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Sarah Beauhall #4
Night Terrors
Magic has a cost. Sarah Beauhall, blacksmith and dragon slayer doesn’t know just how high. Her lover, Katie Cornett, has finally been overwhelmed by this spiraling cost and her spirit is blasted from her body and flung into a world of nightmares and monsters.
As Katie’s coma deepens and her chances of survival fade, Sarah’s spirit must make a journey of its own through a world of crystalline eaters and malevolent spirits who exist only to hunt and to consume.
Night after night Sarah delves beyond the hidden paths, going from crystalline landscapes into the wild lands and lost worlds far beyond the great sea of dreams.
When the spirit of a long dead murderer—known only as the Bowler Hat man—begins gathering an army in the forgotten lands, Sarah discovers that more than eaters and feeders pursue her.
As Katie’s coma deepens and her chances of survival fade, Sarah’s spirit must make a journey of its own through a world of crystalline eaters and malevolent spirits who exist only to hunt and to consume.
Night after night Sarah delves beyond the hidden paths, going from crystalline landscapes into the wild lands and lost worlds far beyond the great sea of dreams.
When the spirit of a long dead murderer—known only as the Bowler Hat man—begins gathering an army in the forgotten lands, Sarah discovers that more than eaters and feeders pursue her.
360 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2016
17 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Pitts
11 books165 followers(from author's website) I learned to love science fiction at the knee of my grandmother, listening to her read authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard during my childhood in rural Kentucky. My life has always been heavily influenced by strong women. My mother first among them: raising three boys after the death of my father, with grace and wit. There were always women coming and going in our house, friends, family, folks who needed a hand, and folks who had one to lend. All of my life has been steeped in the stories of average people doing extraordinary things — and most of them were women. That is why I was drawn to the character Sarah in my new novel. She embodies all the strength of the women who have influenced me over the years.
I can’t remember a time I wasn’t absorbing and creating story. I read early, and became a regular at my local library. There for a while, I thought the coolest thing in the world would be to grow up and be a librarian. I even got the degree. Once I hit the workforce, I discovered how poorly most librarians are paid, and I ended up in high tech instead.
But I live my life surrounded by books and story. Selling my own tales still comes as a surprise to me. The characters and worlds I build have been given loving care by some pretty spectacular editors. I’ve been very lucky. I continue to launch my words into the world, for all to read if they have the mind. I just hope you are entertained in the process. The opportunities for you to read my work has just gotten even better.
Tor Publishing has agreed to purchase the first three books in my Black Blade series. The first — BLACK BLADE BLUES — comes out in trade paperback and hardback April 27th, 2010.
Of course, if you want a sneak peak on the novel, you can read the short story which launched it all in the DAW anthology Swordplay, edited by Denise Little. It was released June 2, 2009.
My other short fiction can be found in such fine magazines as Fortean Bureau, Talebones magazine (issue 36 and forthcoming in issue 39) as well as two additional DAW anthologies Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies (Oct 2009), and The Trouble with Heroes (Nov 2009).
I have a BA in English and a Masters of Library Science from University of Kentucky. In addition, I am a graduate of the Oregon Coast Writers Workshops with Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith. When I’m not writing, you can find me practicing martial arts with my children or spending time with my lovely wife.
I am a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I can’t remember a time I wasn’t absorbing and creating story. I read early, and became a regular at my local library. There for a while, I thought the coolest thing in the world would be to grow up and be a librarian. I even got the degree. Once I hit the workforce, I discovered how poorly most librarians are paid, and I ended up in high tech instead.
But I live my life surrounded by books and story. Selling my own tales still comes as a surprise to me. The characters and worlds I build have been given loving care by some pretty spectacular editors. I’ve been very lucky. I continue to launch my words into the world, for all to read if they have the mind. I just hope you are entertained in the process. The opportunities for you to read my work has just gotten even better.
Tor Publishing has agreed to purchase the first three books in my Black Blade series. The first — BLACK BLADE BLUES — comes out in trade paperback and hardback April 27th, 2010.
Of course, if you want a sneak peak on the novel, you can read the short story which launched it all in the DAW anthology Swordplay, edited by Denise Little. It was released June 2, 2009.
My other short fiction can be found in such fine magazines as Fortean Bureau, Talebones magazine (issue 36 and forthcoming in issue 39) as well as two additional DAW anthologies Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies (Oct 2009), and The Trouble with Heroes (Nov 2009).
I have a BA in English and a Masters of Library Science from University of Kentucky. In addition, I am a graduate of the Oregon Coast Writers Workshops with Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith. When I’m not writing, you can find me practicing martial arts with my children or spending time with my lovely wife.
I am a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 12, 2016
An excellent continuation of the story - won't add more so to avoid spoilers but anyone who is a fan must read this one too!!!
Really hope J.A. Pitts continues writing about Sarah Beauhall and company!!!
Really hope J.A. Pitts continues writing about Sarah Beauhall and company!!!
December 19, 2019
Awesome continuation of the series.
I love how the author shows Sarah going through the various stages of grief and depression in this book while dealing with her issues. How she made it all seem real.
I loved the continuing growth of her relationship with her adopted daughter.
I especially loved the interactions with Nindogg and the future that was hinted at. And the ending? Totally didn't see it coming. I loved that we got to see more of the Sideways.
Which is also why this book only got 4 stars instead of 5. The final battle of the book? Far too short. I wont' go into details because of spoilers, but it needed to be a couple of pages longer at least.
I can't wait for the 5th book to come out. Hopefully it'll be soon!
I love how the author shows Sarah going through the various stages of grief and depression in this book while dealing with her issues. How she made it all seem real.
I loved the continuing growth of her relationship with her adopted daughter.
I especially loved the interactions with Nindogg and the future that was hinted at. And the ending? Totally didn't see it coming. I loved that we got to see more of the Sideways.
Which is also why this book only got 4 stars instead of 5. The final battle of the book? Far too short. I wont' go into details because of spoilers, but it needed to be a couple of pages longer at least.
I can't wait for the 5th book to come out. Hopefully it'll be soon!
March 17, 2017
This one kinda dragged. I feel like the author wasn't into it for much of the story--that happens sometimes. Either this was not edited or the editor needs to be fired. So, SO MANY ERRORS.
All that said, if you can make it through, the ending is a harkening to the first three, and I finished feeling kinda satisfied. I cried, I laughed, I put the book on my shelf.
All that said, if you can make it through, the ending is a harkening to the first three, and I finished feeling kinda satisfied. I cried, I laughed, I put the book on my shelf.
January 24, 2019
Woah! This one sure tugs at the heart strings. Katie's one of my favourite characters in the book so it was maddening to have so little of her in it, but the fight and determination in Sarah to bring her back was moving. Totally adore Jai Li and was happy to see Katie and her sister reconnecting.
Please tell me this isn't the last book of the series?! There's so much more I need to know!!!!
Please tell me this isn't the last book of the series?! There's so much more I need to know!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2020
Another solid book in the series but had to knock off a star as there is just so much happening, which would not be a bad thing if the author was as productive as say Christopher Nuttall as this really looks to be a 10 book series.
Look forward to the next and hope the gap between books is not too long.
Look forward to the next and hope the gap between books is not too long.
May 31, 2017
Absolutely thrilling
I sure hope there is a book 5! I would love to hear this via audiobook I wouldn't be able to stop.
I sure hope there is a book 5! I would love to hear this via audiobook I wouldn't be able to stop.
August 2, 2017
I love these books, and I hope there are many more to come in the series
May 13, 2016
Lo People,
Wanna follow around a lesbian female badass with slightly more social skills than Lisbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fame? Hey! I know it's a different genre and there is no hacking in this urban fantasy but, wanna read about what Arha/Tenar/Goha from the Earthsea series might have been like if she did without the skirts, spent more time smithing, and scooted around on 100+ horsepower on a regular basis? Gimme. Gimme.
Also are you the kind of reader who places value on the too-often maligned feminine traits of conferring with others, rather than always going it alone, being indirect, or being concerned with childcare? Can we agree to give a shout out to an Omega wolf who has found a place and pack of her own? Does the majority of a First Person POV mixed with occasional third person sections agree with you? Meet Sarah Beauhall. Or meet her again if you've already been reading.
*Spoiler Alert*
Her Tangh-i-ness greatly appreciates pithy plot summaries. However, for those who must have a virgin reading experience, read no further, and eyeball elsewhere.
*Spoiler Alert End*
What kept me going throughout the book was what was going to happen to Katie. Katie already seemed vulnerable and by the time she collapsed into coma and other people started dying because of the magic unleashed tossed Sarah into the spotlight. Sarah's efforts to save her beloved, to Her Tangh-i-ness, mattered more than the array of helper characters who surrounded Sarah. That's not a snipe, that's an observation. For Her Tangh-i-ness to really sink her teeth into a reading experience, she has to care. Her Tangh-i-ness worried that Sarah might lose Katie. She worried that Sarah would start wanting someone else because it was easier to manage than the grief of not being able to make a difference to Katie's condition.
Okay then. This ain't Her Tangh-i-ness's first foray into the middle of a series because she did not happen to read book 1. However, with this book, this reader read feeling kind of clueless because she did not already know who all these other people were or why Her Tang-i-ness should take notice of them. There were some characters who naturally stood out like Jai Li, Bub, Nidhogg, and Qindra. Jimmy, Katie's brother, took a little longer to get close to or figure out but that was because he had been set up as an antagonist. What would have really knocked this adventure out of the park for me was more time spent with Bowler Hat man. Her Tangh-i-ness truly does appreciate a distinctively dressed villain. By the time Sarah dispatches him, Bowler Hat man had shown promise of joining iconic baddies like Freddie Kruger or Pyramidhead and he was related to Jimmy and Katie. Now I'm getting suspicious. That couldn't have been all there was to Sarah encountering this dude.
Note: This copy of Night Terrors was an electronic edition provided by the author. Her Tangh-i-ness usually reviews on a for-the-love basis. No lucre has been involved.
Wanna follow around a lesbian female badass with slightly more social skills than Lisbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fame? Hey! I know it's a different genre and there is no hacking in this urban fantasy but, wanna read about what Arha/Tenar/Goha from the Earthsea series might have been like if she did without the skirts, spent more time smithing, and scooted around on 100+ horsepower on a regular basis? Gimme. Gimme.
Also are you the kind of reader who places value on the too-often maligned feminine traits of conferring with others, rather than always going it alone, being indirect, or being concerned with childcare? Can we agree to give a shout out to an Omega wolf who has found a place and pack of her own? Does the majority of a First Person POV mixed with occasional third person sections agree with you? Meet Sarah Beauhall. Or meet her again if you've already been reading.
*Spoiler Alert*
Her Tangh-i-ness greatly appreciates pithy plot summaries. However, for those who must have a virgin reading experience, read no further, and eyeball elsewhere.
*Spoiler Alert End*
What kept me going throughout the book was what was going to happen to Katie. Katie already seemed vulnerable and by the time she collapsed into coma and other people started dying because of the magic unleashed tossed Sarah into the spotlight. Sarah's efforts to save her beloved, to Her Tangh-i-ness, mattered more than the array of helper characters who surrounded Sarah. That's not a snipe, that's an observation. For Her Tangh-i-ness to really sink her teeth into a reading experience, she has to care. Her Tangh-i-ness worried that Sarah might lose Katie. She worried that Sarah would start wanting someone else because it was easier to manage than the grief of not being able to make a difference to Katie's condition.
Okay then. This ain't Her Tangh-i-ness's first foray into the middle of a series because she did not happen to read book 1. However, with this book, this reader read feeling kind of clueless because she did not already know who all these other people were or why Her Tang-i-ness should take notice of them. There were some characters who naturally stood out like Jai Li, Bub, Nidhogg, and Qindra. Jimmy, Katie's brother, took a little longer to get close to or figure out but that was because he had been set up as an antagonist. What would have really knocked this adventure out of the park for me was more time spent with Bowler Hat man. Her Tangh-i-ness truly does appreciate a distinctively dressed villain. By the time Sarah dispatches him, Bowler Hat man had shown promise of joining iconic baddies like Freddie Kruger or Pyramidhead and he was related to Jimmy and Katie. Now I'm getting suspicious. That couldn't have been all there was to Sarah encountering this dude.
Note: This copy of Night Terrors was an electronic edition provided by the author. Her Tangh-i-ness usually reviews on a for-the-love basis. No lucre has been involved.
September 19, 2016
Normally I would give this series a 4 star rating, but there were just too may grammatical errors for me. I don't know if I just got a bad e-copy, or if this is what the finalized version was.
April 26, 2016
JA Pitts continues his excellent series in "Night Terrors" by simultaneously "tidying up" dangling minor arcs and plots alluded to in previous works, but also moves the overall story forward in the latest novel featuring Sarah Beauhall, blacksmith and dragonslayer.
Pitts has created a unique setting for his urban fantasy series, one which is more gritty, realistic, contested and dangerous than typical books. Yes, there is a sense of wonder to keep the reader turning pages, but "Night Terrors" seems to be all about paybacks - both warranted and unexpected. I guess maybe magical compound interest.
Characters are steady and rock-solid, remarkably consistent from the main protag, down to minor side-characters. Compelling to read and see how the characters crash into each other when at odds.
The action and combat scenes are top-notch and handled well; just enough detail without going on for pages which describe every single aspect of Gram, our hero's magic weapon.
Pace was overall very good. The story moved at a nice pace. Where it slowed, there was ample reason for the decision.
Another aspect I enjoyed is the very intimate view of characters which Pitts provides to readers. Rich, complex and always compelling.
In this book, deals are made, prices are paid, heroes rise and heroes fall. But it is all done in the name of great storytelling and Pitts gives readers of urban fantasy something new to read.
Pitts has created a unique setting for his urban fantasy series, one which is more gritty, realistic, contested and dangerous than typical books. Yes, there is a sense of wonder to keep the reader turning pages, but "Night Terrors" seems to be all about paybacks - both warranted and unexpected. I guess maybe magical compound interest.
Characters are steady and rock-solid, remarkably consistent from the main protag, down to minor side-characters. Compelling to read and see how the characters crash into each other when at odds.
The action and combat scenes are top-notch and handled well; just enough detail without going on for pages which describe every single aspect of Gram, our hero's magic weapon.
Pace was overall very good. The story moved at a nice pace. Where it slowed, there was ample reason for the decision.
Another aspect I enjoyed is the very intimate view of characters which Pitts provides to readers. Rich, complex and always compelling.
In this book, deals are made, prices are paid, heroes rise and heroes fall. But it is all done in the name of great storytelling and Pitts gives readers of urban fantasy something new to read.
October 5, 2024
The world and characters still display strong here, but the story itself seems to falter a bit in terms of depths and activity. Much of the goings-on are limited to Sarah's notation of them after the fact, there is much less present dialogue and interaction compared to the previous novels. The change of character perspective is more prevalent here as well, which works for the story but some of the details and narration for the other characters come off as rather weak compared to the solidity of Sarah's narration.
There were also a number of minute grammar/editing errors I spotted, though mine is a printed copy so it may have been an issue of how the pages were adapted for the printing format and thus I can't attest to the ebook version having such errors or not. It's possible the delays and upheaval caused by changing publishers resulted in some missteps with the editing.
Overall it is still a good book and I do hope to see the series continue and make way to intended completion. It's a bit of a shame that Pitts' transition of publishers derailed the series for so long and resulted in this one being rather swept under the rug compared to the first three, I didn't even hear of it till earlier this year and it was already impossible to find a printed copy from most book retailers. The series overall is still excellent though and I look forward to what Pitts intends for his world and characters
There were also a number of minute grammar/editing errors I spotted, though mine is a printed copy so it may have been an issue of how the pages were adapted for the printing format and thus I can't attest to the ebook version having such errors or not. It's possible the delays and upheaval caused by changing publishers resulted in some missteps with the editing.
Overall it is still a good book and I do hope to see the series continue and make way to intended completion. It's a bit of a shame that Pitts' transition of publishers derailed the series for so long and resulted in this one being rather swept under the rug compared to the first three, I didn't even hear of it till earlier this year and it was already impossible to find a printed copy from most book retailers. The series overall is still excellent though and I look forward to what Pitts intends for his world and characters
May 18, 2016
So glad to see this series continue and very happy to see Sarah evolve even farther as a character. The world building is getting more intriguing as the scope of the stage grows.
I do feel like Sarah can be read as a male protagonist in female clothing, but being male myself, I can't say for sure if this is the case.
I do feel like Sarah can be read as a male protagonist in female clothing, but being male myself, I can't say for sure if this is the case.
August 28, 2016
Sarah's life isn't easy. Between prop work for the movie company and farrier work on horses she barely has time to fit in any blacksmithing. At least her love life is fantastic! Until something horrible happens. But at least it's been a year since the big battle with the dragon and the giants . . .
November 1, 2016
I absolutely love this series. Can't wait for the next installment!
May 1, 2017
I have wait to log for this book to come out! This is the fourth book in the Black Blade series. This book was so much darker then the pervious ones. As this book went on, it became gloomy and at times was filled with depression a sense of helplessness. There were bright spots of hope, but it was mostly the feeling of helplessness compounded with the need to make things right.
***mild spoiler alert***
In this book Katie is in a coma due to magical backlash and her soul is wondering the Sideways. Sarah is determined to get her back, no matter the cost to her growing family and her sanity. It will lead her down paths that might have fatal consequences for some of her closest friends.
***end spoiler alert***
One thing that really bothered me about the book was the editing. There was a fair bit of punctuation and spelling errors throughout the whole book. It through me off and made things a little awkward. That was really the only thing that detracted from the book in general. Overall I give this book a three and a half stars (it would have been four stars if it weren't for the editing errors).
***mild spoiler alert***
In this book Katie is in a coma due to magical backlash and her soul is wondering the Sideways. Sarah is determined to get her back, no matter the cost to her growing family and her sanity. It will lead her down paths that might have fatal consequences for some of her closest friends.
***end spoiler alert***
One thing that really bothered me about the book was the editing. There was a fair bit of punctuation and spelling errors throughout the whole book. It through me off and made things a little awkward. That was really the only thing that detracted from the book in general. Overall I give this book a three and a half stars (it would have been four stars if it weren't for the editing errors).
June 9, 2017
So, if there were half stars, I probably would have given it 3 1/2 stars. I couldn't give it 3 stars because I love the character of Sarah. I really enjoyed the previous volumes but this one did drag. There were no resolutions to any of the mysteries, (seriously, we could have at least got the Boiler Hat Man's deal!), from this book or previous books, so, that was disappointing. I will still read the next one but I hope it has more plot and better editors, (there were quite a few punctuation and grammar mistakes), or I might not be able to finish it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews