May: At Calendar's End: Book Five

by Andy Lockwood

Though the world outside continues to move forward, for the Intercalary, life has come to a standstill. Their numbers are dwindling,
their hope broken. And even though a flicker of promise still stands against the darkness, chaos erupts and threatens to snuff out the last bit of light in their hearts.

Ember and their small contingent think they know who is behind it, but could it be true? Are they being haunted by the past, or is someone playing a cruel game even now?

This is the fifth installment in a 12-part serial thriller. Find the first installment

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2016

About the author

Andy Lockwood is a writer, an artist, and above all: a dreamer. He got his start in screenwriting and filmmaking where he discovered his obsessive love of storytelling.
He is the author of two novels, Empty Hallways and House of Thirteen; a 12-part serial thriller, At Calendar’s End; and is a regular contributor to horror anthologies. He is always working on another piece of writing, whether it is a novel, a story, or something else entirely. When not slaving away at the keyboard, he spends his time buying books he does not have time to read, and delving into mediums he has no time to fully explore, but he dabbles in them anyway.
He lives in mid-Michigan with his amazingly talented and entirely-too-supportive wife, their delightfully boisterous daughter, a brood of cats, and a misguided idea of what it means to be an adult.

Reviews

[Parker Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment of the At Calendar's Series ended on a cliffhanger.For the first several months, you're watching these beings die and there's nothing one can do about it. The group has become fragmented and distrust, though subtle is creeping up between. Yet, its usually in the darkest hour where the light starts to shine. Which literally is the case here. I was glad that finally Ember could DO something. Plus, you begin to see if your theories about what is happening will happen. Maya's character came through quite well although she didn't have a lot of things to say. But her tenacity is there too. An intriguing series that keeps you wondering for me.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite this being May, it was more Ember's chance to shine than Maya's.
Maya is very upset with Avril having been taken by Tris and at first doesn't want to even get up off the couch. However, she eventually finds inspiration enough to begin painting...after Ember and Nova drunkenly pass out. Julian has disappeared and despite the others warning her not to, Juno goes off in search of him and has yet to return. Ember allows her emotions to take precedent, getting particularly mad at Janus and his secrets...and discovers her anger manifests in a glowing power she can wield. However, when she becomes panicked or too fearful the power vanishes. When Tris comes for Maya, Ember panicks and grabs Tris ghosting them to another dimension with only Nova as a witness. Now more determined than ever, Ember vows to avenge her friends and discover what her new power will do!

I like this development with Ember, she's starting to grow into a stronger character. There's two more Intercalary members on their way, the remaining two, but Julian and Juno are still missing which makes for an exciting twist for the next novella.