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THE KIRKWOOD SCOTT CHRONICLES: Skelly’s Square
They want him to save the world. But, first, he must save himself.
Kirkwood Scott is having a bad day. Languishing in a dead end job and recently dumped by his girlfriend he struggles with a crippling form of OCD which manifests itself in the form of Colonel Augustus Skelly, a phantom voice from Kirkwood’s childhood who controls his every waking moment via a series of tortuous routines, ‘The 49’.
Kirkwood has little to look forward to, bar a weekend of drunken oblivion in Belfast with his equally deadbeat friends. All that changes when he meets Meredith Starc, a young homeless woman struggling to survive on the streets and come to terms with her own troubled past. Kirkwood realises Meredith may hold the answer to him finally being free of his mental demons.
But what if Skelly is more than just a voice? Kirkwood and Meredith join forces to unearth a supernatural battle raging on the city’s back streets between ancient forces of good or evil, the outcome of which will decide the fate of the planet. Between them, they hold the key to saving mankind from a new Dark Age but can they survive long enough to do so as Skelly unleashes a legion of vicious ghost soldiers upon the unsuspecting city?
‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square’ is a fast paced and darkly humorous supernatural fantasy guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Kirkwood Scott is having a bad day. Languishing in a dead end job and recently dumped by his girlfriend he struggles with a crippling form of OCD which manifests itself in the form of Colonel Augustus Skelly, a phantom voice from Kirkwood’s childhood who controls his every waking moment via a series of tortuous routines, ‘The 49’.
Kirkwood has little to look forward to, bar a weekend of drunken oblivion in Belfast with his equally deadbeat friends. All that changes when he meets Meredith Starc, a young homeless woman struggling to survive on the streets and come to terms with her own troubled past. Kirkwood realises Meredith may hold the answer to him finally being free of his mental demons.
But what if Skelly is more than just a voice? Kirkwood and Meredith join forces to unearth a supernatural battle raging on the city’s back streets between ancient forces of good or evil, the outcome of which will decide the fate of the planet. Between them, they hold the key to saving mankind from a new Dark Age but can they survive long enough to do so as Skelly unleashes a legion of vicious ghost soldiers upon the unsuspecting city?
‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square’ is a fast paced and darkly humorous supernatural fantasy guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
529 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2019
27 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 20, 2021
One of my favorite things about this book was Black’s development of his characters, and his use of perfectly placed linguistic flourishes to do so. I also loved the first chapter, even not yet knowing how it would relate to the rest of the story. But the author left zero loose ends, every breadcrumb led somewhere meaningful. I happily recommend this book.
December 2, 2019
Kirkwood Scott is a young man stuck in a rut, droning alone in a job he hates and living only for payday, when he can spend the weekend getting plastered with his two best friends. On top of the usual worries and frustrations of your average nine-to-fiver, Kirkwood is also plagued by a debilitating case of OCD and is tormented by a figment of his imagination, a brutish man named Skelly.
At least, Kirkwood believes Skelly is imaginary...
One day Kirkwood notices a mysterious young woman on the streets of his hometown, and she's clutching a sketch pad. With confused horror, Kirkwood notices that one of her sketches is the spit and image of his 'imaginary' tormentor, Skelly. Before he knows it, Kirkwood is thrust into an ancient battle over the fate of the planet.
An excellent debut novel from Stephen Black. I really enjoyed the historical context of the Battle of Waterloo, as well as the prose; Chapter 17 specifically stood out to me, to give an example. There's other little elements like young Kirkwood's toy soldiers that I really enjoyed but won't go into in-depth for fear of spoilers. The author also displays an expert knowledge of OCD, and handles this and other sensitive topics with obvious care, clearly hoping to educate the reader as well as entertain.
The only thing disappointing to me (and this may have been my fault, not the author's) was how long it took before the more ethereal element of the story was explained and made clear. For the first half of the story, I was actually quite lost on the 'big picture' of the plot. Personally, I would have liked to have been given more than the occasional breadcrumb to follow.
All in all, a great read, especially if this is your usual genre. Worth the price, especially since it's free on Kindle Unlimited (which is where I read it). I understand a sequel is well underway, so keep an eye out for that!
At least, Kirkwood believes Skelly is imaginary...
One day Kirkwood notices a mysterious young woman on the streets of his hometown, and she's clutching a sketch pad. With confused horror, Kirkwood notices that one of her sketches is the spit and image of his 'imaginary' tormentor, Skelly. Before he knows it, Kirkwood is thrust into an ancient battle over the fate of the planet.
An excellent debut novel from Stephen Black. I really enjoyed the historical context of the Battle of Waterloo, as well as the prose; Chapter 17 specifically stood out to me, to give an example. There's other little elements like young Kirkwood's toy soldiers that I really enjoyed but won't go into in-depth for fear of spoilers. The author also displays an expert knowledge of OCD, and handles this and other sensitive topics with obvious care, clearly hoping to educate the reader as well as entertain.
The only thing disappointing to me (and this may have been my fault, not the author's) was how long it took before the more ethereal element of the story was explained and made clear. For the first half of the story, I was actually quite lost on the 'big picture' of the plot. Personally, I would have liked to have been given more than the occasional breadcrumb to follow.
All in all, a great read, especially if this is your usual genre. Worth the price, especially since it's free on Kindle Unlimited (which is where I read it). I understand a sequel is well underway, so keep an eye out for that!
August 11, 2021
Weird and wonderful!
An excellent adventure that carries us through the revelations that Kirkwood and Meredith experience as they're dragged from their lowest point into a game of cat and mouse with forces they don't understand. The villains are mysterious and cruel, and our heroes are out of their depth, what more could you ask for! I'm looking forward to what comes next!
An excellent adventure that carries us through the revelations that Kirkwood and Meredith experience as they're dragged from their lowest point into a game of cat and mouse with forces they don't understand. The villains are mysterious and cruel, and our heroes are out of their depth, what more could you ask for! I'm looking forward to what comes next!
October 17, 2019
This is a fast paced urban fantasy, much of it grounded in 21st century Belfast, and far from the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars where the tale begins. It's a complex story, one that hooked this reader early and kept me engaged, briskly turning pages all the way to the end. I particularly enjoyed Stephan Black's compelling descriptions of modern day Belfast and his use of dialect as a device for developing his characters. For readers like myself, unfamiliar with the geography and culture of modern day Northern Ireland, this book provides a candid and fascinating window. And for lovers of fantasy and myth, it's simply a must.
April 19, 2020
This book was a masterpiece for sure, to be honest. I'm not going to go too far into spoilers, but this author's writing voice is astounding and flows absolutely beautifully. The descriptions brought me right into his world, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it.
Now, there is quite a bit of build up to the action, which is very much needed. As a reader, I'm someone that likes action right away, however it's worth taking in every little detail. I was a bit slow reading this one because of that, but in the end, that's a personality trait of me as the reader (liking more action) than of the writer. In fact, this should be a compliment to the author, saying that he was able to keep someone obsessed with action hooked on a story with a lot of build up.
But really, Skelly's Square explored in depth analysis of physical and mental disabilities, and how it can be such a huge hindrance on one's life, especially if someone uses it against them. This isn't really a spoiler, but the "chariot" part? Absolutely wonderful the way that was depicted.
The ending was EXTREMELY satisfying, and again I'm not going to get into the nitty gritty details, but honestly, I was on the edge of my seat for that big burst.
Finally, the world building. Skelly's Square was a huge treat to read for both world and character development. I cared about each protagonist's motives, and heck, even the ANTAGONISTS were given a backstory that just makes sense. I could understand their malice toward Earth, things weren't just black and white. There was so much thought provoking concepts in this novel.
Bravo to the author, this book is a gem. I highly recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and rich description.
Now, there is quite a bit of build up to the action, which is very much needed. As a reader, I'm someone that likes action right away, however it's worth taking in every little detail. I was a bit slow reading this one because of that, but in the end, that's a personality trait of me as the reader (liking more action) than of the writer. In fact, this should be a compliment to the author, saying that he was able to keep someone obsessed with action hooked on a story with a lot of build up.
But really, Skelly's Square explored in depth analysis of physical and mental disabilities, and how it can be such a huge hindrance on one's life, especially if someone uses it against them. This isn't really a spoiler, but the "chariot" part? Absolutely wonderful the way that was depicted.
The ending was EXTREMELY satisfying, and again I'm not going to get into the nitty gritty details, but honestly, I was on the edge of my seat for that big burst.
Finally, the world building. Skelly's Square was a huge treat to read for both world and character development. I cared about each protagonist's motives, and heck, even the ANTAGONISTS were given a backstory that just makes sense. I could understand their malice toward Earth, things weren't just black and white. There was so much thought provoking concepts in this novel.
Bravo to the author, this book is a gem. I highly recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and rich description.
December 31, 2019
I enjoyed every minute of this book and could not put it down! A modern 'fantasy' of the battle of good versus evil on the streets of Belfast, in the minds of people whose spirits have been broken, and in the spirit world on the battlefield of the human heart, this book is a thriller that will resonate within the hearts and minds of so many people. This would make a fascinating television thriller and by a debut novelist!
April 28, 2021
It was a real adventure to wander the streets of Belfast – and a bit further into the countryside – with the characters of Stephen Black’s book “Skelly’s Square”, the first in the Kirkwood Scott Chronicles.
Although there are elements of fantasy and supernatural in the book, it addresses quite a few issues that people in the real world face every day. In the first part of the book, Kirkwood is struggling with the routine of a regular office worker. His job seems meaningless to him; besides, it doesn’t offer neither motivating remuneration nor stability. He drifts through life, spending his pay day with his drinking buddies. But the reason for that is not his unwillingness to strive for a better life, but something more sinister. There are other routines in his life, and they are way more dangerous than the boring office existence.
One day, Kirkwood sees something on the street that gives him hope to find the answers to the questions he is afraid to ask himself. And from there, the most intriguing sequence of events begins.
I loved that the main characters are flawed - but one can sympathise with their flaws - rather than “a perfect hero material”. And it was exciting to see the city of Belfast through the author’s eyes.
Although there are elements of fantasy and supernatural in the book, it addresses quite a few issues that people in the real world face every day. In the first part of the book, Kirkwood is struggling with the routine of a regular office worker. His job seems meaningless to him; besides, it doesn’t offer neither motivating remuneration nor stability. He drifts through life, spending his pay day with his drinking buddies. But the reason for that is not his unwillingness to strive for a better life, but something more sinister. There are other routines in his life, and they are way more dangerous than the boring office existence.
One day, Kirkwood sees something on the street that gives him hope to find the answers to the questions he is afraid to ask himself. And from there, the most intriguing sequence of events begins.
I loved that the main characters are flawed - but one can sympathise with their flaws - rather than “a perfect hero material”. And it was exciting to see the city of Belfast through the author’s eyes.
August 17, 2020
Some remarks to justify my rating...
The Good: Stephen Black is clearly a talented writer who brings Northern Ireland (especially Belfast) to life on every page. His style is clean and clever, intelligent and readable, and his sense of humor was not lost on me. He has created a gang of vivid and distinct characters that feel true to life and will be relatable for many readers. He manages their intermingled timelines well, eventually bringing the protagonists together in a satisfying way. The story is interesting and uplifting, seeing the characters triumph over their respective afflictions and find healing and strength as they unify in purpose and build meaningful relationships together. Skelly's Square is an all-around well executed debut novel, but it's not perfect or quite close enough to it to earn a full 5-star rating.
The Not-So-Good: I can't label this section "the bad" because then I'd have to leave it empty. In the interest of avoiding spoilers this may end up sounding vague or arbitrary, but I'll be as specific as I can. There were parts of the first half of the book that moved a tad too slowly for me. By way of an example, Black spends a few too many chapters playing out the details of a weekend bender, only some of which I found to be relevant to character or plot development. The message about Kirkwood's emotional/psychological state was received after the first few scenes, and subsequent chapters didn't add much except, perhaps, realism. Simply put, it could have been consolidated and the audience would have been none the wiser. The great Stephen King does the same thing, indulging in copious detail that can feel overdrawn, and many see no problem with it, so it's a minor criticism.
Beyond that, the climactic battle left me wanting more, which I suppose could be seen as a veiled compliment. The action built masterfully and then ended more abruptly than I expected. Kirkwood finally came into his own in a flash of brilliance, and *poof* mission accomplished. Hopefully we will see more of what Mr. Scott is capable of in book two!
**Possible Spoiler Ahead**
Finally, I struggled to come to terms with the nature of Skelly vs. The Scourge. It is said that Skelly and Kirkwood's other boyhood toy soldiers are nothing more than The Scourge's chosen form to have "the greatest emotional impact upon those it targets." Samuel also explains that the Fitzgerald brothers "may have looked like them, talked like them, even thought like them, but it was not them." However, several scenes involve Skelly reliving the emotional memories of the actual Battle of Waterloo. I found it confusing for them to have these vivid memories if it's only The Scourge taking the form of these dead soldiers. It's also implied in a scene or two that Skelly and the Company have completed previous operations on other planes. Why would Skelly be used on other dimensional planes if he was chosen specifically to torment Kirkwood? There may be perfectly good explanations that would clear up my confusion as a reader, but I couldn't find them in the text, and therein lies the problem.
In Summary: Alas, no story is perfect and apparent plot holes are extremely difficult to avoid. Skelly's Square is a well-written first installment of a series with a lot of potential. Stephen Black is an author with a bright future and, based on my interactions with him on Twitter, a genuinely nice guy! I'm looking forward to what he does next.
The Good: Stephen Black is clearly a talented writer who brings Northern Ireland (especially Belfast) to life on every page. His style is clean and clever, intelligent and readable, and his sense of humor was not lost on me. He has created a gang of vivid and distinct characters that feel true to life and will be relatable for many readers. He manages their intermingled timelines well, eventually bringing the protagonists together in a satisfying way. The story is interesting and uplifting, seeing the characters triumph over their respective afflictions and find healing and strength as they unify in purpose and build meaningful relationships together. Skelly's Square is an all-around well executed debut novel, but it's not perfect or quite close enough to it to earn a full 5-star rating.
The Not-So-Good: I can't label this section "the bad" because then I'd have to leave it empty. In the interest of avoiding spoilers this may end up sounding vague or arbitrary, but I'll be as specific as I can. There were parts of the first half of the book that moved a tad too slowly for me. By way of an example, Black spends a few too many chapters playing out the details of a weekend bender, only some of which I found to be relevant to character or plot development. The message about Kirkwood's emotional/psychological state was received after the first few scenes, and subsequent chapters didn't add much except, perhaps, realism. Simply put, it could have been consolidated and the audience would have been none the wiser. The great Stephen King does the same thing, indulging in copious detail that can feel overdrawn, and many see no problem with it, so it's a minor criticism.
Beyond that, the climactic battle left me wanting more, which I suppose could be seen as a veiled compliment. The action built masterfully and then ended more abruptly than I expected. Kirkwood finally came into his own in a flash of brilliance, and *poof* mission accomplished. Hopefully we will see more of what Mr. Scott is capable of in book two!
**Possible Spoiler Ahead**
Finally, I struggled to come to terms with the nature of Skelly vs. The Scourge. It is said that Skelly and Kirkwood's other boyhood toy soldiers are nothing more than The Scourge's chosen form to have "the greatest emotional impact upon those it targets." Samuel also explains that the Fitzgerald brothers "may have looked like them, talked like them, even thought like them, but it was not them." However, several scenes involve Skelly reliving the emotional memories of the actual Battle of Waterloo. I found it confusing for them to have these vivid memories if it's only The Scourge taking the form of these dead soldiers. It's also implied in a scene or two that Skelly and the Company have completed previous operations on other planes. Why would Skelly be used on other dimensional planes if he was chosen specifically to torment Kirkwood? There may be perfectly good explanations that would clear up my confusion as a reader, but I couldn't find them in the text, and therein lies the problem.
In Summary: Alas, no story is perfect and apparent plot holes are extremely difficult to avoid. Skelly's Square is a well-written first installment of a series with a lot of potential. Stephen Black is an author with a bright future and, based on my interactions with him on Twitter, a genuinely nice guy! I'm looking forward to what he does next.
March 10, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this urban fantasy set in Northern Ireland. Black truly brought Belfast to life in his story and made his characters and their struggles real. I couldn’t predict what would happen next, which is something I love to do while reading, and I found that refreshing and exciting. I look forward to reading more of this series and more stories from Black.
February 9, 2020
Stephen Black’s debut novel follows the life of Kirkwood Scott, a man whose life seems to have grinded to a disappointing halt. Stuck in a dead-end job, dealing with a recent break up, and the OCD that appears in the form of Colonel Augustus Skelly, he seems to be going nowhere fast. However, when he has a chance encounter with a young woman named Meredith Starc, his perception of what he believes to be reality is altered. Is Skelly merely a manifestation of Kirkwood’s mind, or more than that?
Firstly, I would like to say how superb this novel was. An enticing plot written in elegant prose that continues to intrigue until the last page. However, two things about this novel really stood out for me. The first one was the presentation of OCD. When dealing with mental health, writers do have to be careful not to portray certain mental health illnesses in a stereotypical way and risk alienating readers. I was pleasantly surprised by the novel’s presentation of OCD with Stephen Black using the experiences of Kirkwood to reiterate that OCD takes many forms whilst debunking many preconceptions about it. Secondly, being a recent history graduate, I absolutely loved the use of the historical context of the Battle of Waterloo, and Ireland’s political history to shape both the plot of the novel and the characters. As far as urban fantasy novels go, this felt like quite a unique story.
Stephen Black has created some wonderful characters that have a deepness and intrigue to them that I haven’t experienced for a little while. There’s Kirkwood Scott, the protagonist of the story, who, as well as being in the grips of what he believes to be OCD, also must deal with the pitfalls of everyday life. I think the fact that the more magical elements of this story are grounded in a realism, shown by the daily struggles of Kirkwood, is what makes him so believable and relatable. I also liked the way Black scattered his pages with nuggets of information about Kirkwood’s past, such as how ‘The Troubles’ effected his childhood. Kirkwood meets equally interesting character Meredith Stark a homeless woman who struggles to come to terms with the death of her best friend Emily. As the novel progresses, we learn more about Meredith’s own past and what led her to be in her current situation. The fact that these characters have a gritty nature to them really works to make them more relatable and thus invest the reader more strongly in their story.
One thing I do have to say is that this book has some themes that may upset sensitive readers. Furthermore, I’m excited to see where this series is going to go!
Firstly, I would like to say how superb this novel was. An enticing plot written in elegant prose that continues to intrigue until the last page. However, two things about this novel really stood out for me. The first one was the presentation of OCD. When dealing with mental health, writers do have to be careful not to portray certain mental health illnesses in a stereotypical way and risk alienating readers. I was pleasantly surprised by the novel’s presentation of OCD with Stephen Black using the experiences of Kirkwood to reiterate that OCD takes many forms whilst debunking many preconceptions about it. Secondly, being a recent history graduate, I absolutely loved the use of the historical context of the Battle of Waterloo, and Ireland’s political history to shape both the plot of the novel and the characters. As far as urban fantasy novels go, this felt like quite a unique story.
Stephen Black has created some wonderful characters that have a deepness and intrigue to them that I haven’t experienced for a little while. There’s Kirkwood Scott, the protagonist of the story, who, as well as being in the grips of what he believes to be OCD, also must deal with the pitfalls of everyday life. I think the fact that the more magical elements of this story are grounded in a realism, shown by the daily struggles of Kirkwood, is what makes him so believable and relatable. I also liked the way Black scattered his pages with nuggets of information about Kirkwood’s past, such as how ‘The Troubles’ effected his childhood. Kirkwood meets equally interesting character Meredith Stark a homeless woman who struggles to come to terms with the death of her best friend Emily. As the novel progresses, we learn more about Meredith’s own past and what led her to be in her current situation. The fact that these characters have a gritty nature to them really works to make them more relatable and thus invest the reader more strongly in their story.
One thing I do have to say is that this book has some themes that may upset sensitive readers. Furthermore, I’m excited to see where this series is going to go!
November 27, 2020
If I am correct, this is the first novel by Stephen Black.
And what a first novel it is. I was simply blown away by this tale.
I learned about this book because I follow the author's blog, Fractured Faith.
Kirkwood Scott, the main character, suffers from OCD. He lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His OCD requires him to roll a couple of D&D dice every day, to see what "routine" he must complete to keep anything disastrous from happening.
But Kirkwood's OCD also has a name. Skelly. Occasionally, Kirkwood is "summoned" to an audience with Skelly, during which he is unable to move and forced to listen to whatever Skelly has to tell him.
As this tale unwinds, Kirkwood stumbles across a young, homeless girl named Meredith. Meredith happens to be drawing a face in her paper tablet. And the face happens to be Skelly.
I won't spend any more time revealing plot pieces, here. That pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the book, which I enjoyed immensely. There is a great supernatural/fantasy element to the story, and I really loved that.
In a lot of ways, I will say, this story reminded me of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, which is my favorite Gaiman book. Oddly enough, as I was finishing Skelly's Square on my Kindle, I was also listening to Neverwhere on Audible, on my daily commute. While they are two completely different stories, not even really that much alike, to me, they have a similar "feel." I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it's the best I can do.
I fell in love with Black's characters. Well, not Skelly, of course. But especially Meredith. In my opinion, the development of characters is done very well. The writing style kept me hooked in and I can't say that I was ever bored or uninterested in the story. Mr. Black keeps it interesting and it moves along relatively quickly, in spite of its five hundred-plus pages.
The ending was satisfying and gripping, and left me wanting more. I understand that there is a second story that has since been written, and I will definitely be checking that out.
I might also add that, if I understand correctly, the author suffers from OCD, so he knows whence he speaks as he describes it in the novel.
If you're a fan of supernatural/fantasy stories and classic good vs evil, go read this book!
And what a first novel it is. I was simply blown away by this tale.
I learned about this book because I follow the author's blog, Fractured Faith.
Kirkwood Scott, the main character, suffers from OCD. He lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His OCD requires him to roll a couple of D&D dice every day, to see what "routine" he must complete to keep anything disastrous from happening.
But Kirkwood's OCD also has a name. Skelly. Occasionally, Kirkwood is "summoned" to an audience with Skelly, during which he is unable to move and forced to listen to whatever Skelly has to tell him.
As this tale unwinds, Kirkwood stumbles across a young, homeless girl named Meredith. Meredith happens to be drawing a face in her paper tablet. And the face happens to be Skelly.
I won't spend any more time revealing plot pieces, here. That pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the book, which I enjoyed immensely. There is a great supernatural/fantasy element to the story, and I really loved that.
In a lot of ways, I will say, this story reminded me of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, which is my favorite Gaiman book. Oddly enough, as I was finishing Skelly's Square on my Kindle, I was also listening to Neverwhere on Audible, on my daily commute. While they are two completely different stories, not even really that much alike, to me, they have a similar "feel." I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it's the best I can do.
I fell in love with Black's characters. Well, not Skelly, of course. But especially Meredith. In my opinion, the development of characters is done very well. The writing style kept me hooked in and I can't say that I was ever bored or uninterested in the story. Mr. Black keeps it interesting and it moves along relatively quickly, in spite of its five hundred-plus pages.
The ending was satisfying and gripping, and left me wanting more. I understand that there is a second story that has since been written, and I will definitely be checking that out.
I might also add that, if I understand correctly, the author suffers from OCD, so he knows whence he speaks as he describes it in the novel.
If you're a fan of supernatural/fantasy stories and classic good vs evil, go read this book!
July 30, 2019
Absolutely thrilling, I couldn't stop reading
I didn't know what genre to first classify this book in, but it definitely falls under fantasy (and not sci-fi as I previously thought). There are so many layers upon layers; I will have to read it numerous times to unpack them all. There are so many different interpretations you can take with this book, making a thing of beauty. There's the mental health approach, and the way Black addresses disorders such as OCD, depression, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. There's the obvious spiritual warfare approach, almost reminiscent of Peretti's books from the 80's, yet without the obvious cliches. Then of course the sheer fantastic plot of the fantasy side of the novel. The characters are strong, and deeply written; yet not bogged down in useless backstory. The dialogue is rich, and left off when not needed. A novel that makes you hope, believe, and realize that maybe life is not always what you think: maybe there is more to the story. Maybe, you can still play a part in your life, beyond what the dull grey skies may say.
I didn't know what genre to first classify this book in, but it definitely falls under fantasy (and not sci-fi as I previously thought). There are so many layers upon layers; I will have to read it numerous times to unpack them all. There are so many different interpretations you can take with this book, making a thing of beauty. There's the mental health approach, and the way Black addresses disorders such as OCD, depression, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. There's the obvious spiritual warfare approach, almost reminiscent of Peretti's books from the 80's, yet without the obvious cliches. Then of course the sheer fantastic plot of the fantasy side of the novel. The characters are strong, and deeply written; yet not bogged down in useless backstory. The dialogue is rich, and left off when not needed. A novel that makes you hope, believe, and realize that maybe life is not always what you think: maybe there is more to the story. Maybe, you can still play a part in your life, beyond what the dull grey skies may say.
January 29, 2021
Highly original story of a couple of lost souls who find strength in each other. When Meredith, a wine-swilling homeless teenager mourning the loss of her best friend, meets Kirkwood, a troubled young man whose life is rutted in a dead-end job and weekend drinking sessions, their souls fuse in a bond beyond the perimeters of their earthly plane. Individually lost, together they are found and become the near-indomitable vessels for higher powers to fight the unholy war of Good versus Evil. That the forces of evil can be overcome only when Meredith and Kirkwood overcome their personal problems is a powerful message of hope for people, especially young people, who have lost faith in life and themselves. I love that Meredith and Kirkwood are so ordinary. Black delves deep into the psychology of self-worth and offers lifelines to those who may be struggling with self-abrading issues ranging from mental health to physical disablement. Skelly's Square is a clever, original and powerful start to what I believe will be an addictive series.
September 30, 2019
Enjoyed the plot and writing style but was a little disappointed with the storytelling as this book left me with too many questions. While I do understand that additional books are forthcoming in the series, the gaps in the storytelling had me confused about current happenings in the plot.
Writing was rather unique with an abundance of cliche and colloquial phrases as well as reference to other prominent literature. I believe these phrases and references added to the narrative; however, a few lengthier colloquialisms were repeated and I found this slightly bothersome as alternate phrasing could have been used.
Overall? Good book, great for a first novel. Looking forward to the second novel and hoping for some answers to questions left by the first one.
Writing was rather unique with an abundance of cliche and colloquial phrases as well as reference to other prominent literature. I believe these phrases and references added to the narrative; however, a few lengthier colloquialisms were repeated and I found this slightly bothersome as alternate phrasing could have been used.
Overall? Good book, great for a first novel. Looking forward to the second novel and hoping for some answers to questions left by the first one.
May 9, 2020
Could a voice in your mind be much more?
Skelly is a voice in Kirkwood's mind. A voice of a Colonel who manifests himself while Kirkwood is awake.
A supernatural story unfolds in a ghostly city battles between spectral soldiers. Kirkwood and Skelly must save humans from plunging into misery. Time's scarce and Kirkwood needs to get on with it. Or, will he first lose his mind?
Quite a good read. Stephen Black has been able to intricately describe what a person with two individual minds (literally) might be going through. To be able to take a character like that and weave a compelling plot is incredible.
Skelly is a voice in Kirkwood's mind. A voice of a Colonel who manifests himself while Kirkwood is awake.
A supernatural story unfolds in a ghostly city battles between spectral soldiers. Kirkwood and Skelly must save humans from plunging into misery. Time's scarce and Kirkwood needs to get on with it. Or, will he first lose his mind?
Quite a good read. Stephen Black has been able to intricately describe what a person with two individual minds (literally) might be going through. To be able to take a character like that and weave a compelling plot is incredible.
June 1, 2022
Wow this book was amazing. It totally blew me away. Sometimes you have an idea in your head of what a book is going to be like. This was not at all what I expected. I was instantly drawn in by the intriguing characters. This fascinating story was an interesting mix of fantasy, contemporary fiction and history. The dialogue was so natural it felt like you were there and the plot was full of surprises. This is one of those books where 5 stars is just not enough to show how great it is. I can't wait for the next one!
November 26, 2021
A fantasy book packed with likeable and loathsome characters, lots of fast-paced adventure, but also with a sensitive insight into issues of mental health. The 'good guys' are flawed, relatable and the writer, a man, gives us a female protagonist without the cringeworthy nods to figure or hair length. This book is well worth a read - it's different and in particular, I loved the historical references. The opening chapter is awesome!
September 8, 2019
You really need to pay attention
From Waterloo to Belfast across centuries to boot, this story required the reader to really pay attention, but it quickly turns into a page turner which is difficult to put down. I know the author as a fellow blogger so we wanted to give this a fair shot. He really delivered for first novel and now I want the second book that isn’t written yet.
From Waterloo to Belfast across centuries to boot, this story required the reader to really pay attention, but it quickly turns into a page turner which is difficult to put down. I know the author as a fellow blogger so we wanted to give this a fair shot. He really delivered for first novel and now I want the second book that isn’t written yet.
September 24, 2019
I don’t usually read science fiction/fantasy, but as a faithful follower of Mr. Black’s wonderful blog Fractured Faith, I gave his book a whirl and am glad I did. Once I got into the story, I couldn’t stop reading. What began as the protagonist's personal crisis turned into something quite different. Talk about stakes! Can’t wait to read the next Kirkwood Scott Chronicle.
July 7, 2021
A lively unique story!
May 17, 2021
This IS an Incredible Urban Fantasy Adventure! It is author Stephen Black's debut novel and the first in what promises to be a long series with two more books already available. Thank Goodness for that because this Irish writer has started us on a journey that is fascinating, complex, yet draws one into the story on a personal level with characters that many readers will find aspects of themselves in - and the challenge to keep on going even when there seem to be no solutions and one is weary with life as it is presenting itself.
On the surface - The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles - Skelly's Square is an Urban Fantasy set in modern Belfast, Early on the author adds well researched characters and battlefields from the Napoleonic Wars which start to weave in the supernatural and Time shift components of this novel and series. On a deeper level, the author shares with us the main characters - Kirkwood and Meredith - as they struggle to make sense of their personal lives, the deep tragedies that have independently torn their lives apart, alcoholism to medicate their traumas, and their sense of despair as the world marches on around them offering most only shallow pleasures. As well, without being heavy handed, Stephen Black shares what it is like for Kirkwood to struggle with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and all of its life halting rituals and for Meredith - living in the aftermath of the suicide of a close friend.
Both characters manage to draw us in as they struggle with what many of us wrestle with in today's world - the warring sides of whether to give up and give in to shallow life as so many do, or to rise to a challenge of pursuing truth and goodness, for the betterment of others -despite risk and personal cost, even one's life.
The book does start off slow as it introduces the main characters but it is necessary both for this book and the ones to come in this series. (As of this writing there are two more books available!) Stephen Black's writing style is easy to follow and he peppers it with his amazing sense of Irish understated humor - I loved this book and was sorry it ended - but so glad that I had two more to look forward to!
This is a definite read if you love Urban Fantasy and series! I hope the author does this in audio book form as it would be wonderful to hear his Irish voice sharing his story and characters!
On the surface - The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles - Skelly's Square is an Urban Fantasy set in modern Belfast, Early on the author adds well researched characters and battlefields from the Napoleonic Wars which start to weave in the supernatural and Time shift components of this novel and series. On a deeper level, the author shares with us the main characters - Kirkwood and Meredith - as they struggle to make sense of their personal lives, the deep tragedies that have independently torn their lives apart, alcoholism to medicate their traumas, and their sense of despair as the world marches on around them offering most only shallow pleasures. As well, without being heavy handed, Stephen Black shares what it is like for Kirkwood to struggle with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and all of its life halting rituals and for Meredith - living in the aftermath of the suicide of a close friend.
Both characters manage to draw us in as they struggle with what many of us wrestle with in today's world - the warring sides of whether to give up and give in to shallow life as so many do, or to rise to a challenge of pursuing truth and goodness, for the betterment of others -despite risk and personal cost, even one's life.
The book does start off slow as it introduces the main characters but it is necessary both for this book and the ones to come in this series. (As of this writing there are two more books available!) Stephen Black's writing style is easy to follow and he peppers it with his amazing sense of Irish understated humor - I loved this book and was sorry it ended - but so glad that I had two more to look forward to!
This is a definite read if you love Urban Fantasy and series! I hope the author does this in audio book form as it would be wonderful to hear his Irish voice sharing his story and characters!
June 6, 2022
A highly original urban fantasy with great characters.
'Skelly's Square' is probably not like anything I have read before, and that's an achievement in itself!
Featuring the unlikeliest of heroes and even more unlikely villains, Black has conjured up quite a remarkable universe for Kirkwood Scott to inhabit.
The strength of this book definitely lies with its cast of colourful characters, who Black explores in depth.
Perhaps a tad verbose, this is quite a substantial book to delve into. Still, the author has done an impressive job at keeping the reader intrigued and taking them on quite a journey!
'Skelly's Square' is probably not like anything I have read before, and that's an achievement in itself!
Featuring the unlikeliest of heroes and even more unlikely villains, Black has conjured up quite a remarkable universe for Kirkwood Scott to inhabit.
The strength of this book definitely lies with its cast of colourful characters, who Black explores in depth.
Perhaps a tad verbose, this is quite a substantial book to delve into. Still, the author has done an impressive job at keeping the reader intrigued and taking them on quite a journey!
August 29, 2021
T.R. said it wasn't Christian enough, so I figured I'd enjoy it. I did!
April 13, 2021
I absolutely adored this first book of The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles! I fell in love with Kirkwood and his plight. This was a story that takes you on a journey of the distant past, the not so distant past and the present. However all of that plays in to the future of the planet as we know it. Kirkwood is a good guy with some OCD issues that plague his daily life and have done so for a long time. He isn't very social due to this, and feels like he's crazy. Until he finally meets Meredith, who is carrying a wealth of her own issues. She is the only one who has ever gotten to know his full story and the details of it all. In turn she shares hers with him. They discover that they are tied together in a way no one can understand, even they are struggling to grasp it. Together they are set on a mission that is bigger then life and they MUST succeed or all will be lost. They have many very powerful forces working against them, that will do anything to tear them apart and destroy them. At the same time, they have found a couple of equally powerful forces that are with them to help protect and guide them on this mission. I was kept on my toes and couldn't put it down! I encourage everyone to give this great book a read! I am now on the next in the series Bomb Girl followed by The New Jerusalem. Happy reading!
August 28, 2021
This is not typically a book I would choose to read, but I was a beta reader during the course of it being written and later published. I will be reviewing this book with a Christian perspective, and for this reason, I rate the book low. But that is not to dismiss the writer’s creative ideas and talent. I hope my review is helpful to the author and potential readers who may be similar to me.
I understand people have varying sensitivities with what they are comfortable reading. I’m very strict with what I read. When I started reading, I was under the impression this book held some Christian themes, but as I started to dig more into the story, I don’t believe the book has Christian themes, which I will explain.
Skelly’s Square is about a man, Kirkwood, who struggles with OCD and alcoholism. But the demon Kirkwood is so familiar with in his mind seems to be making appearances elsewhere. Kirkwood learns the problems he had now pale to the role he is to play for the entire world. Along his journey in discovering Skelly’s plot and connection, he meets a young woman, Meredith, who also is fighting her own demons. As the two begin to connect, more gets revealed about what’s really taking place on Earth.
Book Pacing
The first ⅓ rd of the book felt quite draggy at times. I’m a reader who struggles with a lot of descriptions so it was harder for me to connect to the story. Quite a few times, the pieces that moved more quickly, I wish had slowed down a bit. It felt like these were the pieces that excited the author (as a fellow writer, I wholly understand) but these pieces could have been fleshed out a bit more.
The scenes where the characters were sitting down and eating, I found to be some of the best scenes because the pace worked.
Language
There is language in the book and descriptions I wish I hadn’t read. Due to this, my rating of the book would have been 3 out of 5 stars. But it is the theology that lowered the rating to a 2.
Theology (Not Christian)
One word used a few times in the book is “godforsaken” and that is how I would describe the book’s theology. When faith is discussed, it’s blind faith. Putting trust in supernatural beings who don’t know too much about what is going to happen, or how the characters will be able to fight, isn’t exactly something worth trusting. Though the supernatural beings want to be trusted nonetheless.
There’s a message of, “Believe in yourself,” which isn’t Christian because we all need the help and love of Christ. We all are broken. We cannot find healing inside ourselves or others. Which, I find odd, as the characters seem to be healed when together. This doesn’t seem like progress, but a crutch. Whereas, in the Christian faith, we are to be encouraged by the Church body, but even alone, Christ sustains us.
In the book, when people are praying to God He is treated as a genie. Jesus being the Savior is not the center focus of the book, rather, mankind is the savior of the world.
There are a few lines throughout the book expressing confusion at Christianity. Quite a few questions and frustrations asked about God.
Let me please encourage everyone that Christian Apologetics has all the answers to the questions asked by the characters. One question being asked in the book, “Why is God always angry in the Old Testament and why is Jesus so nice in the New Testament?” Well, I want to answer this because I wish the book did.
When the world fell under the condemnation of sin, mankind loved sin more than the Lord. Despite the fact that the Lord saved His people from bondage, they complained, and they turned to false gods.
There are many times we see the goodness of God, and we see the evil of man. The wages of sin is death, and often, I think even now, we have to be stripped of what makes us feel good and safe to see the reality we are living in. We are not sovereign beings. We do not have as much control as we wish we did, and when it gets stripped out of our hands, we get upset at God because we want to be god. Thus, God is angry. We act like selfish little brats, and He rebukes those He loves.
Therefore, it is not that God is angry in the Old Testament and Christ is love. It’s because people turned away from God that the consequence is the absence of God, which is painful. Sin leads to death. Sin is evil and the opposite of what is good. Christ paid the ransom for our sin on the cross. He took our place and bore the punishment we deserve for all who put faith in Him. But there will come a time in which Christ also punishes the world for rejecting Him as King. (See the book of Revelation.) God is love and He is angry people turn away from Him and instead choose what leads to death. I think many parents would be upset if their kids chose a dangerous path. We see this both in the Old and New Testament.
Questions regarding theology have answers, and there are some awesome Christian Apologists who can help. Mike Winger, on YouTube, is one such source. I view theology as the foundation, the anchor of the story and series. If it is not explained well, it can really hinder the story. The book seems to avoid explaining most of its theology by simply stating we wouldn’t understand as humans. This saddens me because it leads to the following problems.
The supernatural elements in the book are hard to understand. Realms, dimensions, how the supernatural played with these elements, it was hard to understand what was going on. The supernatural beings used to be humans who had died, now they are not humans, and they can die, and not die. Yet, the human mind, “which is so feeble,” the book mentions more than a few times, suggests we would understand these beings as ghosts, spirits, or angels, though quite a few are not angelic. And these beings, despite being supernatural, seem to be very humanlike, the very things they seem to scoff. These supernatural beings also seem to know a lot that can’t be explained, and the rest they don’t have answers for, aside from (my interpretation) “trust yourself, but trust me, too, even though I have nothing really helpful to tell you...” Humans are needed to fight evil, the beings say. Fight evil in a way they cannot, so it seems.
It is this evil that pushes people to murder, to commit suicide, to bully, the book claims. While there certainly is truth that darkness desires for people to remain condemned, the story seems to promote people not being in bondage with sin. The book claims people are victims, too, because they are simply used as pawns by the darkness. Accountability to sin and repentance is not really touched on. Therefore, any theme of goodness, kindness, or love cannot be described as Christian because the book questions Christianity, and presents a theology that is anything but Christian.
The Climax of the Book
I think the description leading right up to the main scene was well done. It’s fairly easy to visualize, which I greatly appreciate! But the solution to how the enemy was defeated felt weak to me. The characters did not seem to do much aside from stand around, for the majority of the scene. That being said, I think the symbolism behind it was thought out, and I think many readers can relate to the symbolism. For me, the message was a little too much, too forced. I think having the characters do more and be more involved would have been more helpful.
History
I do think historical fans will enjoy the detail of battles and the flashbacks especially. It’s clear the writer has an interest and a care for history.
Character Development
I think the most developed character is Meredith. The pain captured with her and her experience is well done. I enjoyed seeing her becoming friends with Kirkwood since she hasn’t really had a decent friend in a while.
I’m not quite sure how to touch on the development. I think the characters getting to know each other was well done. The way characters learned things about one another was interesting to read. Yet, regarding the characters growing through the book, I’m not quite sure. There’s a sort of safety net in the story, which I think hinders the characters' development. Maybe about halfway through the book, growth is kinda at the standstill, from my perspective. I will add, though, this being the first book in a series, perhaps this is part of the storyline.
Overall
It isn’t my typical kind of book I would read. If I had known more details, I probably would have declined, theology and language being the two main reasons. But the writer does have a talent for description, history, and there is a care for reaching out to those who are in need. I think the author does an amazing job at explaining OCD and how it can rule one’s life. The way the reader can see how one issue can lead to another, like OCD and alcoholism, is eye-opening, especially for those of us who haven’t thought about it.
Again, I am a more critical reader, but I hope what I shared can be a little bit helpful. I know there are many readers in which these elements were not bothersome to them. I hope by sharing this perspective it could be useful to both the author and potential readers.
I understand people have varying sensitivities with what they are comfortable reading. I’m very strict with what I read. When I started reading, I was under the impression this book held some Christian themes, but as I started to dig more into the story, I don’t believe the book has Christian themes, which I will explain.
Skelly’s Square is about a man, Kirkwood, who struggles with OCD and alcoholism. But the demon Kirkwood is so familiar with in his mind seems to be making appearances elsewhere. Kirkwood learns the problems he had now pale to the role he is to play for the entire world. Along his journey in discovering Skelly’s plot and connection, he meets a young woman, Meredith, who also is fighting her own demons. As the two begin to connect, more gets revealed about what’s really taking place on Earth.
Book Pacing
The first ⅓ rd of the book felt quite draggy at times. I’m a reader who struggles with a lot of descriptions so it was harder for me to connect to the story. Quite a few times, the pieces that moved more quickly, I wish had slowed down a bit. It felt like these were the pieces that excited the author (as a fellow writer, I wholly understand) but these pieces could have been fleshed out a bit more.
The scenes where the characters were sitting down and eating, I found to be some of the best scenes because the pace worked.
Language
There is language in the book and descriptions I wish I hadn’t read. Due to this, my rating of the book would have been 3 out of 5 stars. But it is the theology that lowered the rating to a 2.
Theology (Not Christian)
One word used a few times in the book is “godforsaken” and that is how I would describe the book’s theology. When faith is discussed, it’s blind faith. Putting trust in supernatural beings who don’t know too much about what is going to happen, or how the characters will be able to fight, isn’t exactly something worth trusting. Though the supernatural beings want to be trusted nonetheless.
There’s a message of, “Believe in yourself,” which isn’t Christian because we all need the help and love of Christ. We all are broken. We cannot find healing inside ourselves or others. Which, I find odd, as the characters seem to be healed when together. This doesn’t seem like progress, but a crutch. Whereas, in the Christian faith, we are to be encouraged by the Church body, but even alone, Christ sustains us.
In the book, when people are praying to God He is treated as a genie. Jesus being the Savior is not the center focus of the book, rather, mankind is the savior of the world.
There are a few lines throughout the book expressing confusion at Christianity. Quite a few questions and frustrations asked about God.
Let me please encourage everyone that Christian Apologetics has all the answers to the questions asked by the characters. One question being asked in the book, “Why is God always angry in the Old Testament and why is Jesus so nice in the New Testament?” Well, I want to answer this because I wish the book did.
When the world fell under the condemnation of sin, mankind loved sin more than the Lord. Despite the fact that the Lord saved His people from bondage, they complained, and they turned to false gods.
There are many times we see the goodness of God, and we see the evil of man. The wages of sin is death, and often, I think even now, we have to be stripped of what makes us feel good and safe to see the reality we are living in. We are not sovereign beings. We do not have as much control as we wish we did, and when it gets stripped out of our hands, we get upset at God because we want to be god. Thus, God is angry. We act like selfish little brats, and He rebukes those He loves.
Therefore, it is not that God is angry in the Old Testament and Christ is love. It’s because people turned away from God that the consequence is the absence of God, which is painful. Sin leads to death. Sin is evil and the opposite of what is good. Christ paid the ransom for our sin on the cross. He took our place and bore the punishment we deserve for all who put faith in Him. But there will come a time in which Christ also punishes the world for rejecting Him as King. (See the book of Revelation.) God is love and He is angry people turn away from Him and instead choose what leads to death. I think many parents would be upset if their kids chose a dangerous path. We see this both in the Old and New Testament.
Questions regarding theology have answers, and there are some awesome Christian Apologists who can help. Mike Winger, on YouTube, is one such source. I view theology as the foundation, the anchor of the story and series. If it is not explained well, it can really hinder the story. The book seems to avoid explaining most of its theology by simply stating we wouldn’t understand as humans. This saddens me because it leads to the following problems.
The supernatural elements in the book are hard to understand. Realms, dimensions, how the supernatural played with these elements, it was hard to understand what was going on. The supernatural beings used to be humans who had died, now they are not humans, and they can die, and not die. Yet, the human mind, “which is so feeble,” the book mentions more than a few times, suggests we would understand these beings as ghosts, spirits, or angels, though quite a few are not angelic. And these beings, despite being supernatural, seem to be very humanlike, the very things they seem to scoff. These supernatural beings also seem to know a lot that can’t be explained, and the rest they don’t have answers for, aside from (my interpretation) “trust yourself, but trust me, too, even though I have nothing really helpful to tell you...” Humans are needed to fight evil, the beings say. Fight evil in a way they cannot, so it seems.
It is this evil that pushes people to murder, to commit suicide, to bully, the book claims. While there certainly is truth that darkness desires for people to remain condemned, the story seems to promote people not being in bondage with sin. The book claims people are victims, too, because they are simply used as pawns by the darkness. Accountability to sin and repentance is not really touched on. Therefore, any theme of goodness, kindness, or love cannot be described as Christian because the book questions Christianity, and presents a theology that is anything but Christian.
The Climax of the Book
I think the description leading right up to the main scene was well done. It’s fairly easy to visualize, which I greatly appreciate! But the solution to how the enemy was defeated felt weak to me. The characters did not seem to do much aside from stand around, for the majority of the scene. That being said, I think the symbolism behind it was thought out, and I think many readers can relate to the symbolism. For me, the message was a little too much, too forced. I think having the characters do more and be more involved would have been more helpful.
History
I do think historical fans will enjoy the detail of battles and the flashbacks especially. It’s clear the writer has an interest and a care for history.
Character Development
I think the most developed character is Meredith. The pain captured with her and her experience is well done. I enjoyed seeing her becoming friends with Kirkwood since she hasn’t really had a decent friend in a while.
I’m not quite sure how to touch on the development. I think the characters getting to know each other was well done. The way characters learned things about one another was interesting to read. Yet, regarding the characters growing through the book, I’m not quite sure. There’s a sort of safety net in the story, which I think hinders the characters' development. Maybe about halfway through the book, growth is kinda at the standstill, from my perspective. I will add, though, this being the first book in a series, perhaps this is part of the storyline.
Overall
It isn’t my typical kind of book I would read. If I had known more details, I probably would have declined, theology and language being the two main reasons. But the writer does have a talent for description, history, and there is a care for reaching out to those who are in need. I think the author does an amazing job at explaining OCD and how it can rule one’s life. The way the reader can see how one issue can lead to another, like OCD and alcoholism, is eye-opening, especially for those of us who haven’t thought about it.
Again, I am a more critical reader, but I hope what I shared can be a little bit helpful. I know there are many readers in which these elements were not bothersome to them. I hope by sharing this perspective it could be useful to both the author and potential readers.
July 24, 2020
As I began reading this book, I started thinking about a recent trip to Belfast, Ireland. After all, Kirkwood Scott, the main character, works a dead-end job in the Northern Ireland city, and he frequents the pubs alongs streets I recently visited.
But wait.
Kirkwood also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), revolving around a collection of toy soldiers he owned when he was a child. These have to be ordered the same way as they were when he was young--in the way that they were lined up when General Augustus Skelly's regiment (his "square") was on the day they were slaughtered by Napoleon. If they're not, Kirkwood's convinced, something terrible will happen to someone. Somewhere. Kirkwood's also under Skelly's spell, since he has a pair of die he must spin, under Skelly's orders. Whatever number comes up on the die, he must perform a specific routine, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally challenging. Again, he believes that if he doesn't do this, something terrible will happen to someone.
Kirkwood has recently broken up with his longtime girlfriend. His mother has moved to Australia to help his sister with her child. He's alone. Except for being under Skelly's control. He begins running into a homeless woman, Meredith, and becomes almost as obsessed with her as he is with Skelly and the dice. She, on the other hand, is obsessed with her late friend Emily, who'd committed suicide. Emily has been memorialized on a mural. Even in death, Emily seems to send Meredith messages, via the mural.
Somehow, though, Kirkwood and Meredith have a connection: Skelly. Kirkwood discovers that Meredith has created sketches of Skelly in her diary. How, he wonders, does she know who Skelly is?
That's enough of the plot. If I told you more, I'd give way too much away.
This author masterfully weaves a tale that goes from OCD to traveling through Belfast, from reincarnation to violent scenes of war, from climate change and the end of the earth to salvation, from good vs. evil to how the earth will be saved. Are there angels? Devils? Ghosts? Is there a God? Are there guardian angels? Is the battle for Armageddon raging beneath the surface? Is mental illness real? Are the battles between good and evil real or imagined?
This novel is so complex and so well written that I was actually blown away. I kept asking myself, "How did he think of that?" and thinking, "Now I see where this piece fits into this puzzle." To be sure, the book contains many characters and is longer than some novels I've recently read, but it is so worth it, given the quality of the writing and imagery he creates with words. One example of a sentence that came alive to me: "She would have given anything to hear such recitals one last time but all she was left with was this tatty, dog-eared collection of second-rate sonnets."
I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves surprises, who reads fantasy, adventure, even dystopian work, and who realizes that an average, everyday person, even one who has OCD, can get his (or her) life together and find things out about him/herself that wasn't apparent before. And I'm so impressed with writers who can invent complicated world views and successfully create a book that can work on so many levels.
But wait.
Kirkwood also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), revolving around a collection of toy soldiers he owned when he was a child. These have to be ordered the same way as they were when he was young--in the way that they were lined up when General Augustus Skelly's regiment (his "square") was on the day they were slaughtered by Napoleon. If they're not, Kirkwood's convinced, something terrible will happen to someone. Somewhere. Kirkwood's also under Skelly's spell, since he has a pair of die he must spin, under Skelly's orders. Whatever number comes up on the die, he must perform a specific routine, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally challenging. Again, he believes that if he doesn't do this, something terrible will happen to someone.
Kirkwood has recently broken up with his longtime girlfriend. His mother has moved to Australia to help his sister with her child. He's alone. Except for being under Skelly's control. He begins running into a homeless woman, Meredith, and becomes almost as obsessed with her as he is with Skelly and the dice. She, on the other hand, is obsessed with her late friend Emily, who'd committed suicide. Emily has been memorialized on a mural. Even in death, Emily seems to send Meredith messages, via the mural.
Somehow, though, Kirkwood and Meredith have a connection: Skelly. Kirkwood discovers that Meredith has created sketches of Skelly in her diary. How, he wonders, does she know who Skelly is?
That's enough of the plot. If I told you more, I'd give way too much away.
This author masterfully weaves a tale that goes from OCD to traveling through Belfast, from reincarnation to violent scenes of war, from climate change and the end of the earth to salvation, from good vs. evil to how the earth will be saved. Are there angels? Devils? Ghosts? Is there a God? Are there guardian angels? Is the battle for Armageddon raging beneath the surface? Is mental illness real? Are the battles between good and evil real or imagined?
This novel is so complex and so well written that I was actually blown away. I kept asking myself, "How did he think of that?" and thinking, "Now I see where this piece fits into this puzzle." To be sure, the book contains many characters and is longer than some novels I've recently read, but it is so worth it, given the quality of the writing and imagery he creates with words. One example of a sentence that came alive to me: "She would have given anything to hear such recitals one last time but all she was left with was this tatty, dog-eared collection of second-rate sonnets."
I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves surprises, who reads fantasy, adventure, even dystopian work, and who realizes that an average, everyday person, even one who has OCD, can get his (or her) life together and find things out about him/herself that wasn't apparent before. And I'm so impressed with writers who can invent complicated world views and successfully create a book that can work on so many levels.
March 23, 2021
Fascinating and supremely clever, SKELLY’S SQUARE is an adept blend of grit, poetry, and philosophy that culminates in a vivid, enchanting story.
Kirkwood Scott starts in a rut. His job and friends are stale, and he struggles with a severe form of OCD. (Quick aside: As someone with OCD, it was wonderful for me to read such an accurate, authentic representation of the neurodivergent mind.) As such, Kirkwood must complete grueling routines; he believes failure to do so will result in heinous sins. What’s more is that a mysterious character, Colonel Augustus Skelly, seemingly orchestrates these routines and Kirkwood’s life.
For risk of spoilers, I’ll say no more of the premise, but this novel incorporates a beautiful mix of genres—supernatural, paranormal, urban fantasy, and thriller, among others—and truly holds something for everyone. Black includes a down-on-their-luck cast and gives them each something to fight for. Tightly plotted with sharp, gorgeous prose, SKELLY’S SQUARE is an extremely well-written book that dips into both history and contemporary society. It teeters between a descent into madness and a redemption arc, always keeping the reader guessing at what fate the roll of the dice will decide.
Kirkwood Scott starts in a rut. His job and friends are stale, and he struggles with a severe form of OCD. (Quick aside: As someone with OCD, it was wonderful for me to read such an accurate, authentic representation of the neurodivergent mind.) As such, Kirkwood must complete grueling routines; he believes failure to do so will result in heinous sins. What’s more is that a mysterious character, Colonel Augustus Skelly, seemingly orchestrates these routines and Kirkwood’s life.
For risk of spoilers, I’ll say no more of the premise, but this novel incorporates a beautiful mix of genres—supernatural, paranormal, urban fantasy, and thriller, among others—and truly holds something for everyone. Black includes a down-on-their-luck cast and gives them each something to fight for. Tightly plotted with sharp, gorgeous prose, SKELLY’S SQUARE is an extremely well-written book that dips into both history and contemporary society. It teeters between a descent into madness and a redemption arc, always keeping the reader guessing at what fate the roll of the dice will decide.
September 7, 2020
There's so much to love in this book, and at the forefront of this is Kirkwood. An average Joe, there's nothing special about him. Wasting away in a dead end job and plagued by OCD that makes his life a living hell, he's about at far as you can get from being the hero at the start of the book. But he has this downtrodden charm and dry wit that made me fall for him from the get go. And whether he likes it or not, fate has big plans for this guy.
Something that I enjoyed was the way that Stephen Black tackled mental health throughout the book, blending it with the fantastical elements that are the core of this story. That, and the interesting tidbits about Belfast Ireland that were peppered throughout. It is clear to me that the author has big plans for what feels like a huge world that Skelly's Square has barely scratched the surface of. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has planned for future instalments!
Something that I enjoyed was the way that Stephen Black tackled mental health throughout the book, blending it with the fantastical elements that are the core of this story. That, and the interesting tidbits about Belfast Ireland that were peppered throughout. It is clear to me that the author has big plans for what feels like a huge world that Skelly's Square has barely scratched the surface of. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has planned for future instalments!
March 11, 2021
I don't give a synopsis for a review (you can easily deduce what the book is about from the description), but I do tell you if it is worth your time. The verdict on this book is a resounding yes!
Let's start by saying this is not my preferred genre. In fact I find the genre so overdone & filled with forgettable stories, confusing plots and just poor execution that I avoid it entirely. I'm so glad I overcame that reluctance in ways I can't properly state. The plot, pacing, writting, characters , storyline and execution were all so well crafted that it was the first time in quite a while that I was sucked into a book. The imagery and dialogue made not just the character come to life, but the backdrop as well.
If you're debating or on the fence about giving this novel your time I implore you to dig in. You will walk away most satisfied
Let's start by saying this is not my preferred genre. In fact I find the genre so overdone & filled with forgettable stories, confusing plots and just poor execution that I avoid it entirely. I'm so glad I overcame that reluctance in ways I can't properly state. The plot, pacing, writting, characters , storyline and execution were all so well crafted that it was the first time in quite a while that I was sucked into a book. The imagery and dialogue made not just the character come to life, but the backdrop as well.
If you're debating or on the fence about giving this novel your time I implore you to dig in. You will walk away most satisfied
November 12, 2020
I found Skelly’s Square to be a very enjoyable read. It’s an interesting concept, only made better by Kirkwood Scott’s unassuming nature. He was an easy character to cheer for as he attempted to navigate the circumstances that were thrust upon him.
The novel’s pacing was excellent and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for the characters with each passing chapter. Black did a fantastic job of mixing in the various back stories with the current action and really brought the characters to life. His vivid descriptions of their world and the challenges they faced brought the story to life for me.
I was satisfied with the ending, and look forward to seeing what lies ahead for Scott & company in A New Jerusalem.
The novel’s pacing was excellent and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for the characters with each passing chapter. Black did a fantastic job of mixing in the various back stories with the current action and really brought the characters to life. His vivid descriptions of their world and the challenges they faced brought the story to life for me.
I was satisfied with the ending, and look forward to seeing what lies ahead for Scott & company in A New Jerusalem.
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