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Middle Damned
Middle Damned is Book I of the Death Spiral Trilogy. Life after death proved much different than what the Stillwater family expected. Two go into the light, another into darkness, while Blake Stillwater fights for survival somewhere between, in the Realm of the Middle Damned. He will receive gifts from the members of his family he unwittingly killed, but even as those who love the light will be just, the Forces of Evil groom the one now dwelling in darkness to ruin it all. Caught in a crosswind between the dimensions of life and death, a new thought distracts Blake when he can least afford it. Is what he works toward real or is he lost in a coma-induced dream? In an attempt to get back to those of his family who survived, Blake will be willing to risk it all, and the rest be damned.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 17, 2017
This book is similar to The Lord of the Rings in its darkest parts. It is filled with extraordinary characters which the author managed to give life. There's even a character who makes us think to Golum (my favorite character in LotR). The author, however, gave a personal touch to his phantasmagoria, assuming that the main character was actually unconscious in a hospital bed and that everything that happens to him in this novel is a long and strange dream due to his condition or that he is lost between life and death.
Overall, it's pretty well written. I'm sure that fans of Lord of the Rings will appreciate it.
As for me, if I removed one star, it's that I've never very much liked Lord of the Rings or all these stories featuring fantasy worlds completely disconnected from reality. There were also tedious parts that almost made me drop out.
Note that I won this book in GR giveaways. If I gave my name in the hope of winning this book is that the blurb stated that the MC was in a hospital bed dreaming this story. I hoped that the author would exploit better this relationship between dream and reality.
Overall, it's pretty well written. I'm sure that fans of Lord of the Rings will appreciate it.
As for me, if I removed one star, it's that I've never very much liked Lord of the Rings or all these stories featuring fantasy worlds completely disconnected from reality. There were also tedious parts that almost made me drop out.
Note that I won this book in GR giveaways. If I gave my name in the hope of winning this book is that the blurb stated that the MC was in a hospital bed dreaming this story. I hoped that the author would exploit better this relationship between dream and reality.
September 9, 2012
This was quite an unusual book. I had not read anything to do with the afterlife, this book was a great start. I really enjoyed reading about Blake and his family and what happenned to them after a bad road crash. It really got my imagination sparking.. where could we end up if we died? could we reach our loved ones, what about those left behind,Can we reach them? As blake is trying to find his way around this new existence he does not know if he is going to get to his family again. He meets many diff people along the way in this place he is in now.He is really a lost soul. Purgatory seems the nearest explanation to what I can say it is.The story weaves back and forth from before the crash ,and after giving us snippets about what happened and the lead up to it. A really intriguing book that will be great to see a follow up of.I felt so bad for Blake being seperated from his family, and wandering lost in this place meeting these strange people and their strange ways.The area he finds himself in where human feelings like hunger and tiredness do not exist is a scary place..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2012
An action-packed book that I couldn't put down. Not only did this draw me in with the steampunk afterlife ideas, I felt so part of the characters' journeys and relationships as if living in the strange world Stilson so skillfully created. The sections with the two brothers were perfectly written, interweaving conflict and bonds transcending even death. This is a book I'll never forget.
July 16, 2012
I couldn't put this book down, it was a great story and kept me on the edge of my seat. So many twists and turns, you won't belive the ending.
I can't wait to read the sequel and find out what happened to Dawn.
I can't wait to read the sequel and find out what happened to Dawn.
January 5, 2016
*I received this book as a First Read on a Goodread's Giveaway
3.5 Stars
Middle Damned creates an unique view on the afterlife: Heaven, Hell, and the in-between area that the main character, Blake Stillwater has found himself in. Some of the different concepts this book contains include, people being held accountable for the deaths they are responsible for, as well as getting supernatural gifts (can be good or evil) from those whom they've wronged. The plot is interesting and so are the characters. There are not only humans in the realm of the middle-damned, but there are different types of demons and aliens. And some beings are "pures" which means they are of pure heart and can heal others as well as kill demons by touch. It is unlikely that a reader of this book will have read a book quite like it. My favorite part of the book was the descriptions of an amphibian-like alien named Shymur and his home planet.
With that being said, I couldn't love this book. I wanted to because it's not like other books out there, but I couldn't. The reason is that Stilson's writing style is very descriptive, which at times can make the story hard to follow. It can get too descriptive and instead of making the story clearer the descriptions just made the story convoluted. Also they become so much that the story slows and I got bored at parts. However, some people love this writing style, so I think it just depends on each reader individually whether or not they love the book. All in all, I still liked this book and I'm glad I read it.
3.5 Stars
Middle Damned creates an unique view on the afterlife: Heaven, Hell, and the in-between area that the main character, Blake Stillwater has found himself in. Some of the different concepts this book contains include, people being held accountable for the deaths they are responsible for, as well as getting supernatural gifts (can be good or evil) from those whom they've wronged. The plot is interesting and so are the characters. There are not only humans in the realm of the middle-damned, but there are different types of demons and aliens. And some beings are "pures" which means they are of pure heart and can heal others as well as kill demons by touch. It is unlikely that a reader of this book will have read a book quite like it. My favorite part of the book was the descriptions of an amphibian-like alien named Shymur and his home planet.
With that being said, I couldn't love this book. I wanted to because it's not like other books out there, but I couldn't. The reason is that Stilson's writing style is very descriptive, which at times can make the story hard to follow. It can get too descriptive and instead of making the story clearer the descriptions just made the story convoluted. Also they become so much that the story slows and I got bored at parts. However, some people love this writing style, so I think it just depends on each reader individually whether or not they love the book. All in all, I still liked this book and I'm glad I read it.
July 23, 2013
Honestly, I don't like to post negative reviews, but I prefer honesty in my (and others) reviews.
This just wasn't for me. I may give it another try at some point, but I just could not get into it. I must say, the formatting on this was terrible, as I could not adjust the font properly on my Kobo, like I normally can. As for the story itself - I didn't like the dialogue between the first two characters, and for me, the author used too many fancy expressions/descriptives too often.
The storyline has potential, and as I said, I did not like it, as it didn't work for me.
This just wasn't for me. I may give it another try at some point, but I just could not get into it. I must say, the formatting on this was terrible, as I could not adjust the font properly on my Kobo, like I normally can. As for the story itself - I didn't like the dialogue between the first two characters, and for me, the author used too many fancy expressions/descriptives too often.
The storyline has potential, and as I said, I did not like it, as it didn't work for me.
July 16, 2012
Shane Stilson has written a gripping tale of a possible scenario for the after life. The detail and imagination flowing through his words brings the reader to the point of dissecting their own thoughts and beliefs on what the afterlife can hold. A real page turner this new author should be read by any and all.
July 26, 2013
I Absolutely enjoyed this book. It kept my attention completely as it was so entertaining. This author has a great sense of humor. The plot was wonderful as well as unique. Not something you come across often, and that's a good thing. I loved every twist and turn the story takes, kept me on the edge of my seat. A completely enjoyable read and i will be recommending to my friends.
April 4, 2014
A most engaging story!! Thoroughly enjoyed this start to ending. So hooked I need to start the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews