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A Borrowed Hell
This is an alternate cover edition for B078FZRX51
Lost in a barren alternative world, July Davish has two options: Confront his hellish past or be trapped there forever.
Fate has dealt July a lifetime of nothings; no happy childhood, no lasting relationships, and now, no job. His mantra of perseverance has gotten him through it all, but faced with losing his home, he finally sets foot on the same road of self-destruction the rest of his family followed.
An accident changes everything. When two colliding cars send him diving from a San Diego sidewalk toward safety, he lands somewhere far from safe—in a bizarrely deserted version of San Francisco. Though he wakes in his own reality, he continues to pass out, dragged back to that strange world each time. July is willing to do anything to end his world-hopping, right up until he learns the price: reliving a past he's tried his whole life to forget. He’s not sure his sanity can take it. Not even to get back to his own world, a woman he’s falling in love with, and a life he finally cares about.
Lost in a barren alternative world, July Davish has two options: Confront his hellish past or be trapped there forever.
Fate has dealt July a lifetime of nothings; no happy childhood, no lasting relationships, and now, no job. His mantra of perseverance has gotten him through it all, but faced with losing his home, he finally sets foot on the same road of self-destruction the rest of his family followed.
An accident changes everything. When two colliding cars send him diving from a San Diego sidewalk toward safety, he lands somewhere far from safe—in a bizarrely deserted version of San Francisco. Though he wakes in his own reality, he continues to pass out, dragged back to that strange world each time. July is willing to do anything to end his world-hopping, right up until he learns the price: reliving a past he's tried his whole life to forget. He’s not sure his sanity can take it. Not even to get back to his own world, a woman he’s falling in love with, and a life he finally cares about.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2017
91 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
L.D. Colter
20 books47 followersL. D. Colter has farmed with draft horses and worked as a paramedic, Outward Bound instructor, athletic trainer, roller-skating waitress, and concrete dispatcher, among other curious choices. She’s an author of contemporary, epic, and dark fantasy novels, a WSFA Small Press Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the Colorado Book Award for science fiction and fantasy. Her website and blog can be found at: https://www.ldcolter.com/ and her newsletter subscription at: https://l-d-colter-speculations.kit.c...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 21, 2017
A quiet, poignant story about the negative ways we're shaped by our pasts and how hard it can be to break those chains.
April 9, 2017
Although this story was perhaps a little more lesson-y than would normally be my preference, the writing was so fine, the characters so well drawn, and the landscapes so vivid, I felt quite lenient. An absolute pleasure to read. The pacing was a bit predictable--you always knew when the main character was going to flip from one world to the next, and about how long he would stay. The POV shifts helped quite a bit here. Each POV character was flawed yet compelling. I liked the ideas of the template personalities/a master world.
I don't want to get into spoilers so I won't share many more details here. The one major flaw was that I wasn't convinced that the main character had learned as much as we were supposed to believe he had, or he would not have got into a fight with his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. I also do not believe that mature people fall in love within a week. So, how much had he really grown? However, this is a first novel from a very promising author, and as I said, it's a pleasure to read. 4 stars for the writing alone.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I don't want to get into spoilers so I won't share many more details here. The one major flaw was that I wasn't convinced that the main character had learned as much as we were supposed to believe he had, or he would not have got into a fight with his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. I also do not believe that mature people fall in love within a week. So, how much had he really grown? However, this is a first novel from a very promising author, and as I said, it's a pleasure to read. 4 stars for the writing alone.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 4, 2018
The author warned me it was dark, but even though I bawled like a baby, this was an excellent story. It's not dark in a monster gore sort-of-way, but it does deal with the demons we carry inside of us, memories, guilt, misconceptions, missed opportunities, all sorts of stuff. The main character is named July and he could be a middle man as much as a middle month, an ordinary guy fighting the job losses and setbacks we all face. But he's also been given the opportunity or nightmare to face literally all the hidden horrors of his past. Colter does a brilliant job of building the suspense, keeping the reader engaged in July's ordinary, everyday life while revealing his background and personal hell in bits and pieces as he struggles to face his own personal nightmare. Can read this one with the lights dimmed, but you will need kleenex handy!
July 13, 2018
I really enjoyed A Borrowed Hell. This is a fantasy story, but so anchored in gritty reality that it reads as true to life. The prose in this book is effortless—I slipped into the story easily and remained engrossed the entire time. I loved the in-depth exploration of how we can confront our past to learn lessons that shape our future. And the love story is tender, sweet, and unfolds naturally. This was a delightful read!
July 24, 2017
L. D. Colter's A Borrowed Hell, was pretty good. Published by Shirtsleeve Press, A Borrowed Hell dives right into the world of Jungian archetypes while taking a cue from Dante's Inferno.
You have to like your fantasy on the literary side if you're going to take a journey with July Davish as he literally confronts his worst fears and inner demons. As a reader, I identify strongly with July and his trials, his emotionally absent father, troubled sister, and addicted mother. He's the kid who's going to save them all, and therein lies his problem.
While his life is falling apart, July sees himself as a stable center at its core, just as a man having a run of bad luck. But when his life is threatened in a car accident, July finds himself occasionally transported to a purgatory where he must be confronted by the issues of his life and work through them, promising no pat endings or easy answers. While he's awake, he's lucky enough to meet a partner worthy of his journey.
There are only two parts of the story where I am pulled out. There's an intimation on July's part that people who use Xanax are addicts, which is solid characterization, but is not true. (Sensitive Xanax user here!) Valerian, the aforementioned partner, is pretty special, but in a story this literary, their meeting is a pretty pat love at first site kind of thing.
Still. I love the characters. I like July, Valerian, and Bill. I like all the variations of Pat, the archetypes. The medical details are strong, the emotional journey is good, and Colter builds emotional tension throughout. Don't overlook this book. It's a hidden gem.
You have to like your fantasy on the literary side if you're going to take a journey with July Davish as he literally confronts his worst fears and inner demons. As a reader, I identify strongly with July and his trials, his emotionally absent father, troubled sister, and addicted mother. He's the kid who's going to save them all, and therein lies his problem.
While his life is falling apart, July sees himself as a stable center at its core, just as a man having a run of bad luck. But when his life is threatened in a car accident, July finds himself occasionally transported to a purgatory where he must be confronted by the issues of his life and work through them, promising no pat endings or easy answers. While he's awake, he's lucky enough to meet a partner worthy of his journey.
There are only two parts of the story where I am pulled out. There's an intimation on July's part that people who use Xanax are addicts, which is solid characterization, but is not true. (Sensitive Xanax user here!) Valerian, the aforementioned partner, is pretty special, but in a story this literary, their meeting is a pretty pat love at first site kind of thing.
Still. I love the characters. I like July, Valerian, and Bill. I like all the variations of Pat, the archetypes. The medical details are strong, the emotional journey is good, and Colter builds emotional tension throughout. Don't overlook this book. It's a hidden gem.
June 2, 2019
A Borrowed Hell written by L.D. Colter is the story about a man who leaves his harsh reality only to be reliving his past. This sci-fi thriller was not as scary as I was expecting but reading about how the main character had to relive his horrible past made me feel remorse and pain. The novel was very life lesson-like, with messages evident, but I still enjoyed it despite this. The story was definitely very well-written and this thriller novel is one of the first that I've actually liked.
I definitely would recommend this novel to anyone who likes sci-fi with a little bit of thriller involved. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely reread it again.
I definitely would recommend this novel to anyone who likes sci-fi with a little bit of thriller involved. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely reread it again.
July 24, 2018
Great story!
It seems this story is more real than most believe. People have so many hurts, hangup and bad childhood experiences woven into their life like chains. Without the guidance of a bible based church, many suffer in an uneducated state. They carry too many hurts or hangups along with guilt to really live their life in happiness.
It seems this story is more real than most believe. People have so many hurts, hangup and bad childhood experiences woven into their life like chains. Without the guidance of a bible based church, many suffer in an uneducated state. They carry too many hurts or hangups along with guilt to really live their life in happiness.
February 8, 2021
I picked this up at a scifi/fantasy lit con, but it really has nothing to do with either genre, it’s more an allegory. Nevertheless, it’s a good read. I like to support indie authors, and while many are decidedly meh, Colter is a rare gem. I was quickly pulled into the protagonist’s journey, and rooting for him to make it through his trials. Recommended.
March 9, 2018
This was a tough one. For the first half of the book, I had a number of times I was ready to quit and go on to the next book. The story just wasn't engaging me. But I enjoyed the last half of the book. I think part of it was the blurb had me expecting something different.
August 11, 2018
I am not sure what I was expecting from this story, but I ended up liking it. Romantic and sad at the same time. Some parts were hard to understand at times but I got threw those rather easily. I t wasn't a horror story as the dust jacket appeared. So don't judge by the cover.
February 28, 2019
Very Enjoyable
Very good writing and character development. This book is about a man facing his demons with the hope of becoming truly free. The plot is clever and I found I couldn't put the book down.
Very good writing and character development. This book is about a man facing his demons with the hope of becoming truly free. The plot is clever and I found I couldn't put the book down.
February 27, 2023
Top-notch! This is an extremely well-written story that held my attention and delivered a satisfying ending. The characters are deep and intense (especially July), the plot fast-paced and attention-grabbing, and the prose is deliciously crafted. I whole-heartedly recommend it!
August 7, 2018
Absolutely good
I really enjoyed Judy's journey. It was unique and very special. Colter is a good author and this is a book definitely worth reading
I really enjoyed Judy's journey. It was unique and very special. Colter is a good author and this is a book definitely worth reading
March 4, 2020
What a wonderful story with a great, unique premise. The descriptions of the settings were beautiful and lovely and written so well that I felt like I was right there.
April 29, 2017
Loved this book and can't wait for the next. Expect to be drawn into the story from the start and eager to find out what happens next. The characters are depicted so well that I felt like I was there experiencing what they experience. Now I am waiting for the next Liz Colter novel.
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March 21, 2018Read for the Colorado Book Awards
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews