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Brinwood
In Brinwood, few come out alive. The community of this town is forced to survive under the control of harsh religious fanatics. Traitors are murdered and displayed as a warning to keep their subordinates brainwashed. Casper was living outside of Brinwood as an exile, told never to return, but when he received word that has family was in danger, he snuck through the border in hopes to save them. Will he be able to escape the cold grip of their leadership?
- GenresFiction
ebook
Published April 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 21, 2019
This is a 3.5 star read.
A deliciously creepy novella about a cult that has taken over a town, and of an exile's return to save his family. You only have to mention the word "cult" to know it isn't going to end well.
As an aside, my ecopy of the book did suffer from some formatting problems and the odd typo or two, but not enough to affect my enjoyment of the story
A deliciously creepy novella about a cult that has taken over a town, and of an exile's return to save his family. You only have to mention the word "cult" to know it isn't going to end well.
As an aside, my ecopy of the book did suffer from some formatting problems and the odd typo or two, but not enough to affect my enjoyment of the story
November 20, 2017
Like with my review of Lost in the Clouds, if readers believe me rating my own book to be unethical I will remove the stars. The reason I am writing a review here is that I want to talk about what it is I love about this novella.
I originally came up with the idea while talking with my publisher at the time (Weasel Press) and they loved the idea of a short about a small town cult.
What I remember most about this text is that I wrote the rough draft in two days. I remember it vividly because I was disappointed I couldn't do it in one. Though the final text is longer, it was originally only a 22k word novelette. I broke my all-time record for word count in a day writing this book: 17,500 words.
While this isn't necessarily what makes the book special to me, it certainly is an enjoyable memory of the process and a reminder on slow days that I am capable of doing more if I just focus.
What makes this so special to me though unfortunately contains spoilers so if those bother you it may be best to stop reading the review here.
I originally came up with the idea while talking with my publisher at the time (Weasel Press) and they loved the idea of a short about a small town cult.
What I remember most about this text is that I wrote the rough draft in two days. I remember it vividly because I was disappointed I couldn't do it in one. Though the final text is longer, it was originally only a 22k word novelette. I broke my all-time record for word count in a day writing this book: 17,500 words.
While this isn't necessarily what makes the book special to me, it certainly is an enjoyable memory of the process and a reminder on slow days that I am capable of doing more if I just focus.
What makes this so special to me though unfortunately contains spoilers so if those bother you it may be best to stop reading the review here.
November 9, 2017
3.5*
I liked it. Especially the ending.
I liked it. Especially the ending.
April 1, 2018
A frightening story about an erstwhile coal mining town and the cult that now controls it. When a banished member goes back seven years later, seeking to save his younger sister, things are even harder than he expected and he wasn't sure he would make it out alive from the start! To say any more would spoil it for you, so pick up your copy today.
December 23, 2016
Good Guys Don't Always Win
Other reviewers have already covered the creepy aspects of Brinwood, a small, dying town ruled by a fanatical cult, and the fast pace of the read. So rather than be repetitive, I’d like to talk about the heart of what I feel makes this story worth reading—the characters. A writer can take any given situation and spin it six ways to Sunday, but without the depth of emotion, the story falls flat. Readers want to be invested in the characters. It’s the author’s job to show us why these individuals act and think the way they do.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Wrong. Creating believable characters that grab our attention can be tricky, but with his special flair, R.K. Gold manages to weave a believable world in Brinwood through certain looks, gestures, dialogue, and cleverly woven narrative.
For me, the most memorable in the cast is Milly, granddaughter of the cult leader, Dorn Hackshire. Hackshire has a wicked streak that feeds off insanity cloaked in high intelligence. Those traits carry over to Milly, who, if it’s possible, is more evil, more cunning and demented than her grandfather. But Milly also has a soft side; what gives this contrast an intriguing spin is that the gentler part of her always surrenders to the devil on her shoulder. Then there’s Hackshire’s son, Jackson, a thug who thrives on violence—someone you’ll love to hate.
Casper, the main character, is laser-focused on the mission to get his sister, Macy, and, hopefully, his mother, out of Brinwood. Even through the driving force of this mission, he can’t tamp down his compassion for others, empathy that puts him in the line of serious risk. Meantime, Macy appears to have been brainwashed into acceptance of cult life but has her own agenda. As for Casper’s mother, any spark of hope the poor woman has is promptly extinguished by bleak acceptance.
Others in this story are memorable as well, and they’re all waiting for you in Brinwood, along with a slap of reality reminding us that the good guys don’t always win.
Other reviewers have already covered the creepy aspects of Brinwood, a small, dying town ruled by a fanatical cult, and the fast pace of the read. So rather than be repetitive, I’d like to talk about the heart of what I feel makes this story worth reading—the characters. A writer can take any given situation and spin it six ways to Sunday, but without the depth of emotion, the story falls flat. Readers want to be invested in the characters. It’s the author’s job to show us why these individuals act and think the way they do.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Wrong. Creating believable characters that grab our attention can be tricky, but with his special flair, R.K. Gold manages to weave a believable world in Brinwood through certain looks, gestures, dialogue, and cleverly woven narrative.
For me, the most memorable in the cast is Milly, granddaughter of the cult leader, Dorn Hackshire. Hackshire has a wicked streak that feeds off insanity cloaked in high intelligence. Those traits carry over to Milly, who, if it’s possible, is more evil, more cunning and demented than her grandfather. But Milly also has a soft side; what gives this contrast an intriguing spin is that the gentler part of her always surrenders to the devil on her shoulder. Then there’s Hackshire’s son, Jackson, a thug who thrives on violence—someone you’ll love to hate.
Casper, the main character, is laser-focused on the mission to get his sister, Macy, and, hopefully, his mother, out of Brinwood. Even through the driving force of this mission, he can’t tamp down his compassion for others, empathy that puts him in the line of serious risk. Meantime, Macy appears to have been brainwashed into acceptance of cult life but has her own agenda. As for Casper’s mother, any spark of hope the poor woman has is promptly extinguished by bleak acceptance.
Others in this story are memorable as well, and they’re all waiting for you in Brinwood, along with a slap of reality reminding us that the good guys don’t always win.
June 17, 2016
The author packed such a lot into this story. It was fast-paced and violent but I was thrown into the action from the start and then carried along with it. The characters were mainly weird and unlikeable but they kept surprising me, leaving me wondering what they would do next. The ending was a surprise but perfect for the story. It had all the elements of a great tale and I wasn’t bored for one second of it. Everything you can ask for as a reader.
March 24, 2018
This book pressed the boundaries of eeriness. It was completely unsettling in a baffling sort of way. From the wicked characters, to the intensity of the plot, to the completely surprising ending, this book was filled with inventiveness and depth. It has the propensity to hook the reader and effortlessly pull them into the story. I know that I was captivated from the first page. It was seriously smooth sailing all the way through.
This book tells the story of Casper Delirium’s daring journey to rescue the people that matter most to him. After receiving an unnerving phone call from his mother, he is resolute to see his family to safety. He feels helpless and alone but he pushes these gnawing sentiments aside, ignores his banishment from Brinwood, and surreptitiously makes his way back into town.
Casper is a very determined, unwavering person. His mission is primarily fueled by his need to rescue his sister, Macy. He won’t let anything deter him from this undertaking, not even a cult that drove him out of town years ago.
The hostile environment of Brinwood is a frightening place. Brinwood is a cryptic, inexplicable place with little tolerance for people who fail to align their beliefs with an unforgiving cult. These new inhabitants (the Double Black Slash) of Brinwood are aggressive, cruel, and remorseless. The callousness that these group members convey is outright shocking. The cult demands that everyone either convert and be an avid worshipper or get the heck out of town or die. But not everyone has a choice.
Such a great prequel! I definitely need more!
This book tells the story of Casper Delirium’s daring journey to rescue the people that matter most to him. After receiving an unnerving phone call from his mother, he is resolute to see his family to safety. He feels helpless and alone but he pushes these gnawing sentiments aside, ignores his banishment from Brinwood, and surreptitiously makes his way back into town.
Casper is a very determined, unwavering person. His mission is primarily fueled by his need to rescue his sister, Macy. He won’t let anything deter him from this undertaking, not even a cult that drove him out of town years ago.
The hostile environment of Brinwood is a frightening place. Brinwood is a cryptic, inexplicable place with little tolerance for people who fail to align their beliefs with an unforgiving cult. These new inhabitants (the Double Black Slash) of Brinwood are aggressive, cruel, and remorseless. The callousness that these group members convey is outright shocking. The cult demands that everyone either convert and be an avid worshipper or get the heck out of town or die. But not everyone has a choice.
Such a great prequel! I definitely need more!
July 4, 2016
Cults are like all other religions: they want power. The thin line between cult and religion is based on the amount of power they have in relation to the other religions out there. Get enough power and you can be called a bona fide religion, otherwise you're just a crazy-ass cultist.
The idea behind Brinwood is what happens when one of those little cults that exists in pretty much any town in America actually succeeds in digging its roots in deep enough that it takes over. Usually the other cults or established religions are enough to rip upstarts out by the roots, but this cult was in the right place at the right time and wound up running the town. And by run the town, I mean into the ground.
Brinwood follows what happens after the cult is established to the point that they can kick people out of the town - excommunicate them, if you will - and have no repercussions from those actions. Someone who was excommunicated decides, after seven years, to come back and save his sister and mother from the black widows and guys with guns. There's just one little problem: his sister and mother don't want to leave.
The idea behind Brinwood is what happens when one of those little cults that exists in pretty much any town in America actually succeeds in digging its roots in deep enough that it takes over. Usually the other cults or established religions are enough to rip upstarts out by the roots, but this cult was in the right place at the right time and wound up running the town. And by run the town, I mean into the ground.
Brinwood follows what happens after the cult is established to the point that they can kick people out of the town - excommunicate them, if you will - and have no repercussions from those actions. Someone who was excommunicated decides, after seven years, to come back and save his sister and mother from the black widows and guys with guns. There's just one little problem: his sister and mother don't want to leave.
August 7, 2017
This was a quick read. (I took so long because I never read one book at a time.) That ending was fantastic! I liked that it was fast paced and full of action sequences. The trickle of information you are able to gather from the beginning is enough to entice you into the tale. The action scenes were well written. The characters were engaging. And Brinwood was truly a terror.
After hearing of the death of his brother, Casper decides it's time to return from his exile to Brinwood to rescue his sister. On the way a couple things become known to us, first is that Brinwood is under the leadership of a cult run by a man named Dorn. Second is his dedication to save his family. Like most cults the DBS didn't start out with much authority over the town but gradually, after assisting with disasters and the like, it became a superpower. It sure does use ever ounce of control it has. Follow Casper's harrowing excursion through the town he once called home and see what the cult believers think about his reappearance.
After hearing of the death of his brother, Casper decides it's time to return from his exile to Brinwood to rescue his sister. On the way a couple things become known to us, first is that Brinwood is under the leadership of a cult run by a man named Dorn. Second is his dedication to save his family. Like most cults the DBS didn't start out with much authority over the town but gradually, after assisting with disasters and the like, it became a superpower. It sure does use ever ounce of control it has. Follow Casper's harrowing excursion through the town he once called home and see what the cult believers think about his reappearance.
June 17, 2016
Super quick read, largely enhanced and encouraged by the stylish pacing of the author. Knocked this one out in a day and a half. Wouldn’t be my normal cup of tea and had my doubts at the start but once I got into the story, I realised I was over half way through in my first sitting. Rough, tough, original story line, with plenty of tension throughout. I Loved the characters and the author creates a great atmosphere to suit the menace of the cult throughout. I was expecting to be let down at the finish as I wrongly suspected the author was going in a different direction, so in that sense it was a particularly satisfying close to the book for me. I put this one in the category of entertainment for sure, an enjoyable 5 star read for me
October 12, 2017
This is a well written,if not utterly creepy tale of how pervasive a cult can be when they hit the right notes. Absolutely terrifying. Well done
September 18, 2019
An amazing journey tale to save what is left of his family the main character goes back home to where he was exiled from only 7 years before. And then the real adventure begins. I loved it!!!!
July 1, 2016
Brinwood is a scary place.
Run by religious fanatics, its rules are harsh and deviating from them even slightly can mean death.
So why is Casper going back there after seven long years in exile?
The reason is simple: He wants to rescue his sister Macy after learning that his brother Roger has been murdered by the cult that runs Brinwood. He'd also like to rescue his mother but he considers that unlikely: She chose to stay behind when he was exiled and will probably not leave with him and his sister.
Leave with them, that is, if he and his sister can survive this rescue attempt.
Author R.K. Gold ratchets up the tension in this novella starting on Page One and he keeps doing so until the last page. That makes "Brinwood" an incredibly fast read; you just keep turning pages to find out what happens next. The narrative is strong and the characters are well drawn. I especially liked the way that he portrayed Macy, who turns out not to be in need of much help fending for herself.
"Brinwood" also has a nice twist at the end of the narrative that I didn't really see coming, and that's a big plus in my opinion.
A fast-paced narrative, strong characters, and high tension make for an enjoyable read and a book I highly recommend.
Run by religious fanatics, its rules are harsh and deviating from them even slightly can mean death.
So why is Casper going back there after seven long years in exile?
The reason is simple: He wants to rescue his sister Macy after learning that his brother Roger has been murdered by the cult that runs Brinwood. He'd also like to rescue his mother but he considers that unlikely: She chose to stay behind when he was exiled and will probably not leave with him and his sister.
Leave with them, that is, if he and his sister can survive this rescue attempt.
Author R.K. Gold ratchets up the tension in this novella starting on Page One and he keeps doing so until the last page. That makes "Brinwood" an incredibly fast read; you just keep turning pages to find out what happens next. The narrative is strong and the characters are well drawn. I especially liked the way that he portrayed Macy, who turns out not to be in need of much help fending for herself.
"Brinwood" also has a nice twist at the end of the narrative that I didn't really see coming, and that's a big plus in my opinion.
A fast-paced narrative, strong characters, and high tension make for an enjoyable read and a book I highly recommend.
August 6, 2017
Good writing. The author keeps the reader intrigued as to what is to happen next. Quite a unique story-line. Brinwood is a fictional town. It had as religious leader Dorm alongside his son Jackson and grand-daughter Milly. Fear, hatred and lunacy reigned in this small town which was previously the miner's haven. Driven by greed for power, the oppressing religious leader Dorm preached hatred and exterminated anyone who opposed the doctrine of the cult. The people of Brinwood were mostly blinded by the beliefs and teachings of Dorm, except for some opponents amongst the narrator, Casper and his sister Macy. The fierceness and strength that Macy exudes is admirable. The ending is beautiful despite the death of Casper.
July 10, 2017
When Casper hears of his brother’s death, he is determined to return to Brinwood to save his mother and sister. He was banned from Brinwood by a religious cult that has taken over this town, and he knows his return will put him in mortal danger.
This is a great post- apocalyptic novella. It is only 77 pages but as I picked this up on a free download I didn’t mind it being short, it has everything it needs; a beginning, a cracking ending and plenty of action in the middle. It was well written and the writer managed to draw a convincing universe and some believable characters I cared for. Recommended.
This is a great post- apocalyptic novella. It is only 77 pages but as I picked this up on a free download I didn’t mind it being short, it has everything it needs; a beginning, a cracking ending and plenty of action in the middle. It was well written and the writer managed to draw a convincing universe and some believable characters I cared for. Recommended.
December 14, 2016
I bought this book this evening and read it on a flight from Houston to Boston. I finished it in a couple of hours. I liked the fast pace of the book. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Macy and Milly. Both were strong females and I thought they were very well written. The story shows how frightening a cult can be and although this isn't in the wheelhouse of the stuff I usually read, I enjoyed the story and characters.
March 28, 2017
Brinwood is not a town I would want to live in. The leaders are dark and cruel. It's a creepy place with creepy people and the nice guys are in for it.
This was an interesting story about how far someone would go to save their family. Would you risk your life? Casper would. He'd been exiled from Brinwood, but that wouldn't stop him from getting to his mother and sister. Nothing would.
It was an easy, intriguing, action packed read that I was able to finish in a day.
This was an interesting story about how far someone would go to save their family. Would you risk your life? Casper would. He'd been exiled from Brinwood, but that wouldn't stop him from getting to his mother and sister. Nothing would.
It was an easy, intriguing, action packed read that I was able to finish in a day.
July 9, 2017
Loved how much character development was squeezed into such a short read. I felt the violence-to-plot-development ratio was pretty far from what I normally enjoy, but the development of the villains into quirky, manipulative psychopaths and fantastic back and forth dialogue segments with the protagonist made up for how grossed out I was by the more graphically violent paragraphs.
September 12, 2017
This book was awesome. Plain and simple. I was gripped by the story the moment I began reading because it put me on edge immediately. The town of Brinwood is a nightmare that we all fear when thinking of religious fanatics in power and seeing the events unfold was so satisfying and a little heartbreaking.
The characters were all so rich and each one had a twist I didn't see coming that was surprising and welcomed. No spoilers but Milly is a completely enthralling character that I wasn't sure whether to hate her or love her craziness (within the confines of the story). I really hope this is not the last we have seen of her. R.K. If you're reading this, she needs to come back...hint hint
My only minor gripe would be I want more of this world and what's happening next. Like Just Under the Sky, this is a world with a deep mythology that I would love to see explored further.
Great read and highly recommend this to anyone who isn't too squeamish, and if you are, push through it because it's worth it
The characters were all so rich and each one had a twist I didn't see coming that was surprising and welcomed. No spoilers but Milly is a completely enthralling character that I wasn't sure whether to hate her or love her craziness (within the confines of the story). I really hope this is not the last we have seen of her. R.K. If you're reading this, she needs to come back...hint hint
My only minor gripe would be I want more of this world and what's happening next. Like Just Under the Sky, this is a world with a deep mythology that I would love to see explored further.
Great read and highly recommend this to anyone who isn't too squeamish, and if you are, push through it because it's worth it
January 13, 2017
What I loved: R.K. Gold's sophomore novella is even better than the first. I finished Brinwood in one single sitting and loved it.
The story is fast-paced, full of action and will leave you wanting more!
Gold writes a deliciously descriptive story with colorful language and wicked characters. There are just enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The ending is, well I won't spoil anything, but it's fantastic. Gold is the master of creating alternate worlds to lose yourself in while absorbing a creative story to always remember...
Visit my blog to read my entire SPOILER-FREE review!
http://www.christiewritesreviews.com/...
The story is fast-paced, full of action and will leave you wanting more!
Gold writes a deliciously descriptive story with colorful language and wicked characters. There are just enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The ending is, well I won't spoil anything, but it's fantastic. Gold is the master of creating alternate worlds to lose yourself in while absorbing a creative story to always remember...
Visit my blog to read my entire SPOILER-FREE review!
http://www.christiewritesreviews.com/...
August 31, 2017
Really enjoy the authors interesting plot and characters whom I really care about. Highly recommended!
June 4, 2019
This is not the best written story... could of done with a better editor I think! Stilted parole & difficult sentences... Overall a good idea, just needed more polish I think!
April 3, 2019
3.5 Stars
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