The Sensitives

The Sensitives #1

by Rick Wood

A relentless demonic horror novel that is guaranteed to thrill fans of the paranormal… Oscar is a loser with no ambition and no friends --until he meets April. Like Oscar, she is a sensitive - someone who is paranormally gifted. She shows Oscar that he could finally do something amazing with his life. Then there's Kaylee. A ten-year-old girl with a demon raging inside of her. A possessed girl that even hardened police officers won’t go near. A girl being tormented by a demon that only Oscar can exorcise… To face this demon, he must endure more terror and overcome more horror than he ever knew existed… Can he find it in himself to confront the evil entity inside the girl? Or will she be lost forever to the demon possessing her? This is the first instalment of a gripping eight-part paranormal horror series that you will not be able to put down. Download now and experience the terror of this demon-infested world…

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Fiction, Supernatural

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2017

About the author

Horror Author

Reviews

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 Stats**

Oscar is not living his best life. He is what people would call a loser. Until one day April walks into his life and tells him he has a special gift. He is a Sensitive, able to see what others cannot. Just in time as a little girl seems to be possessed by a demon. They need Oscar to help save her life. Pretty good read.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. This was enjoyable as horror gets and tons of gore. Was definitely keeping me intrigued and forgot about the world a bit which I wanted. Not quite a full five stars

[MadameD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4/5
Narration 4/5

[Sharon Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book it has an excellent story line and full of twists and turns. It has you captivated from the start and keeps you that way until the end. But then you are so enthused by the characters that you want to know what's next. You don't want it to end. I was so happy when I turned the page and it states there was a series to read following Julian April and oscar. So much so I've already downloaded the next book to start reading as soon as I finish writing this. So I'd definitely recommend this book and am now thrilled to go and read the next book.

[Alicia Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I was looking for!

I am always on the hunt for a great horror author so this was a first Rick Wood book for me and I have to say that I am extremely impressed. The Sensitives just may be one of my favorite series yet, I'll know when I'm finished reading them all. Rick Wood you have a new fan so keep up the spookiness!!
A Little Book Love Blog

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, so this was a no for me. I kinda feel what the author was going for here. Like a found family sort of thing, but everything else was just a big no. The MC was not even remotely likable. The romance felt highly unlikely and just wasn't that good.

And the amount of child sexualization and ultimately the child SA and abuse. When I saw where this book was going, I was like no, if it goes there I'm not going to continue the series. Just a little FYI the SA was THANKFULLY not described, but still there and just big no for me.

[Kayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

No beating around any bushes in this story;
it’s to the point and punchy-which I like when it comes to gore and horror-a lot of writers dilute the bad bits.

However, the main characters weren’t captivating enough for me. I would go as far as to say they were somewhat annoying, childish, and flat.

The writing is easy to read, which allows you to race through it, and I did find at times that I jumped in certain scenes, which is unusual for me- so that’s a positive.

It had potential there to be a great story, it just needed more depth.

[Gabrielle Hyde · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️/5

[Abbie Mearns · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have been great. I signed up for the unflinching scenes of demonic possession and sweary protagonists. If that had been done well I could have forgiven the poor writing (ex: using the word “repent” when he actually meant “relent”; stealing dialogue word for word from The Exorcist- “That *thing* is not my daughter”- and scenes from The Exorcism of Emily Rose)

Alas no. What I did NOT sign up for was rape used as a plot device, a wafer-thin veiled paedophilia fantasy, and incel sympathy. This series was so close to being everything I want in true supernatural horror, yet also so very, very far from anything I ever want to read again.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story intrigued me and kept me reading. Oscar had all his self doubts, but as he found people to believe in him, his strength and backbone grew. Along with April and Julian, they made an eclectic group. I enjoyed the scarier aspects of the possession, visions, and exorcisms. A couple of the secondary characters were also interesting. I recommend this story, and I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Skip Torok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a 5! At one point, early on, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and I had goose bumps too. Amazing! I'm after some more of this!!!

[J.P. Willson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow...

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Errrr.... I'm a little undecided on this one. I'm not completely sure I enjoyed the writing style. I didn't like the main character Oscar very much, in fact I felt he was a little "Adrian Mole". That being said, there was plenty of gore, even if some of the subject matter was a bit uncomfortable. It didn't completely grab me though, a book that size I would normally tear through in a day. I'd still read the next instalment to see if Oscar's character develops at all and to give it another chance.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was good and I wanted to give it 4 stars but PLEASE hire an editor. The grammatical errors and incorrect word usage almost make me stop reading. I would definitely like to keep reading the series if the issues have been fixed. We'll see!

[Jonathan Peplow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d say it just was too short for what it needed. It felt a bit bland and short for a lot of it and I found the ending to be a bit corny but the development of Oscar was well-enough founded and I found myself liking the cast a fair bit. I think it needed to be longer, you can’t have a boy who’s become a complete incel transform into a brave and fearless warrior over the course of 100 pages or not even 1 day in the book, it just doesn’t work and comes off rushed. I liked the plot overall but the relationships and changes in the characters needed more time and simply wasn’t given it. Not a bad book, but not incredible either.

[Nicola Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good I was hooked from the get go it had a great plot and good characters I enjoyed the fact the chapters were short and it was kinda freaky as well not much scares me but the descriptions in this I could genuinely picture the scene and reading it at night definitely got me spooked this would be a great Halloween season read I’d highly recommend this book I do know there are 8 books in total all interconnected standalones the writing was good and the pacing was good I will definitely be reading more from this author it’s in kindle unlimited so that’s a bonus

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought when I started was yessss a creepy kid! I love a creepy kid!
This was a good solid read, not quite scary for me but certainly creepy, that being said its definitely one people should check the trigger warnings for, if you don't like anything involving children it's maybe not for you.
I gave 4 stars more so because I found the 3 main characters just unlikeable 🤷‍♀️ though this is the first in the series so hoping as I go they'll grow on me.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent exorcism book, a boy coming of age story. The MC was a little underdeveloped, but it sounds like there are 8 books total in the series. A bit of a cliché overused plot, but it worked. Not great, but not bad.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really excited to see this was a series set, but after this first read, don't think I will continue. The storyline wasn't exciting, nothing I haven't read before. And Oscar was getting on my nerves with drooling thoughts about April.

[Ramona Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sensitives is an interesting new series written by Rick Wood. I came across this series by accident and really liked it so now I am reading this series and am rather happy doing so. The author has taken exorcisms and made them into an interesting series with a nice little spin, using these "sensitives" to investigate potential possessions and similar cases and solve them. The pace of this book is spot on and there is always something happening.

In this particular one the team comes together and we get introduces to Julian, April and Oscar. I admit I particularly like Oscar since he really is your atypical hero but in my eyes is probably the most important one in this series. He is also in my opion the most likable one in this series. Second is April who is just a plain good person, with no huff or fluff. Julian is just a tough guy with a tough past and I get it, but he seriously needs to loosen up!

I like how they end up working together and how each has their own little niche and skill set. This is a neat little series and I found this author by looking for Amy Cross books, I can see why and am glad I did. Also happy to see there are like 8 books in this series so that should keep me busy for a little bit. Off to the next one.

[Marian Freitag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and Intense

I really liked this book. From the start it had your interest with giving you an over view of the majn characters and something of their lives. Then it jumps into an amazing story of possible possession and what to do about it. Meeting Oscar i didn't like him in the begining but when he joined Justin and April and in the end found himself. This was great to see him find confidence and to help someone in need and not act like a loser.
Justin and April are an enigma, who are they and how did they become who they are. That is a story i sould like fo read.
If you like a story that grips you, keep you guessing what is going to happen. This is, but it also has a dark side to it. Some of the action of some are very dark and unsettling.

[Lois Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I say that this book was amazing---because I felt that it is.

I Read the Edward King Series and I wanted to know more.

I wanted to see how it started and meet the characters in the story and I am happy that Rick Wood did this for me and his readers.

I had questions from when I read about Edward King that were answered in The Sensitives and I am now reading My Exorcism Killed Me and then I will read the next book.

I just can not put these books down-just like the Edward King Series.

I hope you will read both Series so you can get the full story.

[Keith CARTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Rick Woods brilliant Edward King series, I thought things could only deteriorate in Woods future novel.s How wrong can one man be? The Sensitives is as good if not better, the characters are believable and strong the storyline speeds by the second and third book in the series are already on order. Brilliantly spooky.

[John Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry, but not for me

I tend to dislike supernatural books that are based upon religious hocus pocus, the "casting out of devils" and such like. This one was no exception. For many readers it would have been a fast paced and thrilling tale but for me it just didn't do it.

[Lori Niemuth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea that prompted Mr. Wood to write this book was (probably) a good one, but I don't think he should have been the one to write it.

First off (and mentioned by another reviewer), the characters enter a foster institution and exit a home. So there's a blatant example of poor editing.

Second, there's way too much vomiting. Seemed that every incident the character Oscar came across made him vomit. Scary little girl? Puke. Demon? Puke. Nervous? Puke. Body? Umm... He managed not to toss his cookies that time -- a rare occurrence.

Third no matter the age of the character, they speak as if only sixteen. Even the "seen everything" detective.

Fourth, inconsistencies. Oscar is told how difficult exorcism are then each of the two tale less than twenty minutes AND Oscar performs the second himself purely by taunting the demon. Yeah. Right.

I almost didn't write a review for The Sensitives:Book One because i am embarrassed to let people know I read it. The author should be equally embarrassed he wrote it. But he does get two stars for the idea.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this author he really knows how to put you on the edge of feeling dirt and just wrong. the story lines have been good also with little twist at every turn. When Oscar a shy young guy who still lies at home with mom that keeps to himself and relies heavily on his proscription pills to steady his moods, meets April his life takes a turn for the weird. April is what she calls a "sensitive". someone who can see, hear or communicate with spirits, demons. April and her friend help people who have these kinds of problems. Upon seeing Oscar April can feel he is one of them and she must get him to realize this and help him be himself. Not just help him but get his help also with a very young girl who they believe to be possessed. Oscar soon realizes his pills never helped and things just might be as they have always seemed.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

*WARNING* not suitable for children
Julian and April each have their own gifts. Julian is really the leader since one of his gifts is to be able to sense others who are sensitive. Julian's gift is how April found Oscar. Oscar works at a grocery store, lives with his parents, takes A LOT of anxiety meds, is extremely anti-social, has no friends, masturbates daily, and does not have great personal hygiene. Oscar is a loser, but Julian is sure he is a sensitive and sends April to get him.
This was pretty creepy. The description of the demons provided an excellent mental visual. The development of the Oscar character was swift, but needed. This was a great horror story with demons and the exorcist was a priest, which was a nice change. I like the diversity of the group.

[Matt Lombardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The open few chapters are very well-written. As an author in the same genre, I was actually jealous. Oscar's experiences were a recognizable dark humor that resonated with me, having worked in retail, and having disenchanted (to put it nicely) parents. Kayley's introduction was especially creepy too!

I think, toward the end the writing style lost some of its punch. Also, maybe I've seen/read too many exorcism scenes, one too many.

Having said that, I would read more of this author's work. I'd like too see something more "outside of the box" because the writing skill is admirable. Just push it through to the end.

[caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one

I picked this up on a whim and I'm really glad I did. I really enjoyed this quick read. The characters were believable and I really liked their individuality and became invested in their story.
I was really invested in Oscar from very early in the book and am looking forward to reading more of his story and finding out what becomes of him.
Personally I'm not sure this books sits in the horror genre. It has some gruesome bits but nothing that left me hiding under the covers. I didn't mind that though as I was in the mood for something quick and spooky but not outright guts and gore.

[Rick Rawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced and apart from a few spag errors was quite well written. The horror is mainly good, not particularly original for fans of the genre, but atmospheric none the less. Occasionally bits, particularly around main character Oscar, can get a little repetitive and there’s not enough character development to really get into the heads of the main characters.

Could probably have gone up another star but there is a particular decision taken towards the end that went too far into bad taste and ruined the end a bit.