What do you think?
Rate this book
The Leeth Dossier #1
Wild Thing
"
She's not what they planned
"
IN 2036 , magic returned to a world which neither needed nor wanted it. Several years later, an unusual young child is acquired by Dr Alex Harmon for his magic research at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. He sets Sara to hunting an imaginary creature, unaware it is both real and far more dangerous than anyone could know.
Sara, too, though, has her own hidden depths.
She'll need them.
At the Institute she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Godsson, one of the world's most powerful mages - and an inmate. But when Sara's unique magic finally unfolds, Dr Harmon discovers the deadly consequences of creating an archetypal Huntress. While from a place far beneath reality, where Godsson helped slay the Enemy of Mankind, some thing, or things, have come hunting. And their first targets are Godsson, and Sara.
IN 2036 , magic returned to a world which neither needed nor wanted it. Several years later, an unusual young child is acquired by Dr Alex Harmon for his magic research at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. He sets Sara to hunting an imaginary creature, unaware it is both real and far more dangerous than anyone could know.
Sara, too, though, has her own hidden depths.
She'll need them.
At the Institute she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Godsson, one of the world's most powerful mages - and an inmate. But when Sara's unique magic finally unfolds, Dr Harmon discovers the deadly consequences of creating an archetypal Huntress. While from a place far beneath reality, where Godsson helped slay the Enemy of Mankind, some thing, or things, have come hunting. And their first targets are Godsson, and Sara.
- GenresFantasy
507 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2015
100 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Kendall
6 books35 followersL. J. Kendall is an Australian author who failed to drown on five separate occasions on Sydney's northern beaches. He worked in software R&D and communication, and had a long happy marriage to an adventurous mediaeval scholar 22 years his senior.
He believes honesty is the best policy, most people are good and kind, and, with luck, you get out of life what you put in. He writes and enjoys believable sci fi and fantasy where the characters drive the plot. He loves quirky outsiders, and after over 10,000 hours of roleplaying – opposing everything from cosmic horrors, to time-looped cannibal space-Nazis, to evil megacorporations – he reckons he’d be helpful in a zombie apocalypse.
Inspecting his double-stacked collection of 2,000 paperbacks and his teetering piles of 300 or so books-to-be-read, you’ll find his favourite authors, including Roger Zelazny, Wen Spencer, and Marjorie M Liu.
His favourite movie is probably The Fifth Element, or maybe Ponyo. Or Mr Right. Or Alita: Battle Angel.
His author website is A Toe in the Ocean of Books
He believes honesty is the best policy, most people are good and kind, and, with luck, you get out of life what you put in. He writes and enjoys believable sci fi and fantasy where the characters drive the plot. He loves quirky outsiders, and after over 10,000 hours of roleplaying – opposing everything from cosmic horrors, to time-looped cannibal space-Nazis, to evil megacorporations – he reckons he’d be helpful in a zombie apocalypse.
Inspecting his double-stacked collection of 2,000 paperbacks and his teetering piles of 300 or so books-to-be-read, you’ll find his favourite authors, including Roger Zelazny, Wen Spencer, and Marjorie M Liu.
His favourite movie is probably The Fifth Element, or maybe Ponyo. Or Mr Right. Or Alita: Battle Angel.
His author website is A Toe in the Ocean of Books
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 3, 2017
Terribly awesome? Awesomely terrible?
I don't really know what to think.
The writing is very consistent. Professional grade in most aspects. No proof reading flaws to mention. The plot is...umm.
It's a strange moisture of magic and tech in a rebuilt post apocalyptic world. Not deserts and wastelands apocalypse, but magic storms and some kind of virus. Neither of which are problems for the characters.
Most of the action takes place at an asylum for the magically gifted. A cyborg dog plays a role, as does a particularly dangerous inmate/patient.
Sara/Leeth/Wild Thing grows up during the novel. But her dialogue doesn't. And that is either an excellent authorial choice or a bizarrely fortunate accident. Or...I don't know. Sometimes it worked for me, sometimes it didn't, but I could get past it.
The book is both graphic and not. A perverse innocence that is amazing. It's like a YA book written for a dirty old man. Not to say there is a lot of sex, but there is a raw sensuality that blasts forth at random. The plot takes twists and turns you cannot anticipate, but remains true to the core.
This is very original. I am going to get book 2 right now.
But I don't know if I can recommend it. It does not easily fit into more usual tropes and genres. Traditional publishing would have no idea how to sell this.
I don't really know what to think.
The writing is very consistent. Professional grade in most aspects. No proof reading flaws to mention. The plot is...umm.
It's a strange moisture of magic and tech in a rebuilt post apocalyptic world. Not deserts and wastelands apocalypse, but magic storms and some kind of virus. Neither of which are problems for the characters.
Most of the action takes place at an asylum for the magically gifted. A cyborg dog plays a role, as does a particularly dangerous inmate/patient.
Sara/Leeth/Wild Thing grows up during the novel. But her dialogue doesn't. And that is either an excellent authorial choice or a bizarrely fortunate accident. Or...I don't know. Sometimes it worked for me, sometimes it didn't, but I could get past it.
The book is both graphic and not. A perverse innocence that is amazing. It's like a YA book written for a dirty old man. Not to say there is a lot of sex, but there is a raw sensuality that blasts forth at random. The plot takes twists and turns you cannot anticipate, but remains true to the core.
This is very original. I am going to get book 2 right now.
But I don't know if I can recommend it. It does not easily fit into more usual tropes and genres. Traditional publishing would have no idea how to sell this.
March 27, 2016
This is going to be a hard book for me to review because I've seen it in its previous form. Yes, this is another book by someone from WriteOn.
Backstory/How I came to know about Wild Thing. Since I'm on a writing site, I do try to give feedback. Normally, though, I give feedback for the first chapter, but if the book is really good, I continue. I don't continue reading most books that I read. But, Wild Thing was one of them, even though I never really finished it. I did read a fair bit before the author decided to use some professional editors.
And woah, the difference is amazing.
Ok, about the actual book. Wild Thing is about a girl called Sara. When she's very young, a prophecy has her sent from the community she was living in. A few years later, she's picked up by a scientist named Dr. Harmon, who has plans to shape her into an archetype at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. But, there's something much larger at work, and in this book, it involves one particular patient at the Institute.
This is probably not relevant to 99% of the people out there, but I really want to say, that the changes in this book was amazing. I liked it before, but now, it's a lot more fleshed out, and the characters feel a lot deeper. It's amazing to see the story that was hiding under that first draft I read.
Anyway, you can probably tell that I liked the book. I really liked Sara - she's amazingly innocent, even though she's deadly. I do worry about her though, because of the way Dr. Harmon raised her. Dr. Harmon is basically the person I love to hate. He's devious, and probably the reason why Sara will never be normal. So there's a slight sense of satisfaction whenever I see hints at the story that no matter how clever he thinks he is, he is not the one controlling Sara's story. Far from it.
I do, however, need to point out that because of the above-mentioned Dr. Harmon, there are pages in the book (towards the later half) that you'll want to skip if you're squeamish like me. There weren't that many, but if you have a problem with stuff like this, consider this a warning.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting for me to see the differences in the two versions that I read, and I definitely think that this version is stronger. I seriously hope that Sara will be able to become more independent from Dr. Harmon, and of course, I want to know the ending for this storyline - I have a feeling that it's not completely over yet.
Disclaimer: I know the author, and as I've repeatedly mentioned, I've read this book even before it was published in its current form. All the praise, though, is genuine.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
Backstory/How I came to know about Wild Thing. Since I'm on a writing site, I do try to give feedback. Normally, though, I give feedback for the first chapter, but if the book is really good, I continue. I don't continue reading most books that I read. But, Wild Thing was one of them, even though I never really finished it. I did read a fair bit before the author decided to use some professional editors.
And woah, the difference is amazing.
Ok, about the actual book. Wild Thing is about a girl called Sara. When she's very young, a prophecy has her sent from the community she was living in. A few years later, she's picked up by a scientist named Dr. Harmon, who has plans to shape her into an archetype at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. But, there's something much larger at work, and in this book, it involves one particular patient at the Institute.
This is probably not relevant to 99% of the people out there, but I really want to say, that the changes in this book was amazing. I liked it before, but now, it's a lot more fleshed out, and the characters feel a lot deeper. It's amazing to see the story that was hiding under that first draft I read.
Anyway, you can probably tell that I liked the book. I really liked Sara - she's amazingly innocent, even though she's deadly. I do worry about her though, because of the way Dr. Harmon raised her. Dr. Harmon is basically the person I love to hate. He's devious, and probably the reason why Sara will never be normal. So there's a slight sense of satisfaction whenever I see hints at the story that no matter how clever he thinks he is, he is not the one controlling Sara's story. Far from it.
I do, however, need to point out that because of the above-mentioned Dr. Harmon, there are pages in the book (towards the later half) that you'll want to skip if you're squeamish like me. There weren't that many, but if you have a problem with stuff like this, consider this a warning.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting for me to see the differences in the two versions that I read, and I definitely think that this version is stronger. I seriously hope that Sara will be able to become more independent from Dr. Harmon, and of course, I want to know the ending for this storyline - I have a feeling that it's not completely over yet.
Disclaimer: I know the author, and as I've repeatedly mentioned, I've read this book even before it was published in its current form. All the praise, though, is genuine.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
January 8, 2016
This book had me wanting more. I love the world the author created and the character of Sara. Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction was a great idea. I like the name as well. :) This book kept me interested and wanting more. I was very excited to read this book. It had many things I love about my books Paranormal, mages, action, adventure, and much more. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
October 2, 2020
Wild Thing: A cross-genre sci-fi/fantasy thriller (The Leeth Dossier Book 1) Kindle Edition
by L. J. Kendall
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
This book was mostly enjoyable. Clearly set in some future dystopia, where magic has come back. In this future, Dr. Harmon works in the Institute of Paranormal Dysfunction, a sort of insane asylum to the paranormaly inclined.
In order to reach his goal of creating another archetype, specifically the Huntress, Dr. Harmon adopts Sara from a rather parochial orphanage to use her under reported magickal abilities and his rather twisted relationship with his ward.
Other people appear and other beasties are seen.
At times, the descriptions the author draws, are amazingly poetic. Other times if feels as if the author is over writing.
The initial relationship between Sara and Dr. Harmon has a high level of Humbert-Humbert cringe and creepy. Initially, Harmon, in pursuit of proving his thesis, takes a less cringey role in her life. His purpose in adopting her is to lead and document her through something called the Unfolding, which is when her paranormal powers will appear. Harmon's push to prove his thesis, he walks the edge of creepy teacher trying to see here Unfolding. Unfolding is an unfortunate choice of words. We can see that with prose like this: “He shook his head. She was beginning to make him think of her as something more than a mere child. If only she would Unfold! He brought his mind back to the matter at hand: her ‘ordeal’ tonight.” Harmon is a male abusing his power (which only gets worse) and then blaming the victim. It is clear that she holds no value to him as a person, only as an experiment. It is clear that she is no more than a trained experiment dog.
The characters were well presented. Speaking as someone who was a young woman, I can honestly say that Kendall mostly captures our inner dialogue in the younger Sara. When she hits seventeen, she seems slightly immature. This allows Harmon to take advantage in all the horrid ways.
The world-building is at times confusing because it takes so long in giving us the background for this dark dystopian future. Many of the post-apocalyptic/dystopias in most of the YA literature, like the Hunger Games or Divergent series lay out more breadcrumbs, so there is a 'realer' feeling to them. By the time we come to understand how this world came to be, we are about 30-50% of the way through.
As for a plot, it feels like a blend of Frankenstein, Brave New World and, of course, both the Hunger Games and Divergent. Underestimated girl is removed from a bad situation into a far, far worse situation. The story builds as we discover that Sara is far more than any one expects.
There is a third character running about. Godsson serves as the fulcrum to Harmond's lever to force the change in Sara.
The most interesting character doesn't appear until relatively late in the novel. Disten or rather the thing that was wearing a Disten-suit, is in pursuit of a new way of thought. The chase eventually brings him into Sara's orbit.
The story has real potential that could easily appear in the next books in the series.
5 stars for the plot and 4 stars for the characterizations.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Thing-cro...
by L. J. Kendall
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
This book was mostly enjoyable. Clearly set in some future dystopia, where magic has come back. In this future, Dr. Harmon works in the Institute of Paranormal Dysfunction, a sort of insane asylum to the paranormaly inclined.
In order to reach his goal of creating another archetype, specifically the Huntress, Dr. Harmon adopts Sara from a rather parochial orphanage to use her under reported magickal abilities and his rather twisted relationship with his ward.
Other people appear and other beasties are seen.
At times, the descriptions the author draws, are amazingly poetic. Other times if feels as if the author is over writing.
The initial relationship between Sara and Dr. Harmon has a high level of Humbert-Humbert cringe and creepy. Initially, Harmon, in pursuit of proving his thesis, takes a less cringey role in her life. His purpose in adopting her is to lead and document her through something called the Unfolding, which is when her paranormal powers will appear. Harmon's push to prove his thesis, he walks the edge of creepy teacher trying to see here Unfolding. Unfolding is an unfortunate choice of words. We can see that with prose like this: “He shook his head. She was beginning to make him think of her as something more than a mere child. If only she would Unfold! He brought his mind back to the matter at hand: her ‘ordeal’ tonight.” Harmon is a male abusing his power (which only gets worse) and then blaming the victim. It is clear that she holds no value to him as a person, only as an experiment. It is clear that she is no more than a trained experiment dog.
The characters were well presented. Speaking as someone who was a young woman, I can honestly say that Kendall mostly captures our inner dialogue in the younger Sara. When she hits seventeen, she seems slightly immature. This allows Harmon to take advantage in all the horrid ways.
The world-building is at times confusing because it takes so long in giving us the background for this dark dystopian future. Many of the post-apocalyptic/dystopias in most of the YA literature, like the Hunger Games or Divergent series lay out more breadcrumbs, so there is a 'realer' feeling to them. By the time we come to understand how this world came to be, we are about 30-50% of the way through.
As for a plot, it feels like a blend of Frankenstein, Brave New World and, of course, both the Hunger Games and Divergent. Underestimated girl is removed from a bad situation into a far, far worse situation. The story builds as we discover that Sara is far more than any one expects.
There is a third character running about. Godsson serves as the fulcrum to Harmond's lever to force the change in Sara.
The most interesting character doesn't appear until relatively late in the novel. Disten or rather the thing that was wearing a Disten-suit, is in pursuit of a new way of thought. The chase eventually brings him into Sara's orbit.
The story has real potential that could easily appear in the next books in the series.
5 stars for the plot and 4 stars for the characterizations.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Thing-cro...
September 22, 2020
I received a free copy of this book through booktasters.
So it's the future, but there's magic. That was a bit of a pill for me to swallow, but I figured if I can accept that, I can enjoy the book. However, the first half dragged more than I would have liked, and I think it was because it largely covered the upbringing of young Sara/Leeth, whose experiences fall squarely in the child-knows-things-but-adults-won't-believe-them camp. This got to be tiresome after a while and was compounded by how it wasn't clear at first what the conflict of the story was. Over time, I got the sense that her occasional interactions with one of the inmates, Godsson, was important and that the book's major conflict related to this inmate's yearly attacks from an invisible antagonist (which the institute housing him insists is a delusion).
Leeth's efforts at convincing the institute to let her help this inmate feel like they gain more traction in the second half, leading up to the point that she and Godsson work together to destroy this antagonist once and for all. This sounds like a clear story when I describe it, but something made it feel more abstract in the process of reading it . I think it's because so much of what is at stake, who the characters are in this conflict, and the twists and turns of said conflict are given to the reader in too subtle a fashion. This is a byproduct of telling a story primarily from the perspectives of a naïve character and another who thinks nothing is going on. And also of having an invisible mute antagonist who doesn't appear on video tape.
The relationship between Sara/Leeth and Dr. Harmon (the mage who takes Sara/Leeth as his ward, raises her over the years) is toxic, which I imagine some readers might find triggering. I'm pretty open minded, but it gets increasingly troubling as the story goes on even for me. Harmon at first seems like a misanthropic egghead more concerned with his research than human lives (and I initially liked that he was difficult to peg as either a Good Character™ or Bad Character™), but over time his relationship with Sara becomes sexualized and he eventually drugs her, rapes her, and blames her for it afterwards. I don't imagine the author endorses this behavior, but it is a little difficult to stomach, especially when it's one of the point of view characters who does this and the scene in which he rapes her is written so palpably.
The prose is well written, and I liked the clever way Sara's perspective shines through in the wording of the third person narrator when we are in her head. The pacing at which the worldbuilding is revealed is also well-done; I wanted to know more of the world around them, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Too much would have probably detracted from the story.
So if you can dig science fiction and urban fantasy thrown together and you can handle a little pedophilia here and there, check out this book.
So it's the future, but there's magic. That was a bit of a pill for me to swallow, but I figured if I can accept that, I can enjoy the book. However, the first half dragged more than I would have liked, and I think it was because it largely covered the upbringing of young Sara/Leeth, whose experiences fall squarely in the child-knows-things-but-adults-won't-believe-them camp. This got to be tiresome after a while and was compounded by how it wasn't clear at first what the conflict of the story was. Over time, I got the sense that her occasional interactions with one of the inmates, Godsson, was important and that the book's major conflict related to this inmate's yearly attacks from an invisible antagonist (which the institute housing him insists is a delusion).
Leeth's efforts at convincing the institute to let her help this inmate feel like they gain more traction in the second half, leading up to the point that she and Godsson work together to destroy this antagonist once and for all. This sounds like a clear story when I describe it, but something made it feel more abstract in the process of reading it . I think it's because so much of what is at stake, who the characters are in this conflict, and the twists and turns of said conflict are given to the reader in too subtle a fashion. This is a byproduct of telling a story primarily from the perspectives of a naïve character and another who thinks nothing is going on. And also of having an invisible mute antagonist who doesn't appear on video tape.
The relationship between Sara/Leeth and Dr. Harmon (the mage who takes Sara/Leeth as his ward, raises her over the years) is toxic, which I imagine some readers might find triggering. I'm pretty open minded, but it gets increasingly troubling as the story goes on even for me. Harmon at first seems like a misanthropic egghead more concerned with his research than human lives (and I initially liked that he was difficult to peg as either a Good Character™ or Bad Character™), but over time his relationship with Sara becomes sexualized and he eventually drugs her, rapes her, and blames her for it afterwards. I don't imagine the author endorses this behavior, but it is a little difficult to stomach, especially when it's one of the point of view characters who does this and the scene in which he rapes her is written so palpably.
The prose is well written, and I liked the clever way Sara's perspective shines through in the wording of the third person narrator when we are in her head. The pacing at which the worldbuilding is revealed is also well-done; I wanted to know more of the world around them, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Too much would have probably detracted from the story.
So if you can dig science fiction and urban fantasy thrown together and you can handle a little pedophilia here and there, check out this book.
November 5, 2020
Wild Thing: A cross-genre sci-fi/fantasy thriller (The Leeth Dossier Book 1) Kindle Edition by L. J. Kendall
Before anything I want to thank the author of the book for my gifted copy. After saying this, I finish this book almost a month ago, and I give myself this time to finish digesting and come to terms with it before start to write this review, which I’m hoping to achieve to be as fair and as honest, as I can.
In the great scheme of thing it is actually, a really good book, professionally writer, coherent and well structured. I do enjoy it greatly myself, and there were times I was hanging by the edge of my chair, unable to stop, wanting to know what comes next. Nonetheless, I do have an issue with certain scenes within the novel, it is not a technical issue, it is a personal theme problem.
The book’s world it is a universe a lot similar to ours, in terms of near-future technology and western civilization, but with paranormal and post-apocalyptic elements imbedded in it. Magic exists and is achievable by a few lucky ones to be born with the talent for it. Sometime in the past few decades there was this great magician who kill millions of people and almost destroy the world.
The worldbuilding it is really original, and well crafted, they are not many details in the novel, but what it is in there, let you imagine a wider and complex world outside of the confines of the novel. It was a world history that I really enjoy and was looking for any little crumb the author let us see during the main story.
The protagonist it is Wild Thing/Sara/Leeth, a child who was kick-out of her über-pacifist Native American tribe, because the Shaman of her people saw a vision of her taking the life of others. She was in a catholic orphanage for a while, but eventually was an adopted by the Dr. Alex Harmon. Dr Hamon it is a healer mage and psychologist of the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction, where the main body of the story it is located.
The reason Dr. Hamon, adopts Sara/Leeth because it is because he need her to trying prove his theory that is possible to create a new archetype of magician with the ring inputs in the underdeveloped psyche of a child. Because he never really like kids that much, he asks her to call me uncle rather the father we he brings her to live with him.
Dr. Hamon and Sara/Leeth, have a really complicate relationship. He manipulates her from the very start, read and magically change her mind, to gain her trust, and build his new archetype from scratch. Her is unaware of the manipulation until the very end, and for her, he is her only family, friend, and trustee. Dr. Hamon has a vibe of creepy scientist, but in the end finish to love her as a dear one.
This archetype Dr. Hamon it is creating is of a Huntress, and with the past of the years in the novel, he sharp the hunting skills and animalistic abilities Sara/Leeth, with a mix of magic manipulation, role playing games, lies and physical exercise. Throughout the story Sara/Leeth, physically grow up into a young adult, but psychological remain very childish, innocent and without really knowing how the world works outside the institute.
The other mayor character it is one of the patients of the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction, one of the most powerful mages in the world, only know as Godsson. Because he, maybe in his dementia, claim to be the actual son of God. Sara/Leeth befriends Godsson when she against all odd she cleverly discovers how to sneaks in the holding cells area for inmates.
After years of frequenting each other, Sara/Leeth detects that Godsson's annual attacks are not just psychotic episodes, but that there is a force invisible to both technological teams and magicians and shamans, which attacks her friend and only she is able to help him.
In the end, I really enjoy the novel, the idea of mixing near future science fiction with urban fantasy it was very well achieved.
The reason this book, for me, has only 4 of the 5 possible stars, it is because just after the point when Dr. Hamon start to really grown on me, and I start to really like the character, the relationship between Dr. Hamon and Sara/Leeth change to become sexualized and he eventually drugs her, rapes her, and blames her for it afterwards, at least for me, it was really, really hard to stomach it, and finish the book.
By the way, the ending it is great and create a very sound cliffhanger to the next novel.
Before anything I want to thank the author of the book for my gifted copy. After saying this, I finish this book almost a month ago, and I give myself this time to finish digesting and come to terms with it before start to write this review, which I’m hoping to achieve to be as fair and as honest, as I can.
In the great scheme of thing it is actually, a really good book, professionally writer, coherent and well structured. I do enjoy it greatly myself, and there were times I was hanging by the edge of my chair, unable to stop, wanting to know what comes next. Nonetheless, I do have an issue with certain scenes within the novel, it is not a technical issue, it is a personal theme problem.
The book’s world it is a universe a lot similar to ours, in terms of near-future technology and western civilization, but with paranormal and post-apocalyptic elements imbedded in it. Magic exists and is achievable by a few lucky ones to be born with the talent for it. Sometime in the past few decades there was this great magician who kill millions of people and almost destroy the world.
The worldbuilding it is really original, and well crafted, they are not many details in the novel, but what it is in there, let you imagine a wider and complex world outside of the confines of the novel. It was a world history that I really enjoy and was looking for any little crumb the author let us see during the main story.
The protagonist it is Wild Thing/Sara/Leeth, a child who was kick-out of her über-pacifist Native American tribe, because the Shaman of her people saw a vision of her taking the life of others. She was in a catholic orphanage for a while, but eventually was an adopted by the Dr. Alex Harmon. Dr Hamon it is a healer mage and psychologist of the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction, where the main body of the story it is located.
The reason Dr. Hamon, adopts Sara/Leeth because it is because he need her to trying prove his theory that is possible to create a new archetype of magician with the ring inputs in the underdeveloped psyche of a child. Because he never really like kids that much, he asks her to call me uncle rather the father we he brings her to live with him.
Dr. Hamon and Sara/Leeth, have a really complicate relationship. He manipulates her from the very start, read and magically change her mind, to gain her trust, and build his new archetype from scratch. Her is unaware of the manipulation until the very end, and for her, he is her only family, friend, and trustee. Dr. Hamon has a vibe of creepy scientist, but in the end finish to love her as a dear one.
This archetype Dr. Hamon it is creating is of a Huntress, and with the past of the years in the novel, he sharp the hunting skills and animalistic abilities Sara/Leeth, with a mix of magic manipulation, role playing games, lies and physical exercise. Throughout the story Sara/Leeth, physically grow up into a young adult, but psychological remain very childish, innocent and without really knowing how the world works outside the institute.
The other mayor character it is one of the patients of the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction, one of the most powerful mages in the world, only know as Godsson. Because he, maybe in his dementia, claim to be the actual son of God. Sara/Leeth befriends Godsson when she against all odd she cleverly discovers how to sneaks in the holding cells area for inmates.
After years of frequenting each other, Sara/Leeth detects that Godsson's annual attacks are not just psychotic episodes, but that there is a force invisible to both technological teams and magicians and shamans, which attacks her friend and only she is able to help him.
In the end, I really enjoy the novel, the idea of mixing near future science fiction with urban fantasy it was very well achieved.
The reason this book, for me, has only 4 of the 5 possible stars, it is because just after the point when Dr. Hamon start to really grown on me, and I start to really like the character, the relationship between Dr. Hamon and Sara/Leeth change to become sexualized and he eventually drugs her, rapes her, and blames her for it afterwards, at least for me, it was really, really hard to stomach it, and finish the book.
By the way, the ending it is great and create a very sound cliffhanger to the next novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
I met L.J. Kendall at a writer’s conference and swapped books with him, my intention to review his book if I liked it. Wild Thing is an origin story for Leeth (Sara in her childhood) whose morally bankrupt guardian, Harmon, shapes her into a powerful ‘huntress’ over the course of her childhood. Harmon is a mage who values his experimental research far more than Leeth’s wellbeing or his duties toward her. He seriously crosses the line on more than one occasion. Leeth, conversely, is a wonderfully bright, eager, and passionate young girl, her enthusiasm carrying the story. The plot itself revolves around Leeth’s determination to save her friend Godson by killing an invisible creature only she and Godson perceive, a creature nobody else believes exists. This, of course, creates more than a few problems for Leeth, but her intelligence and inventiveness find ways around these problems. The first half is a slow burn, revolving around Leeth’s childhood, her developing abilities, Harmon’s manipulations, and her growing awareness of the story’s threat. The story changes in tempo around the midpoint as the primary threat grows and other facts come into play. Leeth’s cunning, intelligence, and physical abilities grow exponentially over time, though she doesn’t mature mentally, possibly due to her isolation. This keeps her far too innocent and trusting for the situation she finds herself in, something I would expect to change in the next book.
Overall, Wild Thing is an imaginative story that doesn’t pander to expectations, while being full of well-defined characters and you’ll both love and detest.
I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Harsh Lessons.
Overall, Wild Thing is an imaginative story that doesn’t pander to expectations, while being full of well-defined characters and you’ll both love and detest.
I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Harsh Lessons.
January 18, 2020
A little girl is kicked out of her tribe because of a vision that has revealed that this little girl will cause deadly harm to others. She is sent to live in the white man's world.
A few years later she is adopted by Dr. Alex Harmon and taken to live at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction where he will study Sara and instruct her in the use of magic.
Sara spends most of her days exploring the institute and wondering into places that she had not been given access to. On one such mission she meets a man, Godsson who is kept behind a locked door.
On other days Sara can be found running around outside looking for an invisible monster that Dr. Harmon doesn't believe is real. But is the monster that he sent Sara to hunt real or not?
Sara also has a little friend that she takes on her little adventures outdoors a little dog who is very protective of Sara and will attack anyone or thing that messes with his human friend.
Wild Thing is a very intriguing and interesting story that will pull you in from the first page and will hold you hostage with each and every adventure that Sara takes us on. The world building is so brilliant and amazing filled with magic, suspense and the mussing of a little girl as she grows into adulthood way too early.
Pick up your copy of Wild Thing today to begin the adventure with Sara.
A few years later she is adopted by Dr. Alex Harmon and taken to live at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction where he will study Sara and instruct her in the use of magic.
Sara spends most of her days exploring the institute and wondering into places that she had not been given access to. On one such mission she meets a man, Godsson who is kept behind a locked door.
On other days Sara can be found running around outside looking for an invisible monster that Dr. Harmon doesn't believe is real. But is the monster that he sent Sara to hunt real or not?
Sara also has a little friend that she takes on her little adventures outdoors a little dog who is very protective of Sara and will attack anyone or thing that messes with his human friend.
Wild Thing is a very intriguing and interesting story that will pull you in from the first page and will hold you hostage with each and every adventure that Sara takes us on. The world building is so brilliant and amazing filled with magic, suspense and the mussing of a little girl as she grows into adulthood way too early.
Pick up your copy of Wild Thing today to begin the adventure with Sara.
April 22, 2019
I read an early draft of this book quite a few years ago when the author and I were finalists in the inaugral George Turner Prize. It was wonderful to buy and read the finished, published version when it was laucned a couple of years ago, and to see how the story has evolved - and continues to evolve. I believe L.J. Kendall is about to publish the fourth volume in the Leeth Dossier series.
The series starts with the story of Sara, cast out by her community as a young child because community leaders who can see the future see the potential danger the girl threatens them with. But is it nature or nurture, or a combination of both? The reader is never sure as Sara is adopted by a doctor who uses mind melds and spells to control his charge who is also the 'subject'of his studies. The girl is not so much raised as 'left to develop' in what seems to be a run-down high security psychiatric hospital with "Goddson" its most important inmate. Goddson and Sara seem drawn to each other.
L.J Kendall is a very thorough writer. The futuristic world he creates in this series combines religion, magic, mind control and the trope of an older, educated man moulding a young girl (reminiscent of Pygmalion in a way.) Intentionally dark, it is also deeply dsturbing..
The series starts with the story of Sara, cast out by her community as a young child because community leaders who can see the future see the potential danger the girl threatens them with. But is it nature or nurture, or a combination of both? The reader is never sure as Sara is adopted by a doctor who uses mind melds and spells to control his charge who is also the 'subject'of his studies. The girl is not so much raised as 'left to develop' in what seems to be a run-down high security psychiatric hospital with "Goddson" its most important inmate. Goddson and Sara seem drawn to each other.
L.J Kendall is a very thorough writer. The futuristic world he creates in this series combines religion, magic, mind control and the trope of an older, educated man moulding a young girl (reminiscent of Pygmalion in a way.) Intentionally dark, it is also deeply dsturbing..
October 26, 2020
I admit going into this read I was a bit skeptical. I had read other reviews which made me wonder if this book was going to be for me or not. I'm happy to say it was.
The mixture of magic and advanced technology was refreshing. The world created by the author was realistic and had all the neat worldbuilding aspects such as political presence, drugs, criminals, society, etc. These things really helped me get sucked into the world and made it feel more realistic.
Most of the complaints I read about this book is the mental and sexual abuse given to the main character Leeth. I'll agree that some parts are very dark and twisted, but I think that's what makes the book. Since we follow the girl from a very young age, we can see how these events shape her personality and intelligence. Psychologically, it's fascinating to see how her mind grows under these circumstances.
The prose is well written and consistent with how different characters speak and interact with each other.
I'm definitely interested in continuing the series!
The mixture of magic and advanced technology was refreshing. The world created by the author was realistic and had all the neat worldbuilding aspects such as political presence, drugs, criminals, society, etc. These things really helped me get sucked into the world and made it feel more realistic.
Most of the complaints I read about this book is the mental and sexual abuse given to the main character Leeth. I'll agree that some parts are very dark and twisted, but I think that's what makes the book. Since we follow the girl from a very young age, we can see how these events shape her personality and intelligence. Psychologically, it's fascinating to see how her mind grows under these circumstances.
The prose is well written and consistent with how different characters speak and interact with each other.
I'm definitely interested in continuing the series!
June 28, 2022
At the age of four Sara is sent away for the safety of the tribe, who had taken in her family, due to a vision the wise-woman had had regarding her
At age eight Sara is selected by Dr Harmon to be his ward and is taken to live with him at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. Dr Harmon needs a subject for his magic research into creating an archetypal huntress.
Sara's mind is magically infiltrated by the doctor who plants suggestions, erases memories etc. Sara has no contact with other children, is not taught social norms, not right from wrong, not empathy for others and that most people are sheep so therefore weak and expendable.
There are many more elements to this book but it is hard to get into them all: some of them are confronting to read but suffice to say this is a very different type of book.
At age eight Sara is selected by Dr Harmon to be his ward and is taken to live with him at the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. Dr Harmon needs a subject for his magic research into creating an archetypal huntress.
Sara's mind is magically infiltrated by the doctor who plants suggestions, erases memories etc. Sara has no contact with other children, is not taught social norms, not right from wrong, not empathy for others and that most people are sheep so therefore weak and expendable.
There are many more elements to this book but it is hard to get into them all: some of them are confronting to read but suffice to say this is a very different type of book.
November 17, 2020
Whilst the book peaked my interest enough to read it, I must admit that to me it felt rather dry and was very hard to get into the swing of reading it without feeling forced. I love most fiction which has the use of a magic trope in a dystopian-like future setting, but with Wild thing I struggled. I do appreciate the story line but I feel it didn't work with the way it was structured. The best way I could describe it is I didn't understand the book's Vibe. Id only recommend this book to those who really love diversity amongst their fiction books and give it a 4/10. The Thought of it maybe being a decent movie however did cross my mind........and Partner agrees to that.
April 10, 2021
The first half of the book focuses on the main character Sara and her strange upbringing, that led her from an orphanage into the Institute for Paranormal Dysfunction. It picks up in the second half of the book where the author is bringing forward the desire to develop her into some type of assassin. I enjoyed the second half of the book but struggled with the first as it took a long time to get the plot going with her life in the institute, but also, there were weird undertones with sexualizing the main character as she aged. I am more interested in reading about her future development versus the origin story here.
May 3, 2020
To be honest it took me a few chapters to get used to the way the author writes. His vocabulary and just his style of writing. BUT it is truly worth it! I would highly recommend reading this book. His building of characters and ideas are brilliant. I am so looking forward to getting the next book in the series, I'm sure that his writing will only get better and that the story will be worth continuing with.
When i got into the story, I just couldn't put the book down. I was reading it on my phone it my Kindle was charging and also on the computer.
When i got into the story, I just couldn't put the book down. I was reading it on my phone it my Kindle was charging and also on the computer.
June 28, 2020
Science fiction in a post apocalyptic type of world but also not the typical vast wastelands or super civilized. It's a mix of technology and magic.
The story mainly centered around a institute for people with special abilities, which also houses the protagonist Sara.
It’s an action packed journey with good writing and great to ignite our imagination.
But somewhere the pace gets really slow and feels like it keeps dragging on unnecessary details. Also some scenes are too obscene for me.
Overall a below average read for me.
The story mainly centered around a institute for people with special abilities, which also houses the protagonist Sara.
It’s an action packed journey with good writing and great to ignite our imagination.
But somewhere the pace gets really slow and feels like it keeps dragging on unnecessary details. Also some scenes are too obscene for me.
Overall a below average read for me.
April 9, 2021
It took me a while to adjust to L J Kendall’s style of writing, finding his style refreshing and perfect for understanding Sara/Leeth, the MC. Personally I was put off because of the seedy undertones attributed to Harmon, (a man whom she trusted and came to regard as a father) and how he abused that trust. Owning old fashion values got in the way of enjoying the book fully, and one needs to attack the book with an open mind. This doesn’t take away from excellent characters within the story and unique approach to writing.
August 31, 2019
Excellent book
Absolutely loved this book. From page too page, you never know what will happen. An amazing story, with characters that intrigue and amaze you. This story draws you into its web and doesn’t release you even after the ending. It just leaves you wanting more. I am immediately reading the next book. Thanks to the author for writing this book. You have wowed me.
Absolutely loved this book. From page too page, you never know what will happen. An amazing story, with characters that intrigue and amaze you. This story draws you into its web and doesn’t release you even after the ending. It just leaves you wanting more. I am immediately reading the next book. Thanks to the author for writing this book. You have wowed me.
January 10, 2017
A very enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the original spin on magic meets an industrial; technological society. I tend to favor a story with strong but not perfect and unbeatable characters and this novel filled that bill. The adept, strong but seriously flawed characters were truly enjoyable.
I enjoyed the original spin on magic meets an industrial; technological society. I tend to favor a story with strong but not perfect and unbeatable characters and this novel filled that bill. The adept, strong but seriously flawed characters were truly enjoyable.
April 29, 2020
A very different take on Scifi. I liked it but was uneasy with the story and how the heroine of the story was both that and the potential villain. It is well written and the story moves along, making you go what could possibly happen next.
I can't wait to purchase the 2nd book to see what the mysterious manipulators of Sara(Leeith) have in store for here and the DR.
I can't wait to purchase the 2nd book to see what the mysterious manipulators of Sara(Leeith) have in store for here and the DR.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
An intriguing take on various themes, mixed along with a bit of sci-fi and dark, paranormal fantasy.
I took a while to get used to the author's style, but it was well worth it in the end.
I have book two and three in my TBR... and from the other reviews, I see I won't be disappointed.
Well worth the read.
I took a while to get used to the author's style, but it was well worth it in the end.
I have book two and three in my TBR... and from the other reviews, I see I won't be disappointed.
Well worth the read.
Read
March 17, 2025DNF @10%
The book opened up with some questionable representation of an Indigenous-coded tribe. Combined with a writing style that is a bit jarring, I turned to reviews and learned that the FMC who is adopted at age 8 by a scientist who intends to experiment on her later results in sexual assault and pedophilia. I think this one isn't for me.
The book opened up with some questionable representation of an Indigenous-coded tribe. Combined with a writing style that is a bit jarring, I turned to reviews and learned that the FMC who is adopted at age 8 by a scientist who intends to experiment on her later results in sexual assault and pedophilia. I think this one isn't for me.
June 7, 2017
Keeps upping the ante.
This book is excellent at keeping the reader's interest in what will happen next. You are also kept wondering what the characters will do next, as the story is rife with morally ambiguous motivations. Looking forward to reading what happens next.
This book is excellent at keeping the reader's interest in what will happen next. You are also kept wondering what the characters will do next, as the story is rife with morally ambiguous motivations. Looking forward to reading what happens next.
August 19, 2023
Like a B movie that is 98% tense music and 2% actual monster. Leeth is a cool character but the book needs to drop about 150 pages.
April 26, 2025
pedo?
This book has so much predatory grooming in it that the author should be in jail. I’m embarrassed at how much I pushed through before it got really nasty.
This book has so much predatory grooming in it that the author should be in jail. I’m embarrassed at how much I pushed through before it got really nasty.
April 2, 2016
A series to watch
If you are looking for something new and a little different to read then Wild Thing by Australian author L.J. Kendall might be worth a try. The novel is multi-dimensional with its genres blending elements of urban, paranormal and fantasy and offering some interesting insight into a world where magic and technology rule but at the cost of what matters most in life.
World-building has been very cleverly and imaginatively created. It is well-thought out making it easier to suspend our disbelief. Somehow in this world technology and magic prevail to override ethics and morals or if not override then perhaps shape things to suit selfish beliefs and needs. There is pause to consider that it is what we do that creates the problem and this concept is presented with a fresh and original take in a market place overflowing in dysfunctional societies. It helps when a book is extremely well-written and the use of descriptive language excellent. Images are cold and cruel and even brutal.
Our heroine is a strange mixture of child and chilling adult. It brings to mind an old argument. Genetics battle environment when assumptions are made about Sara and we have to wonder what may have happened if she had been surrounded by different factors, her original environment with a loving family. Instead Sara is raised or rather manipulated into adulthood to suit an arrogant idea of what Alex thinks should be. Is he our hero or our villain? Does he intentionally create a monster? Is she a real monster in every sense of the word if her choices were not quite her own because the right guidance was denied? Who decides what the right guidance is? That is a question that may take many books to find out and though the characters are not particularly likeable they are intriguing. The desire to know more is definitely present and bodes well for future publication.
If I was to make a criticism it would be that I found the book a little too long given that it is a series. There were sections we probably could have done without allowing a stronger and faster connection to the events for the reader. Often the slow and lengthy pace takes away from the effect of the action and the action in this is important. In fact it is critical because the connection to the character is not an easy one to make. I believe it to be a real challenge for the author to do just that but I have a feeling it can be done. In any case it is a hook into the next book.
If you are looking for something new and a little different to read then Wild Thing by Australian author L.J. Kendall might be worth a try. The novel is multi-dimensional with its genres blending elements of urban, paranormal and fantasy and offering some interesting insight into a world where magic and technology rule but at the cost of what matters most in life.
World-building has been very cleverly and imaginatively created. It is well-thought out making it easier to suspend our disbelief. Somehow in this world technology and magic prevail to override ethics and morals or if not override then perhaps shape things to suit selfish beliefs and needs. There is pause to consider that it is what we do that creates the problem and this concept is presented with a fresh and original take in a market place overflowing in dysfunctional societies. It helps when a book is extremely well-written and the use of descriptive language excellent. Images are cold and cruel and even brutal.
Our heroine is a strange mixture of child and chilling adult. It brings to mind an old argument. Genetics battle environment when assumptions are made about Sara and we have to wonder what may have happened if she had been surrounded by different factors, her original environment with a loving family. Instead Sara is raised or rather manipulated into adulthood to suit an arrogant idea of what Alex thinks should be. Is he our hero or our villain? Does he intentionally create a monster? Is she a real monster in every sense of the word if her choices were not quite her own because the right guidance was denied? Who decides what the right guidance is? That is a question that may take many books to find out and though the characters are not particularly likeable they are intriguing. The desire to know more is definitely present and bodes well for future publication.
If I was to make a criticism it would be that I found the book a little too long given that it is a series. There were sections we probably could have done without allowing a stronger and faster connection to the events for the reader. Often the slow and lengthy pace takes away from the effect of the action and the action in this is important. In fact it is critical because the connection to the character is not an easy one to make. I believe it to be a real challenge for the author to do just that but I have a feeling it can be done. In any case it is a hook into the next book.
December 4, 2016
Bizarrely excellent and amazing
The main character begins this adventure as a child with whom we can all empathise and feel empathy. The rape of her mind, by her adopted father does not keep us, the readers, from wanting her to succeed. Viewed from another perspective, she is being manipulated into not only a sociopath, but perhaps the most dangerous one in history. Yet, those in power not only do nothing to help her, but continue her teaching on a path to destruction for their own goals. None the less, we hope that she somehow becomes whole and overcomes the path of evil and pornographic violence that she has been set upon.
The main character begins this adventure as a child with whom we can all empathise and feel empathy. The rape of her mind, by her adopted father does not keep us, the readers, from wanting her to succeed. Viewed from another perspective, she is being manipulated into not only a sociopath, but perhaps the most dangerous one in history. Yet, those in power not only do nothing to help her, but continue her teaching on a path to destruction for their own goals. None the less, we hope that she somehow becomes whole and overcomes the path of evil and pornographic violence that she has been set upon.
May 9, 2017
An interesting mix of magic and technology. Great characters.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews