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Subdue #1
Dwelling
A group of inseparable childhood friends are now adults, physically and psychologically devastated by war…
A horrifying creature emerges from a sandstorm just before Ricky Smith dies in battle. Forced to leave base housing, his widow Maggie buys a home on Oak Lee Road in the town of Jotham. Maggie is isolated in the historic house…and disconcerted by strange clicking sounds inside the walls.
Jonathan Steele attempts to drink the painful past away…
Jonathan was wounded in that fateful battle and now suffers from PTSD. He wants to put the nightmare behind him, but when Ricky’s ghost appears with cryptic warnings about Maggie’s house, he begins to question his sanity.
Bobby Weeks is a homeless veteran struggling with a lycanthropic curse…
Afraid of bringing harm, Bobby stays far away from those he loves. But after a full moon, a mysterious woman approaches him and reveals a vision about a house with a sinister presence, and he realizes staying away might no longer be an option.
Minister Jake Williams lost his faith on the battlefield…
While Jake will do anything to reconnect with God, he turns to vices to fill the religious void. But a church elder urges him to take a sabbatical, and a ghost tells him to quit the ministry, and his life is more out of control than ever.
When Maggie wakes in a strange subterranean cavern, she can’t deny her home harbors dark secrets. Desperate, she sends letters to her old friends to reunite in Jotham, and events conspire to draw them all to the house…unaware of the danger awaiting them.
The friends have already been through hell, but can any of them survive the evil dwelling beneath the House on Oak Lee?
A horrifying creature emerges from a sandstorm just before Ricky Smith dies in battle. Forced to leave base housing, his widow Maggie buys a home on Oak Lee Road in the town of Jotham. Maggie is isolated in the historic house…and disconcerted by strange clicking sounds inside the walls.
Jonathan Steele attempts to drink the painful past away…
Jonathan was wounded in that fateful battle and now suffers from PTSD. He wants to put the nightmare behind him, but when Ricky’s ghost appears with cryptic warnings about Maggie’s house, he begins to question his sanity.
Bobby Weeks is a homeless veteran struggling with a lycanthropic curse…
Afraid of bringing harm, Bobby stays far away from those he loves. But after a full moon, a mysterious woman approaches him and reveals a vision about a house with a sinister presence, and he realizes staying away might no longer be an option.
Minister Jake Williams lost his faith on the battlefield…
While Jake will do anything to reconnect with God, he turns to vices to fill the religious void. But a church elder urges him to take a sabbatical, and a ghost tells him to quit the ministry, and his life is more out of control than ever.
When Maggie wakes in a strange subterranean cavern, she can’t deny her home harbors dark secrets. Desperate, she sends letters to her old friends to reunite in Jotham, and events conspire to draw them all to the house…unaware of the danger awaiting them.
The friends have already been through hell, but can any of them survive the evil dwelling beneath the House on Oak Lee?
- GenresHorrorParanormal
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
31 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Thomas S. Flowers
34 books122 followersThomas S. Flowers is an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Army veteran who loves scary movies, BBQ, and coffee. Ever since reading Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western Front" and Stephen King’s "Salem’s Lot" he has inspired to write deeply disturbing things that relate to war and horror, from the paranormal to his gory zombie infested PLANET of the DEAD series, to even his recent dabbling of vampiric flirtation in The Last Hellfighter readers can expect to find complex characters, rich historical settings, and mind-altering horror. Thomas is also the senior editor at Machine Mean, a horror movie and book review site that hosts contributors in the horror and science fiction genre.
PLANET of the DEAD and The Last Hellfighter are best-sellers on Amazon's Top 100 lists for Apocalyptic Fiction and African American Horror.
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You can follow Thomas and get yourself a FREE eBook copy of FEAST by joining his newsletter. Sign up by vising his website at www.ThomasSFlowers.com.
PLANET of the DEAD and The Last Hellfighter are best-sellers on Amazon's Top 100 lists for Apocalyptic Fiction and African American Horror.
__________________________________
You can follow Thomas and get yourself a FREE eBook copy of FEAST by joining his newsletter. Sign up by vising his website at www.ThomasSFlowers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 13, 2017
Review copy
Dwelling begins with the horrors of war, something the author knows firsthand, having served in the U.S. Army for seven years, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. But, this is not a war story, it's more a tale of lasting friendships and hidden horror.
"'Suicide Squad...'each whispered in unison. To an outsider, they may have seemed like monks giving some kind of mystic incantation. 'Suicide Squad,' they chanted together. The debate was over. In a strange way, it never really began. The group o teenagers, who'd come together back when Voltron and Teddy Ruxpin were the hot items on Christmas wish lists, and though of different ages, Bobby and Jake being he oldest members of the group by at least to years, grew closer that day when they identified themselves with the moniker Suicide Squad."
The other members of the squad were Ricky, Johnathan, and Maggie. Each of their stories are touched upon within the pages of this first book in Thomas S. Flowers' Subdue series. Complete with multiple storylines, of marriage, a crisis of faith, the death of one of their members...and then there's the House...and what lies beneath.
There is a lot of ground to cover in Dwelling and much of book 1 is necessarily expository in nature, but that does not mean slow and boring. In reality, it's anything but.
Don't expect much in the way of answers, though. I'm sure we'll get those in books 2 and 3 in the series. The good thing is both Emerging and Conceiving are already published.
Recommended and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon.
Dwelling (Subdue Book 1) is available from Limitless PublicationsIf you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Thomas S. Flowers is the published author of several stories of dark fiction. He resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and daughter. In 2008, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army where he served for seven years. In 2014, Thomas graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a BA in History. He blogs at machinemean.org, where he does author interviews and reviews on a wide range of strange yet oddly related topics.
Dwelling begins with the horrors of war, something the author knows firsthand, having served in the U.S. Army for seven years, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. But, this is not a war story, it's more a tale of lasting friendships and hidden horror.
"'Suicide Squad...'each whispered in unison. To an outsider, they may have seemed like monks giving some kind of mystic incantation. 'Suicide Squad,' they chanted together. The debate was over. In a strange way, it never really began. The group o teenagers, who'd come together back when Voltron and Teddy Ruxpin were the hot items on Christmas wish lists, and though of different ages, Bobby and Jake being he oldest members of the group by at least to years, grew closer that day when they identified themselves with the moniker Suicide Squad."
The other members of the squad were Ricky, Johnathan, and Maggie. Each of their stories are touched upon within the pages of this first book in Thomas S. Flowers' Subdue series. Complete with multiple storylines, of marriage, a crisis of faith, the death of one of their members...and then there's the House...and what lies beneath.
There is a lot of ground to cover in Dwelling and much of book 1 is necessarily expository in nature, but that does not mean slow and boring. In reality, it's anything but.
Don't expect much in the way of answers, though. I'm sure we'll get those in books 2 and 3 in the series. The good thing is both Emerging and Conceiving are already published.
Recommended and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon.
Dwelling (Subdue Book 1) is available from Limitless PublicationsIf you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Thomas S. Flowers is the published author of several stories of dark fiction. He resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and daughter. In 2008, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army where he served for seven years. In 2014, Thomas graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a BA in History. He blogs at machinemean.org, where he does author interviews and reviews on a wide range of strange yet oddly related topics.
February 11, 2017
The Suicide Squad is the name a group of adolescents from the 90's gave themselves after getting their hands on the comic book of the same name. Ricky, Maggie, Bobby, Jonathan, and Jake's lives were changed forever that September morning when terrorists rammed their jetliners into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Ignited by patriotic fever, the boy's enlisted to go fight in the desert. Their lives would never be the same. Ricky is killed in combat, leaving his now wife, Maggie, all alone. Jonathan lost a leg in the same attack that killed Ricky and suffers from PTSD and guilt for not being able to save his friend. Heavy drinking doesn't seem to help the PTSD or the haunting vision of the dark creature he saw just before rocket was fired at their Humvee. Bobby is now a homeless vet that brought back more than haunting memories, and it rears its ugly head when the moon is full. Jake is a minister that has lost his faith due to the nightmares that followed him back from Iraq. The war has shattered all of their lives and they can't seem to deal with it on their own. But the remaining members of the Suicide Squad are being called back to a mysterious house on a remote Texas prairie in the small town of Jotham. Do the answers they seek to rid themselves of their nightmares reside in the house, or are their current nightmares just the tip of the iceberg to whats about to come?
First and foremost, Dwelling is Book One of a trilogy and it reads as such. If you're trying to decide whether or not to give Dwelling a try based off of reviews like this one, keep that little nugget in mind. I've read a handful of reviews from people bitching that the writing was good but nothing was solved or wrapped up by the end of the book, therefore they hate the story. People, people. Do a little research. Yes, Dwelling is open ended. Yes, you'll have to continue to read the rest of the series to find out what happens. That's why they call it a trilogy. Why am I ranting here? Because, I think that Flower's has received some very unfair (and very silly) criticism for the way he wrote Dwelling. Look. It's a very good book. The writing and pacing is amazingly mature for a newer author. The characters are well fleshed out and their problems that center around PTSD and loss from the war makes for a compelling read. The fact that Flowers is a vet himself comes through nicely in his writing. It adds that dose of realism that many authors lack when they write about a place that they've never been to. Dwelling is shadowy and haunting that feels all to real when you're reading it. Yeah, there's some shades of Stephen King's It permeating through the story, but show me a chilling, coming-of-age tale that you can't compare to It? There's definitely a nod to King, but Dwelling is definitely it's own monster. I'm looking forward to jumping into Book 2 - Emerging - and continuing the saga of The Suicide Squad. Won't you join me?
4 1/2 Rocket Launchers out of 5
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
First and foremost, Dwelling is Book One of a trilogy and it reads as such. If you're trying to decide whether or not to give Dwelling a try based off of reviews like this one, keep that little nugget in mind. I've read a handful of reviews from people bitching that the writing was good but nothing was solved or wrapped up by the end of the book, therefore they hate the story. People, people. Do a little research. Yes, Dwelling is open ended. Yes, you'll have to continue to read the rest of the series to find out what happens. That's why they call it a trilogy. Why am I ranting here? Because, I think that Flower's has received some very unfair (and very silly) criticism for the way he wrote Dwelling. Look. It's a very good book. The writing and pacing is amazingly mature for a newer author. The characters are well fleshed out and their problems that center around PTSD and loss from the war makes for a compelling read. The fact that Flowers is a vet himself comes through nicely in his writing. It adds that dose of realism that many authors lack when they write about a place that they've never been to. Dwelling is shadowy and haunting that feels all to real when you're reading it. Yeah, there's some shades of Stephen King's It permeating through the story, but show me a chilling, coming-of-age tale that you can't compare to It? There's definitely a nod to King, but Dwelling is definitely it's own monster. I'm looking forward to jumping into Book 2 - Emerging - and continuing the saga of The Suicide Squad. Won't you join me?
4 1/2 Rocket Launchers out of 5
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
October 20, 2017
Dwelling: Subdue, Book 1
Written by: Thomas S. Flowers
Narrated by: Rick Gregory
This is a book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I had bought the whole series and then I saw the offer for audio reviewers and I jumped on it and was very happy when I was picked. This is a very good book in character study. Each of these people are so well developed. The story is about a bunch of kids that grew up together and the guys went to war together. They all, but one, come back. But they don't come back the same. They see things... The widow of the one lost buys a house they all had seen as a kid. A spooky house that she seems to be drawn to but couldn't seem to remember much about as a kid except one picture of them all together outside of it. The book ends as a cliffhanger...ugh...I hate that but love this book. I normally knock a book down a star for that but this book has so much going for it that even having a cliffhanger, it still deserves the full 5 stars. The plot, characters, creep factor, the suspense, etc. This is one great book and I can't wait to see what happens.
The narrator really adds to suspense, the characters, the creepiness, and the overall feel of the book. He is the perfect narrator for this book. It would not be the same if I had just read this book. Awesome! Great job!
Written by: Thomas S. Flowers
Narrated by: Rick Gregory
This is a book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I had bought the whole series and then I saw the offer for audio reviewers and I jumped on it and was very happy when I was picked. This is a very good book in character study. Each of these people are so well developed. The story is about a bunch of kids that grew up together and the guys went to war together. They all, but one, come back. But they don't come back the same. They see things... The widow of the one lost buys a house they all had seen as a kid. A spooky house that she seems to be drawn to but couldn't seem to remember much about as a kid except one picture of them all together outside of it. The book ends as a cliffhanger...ugh...I hate that but love this book. I normally knock a book down a star for that but this book has so much going for it that even having a cliffhanger, it still deserves the full 5 stars. The plot, characters, creep factor, the suspense, etc. This is one great book and I can't wait to see what happens.
The narrator really adds to suspense, the characters, the creepiness, and the overall feel of the book. He is the perfect narrator for this book. It would not be the same if I had just read this book. Awesome! Great job!
December 7, 2015
Dwelling is the story of five childhood friends. Time and life events have separated them, but an ominous house from their past is about to bring them back together again… one way or another.
Thomas S. Flowers has pulled together an intriguing cast of characters. I think that we all know people like the characters in Dwelling – old friends who have gone off in different directions, but the stupid things that we did as children have created a permanent bond, one where we would always be there for them. This made the damaged characters relatable; it allowed me to quickly adopt these people as new old friends.
These five old friends of mine have all been damaged, either emotionally, physically or both. These are the types of characters that I like best, they not only have to overcome the villain, but also their own personal ghosts and demons.
The true “star” of Dwelling is the old house on Oak Lee Road. Through flashbacks, Thomas S. Flowers has created a mystery that has gripped my attention. He has allowed the mystery to brew slowly through the story, revealing the evil of the house bit by tiny, ominous bit.
Dwelling has done exactly what a book one in any series needs to do. It pulled me in with a perfect ensemble of characters, revealed an evil that threatens these people that I now care about and has left me wanting to know what happens next.
*4.5 Stars
Thomas S. Flowers has pulled together an intriguing cast of characters. I think that we all know people like the characters in Dwelling – old friends who have gone off in different directions, but the stupid things that we did as children have created a permanent bond, one where we would always be there for them. This made the damaged characters relatable; it allowed me to quickly adopt these people as new old friends.
These five old friends of mine have all been damaged, either emotionally, physically or both. These are the types of characters that I like best, they not only have to overcome the villain, but also their own personal ghosts and demons.
The true “star” of Dwelling is the old house on Oak Lee Road. Through flashbacks, Thomas S. Flowers has created a mystery that has gripped my attention. He has allowed the mystery to brew slowly through the story, revealing the evil of the house bit by tiny, ominous bit.
Dwelling has done exactly what a book one in any series needs to do. It pulled me in with a perfect ensemble of characters, revealed an evil that threatens these people that I now care about and has left me wanting to know what happens next.
*4.5 Stars
December 11, 2015
"This story is a masterclass on character writing. From the very outset you can relate to every single person in this story. Every single one of them is genuine in their makeup and their actions making them some of the most believable characters I have ever read about. Thomas S Flowers has got this part of his writing exactly right. In this Book One of the series, you spend time meeting the characters and getting inside their heads, quite literally. Some of the scenes where the individual characters are searching deep within their minds and souls for answers, are mesmerising. Absolutely stunningly jaw dropping."
See here for the full review:
Dwelling (Subdue Book 1)
See here for the full review:
Dwelling (Subdue Book 1)
December 14, 2016
Review: DWELLING by Thomas S. Flowers
(Subdue #1)
DWELLING is the first war-related novel I have read since Philip Caputo's A RUMOR OF WAR, decades ago. Now DWELLING is not solely a war story; it's also coming-of-age, slice-of-life...and chilling, terrifying, horror. Jonathan, Ricky, Jake, Bobby, and Maggie, have been a tight group since childhood, naming themselves "Suicide Squad" after the 80's comic book. As young adults, Jake, Bobby, then Johnathan and Ricky together, enlist. Ricky and Maggie had married, and Johnathan had married the pregnant Karen, Maggie's younger sister.
As the novel unfolds, deeply examined characterizations frame a story that is heartwrenching, uplifting, and ultimately, seriously frightening. For war is not the only threat to the remaining group, and the threat at home may be far more terrifying.
(Subdue #1)
DWELLING is the first war-related novel I have read since Philip Caputo's A RUMOR OF WAR, decades ago. Now DWELLING is not solely a war story; it's also coming-of-age, slice-of-life...and chilling, terrifying, horror. Jonathan, Ricky, Jake, Bobby, and Maggie, have been a tight group since childhood, naming themselves "Suicide Squad" after the 80's comic book. As young adults, Jake, Bobby, then Johnathan and Ricky together, enlist. Ricky and Maggie had married, and Johnathan had married the pregnant Karen, Maggie's younger sister.
As the novel unfolds, deeply examined characterizations frame a story that is heartwrenching, uplifting, and ultimately, seriously frightening. For war is not the only threat to the remaining group, and the threat at home may be far more terrifying.
January 11, 2016
A page-turning, emotional book with shades of Stephen King's IT and the best parts of Peter Straub's KOKO. Thomas Flowers has written an extremely personal book of friendship, loss, and trauma that deserves praise not just for its sharp characterization but also its brutal honesty. I would have given it five stars if not for some editing errors (not the author's fault), but I am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series, and hope one day they'll be collected together in one massive volume!
October 27, 2017
As a general rule, I tend to stay away from trilogies from authors that I am not familiar with. They are a dime a dozen on Amazon and the few that I have tried have been supremely disappointing. When I had the opportunity to listen to this one though, I glanced at some of the reviews and saw that some of the people I trust here on GR had spoken highly of it. What the hell. I gave it a go and am very glad that I did.
There is a lot going on with this one. It all started when they were kids. The Suicide Squad. Now all grown up and all touched by tragedy in some way. Some more than others. Mild spoiler ahead:
Something strange is brewing that seems to be emanating from an old house on Oak Lee Road and may have connected to them out of the circumstances that went down in the war in Iraq. Each must battle their own internal demons and it’s looking like they may have to battle a real one as well. This time, together. It’s all connected somehow. Just when it was coming together…it was over.
Yes, I know it is a trilogy. Yes, I know it wasn’t going to be wrapped in a nice neat little bow. I know these things. I still would have liked a wee more of an ending to this tale to gear up for the next one versus ending as abruptly as it did. Evidently it still worked though, because now I need to get to the next one in the trilogy. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at that sometimes.
*I was provided a complimentary copy of this audio title from the narrator and have voluntarily left this honest review.
There is a lot going on with this one. It all started when they were kids. The Suicide Squad. Now all grown up and all touched by tragedy in some way. Some more than others. Mild spoiler ahead:
Something strange is brewing that seems to be emanating from an old house on Oak Lee Road and may have connected to them out of the circumstances that went down in the war in Iraq. Each must battle their own internal demons and it’s looking like they may have to battle a real one as well. This time, together. It’s all connected somehow. Just when it was coming together…it was over.
Yes, I know it is a trilogy. Yes, I know it wasn’t going to be wrapped in a nice neat little bow. I know these things. I still would have liked a wee more of an ending to this tale to gear up for the next one versus ending as abruptly as it did. Evidently it still worked though, because now I need to get to the next one in the trilogy. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at that sometimes.
*I was provided a complimentary copy of this audio title from the narrator and have voluntarily left this honest review.
September 30, 2016
It's a tease!
Absolutely nothing is answered or settled by the end of this tale. Instead, it is more of a "chapter" than what I consider a "novel." I hung in there, only because once I start something, I finish it. But I also kept believing that eventually some questions would be answered, but never were. None!
I fully understand what a "trilogy" is, one story leading into another. But each volume should have a beginning, a middle and an END. This tale is only the beginning and middle, with no end in sight. And the story as told so far was not compelling enough. I could care less about being led by the nose through a second, third, fourth, or however many future volumes there may be. I won't be reading any of them.
Absolutely nothing is answered or settled by the end of this tale. Instead, it is more of a "chapter" than what I consider a "novel." I hung in there, only because once I start something, I finish it. But I also kept believing that eventually some questions would be answered, but never were. None!
I fully understand what a "trilogy" is, one story leading into another. But each volume should have a beginning, a middle and an END. This tale is only the beginning and middle, with no end in sight. And the story as told so far was not compelling enough. I could care less about being led by the nose through a second, third, fourth, or however many future volumes there may be. I won't be reading any of them.
October 24, 2017
I received this book from the narrator of my own free will for an unbiased review.
And I liked it so much, it was so intriguing, beginning with the tale of this kids that when grown up went to war together and experience something pretty weird and even sinister together that ends in tragedy and from there a lot of interesting and creppy things began to take place and at the end I want, more than need to know what will happen next, because it's so intriguing since this house seem to be more alive than is said or more dead maybe? You should check this book out.
the narrator voice was so clear and the acting so accurate, I really immerse myself in the acting he delivered, it was like if I knew the people he was portraying it was amazing. this narrator has the kind of voice that will let you feel the story from beginning to end.
And I liked it so much, it was so intriguing, beginning with the tale of this kids that when grown up went to war together and experience something pretty weird and even sinister together that ends in tragedy and from there a lot of interesting and creppy things began to take place and at the end I want, more than need to know what will happen next, because it's so intriguing since this house seem to be more alive than is said or more dead maybe? You should check this book out.
the narrator voice was so clear and the acting so accurate, I really immerse myself in the acting he delivered, it was like if I knew the people he was portraying it was amazing. this narrator has the kind of voice that will let you feel the story from beginning to end.
July 27, 2018
Compelling, interesting, and highly recommended
Engrossing from the first page, the author writes about the war and veterans in a way that is achingly real. It's immediately obvious the author is intimately familiar with the subject matter. The creep factor is introduced incrementally, in dribs and drabs, perfectly suited for the story. There were a few editing issues, but not enough to detract substantially from the tale. Definitely worth the read.
Engrossing from the first page, the author writes about the war and veterans in a way that is achingly real. It's immediately obvious the author is intimately familiar with the subject matter. The creep factor is introduced incrementally, in dribs and drabs, perfectly suited for the story. There were a few editing issues, but not enough to detract substantially from the tale. Definitely worth the read.
December 6, 2017
This is the story about how each individual of a group of friends deals with PSTD after fighting in Irak. There are also two girls, married to two of the guys, and we see how all this affects them too. Maggie, Ricky’s widow, purchases an old house that holds old memories, but the house is not what she remembers.
The premises of this book were great, and it is a nice story, but the problem here is that the build up takes forever. There are some cool scenes from the war, but nothing interesting happens almost until the end. I understand that this is just the beginning of a series, but I think you need to give something more to the reader even if it is just the first book.
The characters were interesting and their interactions gave them depth. Their conversations were fluid, and it was easy to relate to them.
Each chapter is narrated from a different POV, which made the story richer, but the lack of events made difficult to keep the attention and interest.
I enjoyed Rick Gregory’s narration, but I would have appreciated more differentiation between characters. As we have changing POV, the story becomes a bit confusing since the male characters sound just the same. I think this is not an easy book to narrate, though, due to how it is written. I would also would have appreciated a bit more emotion in some occasions, the narration sounded a bit monotone.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
This is the story about how each individual of a group of friends deals with PSTD after fighting in Irak. There are also two girls, married to two of the guys, and we see how all this affects them too. Maggie, Ricky’s widow, purchases an old house that holds old memories, but the house is not what she remembers.
The premises of this book were great, and it is a nice story, but the problem here is that the build up takes forever. There are some cool scenes from the war, but nothing interesting happens almost until the end. I understand that this is just the beginning of a series, but I think you need to give something more to the reader even if it is just the first book.
The characters were interesting and their interactions gave them depth. Their conversations were fluid, and it was easy to relate to them.
Each chapter is narrated from a different POV, which made the story richer, but the lack of events made difficult to keep the attention and interest.
I enjoyed Rick Gregory’s narration, but I would have appreciated more differentiation between characters. As we have changing POV, the story becomes a bit confusing since the male characters sound just the same. I think this is not an easy book to narrate, though, due to how it is written. I would also would have appreciated a bit more emotion in some occasions, the narration sounded a bit monotone.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
The premises of this book were great, and it is a nice story, but the problem here is that the build up takes forever. There are some cool scenes from the war, but nothing interesting happens almost until the end. I understand that this is just the beginning of a series, but I think you need to give something more to the reader even if it is just the first book.
The characters were interesting and their interactions gave them depth. Their conversations were fluid, and it was easy to relate to them.
Each chapter is narrated from a different POV, which made the story richer, but the lack of events made difficult to keep the attention and interest.
I enjoyed Rick Gregory’s narration, but I would have appreciated more differentiation between characters. As we have changing POV, the story becomes a bit confusing since the male characters sound just the same. I think this is not an easy book to narrate, though, due to how it is written. I would also would have appreciated a bit more emotion in some occasions, the narration sounded a bit monotone.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
This is the story about how each individual of a group of friends deals with PSTD after fighting in Irak. There are also two girls, married to two of the guys, and we see how all this affects them too. Maggie, Ricky’s widow, purchases an old house that holds old memories, but the house is not what she remembers.
The premises of this book were great, and it is a nice story, but the problem here is that the build up takes forever. There are some cool scenes from the war, but nothing interesting happens almost until the end. I understand that this is just the beginning of a series, but I think you need to give something more to the reader even if it is just the first book.
The characters were interesting and their interactions gave them depth. Their conversations were fluid, and it was easy to relate to them.
Each chapter is narrated from a different POV, which made the story richer, but the lack of events made difficult to keep the attention and interest.
I enjoyed Rick Gregory’s narration, but I would have appreciated more differentiation between characters. As we have changing POV, the story becomes a bit confusing since the male characters sound just the same. I think this is not an easy book to narrate, though, due to how it is written. I would also would have appreciated a bit more emotion in some occasions, the narration sounded a bit monotone.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2016
First up, an important note: Dwelling is the first entry (of three?) of the larger novel Subdue. Enjoyment of this title is dependent on the understanding that this isn't a complete piece on its own. It is the deeply emotional roots providing the support to a larger work.
Dwelling (Subdue book 1) is a moving, unnerving read. Character driven and emotionally charged, the narrative is built upon a backbone of honest experiences. This is written by someone who has lived these moments and seen these sights, bringing an authentic look at soldiers trying to acclimate back into their home lives, still haunted by the horrors of war. It brings a solid feel of realism, so that when the paranormal element begging to infiltrate they have a weight to them.
I found myself invested with these characters immediately, the group of childhood friends all grown up and affected by by war in their own ways. The widow, the survivor wounded physically, the survivor wounded emotionally, the soldier with a secret darker than the rest, and mysterious house isolated amongst the wheat.
The characters l'm the most into, the two I need to know more about and the two I feel are the wild cards here are Jake, the priest who's lost his faith, and Bobby, the alcoholic.... well, you'll see. Everyone seems to have a part to play and I can hardly wait to see paths start to cross.
There a re a lot of interesting narrative threads left open and I am excited to continue the story in Emerging (Subdue book 2, available now with an unknown release date for book 3) to see where we are being led. The set up should be taken care of and from here on out we should be at the meat of the story. There are things I want to know, things I need to know. Show me the horror.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
The Eyes of Madness
Www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
Dwelling (Subdue book 1) is a moving, unnerving read. Character driven and emotionally charged, the narrative is built upon a backbone of honest experiences. This is written by someone who has lived these moments and seen these sights, bringing an authentic look at soldiers trying to acclimate back into their home lives, still haunted by the horrors of war. It brings a solid feel of realism, so that when the paranormal element begging to infiltrate they have a weight to them.
I found myself invested with these characters immediately, the group of childhood friends all grown up and affected by by war in their own ways. The widow, the survivor wounded physically, the survivor wounded emotionally, the soldier with a secret darker than the rest, and mysterious house isolated amongst the wheat.
The characters l'm the most into, the two I need to know more about and the two I feel are the wild cards here are Jake, the priest who's lost his faith, and Bobby, the alcoholic.... well, you'll see. Everyone seems to have a part to play and I can hardly wait to see paths start to cross.
There a re a lot of interesting narrative threads left open and I am excited to continue the story in Emerging (Subdue book 2, available now with an unknown release date for book 3) to see where we are being led. The set up should be taken care of and from here on out we should be at the meat of the story. There are things I want to know, things I need to know. Show me the horror.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
The Eyes of Madness
Www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
December 8, 2015
Dwelling is a pretty intense and very detailed read. It tells the story of a group of close childhood friends that have grown up served in the military together and how they are coping (or lack there of) with the loss of their fellow brother during the war. Naturally, experiencing something like that would literally haunt you.
I love how this book shows some of the effects that war holds over our soldiers heads. The heartache, guilt and flashbacks…it’s heartbreaking especially if, like me, you have family that serves in the war. But it shines a light that subject unlike so many which are scared to do so.
Speaking of scared…you did catch my ‘Literally haunt you’ bit up there, right? Because holy crap this book had some creepy ass scenes! I was amazed by the twisted mind of the author. It’s rare you get a good psychological horror…a horror that doesn’t rely on gore and ‘oh my..a murder is coming…let me run my big boobies upstairs now’ to try and scare you. He is a natural. Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite horror authors, and with ease Thomas fits right in there with the style and tone of his book!!
Thomas takes his time telling this tale through the POV of each character, building them up and making you care for each of them deeply. The worst part is the cliffhanger ending…you want to know more…need to know more. You’re all ‘WTF is the deal with this creepy ass house?!’ Click to the next page and Psych! It’s a cliffhanger.
Balls.
Overall I would recommend this story to any horror lover! It’s a hell of a ride and a book you MUST take your time reading so you don’t miss a thing!
I love how this book shows some of the effects that war holds over our soldiers heads. The heartache, guilt and flashbacks…it’s heartbreaking especially if, like me, you have family that serves in the war. But it shines a light that subject unlike so many which are scared to do so.
Speaking of scared…you did catch my ‘Literally haunt you’ bit up there, right? Because holy crap this book had some creepy ass scenes! I was amazed by the twisted mind of the author. It’s rare you get a good psychological horror…a horror that doesn’t rely on gore and ‘oh my..a murder is coming…let me run my big boobies upstairs now’ to try and scare you. He is a natural. Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite horror authors, and with ease Thomas fits right in there with the style and tone of his book!!
Thomas takes his time telling this tale through the POV of each character, building them up and making you care for each of them deeply. The worst part is the cliffhanger ending…you want to know more…need to know more. You’re all ‘WTF is the deal with this creepy ass house?!’ Click to the next page and Psych! It’s a cliffhanger.
Balls.
Overall I would recommend this story to any horror lover! It’s a hell of a ride and a book you MUST take your time reading so you don’t miss a thing!
January 18, 2016
The book starts out from the viewpoint of one friend, Jonathan, while fighting over in Afghanistan. He's with childhood friend Ricky. Jonathan sees something in the sand. Something that can't be real. Something that can't be of this world. Or does he? A fire-fight breaks out. All hell breaks loose, not everyone makes it.
As the book moves along, we meet up with each of the "Suicide Squad". There is Ricky, Jonathan, Maggie, Bobby, and Jake. Each with their own story to tell, each with their own demon to face.
Each chapter kept me on the edge of my seat. Each demon I faced with the Suicide Squad scared me to bits. We face ghosts from our pasts, sand monsters that make strange clicking noises, a haunted house from a childhood vacation, and a werewolf.
The story moves along at a great pace. Full of spooky things around every corner. The haunted house has quite the history. We learn about it more and more as the story goes. It's walls have secrets, scary secrets. Whatever you do, don't go in the cellar! LOL! The hell the people go through that live there, will leave you on the edge of your seat!
The book ends with a new tenant in the house. The horrors that they are going through, and will go through will leave you breathless and begging for more. This house scares me. Yet, I can't wait to start reading book 2 to find out what happens next to the Suicide Squad.
As the book moves along, we meet up with each of the "Suicide Squad". There is Ricky, Jonathan, Maggie, Bobby, and Jake. Each with their own story to tell, each with their own demon to face.
Each chapter kept me on the edge of my seat. Each demon I faced with the Suicide Squad scared me to bits. We face ghosts from our pasts, sand monsters that make strange clicking noises, a haunted house from a childhood vacation, and a werewolf.
The story moves along at a great pace. Full of spooky things around every corner. The haunted house has quite the history. We learn about it more and more as the story goes. It's walls have secrets, scary secrets. Whatever you do, don't go in the cellar! LOL! The hell the people go through that live there, will leave you on the edge of your seat!
The book ends with a new tenant in the house. The horrors that they are going through, and will go through will leave you breathless and begging for more. This house scares me. Yet, I can't wait to start reading book 2 to find out what happens next to the Suicide Squad.
August 19, 2016
It's 1995 Houston and a group of young friends, Johnathan, his best friend Ricky, Bobby, Jake and the lone girl Maggie have formed a gang called The Suicide Squad. They have lots of laughs and not a care in the world. Fast forward to 9/11, the war in Iraq and their lives change both physically and mentality.
Johnathan thinks he sees a horrific creature just before they are attacked. He loses his best friend Ricky, his leg and once home, he thinks he's losing his mind. His nights are spent enduring terror filled nightmares which leads to heavy drinking and now he's seeing Ricky walking and talking.
Jake, now a minister at St. Hubert's Church, witnessed the death of the young soldier Renfield and is losing his faith, leading to nights of drinking and cheap sex. He is now seeing Renfield also walking and talking.
Bobby is a werewolf and Maggie, feeling abandoned by all her friends and family, unknowingly buys a house of death in Jotham, Texas
The house for some reason wants all of them reunited and will make sure that happens. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what happens.
This is a character driven, fast paced ghost story and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the horror/military genre.
Johnathan thinks he sees a horrific creature just before they are attacked. He loses his best friend Ricky, his leg and once home, he thinks he's losing his mind. His nights are spent enduring terror filled nightmares which leads to heavy drinking and now he's seeing Ricky walking and talking.
Jake, now a minister at St. Hubert's Church, witnessed the death of the young soldier Renfield and is losing his faith, leading to nights of drinking and cheap sex. He is now seeing Renfield also walking and talking.
Bobby is a werewolf and Maggie, feeling abandoned by all her friends and family, unknowingly buys a house of death in Jotham, Texas
The house for some reason wants all of them reunited and will make sure that happens. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what happens.
This is a character driven, fast paced ghost story and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the horror/military genre.
March 8, 2017
Dwelling is an enjoyable read. I purchased the sequel and am looking forward to reading it. The Dwelling centers around a group of childhood friends who are connected by more than just fond memories. Ricky and Jonathan served together in military deployed to the mid east. Maggie, Ricky's wife, and her sister, Karen, who married Jonathan, waited for them to return safely. Bobby returned from his military service damaged beyond repair. Jake also served in the military as a chaplain. Back in civilian life, he has lost his faith from what he experienced there.
In an attack on their armored vehicle, Ricky dies and Jonathan sees something that haunts him. Then Ricky begins to haunt Jonathan. Bobby is haunted by a solider who he failed to save. Bobby is haunted by the moon. All the hauntings are connected. The hauntings are herding the friends to a hell that makes their war experiences pale in comparison. If they do not reconnect and work together, the evil will pick them off one by one. An enjoyable horror with a fresh plot.
In an attack on their armored vehicle, Ricky dies and Jonathan sees something that haunts him. Then Ricky begins to haunt Jonathan. Bobby is haunted by a solider who he failed to save. Bobby is haunted by the moon. All the hauntings are connected. The hauntings are herding the friends to a hell that makes their war experiences pale in comparison. If they do not reconnect and work together, the evil will pick them off one by one. An enjoyable horror with a fresh plot.
December 11, 2015
Book: Dwelling (Subdue Book 1)
Author: Thomas S. Flowers
Publication Date: 12/8/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
New to me author.
I was not sure what I was going to think of a book of this type but I must say it was very well written, and kept me intrigued. We have men in the military that are out on mission and they begin to hear things, see things, and then boom. These men are childhood friends and go through some type of change and all are dealing with loss, grief and flashbacks. This is a very dark book. The author has created characters that are so true to life.
One house is going to bring these men head on with their pasts and pain.
I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest review.
Dwelling
Author: Thomas S. Flowers
Publication Date: 12/8/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
New to me author.
I was not sure what I was going to think of a book of this type but I must say it was very well written, and kept me intrigued. We have men in the military that are out on mission and they begin to hear things, see things, and then boom. These men are childhood friends and go through some type of change and all are dealing with loss, grief and flashbacks. This is a very dark book. The author has created characters that are so true to life.
One house is going to bring these men head on with their pasts and pain.
I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest review.
Dwelling
December 10, 2015
DWELLING is the first novel in Flowers' SUBDUE trilogy - and if I say too much, you might have to kill me. I'd hate to spoil something, so the best I can explain is that it's like the first novel in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. We are introduced to a group of well-developed characters and their shared backstory, much of it involving the effects of war on people now returned home. As the book goes on we see them experience strange things that would all seem to be building to something super-creepy. There's loads of super-creepy things happening and startling moments. I'm a big fan of Stephen King, and it reminded me a bit of IT - a group of childhood friends back together as adults to deal with possibly otherworldly beings. Like IT, DWELLING is a scary book, for real. I look forward to reading the rest of the series to see the conclusion!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
January 27, 2016
Dwelling (Subdue Book 1)
It seems as though we all grow up , if from small towns, with being warned ,if not by parents , some adult to "Stay Away From There" There , being some old or dangerous place. We did not ! I'm sure many of you did not either. I believe it's somehow a rite of passage. This story is about such a place. As children the characters ( four boys and a girl) venture into this forbidden place and somehow it is erased from their memories as they grow to adulthood. The young men go off to war and lead their lives apart excep for one , Rickey marries the young girl Maggie and then goes to war , where he dies in battle. The others all return to hopefully continue on with the ire lives. But something from their past is drawing them together , haunting them. An evil that only some of can feel. This start of the series Subdue is a thrilling, scary, Mystery that you don't want to miss. I RECOMMEND!
It seems as though we all grow up , if from small towns, with being warned ,if not by parents , some adult to "Stay Away From There" There , being some old or dangerous place. We did not ! I'm sure many of you did not either. I believe it's somehow a rite of passage. This story is about such a place. As children the characters ( four boys and a girl) venture into this forbidden place and somehow it is erased from their memories as they grow to adulthood. The young men go off to war and lead their lives apart excep for one , Rickey marries the young girl Maggie and then goes to war , where he dies in battle. The others all return to hopefully continue on with the ire lives. But something from their past is drawing them together , haunting them. An evil that only some of can feel. This start of the series Subdue is a thrilling, scary, Mystery that you don't want to miss. I RECOMMEND!
August 20, 2016
This book earned four stars for its deep dark glance into the mind of post-traumatic stress, depression, grief for lost loved ones and the dirty reality of war. There's also the creepy haunted house story element, gruesome ghost story elements, and coming-of-age elements with a group of friends and shattered friendships.
The only reason I didn't 5☆ this book is that it does have parts which (not dragged on) but "stayed in place for a little too long" but what made made up for that was the self-torturing psychological strain that you felt with each character that was introduced into the story. I have high hopes for the next book to see how this all plays out.
Well done, sir. I hope to see you go far. I expect many more to come!
The only reason I didn't 5☆ this book is that it does have parts which (not dragged on) but "stayed in place for a little too long" but what made made up for that was the self-torturing psychological strain that you felt with each character that was introduced into the story. I have high hopes for the next book to see how this all plays out.
Well done, sir. I hope to see you go far. I expect many more to come!
December 28, 2015
I received a copy of the ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The author instantly captured my attention from the first page which is strong and atmospheric. Dwelling tells the story of a group five childhood friends, now adults and how they have been affected by war. The story deeply explores both the psychological and physical aspects of PTSD.
I can only describe this book as dark, twisted and intriguing. I love how the author has mixed horror with true events, it is written in such a way that you almost feel like you are actually seeing/feeling/smelling
I look forward to reading book two.
The author instantly captured my attention from the first page which is strong and atmospheric. Dwelling tells the story of a group five childhood friends, now adults and how they have been affected by war. The story deeply explores both the psychological and physical aspects of PTSD.
I can only describe this book as dark, twisted and intriguing. I love how the author has mixed horror with true events, it is written in such a way that you almost feel like you are actually seeing/feeling/smelling
I look forward to reading book two.
August 18, 2016
Slow read
I found it to be a slow read. Goes off on different tangents that don't ever tie in but vaguely. Cliffhanger ending. Probably the story develops more in sequels. I will never know. I disliked this book to much to read more of the same. My thanks to the author for his efforts.
I found it to be a slow read. Goes off on different tangents that don't ever tie in but vaguely. Cliffhanger ending. Probably the story develops more in sequels. I will never know. I disliked this book to much to read more of the same. My thanks to the author for his efforts.
October 27, 2017
I loved this book. As a veteran of the Army, I could certainly connect with the characters and understand what they're going through. PTSD is scary stuff for sure, but combine that with the imagination of Thomas Flowers and you get one creepy story! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Excellent narration by Rick Gregory!
February 13, 2016
A massive collection of disparate and non connected story strands. A waste of time it goes no where. It holds promise and is well written but basically goes no where and doesnt develop. More like a collection of bad short stories.
Give it a miss.
Give it a miss.
February 9, 2016
Review to come.
December 12, 2017
( Format : Audiobook )
Unseen unless seen and then it becomes apparent."
Not so much the first of a series but the beginnings of a serial. Had the ending not occured so abruptly without any resolution, and without forwarding, this reader would have ascribed a five star rating - so be warned.
Five childhood friends, Bobby, Jake, Jonathan, Ricky and Maggie are a very close group with the usual naughtiness and secrets of youth. And they call themselves The Suicide Squad after favourite comic book heroes. When war in Iraq comes, the four males join up. Maggie, by then married to Ricky, stays behind. What follows is both perfectly realistic - and very bizarre.
The earliest scenes in this book, with Jonathan and Ricky serving together, is probably one of the most fraught and mundane images of inside the mind of a soldier that this this reader has encountered. It felt so real. And very atmospheric. Indeed, that runs through the entire story, the 'after they come home' normalcy mixed with the horrors each of the gang, including Maggie, confronts. The pace is slow moving but the tension is always there, gripping and growing, puzzling and demanding to know what is going on? What happens next?
A fascinating story well performed by the narrator, Rick Gregory. I confess that, at the beginning, his reading seemed rather downbeat even though the character dialogue was excellent. But very soon it became apparent that his interpretation of the text was just right, mirroring the blankness of the protagonist's surroundings. An excellent performance meeting text and narration into one whole experience.
This is an horror story made all the more so by the ordinariness of the people and the plight of battle 'heroes' after they return. But nothing is normal for the gang. I was really fortunate in receiving a complimentary copy of Dwelling from the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. And I will certainly be looking out for the next book: I just have to know what happens
Unseen unless seen and then it becomes apparent."
Not so much the first of a series but the beginnings of a serial. Had the ending not occured so abruptly without any resolution, and without forwarding, this reader would have ascribed a five star rating - so be warned.
Five childhood friends, Bobby, Jake, Jonathan, Ricky and Maggie are a very close group with the usual naughtiness and secrets of youth. And they call themselves The Suicide Squad after favourite comic book heroes. When war in Iraq comes, the four males join up. Maggie, by then married to Ricky, stays behind. What follows is both perfectly realistic - and very bizarre.
The earliest scenes in this book, with Jonathan and Ricky serving together, is probably one of the most fraught and mundane images of inside the mind of a soldier that this this reader has encountered. It felt so real. And very atmospheric. Indeed, that runs through the entire story, the 'after they come home' normalcy mixed with the horrors each of the gang, including Maggie, confronts. The pace is slow moving but the tension is always there, gripping and growing, puzzling and demanding to know what is going on? What happens next?
A fascinating story well performed by the narrator, Rick Gregory. I confess that, at the beginning, his reading seemed rather downbeat even though the character dialogue was excellent. But very soon it became apparent that his interpretation of the text was just right, mirroring the blankness of the protagonist's surroundings. An excellent performance meeting text and narration into one whole experience.
This is an horror story made all the more so by the ordinariness of the people and the plight of battle 'heroes' after they return. But nothing is normal for the gang. I was really fortunate in receiving a complimentary copy of Dwelling from the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. And I will certainly be looking out for the next book: I just have to know what happens
November 15, 2017
"Very Creepy!"
This is a difficult book for me to rate and review.
Dwelling has the potential to be a very compelling novel, however the writing style wasn't really to my taste and the narration didn't help.
For me, the flow of the story was a little too disjointed which made it a little hard to follow whose point of view it was currently on. The story switches POV mainly between the 4 remaining friends; Maggie, Jonathan, Jake and Bobby, with a couple flashback characters thrown in.
There is a high creep factor that makes you sit on the edge of your seat waiting to see what the evil entity is going to do next. That part of the story was excellent!
This is the first book in a trilogy so it ends on a pretty big cliffhanger.
The narrator Rick Gregory was rather poor. A lot of mispronounced words, slightly monotone and a lot of pauses for no reason.
In my opinion, Dwelling would have been much easier to follow with a narrator that could give each character a different voice since there were so many different points of view.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This is a difficult book for me to rate and review.
Dwelling has the potential to be a very compelling novel, however the writing style wasn't really to my taste and the narration didn't help.
For me, the flow of the story was a little too disjointed which made it a little hard to follow whose point of view it was currently on. The story switches POV mainly between the 4 remaining friends; Maggie, Jonathan, Jake and Bobby, with a couple flashback characters thrown in.
There is a high creep factor that makes you sit on the edge of your seat waiting to see what the evil entity is going to do next. That part of the story was excellent!
This is the first book in a trilogy so it ends on a pretty big cliffhanger.
The narrator Rick Gregory was rather poor. A lot of mispronounced words, slightly monotone and a lot of pauses for no reason.
In my opinion, Dwelling would have been much easier to follow with a narrator that could give each character a different voice since there were so many different points of view.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 2, 2017
The basic idea of the story is about a group of friends that grow up together. All the guys go off to war and, of those that come back, they come back changed. Maggie, another of the group, is married to one of the friends, but he dies in the war. She is now a widow and is drawn to a weird old house she barely remembers seeing as a child. She wants all her childhood friends to reunite and so sends out an invitation. Thee house isn't as it seems though!!
This was a hard book to rate simply because, while I really enjoyed it, I just found it a little disjointed and a lot slow!! Parts of the book were gripping, when suddenly the story seemed to change character with no warning. I felt like as soon as I was starting to get to know a character, it would shift to another one, and another and then come back to the first. It was all over the place.
There is a lot if characters in this, and we get to know their backstory a bit, which I liked a lot. For me anyway, it's the characters that made the book readable. They all go to war and all come back irrevocably changed. They were all well written, but I did want a little more development with them.
This is the first in the series and as such, does have a lot of world building to do, so I can understand why the action took a while to take off. I do think I'll read the next just to see what happens!! In all, it's a good enough read!
Rick Gregory did a good job with this. He is clear and easy to follow, and his cadences and inflections were fine. I do think he needs to work on his character voices and distinguishing them a little more. Sometimes his tone stayed the same no matter which character was talking.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
This was a hard book to rate simply because, while I really enjoyed it, I just found it a little disjointed and a lot slow!! Parts of the book were gripping, when suddenly the story seemed to change character with no warning. I felt like as soon as I was starting to get to know a character, it would shift to another one, and another and then come back to the first. It was all over the place.
There is a lot if characters in this, and we get to know their backstory a bit, which I liked a lot. For me anyway, it's the characters that made the book readable. They all go to war and all come back irrevocably changed. They were all well written, but I did want a little more development with them.
This is the first in the series and as such, does have a lot of world building to do, so I can understand why the action took a while to take off. I do think I'll read the next just to see what happens!! In all, it's a good enough read!
Rick Gregory did a good job with this. He is clear and easy to follow, and his cadences and inflections were fine. I do think he needs to work on his character voices and distinguishing them a little more. Sometimes his tone stayed the same no matter which character was talking.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
August 10, 2018
I'm interested
Ok. So oddly I feel like this wasnt a whole book...like maybe parts one and two should have been combined into one. But since I haven't read part two I'm not certain that's the case. What I can say for certain is that I am compelled to continue on with this story...I want very much to see what happens next.
Ok. So oddly I feel like this wasnt a whole book...like maybe parts one and two should have been combined into one. But since I haven't read part two I'm not certain that's the case. What I can say for certain is that I am compelled to continue on with this story...I want very much to see what happens next.
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