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Beginnings
Immortality comes at a price. The price being that of having to begin again, leaving all behind. Family, friends, a life built, all to be discarded to live a solitary existence. That is the price. To do otherwise would only invite pain and misery upon those that you love and care about. Simon Churchill paid this price in the end, after trying to do otherwise.
Simon Churchill was a farmer belonging to a Puritan colony in mid 17th century Virginia. Happy with the life he had, his world dissolves into tragedy and loss after having immortality thrust upon him. This is his story. This is his beginning.
The book has been professionally edited since August 2020.
Simon Churchill was a farmer belonging to a Puritan colony in mid 17th century Virginia. Happy with the life he had, his world dissolves into tragedy and loss after having immortality thrust upon him. This is his story. This is his beginning.
The book has been professionally edited since August 2020.
278 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2019
36 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 14, 2021
I received this as gift and am looking forward to reading it.
March 5, 2021
I won this book in ebook form as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I was looking forward to reading this. The premise sounded promising. The cover is really pretty. I even found the prologue/beginning scene interesting.
However...as soon as dialogue was introduced, I just could not bear it. The character interactions felt stilted and just a bit forced, too.
I did not finish this book. I stopped like 2 chapters in. Maybe it gets better the longer you read...but I've worked a long time to give myself permission to stop reading a book I didn't enjoy, instead of finishing out of obligation. So this is my review on the small portion I did read.
I was looking forward to reading this. The premise sounded promising. The cover is really pretty. I even found the prologue/beginning scene interesting.
However...as soon as dialogue was introduced, I just could not bear it. The character interactions felt stilted and just a bit forced, too.
I did not finish this book. I stopped like 2 chapters in. Maybe it gets better the longer you read...but I've worked a long time to give myself permission to stop reading a book I didn't enjoy, instead of finishing out of obligation. So this is my review on the small portion I did read.
June 18, 2021
I'm not a big reader of vampire genre pieces, but I picked this one up because it sounded different. I was impressed with the story-telling and psychology of Simon. Although this is a story of a vampire grappling with his new life as a vampire, it is equally about how he grapples with himself as a person; as Simon adjusts to his vampire self, we get to see his transformation into a new identity. The author mixes in horror elements, which I appreciate, but it wasn't about the horror or gore. This story played out like a biography of a vampire.
March 1, 2020
Interesting Vampire Story
The beginning hooked me, and I enjoyed how the book focused on a character discovering they were a vampire. It was interesting to read how the town reacted as they figured it out.
While there were a few grammatical errors and little differentiation in characters’ voices (and some point of view issues), I still kept reading to find out what happened. I did enjoy it quite a bit. A fun Saturday read.
The beginning hooked me, and I enjoyed how the book focused on a character discovering they were a vampire. It was interesting to read how the town reacted as they figured it out.
While there were a few grammatical errors and little differentiation in characters’ voices (and some point of view issues), I still kept reading to find out what happened. I did enjoy it quite a bit. A fun Saturday read.
February 14, 2021
I found the story interesting and it had some fresh ideas and wasn't your stereotypical vampire saga. I wish the characters had a bit more individuality and depth. It did slow down and was maybe a little boring at times but overall I did like the story, I enjoyed the read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this topic/genre.
September 10, 2021
I won this book on goodreads for an honest review.
A truly entertaining read, fresh and exciting. I found this to be a bit like a diary of someone interesting and yet sad. I did not find this scary or even horrific it was almost matter of fact. It was a good read and a great time spent reading about this character.
A truly entertaining read, fresh and exciting. I found this to be a bit like a diary of someone interesting and yet sad. I did not find this scary or even horrific it was almost matter of fact. It was a good read and a great time spent reading about this character.
October 27, 2021
I think I figured out about halfway through the the author was trying to do, and once I got it the whole book made more sense, the writing style became clear, and i realized a lot of thought went into this. I don't want to give any spoilers, but pay close attention the the prologue and first two chapters and I think you will see it also.
November 5, 2021
This is NOT a true vampire novel
OK, I was expecting a dark fantasy/horror novel. Truly, the last 50 pages were vampire. The rest read like some weird combination of The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible. If you want a read a story about the Puritans and how they tried witches, you've come to the right place. If you are looking for vampires, look elsewhere.
OK, I was expecting a dark fantasy/horror novel. Truly, the last 50 pages were vampire. The rest read like some weird combination of The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible. If you want a read a story about the Puritans and how they tried witches, you've come to the right place. If you are looking for vampires, look elsewhere.
December 28, 2022
Totally unexpected
Great read. I couldn't put it down. A Puritan farmer turned vampire! Mr. West told a great story without all the boring rhetoric some authors use just to make their books longer. I hope there is a 2nd book as Simon Churchill can't be dead. I will definitely read more of Jason West books.
Great read. I couldn't put it down. A Puritan farmer turned vampire! Mr. West told a great story without all the boring rhetoric some authors use just to make their books longer. I hope there is a 2nd book as Simon Churchill can't be dead. I will definitely read more of Jason West books.
February 4, 2020
Very well developed characters
The author does a great job of developing the characters, the plot, and scenery. The issue is the focus is so much on those items, the story takes a long long long time to develop without a lot of action.
The author does a great job of developing the characters, the plot, and scenery. The issue is the focus is so much on those items, the story takes a long long long time to develop without a lot of action.
February 21, 2020
Alright
This is a pretty good book. The writing is solid and to the point, and the story is satisfying for the genre. However, I have to say the plot can slow at several points, and the writing in a few points is lackluster. It's not perfect, but not terrible either.
This is a pretty good book. The writing is solid and to the point, and the story is satisfying for the genre. However, I have to say the plot can slow at several points, and the writing in a few points is lackluster. It's not perfect, but not terrible either.
March 30, 2021
I was excited to read this book having an interest in anything vampire. However, after a promising start it soon became predictable. I also had difficulty with the stilted language of the Puritans although this may be authentic.
January 27, 2021
Held my attention from the first page to the last
February 17, 2021
I was really excited to read this one! Unfortunately I found it flat all around....flat characters, flat storyline.
July 4, 2023
Very slow to start but the last few chapters are decent.
March 9, 2021
After the previous book, I was looking for something easy to read and I suppose that's what I got.
The author tries to write in a period style, it sometimes feels like a style from a children's book, although the actual content is definitely not children's material.
I felt the plot lacked intrigue and depth.
The author tries to write in a period style, it sometimes feels like a style from a children's book, although the actual content is definitely not children's material.
I felt the plot lacked intrigue and depth.
October 11, 2024
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway and just recently realized it! I was super excited but ultimately couldn't get into the book. The writing style just wasn't my taste. I think others will enjoy this book, unfortunately it was a miss for me.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews