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Ren #1
The Man Behind the Monster
Born with the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts, Ren Lewis, is certain of one thing: God made a mistake. No one should be born with so much power. A monster awoke in him the same year he received his gifts. At ten years old. A prepubescent boy with the ability to control others might merely abuse his powers, but Ren allowed it to corrupt him. And since he can have and do anything he wants, Ren should be happy. However, his journey teaches him that harboring so much power doesn't bring happiness, it steals it. Once this realization sets in, Ren makes up his mind to do the one thing that can bring his tortured soul some peace. He must kill the monster.
206 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2015
155 people are currently reading
1172 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Noffke
232 books1,481 followersSarah Noffke is a prolific USA Today Best-Selling Author, who writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. Most of her stories draw on her experiences living on the West Coast, growing up in Texas or traveling the world.
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 13, 2018
Q: I’m Ren Lewis and I was born with too much power. (c)
'Oh, yeah! I'm SO awesomely BAAD and I know it! And you need to know it! Watch me being perfectly obnoxious!' This seems to go through the main protagonist's mind all the time.
Basically, this is a good book, though not exemplar as we have the main protagonist, whose main problem is total lack of problems due to his so very excruciatingly aweeesome powers that he mentions seemingly on each single page. Just in case our teeny-weeny brains can't hold to that fact from our previous encounter with this claim, 5 seconds ago.
Still, it's entertaining and well-written, which I value. And, of course, it's on telepathy, among other things, which seems well thought in this world context.
And, it's like a very big problem: if this guy is this freakingly gifted mind-reader, how come he can't learn driving from someone's head, instead of fucking with other people's sheep? If you are awesome, can't you show something for that, like superior knowledge of something, anything? Preferably useful? Huh?
Q:
I’m way too brilliant to risk a single brain cell. (c)
Q:
I was going to drive it to London. Park it in front of the finest clubs and tempt the finest of women to join me inside it. And my plan would have worked and I would have been laid by a model at the early age of fifteen years old. However, it didn’t work because I didn’t have a license to drive or the know-how to do so. (c) An awesome plan. To drive without knowing how to drive.
Q:
Dr. Simon said, reading from his file on the side table. He needed to have his orderly notes. Needed to be able to refer back to them. He didn’t have the advantage of a flawless, photographic memory, like me. Poor soul with his weaknesses and many shortcomings. How he made it through graduate school is ever a wonder to me. (c) Yes! Did you hear yet how cool I am?! How did you ever live without knowing that!?
Q:
The truth invariably set me free, but not because people believed me. Rather because they thought I was crazy, which I probably am...
The truth was always the better option in these situations. No one believed it and therefore just assumed I was a no-good teen. A troublemaker. A pathological liar. The truth was I kept telling the truth over and over again and no one believed me.(c)
Q:
Inside I smiled with glee. “The truth is that I was born half Dream Traveler, and not only can I travel through space and time using my dreams, but as this special race of humans I’m also gifted with a skill. Some Dream Travelers have one or maybe even two gifts. I can control people using my mind, hypnotize people with movements, and if I touch someone I can hear their thoughts.” I scuffed some imaginary dirt off my shoe. “That’s the truth. The big secret. Don’t be mad at me or my parents for it.” The therapist took in a long annoyed breath. (c)
Q:
I was Ren. The boy who had been there when my teacher pulled her knickers down during my solo detention last year. The boy who had been the one to call authorities when my entire church group, including our teacher, fell into inexplicable comas. I was the strange boy. The one who things happened around. But people thought it was because I was a troublemaker branded with the word “cursed” across my head. They had no idea it was because since I was ten years old I’d come into my gifts and could control most using my mind and hypnotize anyone I dared. I told them to hold my hand so I could read their thoughts, but they’d totally shrugged me off most of the time. Even though I kept telling the truth, I was dismissed. And that’s what made the whole thing even more fun. (c)
Q:
More than once throughout my life I’ve been asked what it is that made me so hard, so hostile. Why would something have to make me the way I am? I’ve known dozens of happy people who have nothing to be happy about and still they plaster stupid grins on their faces every bloody day. There are those who are all scared and tortured and they’ve got no good reason for the self-pity. Nothing more than a few trivial things have ever happened to them. Forgetting their lunch. Missing an exam. Not getting the girl. And yet these lowlifes go through life like they were given a curse at birth. It’s mostly just a choice. Life doesn’t make most of us any certain way. We wake up, and usually without knowing it, act in a way that fits our personality. Nothing made me the way I am. Not really. Things colored me. Persuaded me. But no experience is responsible for making me hostile. It’s just the way I prefer to be. Also, who I am is a result of something inside my bones. Probably a monster who feeds off my unhealthy behavior. I’m not a victim of circumstance. I’m a man who believes that the best strategy involves being extremely cynical and even more conniving. And if there’s one thing I’m more excellent at than all the other things, it’s strategy. I’m a bloody master at it. Hell, I’m fairly certain God takes notes out of my book. He should. If he knows what’s good for him. (c) It's funny but I actually know a person who thinks just like that. They are a delight to watch.
Q:
Too much power doesn’t create happiness. It steals it. To have it all means there’s no struggle and without having to pay a price, nothing has value. I wasn’t gifted with powers. I was cursed with them. (c)
Q:
I firmly believe there are a lot of one-night stands going on in dreams but most can shrug the whole thing off as “not really happening.” (c)
Q:
I’ll have a wad of cash and my brilliance. That’s all I need. (c)
Q:
I had a bank account larger than most working-class professionals, an impossibly high IQ, and a more thorough knowledge of the world than ninety-eight percent of the population. But I was still a kid and that was everyone’s first impression of me, which was an obstacle in some ways. I needed to change my appearance. I was a badass but now I needed to look like one. (c)
Q:
That casino was utterly gorgeous. The only thing more breathtaking was me. (c)
Q:
...she had a confidence that people as young as us never have. I only knew of one person with that kind of poise and I had the honor of waking up to stare at his reflection every morning. (c)
Q:
“Well, I’m grateful that you had the plan for revenge, because you saved me from breeding with a half-blood,” Chase said. “I would have had to strangle those children.”
“You sound like excellent father material,” I said dryly. (c)
Q:
“What do you zink?” Allouette said in a mischievous tone.“I think you people need to come to terms with reality because these types of living quarters are insanely inadequate. I’m not a bat or reptile. There’s a reason Neanderthals don’t exist any longer and if you continue to live in squalor such as this then you’ll become extinct too,” I said. (c)
'Oh, yeah! I'm SO awesomely BAAD and I know it! And you need to know it! Watch me being perfectly obnoxious!' This seems to go through the main protagonist's mind all the time.
Basically, this is a good book, though not exemplar as we have the main protagonist, whose main problem is total lack of problems due to his so very excruciatingly aweeesome powers that he mentions seemingly on each single page. Just in case our teeny-weeny brains can't hold to that fact from our previous encounter with this claim, 5 seconds ago.
Still, it's entertaining and well-written, which I value. And, of course, it's on telepathy, among other things, which seems well thought in this world context.
And, it's like a very big problem: if this guy is this freakingly gifted mind-reader, how come he can't learn driving from someone's head, instead of fucking with other people's sheep? If you are awesome, can't you show something for that, like superior knowledge of something, anything? Preferably useful? Huh?
Q:
I’m way too brilliant to risk a single brain cell. (c)
Q:
I was going to drive it to London. Park it in front of the finest clubs and tempt the finest of women to join me inside it. And my plan would have worked and I would have been laid by a model at the early age of fifteen years old. However, it didn’t work because I didn’t have a license to drive or the know-how to do so. (c) An awesome plan. To drive without knowing how to drive.
Q:
Dr. Simon said, reading from his file on the side table. He needed to have his orderly notes. Needed to be able to refer back to them. He didn’t have the advantage of a flawless, photographic memory, like me. Poor soul with his weaknesses and many shortcomings. How he made it through graduate school is ever a wonder to me. (c) Yes! Did you hear yet how cool I am?! How did you ever live without knowing that!?
Q:
The truth invariably set me free, but not because people believed me. Rather because they thought I was crazy, which I probably am...
The truth was always the better option in these situations. No one believed it and therefore just assumed I was a no-good teen. A troublemaker. A pathological liar. The truth was I kept telling the truth over and over again and no one believed me.(c)
Q:
Inside I smiled with glee. “The truth is that I was born half Dream Traveler, and not only can I travel through space and time using my dreams, but as this special race of humans I’m also gifted with a skill. Some Dream Travelers have one or maybe even two gifts. I can control people using my mind, hypnotize people with movements, and if I touch someone I can hear their thoughts.” I scuffed some imaginary dirt off my shoe. “That’s the truth. The big secret. Don’t be mad at me or my parents for it.” The therapist took in a long annoyed breath. (c)
Q:
I was Ren. The boy who had been there when my teacher pulled her knickers down during my solo detention last year. The boy who had been the one to call authorities when my entire church group, including our teacher, fell into inexplicable comas. I was the strange boy. The one who things happened around. But people thought it was because I was a troublemaker branded with the word “cursed” across my head. They had no idea it was because since I was ten years old I’d come into my gifts and could control most using my mind and hypnotize anyone I dared. I told them to hold my hand so I could read their thoughts, but they’d totally shrugged me off most of the time. Even though I kept telling the truth, I was dismissed. And that’s what made the whole thing even more fun. (c)
Q:
More than once throughout my life I’ve been asked what it is that made me so hard, so hostile. Why would something have to make me the way I am? I’ve known dozens of happy people who have nothing to be happy about and still they plaster stupid grins on their faces every bloody day. There are those who are all scared and tortured and they’ve got no good reason for the self-pity. Nothing more than a few trivial things have ever happened to them. Forgetting their lunch. Missing an exam. Not getting the girl. And yet these lowlifes go through life like they were given a curse at birth. It’s mostly just a choice. Life doesn’t make most of us any certain way. We wake up, and usually without knowing it, act in a way that fits our personality. Nothing made me the way I am. Not really. Things colored me. Persuaded me. But no experience is responsible for making me hostile. It’s just the way I prefer to be. Also, who I am is a result of something inside my bones. Probably a monster who feeds off my unhealthy behavior. I’m not a victim of circumstance. I’m a man who believes that the best strategy involves being extremely cynical and even more conniving. And if there’s one thing I’m more excellent at than all the other things, it’s strategy. I’m a bloody master at it. Hell, I’m fairly certain God takes notes out of my book. He should. If he knows what’s good for him. (c) It's funny but I actually know a person who thinks just like that. They are a delight to watch.
Q:
Too much power doesn’t create happiness. It steals it. To have it all means there’s no struggle and without having to pay a price, nothing has value. I wasn’t gifted with powers. I was cursed with them. (c)
Q:
I firmly believe there are a lot of one-night stands going on in dreams but most can shrug the whole thing off as “not really happening.” (c)
Q:
I’ll have a wad of cash and my brilliance. That’s all I need. (c)
Q:
I had a bank account larger than most working-class professionals, an impossibly high IQ, and a more thorough knowledge of the world than ninety-eight percent of the population. But I was still a kid and that was everyone’s first impression of me, which was an obstacle in some ways. I needed to change my appearance. I was a badass but now I needed to look like one. (c)
Q:
That casino was utterly gorgeous. The only thing more breathtaking was me. (c)
Q:
...she had a confidence that people as young as us never have. I only knew of one person with that kind of poise and I had the honor of waking up to stare at his reflection every morning. (c)
Q:
“Well, I’m grateful that you had the plan for revenge, because you saved me from breeding with a half-blood,” Chase said. “I would have had to strangle those children.”
“You sound like excellent father material,” I said dryly. (c)
Q:
“What do you zink?” Allouette said in a mischievous tone.“I think you people need to come to terms with reality because these types of living quarters are insanely inadequate. I’m not a bat or reptile. There’s a reason Neanderthals don’t exist any longer and if you continue to live in squalor such as this then you’ll become extinct too,” I said. (c)
June 1, 2020
This was a complete waste of time!! What the heck is going on with the reviews? The idea was kind of nice but the MC was totally unlikeable, and don't even get me started on the plot. I gave up when like an hour of the audiobook was left because even during a pandemic - or especially during a pandemic - I had better things to do.
December 16, 2015
When I picked up this book I thought it was a standalone story. It is not. The main character Ren has featured in both of Sarah Noffke's other series The Lucidites and The Reverians. This is a companion novel that fills in the backstory of Ren and gives the reader a glimpse of the world from his point of view. This still managed to be an entertaining read even without knowing the backstory of Ren and the Dream Travellers world provided in the other two series. Though it did skip the parts that were already told in those series and that meant this accounting of Ren's story felt a little incomplete as we missed some major happenings in his life!
Ren Lewis is a guy suffering under the weight of his gifts. Since he was 10 years old he has had the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts. The temptation to use such powers was impossible to resist and Ren used it to gain whatever he wished. You would think a guy who can indulge his every wish and whim should surely be happy? This is not the case for Ren as he soon learns that it is a lonely existence when people only like you because you manipulate them into doing so, and that sometimes indulging his every whim can have severe consequences for his victims!
Sarah Noffke had an engaging writing style and Ren's story was an interesting one so this proved a fun read. Ren was a complex character. He was all shades of grey. He indulged his wishes at the cost of others, but was not particularly evil or malicious. He fell in with a bad crowd and that sparked an incident that resulted in him suffering from regrets and self loathing. He was a sharp tongued guy and used insults to push away any who tried to grow close to him.
We did get a touch of romance and a bit of action mixed in with some fun paranormal elements. The other fun aspect of the story was Ren's hilarious interactions with people he encountered.
All in all I did enjoy this and will probably read the rest of the books in the series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Tim Campbell gave an excellent performance and seemed perfect for Ren.
Ren Lewis is a guy suffering under the weight of his gifts. Since he was 10 years old he has had the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts. The temptation to use such powers was impossible to resist and Ren used it to gain whatever he wished. You would think a guy who can indulge his every wish and whim should surely be happy? This is not the case for Ren as he soon learns that it is a lonely existence when people only like you because you manipulate them into doing so, and that sometimes indulging his every whim can have severe consequences for his victims!
Sarah Noffke had an engaging writing style and Ren's story was an interesting one so this proved a fun read. Ren was a complex character. He was all shades of grey. He indulged his wishes at the cost of others, but was not particularly evil or malicious. He fell in with a bad crowd and that sparked an incident that resulted in him suffering from regrets and self loathing. He was a sharp tongued guy and used insults to push away any who tried to grow close to him.
We did get a touch of romance and a bit of action mixed in with some fun paranormal elements. The other fun aspect of the story was Ren's hilarious interactions with people he encountered.
All in all I did enjoy this and will probably read the rest of the books in the series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Tim Campbell gave an excellent performance and seemed perfect for Ren.
September 21, 2024
Ren is the start of Sarah Noffke's latest dream traveler series. In two of her previous series, The Reverians and the Lucidites, readers encounter Ren, and this is finally the story from his point of view.
I loved having all of the background information about Ren, being inside his twisted mind, and seeing things from his perspective. It was painful to read when he decided to shut himself off emotionally from the world. I felt so badly for Ren, and my heart broke for him. This prequel view into the dream travelers and his horrid sister Lyza, whom I loved to hate in the Reverians series, was a great addition to the Dream Travelers universe.
Do you need to read any of the other series to enjoy Ren? No, not. It stands alone on its own. However, my biggest complaint about this book is that I still need to read Book 3 of both series, and there are some spoilers about how things end in both series as Ren's timeline shifts to the future.
The best part of this book was the first 3/4. I loved it. However, it felt truncated and scattered as it wrapped up toward the current and future times. I could have done it without the spoilers, but it didn't feel as connected to Ren's personality in the final wrap-up of Book 1.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars. Sarah does a fantastic job of humanizing her characters and building a world. It was interesting to read a book primarily devoid of actual dream travel and more focused on powers/abilities.
I loved having all of the background information about Ren, being inside his twisted mind, and seeing things from his perspective. It was painful to read when he decided to shut himself off emotionally from the world. I felt so badly for Ren, and my heart broke for him. This prequel view into the dream travelers and his horrid sister Lyza, whom I loved to hate in the Reverians series, was a great addition to the Dream Travelers universe.
Do you need to read any of the other series to enjoy Ren? No, not. It stands alone on its own. However, my biggest complaint about this book is that I still need to read Book 3 of both series, and there are some spoilers about how things end in both series as Ren's timeline shifts to the future.
The best part of this book was the first 3/4. I loved it. However, it felt truncated and scattered as it wrapped up toward the current and future times. I could have done it without the spoilers, but it didn't feel as connected to Ren's personality in the final wrap-up of Book 1.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars. Sarah does a fantastic job of humanizing her characters and building a world. It was interesting to read a book primarily devoid of actual dream travel and more focused on powers/abilities.
December 1, 2017
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
He was born with the power to control minds and he allowed that power to corrupt his very soul. Ren would never fit in, he would suffer the pain of being different, the pain of letting his power control him and the pain of knowing he was a monster. Now he needed to do something about it, but was it too late? Did he have the strength?
REN: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER by Sarah Noffke is dark, filled with moments of emotional bleakness on the part of Ren as he shuts down to survive the deeds he has committed. Could it be that Ren was as much a victim of his life and powers as he was the perpetuator? How did this vile person suddenly come across as human, flawed and in his own pain?
Sarah Noffke has done a remarkable job of created a character seen as pure evil who had another side to himself. Is Ren merely a composite of all who do not fit into life’s little cubbyholes? Incredible powers, clear misuse and a new-found conscience, is Ren the ultimate anti-hero who acts out as a spoiled child?
A great read, taut, atmospheric and most definitely entertaining, who knew evil could have such a tortured side that could evoke our sympathies? Or has he tricked us by controlling our minds, too?
Series: Ren - Book 1
Publisher: One-Twenty-Six Press (November 21, 2015)
Publication Date: November 21, 2015
Genre: NA Fantasy | Suspense
Print Length: 207 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
He was born with the power to control minds and he allowed that power to corrupt his very soul. Ren would never fit in, he would suffer the pain of being different, the pain of letting his power control him and the pain of knowing he was a monster. Now he needed to do something about it, but was it too late? Did he have the strength?
REN: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER by Sarah Noffke is dark, filled with moments of emotional bleakness on the part of Ren as he shuts down to survive the deeds he has committed. Could it be that Ren was as much a victim of his life and powers as he was the perpetuator? How did this vile person suddenly come across as human, flawed and in his own pain?
Sarah Noffke has done a remarkable job of created a character seen as pure evil who had another side to himself. Is Ren merely a composite of all who do not fit into life’s little cubbyholes? Incredible powers, clear misuse and a new-found conscience, is Ren the ultimate anti-hero who acts out as a spoiled child?
A great read, taut, atmospheric and most definitely entertaining, who knew evil could have such a tortured side that could evoke our sympathies? Or has he tricked us by controlling our minds, too?
Series: Ren - Book 1
Publisher: One-Twenty-Six Press (November 21, 2015)
Publication Date: November 21, 2015
Genre: NA Fantasy | Suspense
Print Length: 207 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 29, 2015
Oh, that Ren. Gotta love him despite his flaws. (even if he would argue there are none ;))
Good read. I enjoyed getting to know Ren better. :)
Good read. I enjoyed getting to know Ren better. :)
April 24, 2020
Still a good story, but I preferred it in paperback as opposed to audio. The audio narrator was somewhat boring at times. I wanted more. Ren felt bigger than the narrator portrayed him. Maybe he was too built up for me from the previous series. Definitely nothing wrong with the actual writing by Sarah Noffke. Ren is still a despicable ol' bastard.
Solid 4 stars
Solid 4 stars
December 5, 2019
Ren isn’t really evil, but he does get into mischief and isn’t all together nice. We witness him after he leaves the family home and sets up on his own in London. Here he suffers loss, finds love and makes a fatal error which haunts him. His actions open a new world to Ren, one he embraces until he doesn’t.
I liked and loathed Ren. He is the perfect anti-hero. He has power, so he abuses. However, he has good qualities too. Lord, please don’t tell him that. He is also flawed, selfish and perhaps lonely is a good word. He has a sharp tongue, and I laughed aloud more than once. I think it’s a defense mechanism and I am curious to see more growth in Ren as the author peels back his layers.
Outside threats bigger than Ren exist for the world and I am curious to see what role he will play.
Tim Campbell was the perfect choice for narration and captured Ren brilliantly. He did a great job with secondary characters, snark, and enhancing moments.
After finishing I explored the authors worked and saw mention that this is a companion series to the Lucidites Trilogy and the Reverians Trilogy. Both young adult fantasies, which explains why some shelved this as a young adult series on Goodreads. Ren begins as a teen here, but 98% of the story takes place when he is an adult in his twenties and forties. I didn’t feel like I missed anything and do not feel it is necessary to have read the back-matter. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I liked and loathed Ren. He is the perfect anti-hero. He has power, so he abuses. However, he has good qualities too. Lord, please don’t tell him that. He is also flawed, selfish and perhaps lonely is a good word. He has a sharp tongue, and I laughed aloud more than once. I think it’s a defense mechanism and I am curious to see more growth in Ren as the author peels back his layers.
Outside threats bigger than Ren exist for the world and I am curious to see what role he will play.
Tim Campbell was the perfect choice for narration and captured Ren brilliantly. He did a great job with secondary characters, snark, and enhancing moments.
After finishing I explored the authors worked and saw mention that this is a companion series to the Lucidites Trilogy and the Reverians Trilogy. Both young adult fantasies, which explains why some shelved this as a young adult series on Goodreads. Ren begins as a teen here, but 98% of the story takes place when he is an adult in his twenties and forties. I didn’t feel like I missed anything and do not feel it is necessary to have read the back-matter. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
January 11, 2016
My original Ren: The Man Behind The Monster audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
When I started this I didn’t know there were entire YA series, The Reverians and The Lucidites, in which Ren appears as a character. It didn’t really matter because this worked as a stand alone with enough information provided to get a feeling for these two series and their settings. In fact, after finishing this, I have become interested enough in this world of dream travelers that I am quite keen on listening to more.
But back to Ren The Man Behind The Monster. This was basically Ren’s autobiography from growing up as a young boy in a tiny, quiet village in England where he discovers his special powers to the present day when Ren is in his mid-forties. Ren is the sort of character you can’t help but love, although most of the time he was totally self-centered, arrogant and rude. Initially, he used his skills to manipulate people in order to get money and sex. Quite the jerk and totally full of himself. But he also had some rather endearing moments and by the end, he had totally won me over.
This was a really fun listen and I finished it in one setting. The narration by Tim Campbell was excellent. Ren is the narrator of his own life in this audio book, and Tim Campbell brought him to life perfectly. Very smooth sounding and a pleasure to listen to. There were no issues with the production quality.
I am not sure whether it would make more sense to start with the Reverians or the Lucidites series before listening to this, but if you are already familiar with those, then I would definitely recommend listening to Ren’s memoir because he is a fantastic character, and his story was full of drama, action, romance, humor and great observations on life and people. A really good character study by the author.
Audiobook provided for review by the http://audiobookreviewer.com
When I started this I didn’t know there were entire YA series, The Reverians and The Lucidites, in which Ren appears as a character. It didn’t really matter because this worked as a stand alone with enough information provided to get a feeling for these two series and their settings. In fact, after finishing this, I have become interested enough in this world of dream travelers that I am quite keen on listening to more.
But back to Ren The Man Behind The Monster. This was basically Ren’s autobiography from growing up as a young boy in a tiny, quiet village in England where he discovers his special powers to the present day when Ren is in his mid-forties. Ren is the sort of character you can’t help but love, although most of the time he was totally self-centered, arrogant and rude. Initially, he used his skills to manipulate people in order to get money and sex. Quite the jerk and totally full of himself. But he also had some rather endearing moments and by the end, he had totally won me over.
This was a really fun listen and I finished it in one setting. The narration by Tim Campbell was excellent. Ren is the narrator of his own life in this audio book, and Tim Campbell brought him to life perfectly. Very smooth sounding and a pleasure to listen to. There were no issues with the production quality.
I am not sure whether it would make more sense to start with the Reverians or the Lucidites series before listening to this, but if you are already familiar with those, then I would definitely recommend listening to Ren’s memoir because he is a fantastic character, and his story was full of drama, action, romance, humor and great observations on life and people. A really good character study by the author.
Audiobook provided for review by the http://audiobookreviewer.com
November 14, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
A tormented soul at its best! Oh! The feels...this has all the feels! I have read Sarah Noffke’s other books and absolutely loved them. Each time Ren shows up in another book I got so excited! Then Ren finally gets his own book! FINALLY! I love this man! He does bad so good! An incredible journey into Ren's life that will make you love to hate him. Ren is a dream traveler and is born with amazing talents. Even he knows that no human should have this power. He is constantly battling himself with whether he is good at heart or the devil himself. He comes to quite a few crossroads that really put him to the test. How do monsters behave? And are all of them the same? What makes someone a good person? Does everyone deserve happiness? These are all things that Ren is trying to figure out. While slipping and falling down the wrong path or trying to make up for the wrongs in the world, Ren is Ren. A pompous, red headed, extrememly rude, british man with something to prove. Ren, the man you love to hate!
"I didn’t sell my soul to the devil or dance with her on a clear night. I ran up to the devil and I stole the mask she wore and I’ve worn it comfortably for quite some time."
"And I love you not because you’re powerful, but because you’re gorgeously flawed. You are magnificent in your rebellious nature."
"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that’s the very reason that life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value."
**This can be read as a stand-alone but is also a companion novel to the Lucidites Trilogy and the Reverians Trilogy.**
Sarah Noffke is an amazing storyteller. She knows how to get your attention and keep it. You won't be disappointed. A must read! Seriously! Everyone needs Ren in their life!
A tormented soul at its best! Oh! The feels...this has all the feels! I have read Sarah Noffke’s other books and absolutely loved them. Each time Ren shows up in another book I got so excited! Then Ren finally gets his own book! FINALLY! I love this man! He does bad so good! An incredible journey into Ren's life that will make you love to hate him. Ren is a dream traveler and is born with amazing talents. Even he knows that no human should have this power. He is constantly battling himself with whether he is good at heart or the devil himself. He comes to quite a few crossroads that really put him to the test. How do monsters behave? And are all of them the same? What makes someone a good person? Does everyone deserve happiness? These are all things that Ren is trying to figure out. While slipping and falling down the wrong path or trying to make up for the wrongs in the world, Ren is Ren. A pompous, red headed, extrememly rude, british man with something to prove. Ren, the man you love to hate!
"I didn’t sell my soul to the devil or dance with her on a clear night. I ran up to the devil and I stole the mask she wore and I’ve worn it comfortably for quite some time."
"And I love you not because you’re powerful, but because you’re gorgeously flawed. You are magnificent in your rebellious nature."
"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that’s the very reason that life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value."
**This can be read as a stand-alone but is also a companion novel to the Lucidites Trilogy and the Reverians Trilogy.**
Sarah Noffke is an amazing storyteller. She knows how to get your attention and keep it. You won't be disappointed. A must read! Seriously! Everyone needs Ren in their life!
January 8, 2016
***I received the ARC eBook free as a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review***
By now I should be used to the fact that Sarah Noffke has an amazing talent at manipulating her reader’s feelings, but once again I was surprised by how emotional I became over her writing. Especially since I was more intrigued than invested in Ren’s character from the glimpses we see in The Lucidites and The Reverians, which has since been completely flipped on its head.
Ren is not a nice person. I thought I’d throw that out there right at the start, because he’s not. It’s the fact that he doesn’t try to be anyone else or conform to what someone wants that makes him so remarkable. By the end of it I had to take a step back and admit that the arrogant, damaged jerk had in fact stolen a little piece of my heart.
Life shapes everyone and Ren is no exception. The hand he was dealt in regards to power, combined with his childhood made a man who didn’t know how to get close to people (or even if he wanted to) that was also hilarious as hell. His interactions with other people could be so blunt and what-you-see-is-what-you-get that I couldn’t help but laugh. He could even be charismatic when he wanted, though the snarky wit was more authentic to his character. And by god if you haven’t worked it out yet, his personality is complex!
There were many moments when I wanted to slap him upside the head and even more when I just wanted to give him a hug (though he probably would have taken the slap better!). Plus moments when I was practically screaming at him to give himself some credit where it was due and fight for what he wanted, even if he didn’t believe he deserved it. I wasn’t expecting much romance in this but the addition of Dahlia made it work like nothing else could have and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want them together so bad it warmed my heart to see.
In the end, Ren is like no other and his story follows the same lines as well. This phenomenal insight to one of my favourite characters is not something I’ll be forgetting any time soon.
By now I should be used to the fact that Sarah Noffke has an amazing talent at manipulating her reader’s feelings, but once again I was surprised by how emotional I became over her writing. Especially since I was more intrigued than invested in Ren’s character from the glimpses we see in The Lucidites and The Reverians, which has since been completely flipped on its head.
Ren is not a nice person. I thought I’d throw that out there right at the start, because he’s not. It’s the fact that he doesn’t try to be anyone else or conform to what someone wants that makes him so remarkable. By the end of it I had to take a step back and admit that the arrogant, damaged jerk had in fact stolen a little piece of my heart.
Life shapes everyone and Ren is no exception. The hand he was dealt in regards to power, combined with his childhood made a man who didn’t know how to get close to people (or even if he wanted to) that was also hilarious as hell. His interactions with other people could be so blunt and what-you-see-is-what-you-get that I couldn’t help but laugh. He could even be charismatic when he wanted, though the snarky wit was more authentic to his character. And by god if you haven’t worked it out yet, his personality is complex!
There were many moments when I wanted to slap him upside the head and even more when I just wanted to give him a hug (though he probably would have taken the slap better!). Plus moments when I was practically screaming at him to give himself some credit where it was due and fight for what he wanted, even if he didn’t believe he deserved it. I wasn’t expecting much romance in this but the addition of Dahlia made it work like nothing else could have and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want them together so bad it warmed my heart to see.
In the end, Ren is like no other and his story follows the same lines as well. This phenomenal insight to one of my favourite characters is not something I’ll be forgetting any time soon.
December 21, 2015
Ren Lewis is, quite simply, a man born with too much power. Since he discovered his many talents at a young age, Ren used and abused his power to his advantage. Never wanting for anything -- all he had to do was "persuade" those around him and whatever he desired was his. With such power that gives him unlimited resources, one would think that such a predicament would make a monster like Ren happy. Such isn't the case, as Ren eventually comes to the realization that having everything doesn't provide happiness. I suppose you could call Ren a monster with a conscience, but I'm of the mindset that perhaps Ren isn't a monster at all. Just someone who came into too much, way too soon.
This short story chronicles the life of Ren from an early age through adulthood and shows readers not only how Ren abused and took advantage of both his power and the people he came into contact with, but it also shows him on a course of change. Prior to reading this, I'd had only a fleeting knowledge of Noffke's series that introduces Ren as a character and upon finishing this, I can't wait to start the series at the beginning to get more of this super interesting (and dastardly!) man. I've no doubt that fans of Ren will adore this story.
The narrator for the audiobook did an awesome job with the various voices. The voice he used for Ren was fantastic and although he had a tendency to sound haughty, I can't help but think that was the intention. Haughty is certainly a word I'd attribute to Ren, especially at the peak of his misuse of power.
Bottom line -- highly recommended. Ren is a story that can be appreciated not only by fans already familiar with the character, but also newcomers to Noffke's work, much like myself. I can't wait to start the series from the beginning and get more Ren :)
**Audiobook provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
This short story chronicles the life of Ren from an early age through adulthood and shows readers not only how Ren abused and took advantage of both his power and the people he came into contact with, but it also shows him on a course of change. Prior to reading this, I'd had only a fleeting knowledge of Noffke's series that introduces Ren as a character and upon finishing this, I can't wait to start the series at the beginning to get more of this super interesting (and dastardly!) man. I've no doubt that fans of Ren will adore this story.
The narrator for the audiobook did an awesome job with the various voices. The voice he used for Ren was fantastic and although he had a tendency to sound haughty, I can't help but think that was the intention. Haughty is certainly a word I'd attribute to Ren, especially at the peak of his misuse of power.
Bottom line -- highly recommended. Ren is a story that can be appreciated not only by fans already familiar with the character, but also newcomers to Noffke's work, much like myself. I can't wait to start the series from the beginning and get more Ren :)
**Audiobook provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
January 12, 2016
Ren is the classic anti-hero, the character that repels and attracts at the same time. The proverbial "bad boy," he has been breaking both rules and his mother's middling heart for his entire life. Isolated with gifts he does not quite know how to use, he abuses them like a spoiled child wreaking havoc on the sleepy English village where he lives. I have not read all of Nofffke's books, but I understand that Ren is a mysterious alfa character- one that demanded his story be told, and that she did. The author delves into the childhood of the Dream Walker, explaining the different stages of his growth from callow and disenfranchised bully to a loving partner to Delila and asset to his creed. Sarah captures the angst and turmoil of those who don't fit in, complicating his life with an abusive sister, and repeated losses. She nurtures her creation, finally rewarding him with the fulfilling love he deserves.
November 13, 2015
*****The author provided a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.*****
4.0. Even though this book recounts some of the events from Lucidites and Reverians, it’s VERY different than Noffke’s other books. It’s less of an action/adventure/romance plotline and more of a character study with slivers of those elements mixed in.
Plot:
Written like an autobiography, Ren: The Man Behind the Monster details the life of Ren Lewis, who we’ve all come to know and love (or love to hate) from Noffke’s previous series. Starting with Ren’s early life and continuing to present day, the book describes how he feels about his powers, how he abused them, and how he resolved to find happiness in spite of them.
Characters:
It’s no secret that my favorite stereotype is the Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold, and I went in thinking that Ren fit that persona to a tee. Up until the end of the book, I started to worry that I had completely misjudged him and that he really was a bad seed. He makes a living using mindreading, hypnosis and thought control for financial gain and feels absolutely no guilt about doing it. He also sabotages any chances he has at happiness. Even when he does something right (like saving Roya and Joseph or helping Em), he follows up with an act to completely offset it.
As this is Ren’s story, there aren’t too many supporting characters. There are some people who you think would have a positive impact on Ren: his childhood friend; his parents, who were surprisingly caring and nurturing; Dahlia, the love of his life; and of course, Trey Underwood. There were also some familiar characters you knew who had a negative influence on him: Lyza, Chase, and Allouette.
Writing:
This was an incredibly hard book to read but not because of bad editing, sexual situations, cursing or violence. (There was a ton of cursing and lots of violence, but I only saw a couple of spelling errors, and there was more innuendo than graphic sex.) This was a difficult story to follow because throughout the book, Ren really does appear to be a sociopath with no redeeming qualities. Fortunately, Noffke seems to know when her readers might reach a breaking point and gives just enough of a glimmer of hope to motivate us to continue.
Bottom Line:
If you haven’t read Lucidites and Reverians, it’s hard to say whether or not you will like this book. Normally, I don’t really like character studies either. Having read the two previous series, I had to find out how Ren became the man he was, and I’m glad I did. His actions are extremely frustrating, and the book is intentionally discouraging and even depressing at times, but I knew Noffke would make it worth my while in the end.
4.0. Even though this book recounts some of the events from Lucidites and Reverians, it’s VERY different than Noffke’s other books. It’s less of an action/adventure/romance plotline and more of a character study with slivers of those elements mixed in.
Plot:
Written like an autobiography, Ren: The Man Behind the Monster details the life of Ren Lewis, who we’ve all come to know and love (or love to hate) from Noffke’s previous series. Starting with Ren’s early life and continuing to present day, the book describes how he feels about his powers, how he abused them, and how he resolved to find happiness in spite of them.
Characters:
It’s no secret that my favorite stereotype is the Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold, and I went in thinking that Ren fit that persona to a tee. Up until the end of the book, I started to worry that I had completely misjudged him and that he really was a bad seed. He makes a living using mindreading, hypnosis and thought control for financial gain and feels absolutely no guilt about doing it. He also sabotages any chances he has at happiness. Even when he does something right (like saving Roya and Joseph or helping Em), he follows up with an act to completely offset it.
As this is Ren’s story, there aren’t too many supporting characters. There are some people who you think would have a positive impact on Ren: his childhood friend; his parents, who were surprisingly caring and nurturing; Dahlia, the love of his life; and of course, Trey Underwood. There were also some familiar characters you knew who had a negative influence on him: Lyza, Chase, and Allouette.
Writing:
This was an incredibly hard book to read but not because of bad editing, sexual situations, cursing or violence. (There was a ton of cursing and lots of violence, but I only saw a couple of spelling errors, and there was more innuendo than graphic sex.) This was a difficult story to follow because throughout the book, Ren really does appear to be a sociopath with no redeeming qualities. Fortunately, Noffke seems to know when her readers might reach a breaking point and gives just enough of a glimmer of hope to motivate us to continue.
Bottom Line:
If you haven’t read Lucidites and Reverians, it’s hard to say whether or not you will like this book. Normally, I don’t really like character studies either. Having read the two previous series, I had to find out how Ren became the man he was, and I’m glad I did. His actions are extremely frustrating, and the book is intentionally discouraging and even depressing at times, but I knew Noffke would make it worth my while in the end.
November 24, 2017
I loved this story from Ren's point of view. Having read both the Lucidities and the Reverians series where we are introduced to Ren, it was great to have his back-story and see things from his point of view. I would have liked to hear about his time at the Lucidities institute and with the Reverians from his point of view. but these are skipped as he says they are other peoples stories to write not his LOL. So we kind of miss 18 months of his life. But I love how it takes us past his time with the Reverians, and I'm looking forward to finding out where Ren takes us next!
November 13, 2015
*I have received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.*
REN
I mean, REEEENNNNN. This is REN we're talking about here people.
I've waited a long time to be in his head. And, wow, he didn't disappoint. He was perfectly deranged, just like I love him.
There were times when I wanted to wring his neck, or shave his bloody orange red hair, he was that obnoxious. And then, there were times when I wanted to give him a hug and protect him from the big bad world.
I absolutely loved Dahlia. She was PERFECT for our resident green eyed monster. And I dare say way too good, waaaayyyyy, I would have made him work so hard for it. But I'm kind of a vindictive beyoatch. She isn't. He took a lot of time acknowledging it, AN EFFING LONG TIME. But, I also can't exactly fault him for it, he needed to grow the F up, Jesus. He needed 40 something years to grow up. MEN, that's all I'm saying. Boys, same brain, bigger body.
So he needed to make a lot of stupid decisions, and stupid things, and bad things, and a lot of whining, and let's not forget the self-pity and woe is me moments. Yeah, loved those. But he finally, finally, saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And what a gorgeous light that was.
He got everything that he deserved but was too afraid to have.
I couldn't be more proud of this beloved character of mine.
Ren has always had a special place in my heart, .... the rotten, necrotic part of it, but still a part. And I don't go giving my heart out to just anyone.
I just love this world that Ms. Noffke has created. Absolutely stunning. And I hope this is not the end of it. These books have grown on me, like fungus. And I can't seem to have enough. All the Dream Traveler books are amazing. I couldn't have asked for better characters, writing or plot.
Thank you so much Ms. Noffke for writing such epic stories.
REN
I mean, REEEENNNNN. This is REN we're talking about here people.
I've waited a long time to be in his head. And, wow, he didn't disappoint. He was perfectly deranged, just like I love him.
There were times when I wanted to wring his neck, or shave his bloody orange red hair, he was that obnoxious. And then, there were times when I wanted to give him a hug and protect him from the big bad world.
I absolutely loved Dahlia. She was PERFECT for our resident green eyed monster. And I dare say way too good, waaaayyyyy, I would have made him work so hard for it. But I'm kind of a vindictive beyoatch. She isn't. He took a lot of time acknowledging it, AN EFFING LONG TIME. But, I also can't exactly fault him for it, he needed to grow the F up, Jesus. He needed 40 something years to grow up. MEN, that's all I'm saying. Boys, same brain, bigger body.
So he needed to make a lot of stupid decisions, and stupid things, and bad things, and a lot of whining, and let's not forget the self-pity and woe is me moments. Yeah, loved those. But he finally, finally, saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And what a gorgeous light that was.
He got everything that he deserved but was too afraid to have.
I couldn't be more proud of this beloved character of mine.
Ren has always had a special place in my heart, .... the rotten, necrotic part of it, but still a part. And I don't go giving my heart out to just anyone.
I just love this world that Ms. Noffke has created. Absolutely stunning. And I hope this is not the end of it. These books have grown on me, like fungus. And I can't seem to have enough. All the Dream Traveler books are amazing. I couldn't have asked for better characters, writing or plot.
Thank you so much Ms. Noffke for writing such epic stories.
December 12, 2015
I was gifted a copy of this audio in exchange for a honest review.
I have been a fan of the author and Ren for awhile so it wasn't hard to convince me to give the audio a try. I absolutely loved it. The narrator was fantastic and his voice was perfect for the voice of Ren. It was fantastic inside information about the man who has reoccurring role in several of the authors novels. I have a new appreciation for him. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this. I couldn't stop listening I just had to hear more. I wanted to know more about him and I got my wish. My favorite moment was when he confronted his sister. I started laughing extremely hard I snorted. I had laughs, tears and several wow moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great book about a complex man. I loved it so much I finished it in one day.
I have been a fan of the author and Ren for awhile so it wasn't hard to convince me to give the audio a try. I absolutely loved it. The narrator was fantastic and his voice was perfect for the voice of Ren. It was fantastic inside information about the man who has reoccurring role in several of the authors novels. I have a new appreciation for him. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this. I couldn't stop listening I just had to hear more. I wanted to know more about him and I got my wish. My favorite moment was when he confronted his sister. I started laughing extremely hard I snorted. I had laughs, tears and several wow moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great book about a complex man. I loved it so much I finished it in one day.
November 16, 2015
I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review.
This was the first Sarah Noffke book I have ever read. I was asked to beta read it to see if it could be read as a standalone because it is about a side character that is in her The Lucidites Series. Can I say I absolutely loved Ren and this can be read as a standalone? Ren is one you want to dislike but just fall in love with. You know things are going bad but you cannot stop it from happening nor can you stop from watching it happen. I loved the prologue it was one of the most powerful and intriguing prologues I have read in a while.
Ren is a dream traveler. What is that you ask. Well he can travel through space and time using his dreams and some even have a special skill. Ren can control people using his mind and if he touches them he can hear their thoughts. Ren believes he cannot be loved and is destined to be miserable and lonely because of the monster in him. Until the day Ren was drug to a concert with a friend Cindy where he saw Dahlia and he realized she was something special. Dahlia was the first person that made him feel normal. I loved her fun loving and joking ways. I also liked that she was able to make Ren loosen up and be carefree and act somewhat like a kid sometimes.
Things are going good with Ren and Dahlia until things happen back home Ren decides he cannot be with Dahlia and runs. Only to be caught up in a bad situation. Seeing Ren transform from this strong willed in charge guy to a submissive take orders kind of guy was kind of surprising but when he realizes the consequence of his actions he changes his ways in a BIG way. I love that the cocky strong willed Ren is back and in this new job he doesn't call anyone by their mane he calls them by whatever name he feels like calling them.
Ren has tried to use his powers for his own benefit, evil, good, and completely gives them up but nothing he tried stopped evil things from happening or made him happy except when he was with Dahlia. She somehow calmed him but after running for two decades its unknown if he could ever find her and if he did would she take him back after everything he did.
This was a great read I never knew what was going to happen next or what Ren was going to do. Each time he meet someone I would think this is the one for him they are perfect something would happen. Okay well not everyone he hooked up with did I think that lets just say Allouette was a crazy one. After I was done reading I thought why didn't I catch the signs this was going to happen. I was in the same boat as Ren the entire time and at the end wanted to do the smack my head thing boy why didn't I see that coming. I have to say I now want to go back and read the first series and spin off series to see what some of the things in this book was all about.
Great job Sarah well written story that kept me turning the pages and wanting more.
A few of my Favorites:
I don’t hold babies or pause for the elderly. It’s not because I’m unkind. I’m kind. I’m kind enough to never put myself close to anyone vulnerable. I’m afraid I might break them. I’m afraid of myself. I live alone or with the strong and arrogant. But I don’t live close to those who are vulnerable. I don’t live close to those who might dare to love me. I don’t trust myself otherwise.
When I was born God made an awful error. He allowed a healer to save me. He allowed me to live. I’m a mistake. Not because my parents didn’t intend to have me and God failed to kill me. I’m a mistake because of what I can do. I’m a mistake because people like me aren’t destined for happiness. We are miserable. The lonely. The people you warn your children not to become. The ones you warn your children to stay away from. I’m Ren Lewis and I was born with too much power.
I’m a man who believes that the best strategy involves being extremely cynical and even more conniving. And if there’s one thing I’m more excellent at than all the other things it’s strategy. I’m a bloody master at it. Hell, I’m fairly certain God takes notes out of my book. He should. If he knows what’s good for him.
“Congrats on being the first person to make me feel normal. I’ve never known what that feels like.” I stood when the waiter brought my camel hair coat and shrugged it on. “Feeling normal is absolutely awful.”
“Oh, come on,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me deeper into the tiny shop. “I’m amazing and soon you’ll admit it.” “Don’t hold your breath.” I covered my giddy smile. This girl had the effect on me to make me giddy. I had a simultaneous urge to kiss her and strangle her. Ren Lewis didn’t do giddy.
“Because you, Renny, I know with all the faith bestowed upon my heart, will need so many second chances in life. It’s hurt at times to think of the road God gave you when he made you so powerful. It’s not your fault,” she said, shaking her head against her pillow. “And still the burden is absolutely yours. I’m sorry, my dear son. If I could have one wish in all these seventy years then it would be to take away my son’s powers so he could be happy. And yet I know that wish will never come to pass. Your battle is to find happiness after being who you are, a greater being than most. I’m sorry, son. I know it hasn’t been easy to find happiness with a mind that can do what yours can.”
Most won’t understand you. Most will be afraid of you. But the ones who embrace you will understand what I saw on the day I stared at you after thirty-six hours of being in labor. You, Renny, are more than exceptional. You are unique. There will never be another Ren Lewis. And that’s why God gave you such impossible talents. Because you were meant to do things humans shouldn’t. I’m sorry, son. That is your talent and your curse.”
“Ren I’ve never been in love in my entire life. And then I met you. I won’t ever feel this way about someone else. Don’t do this.” “Dahlia of course you’re in love with me. I’m incredible. And I’m incredible in the fact that I can make anyone love me. Why would I settle for just being with you?” She gave a frustrated sigh. “Because I’m incredible too and you know it. We’re incredible together. And you don’t have to make me love you, I do of my own freewill. And I love you not because you’re powerful, but because you’re gorgeously flawed. You are magnificent in your rebellious nature. Please don’t push me away.”
How long had I been running? I ran away from Peavey. I ran away from Dahlia. I ran away from my enemies. From my problems. I ran away from my work at the Institute. And now I was running away from my powers. I had seen a reason each time for running, but what would my life look like if I took everything I ran from and threw it all together? What if for the first time ever I decompartmentalized my life? A fear so real it prickles the back of my throat soars through me. I’d be forced to really live without walls. I’d be forced to live on an edge where things might actually be good and every day I’d risked having it ripped away. Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that’s the very reason that life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value.
This was the first Sarah Noffke book I have ever read. I was asked to beta read it to see if it could be read as a standalone because it is about a side character that is in her The Lucidites Series. Can I say I absolutely loved Ren and this can be read as a standalone? Ren is one you want to dislike but just fall in love with. You know things are going bad but you cannot stop it from happening nor can you stop from watching it happen. I loved the prologue it was one of the most powerful and intriguing prologues I have read in a while.
Ren is a dream traveler. What is that you ask. Well he can travel through space and time using his dreams and some even have a special skill. Ren can control people using his mind and if he touches them he can hear their thoughts. Ren believes he cannot be loved and is destined to be miserable and lonely because of the monster in him. Until the day Ren was drug to a concert with a friend Cindy where he saw Dahlia and he realized she was something special. Dahlia was the first person that made him feel normal. I loved her fun loving and joking ways. I also liked that she was able to make Ren loosen up and be carefree and act somewhat like a kid sometimes.
Things are going good with Ren and Dahlia until things happen back home Ren decides he cannot be with Dahlia and runs. Only to be caught up in a bad situation. Seeing Ren transform from this strong willed in charge guy to a submissive take orders kind of guy was kind of surprising but when he realizes the consequence of his actions he changes his ways in a BIG way. I love that the cocky strong willed Ren is back and in this new job he doesn't call anyone by their mane he calls them by whatever name he feels like calling them.
Ren has tried to use his powers for his own benefit, evil, good, and completely gives them up but nothing he tried stopped evil things from happening or made him happy except when he was with Dahlia. She somehow calmed him but after running for two decades its unknown if he could ever find her and if he did would she take him back after everything he did.
This was a great read I never knew what was going to happen next or what Ren was going to do. Each time he meet someone I would think this is the one for him they are perfect something would happen. Okay well not everyone he hooked up with did I think that lets just say Allouette was a crazy one. After I was done reading I thought why didn't I catch the signs this was going to happen. I was in the same boat as Ren the entire time and at the end wanted to do the smack my head thing boy why didn't I see that coming. I have to say I now want to go back and read the first series and spin off series to see what some of the things in this book was all about.
Great job Sarah well written story that kept me turning the pages and wanting more.
A few of my Favorites:
I don’t hold babies or pause for the elderly. It’s not because I’m unkind. I’m kind. I’m kind enough to never put myself close to anyone vulnerable. I’m afraid I might break them. I’m afraid of myself. I live alone or with the strong and arrogant. But I don’t live close to those who are vulnerable. I don’t live close to those who might dare to love me. I don’t trust myself otherwise.
When I was born God made an awful error. He allowed a healer to save me. He allowed me to live. I’m a mistake. Not because my parents didn’t intend to have me and God failed to kill me. I’m a mistake because of what I can do. I’m a mistake because people like me aren’t destined for happiness. We are miserable. The lonely. The people you warn your children not to become. The ones you warn your children to stay away from. I’m Ren Lewis and I was born with too much power.
I’m a man who believes that the best strategy involves being extremely cynical and even more conniving. And if there’s one thing I’m more excellent at than all the other things it’s strategy. I’m a bloody master at it. Hell, I’m fairly certain God takes notes out of my book. He should. If he knows what’s good for him.
“Congrats on being the first person to make me feel normal. I’ve never known what that feels like.” I stood when the waiter brought my camel hair coat and shrugged it on. “Feeling normal is absolutely awful.”
“Oh, come on,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me deeper into the tiny shop. “I’m amazing and soon you’ll admit it.” “Don’t hold your breath.” I covered my giddy smile. This girl had the effect on me to make me giddy. I had a simultaneous urge to kiss her and strangle her. Ren Lewis didn’t do giddy.
“Because you, Renny, I know with all the faith bestowed upon my heart, will need so many second chances in life. It’s hurt at times to think of the road God gave you when he made you so powerful. It’s not your fault,” she said, shaking her head against her pillow. “And still the burden is absolutely yours. I’m sorry, my dear son. If I could have one wish in all these seventy years then it would be to take away my son’s powers so he could be happy. And yet I know that wish will never come to pass. Your battle is to find happiness after being who you are, a greater being than most. I’m sorry, son. I know it hasn’t been easy to find happiness with a mind that can do what yours can.”
Most won’t understand you. Most will be afraid of you. But the ones who embrace you will understand what I saw on the day I stared at you after thirty-six hours of being in labor. You, Renny, are more than exceptional. You are unique. There will never be another Ren Lewis. And that’s why God gave you such impossible talents. Because you were meant to do things humans shouldn’t. I’m sorry, son. That is your talent and your curse.”
“Ren I’ve never been in love in my entire life. And then I met you. I won’t ever feel this way about someone else. Don’t do this.” “Dahlia of course you’re in love with me. I’m incredible. And I’m incredible in the fact that I can make anyone love me. Why would I settle for just being with you?” She gave a frustrated sigh. “Because I’m incredible too and you know it. We’re incredible together. And you don’t have to make me love you, I do of my own freewill. And I love you not because you’re powerful, but because you’re gorgeously flawed. You are magnificent in your rebellious nature. Please don’t push me away.”
How long had I been running? I ran away from Peavey. I ran away from Dahlia. I ran away from my enemies. From my problems. I ran away from my work at the Institute. And now I was running away from my powers. I had seen a reason each time for running, but what would my life look like if I took everything I ran from and threw it all together? What if for the first time ever I decompartmentalized my life? A fear so real it prickles the back of my throat soars through me. I’d be forced to really live without walls. I’d be forced to live on an edge where things might actually be good and every day I’d risked having it ripped away. Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that’s the very reason that life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value.
January 19, 2016
The author generously gifted me with a copy of not only an eBook version of this but also, an Audible version due to my excessive problems with migraines making it difficult for me to actually read. all in exchange for nothing more than an honest review on a few websites.
There was a lot that occurred for such a relatively short novel & I enjoyed the sly nods to her other series. Noffke books are always filled with gems that if highlighted in paperback form, would likely cause my books to disintegrate but among my favorite parts was a lengthy quote toward the end. I'll just include the beginning & end for now:
"What I didn't realize before is that it's not about the whole, it's about the individual."
all the way through
'It's a fortune from a Chinese cookie. It reads:
"You cannot run from who you are."'
and of course, there's:
"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that's the very reason life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value." That first sentence in particular is very lyrical, don't you think?
As for content, I enjoyed seeing Ren's progression from a fairly young boy, already getting into trouble in Peavey, to quite frankly a self-absorbed jerk (as teenagers and 20-somethings often are - , to a decent man (e.g. working with the Lucidites was referenced briefly) even if it was forced upon him via threat of death, to being surprisingly, broken (working with the Reverians & his sister, Lyza was also briefly referenced), and finally coming back around to the those who are hopefully, most likely, good(-ish) for him. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the Epilogue...
I have some issues with Dahlia but I suspect they're mainly based in jealousy because who doesn't love Ren at least a little?! I could probably go on about this for hours! For example: I'd be interested to read more about Jane 's life and the dream travelers she left behind. Also, what's Dahlia' s DEAL?
As with all of Sarah Noffke's works, this was a delight. This was my first audiobook of hers and I must say, Tim Campbell is the PERFECT Ren! He may just be one of the best male narrators I've encountered but I have a tendency to prefer female narrators for some reason. In any case, he suited Ren well and performed numerous accents with distinction and apparent ease.
All in all, yet another fabulous read by an increasingly impressive author and I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by Mr. Campbell. With any luck this book's follow-up, I hope! I know it's on its way...
There was a lot that occurred for such a relatively short novel & I enjoyed the sly nods to her other series. Noffke books are always filled with gems that if highlighted in paperback form, would likely cause my books to disintegrate but among my favorite parts was a lengthy quote toward the end. I'll just include the beginning & end for now:
"What I didn't realize before is that it's not about the whole, it's about the individual."
all the way through
'It's a fortune from a Chinese cookie. It reads:
"You cannot run from who you are."'
and of course, there's:
"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is fleeting. And yet, that's the very reason life has meaning. When things cost effort to gain and are finite they are of value." That first sentence in particular is very lyrical, don't you think?
As for content, I enjoyed seeing Ren's progression from a fairly young boy, already getting into trouble in Peavey, to quite frankly a self-absorbed jerk (as teenagers and 20-somethings often are - , to a decent man (e.g. working with the Lucidites was referenced briefly) even if it was forced upon him via threat of death, to being surprisingly, broken (working with the Reverians & his sister, Lyza was also briefly referenced), and finally coming back around to the those who are hopefully, most likely, good(-ish) for him. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the Epilogue...
I have some issues with Dahlia but I suspect they're mainly based in jealousy because who doesn't love Ren at least a little?! I could probably go on about this for hours! For example: I'd be interested to read more about Jane 's life and the dream travelers she left behind. Also, what's Dahlia' s DEAL?
As with all of Sarah Noffke's works, this was a delight. This was my first audiobook of hers and I must say, Tim Campbell is the PERFECT Ren! He may just be one of the best male narrators I've encountered but I have a tendency to prefer female narrators for some reason. In any case, he suited Ren well and performed numerous accents with distinction and apparent ease.
All in all, yet another fabulous read by an increasingly impressive author and I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by Mr. Campbell. With any luck this book's follow-up, I hope! I know it's on its way...
February 3, 2016
Ren: The Man Behind The Monster #1 is about a man named Ren, and he is a very powerful Dream Traveler. This story is the life of Ren essentially. You, the reader, will be inside Ren's head throughout the entire book, getting first hand knowledge of what makes this man tick. Watching Ren grow up from a boy, living in a country setting with his parents and older sister, to a middle aged man who finally finds the peace and balance he was looking for. It is quite a journey, for the character and you!
Ren is a main character from the Lucidites Series by Sarah Noffke. His character in the Lucidites Series came off as a very pompous, arrogant jerk of a man, that was just downright hateful at times. The way Ren was so emotionally detached in the Lucidites series, always made me wonder what was it that made him like that. Well, I got to find out in this book! Ren's story is deep. Dream Travelers all have powers, but to each his own. Ren's powers crippled him in such a way that it made it hard for him to socialize like a normal child would. With being able to read others minds, and hypnotize them to do his bidding (a very tempting evil if you will), this could corrupt the saintliest person. So needless to say that when Ren was of age, he immediately moved to London. There is where he swindled money from people with his mind control, and became a billionaire in the process. So Ren never actually worked, or went to college, he made his living by stealing. This is what Ren's internal struggle was all about.
The relationships that Ren had with others were really heart breaking. The only people he truly loved were his parents. His older sister hated him to the point of trying to murder him! His sister Liza was a Dream Traveler snob, who hated her own mother because she was human. Their father was the Dream Traveler, and he never understood where this hatred for humans came from with Liza. Let me just say that for as little as Liza is in the story, her presence is a punch in the gut! I hated that little witch, and loved every humiliating moment she had due to Ren! Ren's parents were so loving and understanding, that it was just a reminder of how powerful unconditional love is. Once Ren grows bored is when he stumbles into trouble that will forever change his life, (thanks to Liza) and cut him out of the world for a couple of decades. Then when he returns, life really hasn't changed, just matured, and he is faced with finding out who he really is. In the end their is only forgiveness.
Once I realized this book was about the same Ren as from the Lucidites Series, I was uber excited! I know, I know....This book could be a stand alone because it's about Ren, the man, and the author does a great job of covering enough about his time with the Lucidites and Voyagers, it's self explanatory and comes much later in his life anyways. HOWEVER, I do highly recommend you read or listen to the Lucidites Series because it is an EPIC YA Fantasy Adventure!
Narrator Review
Tim Campbell narrates Ren, with a lovely deep, arrogant English accent, and I love it! He does such a great job portraying Ren vocally! If you know Ren the character already, then you know when you hear Tim that he hits the nail on the head with his performance! Tim is now added to my growing list of narrators that I am stalking. Fangtastic job Tim, you earned 5 Fangs from me!
Ren is a main character from the Lucidites Series by Sarah Noffke. His character in the Lucidites Series came off as a very pompous, arrogant jerk of a man, that was just downright hateful at times. The way Ren was so emotionally detached in the Lucidites series, always made me wonder what was it that made him like that. Well, I got to find out in this book! Ren's story is deep. Dream Travelers all have powers, but to each his own. Ren's powers crippled him in such a way that it made it hard for him to socialize like a normal child would. With being able to read others minds, and hypnotize them to do his bidding (a very tempting evil if you will), this could corrupt the saintliest person. So needless to say that when Ren was of age, he immediately moved to London. There is where he swindled money from people with his mind control, and became a billionaire in the process. So Ren never actually worked, or went to college, he made his living by stealing. This is what Ren's internal struggle was all about.
The relationships that Ren had with others were really heart breaking. The only people he truly loved were his parents. His older sister hated him to the point of trying to murder him! His sister Liza was a Dream Traveler snob, who hated her own mother because she was human. Their father was the Dream Traveler, and he never understood where this hatred for humans came from with Liza. Let me just say that for as little as Liza is in the story, her presence is a punch in the gut! I hated that little witch, and loved every humiliating moment she had due to Ren! Ren's parents were so loving and understanding, that it was just a reminder of how powerful unconditional love is. Once Ren grows bored is when he stumbles into trouble that will forever change his life, (thanks to Liza) and cut him out of the world for a couple of decades. Then when he returns, life really hasn't changed, just matured, and he is faced with finding out who he really is. In the end their is only forgiveness.
Once I realized this book was about the same Ren as from the Lucidites Series, I was uber excited! I know, I know....This book could be a stand alone because it's about Ren, the man, and the author does a great job of covering enough about his time with the Lucidites and Voyagers, it's self explanatory and comes much later in his life anyways. HOWEVER, I do highly recommend you read or listen to the Lucidites Series because it is an EPIC YA Fantasy Adventure!
Narrator Review
Tim Campbell narrates Ren, with a lovely deep, arrogant English accent, and I love it! He does such a great job portraying Ren vocally! If you know Ren the character already, then you know when you hear Tim that he hits the nail on the head with his performance! Tim is now added to my growing list of narrators that I am stalking. Fangtastic job Tim, you earned 5 Fangs from me!
November 21, 2015
He’s the snarky, arrogant, and all-round grumpy character that keeps appearing in Sarah Noffke's stories of Dream Travelers, but this time around, Ren Lewis has a story all of his very own.
We first met Ren in The Lucidites series, when he was working for Trey at the Institute, and despite his not-so-pleasant personality, I couldn’t help but adore him. His sometimes harsh honesty and the way he clearly didn’t care for the thoughts of others made him stand out from the very beginning. And when he appeared again in The Reverians series, and we discovered he had a sister and nieces, I realised there was so much more to his story, so much that we didn’t know.
So needless to say, I was thrilled when Sarah revealed she was telling Ren’s story. There’s nothing I adore more than wonderfully complex characters who are mysterious at first, but then allow you to understand them through a compelling backstory, and Ren Lewis is one of those characters.
We learn about his childhood in his desperately small hometown of Peavey. Feeling stuck and bored within its borders, Ren feels the need to spread his wings, to live his own life under his own rules. So he ends up moving to London, and falls into a not-so-legal lifestyle, becoming rich and breezing through life by using his abilities on others.
He is content jumping from fling to fling with women, always knowing exactly what to do to please them with his power to read the thoughts of others by mere touch. But then he meets Dahlia, a wold-famous singer whose thoughts he cannot read. His powers have no effect on her whatsoever. With her, he finally gets to experience a relationship that isn’t just a one night stand, but nothing ever runs smoothly.
After tragedy strikes, Ren ends up making some less than sensible decisions and we see where those choices take him. We see the bad situations he ends up in, and how each of them play a part in shaping his life.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the real Ren, not just the show he puts on in front of others. He believes that he is a monster, that he doesn’t deserve to live a happy life, and I adored seeing his thoughts change throughout the course of the story.
As mean as he is sometimes, he is utterly hilarious with it. His cruel honestly is highly entertaining, and I often found myself fighting back laughter whilst reading on public transport. His bleak outlook on life and the world is what allows Ren to separate himself from everyone else, to force his emotions to stay hidden.
This is a story of change, of acceptance, of a man who believes he deserves nothing, finally learning how to allow himself to find happiness. Ren makes terrible decisions and has to live with the consequences, but everything that happens helps him on his journey to becoming a better man, even though he doesn’t intend for it to happen.
I’m so grateful to Sarah for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Ren Lewis is a captivating character who will stay with me for a long time!
Reviewed at: www.queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk
We first met Ren in The Lucidites series, when he was working for Trey at the Institute, and despite his not-so-pleasant personality, I couldn’t help but adore him. His sometimes harsh honesty and the way he clearly didn’t care for the thoughts of others made him stand out from the very beginning. And when he appeared again in The Reverians series, and we discovered he had a sister and nieces, I realised there was so much more to his story, so much that we didn’t know.
So needless to say, I was thrilled when Sarah revealed she was telling Ren’s story. There’s nothing I adore more than wonderfully complex characters who are mysterious at first, but then allow you to understand them through a compelling backstory, and Ren Lewis is one of those characters.
We learn about his childhood in his desperately small hometown of Peavey. Feeling stuck and bored within its borders, Ren feels the need to spread his wings, to live his own life under his own rules. So he ends up moving to London, and falls into a not-so-legal lifestyle, becoming rich and breezing through life by using his abilities on others.
He is content jumping from fling to fling with women, always knowing exactly what to do to please them with his power to read the thoughts of others by mere touch. But then he meets Dahlia, a wold-famous singer whose thoughts he cannot read. His powers have no effect on her whatsoever. With her, he finally gets to experience a relationship that isn’t just a one night stand, but nothing ever runs smoothly.
After tragedy strikes, Ren ends up making some less than sensible decisions and we see where those choices take him. We see the bad situations he ends up in, and how each of them play a part in shaping his life.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the real Ren, not just the show he puts on in front of others. He believes that he is a monster, that he doesn’t deserve to live a happy life, and I adored seeing his thoughts change throughout the course of the story.
As mean as he is sometimes, he is utterly hilarious with it. His cruel honestly is highly entertaining, and I often found myself fighting back laughter whilst reading on public transport. His bleak outlook on life and the world is what allows Ren to separate himself from everyone else, to force his emotions to stay hidden.
This is a story of change, of acceptance, of a man who believes he deserves nothing, finally learning how to allow himself to find happiness. Ren makes terrible decisions and has to live with the consequences, but everything that happens helps him on his journey to becoming a better man, even though he doesn’t intend for it to happen.
I’m so grateful to Sarah for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Ren Lewis is a captivating character who will stay with me for a long time!
Reviewed at: www.queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk
March 30, 2016
This well written and narrated audiobook is excellent. It tells the story of Ren Lewis, a dream traveller who was born with amazing gifts, but instead of seeing them as a beautiful thing he sees them as making him a monster. It is not so much the gifts themselves but rather his abuse of his ability to read thoughts, hypnotize and control minds that causes him to view himself as such. This book details the story of his life and what made him the sarcastic, apathetic, abrasive and yet totally appealing character that he is. It chronicles Ren's misuse of his powers, his mistakes, sorrows and the contacts and actions that cause him to change. I loved how the author tied in all her other series and filled out the details about Ren that were missing in the other books and yet she didn't give too much away for those who haven't read them yet. Ren is my favourite character in all of Sarah Noffke's books. He is complex, tortured, a jerk and yet you can not help but love him. His dry sarcastic humour and underlying loneliness and despair draws you to him, your heart bleeds for his losses and pain but at the same time you want to shake him and make him realize that he has worth and is not the monster he thinks he is. Tim Campbell's narration fits this character perfectly. His deep, gritty voice and correct British accent (even down to the pronunciation of words that are said differently in England) brings the character to life and reveals that underlying sexiness that is so appealing in this character. The Dream Traveller world that Sarah Noffke has created in her books is intricate and captivating and this story continues to add depth to an already amazing world. I can not wait until the next audiobook in this series is out.
December 16, 2015
Ren is a snarky, arrogant, spiteful jerk. And I love him. Ren was first introduced me in Sarah Noffke’s series “The Lucidites.” Although not the main character, Ren slapped my heart in the face and went on his merry way without a care. I actually imagined Ren as having a stereotypical gay accent, but Sarah definitely shows that this isn’t the case in her book all about the man himself.
Ren grows up in a small town that is far beneath him in all ways. He uses his powers as he pleases until he gets bored with the people there and moves to London.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Ren on his journey to find peace with himself and others. He may have had a harder journey than most, but we can probably all relate to needing some time to ourselves to think about the choices we’ve made. The friends we’ve hurt. The broken hearts and promises.
Ren soon discovers that he cannot run away from his past and faces it head on. Will he overcome or be defeated? Will he use his amazing abilities for good or evil?
Read Ren today and find out!
Ren grows up in a small town that is far beneath him in all ways. He uses his powers as he pleases until he gets bored with the people there and moves to London.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Ren on his journey to find peace with himself and others. He may have had a harder journey than most, but we can probably all relate to needing some time to ourselves to think about the choices we’ve made. The friends we’ve hurt. The broken hearts and promises.
Ren soon discovers that he cannot run away from his past and faces it head on. Will he overcome or be defeated? Will he use his amazing abilities for good or evil?
Read Ren today and find out!
December 23, 2015
When I heard my favorite narcissistic ,pompus pain in the ass Lucidite was getting his own book I lost my mind. Ren has become my absolute favorite character in these books. I love his snarky arrogant attitude and snide comments. You have to have a rare gift in order to make this come acrosd the pages.
In Ren Man Behind the Monster you dive deeper into Ren's life. Past, Present and a glimpse into his future. I don't want to give any spoilers because I definitely think you need to read this.
Ren has had many roles in the other series Sarah Noffke has written. Yet none have shown the depth and secrets this one has. My heart broke for Ren. I never could have imagined the struggles this man faced. His torment and pain was evident with each passing chapter. This one tugs at your heartstrings and makes you have compassion for one who may not deserve it. By the end of the book Ren will win you over and steal your heart.
In Ren Man Behind the Monster you dive deeper into Ren's life. Past, Present and a glimpse into his future. I don't want to give any spoilers because I definitely think you need to read this.
Ren has had many roles in the other series Sarah Noffke has written. Yet none have shown the depth and secrets this one has. My heart broke for Ren. I never could have imagined the struggles this man faced. His torment and pain was evident with each passing chapter. This one tugs at your heartstrings and makes you have compassion for one who may not deserve it. By the end of the book Ren will win you over and steal your heart.
January 5, 2016
Ren is a man who was born with too much power. He can tell what a person is thinking just by touching them, he can manipulate what they are going to do, and he can travel anywhere in the world in his dreams.
But being all powerful has its downsides. Theres only so much fun to be had with people before it gets old. Not only that, but Ren feels like anyone who wants to be around him only wants to do so because he is powerful.
Then Ren meets Dalia, the love of his life, the one woman he cant control. But for fear of loving her too deeply and losing her, he pushes her away.
And then Ren does some growing up.
The sexy confident British voice of Ren is Tim Campbell. All I can say about that is purrrrrrr.
A good solid story with an enjoyable plot.
But being all powerful has its downsides. Theres only so much fun to be had with people before it gets old. Not only that, but Ren feels like anyone who wants to be around him only wants to do so because he is powerful.
Then Ren meets Dalia, the love of his life, the one woman he cant control. But for fear of loving her too deeply and losing her, he pushes her away.
And then Ren does some growing up.
The sexy confident British voice of Ren is Tim Campbell. All I can say about that is purrrrrrr.
A good solid story with an enjoyable plot.
January 12, 2016
** do not read this until you've finished the Lucidite series as there are spoilers to events that take place**.
Ren has been one of the characters from the Lucidites series that I liked from the start. This spinoff fills in the missing pieces of his background as well as follows his tumultuous life. References to real life events help make this story more powerful. Part of Ren's story includes Chase and Allouette. This looks like it will be an interesting series to follow.
Ren has been one of the characters from the Lucidites series that I liked from the start. This spinoff fills in the missing pieces of his background as well as follows his tumultuous life. References to real life events help make this story more powerful. Part of Ren's story includes Chase and Allouette. This looks like it will be an interesting series to follow.
October 3, 2017
I listened to this as part of the compilation of book 1-4, but I own the ebook too.
This was ok. It's perfectly readable, the narrator did a good job and it's part of an interesting world. The thing is that I didn't know that all of Noffke's series are set in the same world when I started this, so I was surprised. That would have been fine though, except that Ren is OBVIOUSLY a character from another series. And since Ren gets mixed up with the Lucidites society, I imagine he's a character in the Lucidites series.
The book does stand alone. But you can still tell it's a spinoff. You can FEEL it. The book is basically the highlights of one man's 45 year life, starting at about 7. As you can imagine, that doesn't leave room for a lot of detailed exploration. It's his first person recount of living his life. Several times he references other occurrences or people, but says he's not telling that story and instructs the reader to find that book.
I've not read any of the Lucidties books, but I'd bet even money that at least some the events that Ren talks about are the events of those books from his perspective, instead of whomever lives them in the other series. This was not enjoyable for me, to just get a bullet point version of something with instruction to go find it elsewhere if I want more.
What's more, I found Ren a seriously unlikable character. I found it hard to spend a whole book with a bitter, narcissistic, unpleasant man. I suspect you're supposed to read this after whatever other books he shows up in and already like him. You're supposed to know him and want his tragic backstory. Because that's what this feels like. It feels like the author decided she liked a character in another book and decided to give him his own backstory. It's readable, but without previously knowing or caring about the character I found him lacking.
I'll be finishing the compilation, because surely the rest can't continue as the first did. But so far, I'm not thrilled with Ren.
This was ok. It's perfectly readable, the narrator did a good job and it's part of an interesting world. The thing is that I didn't know that all of Noffke's series are set in the same world when I started this, so I was surprised. That would have been fine though, except that Ren is OBVIOUSLY a character from another series. And since Ren gets mixed up with the Lucidites society, I imagine he's a character in the Lucidites series.
The book does stand alone. But you can still tell it's a spinoff. You can FEEL it. The book is basically the highlights of one man's 45 year life, starting at about 7. As you can imagine, that doesn't leave room for a lot of detailed exploration. It's his first person recount of living his life. Several times he references other occurrences or people, but says he's not telling that story and instructs the reader to find that book.
I've not read any of the Lucidties books, but I'd bet even money that at least some the events that Ren talks about are the events of those books from his perspective, instead of whomever lives them in the other series. This was not enjoyable for me, to just get a bullet point version of something with instruction to go find it elsewhere if I want more.
What's more, I found Ren a seriously unlikable character. I found it hard to spend a whole book with a bitter, narcissistic, unpleasant man. I suspect you're supposed to read this after whatever other books he shows up in and already like him. You're supposed to know him and want his tragic backstory. Because that's what this feels like. It feels like the author decided she liked a character in another book and decided to give him his own backstory. It's readable, but without previously knowing or caring about the character I found him lacking.
I'll be finishing the compilation, because surely the rest can't continue as the first did. But so far, I'm not thrilled with Ren.
September 21, 2019
By Sarah Noffke
Narrated by Tim Cambell
This was an interesting listen for me. It is marketed as an anti-hero story. The main character goes through a journey where he toggles between self loathing and over confidence. The story spans about 30 years of his life in about five and a half hours of listeing. It's short for 30 years because the other grazing over a few chunks here and there. I thought doing that was a bold move on her part. There are times when I was happy to find out what happens quickly but there were times when I was very interested in the details of a story line but it gets the glaze at the end. So it went both ways for me. I can only assume she is writing those parts of the story separately or has done so already.
Side note: When bad guys love their mommy... oh gosh... it's always so cute. Mommy love is so powerful 😍😍😍 In this case "Mum" love is so powerful.
There isn't much world building or background story in this one. It doesn't hinder you from understanding the story but I would have liked some more details on Dreamwalkers, their usual powers, and their usual limitations. Why are there dream walkers?
Dont worry, despite the summary, this isn't a dark story. Ren, introduces himself as the "Bad Guy" and attempts to substantiate his claim by telling you the terrible things he has done in his life. However, he is more similar to Batman: The Dark Knight rather than The Joker. Ren can read minds and assert his will on others. Yet, he doesnt do anything so terrible that I would call him soulless. He lies to women so they will sleep with him... but guys do that anyway. He tricks people into giving him money... but investors and scammers do that too. He plays tricks on his sister, he is selfish, and likes to spend money. I'm not saying this guy is a saint, but the majority of what he was doing was everyday stuff in this day and age. Is he really evil... so far just seems like a jerk.
I'd never heard of this story or the author. Just popped up as a similar book to another story I rated. I'm glad I listened and I plan to finish the series.
The narrated did a nice job. I'm satisfied with his performance.
3 Stars 🌟🌟🌟- Good Book. I like the overall concept and it was delivered well. Most common ranking for a book I enjoyed and look forward to the next.
Narrated by Tim Cambell
This was an interesting listen for me. It is marketed as an anti-hero story. The main character goes through a journey where he toggles between self loathing and over confidence. The story spans about 30 years of his life in about five and a half hours of listeing. It's short for 30 years because the other grazing over a few chunks here and there. I thought doing that was a bold move on her part. There are times when I was happy to find out what happens quickly but there were times when I was very interested in the details of a story line but it gets the glaze at the end. So it went both ways for me. I can only assume she is writing those parts of the story separately or has done so already.
Side note: When bad guys love their mommy... oh gosh... it's always so cute. Mommy love is so powerful 😍😍😍 In this case "Mum" love is so powerful.
There isn't much world building or background story in this one. It doesn't hinder you from understanding the story but I would have liked some more details on Dreamwalkers, their usual powers, and their usual limitations. Why are there dream walkers?
Dont worry, despite the summary, this isn't a dark story. Ren, introduces himself as the "Bad Guy" and attempts to substantiate his claim by telling you the terrible things he has done in his life. However, he is more similar to Batman: The Dark Knight rather than The Joker. Ren can read minds and assert his will on others. Yet, he doesnt do anything so terrible that I would call him soulless. He lies to women so they will sleep with him... but guys do that anyway. He tricks people into giving him money... but investors and scammers do that too. He plays tricks on his sister, he is selfish, and likes to spend money. I'm not saying this guy is a saint, but the majority of what he was doing was everyday stuff in this day and age. Is he really evil... so far just seems like a jerk.
I'd never heard of this story or the author. Just popped up as a similar book to another story I rated. I'm glad I listened and I plan to finish the series.
The narrated did a nice job. I'm satisfied with his performance.
3 Stars 🌟🌟🌟- Good Book. I like the overall concept and it was delivered well. Most common ranking for a book I enjoyed and look forward to the next.
December 1, 2015
*free ARC from author*
Our favorite Brit from the Lucidites and the Reverians is back with a novel of his own!!!
i was so excited going into this book because i thought that we would get to know why Ren was such an obnoxious butt, but i got far more than that!
Ren is a super unique and intriguing character. He is very powerful and has not found a "good" way to deal with the powers he was given. He is self-destructive in the sense that he throws away any happiness he has.
What i liked about Ren was his ability to lead you. He was so charismatic and enigmatic that you didn't find yourself hating him but appreciating his beautifully broken character itself. He never tried to pretend to be something he was not, he knew he was bad and didn't try to deny it. He had this "i don't care attitude" and instead of disliking him for i,t you found yourself encouraging his reasoning, because like i said he has a way of making you see things through his narration in the way he wants.
He meets his perfect match in Dahlia, a confident woman who is able to verbally par with him and is not affected by his powers! We could say that the reason they fell in love was only because Ren's powers didn't work on her and he liked the "not knowing" in their relationship but even if his powers could affect her, she'd still be his perfect match!
i HATED Em's mother in The Reverians and in this book (she's Ren's sister) we see that she's always been evil and disgusting. She is such a disgusting and vile character i could understand why Ren loathed her. The way she treats her mother just because she's not a dream traveller was horrific.
He makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't necessarily learn from them, making him much more humane! He would make you laugh at his wit and sometimes make your heart break at the same time...we learn of his harsh childhood and the years after when he was trying to find out who he really was.
This book is really hard to read if you haven't read the Lucidites or the Reverians because you will find it extremely hard to like Ren. If you read the other books, you will find yourself intrigued by this character and will definitely want to know more!
Our favorite Brit from the Lucidites and the Reverians is back with a novel of his own!!!
i was so excited going into this book because i thought that we would get to know why Ren was such an obnoxious butt, but i got far more than that!
Ren is a super unique and intriguing character. He is very powerful and has not found a "good" way to deal with the powers he was given. He is self-destructive in the sense that he throws away any happiness he has.
What i liked about Ren was his ability to lead you. He was so charismatic and enigmatic that you didn't find yourself hating him but appreciating his beautifully broken character itself. He never tried to pretend to be something he was not, he knew he was bad and didn't try to deny it. He had this "i don't care attitude" and instead of disliking him for i,t you found yourself encouraging his reasoning, because like i said he has a way of making you see things through his narration in the way he wants.
He meets his perfect match in Dahlia, a confident woman who is able to verbally par with him and is not affected by his powers! We could say that the reason they fell in love was only because Ren's powers didn't work on her and he liked the "not knowing" in their relationship but even if his powers could affect her, she'd still be his perfect match!
i HATED Em's mother in The Reverians and in this book (she's Ren's sister) we see that she's always been evil and disgusting. She is such a disgusting and vile character i could understand why Ren loathed her. The way she treats her mother just because she's not a dream traveller was horrific.
He makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't necessarily learn from them, making him much more humane! He would make you laugh at his wit and sometimes make your heart break at the same time...we learn of his harsh childhood and the years after when he was trying to find out who he really was.
This book is really hard to read if you haven't read the Lucidites or the Reverians because you will find it extremely hard to like Ren. If you read the other books, you will find yourself intrigued by this character and will definitely want to know more!
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