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Disciple
On a storm-battered road at the edge of the Devil's Kitchen, a woman survives a fatal accident and gives birth to a girl who should never have lived. The child's protection lies in the hands of Edward Schwinn - a loner who must draw himself out of darkness to keep her safe - and her arrival will trigger a chain of terrifying events that no one can explain. She is a child like no other, being hunted by an evil beyond measure. For if the potential within her is realised, nothing will be the same. Not for Edward. Not for any who live to see it.
544 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2016
About the author
Stephen Lloyd Jones
4 books135 followersStephen Lloyd Jones grew up in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, and studied at Royal Holloway College, University of London. He now lives in Surrey with his wife, three young sons and far too many books. He's the author of The String Diaries, Written in the Blood and The Disciple.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 3, 2016
The Disciple is an intriguing and somewhat different speculative thriller of the type I've come to expect from this author following the intensely excellent The String Diaries and the equally good Written in the Blood both of which I would also recommend.
We follow the story of Piper - a very special girl, born in fire and violence and destined to change our world - if only she can survive long enough. What I loved about this was the clever divisive plotting, the playing with the idea that Piper may not be a force for good, with those sworn to protect her and those sworn to destroy her, neither side being immediately obvious as "the good guys"
The Disciple is fast paced - moving through Piper's childhood rapidly, with much action along the way, interspersed with more considered moments as the truth behind her existence is slowly revealed. It makes for a twisty gorgeously addictive read towards the end I could not put it down. There are strong characters, each beautifully layered with hidden motives and the whole thing was entirely fascinating.
Loved it. I assume there will be more. I hope so.
We follow the story of Piper - a very special girl, born in fire and violence and destined to change our world - if only she can survive long enough. What I loved about this was the clever divisive plotting, the playing with the idea that Piper may not be a force for good, with those sworn to protect her and those sworn to destroy her, neither side being immediately obvious as "the good guys"
The Disciple is fast paced - moving through Piper's childhood rapidly, with much action along the way, interspersed with more considered moments as the truth behind her existence is slowly revealed. It makes for a twisty gorgeously addictive read towards the end I could not put it down. There are strong characters, each beautifully layered with hidden motives and the whole thing was entirely fascinating.
Loved it. I assume there will be more. I hope so.
October 25, 2017
This started off well, much in the vein of Jones' previous thrillers, but the story got more and more ridiculous as it went on, leading to a massively-overdone and overwrought conclusion.
December 30, 2020
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Disciple but that has in no way influenced my review.
I want to start this review by asking, what the heck have I just read? Someone? Anyone?! I’ve read all 544 pages and I’m still not sure myself but I do know one thing. I absolutely bloody LOVED it!
Edward Schwinn is a loner. Haunted by his tragic past he hides himself away in the Welsh countryside, avoiding human contact at any cost. Until one day he comes across the scene of a horrific accident. Bodies surround him, bent at strange and unusual angles. Death wasn’t kind to these people and what he witnesses will remain scored in his memory forever. He’s drawn to one of the vehicles, opens the door to discover someone he never expected to see. And she’s heavily pregnant. Fleeing the scene and helping the woman to his rundown home, they spend the night hiding from whoever is looking for her. Until she goes into labour. Unknowingly Schwinn has changed his destiny. He must protect the child from the forces that wish to destroy her. For the sake of all humanity…
The Disciple doesn’t really fit neatly into any one box. As I read this book I felt I was crossing a number of genre lines. There are definitely some wonderful horror aspects to this story. It’s an edgy thriller which had me on the edge of my seat enjoying the delicious sense of foreboding the author gives his reader. Then there were the other ‘less familiar to me’ genres. In places it felt a little bit fantasy (cards on the table: I know nothing about fantasy so perhaps I’m mistaken) and it was hard to miss the sci-fi aspect of the novel. But no matter what The Disciple is, when it comes to labelling, it was a fantastic book and I savoured every second I had with it.
I’m a little bit in love with the main character, Edward Schwinn. Having faced tragedy he has turned his back on the world. But when his moment comes, he steps up to the plate and takes the responsibility laid before him without question or doubt. I think if you look beyond everything else this book, at its heart, has a strong message. You don’t need the same blood running through your veins to be a good parent. I loved Edward’s relationship with the child, Piper. The reader watches it grow over the course of 16 years and it was a truly beautiful thing to witness. I also adored Piper who I think will stay with me for some time to come. There are a number of other fascinating and brilliant characters who leap off the page at the reader (Jolyon in particular). It’s really quite something!
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. I thoroughly enjoyed The Disciple and having checked my bookshelf, I was delighted to find I have The Silenced by the same author on my TBR. This felt a different read for me and it just goes to show that you should step out of your comfort zone every now and then (although I wasn’t aware I would be doing that when I started it, so…..🤷). I wrote six pages of notes whilst reading The Disciple. There’s a lot to take in but I was totally immersed in the story from beginning to end. The Disciple is something very special which had me crying big ugly tears at points. Days later I sit here typing this review and I’m missing the characters. I want to return to the story. I loved it and I think you should read it. Highly recommended.
I chose to read and review an eARC of The Disciple. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Disciple but that has in no way influenced my review.
I want to start this review by asking, what the heck have I just read? Someone? Anyone?! I’ve read all 544 pages and I’m still not sure myself but I do know one thing. I absolutely bloody LOVED it!
Edward Schwinn is a loner. Haunted by his tragic past he hides himself away in the Welsh countryside, avoiding human contact at any cost. Until one day he comes across the scene of a horrific accident. Bodies surround him, bent at strange and unusual angles. Death wasn’t kind to these people and what he witnesses will remain scored in his memory forever. He’s drawn to one of the vehicles, opens the door to discover someone he never expected to see. And she’s heavily pregnant. Fleeing the scene and helping the woman to his rundown home, they spend the night hiding from whoever is looking for her. Until she goes into labour. Unknowingly Schwinn has changed his destiny. He must protect the child from the forces that wish to destroy her. For the sake of all humanity…
The Disciple doesn’t really fit neatly into any one box. As I read this book I felt I was crossing a number of genre lines. There are definitely some wonderful horror aspects to this story. It’s an edgy thriller which had me on the edge of my seat enjoying the delicious sense of foreboding the author gives his reader. Then there were the other ‘less familiar to me’ genres. In places it felt a little bit fantasy (cards on the table: I know nothing about fantasy so perhaps I’m mistaken) and it was hard to miss the sci-fi aspect of the novel. But no matter what The Disciple is, when it comes to labelling, it was a fantastic book and I savoured every second I had with it.
I’m a little bit in love with the main character, Edward Schwinn. Having faced tragedy he has turned his back on the world. But when his moment comes, he steps up to the plate and takes the responsibility laid before him without question or doubt. I think if you look beyond everything else this book, at its heart, has a strong message. You don’t need the same blood running through your veins to be a good parent. I loved Edward’s relationship with the child, Piper. The reader watches it grow over the course of 16 years and it was a truly beautiful thing to witness. I also adored Piper who I think will stay with me for some time to come. There are a number of other fascinating and brilliant characters who leap off the page at the reader (Jolyon in particular). It’s really quite something!
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. I thoroughly enjoyed The Disciple and having checked my bookshelf, I was delighted to find I have The Silenced by the same author on my TBR. This felt a different read for me and it just goes to show that you should step out of your comfort zone every now and then (although I wasn’t aware I would be doing that when I started it, so…..🤷). I wrote six pages of notes whilst reading The Disciple. There’s a lot to take in but I was totally immersed in the story from beginning to end. The Disciple is something very special which had me crying big ugly tears at points. Days later I sit here typing this review and I’m missing the characters. I want to return to the story. I loved it and I think you should read it. Highly recommended.
I chose to read and review an eARC of The Disciple. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
August 11, 2018
Mmmm...Started of good, but the ending let it down. Left me wondering, why?.. What?...😬
June 19, 2024
Too much genre change: from horror to fantasy to sci-fi.
Couldn't keep up.
Enjoyed first half.
2.5 stars.
Couldn't keep up.
Enjoyed first half.
2.5 stars.
October 13, 2016
Review originally posted on https://josbookblog.co.uk/
Driving home through Snowdonia National Park late one night, Edward Schwinn comes across a motoring accident. Inspecting the damage, he finds that there is a single survivor – a heavily pregnant woman called Gráinne. Despite his misgivings – there are many aspects of the situation which don’t seem quite right – he feels compelled to help the woman. In doing so, he becomes caught between two cult-like factions who are fighting a war that he doesn’t understand.
Helping her to give birth, Eddie is then left to protect the child – Piper – on his own when Gráinne is murdered. Devoting himself to the girl, he raises her as best he can, although the two have to keep moving in order to stay safe. Because Piper is no ordinary child, and has the power to change the world – something that those who sought Gráinne’s death will stop at nothing to prevent.
I’ve been quite vague in my synopsis of The Disciple, as this really is a novel that is best approached with as little prior knowledge as possible. The reader is thrown into events with almost no context, and whilst this can sometimes be a little frustrating, with The Disciple I had to keep reading to find out what was going on. And it does become clearer as the novel progresses, as Piper grows up and begins to understand the role that she has to play. And it wasn’t at all what I expected. I won’t spoil it, but the background, the reasons for these two cults (for want of a better term) going head to head is extremely clever and original.
I think that my favourite aspect of the novel is that it’s not clear whether Piper is one of the good guys or not. The reader is given insight into both sides, and it’s clear that they both believe that they are acting in the best interests of the world and humanity. I loved this ambiguity, and the thought that I might be cheering on the bad guys!
The Disciple wasn’t at all what I expected – but in a good way. I was expecting a horror novel, and whilst there are elements of the supernatural, it’s also partly a thriller and a science fiction novel. And whilst such a mishmash can sometimes result in a disjointed read, The Disciple brought all of these elements together seamlessly. The pace varies quite a lot, and there are peaks and troughs of action. At no point is it dull, however. The author has written an incredibly suspenseful novel, and there is always an impending sense of doom hanging over Eddie and Piper’s heads, even when they seem relatively safe.
The Disciple is intriguing, brilliant and original, and I’ll be looking up Stephen Lloyd Jones’s first two novels – The String Diaries and Written in the Blood – on the strength of it.
The Disciple was published in eBook and paperback on 6 October. Many thanks to Katie Bradburn and Katie Brown for providing a copy for review, via Bookbridgr.
Driving home through Snowdonia National Park late one night, Edward Schwinn comes across a motoring accident. Inspecting the damage, he finds that there is a single survivor – a heavily pregnant woman called Gráinne. Despite his misgivings – there are many aspects of the situation which don’t seem quite right – he feels compelled to help the woman. In doing so, he becomes caught between two cult-like factions who are fighting a war that he doesn’t understand.
Helping her to give birth, Eddie is then left to protect the child – Piper – on his own when Gráinne is murdered. Devoting himself to the girl, he raises her as best he can, although the two have to keep moving in order to stay safe. Because Piper is no ordinary child, and has the power to change the world – something that those who sought Gráinne’s death will stop at nothing to prevent.
I’ve been quite vague in my synopsis of The Disciple, as this really is a novel that is best approached with as little prior knowledge as possible. The reader is thrown into events with almost no context, and whilst this can sometimes be a little frustrating, with The Disciple I had to keep reading to find out what was going on. And it does become clearer as the novel progresses, as Piper grows up and begins to understand the role that she has to play. And it wasn’t at all what I expected. I won’t spoil it, but the background, the reasons for these two cults (for want of a better term) going head to head is extremely clever and original.
I think that my favourite aspect of the novel is that it’s not clear whether Piper is one of the good guys or not. The reader is given insight into both sides, and it’s clear that they both believe that they are acting in the best interests of the world and humanity. I loved this ambiguity, and the thought that I might be cheering on the bad guys!
The Disciple wasn’t at all what I expected – but in a good way. I was expecting a horror novel, and whilst there are elements of the supernatural, it’s also partly a thriller and a science fiction novel. And whilst such a mishmash can sometimes result in a disjointed read, The Disciple brought all of these elements together seamlessly. The pace varies quite a lot, and there are peaks and troughs of action. At no point is it dull, however. The author has written an incredibly suspenseful novel, and there is always an impending sense of doom hanging over Eddie and Piper’s heads, even when they seem relatively safe.
The Disciple is intriguing, brilliant and original, and I’ll be looking up Stephen Lloyd Jones’s first two novels – The String Diaries and Written in the Blood – on the strength of it.
The Disciple was published in eBook and paperback on 6 October. Many thanks to Katie Bradburn and Katie Brown for providing a copy for review, via Bookbridgr.
October 1, 2017
The Disciple is a great page-turning sci-fi/fantasy/thriller/horror mash-up.
I enjoyed Stephen Lloyd Jones previous books, The String Diaries duology. I think this one upped the ante and is his best yet.
Edward and Piper, the father and daughter at the centre of the book, are both characters I was really rooting for. They are constantly on the run from an evil force called the Balladion and there's real tension at various points in the chase.
Some of the set-pieces in the book are horrifically memorable. When the Balladion finds Piper it can possess anyone/anything nearby. This leads to some cracking scenes, particularly a caravan park that becomes even more hellish than normal caravan parks and an up-close with nature experience that is enjoyably nasty!
Depth is added to the book via the ambiguity of many characters motivations. There aren't many clear goodies/baddies in this, just different factions with understandable viewpoints.
The book isn't flawless. My minor gripes:
*At times it was a bit confusing, lots of characters introduced in snippets and whilst the lack of clear goodies/baddies was a plus it added to the confusion of "which one is this guy again? which side is he on?"
*I didn't fully get the ending and what it all meant, which was frustrating having enjoyed the book so much. I get the vibe of what happened but I wanted a bit more of a fleshed out finale, not something vague and that leaves you to draw your own conclusions. Imagine Frodo throwing the ring into Mt Doom at the end of LOTR but it wasn't really clear was this would do, that's kind of how I'm feeling.
Overall, a great read and I'm really looking forward to Lloyd Jones' new book next year.
I enjoyed Stephen Lloyd Jones previous books, The String Diaries duology. I think this one upped the ante and is his best yet.
Edward and Piper, the father and daughter at the centre of the book, are both characters I was really rooting for. They are constantly on the run from an evil force called the Balladion and there's real tension at various points in the chase.
Some of the set-pieces in the book are horrifically memorable. When the Balladion finds Piper it can possess anyone/anything nearby. This leads to some cracking scenes, particularly a caravan park that becomes even more hellish than normal caravan parks and an up-close with nature experience that is enjoyably nasty!
Depth is added to the book via the ambiguity of many characters motivations. There aren't many clear goodies/baddies in this, just different factions with understandable viewpoints.
The book isn't flawless. My minor gripes:
*At times it was a bit confusing, lots of characters introduced in snippets and whilst the lack of clear goodies/baddies was a plus it added to the confusion of "which one is this guy again? which side is he on?"
*I didn't fully get the ending and what it all meant, which was frustrating having enjoyed the book so much. I get the vibe of what happened but I wanted a bit more of a fleshed out finale, not something vague and that leaves you to draw your own conclusions. Imagine Frodo throwing the ring into Mt Doom at the end of LOTR but it wasn't really clear was this would do, that's kind of how I'm feeling.
Overall, a great read and I'm really looking forward to Lloyd Jones' new book next year.
November 5, 2017
Edward Schwinn’s life is changed the night he rescues the sole survivor of a horrific road accident and agrees to take care of her new born daughter. The child’s arrival starts a chain of horrifying and deadly events that no one can explain, and Edward finds himself responsible for her safety.
My main take away from The Disciple is that it is much, much too long. We meet Edward and Piper at different stages in their life, meaning there are large time-jumps, and the same thing happens each time. It’s very repetitive and severely lacks any kind of character or relationship development or world building.
Alongside the troublesome plot development, there are too many characters who are all named and play small but significant roles. This made the story complicated and difficult to follow.
Although not poorly written, the book reads as though the author had a million and one ideas, and didn’t know how to filter any of them out. As the story builds, it becomes more interesting, more exciting, and more ridiculous. The Disciple is a mash-up of horror/sci-fi/fantasy/thriller and had some very enjoyable sections, wedged between pages of drivel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
My main take away from The Disciple is that it is much, much too long. We meet Edward and Piper at different stages in their life, meaning there are large time-jumps, and the same thing happens each time. It’s very repetitive and severely lacks any kind of character or relationship development or world building.
Alongside the troublesome plot development, there are too many characters who are all named and play small but significant roles. This made the story complicated and difficult to follow.
Although not poorly written, the book reads as though the author had a million and one ideas, and didn’t know how to filter any of them out. As the story builds, it becomes more interesting, more exciting, and more ridiculous. The Disciple is a mash-up of horror/sci-fi/fantasy/thriller and had some very enjoyable sections, wedged between pages of drivel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2017
This is a very strange book, it's a mixture of Celtic legend, ancient myth, aliens and ESP.
At the heart of the story is the birth of a young girl called Piper, saved by an unlikely man, Edward who has promised her mother to bring her up as her dad.
Piper has strange powers for good and evil and others will go to any lengths to track her down.
Edward and Piper flee from one destination to another, from Ireland to France to avoid detection by a strange organisation hell bent on finding Piper.
We slowly discover Piper is part of an ancient prophecy, one which has immensely profound implications for the human race, for Earth and beyond.
An odd read, chilling and exciting, dull in some places and oddly confusing but overall it speeded up towards the end and gave a satisfyingly dramatic climax.
At the heart of the story is the birth of a young girl called Piper, saved by an unlikely man, Edward who has promised her mother to bring her up as her dad.
Piper has strange powers for good and evil and others will go to any lengths to track her down.
Edward and Piper flee from one destination to another, from Ireland to France to avoid detection by a strange organisation hell bent on finding Piper.
We slowly discover Piper is part of an ancient prophecy, one which has immensely profound implications for the human race, for Earth and beyond.
An odd read, chilling and exciting, dull in some places and oddly confusing but overall it speeded up towards the end and gave a satisfyingly dramatic climax.
October 7, 2024
A solid story with both supernatural and science fiction elements mixed with horror and family drama. This story deals with faith and loss and how these can intertwine to control our lives. While deeply tragic the story also asks us about hope and knowing that a better future awaits if we are willing to sacrifice everything. A child is born and handed over to an unsuspecting man who spends his life defending her from an unseen force wanting to destroy her. The reason for her protection is that she holds not only the key of her own life but the future of humanity itself.
March 9, 2019
I think this is Stephen Lloyd Jones’s best book. Reading the other reviews people are critical of the ending but I think the whole book built up to its climax masterfully. You’re kept guessing as to the true nature of the forces involved and the characters are likeable and relatable.
Hurry and write more books mr Lloyd Jones!
Hurry and write more books mr Lloyd Jones!
March 16, 2017
Well written and engaging story but...
Enjoyed reading this but the storyline didn't quite work for me, definitely original but the whole premise seemed a bit flawed. Was a little disappointed.
Enjoyed reading this but the storyline didn't quite work for me, definitely original but the whole premise seemed a bit flawed. Was a little disappointed.
May 29, 2020
I enjoyed this book, but felt it only really got going in the second half.
There is a really good story here, with a core concept that’s incredibly interesting once you reach it. However, I don’t feel that the set up and initial feel of the book gels that well with the second, much better, half.
I feel the first half of the book could have been half as long and a lot more focused. I love Jones’ style, but it took me ages to get into the story to a point where I wanted to carry on.
But once you get through that, the second half is really worth working through for. The concept for the climax is really interesting. I would have loved to have the opening more focused around this rather than taking so long with character development that could have done with a lit of streamlining.
One thing I want to say is there is a massive improvement to the other of Jones’ books I’ve read. When I read his first novel, The String Diaries, I was disappointed by the tacked on happy ending. Sometimes a dark story needs to be brave enough to have a dark ending. And, without wanting to give too much away, The Disciple has an ending that perfectly matches the tone.
So not a great opening, but definitely worth pushing through until it focuses and pulls you in.
There is a really good story here, with a core concept that’s incredibly interesting once you reach it. However, I don’t feel that the set up and initial feel of the book gels that well with the second, much better, half.
I feel the first half of the book could have been half as long and a lot more focused. I love Jones’ style, but it took me ages to get into the story to a point where I wanted to carry on.
But once you get through that, the second half is really worth working through for. The concept for the climax is really interesting. I would have loved to have the opening more focused around this rather than taking so long with character development that could have done with a lit of streamlining.
One thing I want to say is there is a massive improvement to the other of Jones’ books I’ve read. When I read his first novel, The String Diaries, I was disappointed by the tacked on happy ending. Sometimes a dark story needs to be brave enough to have a dark ending. And, without wanting to give too much away, The Disciple has an ending that perfectly matches the tone.
So not a great opening, but definitely worth pushing through until it focuses and pulls you in.
January 14, 2017
I went into reading The Disciple knowing barely anything. Sometimes that’s a good thing, if you find a ‘hidden treasure’ you stumble upon. Unfortunately, this isn't one of those. I found this book to be overall a bit average, with parts that were promising but overall seemed like a let-down.
The Disciple starts off in Wales, with Edward Schwinn, a broken recluse after the death of his pregnant wife, finds a wrecked convoy, with a bunch of dead armed men and pummelled cars. There he finds a pregnant woman, who asks for his help. Appearing to look like his wife, he feels compelled to. Strange occurrences start to happen, on the run she gives birth to a girl and makes Edward promise to look after her, before dying.
The book for the next quarter to a third jumps about in time and places as Edward and the girl, Piper (who he calls Pie) try to stay ahead of mysterious forces and groups who are after Piper, who seems to possess some frightening abilities. After that it settles as there is a race against time for Piper to fulfil her destiny.
The book manages to pack in a lot of stuff, some interesting and new, others tired and well worn. The weaving in of Celtic mythology I was drawn into at first and seemed something new, but this I thought was poorly explained, lost in Gaelic words and poor explanations. The characters, are mainly centred on Edward and Piper, any other significant characters don’t appear till past half way. The best I can say is they are adequate. Edward, a widower consumed by guilt, and Piper the super smart, funny daughter who loves to read just seemed like a ton of similar characters. The others are a bit threadbare, lacking in any real development that made them seem fully rounded.
The change from what I thought was a fantasy one into a science fiction one towards the end, disappointed me as the whole Celtic angle seemed more original.
The groups/forces hunting for Piper are also lacking I felt in development, besides a small part at the beginning, they only really reappear again toward the end, with their motivations missing details and I found a bit confusing. This isn’t helped by one of their group betraying them, but were not aligned with the villain of the book, despite both having the same goal. This just added to the confusion, especially as it didn’t seem to be properly resolved.
The whole prophesied child with special powers, destined to save the world with her sacrifice is a very common trope, with the ending telegraphed very early on, for anyone who has read anything similar before.
The book seemed at least 100 pages too long. Where you think, there could have been a decent ending, a big showdown at a castle, isn’t. Instead it carries on for that bit too long.
The powers and motivation of the villain are left bare, it can cause earthquakes, get all animals and humans to hunt for Piper, kind of like zombies, control them and give them super strength and only sometimes telekinetic powers. While there is no limit to its mind control powers, it decides to use an evangelical vicar in the US and his congregation to be its private army. The only reason I could see, was the author wanted to make a point about faith healers, or wanted a priest who has lost his faith in his book, no matter if it served no purpose. Also, how when they are mind controlled, they start to become more uninhibited, till becoming totally depraved. Which again isn’t given a reason, just to throw in some rape victims somewhere.
On the whole I found this book disappointing, interesting paths turn sour and lack of proper explanations and confusing elements lost it for me. I’ve read worse, and while it wasn’t bad, I’d don’t think I’d recommend it.
The Disciple starts off in Wales, with Edward Schwinn, a broken recluse after the death of his pregnant wife, finds a wrecked convoy, with a bunch of dead armed men and pummelled cars. There he finds a pregnant woman, who asks for his help. Appearing to look like his wife, he feels compelled to. Strange occurrences start to happen, on the run she gives birth to a girl and makes Edward promise to look after her, before dying.
The book for the next quarter to a third jumps about in time and places as Edward and the girl, Piper (who he calls Pie) try to stay ahead of mysterious forces and groups who are after Piper, who seems to possess some frightening abilities. After that it settles as there is a race against time for Piper to fulfil her destiny.
The book manages to pack in a lot of stuff, some interesting and new, others tired and well worn. The weaving in of Celtic mythology I was drawn into at first and seemed something new, but this I thought was poorly explained, lost in Gaelic words and poor explanations. The characters, are mainly centred on Edward and Piper, any other significant characters don’t appear till past half way. The best I can say is they are adequate. Edward, a widower consumed by guilt, and Piper the super smart, funny daughter who loves to read just seemed like a ton of similar characters. The others are a bit threadbare, lacking in any real development that made them seem fully rounded.
The change from what I thought was a fantasy one into a science fiction one towards the end, disappointed me as the whole Celtic angle seemed more original.
The groups/forces hunting for Piper are also lacking I felt in development, besides a small part at the beginning, they only really reappear again toward the end, with their motivations missing details and I found a bit confusing. This isn’t helped by one of their group betraying them, but were not aligned with the villain of the book, despite both having the same goal. This just added to the confusion, especially as it didn’t seem to be properly resolved.
The whole prophesied child with special powers, destined to save the world with her sacrifice is a very common trope, with the ending telegraphed very early on, for anyone who has read anything similar before.
The book seemed at least 100 pages too long. Where you think, there could have been a decent ending, a big showdown at a castle, isn’t. Instead it carries on for that bit too long.
The powers and motivation of the villain are left bare, it can cause earthquakes, get all animals and humans to hunt for Piper, kind of like zombies, control them and give them super strength and only sometimes telekinetic powers. While there is no limit to its mind control powers, it decides to use an evangelical vicar in the US and his congregation to be its private army. The only reason I could see, was the author wanted to make a point about faith healers, or wanted a priest who has lost his faith in his book, no matter if it served no purpose. Also, how when they are mind controlled, they start to become more uninhibited, till becoming totally depraved. Which again isn’t given a reason, just to throw in some rape victims somewhere.
On the whole I found this book disappointing, interesting paths turn sour and lack of proper explanations and confusing elements lost it for me. I’ve read worse, and while it wasn’t bad, I’d don’t think I’d recommend it.
February 18, 2017
Reviews can also be found on my blog Escapades of a Bookworm
I was excited to get my hands on this book ever since I saw that Stephen Lloyd Jones had written a new novel. This is completely different from The String Diaries that in some ways it is hard to see that each book is from the same author.
If I am being truthful I preferred the subtle horror and mythical element of The String Diaries to the violent depictions here. But that is because I am terrible at horror and falter at the idea, let alone the sight, of blood.
This is a violent, bloody read, and is not for the faint-hearted. For me it was a bit much. The details of the gore, the deaths and weapons overwhelming. For me the story lost its’ magic, the excitement of discovering something new, and believing that this could exist in our world.
Throughout we follow the story of Piper, a girl who is clearly special. What is uncertain is whether she is good as some believe or inherently evil. There is no clearly define ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ and the book poses some moments that makes the reader check and recheck their evaluation of who is in the right.
This book is twisted in more ways that one and addictive as the story of Piper’s birth and the truth behind the events is slowly revealed. This is a book filled with strong character who are multi-layered as each have different motives and reasons for joining in the fay.
This is an intriguing and original read and one that I will be interested to see if it has a sequel.
I was excited to get my hands on this book ever since I saw that Stephen Lloyd Jones had written a new novel. This is completely different from The String Diaries that in some ways it is hard to see that each book is from the same author.
If I am being truthful I preferred the subtle horror and mythical element of The String Diaries to the violent depictions here. But that is because I am terrible at horror and falter at the idea, let alone the sight, of blood.
This is a violent, bloody read, and is not for the faint-hearted. For me it was a bit much. The details of the gore, the deaths and weapons overwhelming. For me the story lost its’ magic, the excitement of discovering something new, and believing that this could exist in our world.
Throughout we follow the story of Piper, a girl who is clearly special. What is uncertain is whether she is good as some believe or inherently evil. There is no clearly define ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ and the book poses some moments that makes the reader check and recheck their evaluation of who is in the right.
This book is twisted in more ways that one and addictive as the story of Piper’s birth and the truth behind the events is slowly revealed. This is a book filled with strong character who are multi-layered as each have different motives and reasons for joining in the fay.
This is an intriguing and original read and one that I will be interested to see if it has a sequel.
December 5, 2016
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2017/0...
It didn’t take me long to become emotionally invested in Edward Schwinn. Living outside of society he is a typical wounded hero who is perfect for the responsibility of keeping Piper alive. My only problem was trying to work out whether this was a good thing …
As with Stephen Lloyd Jones’ previous two novels there are many pulse pounding moments throughout the years that follow. 7 years after Piper’s birth, they’re living in Stallockmore, County Mayo. It’s not an easy life on the farm for Edward and all it takes is one incident before they’re on the move. 9 years later they’re in Gorges du Tarn, Southern France. Piper is coming up to 16 and in love. I tentatively began to trust her, despite Jolyon Percival’s dream artwork. This all sounds quite tame doesn’t it! but don’t let me mislead you. From the beginning of the story with the destruction of the convoy carrying pregnant Grainne and the deaths at Aberffraw Hall there is much pain, fear, blood and gore.
There is a fabulous pace to the plot and settings that come alive. Through narrations of Edward, Aidan Urchardan, Jenna Black, Jolyon, Orla and Pastor Benjamin D Pope we find out more about the 8 year cycle of cadalach at Samhain, the Balla-dion, Cathasach, Beo-Iobairt and the mythology. Leaving each narration on a cliffhanger meant The Disciple was a story that was extremely hard to put down!
What happens on the Island was mind blowing. What I wasn’t expecting was how much the scenes with Edward and Piper would affect me. And the scene with Therron Vaux and Jolyon was very emotional too. My imagination went wild when I looked up at the skies alongside everyone else. But I’m still not sure whether it was a good thing or not! I would quite like to experience the Bliss myself
It didn’t take me long to become emotionally invested in Edward Schwinn. Living outside of society he is a typical wounded hero who is perfect for the responsibility of keeping Piper alive. My only problem was trying to work out whether this was a good thing …
As with Stephen Lloyd Jones’ previous two novels there are many pulse pounding moments throughout the years that follow. 7 years after Piper’s birth, they’re living in Stallockmore, County Mayo. It’s not an easy life on the farm for Edward and all it takes is one incident before they’re on the move. 9 years later they’re in Gorges du Tarn, Southern France. Piper is coming up to 16 and in love. I tentatively began to trust her, despite Jolyon Percival’s dream artwork. This all sounds quite tame doesn’t it! but don’t let me mislead you. From the beginning of the story with the destruction of the convoy carrying pregnant Grainne and the deaths at Aberffraw Hall there is much pain, fear, blood and gore.
There is a fabulous pace to the plot and settings that come alive. Through narrations of Edward, Aidan Urchardan, Jenna Black, Jolyon, Orla and Pastor Benjamin D Pope we find out more about the 8 year cycle of cadalach at Samhain, the Balla-dion, Cathasach, Beo-Iobairt and the mythology. Leaving each narration on a cliffhanger meant The Disciple was a story that was extremely hard to put down!
What happens on the Island was mind blowing. What I wasn’t expecting was how much the scenes with Edward and Piper would affect me. And the scene with Therron Vaux and Jolyon was very emotional too. My imagination went wild when I looked up at the skies alongside everyone else. But I’m still not sure whether it was a good thing or not! I would quite like to experience the Bliss myself
January 9, 2017
Really really good book. Every character in this story is fully fleshed out, resulting in deep and complex characters who are not there for simple page fillers.
This may be a classic good vs evil storyline, yet it's hard to tell which is which until the end as the author keeps you guessing as to whose side you would be on due to what's at stake for both protagonists.
The pace of the book keeps the tension up and the action intense, yet never gives away all it's secrets until the last few pages.
Without giving anything away, the final chapters are as sad as they are compelling. The two main characters of Edward and Piper draw you in so quickly and deeply that you can't help but feel their pain.
In fact it's the relationship between this father and daughter which gives the book such soul, and keeps you invested in their outcome.
This is an awesome book which takes the reader on an epic adventure through the eyes of multiple different exciting characters, resulting in a heartbreaking yet fulfilling ending.
Put it on your list as the next book to read.
This may be a classic good vs evil storyline, yet it's hard to tell which is which until the end as the author keeps you guessing as to whose side you would be on due to what's at stake for both protagonists.
The pace of the book keeps the tension up and the action intense, yet never gives away all it's secrets until the last few pages.
Without giving anything away, the final chapters are as sad as they are compelling. The two main characters of Edward and Piper draw you in so quickly and deeply that you can't help but feel their pain.
In fact it's the relationship between this father and daughter which gives the book such soul, and keeps you invested in their outcome.
This is an awesome book which takes the reader on an epic adventure through the eyes of multiple different exciting characters, resulting in a heartbreaking yet fulfilling ending.
Put it on your list as the next book to read.
December 29, 2016
The Diciple by Stephen Lloyd Jones is a general fiction (adult) read.
They are coming...
On a storm-battered road at the edge of the Devil's Kitchen, a woman survives a fatal accident and gives birth to a girl who should never have lived.
The child's protection lies in the hands of Edward Schwinn - a loner who must draw himself out of darkness to keep her safe - and her arrival will trigger a chain of terrifying events that no one can explain.
She is a child like no other, being hunted by an evil beyond measure.
For if the potential within her is realised, nothing will be the same. Not for Edward. Not for any who live to see it.
OMG this was an absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Especially Eddie. He was my favourite character. Hooked from start to finish. I could definitely see this as a movie. I loved the ending too. Perfect. 5*. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
They are coming...
On a storm-battered road at the edge of the Devil's Kitchen, a woman survives a fatal accident and gives birth to a girl who should never have lived.
The child's protection lies in the hands of Edward Schwinn - a loner who must draw himself out of darkness to keep her safe - and her arrival will trigger a chain of terrifying events that no one can explain.
She is a child like no other, being hunted by an evil beyond measure.
For if the potential within her is realised, nothing will be the same. Not for Edward. Not for any who live to see it.
OMG this was an absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Especially Eddie. He was my favourite character. Hooked from start to finish. I could definitely see this as a movie. I loved the ending too. Perfect. 5*. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
September 19, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Disciple tells the story of Edward Schwinn, a loner who through some kind of divine accident or maybe design ends up the guardian of Piper. From the beginning it is clear she is an unusual child but it's not clear if that she is unusual in a good or evil way....or even somewhere in between.
This is a fast paced novel on the whole, moving through the girls childhood and adolescence quickly. The mystery of Pipers birth and purpose is revealed slowly but surely. It's a great story, my only real criticism is it does lull slightly about half way through and could've have been 100 or so pages shorter and been just as good a novel.
The Disciple tells the story of Edward Schwinn, a loner who through some kind of divine accident or maybe design ends up the guardian of Piper. From the beginning it is clear she is an unusual child but it's not clear if that she is unusual in a good or evil way....or even somewhere in between.
This is a fast paced novel on the whole, moving through the girls childhood and adolescence quickly. The mystery of Pipers birth and purpose is revealed slowly but surely. It's a great story, my only real criticism is it does lull slightly about half way through and could've have been 100 or so pages shorter and been just as good a novel.
November 24, 2016
A good well written fast moving book was good except for a disappointing ending
April 25, 2017
I had not read any of Stephen Lloyd Jones' previous novels, nor was I even familiar with his name, however I'll certainly look for his work in future. From the first chapter (and through the first fifth) I felt like I had rewound time and was engrossed in an early Dean Koontz story (which for me, is high praise indeed). There was powerful intrigue, mixed with a heady amount of action and horror, it's gripping from the very first chapter. The flawed, yet likeable, central protagonist is fleshed out with a little backstory, thankfully not too much, and the characters that are introduced throughout the tale are all developed enough to grow attached too, again, not at the cost of too much narrative. Jones can be wordy at times, sometimes it's required, at others a little superficial, however not enough to be disengaging. Every scene is easy to relate to, the action very well conceived.
It's best to go in blind to the story, to discover the genre yourself. Jones does well to keep his hand hidden, revealing just enough to maintain interest. With a mystery that holds on to the end there is always a risk that the repeated failure to inform readers of the 'why' may frustrate the audience, however it is done deftly enough, the urgency carries you along.
The final third feels like Stephen King, who is mentioned in the marketing. Not in literary style, but in plot mechanics. Once more, this is no bad thing. Where King falls flat in the final third in many of his stories, Jones has perfectly executed the finale.
A massive and welcome surprise - a little wordy at times, however I really enjoyed both the story and the style.
It's best to go in blind to the story, to discover the genre yourself. Jones does well to keep his hand hidden, revealing just enough to maintain interest. With a mystery that holds on to the end there is always a risk that the repeated failure to inform readers of the 'why' may frustrate the audience, however it is done deftly enough, the urgency carries you along.
The final third feels like Stephen King, who is mentioned in the marketing. Not in literary style, but in plot mechanics. Once more, this is no bad thing. Where King falls flat in the final third in many of his stories, Jones has perfectly executed the finale.
A massive and welcome surprise - a little wordy at times, however I really enjoyed both the story and the style.
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