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Half-Life
Whitney Abbott travels to the seaside Maine town of Window to begin a new life in his uncle’s home. Robert Abbott is well-to-do and owns several high-end restaurants. Whitney will start at the bottom and work his way up at the flagship. But from the moment Whitney exits his car in the drive of the big, brooding house, he senses the sinister atmosphere surrounding his relations.
His cousin November, princess of the estate, feigns joy at having Whitney in town. And November’s handsome athlete boyfriend, Griffin, is an enigma. Soon after his arrival, Griffin warns Whitney to leave. With nowhere to go—and certain that his attraction to Griffin goes both ways—Whitney is drawn into November’s malevolent plans. Plans that will pit Whitney against dark supernatural forces in order to save both his and Griffin’s lives.
His cousin November, princess of the estate, feigns joy at having Whitney in town. And November’s handsome athlete boyfriend, Griffin, is an enigma. Soon after his arrival, Griffin warns Whitney to leave. With nowhere to go—and certain that his attraction to Griffin goes both ways—Whitney is drawn into November’s malevolent plans. Plans that will pit Whitney against dark supernatural forces in order to save both his and Griffin’s lives.
- GenresParanormal
ebook
Published January 21, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 8, 2019
This review also appears on Love in Panels
Whitney’s parents lost all their money when their business failed. Now his uncle offers him the opportunity to live with him (rent-free) and work in one of his restaurants. Whitney’s not overjoyed at the prospect but things change when he meets Griffin. He’s hot, acts strangely and keeps alluding to mysterious happenings. And he is the boyfriend of Whitney’s cousin November. She and Whitney never got on and now November seems to be hiding something.
The story starts in the middle of the climax: Whitney, the narrator, finds Griffin seemingly zombified. Then we jump back and get a “How we got here”. In that introductory scene, when Whitney sees zombie!Griffin whose skin is grey and cold, we are informed that despite all this his feet still look very sexy. At this point, I already suspected that the book wouldn’t be for me and the rest of it didn’t prove me wrong.
Half-Life is a rather short novella (about 14k words) and with a main plot about having to defeat an evil witch it doesn’t leave too much space for other things. But if something is advertised as romance I want romance.But I only got two people who were instantly attracted to each other and instead of describing any actual developing feelings beyond that, they just decide they're soulmates and meant to be together.
And then there’s the misogyny. November is the only female character that appears in this book. She’s described as typical feminine in her looks and pursuit but Whitney quickly brands her as fake (“The longer she held onto me, forcing me to inhale her floral scent, the more I sensed she was like the flowers in the urn on the big dining room table - pretty and happy at first but the impression was quick to wear off, a disguise”) and informs us that her singing and dancing is horrible. (Meanwhile Griffin’s “clean male sweat” smells of manly things like “summer rain and pine” and not of girly fake flowers. Yes those are actual quotes). And of course, November is the villain of the story who is behind everything - including things that seemed to be the fault of male characters at first. Her motivation seems to be that she enjoys being evil.
And of course, she’s homophobic and comments at every possible opportunity how disgusting she finds Whitney. Just to make sure that we really don’t like her. You know, in case “evil witch who wants to turn people into zombies” wasn’t enough of a turn-off. I think you should be very careful with including characters that make comments like this fiction. Especially in romance, which is for many a form of escapism where they don’t need to read the same things, enough people in real life still say regularly.
I’m not saying that homophobia should never come up in lgbt-romance. There are books where it does come up and I found it handled well. Because they handled it at all. Characters reacted to comments aimed at them or their friends. Sometimes a character’s prejudice influenced the plot. None of this is the case in Half-Life. November just hurls those slurs around but nobody reacts to them (and as I mentioned, she is evil enough without it). There is absolutely no need for this kind of "homophobia as short-cut to make the character really evil".
Whitney’s parents lost all their money when their business failed. Now his uncle offers him the opportunity to live with him (rent-free) and work in one of his restaurants. Whitney’s not overjoyed at the prospect but things change when he meets Griffin. He’s hot, acts strangely and keeps alluding to mysterious happenings. And he is the boyfriend of Whitney’s cousin November. She and Whitney never got on and now November seems to be hiding something.
The story starts in the middle of the climax: Whitney, the narrator, finds Griffin seemingly zombified. Then we jump back and get a “How we got here”. In that introductory scene, when Whitney sees zombie!Griffin whose skin is grey and cold, we are informed that despite all this his feet still look very sexy. At this point, I already suspected that the book wouldn’t be for me and the rest of it didn’t prove me wrong.
Half-Life is a rather short novella (about 14k words) and with a main plot about having to defeat an evil witch it doesn’t leave too much space for other things. But if something is advertised as romance I want romance.But I only got two people who were instantly attracted to each other and instead of describing any actual developing feelings beyond that, they just decide they're soulmates and meant to be together.
And then there’s the misogyny. November is the only female character that appears in this book. She’s described as typical feminine in her looks and pursuit but Whitney quickly brands her as fake (“The longer she held onto me, forcing me to inhale her floral scent, the more I sensed she was like the flowers in the urn on the big dining room table - pretty and happy at first but the impression was quick to wear off, a disguise”) and informs us that her singing and dancing is horrible. (Meanwhile Griffin’s “clean male sweat” smells of manly things like “summer rain and pine” and not of girly fake flowers. Yes those are actual quotes). And of course, November is the villain of the story who is behind everything - including things that seemed to be the fault of male characters at first. Her motivation seems to be that she enjoys being evil.
And of course, she’s homophobic and comments at every possible opportunity how disgusting she finds Whitney. Just to make sure that we really don’t like her. You know, in case “evil witch who wants to turn people into zombies” wasn’t enough of a turn-off. I think you should be very careful with including characters that make comments like this fiction. Especially in romance, which is for many a form of escapism where they don’t need to read the same things, enough people in real life still say regularly.
I’m not saying that homophobia should never come up in lgbt-romance. There are books where it does come up and I found it handled well. Because they handled it at all. Characters reacted to comments aimed at them or their friends. Sometimes a character’s prejudice influenced the plot. None of this is the case in Half-Life. November just hurls those slurs around but nobody reacts to them (and as I mentioned, she is evil enough without it). There is absolutely no need for this kind of "homophobia as short-cut to make the character really evil".
February 12, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
First, I must commend Norris on the presentation of the story, which kept me guessing until the very end. The book opens with a pivotal scene near the climax of the book. The reader is introduced to Whitney, who is searching frantically for Griffin in the creepy confines of Uncle Robert’s restaurant after dark. Tension builds as Whitney flits from room to room and doesn’t find Griffin…until he goes to the walk-in freezer where a horrific scene waits for him with an even more horrific conclusion—or is it? Before that scene comes to definitive end, we start a new chapter that takes us back to the day Whitney rolls into Window, Maine where he’s to start his new life.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
First, I must commend Norris on the presentation of the story, which kept me guessing until the very end. The book opens with a pivotal scene near the climax of the book. The reader is introduced to Whitney, who is searching frantically for Griffin in the creepy confines of Uncle Robert’s restaurant after dark. Tension builds as Whitney flits from room to room and doesn’t find Griffin…until he goes to the walk-in freezer where a horrific scene waits for him with an even more horrific conclusion—or is it? Before that scene comes to definitive end, we start a new chapter that takes us back to the day Whitney rolls into Window, Maine where he’s to start his new life.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
January 18, 2019
I received a copy of Half-Life by Gregory L. Norris via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. I was expecting some kind of supernatural spookiness in this story from the synopsis, which it delivered. What I was not expecting was the most unique cure for one of the genre’s favorite tropes! It alone added a star to my review. While I’m not a fan of insta-love, the main characters, Whitney and Griffin, were easy to like. Whitney’s talisman against evil was not new but used to good effect. A fun story to while away some free time.
March 23, 2019
The story is one that starts at the denouement and then jumps back to how the hero managed to get into this situation. The plot is made up of a number of familiar elements. The hero is the product of poor circumstances and is forced to accept charitable support from affluent family, who represent ideals antipathetic to his own. Characterisation is limited by the length of the story, as are contextual factors. An effective short story should be one that is able to overcome the constraints of the medium and yet appear not to be rushed. The difficulty with this book is that much is left unexplored, scenes jump from one to the other without development and interactions between individuals appear fully formed and offer no opportunity for interpersonal growth. The storyline is interesting but would have been better served in a book of greater length.
The relationship between the two lead characters is most bizarre; one is openly gay and strengthened in character by intolerance. The other is a straight jock; so their relationship one would expect to be fraught with caution and yet this is far from the case. Instantly intimate, the only thing that keeps them apart is the underlying plot. Interestingly the author adds a fetish to the mix, which adds variety if no real tension. There is some limited sex within the story but this is used more to move the plot forward rather than to develop the relationship.
The story moves quite quickly, but does so in spurts. Time is given over to try to establish menace through emphasis on smells, particularly floral scents. These are focussed on the plot but do add some detail to the context of the story. Nevertheless, it feels as though too much time is spent on trivial points and that key issues are rushed.
The resolution of the denouement sadly lacks tension and although its results in a happily ever after, the reader is left with a feeling of disappointment that the story could have been so much more.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
The relationship between the two lead characters is most bizarre; one is openly gay and strengthened in character by intolerance. The other is a straight jock; so their relationship one would expect to be fraught with caution and yet this is far from the case. Instantly intimate, the only thing that keeps them apart is the underlying plot. Interestingly the author adds a fetish to the mix, which adds variety if no real tension. There is some limited sex within the story but this is used more to move the plot forward rather than to develop the relationship.
The story moves quite quickly, but does so in spurts. Time is given over to try to establish menace through emphasis on smells, particularly floral scents. These are focussed on the plot but do add some detail to the context of the story. Nevertheless, it feels as though too much time is spent on trivial points and that key issues are rushed.
The resolution of the denouement sadly lacks tension and although its results in a happily ever after, the reader is left with a feeling of disappointment that the story could have been so much more.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
January 31, 2019
3.5 stars
Eighteen year old aspiring poet Whitney Abbott knows he isn't welcome to his Uncle Robert's estate in Window, Maine. Having no job or skills, he's accepted the offer to come and work in one of his uncle's upscale restaurants. Now that his parents have lost their home, Whitney also a place to live. Uncle Robert is a wealthy man, with a single daughter, November, who has always hated Whitney. She made any of his previous visits unbearable, and he's suspicious of her saccharine demeanor when he arrives.
Whitney immediately meets Griffin, a near-twentyish young man who is affable, and inexplicably dating November--even though his gaze burns hot over Whitney. In a few moments of unguarded candor, Griffin warns Whitney there's danger here, and to run while he can. Whitney isn't taken by November's ploys, and he questions November's intentional use of Devil's Snare in and around the home. Is she weaving it into necklaces for her father and Griffin to wear? And, why do they seem occasionally dead-eyed and extra-responsive to any of her demands? He's just ingenious enough to wonder if there's some sort of witchcraft going down, which preps him for the big showdown.
I liked the lyrical quality of this one, though I think the beginning was a bit too explicit in terms of plot. I would have rather a more gradual coming to understanding of all the quirks of this locale and Whitney's relations. I was charmed by how sweet Whitney is, and how his immediate connection with Griffin grows into a life-saving love. As it's a novella, there's not a lot of time to develop a giant story arc, but this one was interesting and I had to shake my head in amusement regarding the manner in which Whitney revives Griffin from November's power. Seriously, that was some amazeballs oral. In the end true, love reigns and November's shenanighans seem to be halted. Expect the fair Whitney to save the day, and his new lover.
Eighteen year old aspiring poet Whitney Abbott knows he isn't welcome to his Uncle Robert's estate in Window, Maine. Having no job or skills, he's accepted the offer to come and work in one of his uncle's upscale restaurants. Now that his parents have lost their home, Whitney also a place to live. Uncle Robert is a wealthy man, with a single daughter, November, who has always hated Whitney. She made any of his previous visits unbearable, and he's suspicious of her saccharine demeanor when he arrives.
Whitney immediately meets Griffin, a near-twentyish young man who is affable, and inexplicably dating November--even though his gaze burns hot over Whitney. In a few moments of unguarded candor, Griffin warns Whitney there's danger here, and to run while he can. Whitney isn't taken by November's ploys, and he questions November's intentional use of Devil's Snare in and around the home. Is she weaving it into necklaces for her father and Griffin to wear? And, why do they seem occasionally dead-eyed and extra-responsive to any of her demands? He's just ingenious enough to wonder if there's some sort of witchcraft going down, which preps him for the big showdown.
I liked the lyrical quality of this one, though I think the beginning was a bit too explicit in terms of plot. I would have rather a more gradual coming to understanding of all the quirks of this locale and Whitney's relations. I was charmed by how sweet Whitney is, and how his immediate connection with Griffin grows into a life-saving love. As it's a novella, there's not a lot of time to develop a giant story arc, but this one was interesting and I had to shake my head in amusement regarding the manner in which Whitney revives Griffin from November's power. Seriously, that was some amazeballs oral. In the end true, love reigns and November's shenanighans seem to be halted. Expect the fair Whitney to save the day, and his new lover.
February 2, 2019
RATING: 3 STARS
REVIEW:
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for giving me the chance to read this story!
For some reason, Whitney, a young poet with a foot fetish, moved to his rich Uncle’s house. There, he had to endure being with her mean cousin, November, and fall in love with Griffin, her cousin’s boyfriend. But there was something not cool going on around, something dark, and could be deadly if not prevented.
I immediately fell in love with Whitney’s character. His foot fetish was overwhelming that it made me laugh most of the time. The romance between him and Griffin was kind of an instalove, but I still rooted for them.
The plot was predictable, but hooked me until the very end. And that ending was unbelievable and hilarious! I didn’t know one could wake up someone almost dead like that.
I really like the author’s writing style, it was beautiful and engaging.
The story had potential, just that some characters (who were essential to the plot) were underdeveloped, as well as the plot itself. Everything happened so fast that I thought some parts of the story were missing.
If you want a fast-paced funny, paranormal, gay romance to start your 2019, then I recommend this story!
THANK YOU FOR READING!
BLOG: https://wp.me/pavqos-W
REVIEW:
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for giving me the chance to read this story!
For some reason, Whitney, a young poet with a foot fetish, moved to his rich Uncle’s house. There, he had to endure being with her mean cousin, November, and fall in love with Griffin, her cousin’s boyfriend. But there was something not cool going on around, something dark, and could be deadly if not prevented.
I immediately fell in love with Whitney’s character. His foot fetish was overwhelming that it made me laugh most of the time. The romance between him and Griffin was kind of an instalove, but I still rooted for them.
The plot was predictable, but hooked me until the very end. And that ending was unbelievable and hilarious! I didn’t know one could wake up someone almost dead like that.
I really like the author’s writing style, it was beautiful and engaging.
The story had potential, just that some characters (who were essential to the plot) were underdeveloped, as well as the plot itself. Everything happened so fast that I thought some parts of the story were missing.
If you want a fast-paced funny, paranormal, gay romance to start your 2019, then I recommend this story!
THANK YOU FOR READING!
BLOG: https://wp.me/pavqos-W
January 23, 2019
🌟🌟🌟 3.5 stars
🔥🔥 Heat Level: 2
A thrilling opening and quick witchy read!
This book has a great opening which enthralled me. The synopsis was a little different to what I thought the book might be and I didn’t realise the characters would be so young!
The story follows 18-year-old, Whitney as he travels to his Uncle’s house to help earn some money for his family and himself. Upon arrival, he meets Griffin and their instant connection speaks to love at first sight. But Griffin is under the control of Whitney’s cousin, November; a dark witch and the ice queen of the Abbot mansion. Whitney fights to free himself and save Griffin from Novembers control. The story is very fast paced and suspenseful in some parts and just detailed enough for you to use your own imagination to form the story.
There were a few editing errors and cracks in the flow of the story but if you’ve got a good imagination then this story could open a world for you.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
🔥🔥 Heat Level: 2
A thrilling opening and quick witchy read!
This book has a great opening which enthralled me. The synopsis was a little different to what I thought the book might be and I didn’t realise the characters would be so young!
The story follows 18-year-old, Whitney as he travels to his Uncle’s house to help earn some money for his family and himself. Upon arrival, he meets Griffin and their instant connection speaks to love at first sight. But Griffin is under the control of Whitney’s cousin, November; a dark witch and the ice queen of the Abbot mansion. Whitney fights to free himself and save Griffin from Novembers control. The story is very fast paced and suspenseful in some parts and just detailed enough for you to use your own imagination to form the story.
There were a few editing errors and cracks in the flow of the story but if you’ve got a good imagination then this story could open a world for you.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
May 9, 2019
The premise for this one was more interesting than the execution. I didn't really like or care for any of the characters much -- though I did feel sorry for Griffin. He was in a hard place. Whitney was a bit whiny and I didn't like how he coveted someone else's relationship Everything seemed either shallow or over the top. Your mileage may vary.
Oh, the cover's nice. I think it may be my favorite thing.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gregory Norris for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Oh, the cover's nice. I think it may be my favorite thing.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gregory Norris for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 16, 2019
Received from Netgalley. Short, fast paced with an abstract feeling. Zombies but not quite zombies. Whitney and Griff were sweet.
February 1, 2019
half-life finds whitney abbott moving to window, maine to work in his uncle robert's restaurant. when he gets there things are...off. when he crosses paths with griffin, his cousin november's boyfriend, he feels a connection. but he shouldn't. his whole life his cousin has been evil.
and the more time he's in the house, the more he realizes that there is definitely something strange going on and that november is at the center of it. there's witchcraft and zombies and compulsion at work, and somehow whitney is immune to it. it's up to him to save griffin.
this is a quick read, basically a short story, so don't expect in-depth character growth, but it's enjoyable and the tension and suspense builds up to a nice crescendo.
**half-life will publish january 21, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/ninestar press in exchange for my honest review.
and the more time he's in the house, the more he realizes that there is definitely something strange going on and that november is at the center of it. there's witchcraft and zombies and compulsion at work, and somehow whitney is immune to it. it's up to him to save griffin.
this is a quick read, basically a short story, so don't expect in-depth character growth, but it's enjoyable and the tension and suspense builds up to a nice crescendo.
**half-life will publish january 21, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/ninestar press in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2019
The pacing in this was incredibly fast. I realize it needs to be relatively fast because of the length, but it just felt overly fast to me at many points. The "evil" was a bit too cartoonish, in my opinion, but with the pacing I suppose that's necessary. It's interesting and I wouldn't be opposed to reading a sequel it was just a bit more hectic than my personal preference.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews