore. These characters were not only 3-dimensional, but possible 4 or 5, given the full scope of the story. Each has a distinct personality, the imagery vivid enough that I could easily imagine what each looked like, to say nothing of the glorious vistas describing the various settings in Connecticut, Virginia, and the Lake Tahoe area.
There's a heavy dose of mysticism, which is why I loved it. The author did an outstanding job capturing Pandora's spiritual connections to this other world with all its metaphysical characteristics. As someone who has similar beliefs with regard to who and what we are, including the fact that we've all lived multiple lifetimes, I was thoroughly sucked in and enchanted. Like Pandora, I believe that our physical bodies, spirits, and minds are intertwined at a mystical energy level that touches on the world of quantum physics. As a physicist, I loved the particle/wave duality references. Good job!
Readers of the same mindset as Hannah who aren't into the paranormal may do a lot of eye-rolling at these mystical elements, but I ate it up. These are obviously the types who gave this great story poor reviews.
This story took me on a magical journey that was part soap opera and part fantasy adventure, of which I loved every moment--at least once I got past the somewhat awkward introduction to Hannah. Of course this is only my opinion, but I think I would have started the story with Sydney, since in many respects she was the central character and built a lot more reader sympathy off the bat than her crazy aunt. But the good news is that she and Mitsy shaped up considerably by the mind-bending end of the story.
I'll definitely be looking at other novels by this author. She really nailed it.
We all know that there's nothing more boring than perfect people, especially in a novel, but sometimes they can be so flawed that you just want to slap them upside the head. Fortunately, I usually give a book three chapters to grab me, and I'm glad I persevered, because it got better and better after that.
Nonetheless, the dysfunctionality of this group was rather extreme, though I suppose credible; there are plenty of people out there that are that messed up. The only thing that keeps Mitsy sane as she deals with her daughter's horrible illness is her phone consultations with Pandora, a psychic who's really out there, but that's what makes her good at what she does. Being in touch with other dimensions and the etheric plane is what defines a psychic's value. Hannah, however, thinks she's a fraud, a complete unbeliever in such hocus-pocus.
Everyone's life in the story revolves around Sydney, a feisty, wonderful teenager with some horrible disease the name of which they refuse to say or even think, though the implications are that it's leukemia. When Sydney goes in for treatments, she plays the "anesthesia game", where she asks Hannah to mention a place for her to "visit" while she's unconscious, then come back and report what she finds.
However, as it turns out, these are not hallucinations or dreams, but excursions to another place and time during which these women were also connected, though this is not obvious to her. At some time or another, all of them have the same dream, though the only one who comprehends its significance is Pandora. The entanglement of these four women throughout the ages has involved repeated tragedies and problems, which have again manifested in their current lifetime. Pandora believes it's her mission to heal the root cause, once and for all, through identifying the problem at the energy level.
The main story revolves around whether or not Pandora would succeed in healing Sydney, but there were subplots galore. These characters were not only 3-dimensional, but possible 4 or 5, given the full scope of the story. Each has a distinct personality, the imagery vivid enough that I could easily imagine what each looked like, to say nothing of the glorious vistas describing the various settings in Connecticut, Virginia, and the Lake Tahoe area.
There's a heavy dose of mysticism, which is why I loved it. The author did an outstanding job capturing Pandora's spiritual connections to this other world with all its metaphysical characteristics. As someone who has similar beliefs with regard to who and what we are, including the fact that we've all lived multiple lifetimes, I was thoroughly sucked in and enchanted. Like Pandora, I believe that our physical bodies, spirits, and minds are intertwined at a mystical energy level that touches on the world of quantum physics. As a physicist, I loved the particle/wave duality references. Good job!
Readers of the same mindset as Hannah who aren't into the paranormal may do a lot of eye-rolling at these mystical elements, but I ate it up. These are obviously the types who gave this great story poor reviews.
This story took me on a magical journey that was part soap opera and part fantasy adventure, of which I loved every moment--at least once I got past the somewhat awkward introduction to Hannah. Of course this is only my opinion, but I think I would have started the story with Sydney, since in many respects she was the central character and built a lot more reader sympathy off the bat than her crazy aunt. But the good news is that she and Mitsy shaped up considerably by the mind-bending end of the story.
I'll definitely be looking at other novels by this author. She really nailed it.
January 11, 2016
(I received the Kindle version of this book, free of charge, from Authors, Large and Small in return for an honest independent review.)
Fun and Exciting Fantasy
Four main characters: Hannah, broke and wishing her ex husband would concentrate less on how much she spends, and more on what she is not spending. Mitsy, Hannah's nightmare neurotic sister, Sydney ill and fading fast and Pandora, Mitsy's mystic advisor - who has problems of her own. These four, very well drawn, individuals, plus a few others, take the reader through an often humorous and down to earth tale, interspersed with mystical fantasy of drama and excitement.
The writing style is easy to read "You have to remember how to say yes to life even when it pushes you off a twenty-story ledge into a pile of broken glass." is just one example of great prose. The action moves along at a fast pace, interspersed with humour and fantasy.
I found some of fantasy sections in the book a little too much "out of this world" for me; fantasy is not my favourite genre. I quite accept that fans of fantasy will be astounded that I did not rate this book a 5. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, mixed in with fun, excitement and drama.
(for other reviews by me see: http://www.emmabbooks.blogspot.co.at/ )
Fun and Exciting Fantasy
Four main characters: Hannah, broke and wishing her ex husband would concentrate less on how much she spends, and more on what she is not spending. Mitsy, Hannah's nightmare neurotic sister, Sydney ill and fading fast and Pandora, Mitsy's mystic advisor - who has problems of her own. These four, very well drawn, individuals, plus a few others, take the reader through an often humorous and down to earth tale, interspersed with mystical fantasy of drama and excitement.
The writing style is easy to read "You have to remember how to say yes to life even when it pushes you off a twenty-story ledge into a pile of broken glass." is just one example of great prose. The action moves along at a fast pace, interspersed with humour and fantasy.
I found some of fantasy sections in the book a little too much "out of this world" for me; fantasy is not my favourite genre. I quite accept that fans of fantasy will be astounded that I did not rate this book a 5. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, mixed in with fun, excitement and drama.
(for other reviews by me see: http://www.emmabbooks.blogspot.co.at/ )
April 5, 2016
The Anesthesia Game is an exotic mix of the supernatural and reality. At the same time, it feels like a science lesson the way Pandora expresses her mystical findings. So I guess that labeling it as a science fiction would be a little true too? The story was so enticing that I wanted to read the whole book in one sitting and almost succeeded in doing that. At the beginning, the stories of Hannah, Syd, Mitsy and Pandora came in bits and pieces, especially at Pandora’s part But as I read on, the pieces of the puzzles start to come together and make sense but even though I understand the overall structure of it, there are still parts that are vague to me. Especially at the part where Pandora explains how the supernatural and colours work. It all makes sense but at the same time, you can fully grasp the concept of it. I think that’s how it was meant to be: Just within your reach but just as you feel as if you can catch it in your hands, it slips away, like water. But you know what? I like it that way, because that’s how this story feels to me, lingering between fantasy and reality. It helps stretch my imagination.
January 20, 2016
Another creative and engaging novel by Rea Nolan Martin. I enjoyed how she very vividly "painted" the characters yet allowed them to be relatable and perhaps similar to someone we know or even ourselves.
The story is about a teenager whose struggling with an illness and how she and her family deal with it. We soon find out that they each are dealing with personal issues, but through it all they discover a way to overcome their challenges. I loved the premise that we all may be where we are in life because something in the past was not as it should be. Read this book with an open mind and enjoy!
The story is about a teenager whose struggling with an illness and how she and her family deal with it. We soon find out that they each are dealing with personal issues, but through it all they discover a way to overcome their challenges. I loved the premise that we all may be where we are in life because something in the past was not as it should be. Read this book with an open mind and enjoy!
August 21, 2017
Rea Nolan Martin has written another stunner! Prose sharp as a crystal's edge, cantering pace, savory characterization, crackling dialogue. If you liked her first two books, THE SUBLIME TRANSFORMATION OF VERA WRIGHT, and MYSTIC TEA, you'll love this calamitous adventure (and misadventure) involving three women and a girl, who are bound by a mysterious, distant past. Bravo Rea!
September 22, 2015
Rea Martin takes us on a wonderful journey which delights in her story telling and also expands our minds in her far reaching ability to go beyond the norm. Her character development is amazing as always and delivered from each individual POV. I love reading books by this author - can't wait for the next one.
October 16, 2015
I'm so please I found Rea Nolan Martin as she writes simply stunning novels. These are the ones you lock yourself away from all distractions and just immerse yourself in the story. Having already read her novel Mystic Tea and I can say The Anesthesia Game is equally as good and her fans definitely won't be disappointed.
October 22, 2015
With Rea Nolan Martin you don't just get an entertaining book you get an intelligent one that really gets you thinking. Not only about the character’s but the social context in which they interact. Above all this brings a sense of authenticity to The Anesthesia Game, bringing the characters to life and making them highly endearing. Simply a wonderful book.
October 13, 2015
Best book I have read in a long time. Such wonderful character development! Once I started the book I didn't want to put it down until I finished it. So many different topics for discussion in this book - a must read for book clubs.
February 16, 2020
The Anesthesia Game was a refreshing break from all the college textbooks I’ve been stuck with lately; this book is not the typical high-fantasy I look for, but the description and cover art were enough to convince met to try something new.
The story itself is a beautifully written examination of humanity and its place in the world – R.N. Martin effortlessly weaves in themes of love, pain, sorrow, fear, humor, science, and mysticism. Each theme plays out across the pages as a drama centered around a teen girl named Sydney and her family (plus a couple friends) as she fights a battle on two fronts. The first is an actual physical disease. The second battle, ethereal in nature, is to recover a long-lost light; winning would not only save Sydney’s life, but also heal a wound that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The story presented in The Anesthesia Game rekindled a love for the occult that I had not experienced since Charmed was still airing.
As mentioned in an earlier comment, I was not sure I would get through the first chapter; Martin writes from the point of view of the various characters in the novel, unfortunately, the first viewpoint is from someone who is … not thinking clearly. I am glad, though, that I continued. I later found out that Martin’s style is not academic in nature, but that she lets each character speak in their own voice while she acts as a conduit. Since her characters were allowed the chance to take on lives of their own, it did not take long to establish a connection with each one as the story developed.
I would rate the story 4.5 stars – I chose this number because while it did rekindle that love of the occult, I would have liked to see a bit more development of the main character’s arc. For me, it seemed that everyone in Sydney’s life did a lot of growing while having to learn to accept, manage, and heal Sydney’s affliction; but, while a clever child, Sydney herself remained mostly the same. Then again, perhaps she was meant to be the catalyst for the adults in her life.
I was given this book for free through Booktasters in exchange for a review; now that I have read it, it is a book I would buy – you should do the same!
The story itself is a beautifully written examination of humanity and its place in the world – R.N. Martin effortlessly weaves in themes of love, pain, sorrow, fear, humor, science, and mysticism. Each theme plays out across the pages as a drama centered around a teen girl named Sydney and her family (plus a couple friends) as she fights a battle on two fronts. The first is an actual physical disease. The second battle, ethereal in nature, is to recover a long-lost light; winning would not only save Sydney’s life, but also heal a wound that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The story presented in The Anesthesia Game rekindled a love for the occult that I had not experienced since Charmed was still airing.
As mentioned in an earlier comment, I was not sure I would get through the first chapter; Martin writes from the point of view of the various characters in the novel, unfortunately, the first viewpoint is from someone who is … not thinking clearly. I am glad, though, that I continued. I later found out that Martin’s style is not academic in nature, but that she lets each character speak in their own voice while she acts as a conduit. Since her characters were allowed the chance to take on lives of their own, it did not take long to establish a connection with each one as the story developed.
I would rate the story 4.5 stars – I chose this number because while it did rekindle that love of the occult, I would have liked to see a bit more development of the main character’s arc. For me, it seemed that everyone in Sydney’s life did a lot of growing while having to learn to accept, manage, and heal Sydney’s affliction; but, while a clever child, Sydney herself remained mostly the same. Then again, perhaps she was meant to be the catalyst for the adults in her life.
I was given this book for free through Booktasters in exchange for a review; now that I have read it, it is a book I would buy – you should do the same!
September 16, 2019
The Anesthesia Game is an unforgettable journey into the lives of four women. At the very center of the story is a sick child, dying of an unnamed disease. Sydney, the terminally ill 15 year old, seems at times more mature than her mother and aunt, who have real problems of their own. Her mother's psychic advisor feels a strong connection to the child. If she can overcome her own issues, healing may take place. Healing, not only for Sydney, but for them all.
The characters are so well written they feel like real people. I found myself thinking about them when I wasn't reading and wanting to alternately cheer for them or scold them. I'm so hoping that Rea Nolan Martin is writing a sequel. These women are too interesting to let go of. They felt like friends by the last chapter.
I love books that make you think and that expose you to alternate realities. The Anesthesia Game begins as a child's method of coping with her uncomfortable treatments. In point of fact, she, with the help of the other women, is saving her life.
This is an amazing book and one I will keep and reread. Thank you, Rea Nolan Martin! I'm a fan.
The characters are so well written they feel like real people. I found myself thinking about them when I wasn't reading and wanting to alternately cheer for them or scold them. I'm so hoping that Rea Nolan Martin is writing a sequel. These women are too interesting to let go of. They felt like friends by the last chapter.
I love books that make you think and that expose you to alternate realities. The Anesthesia Game begins as a child's method of coping with her uncomfortable treatments. In point of fact, she, with the help of the other women, is saving her life.
This is an amazing book and one I will keep and reread. Thank you, Rea Nolan Martin! I'm a fan.
December 29, 2019
Spectacular and jaw-droppingly good. The Anesthesia game is a page-turner, immersing its readers into its own diverse and thrilling storyline.
The characters, having flaws and all, were splendidly brought to life by the author. What really amazed me though was the author's style. One could even say that I fell in love with it over time. She was able to give color to both her characters and settings, providing descriptions in such a manner that the readers won't find it overwhelming or disappointing.
To be honest, it took me some time before I could adapt to reading a book of this kind. I'm the type of person who's more well-versed with young adult fiction, and I'm not gonna deny that.
I received a digital copy of the book from Ms. Rea Nolan Martin via Book Tasters, in exchange for an honest review months ago; and I was well aware of the fact that I should've posted this review way back. I apologize for the delay. In truth, I've been busy with school and college entrance tests. It was wrong of me to accept the offer given my circumstances.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read your work!
The characters, having flaws and all, were splendidly brought to life by the author. What really amazed me though was the author's style. One could even say that I fell in love with it over time. She was able to give color to both her characters and settings, providing descriptions in such a manner that the readers won't find it overwhelming or disappointing.
To be honest, it took me some time before I could adapt to reading a book of this kind. I'm the type of person who's more well-versed with young adult fiction, and I'm not gonna deny that.
I received a digital copy of the book from Ms. Rea Nolan Martin via Book Tasters, in exchange for an honest review months ago; and I was well aware of the fact that I should've posted this review way back. I apologize for the delay. In truth, I've been busy with school and college entrance tests. It was wrong of me to accept the offer given my circumstances.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read your work!
February 1, 2020
The story begins with introducing us to Hannah, who you instantly realize is broke and a spending and drinking issue. Slowly we are introduced to Mitsy, Hannah's nightmare neurotic sister, Sydney ill and fading fast and Pandora, Mitsy's mystic advisor - who has problems of her own. They are obviously the four main characters who take you on a journey of mystical fantasy interspersed with drama and humor.
It was difficult to get into the book at the beginning as the narration was a mix of lot of things without clear distinctions. It got confusing lots of times. Only when you grab the perspectives of each person, you slowly start understanding the structure. Also I didn't like much to f the characters until Sydney was introduced.
There's a varied of different meanings hidden in the book which differs from the original theme. So despite being set in the mystical fantasy theme, it ends up being a heavy read in few places.
Overall a decent read.
It was difficult to get into the book at the beginning as the narration was a mix of lot of things without clear distinctions. It got confusing lots of times. Only when you grab the perspectives of each person, you slowly start understanding the structure. Also I didn't like much to f the characters until Sydney was introduced.
There's a varied of different meanings hidden in the book which differs from the original theme. So despite being set in the mystical fantasy theme, it ends up being a heavy read in few places.
Overall a decent read.
July 21, 2019
The Anesthesia Game is elusively spectacular.
Let me just say the title of the book is exclusively marvellous. Superb!
Everything about it entices you as an explorer.
The start of the novel is also superb. It was an excellent make for a tragic relationship with family members. It continued to strike me hard whenever the doctors got involved. Emotional and fast pacing. The writing style pulls you in for the numerous things it excelled at; (i) it expresses so much yet so little and paces the plot effectively, (ii) brilliant character developments; Sydney did enough being there and revealing the horrors and wonders of being alone, young and in hospital – props to her character! (iii) By the same token, it takes the reader on a compelling journey, making them as vulnerable as possible, (iv) better vocabularies and slicker proses, by all technical accounts.
There is definitely an indulging relationship linked between the talented author and the rapacious reader.
5 stars well deserved for author Rea Nolan Martin. I am also grateful and honoured to have been accessed this ebook thru Booktasters!
I definitely recommend this book for all. It makes for a good read for those interested in what revolves on self-discovery through fiction. This one exponentially makes one hunt for sonorous concepts, and live them in ethereal decision.
Let me just say the title of the book is exclusively marvellous. Superb!
Everything about it entices you as an explorer.
The start of the novel is also superb. It was an excellent make for a tragic relationship with family members. It continued to strike me hard whenever the doctors got involved. Emotional and fast pacing. The writing style pulls you in for the numerous things it excelled at; (i) it expresses so much yet so little and paces the plot effectively, (ii) brilliant character developments; Sydney did enough being there and revealing the horrors and wonders of being alone, young and in hospital – props to her character! (iii) By the same token, it takes the reader on a compelling journey, making them as vulnerable as possible, (iv) better vocabularies and slicker proses, by all technical accounts.
There is definitely an indulging relationship linked between the talented author and the rapacious reader.
5 stars well deserved for author Rea Nolan Martin. I am also grateful and honoured to have been accessed this ebook thru Booktasters!
I definitely recommend this book for all. It makes for a good read for those interested in what revolves on self-discovery through fiction. This one exponentially makes one hunt for sonorous concepts, and live them in ethereal decision.
April 14, 2020
The Anesthesis Game begins with the introduction of Hannah, who we instantly realize has a drinking issue. An has deck's of maxed out credit cards, her Virginia horse farm is in a financial problem. We are also slowly introduced to Mitsy, Hannah sister, Sydney her niece and a telephone mystic name Pandora.
This was a very different type of read for me I did enjoy it. Although it was difficult because it was a little slow and confusing in the beginning. It did took my rating down just a little but as I kept reading every person's perspective I started to understand them. At times I didn't like much of the characters but the author did an amazing job in executing all of them.
I love some of the conversation that the characters had with each other. Somewhere frustrating, funny, touching and sentimental. I feel like the author did a good job in bringing them all together in the end.
This was a very different type of read for me I did enjoy it. Although it was difficult because it was a little slow and confusing in the beginning. It did took my rating down just a little but as I kept reading every person's perspective I started to understand them. At times I didn't like much of the characters but the author did an amazing job in executing all of them.
I love some of the conversation that the characters had with each other. Somewhere frustrating, funny, touching and sentimental. I feel like the author did a good job in bringing them all together in the end.
December 23, 2019
When looking and thinking over this novel as a whole, I really wanted to give it a 4, but because of my bumpy start with this novel, I took my rating down to 3.5. The characters each have their own interesting perspective and the structure the author used helped the plot progress forward but also was confusing at times. The progression didn't feel rushed and you could fully immerse yourself in the story and find a character to relate to, I particularly love Sydney's character, since I myself am probably on the younger side for someone reading this novel. The novel felt like it was aimed toward an older audience, and that isn't to say that teens and younger audiences cannot read it, but there were often themes that I felt were meant for a different audience, but nevertheless a decent read.
August 31, 2019
I could not put this book down!!
Rea Nolan Martin’s book The Anesthesia Game is wonderful. She brings her characters to life through their thoughts and actions. What if what you do in your dreams could affect you when you awoke? What if we do come back after we die? Can a divorced shopaholic, a mother who won’t leave her room with consulting her psychic first, and the psychic - who had given up her tofu and green tea lifestyle for cigarettes and hash save 15 year old Sydney from a disease she won’t let anyone say the name of, lest it hear and consume her? As long as Sydney can answer the question her anesthesiologist asks her as she goes under when she wakes, she knows she will be ok.
Rea Nolan Martin’s book The Anesthesia Game is wonderful. She brings her characters to life through their thoughts and actions. What if what you do in your dreams could affect you when you awoke? What if we do come back after we die? Can a divorced shopaholic, a mother who won’t leave her room with consulting her psychic first, and the psychic - who had given up her tofu and green tea lifestyle for cigarettes and hash save 15 year old Sydney from a disease she won’t let anyone say the name of, lest it hear and consume her? As long as Sydney can answer the question her anesthesiologist asks her as she goes under when she wakes, she knows she will be ok.
November 19, 2018
15 year old Sydney is terminally ill with something so horrible, like Voldermort, they dare not say its name.. Her support system have problems of their own. Her mom is depressed, her aunt weird, and a psychic might be the key to healing her, but seems to be pretty crazy.
There is a whole different world out there that she can visit while she is unconscious, under anesthesia, which at first are dismissed as dreams, but there's more to it than that. Mystical forces are at work that you can only begin to imagine.
There is a whole different world out there that she can visit while she is unconscious, under anesthesia, which at first are dismissed as dreams, but there's more to it than that. Mystical forces are at work that you can only begin to imagine.
December 8, 2018
This is a trippy book! A fifteen year old with a terminal illness escapes into a fantasy world while under anesthesia, but the fantasy world might be much more real than you think. She has a network of strange family and friends that are trying to help her out in the regular world. One of them might hold they key to healing her, but might be totally insane. In a world full of cookie cutter novels this one stands out as totally original.
June 22, 2019
Brilliant book!!! This made my Friday night sleepless😀😀 I can't put it down until I came to the last page!
Quite simply, this book is a fantastic trip, filled with knowledge and wisdom.The characters developed well in each stories. The plot is amazing; it made me think thoroughly while at the same time enjoying it. The story teaches on difficult situation people can become closer and grow together.
Quite simply, this book is a fantastic trip, filled with knowledge and wisdom.The characters developed well in each stories. The plot is amazing; it made me think thoroughly while at the same time enjoying it. The story teaches on difficult situation people can become closer and grow together.
May 2, 2020
Visionary Fiction
(NO Spoilers)
I first want to say that I really like the writing detail. How everything is explained. It’s like watching a show or a film. So vivid. It makes it easier to have everything play out in ones mind. Very well written. Now this isn’t the type of genre that I’ll normally read but the story pulled me right in. Every little chance I had, I picked it up. I really do recommend this book. 5/5 from me.
(NO Spoilers)
I first want to say that I really like the writing detail. How everything is explained. It’s like watching a show or a film. So vivid. It makes it easier to have everything play out in ones mind. Very well written. Now this isn’t the type of genre that I’ll normally read but the story pulled me right in. Every little chance I had, I picked it up. I really do recommend this book. 5/5 from me.
June 1, 2019
Whoa but WHOA!!
I’m not much for the mystical fiction genre, but this book was engaging! Characters were rich and vivid, fully developed; I felt like I could walk out the door and run into Jonah, call Syd on the phone, and yearn to hit Aaron in the face for his hypocrisy! This was so addictive and sucked me right in. Read it!!
I’m not much for the mystical fiction genre, but this book was engaging! Characters were rich and vivid, fully developed; I felt like I could walk out the door and run into Jonah, call Syd on the phone, and yearn to hit Aaron in the face for his hypocrisy! This was so addictive and sucked me right in. Read it!!
June 14, 2020
I have read a wonderful book "The Anesthesia Game" it has wonderful description about real life situations and suspense level is quite good as I am quite a suspense lover , best portion I loved in this book ,is description of characters and its situations.If you gave me to rate it its 4.5/5.Wonderful peace of work .
August 22, 2020
Overall this was a great, summer read! What I liked most about the book was that I felt an attachment to the main characters. I found myself rooting for them and I enjoyed their character development. It’s obvious the author had a great affection for the protagonists and that definitely passed on to the reader. I felt like the book could have been a little longer to include some extra detail. I had a few unanswered questions at the end. I’m also not a huge fan of mysticism but that didn’t dampen this story at all. The flashbacks are well placed and really add to the story. It was a quick, enjoyable read!
December 6, 2020
I found it hard to engage with this book - which seems a shame after reading reviews and finding that so many people enjoyed it so much! I found the characters difficult to relate to, but potentially reading it at the same time as juggling many work commitments made it harder to take in the story. One day in the future I may re-read this book and find it at the right time.
August 8, 2017
Interesting science fiction novel about karma, reincarnation, and mystical cures for physical illness. The female characters were well-written, growing more in-depth over the course of the book. At times quite intense, the plot moved along briskly. I enjoyed reading this novel.
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