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The Litter: A Paranormal Teen Pregnancy Thriller with a Literary Feel
She became pregnant as a teenager ...And now she's alone ...With seven children who aren't quite human ...And that's when her problems really begin./***/ From the I first heard that Jonathan Maas was writing a paranormal teen pregnancy saga, I was quite surprised. I’ve read his tales of mythology and philosophy, and his apocalyptic horror ‘Flare’ left me so shaken that I couldn’t sleep for a week.But a paranormal teen pregnancy saga? That’s a new one for him.Fortunately, like his other works, this short novel is a page-turner, and I read it in one sitting.This tale is different from most. The main character of ‘The Litter’ is a strong female lead – albeit a friendless one – and her last year of high school turns out to be quite difficult. She becomes pregnant, with seven children who she soon finds out aren’t quite human.And that’s only the beginning of her troubles.I won’t spoil the rest of it for you, but let’s just say that there has never been an antagonist as diabolical as Charles Silk.Though there’s a love story reminiscent of the ‘Twilight’ series, I also found some parts of this reminded me of the TV series ‘The Wire.' And while the philosophy makes you think, the action and plot pull you along to its outsized conclusion.And oh that conclusion – in true Jonathan Maas style, there’s an underlying mystery behind everything that happens, one that makes our protagonist realize she is part of something bigger than she could ever have imagined.But I hope you like this book – it’s a quick read, and there are seven pups - each with their own unique power - and they’re waiting to play with you.J. Shaw, Editor – Cynical Optimist PressFor fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban Decay, Werewolf Tales, and YA High School Dramas.For fans of Stephanie Meyer, Douglas E. Richards, The Crow, The Wire, and MTV’s Teen Mom
- GenresFantasy
208 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2019
175 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maas
31 books369 followersJon Maas was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Biology and History, he's earned a living as a Musician, Peace Corps Volunteer, Standup Comedian, TV Producer and Web Designer.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 11, 2019
What—Just—Happened? This is my first reading of a book by this author and I enjoyed it immensely. The book is short and I have a few criticisms, but mostly I want more. I enjoyed the protagonist's musings and philosophizings, up to a point. It seemed to me that these musings consumed too much of the story space. As a result, the plot suffered a little from being underfed. I loved the characters and I wanted so much more from the pups, but we ran out of time. In spite of the amount of time and words spent on Charles Silk, he still seemed pretty flat. A shame, because I'd love a story with him as the protagonist. I also liked the writing style for the story. I'll be exploring this author further.
November 26, 2021
3.50*** (rounded down)
I do not know quite how to review this book. It was all over the place, with some parts making sense chronologically and others seemingly placed at random. Books that jump between past and present always anoy me, and this book had too much of that, which led to some confusion until later chapters.
It was a quick read, and the conclusion was open-ended. Possibly a sequel is forthcoming? Only the author knows!
Basic synopsis: A young teen becomes impregnated by a werewolf and gives birth to seven "pups." Each has it's own personality and appearance. All are loyal to the mother.
An entity known as Charles Silk is hunting these "pups," forcing the girl into hiding and thus becoming homeless. She has help from a witch, a ghost and her "pups." The climax comes when Charles Silk and the girl meet face to face and come to a less than amicable agreement regarding the "pups." This forces the girl to begin planning to rescue the father of her "pups," who has been sent to hell, never to return.
A uniquely strange and somewhat unbelievable tale, a lot of imagination is required to enjoy this short novel. I recommend it for such readers.
I do not know quite how to review this book. It was all over the place, with some parts making sense chronologically and others seemingly placed at random. Books that jump between past and present always anoy me, and this book had too much of that, which led to some confusion until later chapters.
It was a quick read, and the conclusion was open-ended. Possibly a sequel is forthcoming? Only the author knows!
Basic synopsis: A young teen becomes impregnated by a werewolf and gives birth to seven "pups." Each has it's own personality and appearance. All are loyal to the mother.
An entity known as Charles Silk is hunting these "pups," forcing the girl into hiding and thus becoming homeless. She has help from a witch, a ghost and her "pups." The climax comes when Charles Silk and the girl meet face to face and come to a less than amicable agreement regarding the "pups." This forces the girl to begin planning to rescue the father of her "pups," who has been sent to hell, never to return.
A uniquely strange and somewhat unbelievable tale, a lot of imagination is required to enjoy this short novel. I recommend it for such readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2021
The lonely girl falls in love with the lonely wolf.
This story is cute and very understandably creepy. I would love to learn more about the Litter as they grow and go on the mission to save their father. A great little read.
This story is cute and very understandably creepy. I would love to learn more about the Litter as they grow and go on the mission to save their father. A great little read.
February 5, 2020
A fun read
A lot different than I expected, geared more toward younger readers I guess. It was short and quick to read.
A lot different than I expected, geared more toward younger readers I guess. It was short and quick to read.
November 25, 2021
Great book need the second one
Love the book. Couldn't put it down I wanted to know How the character was gonna survive With all The obstacles that were coming her way. All the characters Were interesting I loved how each pup had their own personality. Great story ready for the next. Just read.
Love the book. Couldn't put it down I wanted to know How the character was gonna survive With all The obstacles that were coming her way. All the characters Were interesting I loved how each pup had their own personality. Great story ready for the next. Just read.
November 2, 2019
This was such a fun read!
This was such a fun read. This was not something that I would usually pick but for some reason I got lucky and happened on this. It was a fun read and I really enjoyed it.
This was such a fun read. This was not something that I would usually pick but for some reason I got lucky and happened on this. It was a fun read and I really enjoyed it.
August 8, 2019
Amazing Story!
This is a MASTERPIECE! I really, really enjoyed it. Now I want to go read everything this author wrote... Amazing!
This is a MASTERPIECE! I really, really enjoyed it. Now I want to go read everything this author wrote... Amazing!
October 19, 2019
Wow
This book is difficult to describe! Suffice it to say that I LOVED it And will follow this author, and I do hope there's a sequel!
This book is difficult to describe! Suffice it to say that I LOVED it And will follow this author, and I do hope there's a sequel!
December 1, 2023
Vague, disjointed
I only made it to 76% before finally tossing in the towel. The story is so very disjointed. Like King's IT it goes back and forth between the past and now. Time doesn't flow linear for readers on a way that follows along. Which, if important revelations occured it would be ok. But this also goes back and forth between novelized events and journal entries. Which just adds to the choppiness. The writing is very simplistic, even though a few obscure words are tossed in periodically. We feel no bonds with our main characters. In fact, the brief description in the preface is where we learn the most about them. The rest of the book the pups are just nebulous concepts she thinks about but rarely interacts with. They exist, but mostly in her thoughts, even if they are supposed to be in her vicinity. There are very interesting side characters we also learn nothing about. And the MMC disappeared very quickly, and the FMC formed a bond with him fast, but as we don't actually have the chance to bond as readers with them the whole emotional basis for the story doesn't exist. You can sympathize with her plight, but only because seeing it from your POV brings home the feels. Her research should have brought on more terror. Her pups' description makes no sense. He was human when they interacted, and his shifted form looks nothing like theirs. They don't look like him, or human. So...huh? Why? That's the main thing this book is missing: the why? What is supposed to be accomplished? Why did these events take place? Why is the author taking time to create this meandering disjointed work? No world building, no character evolution, and no plot means this is just a collection of words in an order that only makes sense to the author. I was interested in the concept due to the blurb but it didn't follow through on the promise implied.
I only made it to 76% before finally tossing in the towel. The story is so very disjointed. Like King's IT it goes back and forth between the past and now. Time doesn't flow linear for readers on a way that follows along. Which, if important revelations occured it would be ok. But this also goes back and forth between novelized events and journal entries. Which just adds to the choppiness. The writing is very simplistic, even though a few obscure words are tossed in periodically. We feel no bonds with our main characters. In fact, the brief description in the preface is where we learn the most about them. The rest of the book the pups are just nebulous concepts she thinks about but rarely interacts with. They exist, but mostly in her thoughts, even if they are supposed to be in her vicinity. There are very interesting side characters we also learn nothing about. And the MMC disappeared very quickly, and the FMC formed a bond with him fast, but as we don't actually have the chance to bond as readers with them the whole emotional basis for the story doesn't exist. You can sympathize with her plight, but only because seeing it from your POV brings home the feels. Her research should have brought on more terror. Her pups' description makes no sense. He was human when they interacted, and his shifted form looks nothing like theirs. They don't look like him, or human. So...huh? Why? That's the main thing this book is missing: the why? What is supposed to be accomplished? Why did these events take place? Why is the author taking time to create this meandering disjointed work? No world building, no character evolution, and no plot means this is just a collection of words in an order that only makes sense to the author. I was interested in the concept due to the blurb but it didn't follow through on the promise implied.
October 31, 2023
Standing ovation
This was a grand story. The flow was excellent and I enjoyed every bit of it. I am now officially a Jonathan Maas fan. Read this, it's terrifying and heart warming at the same time.
This was a grand story. The flow was excellent and I enjoyed every bit of it. I am now officially a Jonathan Maas fan. Read this, it's terrifying and heart warming at the same time.
November 2, 2023
A devils child fall in love wit gods child! He does not get to see his litter!
She must have her litter and keep them safe! First I have ever read where the mom has such a large litter! Can she care for them !? Interesting story! Would Luke a series!🤗
She must have her litter and keep them safe! First I have ever read where the mom has such a large litter! Can she care for them !? Interesting story! Would Luke a series!🤗
January 8, 2020
Dnf. Was so bad and boring 😴
November 15, 2021
didn't finish. just couldn't get engaged enough in the plot line or the word building
December 4, 2024
I read this twice in the same day. I was thinking maybe I'd like it better reading it again and trying to understand it, but nope. Idk y. I never rate 1 🌟. But I could not get into this story.
December 21, 2019
It was OK
I was not sure what to expect from this, it was interesting, I don’t know if I’ll check out anymore from this author but I did like this story
I was not sure what to expect from this, it was interesting, I don’t know if I’ll check out anymore from this author but I did like this story
July 16, 2019
To me this book was on the same idea as Animal Farm but with religious view instead of a political view.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews