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The Helper
A tale that combines contemporary, speculative fiction with an ambiguous spirituality. The book explores relationships between lovers, friends, families, and what Powers of Good there may be.
John Sloan is a Marine Corps veteran with a life-long secret that is haunting him. He is a conduit to a healing light that draws him to people on the brink of emotional disintegration, people who are then healed and Helped by this light. His blue-collar world is shattered when he finds that his connection to this anonymous portal has vanished. He is alone, seemingly beyond aid, and in desperate need of a Helping himself.
The book tracks the intersecting lives of John and two other Helpers. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a mixed-blood Ojibwe, with a secret of his own. His power to Help is remarkable, but was once destructively misused. A career Marine, his scarred childhood and momentary abuse of power have left him jaded and bereft. Deena Morrison, also a Helper, is John's girlfriend. Adopted as an infant, she flees John to find her birth-mother, while carrying within herself her own secret. Another character shadows their lives as narrator, Nan'b'oozoo, the trickster god of Ojibwe legend—at times sarcastic and petulant, at others insightful and humorous.
The novel travels from the gritty Lake Superior port-cities and Indian Reservations of northern Wisconsin to the Jewish neighborhoods of North Miami Beach, Florida—from Parris Island to the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan.
John Sloan is a Marine Corps veteran with a life-long secret that is haunting him. He is a conduit to a healing light that draws him to people on the brink of emotional disintegration, people who are then healed and Helped by this light. His blue-collar world is shattered when he finds that his connection to this anonymous portal has vanished. He is alone, seemingly beyond aid, and in desperate need of a Helping himself.
The book tracks the intersecting lives of John and two other Helpers. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a mixed-blood Ojibwe, with a secret of his own. His power to Help is remarkable, but was once destructively misused. A career Marine, his scarred childhood and momentary abuse of power have left him jaded and bereft. Deena Morrison, also a Helper, is John's girlfriend. Adopted as an infant, she flees John to find her birth-mother, while carrying within herself her own secret. Another character shadows their lives as narrator, Nan'b'oozoo, the trickster god of Ojibwe legend—at times sarcastic and petulant, at others insightful and humorous.
The novel travels from the gritty Lake Superior port-cities and Indian Reservations of northern Wisconsin to the Jewish neighborhoods of North Miami Beach, Florida—from Parris Island to the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2016
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
M.N. SNow
2 books4 followers M. N. SNow's fiction has been published in "Decimos-We Say" and "Oeuvre Magazine." Snow's first novel, "The Helper", was published in 2017. The author was also a contributing writer for "Reader Weekly", in Duluth, MN. SNow’s bio includes years as a public radio host and anchor, primarily in the south Florida market, but also for Wisconsin Public Radio. M. N. is also a published poet, a published cartoonist, and a former Marine Corps NCO. The author's time is divided between Key West and the south Florida mainland, with occasional trips back home to The Zone.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 14, 2017
Needing a different, yet totally engrossing read? THE HELPER by M.N. Snow is THAT book! Told in a rather chaotic way, filled with present day characters, flashbacks, and drama, the plot is not a straightline tale. It is the entwining of three main lives, their “gifts’ of being a “helper,” meaning they have the power to recognize and act when a person needs help. Easy enough, or maybe not so easy.
Present day, John has lost his purpose, his gift and he is adrift, thinking back on life, how he was able to give to others through his gift, how he made lifelong friendships and more with others like him. Here we segue from John’s memories to Deena, another Helper he let get away. Then there is Dusty, perhaps the most powerful of them all, John’s best friend throughout life. Each have their own dark pasts to overcome, each have their own disappoints in life, each has been left in pain, but one will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others just when they need it most.
Thought provoking, perfectly put together, from the well-timed, if not slightly overdone, “locker room banter” to the enlightenment received. From the prologue to the last page, this is a journey that will resonate more as you reflect back on this well-crafted tale as you discover that heroes come in all sizes and shapes and everyone could use a helper sometimes!
I received this copy from M.N. SNow in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: M. N. SNow (November 15, 2016)
Publication Date: November 15, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Print Length: 296 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Present day, John has lost his purpose, his gift and he is adrift, thinking back on life, how he was able to give to others through his gift, how he made lifelong friendships and more with others like him. Here we segue from John’s memories to Deena, another Helper he let get away. Then there is Dusty, perhaps the most powerful of them all, John’s best friend throughout life. Each have their own dark pasts to overcome, each have their own disappoints in life, each has been left in pain, but one will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others just when they need it most.
Thought provoking, perfectly put together, from the well-timed, if not slightly overdone, “locker room banter” to the enlightenment received. From the prologue to the last page, this is a journey that will resonate more as you reflect back on this well-crafted tale as you discover that heroes come in all sizes and shapes and everyone could use a helper sometimes!
I received this copy from M.N. SNow in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: M. N. SNow (November 15, 2016)
Publication Date: November 15, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Print Length: 296 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 14, 2017
A Magical World Of Words3.5 stars.
(Goodreads says that this edition is a kindle edition, but I read a paperback copy with a purple cover.)
(Thank you to the author for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I was hesitant to read this book, since it's a genre I've very rarely attempted and enjoyed.
But to my surprise, I did thoroughly enjoy it, and I'm so glad I gave it a try!
Snow is a fantastic storyteller. Just brilliant. The story was never boring, I was constantly entertained, and considering the blurb's promise of a meandering plot, I was again surprised at how it held my attention. It was very well written, and the narrator was delightfully spirited and sassy; that's all I can say without giving spoilers.
The story - and indeed the writing - was quirky, original, and imaginative. It was mystical and almost hypnotising.
The ending was perfect. I nearly cried, and I thought Snow did an excellent job of bringing everything to a close.
The characters were all rich and three-dimensional. In addition, there was lots of cultural diversity and satisfied opportunity to showcase that. John, Dusty, Deena, and everyone else's personalities came through clearly, and the characters changed and grew as the story progressed. My personal favourite was Mrs. Abbott: what a wonderful woman. I wish I could meet her character and talk to her; she seemed like such an amazing, compassionate, motherly person who was tragically kept her pain inside, and she truly touched my heart; despite her lack of presence in the book.
Unfortunately I did have some issues with certain parts in the book:
There were some unnecessary, crude, and frequent preserve scenes. Most of them were unnecessary to the story, and the level of explicitness was uncalled for.
There was a lot of bad language, and it was disgusting. The characters and narrator were constantly swearing, and it was unnecessary and dirty.
As much as I liked and respected most of the female characters in this book, I could not condone the crude language and unnecessary attention drawn to them and their bodies. In almost every description of a woman, the narrator referred to their breasts and body as if that was the main focus, and as if the size of their breasts somehow determined their identity. I was not happy with that, to put it mildly. And although in context such information can be suited, the degree of information and frequency of such information in this particular novel was very unnecessary.
This isn't another criticism; more like a note: Considering John's cultural background, it made sense that he talk in a more refined, English dialect. But while he did talk like that for most of the time, he had the occasional bouts of dialogue that displayed a more unrefined, more Dusty-like way of talking. It was like the author couldn't make up his mind. That was frustrating and confusing.
The Helper was an entertaining, moving, intriguing and brilliantly written novel packed with strong characters. The bad language and perverse sexual content was very unfortunate, but I still managed to enjoy the story.
April 27, 2017
The Helper was a great read! It was very entertaining and had a few twists, especially at the end. The point of view was a bit surprising, as well. It starts with an omniscient third person point of view, but changes toward the end. This was a bit strange for me, but it made everything come together in the end. The characters were extremely well developed, as readers are given the insights of their thoughts in order to understand the causes of their actions. The imagery was also different; as a reader, I felt able to join in the story for some parts, but not others. This was definitely a new writing style for me, but it worked. The characters are soldiers in parts of the story, so prepare to hear the language you would expect to come from the mouth of a Marine.
The supernatural part of the characters was, for lack of a better word, unique. I love books with “special talents”, but this was different. I would recommend this book to a friend, but I would do so selectively.
Overall, it was a good story. I enjoyed reading it; and rate it with 4 Boundless Stars.
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The supernatural part of the characters was, for lack of a better word, unique. I love books with “special talents”, but this was different. I would recommend this book to a friend, but I would do so selectively.
Overall, it was a good story. I enjoyed reading it; and rate it with 4 Boundless Stars.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
March 8, 2017
The Helper by M.N. Snow Book Review
An emotional story of hope, love and the power to help, and what people do with that power. That is how I would describe The Helper, a fantastic
novel written by author M.N. Snow that explores the story of three people with unique abilities that allow them to help others, and the
complicated lives they lead because of it. First, here is the official synopsis:
A tale that combines contemporary, speculative fiction with an ambiguous spirituality. The book explores relationships between lovers, friends,
families, and what Powers of Good there may be.
John Sloan is an ex-Marine with a life-long secret that is haunting him. He is a conduit to a healing light that draws him to people on the
brink of emotional disintegration, people who are then healed and Helped by this light. His blue-collar world is shattered when he finds that
his connection to this anonymous portal has vanished. He is alone, seemingly beyond aid, and in desperate need of a Helping himself.
The book tracks the intersecting lives of John and two other Helpers. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a mixed-blood Ojibwe, with a secret
of his own. His power to Help is remarkable, but was once destructively misused. A career Marine, his scarred childhood and momentary abuse of
power have left him jaded and bereft. Deena Morrison, also a Helper, is John's girlfriend. Adopted as an infant, she flees John to find her
birth-mother, while carrying within herself her own secret. Another character shadows their lives as narrator, Nan'b'oozoo, the trickster god of
Ojibwe legend—at times sarcastic and petulant, at others insightful and humorous.
The novel travels from the gritty Lake Superior port-cities and Indian Reservations of northern Wisconsin to the Jewish neighborhoods of North
Miami Beach, Florida—from Parris Island to the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan.
The story of John, Deena and Dusty is packed full of emotional stories that jump back and forth through time thanks to the narrative storytelling
of the narrator. Watching these characters grow up separately in very different circumstances, and seeing their very different approaches to the
gift of Helping was gripping to read. This is an incredibly well-written story, that often reminded me of the same storytelling style of
Stephen King, creating eloquent plot lines with realistic characters that spoke of the various types of people you'd expect to meet in these
places and time periods written about in the book. Getting to see the impact this force of good has on these individuals, and getting to see protagonist
John give so much of himself to others, only to discover he is the one in need of Helping once his power seems to disappear, taking pieces of
himself slowly and painfully as well.
Analyzing the impact of war, racism, violence and the struggle to remain good in a world that constantly threatens to overwhelm people with evil
and darkness, The Helper is a phenomenal read that deserves to be read. The passion that this story is told with showcases a strong command
over the narrative, and author M.N. Snow showcases a talent that is too bright not to be recognized. Filled with romance, friendship and the
constant struggle to remain good, this is a powerful book that everyone should get, so be sure to pick up your copies of M.N. Snow's The Helper
now!
Rating: 10/10
An emotional story of hope, love and the power to help, and what people do with that power. That is how I would describe The Helper, a fantastic
novel written by author M.N. Snow that explores the story of three people with unique abilities that allow them to help others, and the
complicated lives they lead because of it. First, here is the official synopsis:
A tale that combines contemporary, speculative fiction with an ambiguous spirituality. The book explores relationships between lovers, friends,
families, and what Powers of Good there may be.
John Sloan is an ex-Marine with a life-long secret that is haunting him. He is a conduit to a healing light that draws him to people on the
brink of emotional disintegration, people who are then healed and Helped by this light. His blue-collar world is shattered when he finds that
his connection to this anonymous portal has vanished. He is alone, seemingly beyond aid, and in desperate need of a Helping himself.
The book tracks the intersecting lives of John and two other Helpers. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a mixed-blood Ojibwe, with a secret
of his own. His power to Help is remarkable, but was once destructively misused. A career Marine, his scarred childhood and momentary abuse of
power have left him jaded and bereft. Deena Morrison, also a Helper, is John's girlfriend. Adopted as an infant, she flees John to find her
birth-mother, while carrying within herself her own secret. Another character shadows their lives as narrator, Nan'b'oozoo, the trickster god of
Ojibwe legend—at times sarcastic and petulant, at others insightful and humorous.
The novel travels from the gritty Lake Superior port-cities and Indian Reservations of northern Wisconsin to the Jewish neighborhoods of North
Miami Beach, Florida—from Parris Island to the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan.
The story of John, Deena and Dusty is packed full of emotional stories that jump back and forth through time thanks to the narrative storytelling
of the narrator. Watching these characters grow up separately in very different circumstances, and seeing their very different approaches to the
gift of Helping was gripping to read. This is an incredibly well-written story, that often reminded me of the same storytelling style of
Stephen King, creating eloquent plot lines with realistic characters that spoke of the various types of people you'd expect to meet in these
places and time periods written about in the book. Getting to see the impact this force of good has on these individuals, and getting to see protagonist
John give so much of himself to others, only to discover he is the one in need of Helping once his power seems to disappear, taking pieces of
himself slowly and painfully as well.
Analyzing the impact of war, racism, violence and the struggle to remain good in a world that constantly threatens to overwhelm people with evil
and darkness, The Helper is a phenomenal read that deserves to be read. The passion that this story is told with showcases a strong command
over the narrative, and author M.N. Snow showcases a talent that is too bright not to be recognized. Filled with romance, friendship and the
constant struggle to remain good, this is a powerful book that everyone should get, so be sure to pick up your copies of M.N. Snow's The Helper
now!
Rating: 10/10
September 27, 2017
This book was absolutely amazing! When I read the Synopses, I was a little confused on what the story was about and not sure if I would like it. But something inside me told me to take a chance on it. Boy am I so glad that I did!
First let me say that the last two chapters you will need a huge box of tissues. Those chapters pulled at my heart strings real bad. Through out the whole book, you will use all your emotions.
Deena, well I know some what how she felt, because I am too. My parents told me while I was an infant and it's like I always knew. I am very proud of it! I know that dieing need to know as much as you can and maybe one day, get to do what Deena did, but with my husband and daughters. I envy her for going and finding her.
Dusty, he is just a surprise after surprise. I felt pride for him in the ending. I never felt sorry for him, but I was in his corner, rooting for him and hoping that things would change as he got older. His Military career was amazing and he was so strong and really one of the best there is. But what he did in the ending captured melt my heart and that is something I would do. I felt love for him for it.
John, amazing child hood, one that every child dreams of. I grew up in the 60's-70's era and remember those times so well. As life through him a curve ball after curve ball and he found that dark hole, I was hoping he would come out of it. I have been in the black hole and until you have, you have no idea how it feels. I also know how it feels to have the love of your life, as my husband and I just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. John had that glow of love and that is the best feeling there is.
The Light, I could really see myself as a Helper. I am told that I have a heart of gold and a soul of an angle. I don't know how true that all is, but I will take the complement though. When Dusty explained his travel to the Light, I fully understood what he meant. You see when I was giving birth to my first daughter, things went terribly wrong. I went down that very dark tunnel towards the end with that brilliant bright light. The closer I got to the light, the happier I felt. I also felt peace and serenity, the best feeling that I have ever felt in my entire life. I was almost there when a hand touched my shoulder and brought me back.
The ending is nothing like you would expect or think of. I was shocked on who was telling the story, it sure wasn't who I thought it was. Surprise! I could go into the story line and tell you how things played out, but if you really want to know, you will have to buy the book to find out. It is worth every penny of it. I now wish that I had gotten it in paper instead of an ebook. This is one book I would love to have on my shelf, signed or not, it doesn't really matter.
So to end this review, M. N. Snow is a new author to me and if this author writes all their books like this one, I sure would love to read more of them. I am hooked and reeled in on this book and this author.
First let me say that the last two chapters you will need a huge box of tissues. Those chapters pulled at my heart strings real bad. Through out the whole book, you will use all your emotions.
Deena, well I know some what how she felt, because I am too. My parents told me while I was an infant and it's like I always knew. I am very proud of it! I know that dieing need to know as much as you can and maybe one day, get to do what Deena did, but with my husband and daughters. I envy her for going and finding her.
Dusty, he is just a surprise after surprise. I felt pride for him in the ending. I never felt sorry for him, but I was in his corner, rooting for him and hoping that things would change as he got older. His Military career was amazing and he was so strong and really one of the best there is. But what he did in the ending captured melt my heart and that is something I would do. I felt love for him for it.
John, amazing child hood, one that every child dreams of. I grew up in the 60's-70's era and remember those times so well. As life through him a curve ball after curve ball and he found that dark hole, I was hoping he would come out of it. I have been in the black hole and until you have, you have no idea how it feels. I also know how it feels to have the love of your life, as my husband and I just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. John had that glow of love and that is the best feeling there is.
The Light, I could really see myself as a Helper. I am told that I have a heart of gold and a soul of an angle. I don't know how true that all is, but I will take the complement though. When Dusty explained his travel to the Light, I fully understood what he meant. You see when I was giving birth to my first daughter, things went terribly wrong. I went down that very dark tunnel towards the end with that brilliant bright light. The closer I got to the light, the happier I felt. I also felt peace and serenity, the best feeling that I have ever felt in my entire life. I was almost there when a hand touched my shoulder and brought me back.
The ending is nothing like you would expect or think of. I was shocked on who was telling the story, it sure wasn't who I thought it was. Surprise! I could go into the story line and tell you how things played out, but if you really want to know, you will have to buy the book to find out. It is worth every penny of it. I now wish that I had gotten it in paper instead of an ebook. This is one book I would love to have on my shelf, signed or not, it doesn't really matter.
So to end this review, M. N. Snow is a new author to me and if this author writes all their books like this one, I sure would love to read more of them. I am hooked and reeled in on this book and this author.
January 21, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
Marine veteran John Sloan has a secret - he has this healing light that appears when he finds people that need some kind of emotional help. Then his world is rocked when he loses the light within him and ends up alone and in desperate need of help himself. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a career Marine and is also a mixed-blood Ojibwe - he has the same amazing secret even though it has been misused in the past. Deena Morrison was adopted as a child is also a Helper and is John's girlfriend. She flees John to go and find her birth mother but also has another secret,
This book looks at their relationships, the intersections between the characters and their talent as a Helper.
This book started a bit slow as the characters were introduced and the relationships and connections were described, but as it got further through the story and deeper into the interactions between the characters, it started to move faster and become more addictive. I loved the ending and the concept of these people who can help those emotionally in need. If only that were really possible in real life. The book was well written, the emotions well described and the story well organised.
Marine veteran John Sloan has a secret - he has this healing light that appears when he finds people that need some kind of emotional help. Then his world is rocked when he loses the light within him and ends up alone and in desperate need of help himself. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a career Marine and is also a mixed-blood Ojibwe - he has the same amazing secret even though it has been misused in the past. Deena Morrison was adopted as a child is also a Helper and is John's girlfriend. She flees John to go and find her birth mother but also has another secret,
This book looks at their relationships, the intersections between the characters and their talent as a Helper.
This book started a bit slow as the characters were introduced and the relationships and connections were described, but as it got further through the story and deeper into the interactions between the characters, it started to move faster and become more addictive. I loved the ending and the concept of these people who can help those emotionally in need. If only that were really possible in real life. The book was well written, the emotions well described and the story well organised.
May 31, 2017
"See that smoke curling up from the end of her lipstick-stained, ultra-long, ultra-light? It's rising isn't it? You're goddamned right it's rising, and that's a good thing. Even something as dirty and useless as smoke gets to rise. There's hope everywhere.’’ – The Helper by M.N. Snow
(I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
From a very young age, John realizes he possesses an innate ability to Help people in huge, life-altering ways. He still remembers the exact moment he Helped someone for the first time. Now in his thirties, when his divine connection to the Light unexpectedly shatters, so does his very self. With the sudden departure of his lover Deena, John suddenly faces the dark prospect of a meaningless, empty existence. How will John navigate his way through life without the Light?
This was such a refreshing read. It was mystical and moving, with a dark type of humor. I found the unique and abstract combination of spiritual elements and down-to-earth banter to be truly captivating. The narrator was enthusiastic and I loved that each character had their own unique voice.
The novel touched on major issues such as abandonment, war, and racism; it truly held nothing back. It became obvious very early on that this book is destined for mature (18+) audiences, and some people might even be offended by the crude descriptions and almost constant use of profanities. However, I feel that without this undignified aspect, the book would lose some of its realness. It was an intense and emotional read, but what surprised me the most was the wisdom that it delivered.
If you’re in need of a stimulating read that will make you reflect on humanity and the power of good, I absolutely recommend this book.
I give this book a rating of 4.5!
(I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
From a very young age, John realizes he possesses an innate ability to Help people in huge, life-altering ways. He still remembers the exact moment he Helped someone for the first time. Now in his thirties, when his divine connection to the Light unexpectedly shatters, so does his very self. With the sudden departure of his lover Deena, John suddenly faces the dark prospect of a meaningless, empty existence. How will John navigate his way through life without the Light?
This was such a refreshing read. It was mystical and moving, with a dark type of humor. I found the unique and abstract combination of spiritual elements and down-to-earth banter to be truly captivating. The narrator was enthusiastic and I loved that each character had their own unique voice.
The novel touched on major issues such as abandonment, war, and racism; it truly held nothing back. It became obvious very early on that this book is destined for mature (18+) audiences, and some people might even be offended by the crude descriptions and almost constant use of profanities. However, I feel that without this undignified aspect, the book would lose some of its realness. It was an intense and emotional read, but what surprised me the most was the wisdom that it delivered.
If you’re in need of a stimulating read that will make you reflect on humanity and the power of good, I absolutely recommend this book.
I give this book a rating of 4.5!
September 3, 2017
There are stories that attempt to go the unconventional way. This story is one of them.
The plot revolves around Helpers, people who "Help" those emotionally distraught. Who these Helpers are, how their lives intertwine and what happens, are all questions that will get answered once you read this story.
The author has interwoven flashbacks and that is a high point of this story. It is not easy to incorporate flashbacks since there is a danger of losing out on narration. Yet another writing technique used has been narrating the story through a narrator. Again, if not used properly this technique could also have led to narration issues. Thankfully, the writing is so amazing that both these issues have been addressed. There are imageries and where I felt the author could have done a bit more justice is to descriptions. There were a few places where a bit more of elaboration would have added greater impact to the storyline.
The main protagonists and the other secondary characters have been etched out with all of them comtributing to the story. They emote, are as close to real life as possible and ensure the plot is never forgotten.
To sum up, this book is absolutely superb and worth reading. It gives me a feeling that the next time I read it I would be privy to a whole new perspective. And return to it I will. But yes, this is not a conventional book with a cliched plot. The story kind of grows on you as you read it. Hence, choose this book if you are into serious reading. If you are looking for a "read and forget" kind of story, then this book is not for you. You actually need to read it to believe.
P.S - Thank you MNS for a story that was like The Helper for me. Loved the unique concept and writing. My review is my honest opinion after reading the story.
The plot revolves around Helpers, people who "Help" those emotionally distraught. Who these Helpers are, how their lives intertwine and what happens, are all questions that will get answered once you read this story.
The author has interwoven flashbacks and that is a high point of this story. It is not easy to incorporate flashbacks since there is a danger of losing out on narration. Yet another writing technique used has been narrating the story through a narrator. Again, if not used properly this technique could also have led to narration issues. Thankfully, the writing is so amazing that both these issues have been addressed. There are imageries and where I felt the author could have done a bit more justice is to descriptions. There were a few places where a bit more of elaboration would have added greater impact to the storyline.
The main protagonists and the other secondary characters have been etched out with all of them comtributing to the story. They emote, are as close to real life as possible and ensure the plot is never forgotten.
To sum up, this book is absolutely superb and worth reading. It gives me a feeling that the next time I read it I would be privy to a whole new perspective. And return to it I will. But yes, this is not a conventional book with a cliched plot. The story kind of grows on you as you read it. Hence, choose this book if you are into serious reading. If you are looking for a "read and forget" kind of story, then this book is not for you. You actually need to read it to believe.
P.S - Thank you MNS for a story that was like The Helper for me. Loved the unique concept and writing. My review is my honest opinion after reading the story.
February 10, 2017
I enjoyed this story because it was different and I remained interested throughout the whole book. It was a group of short realistic fiction stories, each about people hitting the point of no return or rock bottom, brought together by the main story which was a magical, or some may think, a spiritual one. I really enjoyed this author's writing style. He took a group of basic stories and through his story telling connected them together into one in a seamless way. His writing is organized and his characters are not only well developed, but are believable and interesting. The story takes place in Michigan, Wisconson, Florida, Parris Island, and the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan. Although the story jumps around from person to person and place to place, it is told in such a way that it is easy to follow.
After completing this novel, I did find myself thinking about it. Although it is not a really deep book, this is one of those books that you can get what you want out of it. For me, I got the message that there is always hope. I also found myself thinking that there are choices in life, but they are not always mine to make. There were so many more spiritual and life ideas throughout the book, but I believe each reader would pick out different meanings and focuses. Some may just see it as a simple story.
Please note, there was A LOT of profanity in this book, so if that bothers you, this is one you should skip.
After completing this novel, I did find myself thinking about it. Although it is not a really deep book, this is one of those books that you can get what you want out of it. For me, I got the message that there is always hope. I also found myself thinking that there are choices in life, but they are not always mine to make. There were so many more spiritual and life ideas throughout the book, but I believe each reader would pick out different meanings and focuses. Some may just see it as a simple story.
Please note, there was A LOT of profanity in this book, so if that bothers you, this is one you should skip.
May 26, 2017
People with the power to help, kind of sounds like a Disney Movie to me there. Don't worry, it's definitely not a Disney movie in any way, shape or form. While this story was good and it had a lot of potential, I had too many issues with it to totally lose myself in it.
I don't like when a story is told primarily through flashbacks. It takes me way too long to get into it and then I often forget what the present tense is. I got to gist of what was happening, though. John lost his helping ability and was trying to get them back.
All in all, it was a decent book that a lot of people can enjoy.
I don't like when a story is told primarily through flashbacks. It takes me way too long to get into it and then I often forget what the present tense is. I got to gist of what was happening, though. John lost his helping ability and was trying to get them back.
All in all, it was a decent book that a lot of people can enjoy.
February 10, 2017
This is not like any book I have read before. There is an obvious narrator telling the whole story. The narrator is very much a part of the story and his impressions add a unique twist to the plot (no I'm not giving any spoilers). The author creates characters that pulled on my heart strings. I could not wait to get back to this book each time I had to stop for some reason. There is a lot of suspense in this story. I honestly did not know how it was going to end until the end. It's an original story that is totally worth reading.
June 29, 2017
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review. When I was told about this book and asked if I’d be interested in reading, I couldn’t help but say yes! The concept of the book is something that isn’t done often so it wasn’t played out or predictable.
We follow three characters in the book: John, Dusty, and Deena. All are Helpers, they help those who are on the brink of darkness with a healing Light, and they meet other interesting Helpers and people during their journey. All is going well, until John loses his connection to the Light and his world is shifted. the writing style was upbeat and felt like people’s actual thoughts and conversations. And the twist at the end was something I didn’t see coming even a little bit.
This author shows a great deal of promise and I hope for more books coming soon!!
We follow three characters in the book: John, Dusty, and Deena. All are Helpers, they help those who are on the brink of darkness with a healing Light, and they meet other interesting Helpers and people during their journey. All is going well, until John loses his connection to the Light and his world is shifted. the writing style was upbeat and felt like people’s actual thoughts and conversations. And the twist at the end was something I didn’t see coming even a little bit.
This author shows a great deal of promise and I hope for more books coming soon!!
April 7, 2017
This is such a powerful book. When you have the power to do great good, but are continually faced with bad situations, which way do you turn. While this might remind you of Spiderman’s “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.”, there is so much nuisance in the story, that it’s never that simple.
M.N. Snow does a great job with character development and relationships. Even if the synopsis of the story may not be something you think you would enjoying, reading the way the characters interact and their dialogue is fantastic.
It was a joy to read since it was not something that I’ve felt like I’ve read a million times before, and the twist at the end was a bonus. Do yourself a favor, and buy this one!
M.N. Snow does a great job with character development and relationships. Even if the synopsis of the story may not be something you think you would enjoying, reading the way the characters interact and their dialogue is fantastic.
It was a joy to read since it was not something that I’ve felt like I’ve read a million times before, and the twist at the end was a bonus. Do yourself a favor, and buy this one!
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