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Southern Watch #6
Starling
WARNING: Due to extremely disturbing content, this book is intended for MATURE READERS ONLY.
Midian, Tennessee is a city on the brink of ruin. Coming off a cataclysmic event that has changed the course of the town and revealed the threat to all, no respite comes to the beleaguered people of Midian. For demons are pouring into the town from every corner of the earth, with appetites both gross and varied. Ruin creeps ever closer, and as the lonely watch tries to stave off ruin, they may face find their greatest threat isn't a demon at all...but rather a fellow human whose own lusts for power are far too large for this small town to ever satiate.
Midian, Tennessee is a city on the brink of ruin. Coming off a cataclysmic event that has changed the course of the town and revealed the threat to all, no respite comes to the beleaguered people of Midian. For demons are pouring into the town from every corner of the earth, with appetites both gross and varied. Ruin creeps ever closer, and as the lonely watch tries to stave off ruin, they may face find their greatest threat isn't a demon at all...but rather a fellow human whose own lusts for power are far too large for this small town to ever satiate.
495 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2017
472 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Crane
191 books1,170 followersRobert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 26, 2017
Now, with Legion, I said that I thought that was easily the scariest of the Southern Watch series so far. And I stand by that.
This book though? The tone of the book is different. The bad guys are different. The evil is different. Now you might be thinking, "evil is evil" right? Well, yes and no. With Legion, the horror was stark. Here it is more subtle.
Let me try and explain. There are two POVs in this book from two different bad guys. And for one, their indifference to the underlying wrongness of their actions is chilling. For the other, the plotting of and execution of his schemes, whilst initially surprising in their origin, is a deeper betrayal than originally imagined.
That, right there is chilling. But this book? A masterful addition and easily the scariest of the series so far. There's no reaching for the urban dictionary; no need for the brain bleach. Instead, what Robert has given the reader with this book is a nasty, insidious, creeping evil.
Midian is a town under siege. And, and you will see from the concluding chapter, things are about to get significantly worse.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book though? The tone of the book is different. The bad guys are different. The evil is different. Now you might be thinking, "evil is evil" right? Well, yes and no. With Legion, the horror was stark. Here it is more subtle.
Let me try and explain. There are two POVs in this book from two different bad guys. And for one, their indifference to the underlying wrongness of their actions is chilling. For the other, the plotting of and execution of his schemes, whilst initially surprising in their origin, is a deeper betrayal than originally imagined.
That, right there is chilling. But this book? A masterful addition and easily the scariest of the series so far. There's no reaching for the urban dictionary; no need for the brain bleach. Instead, what Robert has given the reader with this book is a nasty, insidious, creeping evil.
Midian is a town under siege. And, and you will see from the concluding chapter, things are about to get significantly worse.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2017
This book is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. With that said, this is by far the darkest and most thrilling in the series yet. things in Midian, have escalated quickly! More demons and more deaths. Now, humans are aiding said demons. The demons are even more plentiful and less discreet. Then we have our title character, Starling. Friend or something more sinister. While she aids our friends of the Watch, is she truly an Angel fighting for the cause or....a devil in disguise? We still have to contend with the ever present prophecy that Arch will bring about the end of the world.
As alliances are seemingly made, will it be enough to save Midian, and the world?
As alliances are seemingly made, will it be enough to save Midian, and the world?
December 2, 2017
Grim, gruesome, gritty, gourmet...
Back in Midian with the Watch that are fighting their inner demons and battling the never ending influx of new demons to the town.
The back and forth between the key characters and bad guys keeps it fast paced and as always, toe curling.
Loved it, hated it, wanted more of it. Adore this series! RJC you did it again.
And P.S. "It smells like bacon".
Back in Midian with the Watch that are fighting their inner demons and battling the never ending influx of new demons to the town.
The back and forth between the key characters and bad guys keeps it fast paced and as always, toe curling.
Loved it, hated it, wanted more of it. Adore this series! RJC you did it again.
And P.S. "It smells like bacon".
December 4, 2017
Quite the toothsome read...
Demons and diabolical humans pared against human frailty, desperation and valor. Mixed in with a measure of nods to real word current events and a splash of splatterpunk. Another tasty book in the Southern Watch series and I look forward to the next.
Demons and diabolical humans pared against human frailty, desperation and valor. Mixed in with a measure of nods to real word current events and a splash of splatterpunk. Another tasty book in the Southern Watch series and I look forward to the next.
February 15, 2024
Finally finished this one. This could have been half as long and still would have been a slog. Nearly all the characters are now one tone: angry and constantly thinking or talking about sex / making lewd comments. I’m going to give up on this series even though there’s only one more book to go.
March 16, 2024
Southern Watch Book 6
Very good read. Something happening page after.page. This is a real page turner, that keeps you on the edge chapter after chapter. Looking forward to book 7, a must read.
Very good read. Something happening page after.page. This is a real page turner, that keeps you on the edge chapter after chapter. Looking forward to book 7, a must read.
December 16, 2018
While this series is disturbing on many levels, it is also a series that I am glad that I've read and will continue to read until the brutal, blood end. Many of the characters are flawed, some are just evil and the demons are enough to make any lover of horror stories cringe.
Mr. Crane has said that this is his least popular series and as such is on the back burner in order of writing, publication and release; book 8 was tentatively scheduled for 2019 and has been pushed back until 2020 and I'm disappointed. I'm not sure how many more are planned, but I'd like to finish the series before I die so I hope he'll change his mind.
Mr. Crane, because of this series you have a new fan who plans to read your other series. The next one will be the second least popular.
4.25 Stars
Mr. Crane has said that this is his least popular series and as such is on the back burner in order of writing, publication and release; book 8 was tentatively scheduled for 2019 and has been pushed back until 2020 and I'm disappointed. I'm not sure how many more are planned, but I'd like to finish the series before I die so I hope he'll change his mind.
Mr. Crane, because of this series you have a new fan who plans to read your other series. The next one will be the second least popular.
4.25 Stars
August 23, 2018
Gory and sick
Usually a fan but had to skip quite a few paragraphs. Winding unnecessary conversations. Cannibalism described in too much detail made me sick.
Usually a fan but had to skip quite a few paragraphs. Winding unnecessary conversations. Cannibalism described in too much detail made me sick.
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June 25, 2019Problematic
I really like the series and the direction this book in the series has gone, BUT. . . I'm having a real problem with all the pornography. The series is written at the level of a hard "R" rating to borrow from the movies. Appropriate sex scenes in books and movies are terrific, books especially since so much is left to the mind of the reader. This book, however, has about 20+ pages of solid "X" material that is completely unnecessary to the story and another dozen really vulgar paragraphs scattered throughout the work where inappropriate asides have been thrown in. While reading, I was reminded of the work of Anne Rice. She wrote "The Vampire Chronicles." She also wrote erotica under a pseudonym, "The Sleeping Beauty Chronicles." If she had jammed both into one book, it would have felt like this work. It just wasn't necessary. Also, it made both the fight to save the world story and the erotica seem fairly cheesy. It should also be said, that good erotica is never cheesy and this really was. I'll finish the series because I've spent too much time on it, but I'll be hard pressed to follow Mr. Crane's writing any further.
I really like the series and the direction this book in the series has gone, BUT. . . I'm having a real problem with all the pornography. The series is written at the level of a hard "R" rating to borrow from the movies. Appropriate sex scenes in books and movies are terrific, books especially since so much is left to the mind of the reader. This book, however, has about 20+ pages of solid "X" material that is completely unnecessary to the story and another dozen really vulgar paragraphs scattered throughout the work where inappropriate asides have been thrown in. While reading, I was reminded of the work of Anne Rice. She wrote "The Vampire Chronicles." She also wrote erotica under a pseudonym, "The Sleeping Beauty Chronicles." If she had jammed both into one book, it would have felt like this work. It just wasn't necessary. Also, it made both the fight to save the world story and the erotica seem fairly cheesy. It should also be said, that good erotica is never cheesy and this really was. I'll finish the series because I've spent too much time on it, but I'll be hard pressed to follow Mr. Crane's writing any further.
November 30, 2020
Starling is a gamechanger. She enters a battle and crushes demons like they are flies. She is like an oracle, a doomsday device. But, from whence did she come? Also, is Starling? It is clear that she occasionally occupies a particular vessel and disappears rather expeditiously. Unfortunately, dearest readers, I still do not know. While I have suspicions, Starling is somewhat of a mystery. It is unfortunate that a book, name after her, is not dedicated to revealing essential information. Instead, it is more about the intrinsic and extrinsic battles the "Watch" endures, as well as gives too much page space to a true gourmand.
A minute portion of Starling's teenage years unfolds. Of course, her name is not Starling; nevertheless, It is only significant because she ends up in a place that helps heal her. While in this location, she is given advice and a book. Whether this book is holy or unholy, I cannot say; but it makes a difference. I am still waiting to confirm my suspicions. Perhaps you can solve the puzzle faster.
Book 6, like its predecessors, is extremely graphic. It is also disappointing. This book should not have been titled, Starling. There are only tidbits of information about teenage Starling provided in flashbacks, yet the gourmand's spice fantasies and child-hunting obsession are much more developed. Eventually, readers are taken back to Starling at the end of the book. Her final shocking actions leave more questions geared about 'what' she is.
A minute portion of Starling's teenage years unfolds. Of course, her name is not Starling; nevertheless, It is only significant because she ends up in a place that helps heal her. While in this location, she is given advice and a book. Whether this book is holy or unholy, I cannot say; but it makes a difference. I am still waiting to confirm my suspicions. Perhaps you can solve the puzzle faster.
Book 6, like its predecessors, is extremely graphic. It is also disappointing. This book should not have been titled, Starling. There are only tidbits of information about teenage Starling provided in flashbacks, yet the gourmand's spice fantasies and child-hunting obsession are much more developed. Eventually, readers are taken back to Starling at the end of the book. Her final shocking actions leave more questions geared about 'what' she is.
September 28, 2020
Pointlessly Graphic Vulgar Porn
I liked the first 5 books, but this one makes no coherent sense, think the author lost the plot and it's so full of unnecessary and pointless graphic vulgar sex scenes it's virtually unenjoyable. I do not mind sexual content if it is relevant or enhances the plot, but I do not want to read this author's fantasies of disgusting sex acts.
Apart from that, the endless use of sarcasm and bad language, again does nothing for the story, and quite honestly I have never met anyone who talks like these characters...there is just nothing that endeares or makes you warm to our supposed heroes.
The title is Starling....but the book really doesn't tell us much about her at all, apart from a couple of flashbacks and the boring endless and irrelevant sex between her and Hendricks.
Please, don't carry on with this vulgarity...there is nothing that warrants this porn and foul speech, the stories are good without it
I liked the first 5 books, but this one makes no coherent sense, think the author lost the plot and it's so full of unnecessary and pointless graphic vulgar sex scenes it's virtually unenjoyable. I do not mind sexual content if it is relevant or enhances the plot, but I do not want to read this author's fantasies of disgusting sex acts.
Apart from that, the endless use of sarcasm and bad language, again does nothing for the story, and quite honestly I have never met anyone who talks like these characters...there is just nothing that endeares or makes you warm to our supposed heroes.
The title is Starling....but the book really doesn't tell us much about her at all, apart from a couple of flashbacks and the boring endless and irrelevant sex between her and Hendricks.
Please, don't carry on with this vulgarity...there is nothing that warrants this porn and foul speech, the stories are good without it
March 4, 2018
Estoy indeciso sobre esta serie. Por un lado, sigo enganchado a los personajes y la situación cada vez más desesperada en que se encuentran. Por otro, me aburre cada vez más las luchas de diálogos sarcásticos en situaciones que no vienen a cuento, no puede ser que prácticamente todos los personajes tengan que soltar frases lapidarias.
A pesar de eso, la saga de la Guardia del Sur es tan buena que seguiré comprando el siguiente libro. Y espero que ya por fin el autor empiece a dar respuestas a todos los enigmas que ha ido plantando en los diferentes libros. Ya es hora de saber qué pasa con Archibald Stan, o quién es realmente Starling, que aquí da nombre al libro pero no aclara nada.
Eso sí, esto es solo para mayores, por sexo y situaciones escabrosas y escatológicas. Si quieres fantasía urbana para todos los públicos, no leas esta serie.
A pesar de eso, la saga de la Guardia del Sur es tan buena que seguiré comprando el siguiente libro. Y espero que ya por fin el autor empiece a dar respuestas a todos los enigmas que ha ido plantando en los diferentes libros. Ya es hora de saber qué pasa con Archibald Stan, o quién es realmente Starling, que aquí da nombre al libro pero no aclara nada.
Eso sí, esto es solo para mayores, por sexo y situaciones escabrosas y escatológicas. Si quieres fantasía urbana para todos los públicos, no leas esta serie.
July 26, 2021
This book is about good and evil. Mainly evil. A lot of reviewers say they still don't know what Starling is. The author is not clear cut on this but if you read the last 20 pages you will get an idea. When the 2 men cleaning up the streets are talking , one mentions what a bad bird a starling is. This bird knocks the eggs out of other birds nest and then the starling leaves its eggs for the other bird to take care of when the starlings eggs hatch. Towards the end when Starling goes to the boy who lost his parents that should give the reader an idea of what she truly is. My thoughts are she is the Whore of Babylon.
July 21, 2020
I was really disappointed in this book. It is very rare that I give up on a book in the middle, and especially rare for me to give up on a series this far in, but I had to stop this one.
The author tries so hard to be shocking that he actually ends up being boring. He tends to go into meticulous (and usually repetitive) detail about how evil and despicable the demons are, I really lost interest.
He has great ideas, but I think he would benefit from better editing. This book would probably been good if it was about half as long.
The author tries so hard to be shocking that he actually ends up being boring. He tends to go into meticulous (and usually repetitive) detail about how evil and despicable the demons are, I really lost interest.
He has great ideas, but I think he would benefit from better editing. This book would probably been good if it was about half as long.
October 1, 2024
female exploitation
Sorry, but I like sex scenes but this was thrown in for no reason at times. It also really was offensively written regarding a woman’s part. I get Lucia is supposed to be a prostitute but seriously her role in this book which was named after her alter ego,Starling, was nothing more than a sex toy and only in the very end do you get a hint of her real identity. I probably won’t get the next book since this seems to be increasing in each book. I gave it 3 stars for the “world” he created but otherwise hated the rest. It was very hard to finish.
Sorry, but I like sex scenes but this was thrown in for no reason at times. It also really was offensively written regarding a woman’s part. I get Lucia is supposed to be a prostitute but seriously her role in this book which was named after her alter ego,Starling, was nothing more than a sex toy and only in the very end do you get a hint of her real identity. I probably won’t get the next book since this seems to be increasing in each book. I gave it 3 stars for the “world” he created but otherwise hated the rest. It was very hard to finish.
December 11, 2017
Another mind blowing book in the Southern Watch series.
The war with the demons has escalated even further, and the humans are still dealing with the devastating losses from the Halloween massacre. And then there’s Starling; what is she, and whose side is she really on?
This book was just as much a roller coaster ride as the previous books. Scary, disturbing as hell, and exhilarating (take that hellcats!).
Can’t wait for the next one!!
The war with the demons has escalated even further, and the humans are still dealing with the devastating losses from the Halloween massacre. And then there’s Starling; what is she, and whose side is she really on?
This book was just as much a roller coaster ride as the previous books. Scary, disturbing as hell, and exhilarating (take that hellcats!).
Can’t wait for the next one!!
August 14, 2018
Midian seems to have reached its limit while it's inhabitants and the crew are dealing with the aftermath of Legion. Reality has set in and with it, a helplessness for all involved but they are dealing with their individual circumstances as best as they can. Complications see a shift in this book towards how changes are going to alter events to come. The enigma that is Starling is also becoming explosive so I can't wait for the next!
November 16, 2020
I'm not sure if the author needed to submit a specific amount of words but I hope that he did. If he didn't, there was no reason why this one needed to drag itself out. It's titled "Starling" and although you do get some backstory on her, it wasn't enough to justify the title. And the hopelessness...Dear Lord, it was bad. Now, in light of the pandemic, the 2020 US Presidential, and the other weirdness that 2020 has wrought, this may not be the read for any of us. I have every intention of finishing the series, but I'm going on record as stating I'm just here for Hendricks.
January 2, 2018
this book was overly long and boring, not a whole lot really happened and this could have easily been half the length it was. you'd think starling would be a major character here due to the title but she's hardly in it, i'm normally a fan of Robert J crane's books but this is quite a let down after the previous book.
March 19, 2018
As this series continues which is excellent and I do recommend, you will be reading a lot of changes. Some people will change their minds. Some will pass away and most definitely watch out for Drake and Starling. You will learn about Starling's past a bit and watch her mystery evolve. This book is full of twist and a surprise ending. I look forward to the next in the series.
March 31, 2018
Series is drowning in gratuitous violence
At this point, the story line feels like the author is being paid by the word. Chapters grind on that do nothing to carry the story further. I’m done and I don’t care what happens in the end. There won’t be an end soon as the author continues to push these out in an effort to meet deadlines and word quota. Call me disenchanted.
At this point, the story line feels like the author is being paid by the word. Chapters grind on that do nothing to carry the story further. I’m done and I don’t care what happens in the end. There won’t be an end soon as the author continues to push these out in an effort to meet deadlines and word quota. Call me disenchanted.
April 4, 2019
I'm no prude, but this was explicitly and unnecessarily filthy from beginning to end, much of which did not advance the story. While the previous books were crude at times it was thought to create the setting. The author just went well beyond anything tasteful or constructive in ignoring his plot while detailing anything sexual to the extreme.
September 11, 2019
Starling - southern watch series
I chose this rating because I am reading each book in order and I can’t stop. The story feels so real and I’ve really identified with the main characters. I don’t want to start anything new till it’s done. And sometimes the author has me laughing so hard I’m crying. What more can you ask for...good book and fun times
I chose this rating because I am reading each book in order and I can’t stop. The story feels so real and I’ve really identified with the main characters. I don’t want to start anything new till it’s done. And sometimes the author has me laughing so hard I’m crying. What more can you ask for...good book and fun times
January 31, 2022
Great plot for porn
I loved the first few books but this really takes the farm. Flat pornography. And I am no prude. I skip those many pages to keep to the main story line which I like. But won’t read another though I wonder how Midian and its people will make out. Have no clue why Robert Crane stooped this low. It was a good story line
I loved the first few books but this really takes the farm. Flat pornography. And I am no prude. I skip those many pages to keep to the main story line which I like. But won’t read another though I wonder how Midian and its people will make out. Have no clue why Robert Crane stooped this low. It was a good story line
August 7, 2024
A Town running on a knife-edge
When it rains it pours, and it's pouring sheets in Midian!
Despair, and depravity flooding the streets. Some have stayed to fight, some have left, and some just plain disappeared.
Grittier and nerve-racking, and always compelling. Not for the faint of heart
When it rains it pours, and it's pouring sheets in Midian!
Despair, and depravity flooding the streets. Some have stayed to fight, some have left, and some just plain disappeared.
Grittier and nerve-racking, and always compelling. Not for the faint of heart
May 24, 2018
Good book
A good read but found this one didn't hold my attention as much as the 5 i had already read. I wish the Sterling story had given me more about the entity starling. Will read the next book with interest to see how startling concludes.
A good read but found this one didn't hold my attention as much as the 5 i had already read. I wish the Sterling story had given me more about the entity starling. Will read the next book with interest to see how startling concludes.
December 17, 2018
A good chapter in the series, though not as good as the last one. Two villains, neither compares with the previous villain . Another major character dies and two others leave?We learn more about Starling, but she remains an enigma .
November 10, 2019
Another rousing, scary look at "what if" demons came to town. Mr. Cranes imagination knows no limits as his creations, both human and otherwise, do their best to destroy this town on the ragged edge of destruction. What a read.
October 23, 2023
Graphic Violence .
The author warned me and I did not listen . Extremely graphic and vile plot content . I doubt that I will continue with this series . Well written... just not going in a direction I want to travel . Sincerely , Nan
The author warned me and I did not listen . Extremely graphic and vile plot content . I doubt that I will continue with this series . Well written... just not going in a direction I want to travel . Sincerely , Nan
July 26, 2018
Great book
Followed the story well, and we are finally learning more about Starling. What is she? We will find out next year, maybe...
Followed the story well, and we are finally learning more about Starling. What is she? We will find out next year, maybe...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews