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Second Skin
As the Brotherhood's finest assassin, Vincent faithfully serves in their covert war for power over Brenhold's ruling council. He has yet to miss a mark, but when ordered to kill a witch with dark designs of her own, he begins a deadly dance of seduction that may prove to be his undoing. The price of failure? The lives of his wife and son.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 12, 2019
This short story was poignant, well-written, and had a twist ending that was poetic justice in the making.
Vincent is living two lives. He's an assassin who's attempting to live the "normal" life of a family man while simultaneously working to plan his next hit and unexpectedly falling for another woman in the process. One whom he's been informed is a witch he's to terminate; a witch who is invoking destruction amid his land. Everything he's attempted to build starts to crumple as his wife becomes fed-up with his secrets, his unintentional deception, and the devastating effects that his infidelity and absence have brought upon her. Is Lysa really a witch? Will he be able to kill her when the time comes? The woman he's surprisingly beginning to enjoy loving? What will become of his marriage to Irena? If doesn't kill the witch, what will happen to his life? His family? His world?
Much is at stake as Vince is torn between his duty and his heart. But he's a man blinded by love and certainty. And that self-awareness is about to change in the blink of an eye.
Cal did a great job writing this short story. I loved the anguish and the world-building. It was a short story, so I wish there'd been more details in the characters, scenes, and budding relationships, but I enjoyed the buildup of suspense and the end that I wasn't expecting.
Second Skin is an enjoyable fantasy read and I look forward to reading more of Cal's work.
Vincent is living two lives. He's an assassin who's attempting to live the "normal" life of a family man while simultaneously working to plan his next hit and unexpectedly falling for another woman in the process. One whom he's been informed is a witch he's to terminate; a witch who is invoking destruction amid his land. Everything he's attempted to build starts to crumple as his wife becomes fed-up with his secrets, his unintentional deception, and the devastating effects that his infidelity and absence have brought upon her. Is Lysa really a witch? Will he be able to kill her when the time comes? The woman he's surprisingly beginning to enjoy loving? What will become of his marriage to Irena? If doesn't kill the witch, what will happen to his life? His family? His world?
Much is at stake as Vince is torn between his duty and his heart. But he's a man blinded by love and certainty. And that self-awareness is about to change in the blink of an eye.
Cal did a great job writing this short story. I loved the anguish and the world-building. It was a short story, so I wish there'd been more details in the characters, scenes, and budding relationships, but I enjoyed the buildup of suspense and the end that I wasn't expecting.
Second Skin is an enjoyable fantasy read and I look forward to reading more of Cal's work.
May 9, 2019
The kind of all-encompassing, enveloping fantasy that drags you in.
It’s a subtly built world, but a massive and detailed world nonetheless. It’s difficult with a shorter story, to paint the type of full picture you’d be able to in a massive epic novel – but damn, Logan does it. With small drips and hints, picked up as we walk through the landscape and setting of the story, and little bits of history and culture interlaced in the dialogue and narrative, you’ll feel like you’ve been reading this since you were little.
The fact that its first-person makes it different from the regular fantasy I read. That and the plot itself, gives it a emotional vulnerability I’m perhaps more used to seeing in other genres – and it’s awesome. It make it so real, so relatable, so close to something I feel I recognize.
We follow an assassin, Vincent, who’s tasked with finding, seducing, and killing a witch. The witch’s identity is known, but her methods are not. How does she commit the evils she does, and where can Vincent find proof? Vincent isn’t one to question the authorities who give him his missions, but before long he finds himself being pulled in two directions. What if the witch isn’t who they think she is, what if she isn’t evil?
Logan’s writing is poetic and beautiful, lavish and delicate. At some points it’s a bit slow for me, but that’s just a matter of taste. I prefer that rapid punch to the teeth, the kind of quick-fire storytelling that gets you rolling and keeps you rolling faster and faster, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the intricacies of a well-told slow burner like we’ve got here. It’s inspiring.
This is a short read (took me about 30-40 minutes I think), but at the same time it’s a massive story. It feels like there’s so much in either ends of it. As if this is just a side-quest in massive video game. From the beginning you know to expect a mystery, a sudden twist in the narrative (believe me, there’s a myriad of things to keep you wondering), but it’s not until the very end you really know what’s going to happen.
I’m happy to say I liked the ending, a lot. I often don’t, because I often feel they’re too predictable, that many authors don’t dare go that extra mile. Not the case here.
A brilliantly executed, and magnificently constructed short story.
It’s a subtly built world, but a massive and detailed world nonetheless. It’s difficult with a shorter story, to paint the type of full picture you’d be able to in a massive epic novel – but damn, Logan does it. With small drips and hints, picked up as we walk through the landscape and setting of the story, and little bits of history and culture interlaced in the dialogue and narrative, you’ll feel like you’ve been reading this since you were little.
The fact that its first-person makes it different from the regular fantasy I read. That and the plot itself, gives it a emotional vulnerability I’m perhaps more used to seeing in other genres – and it’s awesome. It make it so real, so relatable, so close to something I feel I recognize.
We follow an assassin, Vincent, who’s tasked with finding, seducing, and killing a witch. The witch’s identity is known, but her methods are not. How does she commit the evils she does, and where can Vincent find proof? Vincent isn’t one to question the authorities who give him his missions, but before long he finds himself being pulled in two directions. What if the witch isn’t who they think she is, what if she isn’t evil?
Logan’s writing is poetic and beautiful, lavish and delicate. At some points it’s a bit slow for me, but that’s just a matter of taste. I prefer that rapid punch to the teeth, the kind of quick-fire storytelling that gets you rolling and keeps you rolling faster and faster, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the intricacies of a well-told slow burner like we’ve got here. It’s inspiring.
This is a short read (took me about 30-40 minutes I think), but at the same time it’s a massive story. It feels like there’s so much in either ends of it. As if this is just a side-quest in massive video game. From the beginning you know to expect a mystery, a sudden twist in the narrative (believe me, there’s a myriad of things to keep you wondering), but it’s not until the very end you really know what’s going to happen.
I’m happy to say I liked the ending, a lot. I often don’t, because I often feel they’re too predictable, that many authors don’t dare go that extra mile. Not the case here.
A brilliantly executed, and magnificently constructed short story.
May 26, 2019
Second Skin by Cal P. Logan is a fantasy short story that grabbed me from the start, and had me reading Vincent’s journey to the heartbreaking and shocking ending.
Vincent is an assassin that’s growing tired of the lifestyle, wanting to live peacefully with his wife and son. He takes the assignment to kill a witch in order to keep in favor with his employers and protect his family. Though as the mission continues, he finds himself living a double life, and in a sense, losing himself in the process.
I loved Logan’s writing style; it really brought the setting and emotions to life. Even though it’s only 8000 words, we get a glimpse of what is a broader fantasy world, more developed than some novels. Each of the characters had distinct personalities and I could connect to Vincent’s internal torment. While his skills as a ‘romancer’ isn’t usually the type I’m attracted to for protagonists, I could relate to his instincts of survival, protecting his family. The story was fast paced with plenty of twists and I could feel the dark tone throughout. Though I wish a couple of details weren’t skimmed over, but then again, it’s a short story.
I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending, since there were some things that were muddled , but it fit the mood of the story. My only complaint would be the cover doesn’t communicate what this story is really about. A nice short read.
Vincent is an assassin that’s growing tired of the lifestyle, wanting to live peacefully with his wife and son. He takes the assignment to kill a witch in order to keep in favor with his employers and protect his family. Though as the mission continues, he finds himself living a double life, and in a sense, losing himself in the process.
I loved Logan’s writing style; it really brought the setting and emotions to life. Even though it’s only 8000 words, we get a glimpse of what is a broader fantasy world, more developed than some novels. Each of the characters had distinct personalities and I could connect to Vincent’s internal torment. While his skills as a ‘romancer’ isn’t usually the type I’m attracted to for protagonists, I could relate to his instincts of survival, protecting his family. The story was fast paced with plenty of twists and I could feel the dark tone throughout. Though I wish a couple of details weren’t skimmed over, but then again, it’s a short story.
I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending, since there were some things that were muddled , but it fit the mood of the story. My only complaint would be the cover doesn’t communicate what this story is really about. A nice short read.
June 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Excellent world-building and characters you care about, which is very hard to do in such a tight word count. I'd love to read a full-length novel set in this world.
May 12, 2019
This is a very well-written novella with a deeply flawed main character named Vincent. Being a voracious romance reader who thrives on stand-up heroes, it was tough for me to like Vin because of the choice he made in the beginning. But I'm also a lover of messy, complex characters and he definitely was one! Forced to make a terrible choice by the stern and unflappable Lady Sorl, Vin sets down the path of accomplishing his mission. The twists and turns draw the reader into the story until we get to the awesome ending. The choice Vin makes at the end is heartbreaking and was completely satisfying to me. It's a quick read that might take you out of your comfort zone--and I actually loved that! Definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!
July 8, 2021
Good short with an unexpected ending.
A very cleanly written, well done short story. A little bit of mystery, some fantasy, and a nice twist ending.
A very cleanly written, well done short story. A little bit of mystery, some fantasy, and a nice twist ending.
June 10, 2019
So I don't usually read much fantasy, because there are two pitfalls that I find quite often in the genre. Bear with me for a moment, before I get to my review of Mr. Logan's work.
The first pitfall is slogging through oft-recycled 'high fantasy' tropes: barbaric orcs, greedy dragons, knights and castles and flowery speech and silly names and hard-to-pronounce names and compound-word descriptive names...I loved all that when I was a kid, but now...yawn. The common archetypes have grown stale for me, having been lifted straight from the pages of Tolkien, Brooks, and AD&D.
The second pitfall is a cure that's worse than the disease: the extensive world-building that’s required to escape this trap. Well-meaning authors who recognize the need to blaze new trails can unfortunately corral their audience into sociopolitical stage-setting which can run on for dozens of pages—often in the opening chapter, no less—when what I need is a hook that will bring me right into the action. I’m afraid that after complaining about the first problem, I don’t find the proposed solution any more palatable.
It takes focus to thread the needle, and that’s exactly what Logan does with “Second Skin", a punchy tale about an assassin tasked with a merciless mission. Vincent, the protagonist, is a contract killer who’s “as good as any three men" in the words of his cold-blooded boss…and yet the narrative is written with the depth of feeling that shows the real character, a family man with an undeniable propensity for love. Vincent must rid the city of Brenhold of a beautiful “flower witch” whose entanglements soon have him second-guessing the mission. The witch's demise is all that’s required for Vincent to return to his family, but where feelings are involved, nothing is simple.
“Second Skin" explores a surprising amount of relevant modern-day problems in its single-sitting tour de force. Among Vincent’s struggles are the need to maintain his own identity beneath the mask he must wear around others; the pursuit of work/life balance; and finding the least unethical choice in an impossible situation. Does it surprise you that a killer-for-hire would have these problems? If so, the surprise will be a pleasant one: the characters are not wooden fantasy templates. Logan’s handling of the narrative is smooth enough for you to slip into Vincent’s head like the titular turn of phrase—and you’re going to stay there after the story’s over.
Showcasing his considerable writing skills, Logan earns 5 stars for a concise story that delivers more depth in fewer pages than many of the lengthy fantasy tomes you’ve read. It’s no wonder that Logan’s upcoming “Sundering” is so hotly anticipated—this is an author to watch closely.
The first pitfall is slogging through oft-recycled 'high fantasy' tropes: barbaric orcs, greedy dragons, knights and castles and flowery speech and silly names and hard-to-pronounce names and compound-word descriptive names...I loved all that when I was a kid, but now...yawn. The common archetypes have grown stale for me, having been lifted straight from the pages of Tolkien, Brooks, and AD&D.
The second pitfall is a cure that's worse than the disease: the extensive world-building that’s required to escape this trap. Well-meaning authors who recognize the need to blaze new trails can unfortunately corral their audience into sociopolitical stage-setting which can run on for dozens of pages—often in the opening chapter, no less—when what I need is a hook that will bring me right into the action. I’m afraid that after complaining about the first problem, I don’t find the proposed solution any more palatable.
It takes focus to thread the needle, and that’s exactly what Logan does with “Second Skin", a punchy tale about an assassin tasked with a merciless mission. Vincent, the protagonist, is a contract killer who’s “as good as any three men" in the words of his cold-blooded boss…and yet the narrative is written with the depth of feeling that shows the real character, a family man with an undeniable propensity for love. Vincent must rid the city of Brenhold of a beautiful “flower witch” whose entanglements soon have him second-guessing the mission. The witch's demise is all that’s required for Vincent to return to his family, but where feelings are involved, nothing is simple.
“Second Skin" explores a surprising amount of relevant modern-day problems in its single-sitting tour de force. Among Vincent’s struggles are the need to maintain his own identity beneath the mask he must wear around others; the pursuit of work/life balance; and finding the least unethical choice in an impossible situation. Does it surprise you that a killer-for-hire would have these problems? If so, the surprise will be a pleasant one: the characters are not wooden fantasy templates. Logan’s handling of the narrative is smooth enough for you to slip into Vincent’s head like the titular turn of phrase—and you’re going to stay there after the story’s over.
Showcasing his considerable writing skills, Logan earns 5 stars for a concise story that delivers more depth in fewer pages than many of the lengthy fantasy tomes you’ve read. It’s no wonder that Logan’s upcoming “Sundering” is so hotly anticipated—this is an author to watch closely.
January 2, 2020
Second Skin by Cal P. Logan is a fantasy short story. The story is well-written with memorable main characters—and that ending…wow, just wow. It’s a quick, satisfying read, so why not put it on your list?
Vincent is an assassin for the Brotherhood. Despite trying to live the family life with his wife and son, he is put on a mission to seduce and kill a suspected witch. After spending time with this supposed witch, Vincent begins to doubt himself that she’s even a threat and starts to enjoy his time with her, despite the fact that he has a wife and child at home.
It was such an interesting story that I wished that it was longer than just a short story. Regardless, it was a quick, fun read that you can blast through in one sitting. It’s an intense read, and I suspense the average fantasy lover will enjoy it thoroughly.
If you are looking for a fantastic, beautifully written fantasy short story, Second Skin is the perfect read. I highly recommend this one.
Vincent is an assassin for the Brotherhood. Despite trying to live the family life with his wife and son, he is put on a mission to seduce and kill a suspected witch. After spending time with this supposed witch, Vincent begins to doubt himself that she’s even a threat and starts to enjoy his time with her, despite the fact that he has a wife and child at home.
It was such an interesting story that I wished that it was longer than just a short story. Regardless, it was a quick, fun read that you can blast through in one sitting. It’s an intense read, and I suspense the average fantasy lover will enjoy it thoroughly.
If you are looking for a fantastic, beautifully written fantasy short story, Second Skin is the perfect read. I highly recommend this one.
September 9, 2019
Though quite a bit shorter than I had expected, this story was no less enjoyable.
I really felt sorry for Vincent, but I more so felt sorry for his family. How gruelling it must be, being the wife and child of an assassin, to be forced to accept whatever horrors or indiscretions he must perform in his role. In the end, I couldn't blame his wife for the choice she made, and I certainly couldn't blame the witch for doing what she did, either.
I guess this is to say the characters were all intriguing and easy to sympathize with, even if I didn't always agree with the decisions they made.
Really good. Hope to see more from this author.
I really felt sorry for Vincent, but I more so felt sorry for his family. How gruelling it must be, being the wife and child of an assassin, to be forced to accept whatever horrors or indiscretions he must perform in his role. In the end, I couldn't blame his wife for the choice she made, and I certainly couldn't blame the witch for doing what she did, either.
I guess this is to say the characters were all intriguing and easy to sympathize with, even if I didn't always agree with the decisions they made.
Really good. Hope to see more from this author.
January 25, 2020
really really really short story. even with short stories you want a gut-punch, a revelation, something at the end. this didn't deliver, for my tastes.
didn't like: felt a little too perfect, wasn't hooked on the main character, the hunter who is also a seductress, who is leading a double life (that his wife is aware of) for the job, then his employer puts the screws to him to make a choice of either him or his family, and his target has been using him the entire time.
liked: some of the world building, detailed.
I'd be curious how this author's progression/evolution/skill handles a longer/larger story.
didn't like: felt a little too perfect, wasn't hooked on the main character, the hunter who is also a seductress, who is leading a double life (that his wife is aware of) for the job, then his employer puts the screws to him to make a choice of either him or his family, and his target has been using him the entire time.
liked: some of the world building, detailed.
I'd be curious how this author's progression/evolution/skill handles a longer/larger story.
June 12, 2019
An intense story from start to finish with an ending that satisfies and excites you for more at the same time. Dark and deceptive, the characters and actions show so much of the story through their actions and interactions, it builds a picture for the imagination on its own. Short fast-paced, but a worthwhile story to read for anyone looking for a story in which nothing is what it seems up until the last scene reveals all.
May 21, 2020
Second Skin Cuts to the Bone in a Beautiful Way
Sometimes a fantasy story doesn't need to be long to be a mastery of art and prose. Such is the case with this short. Author Cal P. Logan will grab hold of your reading brain and reading heart if you're not careful. By the time the story ends, you'll find yourself needing to re-read this story for fear you may have missed a key detail.
Mark my words. Mr. Logan will be a rising literary star in the coming years.
Sometimes a fantasy story doesn't need to be long to be a mastery of art and prose. Such is the case with this short. Author Cal P. Logan will grab hold of your reading brain and reading heart if you're not careful. By the time the story ends, you'll find yourself needing to re-read this story for fear you may have missed a key detail.
Mark my words. Mr. Logan will be a rising literary star in the coming years.
May 8, 2019
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
This is soooooo good! And I’ve been waiting for it to come out since it was announced. If you love anything dark and moody, this is the book for you! A rollercoaster of emotions that you weren’t sure you needed to feel. So good.
This is soooooo good! And I’ve been waiting for it to come out since it was announced. If you love anything dark and moody, this is the book for you! A rollercoaster of emotions that you weren’t sure you needed to feel. So good.
May 10, 2019
Don't forget to breathe
Thank you, Cal, for an exciting and well-written story. I only wish that it was a full length novel so I could read more about Vincent's life and adventures beforehand.
Thank you, Cal, for an exciting and well-written story. I only wish that it was a full length novel so I could read more about Vincent's life and adventures beforehand.
July 18, 2019
A short, action-packed read exploring the pressures and consequences of being an assassin, balancing a family life, and taking on a task for the sake of protecting said family.
Thoroughly enjoyable and emotionally charged. Definitely recommend.
Thoroughly enjoyable and emotionally charged. Definitely recommend.
December 3, 2019
Exciting short read
An assassin is put in an impossible situation in an attempt to protect his wife and son. This is an entertaining, quick read. If you like fantasy rpg’s, then this world may seem familiar.
An assassin is put in an impossible situation in an attempt to protect his wife and son. This is an entertaining, quick read. If you like fantasy rpg’s, then this world may seem familiar.
July 2, 2020
I love this story. Well written and fast-paced. One might think a story would suffer from cramming so much into so few words, but Cal picks the words perfectly to convey the emotion and story of the main character.
May 9, 2019
Stunning!
This powerful novella left me longing for more. Three compelling characters and a gripping plot engaged every sense. Cannot wait for Sundering!
This powerful novella left me longing for more. Three compelling characters and a gripping plot engaged every sense. Cannot wait for Sundering!
May 11, 2019
Whoa!
This story hooked me right away. It’s a well-crafted powerful novella with a heart pounding ending that didn’t disappoint.
This story hooked me right away. It’s a well-crafted powerful novella with a heart pounding ending that didn’t disappoint.
May 13, 2019
Good, fast read.
Man has to pretend to love a Witch, so he can get close enough to kill her. Otherwise, his employer will kill his wife and son.
Man has to pretend to love a Witch, so he can get close enough to kill her. Otherwise, his employer will kill his wife and son.
July 3, 2020
Short read, but intense!
This was really well written, with a great plot, good pacing, and an exciting and unexpected conclusion. Very enjoyable short story.
This was really well written, with a great plot, good pacing, and an exciting and unexpected conclusion. Very enjoyable short story.
July 23, 2019
Dark and twisty!
A short, dark fantasy crafted to draw you in from the very beginning. Twists on so many levels. I only wish it had been longer!
A short, dark fantasy crafted to draw you in from the very beginning. Twists on so many levels. I only wish it had been longer!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews