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Kendra Temples: The Demonic Diaries #1
The Secret Name
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Working in a creepy mansion surrounded by old books is kind of my dream job, but this might be too creepy—even for me. They asked weird interview questions like “Have you ever seen a dead body”, I swear I heard a woman screaming last night, and I’m sure the owner is hiding something—like why he hired me as a librarian in the first place.
But I can’t quit now. If I miss rent again my boyfriend will finally kick ol’ broke Kendra (me) to the curb and into hobodom. Plus, it’s great inspiration for my writing. I just hope I don’t end up starring in a gothic horror story of my own… Anyways, I’ll update y’all here in my blog.
The Secret Name is book 1 in the Kendra Temples: The Demonic Diaries series.
Note: This book was originally released as The Secret Name by Kendra Temples
Working in a creepy mansion surrounded by old books is kind of my dream job, but this might be too creepy—even for me. They asked weird interview questions like “Have you ever seen a dead body”, I swear I heard a woman screaming last night, and I’m sure the owner is hiding something—like why he hired me as a librarian in the first place.
But I can’t quit now. If I miss rent again my boyfriend will finally kick ol’ broke Kendra (me) to the curb and into hobodom. Plus, it’s great inspiration for my writing. I just hope I don’t end up starring in a gothic horror story of my own… Anyways, I’ll update y’all here in my blog.
The Secret Name is book 1 in the Kendra Temples: The Demonic Diaries series.
Note: This book was originally released as The Secret Name by Kendra Temples
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2018
200 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 1, 2021
This was a fun & quick novella - I really enjoyed the blog post style which kept the story moving and engaging. The main character, Kendra, was the kind of person in real life that I would probably run and hide from, she's self-centered & oblivious, yet personable with a talent for telling her story and making you want to find out what craziness will happen next. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a fun, dark, but not grim little gem of a book. Looking forward to the next installment!
February 17, 2020
This book surprised me by how easy it was to read. I’ve read a lot of quite full on stories lately and I was expecting the same from this but it’s actually written like a blog (I know right, how’d I miss the word “diaries” on the front cover? Some reason I was still expecting to see a wall of text) it was a really refreshing change and acted like a kind of palatte cleanser between reads.
The characters in the book are nicely written, you can imagine the relationships being real and it does feel a bit like you’re really reading along with someone’s diary.
Before long it had dragged me into the realm of Kendra Temples and suddenly I’d finished the book, it’s a brilliant read, nicely done in a simplistic way that makes you think “one more entry won’t hurt” it’s the perfect way to insert the reader as a fly on the wall and I don’t know why it isn’t done more often. The last time I read a novel in this format it was The Princess Diaries when I was a young teen. And yes, your dark little reviewer who’s hooked on horror was once hooked on The Princess Diaries – go figure.
I actually enjoyed this one so much that I completed it in a single sitting AND dived into another Eve Harms book as soon as I got home!
It’s not a long read but the content isn’t that light either, so be ready for an adventure! I’d grab this book fast if I were you because book 2 is out soon and it’s scheduled for March!
Also, at the end of the book you’ll be invited to join a newsletter, do this, because you’ll get a free story out of it. My lips are sealed as to what it is because I don’t want to give out spoilers, but it’s worth checking out!
The characters in the book are nicely written, you can imagine the relationships being real and it does feel a bit like you’re really reading along with someone’s diary.
Before long it had dragged me into the realm of Kendra Temples and suddenly I’d finished the book, it’s a brilliant read, nicely done in a simplistic way that makes you think “one more entry won’t hurt” it’s the perfect way to insert the reader as a fly on the wall and I don’t know why it isn’t done more often. The last time I read a novel in this format it was The Princess Diaries when I was a young teen. And yes, your dark little reviewer who’s hooked on horror was once hooked on The Princess Diaries – go figure.
I actually enjoyed this one so much that I completed it in a single sitting AND dived into another Eve Harms book as soon as I got home!
It’s not a long read but the content isn’t that light either, so be ready for an adventure! I’d grab this book fast if I were you because book 2 is out soon and it’s scheduled for March!
Also, at the end of the book you’ll be invited to join a newsletter, do this, because you’ll get a free story out of it. My lips are sealed as to what it is because I don’t want to give out spoilers, but it’s worth checking out!
July 16, 2018
Wow
This was a quick read... It only took !e two hours... I can't wait to get started on whatever else this author has written
This was a quick read... It only took !e two hours... I can't wait to get started on whatever else this author has written
May 1, 2021
Despite some reservations, thanks to a rather unusual interview, Kendra accepts a job as a private librarian. Her new boss wants her to curate the library of the mansion he’s recently purchased, with particular attention to the occult section hidden somewhere inside. But, as Kendra uncovers more of the libraries contents, she comes to realise that the mansion holds even more secrets.
Written (and originally posted) as a series of blog entries, the reader sees events unfold more or less as our narrator does. Needless to say, this builds the uncertainty and suspense nicely. After the first third, which focuses mainly on setting up the location and the people involved, there is a steadily increasing sense of paranoia as Kendra learns that just about everyone is hiding something.
The narrative voice is easy to follow, even when things start to become more and more inexplicable. Kendra is easy to identify with and the blog format allows easy access to her thoughts and feelings, all of which are perfectly believable. Having said that, there are a few suggestions that seem to indicate that this may not be the first time Kendra has encountered something beyond the ordinary. While I don’t know if the author intends to explore these hints at a later date, they do serve to help draw the reader in.
The Secret Name is an interesting, fun and often creepy little story, ideal for horror fans looking for a quick but engrossing read.
Written (and originally posted) as a series of blog entries, the reader sees events unfold more or less as our narrator does. Needless to say, this builds the uncertainty and suspense nicely. After the first third, which focuses mainly on setting up the location and the people involved, there is a steadily increasing sense of paranoia as Kendra learns that just about everyone is hiding something.
The narrative voice is easy to follow, even when things start to become more and more inexplicable. Kendra is easy to identify with and the blog format allows easy access to her thoughts and feelings, all of which are perfectly believable. Having said that, there are a few suggestions that seem to indicate that this may not be the first time Kendra has encountered something beyond the ordinary. While I don’t know if the author intends to explore these hints at a later date, they do serve to help draw the reader in.
The Secret Name is an interesting, fun and often creepy little story, ideal for horror fans looking for a quick but engrossing read.
April 6, 2020
Trigger and Spoiler Warning: attempted/implied/unsuccessful animal sacrifice and demonic worship.
So wish I didn't read that. Yes, it was short, but not what I expected.
So wish I didn't read that. Yes, it was short, but not what I expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2020
Eve Harms brings us the short tale The Secret Name (Kendra Temples: The Demonic Diaries) in the form of a series of blog posts. It’s an intriguing and original attempt, but it often makes the scary material feel like it’s being held at arm’s length.
Kendra Temples is in desperate need of a job–her boyfriend Steve is getting pretty upset at the amount of back rent she owes. When she finds a job listing for a librarian for a private book collection, she knows she’s found her dream job. Unfortunately, after interviewing, she hears nothing back for a couple of months. She reluctantly agrees to work for Steve’s creepy father in his tanning salon. When she finally hears that she got the librarian job, she quickly dumps the tanning salon gig. The library in question turns out to be very old and HUGE, and in particular Eli, the wealthy film producer, wants her to find the occult section. When Kendra hears screaming within the house and finds out Eli has a wife locked away, she starts becoming suspicious as to what’s really going on.
Kendra does everything that the star of a horror movie would do while the audience sits back and rails about how stupid they’re being. She charges into all the places she’s not supposed to be. She breaks every promise she makes to anyone, seemingly without even hesitating to think about it. She fails to listen to every warning. It makes it really hard to relate to her as a protagonist. She’s also a bit of a flake who rarely takes anything seriously.
Between Kendra as a protagonist, the reliance on Kendra being a foolish flake to forward the plot, and the fact that the blog entry format keeps things at a remove, I can’t give this more than a 3/5. I wish I could, because the story is interesting, and the images of books and papers included in the story are really neat.
Content note for a little bit of animal harm.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/11/s...
Kendra Temples is in desperate need of a job–her boyfriend Steve is getting pretty upset at the amount of back rent she owes. When she finds a job listing for a librarian for a private book collection, she knows she’s found her dream job. Unfortunately, after interviewing, she hears nothing back for a couple of months. She reluctantly agrees to work for Steve’s creepy father in his tanning salon. When she finally hears that she got the librarian job, she quickly dumps the tanning salon gig. The library in question turns out to be very old and HUGE, and in particular Eli, the wealthy film producer, wants her to find the occult section. When Kendra hears screaming within the house and finds out Eli has a wife locked away, she starts becoming suspicious as to what’s really going on.
Kendra does everything that the star of a horror movie would do while the audience sits back and rails about how stupid they’re being. She charges into all the places she’s not supposed to be. She breaks every promise she makes to anyone, seemingly without even hesitating to think about it. She fails to listen to every warning. It makes it really hard to relate to her as a protagonist. She’s also a bit of a flake who rarely takes anything seriously.
Between Kendra as a protagonist, the reliance on Kendra being a foolish flake to forward the plot, and the fact that the blog entry format keeps things at a remove, I can’t give this more than a 3/5. I wish I could, because the story is interesting, and the images of books and papers included in the story are really neat.
Content note for a little bit of animal harm.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/11/s...
April 19, 2018
“Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review."
I went into this book completely blind. I’ve never read anything by the author, and I didn’t know anything about this book.
I can not tell you enough how surprised I was to find myself hooked on the first page alone. I absolutely loved the book’s format. It was unique and that made it worth reading itself.
If the interesting format wasn’t enough for me there was still the setting. I mean, what kind of reader would I be if I didn’t instantly fall in love with a book that took place in a massive old library?
There have only been two books I’ve read from cover to cover in one sitting my adult life and “The Secret Name” by Kendra Temples is one of them. I honestly felt like I could not put this book down and I simply can’t wait to see what’s next! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I went into this book completely blind. I’ve never read anything by the author, and I didn’t know anything about this book.
I can not tell you enough how surprised I was to find myself hooked on the first page alone. I absolutely loved the book’s format. It was unique and that made it worth reading itself.
If the interesting format wasn’t enough for me there was still the setting. I mean, what kind of reader would I be if I didn’t instantly fall in love with a book that took place in a massive old library?
There have only been two books I’ve read from cover to cover in one sitting my adult life and “The Secret Name” by Kendra Temples is one of them. I honestly felt like I could not put this book down and I simply can’t wait to see what’s next! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
July 13, 2018
What happens when an unemployed Goth girl takes a job as a private librarian? And what's with all the screaming at night?
Told as a series of blog posts, Kendra Temples' novella is at turns irreverent, deeply personal, disturbing, and nail-biting. More horror than urban fantasy, the gradual reveal of the mystery at the heart of the novella takes a deliciously dark turn though the ending left me somewhat unsatisfied and there is room for Temples to explore the world she created even more. I did appreciate taking the epistolary format and updating it for the 21st century, though using that format also takes a bit away from the suspense.
Told as a series of blog posts, Kendra Temples' novella is at turns irreverent, deeply personal, disturbing, and nail-biting. More horror than urban fantasy, the gradual reveal of the mystery at the heart of the novella takes a deliciously dark turn though the ending left me somewhat unsatisfied and there is room for Temples to explore the world she created even more. I did appreciate taking the epistolary format and updating it for the 21st century, though using that format also takes a bit away from the suspense.
July 29, 2021
This felt a lot like an origin story – it's told through Kendra's blog post entries, which are pretty fluffy to start, and there's an abrupt tonal shift late in the book when the proverbial s**t gets real. I thought it was fun how the novel riffed on a Classic of the Canon (or two). The incorporation of some legit lore on demons and djinni was also fun, and I liked the nod in the direction of cosmic horror.
(I also read the prequel novella "Supposed Conjuring of the Cornfield Creeps," which riffs on Stine-style slime-driven middle-grade horror, with a mildly meta-textual spin, and a much more grown-up body-horror short story)
(I also read the prequel novella "Supposed Conjuring of the Cornfield Creeps," which riffs on Stine-style slime-driven middle-grade horror, with a mildly meta-textual spin, and a much more grown-up body-horror short story)
April 22, 2018
Disclosure: I received a free review copy in return for an honest review.
However, I also was a fan of this blog series before it turned into a novella.
Fresh. Witty. Intriguing. Thrilling.
The Secret Name pulls you in with a clear and concise writing voice, and an unravelling mystery. For every breadcrumb of information provided, there is another question needing answered; propelling you down an occult rabbit hole.
The author's voice shines and creates personality for the novella. Passion for the material provides thorough details and insight to the life of Kendra.
However, I also was a fan of this blog series before it turned into a novella.
Fresh. Witty. Intriguing. Thrilling.
The Secret Name pulls you in with a clear and concise writing voice, and an unravelling mystery. For every breadcrumb of information provided, there is another question needing answered; propelling you down an occult rabbit hole.
The author's voice shines and creates personality for the novella. Passion for the material provides thorough details and insight to the life of Kendra.
August 19, 2019
This was a cute short story. I really liked the blurb, so much in fact that I read it right away instead of filing it among my other "to read" books. I wish the story itself had been as interesting as that blurb. I guess I was looking for a suspenseful novel with complex characters. This maybe has the potential to become that.
December 19, 2020
Fun
A quirky girl finds her dream job working at an occult library hidden in a,movie producer's mansion. But the dream becomes a nightmare.
This is a fun read. Told via,blog entries it is witty and interesting. I liked Kendra the main character. She is definitely a modern heroine. Look forward to the next one.
A quirky girl finds her dream job working at an occult library hidden in a,movie producer's mansion. But the dream becomes a nightmare.
This is a fun read. Told via,blog entries it is witty and interesting. I liked Kendra the main character. She is definitely a modern heroine. Look forward to the next one.
April 4, 2023
Y'all, this book is so fun. Kendra is a hot mess, and she would probably drive me crazy if I knew her in real life, because I need a plan, but reading about her adventures was a delight. I enjoyed the blog format, learning some esoteric occult stuff, and just the overall vibe of this book. It does get violent in spots, but Eve knows how to write body horror.
August 17, 2019
The book was very good and interesting. The job (librarian) that Kendra was given to do was a great idea on the owner. It kept the interest going until the end when they started talking about the inexplicable horror.
August 27, 2019
Kendra accepts a job as a private librarian. Her new boss wants her to curate the library of the mansion he’s recently purchased, with particular attention to the occult section hidden somewhere inside. The mansion holds even more secrets.
January 3, 2020
Really bad ending. SMH!
Waste of time reading this. I should have quit reading long before the ending (which, by the way, was ridiculous). Will not read another book by this author!
Waste of time reading this. I should have quit reading long before the ending (which, by the way, was ridiculous). Will not read another book by this author!
January 15, 2021
kendra temples gets a well paying job at a rich persons mansion cataloging boks. In reality, they hired her to find black magic books.
She relases a demon and recaptures it but not before it captures her boyfriend.
She relases a demon and recaptures it but not before it captures her boyfriend.
July 16, 2018
Short, entertaining stort.
July 20, 2018
Good Short Story
Interesting short story! I thought it was a fun and creepy take on a new job story. Never know what you'll find off of Craigslist! Lol
Interesting short story! I thought it was a fun and creepy take on a new job story. Never know what you'll find off of Craigslist! Lol
July 29, 2018
Read this
When I started this book I was not sure about it but it caught me up and held me till it ended.
When I started this book I was not sure about it but it caught me up and held me till it ended.
September 19, 2018
I thought this book was fairly good and completely different. Give it a try. It's not very long and is interesting.
February 8, 2019
Just No....
August 21, 2019
It's a diary.
I couldn't get past the third chapter. I just dislike this format, I was so hopeful too, it sounded like it could be a good story.
I couldn't get past the third chapter. I just dislike this format, I was so hopeful too, it sounded like it could be a good story.
September 18, 2019
This book was definitely amazing.
January 6, 2020
The secret name
This was a good quick read. Loved Kendra . The other characters were good too. Ready to read more
.
This was a good quick read. Loved Kendra . The other characters were good too. Ready to read more
.
January 10, 2020
💜
It is short, but fantastic. I read it all in one sitting. I can't wait to read the next one!
It is short, but fantastic. I read it all in one sitting. I can't wait to read the next one!
February 6, 2020
Awesome
Loved it and recommend to anyone who likes creepy. Its a page turner. I u r l I h j.
Loved it and recommend to anyone who likes creepy. Its a page turner. I u r l I h j.
July 24, 2020
Different
It kept you hooked for the most part. Very strange as story goes on. Not sure if I liked the 'daily entries'. Just very different.
It kept you hooked for the most part. Very strange as story goes on. Not sure if I liked the 'daily entries'. Just very different.
May 19, 2021
Definitely a fun horror story.
I really liked that it was written in the form of a blog.
Made this a very easy read.
The main character, Kendra, was very interesting.
I really liked that it was written in the form of a blog.
Made this a very easy read.
The main character, Kendra, was very interesting.
September 4, 2024
What the,Jinn!?!??
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews