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Jacob Duke #1
The Stonefly
JACOB DUKE DOESN'T WANT TO GRANT YOUR WISH—BUT IF HE DOESN'T, YOU'LL BE DEAD WITHIN SIX DAYS
Be careful what you wish for.
Jacob is bound by a mysterious curse he doesn’t completely understand. Now, in order to save an innocent boy, he must find and kill a man he’s never met.
But there is another killer lurking these city streets.
And Jacob is running out of time.
_____________________________
The Stonefly is a captivating mix of urban fantasy and traditional mystery. It explores the true commitment of friendship, and the moral conflict found within all of our souls.
_____________________________
What readers are saying about Scott J. Holliday and THE STONEFLY:
★★★★★ "...deserves more than 5 stars..."
★★★★★ "...one of the best books I've read this year."
★★★★★ "An amazingly powerful and emotionally impacting novel..."
★★★★★ "...a supernatural story that feels familiar, but has a wholly original concept."
★★★★★ "Stonefly is a mystery, a fractured fairy tale, and just an all around great story.”
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2013
25 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Scott J. Holliday
9 books124 followersScott J. Holliday was born and raised in Detroit. In addition to a lifelong love of books and reading, he’s pursued a range of curiosities and interests, including glassblowing, boxing, and much more. His most recent novel is Machine City, the sequel to Punishment, both in the Detective Barnes series. He loves to cook and create stories for his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 3, 2020
Typical for me, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book. But I was immediately hooked and whisked away to a parallel reality where djinni operate in mystical ways, occasionally getting mixed up with regular mortals while plying their magic.
The protagonist in The Stonefly Series is a product of such intermingling. But instead of having the power to change the lives of his fellow mortals, he has become an unwilling conduit to granting wishes. Any wish told to him becomes his unavoidable mission, no matter what the consequences.
There are so many layers to this story. So many twists. So many characters who impact Jacob Duke, the unwitting spawn of a gorgeous woman and a spellbinding genie named Vincent Kali. Jake pays the price for such a taboo union: he possesses powers—or rather, powers possess him—making him choose the fate of ordinary people by his willingness or unwillingness to carry out acts that go against his human nature.
I was mesmerized all the way through the story; every scene and every character that populated Jake’s world are so perfectly drawn and believable. The drama that continues all the way through the book never lets up, and it all resolves like a perfect magic trick. Scott J. Holliday is a very talented writer with an incredible imagination! I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes to step out of normal while having a fantastic reading experience.
The protagonist in The Stonefly Series is a product of such intermingling. But instead of having the power to change the lives of his fellow mortals, he has become an unwilling conduit to granting wishes. Any wish told to him becomes his unavoidable mission, no matter what the consequences.
There are so many layers to this story. So many twists. So many characters who impact Jacob Duke, the unwitting spawn of a gorgeous woman and a spellbinding genie named Vincent Kali. Jake pays the price for such a taboo union: he possesses powers—or rather, powers possess him—making him choose the fate of ordinary people by his willingness or unwillingness to carry out acts that go against his human nature.
I was mesmerized all the way through the story; every scene and every character that populated Jake’s world are so perfectly drawn and believable. The drama that continues all the way through the book never lets up, and it all resolves like a perfect magic trick. Scott J. Holliday is a very talented writer with an incredible imagination! I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes to step out of normal while having a fantastic reading experience.
April 7, 2013
Review of Stonefly by Scott Holliday (Jacob Duke #1)
5 stars
An amazingly powerful and emotionally impacting novel, “Stonefly” deserves more than 5 stars; 36 would be nice. I am so thankful that this is the first in a series, and I can only “wish” (intentional reference) that #2 would be available tomorrow. I virtually read this in one sitting, over the course of several hours, and again, the world around me dropped away as the novel totally absorbed me into its milieu. Jacob is a protagonist unlike any I have ever encountered. His “curse” is seemingly Supernatural in nature, although he insists it was a genetic legacy from his unknown father (remember classical Greek mythology, in which Zeus and other gods temporarily transformed into humans and animals to mate with desired human females—so I guess it would be possible for someone practically a demigod to also take human form, and produce a child). If Jacob hears anyone “wishing,” he is bound to that wish, and must grant it within six days, or the wisher dies. At age ten, he does so to save a girl in his fifth grade class; and the next seven years, until his eighteenth birthday, are spent in Dover, a psychiatric institution in mid-Michigan. On his eighteenth birthday Jacob is released, but he is different; he has been deaf since age seventeen. From this point he tries to live a “normal” as possible life, a small business owner, with a female friend (not a relationship-friend), and occasional contact with his career-driven mother and the police captain who loves her in vain. But of course, when one possesses a “gift” or more properly a “curse” like this, “normal” is a thing found only in stories.
5 stars
An amazingly powerful and emotionally impacting novel, “Stonefly” deserves more than 5 stars; 36 would be nice. I am so thankful that this is the first in a series, and I can only “wish” (intentional reference) that #2 would be available tomorrow. I virtually read this in one sitting, over the course of several hours, and again, the world around me dropped away as the novel totally absorbed me into its milieu. Jacob is a protagonist unlike any I have ever encountered. His “curse” is seemingly Supernatural in nature, although he insists it was a genetic legacy from his unknown father (remember classical Greek mythology, in which Zeus and other gods temporarily transformed into humans and animals to mate with desired human females—so I guess it would be possible for someone practically a demigod to also take human form, and produce a child). If Jacob hears anyone “wishing,” he is bound to that wish, and must grant it within six days, or the wisher dies. At age ten, he does so to save a girl in his fifth grade class; and the next seven years, until his eighteenth birthday, are spent in Dover, a psychiatric institution in mid-Michigan. On his eighteenth birthday Jacob is released, but he is different; he has been deaf since age seventeen. From this point he tries to live a “normal” as possible life, a small business owner, with a female friend (not a relationship-friend), and occasional contact with his career-driven mother and the police captain who loves her in vain. But of course, when one possesses a “gift” or more properly a “curse” like this, “normal” is a thing found only in stories.
September 29, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Those who enjoy thrillers and don't mind a mild dose of magic
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence against women and children, kidnapping, murder, killing
My Thoughts: Wow, what a super cool story! This combines two of my favorite things, thrillers and urban fantasy, although the urban fantasy bit is fairly low-key. Jacob is a really interesting character, and I'm excited to note that this is the beginning of a series. I will definitely be watching for future books in this series!
Darnell is a pretty nasty character, and I was irritated by Lori's constant string of jerks when Jacob is so devoted to her. I also felt really bad for Motown/Early, whose pain is made obvious throughout the book. The ending was sort of bittersweet.
I'll be interested to see where this goes, especially with Vincent Kali. If you like thrillers and if you like urban fantasy and would love to read a good combination of the two, definitely check out Stonefly.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Jacob Duke has come back to Braketon—a sleepy, backwoods town bordering Dover, the mental institution where he spent his formative years. Jacob's intention is to enjoy Braketon's woods and water for the first time as a free man, but he soon discovers that Dover isn't through with him yet. Driven by a curse that compels him to grant any wish he hears, Jacob is drawn back into his disturbing former life by a young boy's desire to see his own father dead.
Complicating things are Lori Nelson, Jacob's friend-with-benefits who continues to put new boyfriends in his path, and Motown, Jacob's friend from his years at Dover, who carries a secret that rocks Jacob's foundation and makes him question his own morality.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Those who enjoy thrillers and don't mind a mild dose of magic
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence against women and children, kidnapping, murder, killing
My Thoughts: Wow, what a super cool story! This combines two of my favorite things, thrillers and urban fantasy, although the urban fantasy bit is fairly low-key. Jacob is a really interesting character, and I'm excited to note that this is the beginning of a series. I will definitely be watching for future books in this series!
Darnell is a pretty nasty character, and I was irritated by Lori's constant string of jerks when Jacob is so devoted to her. I also felt really bad for Motown/Early, whose pain is made obvious throughout the book. The ending was sort of bittersweet.
I'll be interested to see where this goes, especially with Vincent Kali. If you like thrillers and if you like urban fantasy and would love to read a good combination of the two, definitely check out Stonefly.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Jacob Duke has come back to Braketon—a sleepy, backwoods town bordering Dover, the mental institution where he spent his formative years. Jacob's intention is to enjoy Braketon's woods and water for the first time as a free man, but he soon discovers that Dover isn't through with him yet. Driven by a curse that compels him to grant any wish he hears, Jacob is drawn back into his disturbing former life by a young boy's desire to see his own father dead.
Complicating things are Lori Nelson, Jacob's friend-with-benefits who continues to put new boyfriends in his path, and Motown, Jacob's friend from his years at Dover, who carries a secret that rocks Jacob's foundation and makes him question his own morality.
May 10, 2013
I did not see this one coming! Even with its paranormal twist, Stonefly is most definitely a suspense/thriller, chilling to the max!! A young man is compelled to act on any wish he hears or the person making the wish will die in seven days! Jacob is driven by a curse put on him by his gypsy father, a man unknown to him, who his highly successful and supportive mother was with only once. As a child, he fulfilled/acted on a wish that haunts him to this day and cost him many years of his life, being institutionalized until he turned eighteen. Free now, he picks up the pieces of his life, adores a girl who stays just out of reach emotionally and tries to unravel the mystery that is his life. All Jacob wants is to be “normal” and live his life, but when he hears a young boy wish his father was dead, no matter what, the outcome is deplorable!
Using flashbacks and richly descriptive passages full of emotion, Scott J. Holliday has created an extremely realistic character full of depth who I instantly felt a connection to, wanting him to find happiness in his life. Book two in this new series is one I look forward to!
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Haley Road Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Using flashbacks and richly descriptive passages full of emotion, Scott J. Holliday has created an extremely realistic character full of depth who I instantly felt a connection to, wanting him to find happiness in his life. Book two in this new series is one I look forward to!
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Haley Road Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: June 1, 2013
May 3, 2013
Stonefly
Scott J. Holliday
Haley Road Publishing
Stonefly is not the book I expected when I started reading it. Is is a far superior story to the one I expected. It was the whole wish granting thing that pushed my expectations in a different direction. I expected a story about a person who had the power to make wishes happen. Instead the story is about Jacob Duke, who has the responsibility to grant wishes, but no special power to do so.
He has returned to the landscape that he saw out the windows of Dover, an institute for the dangerously insane. He spent years there as a result of granting his first wish. All Jacob wants to do is flyfish, but he meets Frankie - a ten year old who wishes someone would kill his dad. Jacob checks out the man and if there was anyone who needed killing it was Darren Collins, but Jacob isn't happy with the idea, but there are consequences for not granting a wish and they are unthinkable.
Part of what surprised me about the book is the depth of the characters that Holliday uses to populate his book. Even the characters with bit parts get careful attention so that we feel we know them. Jacob is both matter of fact and tortured by his curse. He is aware of the ethical problems with the wishes, but he is also very much aware that we humans can't stop wishing. I would strongly recommend this book for anybody who enjoys a good roller coaster of a ride. I will be looking forward to the next book in the Jacob Duke series.
Scott J. Holliday
Haley Road Publishing
Stonefly is not the book I expected when I started reading it. Is is a far superior story to the one I expected. It was the whole wish granting thing that pushed my expectations in a different direction. I expected a story about a person who had the power to make wishes happen. Instead the story is about Jacob Duke, who has the responsibility to grant wishes, but no special power to do so.
He has returned to the landscape that he saw out the windows of Dover, an institute for the dangerously insane. He spent years there as a result of granting his first wish. All Jacob wants to do is flyfish, but he meets Frankie - a ten year old who wishes someone would kill his dad. Jacob checks out the man and if there was anyone who needed killing it was Darren Collins, but Jacob isn't happy with the idea, but there are consequences for not granting a wish and they are unthinkable.
Part of what surprised me about the book is the depth of the characters that Holliday uses to populate his book. Even the characters with bit parts get careful attention so that we feel we know them. Jacob is both matter of fact and tortured by his curse. He is aware of the ethical problems with the wishes, but he is also very much aware that we humans can't stop wishing. I would strongly recommend this book for anybody who enjoys a good roller coaster of a ride. I will be looking forward to the next book in the Jacob Duke series.
July 8, 2013
Stonefly by Scott J. Holliday
Jake found the boy almost immediately on the first day when he was fly fishing in Braketon. The fishing trip was supposed to be a break from his curse; some time alon from people and their almost never-ending wishes. Jake was cursed; if he heard someone make a wish, he had one week to grant that wish or the wisher died. He hoped the kid would have a kid-like wish. Nope. Jake was most definitely cursed. Instead of wishing for a puppy, the kid wished someone would kill his dad.
Scott J. Holliday has one of the most alluring writing styles I’ve read in quite some time. The descriptions are so accurate the reader can smell the flowers or the blood; can feel the water on the lake and can hope the curse will be lifted. Holliday knows how to pace and plot and develop a character so wonderful readers will be anxiously watching their calendars for their next installment.
This copy was received from NetGalley at no cost in exchange for an honest review from the author.
Jake found the boy almost immediately on the first day when he was fly fishing in Braketon. The fishing trip was supposed to be a break from his curse; some time alon from people and their almost never-ending wishes. Jake was cursed; if he heard someone make a wish, he had one week to grant that wish or the wisher died. He hoped the kid would have a kid-like wish. Nope. Jake was most definitely cursed. Instead of wishing for a puppy, the kid wished someone would kill his dad.
Scott J. Holliday has one of the most alluring writing styles I’ve read in quite some time. The descriptions are so accurate the reader can smell the flowers or the blood; can feel the water on the lake and can hope the curse will be lifted. Holliday knows how to pace and plot and develop a character so wonderful readers will be anxiously watching their calendars for their next installment.
This copy was received from NetGalley at no cost in exchange for an honest review from the author.
June 19, 2013
Best book I've read so far this year.........and that's a mouthful coming from me. I am both a writer and a reader: a tough customer.
Stonefly is hard to classify, but that's part of its allure. It turns pages, even though it isn't always suspenseful. Its characters are well developed. The rules of the world - a genie who has to grant wishes or else - are effortlessly explained without bogging down the reader with minutiae.
I devoured this book. It is a pleasant departure from the formulaic stuff that is churned out today. Many thanks to Ionia Martin at Readful Things for turning me on to it.
Here's my wish: I wish you - yes, you - would buy this book. Read this book. Come back and review this book and help a talented, worthy author. I don't know Scott from Adam's house cat, but his writing deserves your time, your money and your recommendation.
Andra Watkins
Andrawatkins.com
Stonefly is hard to classify, but that's part of its allure. It turns pages, even though it isn't always suspenseful. Its characters are well developed. The rules of the world - a genie who has to grant wishes or else - are effortlessly explained without bogging down the reader with minutiae.
I devoured this book. It is a pleasant departure from the formulaic stuff that is churned out today. Many thanks to Ionia Martin at Readful Things for turning me on to it.
Here's my wish: I wish you - yes, you - would buy this book. Read this book. Come back and review this book and help a talented, worthy author. I don't know Scott from Adam's house cat, but his writing deserves your time, your money and your recommendation.
Andra Watkins
Andrawatkins.com
August 15, 2013
"Stonefly" is weird & wonderful!!
The refreshingly original plot was well written and it kept me guessing.
Jacob Duke is cursed and has to make your wish come true. If he doesn't you will die. As a young boy he is admitted into a mental institution because of a bad wish that resulted in murder. At 18 he is released, and is now deaf from self-inflicted stab wounds to his ears to try to prevent himself from hearing anymore wishes. However, he can now read lips.
Upon his release, while on vacation, he sees a young boy crying. The boy wishes for his father to be dead and this triggers a series of events that take us through to the end of this story.
Scott J. Holliday creates wonderful characters and I can hardly wait to see where the next "Jacob Duke" book takes us.
The refreshingly original plot was well written and it kept me guessing.
Jacob Duke is cursed and has to make your wish come true. If he doesn't you will die. As a young boy he is admitted into a mental institution because of a bad wish that resulted in murder. At 18 he is released, and is now deaf from self-inflicted stab wounds to his ears to try to prevent himself from hearing anymore wishes. However, he can now read lips.
Upon his release, while on vacation, he sees a young boy crying. The boy wishes for his father to be dead and this triggers a series of events that take us through to the end of this story.
Scott J. Holliday creates wonderful characters and I can hardly wait to see where the next "Jacob Duke" book takes us.
August 9, 2020
Jake is a Djinn, a genie. I have never read anything like this story it is absolutely amazing.
There are lots of rules for a Djinn. But they have a poem to help recall those rules. The book
goes into much more detail of the origin of Jake. The story starts out with him in a mental institute.
He has made a dear friend there. McDonald who is shackled 24/7 because he will stop at nothing
to end his life. He constantly tries to get Jake to off him with his gift but it does not work that way.
Jake gets released at the age of 18. He reconnects with his mother and they come to grips with what is happening in his world. Excellent read I am on to book 2 in the series. I am so glad Mr Holiday is sharing this amazing story from his head. Enjoy!
"Six day's to Grant a wish or hopeful
life expires.
Six day's to make amends, only through
true desires.
No friend. nor foe, nor kin,
Nor man who lives in sin,
Shall know that for the Djinn,
Horizon closes in.
There are lots of rules for a Djinn. But they have a poem to help recall those rules. The book
goes into much more detail of the origin of Jake. The story starts out with him in a mental institute.
He has made a dear friend there. McDonald who is shackled 24/7 because he will stop at nothing
to end his life. He constantly tries to get Jake to off him with his gift but it does not work that way.
Jake gets released at the age of 18. He reconnects with his mother and they come to grips with what is happening in his world. Excellent read I am on to book 2 in the series. I am so glad Mr Holiday is sharing this amazing story from his head. Enjoy!
"Six day's to Grant a wish or hopeful
life expires.
Six day's to make amends, only through
true desires.
No friend. nor foe, nor kin,
Nor man who lives in sin,
Shall know that for the Djinn,
Horizon closes in.
May 25, 2020
The book starts when Jacob is 12 and is dropped off at a Mental Institution by is Mother who seems to have issues of her own too.
Jacob as grown up knowing he has some peculiar powers as when someone wishes for something he feels the urge to carry those wishes out. When he is finally let out of the institution his Mother tells him his Father was someone she met on a travelling fair and he granted her wish for her to have a child that’s when Jacob finds out he’s half Jinn. Really interesting well written book and a great narrator too.
Jacob as grown up knowing he has some peculiar powers as when someone wishes for something he feels the urge to carry those wishes out. When he is finally let out of the institution his Mother tells him his Father was someone she met on a travelling fair and he granted her wish for her to have a child that’s when Jacob finds out he’s half Jinn. Really interesting well written book and a great narrator too.
August 24, 2020
Like I said in my comments, I don't get all the rave reviews. I'm certainly glad it's over. The one good thing about the story was the end of Ghost Mother and the nice ending of Frankie and his mother's misery.
I did like some of the nuts at the insane asylum, especially Motown, he was a great friend to Jake. Jake's mother was not likable at all.
No sex and the F-bomb was used 15 times.
As to the narration: Todd Menesses did a great job on the voices and the emotions when he read.
August 23, 2020
Really good! I’m excited to read more of this series.
October 1, 2020
4.5 stars.
Well written, sensitive approach to volatile topics. Both intense at times and lighthearted at others. Can’t wait to read the next instalment in the Jacob Duke series.
Well written, sensitive approach to volatile topics. Both intense at times and lighthearted at others. Can’t wait to read the next instalment in the Jacob Duke series.
June 10, 2013
Review
****.5 Rating 4.5
The description appealed to my reader’s instincts, Stonefly the bait and I was caught hook, line and sinker. I usually don’t read novels under 250 pages but this one captured the whole plot in 152 pages and it didn’t sell itself short.
The author of Stonefly, Scott J Holliday been a writer for some years but only recently has he been published. Stonefly is the first of a series involving the character of Jacob Duke; a complex, unusual young man, born with a curse. He hasn’t known his Father and his Mother neglects to give substance to the man who impregnated her. A strong willed career woman she is a powerful force in her son’s life.
Lori Nelson comes into Jacob’s life as a frightened, beaten young female, who with Jacob’s help, finds herself becoming stronger and more confident although she has a tendency to choose inadequate boyfriends or “assholes” as they morph from lovers to exes. Jacob loves Lori but never seems to find the right time to make his feelings known.
Motown, a young adult patient at Dover is either crazy or too in tune with his demons to want to survive. Holliday’s depiction of the inmates of Dover, the mental institution, gives depth and a different insight into the mental conditions suffered.
Holliday draws you in, introducing young Michael, the abused child beaten by Darnell Collins; a nasty bully who lashes out at anyone in his way. Not someone you would want to meet at night or indeed the day either.
With the use of the past entwining with the present, Holliday answers the questions. Without spoiling the story, I went from grimacing over the physical cause of Jacob’s deafness to understanding the reason why. I thoroughly enjoyed Scott’s style of telling the story from Jacob’s point of view, of going through his fears, his anger and his amusing anecdotes. Yes, there was the mention of “genies or djinns” but to let this mislead you to dismiss the book before you turned the pages would be to do the Author a great injustice and you would miss out on a very different kind of a fast paced thriller with a very unexpected end.
I can’t wait for Broken Horizon and what I’m sure will be more fantastic books in the series.
I was given a copy of Stonefly by NetGalley, thank you.
****.5 Rating 4.5
The description appealed to my reader’s instincts, Stonefly the bait and I was caught hook, line and sinker. I usually don’t read novels under 250 pages but this one captured the whole plot in 152 pages and it didn’t sell itself short.
The author of Stonefly, Scott J Holliday been a writer for some years but only recently has he been published. Stonefly is the first of a series involving the character of Jacob Duke; a complex, unusual young man, born with a curse. He hasn’t known his Father and his Mother neglects to give substance to the man who impregnated her. A strong willed career woman she is a powerful force in her son’s life.
Lori Nelson comes into Jacob’s life as a frightened, beaten young female, who with Jacob’s help, finds herself becoming stronger and more confident although she has a tendency to choose inadequate boyfriends or “assholes” as they morph from lovers to exes. Jacob loves Lori but never seems to find the right time to make his feelings known.
Motown, a young adult patient at Dover is either crazy or too in tune with his demons to want to survive. Holliday’s depiction of the inmates of Dover, the mental institution, gives depth and a different insight into the mental conditions suffered.
Holliday draws you in, introducing young Michael, the abused child beaten by Darnell Collins; a nasty bully who lashes out at anyone in his way. Not someone you would want to meet at night or indeed the day either.
With the use of the past entwining with the present, Holliday answers the questions. Without spoiling the story, I went from grimacing over the physical cause of Jacob’s deafness to understanding the reason why. I thoroughly enjoyed Scott’s style of telling the story from Jacob’s point of view, of going through his fears, his anger and his amusing anecdotes. Yes, there was the mention of “genies or djinns” but to let this mislead you to dismiss the book before you turned the pages would be to do the Author a great injustice and you would miss out on a very different kind of a fast paced thriller with a very unexpected end.
I can’t wait for Broken Horizon and what I’m sure will be more fantastic books in the series.
I was given a copy of Stonefly by NetGalley, thank you.
July 28, 2013
I received a free e-copy from the publisher with the intention of writing an honest review.
This book was so good that I didn't stop reading it until I had finished it.
Jacob Duke has spent the six years in a mental institute because he had no control of his curse. He was 10 years old when he killed the local bully because a girl in his class wished that he was dead. Jacob then spent two years being dragged from one psychiatrist to another. It wasn't his fault that he killed the bully but he couldn't tell them why he did it, he couldn't explain how his blood boiled and his hands trembled and he couldn't stop thinking of ways to kill him.
When he was in the institute he worked out what the rules were regarding his curse and also what the consequences were if he didn't manage to fulfil the wish. Because of this he stole a pencil from the nursing station and poked them into his ears and deafened himself so he would never be able to hear a wish and be forced to grant it.
When he is released on his eighteenth birthday, his mother tells him about his father and gives him a totem that he had left for Jacob. When his mother tells him about his father he is understandably upset, as far as he is concerned he was abandoned. He had no clue who he was but over the years he tracked down details and finally worked out who his father was but he never went to find him.
With the help of his mother he set up a tattoo shop and met Lori who he has been in love with ever since but she doesn't return his feelings.
When he was in the institute he made a promise to himself that when he was released he would return to the area for a vacation and that is where the book starts. He is stood in the river, fly-fishing, when he sees a young boy crying. Without realising it the boy makes a wish for his father to be dead and triggers the curse. Now Jacob has six days to save Frankie's life or get him to change his wish.
The wish sets into motion a series of events that hold the readers interest all the way through the tale and you are definitely left wanting more. Luckily, it would seem that this is the first in a series featuring Jacob Duke, Lori and his dog Russ.
This book was so good that I didn't stop reading it until I had finished it.
Jacob Duke has spent the six years in a mental institute because he had no control of his curse. He was 10 years old when he killed the local bully because a girl in his class wished that he was dead. Jacob then spent two years being dragged from one psychiatrist to another. It wasn't his fault that he killed the bully but he couldn't tell them why he did it, he couldn't explain how his blood boiled and his hands trembled and he couldn't stop thinking of ways to kill him.
When he was in the institute he worked out what the rules were regarding his curse and also what the consequences were if he didn't manage to fulfil the wish. Because of this he stole a pencil from the nursing station and poked them into his ears and deafened himself so he would never be able to hear a wish and be forced to grant it.
When he is released on his eighteenth birthday, his mother tells him about his father and gives him a totem that he had left for Jacob. When his mother tells him about his father he is understandably upset, as far as he is concerned he was abandoned. He had no clue who he was but over the years he tracked down details and finally worked out who his father was but he never went to find him.
With the help of his mother he set up a tattoo shop and met Lori who he has been in love with ever since but she doesn't return his feelings.
When he was in the institute he made a promise to himself that when he was released he would return to the area for a vacation and that is where the book starts. He is stood in the river, fly-fishing, when he sees a young boy crying. Without realising it the boy makes a wish for his father to be dead and triggers the curse. Now Jacob has six days to save Frankie's life or get him to change his wish.
The wish sets into motion a series of events that hold the readers interest all the way through the tale and you are definitely left wanting more. Luckily, it would seem that this is the first in a series featuring Jacob Duke, Lori and his dog Russ.
October 20, 2013
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How I loved this book! This was definitely like a breath of fresh air, one that was long overdue as well! From the moment I started reading this book I was completely hooked. I really liked the idea on which this story was based, I mean: a real life Genie/jinn. That’s definitely a topic I’ve never read about before. Things that I really enjoyed about this book were the characters, the storyline, the writing, the fact that it will continue in a second book, actually just about everything. I don’t have a doubt in my mind about reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
Jacob isn’t the most average of people, but you soon start understanding why. He has a very difficult life and has had an even worse youth. In my opinion his character really just worked for me. What was written about him in the present concurred with the things in his past, at least that’s how I perceived it. Just like Jacob, Lori was a complex yet still likeable character. What I also really liked was how the characters interacted with each other. These conversations and meet-ups felt very realistic.
The story was just grand! It was paced just right, you never pit this book down voluntarily. It continuously kept me guessing about what would be happening while marveling at this epic tale. This book just demanded to be read once you had glanced at the first page and it was a wonderful feeling. It has been a longtime since I’ve read a book that intrigued me this much and it felt great to have this experience. And now onto the next topic: the writing. This beautiful prose just lifted this story to the next level for me. Scott Holliday is a true master of the written word, the way he can so effortlessly go from present to past and back again or just pulling you along with Jacob on his quest to fulfill this wish. And how he keeps this book pretty lighthearted is another great feat. Many a great writer would struggle with keeping this book away from the deep and dark themes that are buried in between the lines.
“Broken Horizon” is the next book in this series and I’m keeping my eyes peeled for it! And so will you once you pick up this masterwork and give it a read.
How I loved this book! This was definitely like a breath of fresh air, one that was long overdue as well! From the moment I started reading this book I was completely hooked. I really liked the idea on which this story was based, I mean: a real life Genie/jinn. That’s definitely a topic I’ve never read about before. Things that I really enjoyed about this book were the characters, the storyline, the writing, the fact that it will continue in a second book, actually just about everything. I don’t have a doubt in my mind about reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
Jacob isn’t the most average of people, but you soon start understanding why. He has a very difficult life and has had an even worse youth. In my opinion his character really just worked for me. What was written about him in the present concurred with the things in his past, at least that’s how I perceived it. Just like Jacob, Lori was a complex yet still likeable character. What I also really liked was how the characters interacted with each other. These conversations and meet-ups felt very realistic.
The story was just grand! It was paced just right, you never pit this book down voluntarily. It continuously kept me guessing about what would be happening while marveling at this epic tale. This book just demanded to be read once you had glanced at the first page and it was a wonderful feeling. It has been a longtime since I’ve read a book that intrigued me this much and it felt great to have this experience. And now onto the next topic: the writing. This beautiful prose just lifted this story to the next level for me. Scott Holliday is a true master of the written word, the way he can so effortlessly go from present to past and back again or just pulling you along with Jacob on his quest to fulfill this wish. And how he keeps this book pretty lighthearted is another great feat. Many a great writer would struggle with keeping this book away from the deep and dark themes that are buried in between the lines.
“Broken Horizon” is the next book in this series and I’m keeping my eyes peeled for it! And so will you once you pick up this masterwork and give it a read.
November 14, 2013
When he was ten years old, Jacob Duke was there when another child made a very nasty but heartfelt wish. Over the next several days he tried to control his trembling, tried to understand why he was so hot. He was compelled to grant her wish. As soon as he did, he felt normalcy returning to his mind and body. Oh, he was also put in a very secure facility for the criminally insane. There he made an unlikely friend. Slowly, through trial and error, the two worked out the details of Jacob's curse - this wish granting business. There he discovered if he did not grant an individual's wish in six days, that person would die.
On his eighteenth birthday, Jake's mother had him released at the first possible moment. The drive home brought hard questions and Jake got some hard answers. His mother, deciding she wanted a child, tracked all the details until the time was right. Jacob's father was a gypsy working with a traveling show. He was handsome, his eyes were incredible. Though she never had anything else to do with him, he had left something behind for Jake. Explaining to her son she believed his father was a genie (djinn), she was not surprised at his curse.
When Jake went to Braketown (the town near the institution where he'd spent his formative years) it was to spend the weekend fishing and enjoying the time 'outside the fences'. His first morning down at the stream failing to catch any trout, he met a boy of about ten. After the boy pointed out Jake was using the wrong flies, Jake decided to give the kid a wish. Ready to go find him a bike or something, the child's words sent a deep shiver through Jake. But he had not misheard. The boy's wish to which Jake was now bound was simple. "I wish someone would kill my father".
What an interesting story! The author sets the hook very early in the book, the reader has to keep turning those pages, waiting to discover the next little twist or turn. While there were a few editing oversights, it was not a problem. This is the first in a series I think many will enjoy. Try it. I received the book through Goodreads and liked it so much I just had to share.
On his eighteenth birthday, Jake's mother had him released at the first possible moment. The drive home brought hard questions and Jake got some hard answers. His mother, deciding she wanted a child, tracked all the details until the time was right. Jacob's father was a gypsy working with a traveling show. He was handsome, his eyes were incredible. Though she never had anything else to do with him, he had left something behind for Jake. Explaining to her son she believed his father was a genie (djinn), she was not surprised at his curse.
When Jake went to Braketown (the town near the institution where he'd spent his formative years) it was to spend the weekend fishing and enjoying the time 'outside the fences'. His first morning down at the stream failing to catch any trout, he met a boy of about ten. After the boy pointed out Jake was using the wrong flies, Jake decided to give the kid a wish. Ready to go find him a bike or something, the child's words sent a deep shiver through Jake. But he had not misheard. The boy's wish to which Jake was now bound was simple. "I wish someone would kill my father".
What an interesting story! The author sets the hook very early in the book, the reader has to keep turning those pages, waiting to discover the next little twist or turn. While there were a few editing oversights, it was not a problem. This is the first in a series I think many will enjoy. Try it. I received the book through Goodreads and liked it so much I just had to share.
July 20, 2013
Stonefly
Scott J Holliday
Review: Stonefly
Series: Jakob Duke #1
Author: Scott J. Holliday
No of Pages: 320
Release Date: June 1st 2013 by Haley Road Publishing
Received From: Netgalley
Rating: 5/5
Blurb
Jacob Duke has come back to Braketon--a sleepy, backwoods town bordering Dover, the mental institution where he spent his formative years. Jacob's intention is to enjoy Braketon's woods and water for the first time as a free man, but he soon discovers that Dover isn't through with him yet. Driven by a curse that compels him to grant any wish he hears, Jacob is drawn back into his disturbing former life by a young boy's desire to see his own father dead. Complicating things is the irresistible and erratic Lori Nelson, who continues to put new boyfriends in Jacob's path, along with Motown, Jacob's friend from his years at Dover, who carries a secret that rocks Jacob's foundation and makes him question his own morality.
My opinion
The plot sped along and kept me guessing. You found out about his curse and that he’s a genie pretty early on, but the rules surrounding this curse you learn as JD learns. A little at a time throughout the book. And what JD goes through and what he does, to others and to himself, sounds appalling but then you get the back story and each time I had an Aha moment. The story starts out simply enough with a surprising wish and you wonder how the author is going to handle the situation. It definitely did not lead to where I expected but was refreshing in its conclusion. This book helped get me out of a long reading slump where I wasn’t finishing books
It is on of Best books I've read in a long time. Top writing skills; best plot; most winning characters. Really remarkably good read. I seldom find a book as perfect as this one.
it will appeal to men; to women; to teens who want a murder / mystery / suspense / romance / paranormal (just enough, not too whacky).
Can't wait to read the rest in the series
I highly recommend this book. This was such an enjoyable book.
Scott J Holliday
Review: Stonefly
Series: Jakob Duke #1
Author: Scott J. Holliday
No of Pages: 320
Release Date: June 1st 2013 by Haley Road Publishing
Received From: Netgalley
Rating: 5/5
Blurb
Jacob Duke has come back to Braketon--a sleepy, backwoods town bordering Dover, the mental institution where he spent his formative years. Jacob's intention is to enjoy Braketon's woods and water for the first time as a free man, but he soon discovers that Dover isn't through with him yet. Driven by a curse that compels him to grant any wish he hears, Jacob is drawn back into his disturbing former life by a young boy's desire to see his own father dead. Complicating things is the irresistible and erratic Lori Nelson, who continues to put new boyfriends in Jacob's path, along with Motown, Jacob's friend from his years at Dover, who carries a secret that rocks Jacob's foundation and makes him question his own morality.
My opinion
The plot sped along and kept me guessing. You found out about his curse and that he’s a genie pretty early on, but the rules surrounding this curse you learn as JD learns. A little at a time throughout the book. And what JD goes through and what he does, to others and to himself, sounds appalling but then you get the back story and each time I had an Aha moment. The story starts out simply enough with a surprising wish and you wonder how the author is going to handle the situation. It definitely did not lead to where I expected but was refreshing in its conclusion. This book helped get me out of a long reading slump where I wasn’t finishing books
It is on of Best books I've read in a long time. Top writing skills; best plot; most winning characters. Really remarkably good read. I seldom find a book as perfect as this one.
it will appeal to men; to women; to teens who want a murder / mystery / suspense / romance / paranormal (just enough, not too whacky).
Can't wait to read the rest in the series
I highly recommend this book. This was such an enjoyable book.
October 7, 2013
This is a lovely short novel. Written in the first person, it gives the central character a strong individual voice. The reader gets inside his head from the outset: "Hey there," I said, pantomining a wave. Idiot. Why not how howdy partner while we're at it."
Jacob speaks of his "curse" with a matter-of-factness that means that we don't question it. At first. But Jacob has a history, which comes out during the course of the book. Not only is there the period of the mental institution, but also the action that put him there. This unfolding of Jacob's past helps make this more than a simple modern fantasy story.
His mother told him that she believed his father was a genie or djinn and Jacob believes that he has inherited the djinn's curse of being obliged to grant wishes, but without a genie's magic to fulfill the wish. Hence when the boy wishes his own father dead, Jacob is faced with a dilemma, for as he explains: Make a wish of a djinn and he's bound to grant it. If he cannot grant it - or if he chooses not to grant it - within six days, you will die.
Jacob discovers that the boy's father is abusive towards his son and wife, the local bully, in fact: This guy was comic-book evil. But Jacob cannot risk his newly gained freedom by killing the man. But he must succeed or the boy will drop dead. That moral dilemma is the major plot driver for me. Without spoiling the book for you, let us just say that the plot twists nicely towards the end.
Towards the end of the book I started to debate whether the magic was real or not. It is accepted by the main character, as well as by his mother, Lori and Motown. But it could just be coincidence or something to do with Jacob's mental condition. It doesn't matter. The ambiguity of magic realism is what appeals to me. It's up to you to decide.
The book was given to me by the book's publicist in return for a fair review.
This review first appeared on the magic realism books blog http://magic-realism-books.blogspot.com
Jacob speaks of his "curse" with a matter-of-factness that means that we don't question it. At first. But Jacob has a history, which comes out during the course of the book. Not only is there the period of the mental institution, but also the action that put him there. This unfolding of Jacob's past helps make this more than a simple modern fantasy story.
His mother told him that she believed his father was a genie or djinn and Jacob believes that he has inherited the djinn's curse of being obliged to grant wishes, but without a genie's magic to fulfill the wish. Hence when the boy wishes his own father dead, Jacob is faced with a dilemma, for as he explains: Make a wish of a djinn and he's bound to grant it. If he cannot grant it - or if he chooses not to grant it - within six days, you will die.
Jacob discovers that the boy's father is abusive towards his son and wife, the local bully, in fact: This guy was comic-book evil. But Jacob cannot risk his newly gained freedom by killing the man. But he must succeed or the boy will drop dead. That moral dilemma is the major plot driver for me. Without spoiling the book for you, let us just say that the plot twists nicely towards the end.
Towards the end of the book I started to debate whether the magic was real or not. It is accepted by the main character, as well as by his mother, Lori and Motown. But it could just be coincidence or something to do with Jacob's mental condition. It doesn't matter. The ambiguity of magic realism is what appeals to me. It's up to you to decide.
The book was given to me by the book's publicist in return for a fair review.
This review first appeared on the magic realism books blog http://magic-realism-books.blogspot.com
August 6, 2016
I wasn't quite sure what to expect with Stonefly and to be honest I thought it really wasn't going to be my cup of tea. How wrong I was! I was hooked within the first couple of pages and didn't put it down until I was finished.
Stonefly is the story of Jacob, a seemingly normal young man until you he has some sort of curse that compels him to grant people's wishes but this isn't necessarily a good thing. If he fails to do this within six days the person who made the wish will die. Jacob develops his talent in a mental institution at the tender age of twelve after one of his classmates makes a wish about another student and commits murder. Returning to the town where the institution is located he soon becomes embroiled in another murderous wish, only this time the intended victim is somebody close to his heart.
This was such a surprising read for me, one which I completely loved and am now waiting impatiently to hear about the sequel as it's the first book in a series! Hillary's writing was superb, his characters were completely believable and well fleshed out. Jacob was fabulous, anyone who can destroy their own eardrums in order not to hear any more wishes is obviously in need of help. I loved his mother too, an executive with a high powered job she would do anything for her son including covering up the fact that his father was in fact a genie!
The story moved seamlessly between past and present as we learn more about Jacob's 'curse', his friends in the institution - especially Motown and his pregnant teenage girlfriend who both enter Jacob's life again in unexpected ways years later. I can't wait to find out more about Jacob, his father who made a brief appearance in Stonefly and about Lori, who is quite possibly the love of Jacob's life but we don't know if she feels the same way.
If you're looking for something a little bit different, that holds your attention from the first to the last page and is beautifully & provocatively written then you can't go far wrong with Stonefly.
Stonefly is the story of Jacob, a seemingly normal young man until you he has some sort of curse that compels him to grant people's wishes but this isn't necessarily a good thing. If he fails to do this within six days the person who made the wish will die. Jacob develops his talent in a mental institution at the tender age of twelve after one of his classmates makes a wish about another student and commits murder. Returning to the town where the institution is located he soon becomes embroiled in another murderous wish, only this time the intended victim is somebody close to his heart.
This was such a surprising read for me, one which I completely loved and am now waiting impatiently to hear about the sequel as it's the first book in a series! Hillary's writing was superb, his characters were completely believable and well fleshed out. Jacob was fabulous, anyone who can destroy their own eardrums in order not to hear any more wishes is obviously in need of help. I loved his mother too, an executive with a high powered job she would do anything for her son including covering up the fact that his father was in fact a genie!
The story moved seamlessly between past and present as we learn more about Jacob's 'curse', his friends in the institution - especially Motown and his pregnant teenage girlfriend who both enter Jacob's life again in unexpected ways years later. I can't wait to find out more about Jacob, his father who made a brief appearance in Stonefly and about Lori, who is quite possibly the love of Jacob's life but we don't know if she feels the same way.
If you're looking for something a little bit different, that holds your attention from the first to the last page and is beautifully & provocatively written then you can't go far wrong with Stonefly.
October 13, 2016
This was a wonderfully unique book and so worth the time to read it. I'll start with a synopsis then give my reasons why you as the reader should invest some time in this book.
Jacob Duke has a compulsion to grant wishes. When he is ten a schoolmate wishes her tormentor dead and Jake is compelled to grant her wish. This act sends Jake to a mental institution in Braketon. We fast forward to ten years later and Jake has come back to Braketon to do some lazy fly fishing, he wants some alone time. He had promised himself while in the institution that someday he would enjoy beautiful Braketon summer days from outside the institution's walls. On his mini vacation from his tattoo shop, Jake doesn't intend on meeting a young boy named Frankie. Frankie makes a terrible wish. "I wish someone would kill my dad." Now Jake has six days to change Frankie's mind or fulfill his wish.
Some books build up a huge head of steam very quickly and the reader feels like they're rushing headlong into a spectacularly overwhelming ending. Other books are a slow build of tension that keeps the reader reading steadily well into the night not because of the adrenaline rush but because they just have to know what happens to the characters. Scott Holliday's "Stonefly" is an exquisitely written book that follows the latter form of tension. It's tension is not the breathless kind but is still incredibly effective in compelling the reader to keep reading. We want to know what compels Jake to grant wishes, we want to know if Jake can rescue Frankie from his horribly abusive father and we want to see a happily ever after for Jake at the end.
Even by the first chapter I was trepidatious on wishing for that happily ever after for Jake but I knew I'd love this book. Sometimes just the sheer poetic beauty of the writer's style tells you you're gonna love this read. That's what this book was like for me, a five star slow boiling need to see what was gonna happen in Jake's unusual world. Go get this book, you'd be missing something awesome if you skip it.
Jacob Duke has a compulsion to grant wishes. When he is ten a schoolmate wishes her tormentor dead and Jake is compelled to grant her wish. This act sends Jake to a mental institution in Braketon. We fast forward to ten years later and Jake has come back to Braketon to do some lazy fly fishing, he wants some alone time. He had promised himself while in the institution that someday he would enjoy beautiful Braketon summer days from outside the institution's walls. On his mini vacation from his tattoo shop, Jake doesn't intend on meeting a young boy named Frankie. Frankie makes a terrible wish. "I wish someone would kill my dad." Now Jake has six days to change Frankie's mind or fulfill his wish.
Some books build up a huge head of steam very quickly and the reader feels like they're rushing headlong into a spectacularly overwhelming ending. Other books are a slow build of tension that keeps the reader reading steadily well into the night not because of the adrenaline rush but because they just have to know what happens to the characters. Scott Holliday's "Stonefly" is an exquisitely written book that follows the latter form of tension. It's tension is not the breathless kind but is still incredibly effective in compelling the reader to keep reading. We want to know what compels Jake to grant wishes, we want to know if Jake can rescue Frankie from his horribly abusive father and we want to see a happily ever after for Jake at the end.
Even by the first chapter I was trepidatious on wishing for that happily ever after for Jake but I knew I'd love this book. Sometimes just the sheer poetic beauty of the writer's style tells you you're gonna love this read. That's what this book was like for me, a five star slow boiling need to see what was gonna happen in Jake's unusual world. Go get this book, you'd be missing something awesome if you skip it.
May 21, 2013
This book may have the most original plot that I have seen so far this year. When I first read the blurb for this, I was a bit concerned that it might go off in the sillies since the character would more or less be like a genie. Thankfully, I was wrong. Not only was it not silly, but it was gripping, well written and engaging from start to finish.
One of the things that made this book so enjoyable for me was the quirkiness of the main character. He is dealing with a blessing/curse situation that he inherited and has no control over. He has spent years trying to hide from the power he has to no avail, and it has created a pretty sad life for him to have to endure.
There is a lot of good humour in this book and after getting to know the main character for a couple of chapters, you can't help but love him and feel bad for his unfortunate situation. He was such a realistic character that at times I forgot I was reading and felt as if I were walking in his shoes. It was easy to care for him.
The one thing I did notice about this novel that I thought could have been worked over a bit was the places where the main character flashed back to earlier events. The writing was still good, but the timing was often bad. Just when another scene would get interesting it would cut away, therefore dissolving the tension somewhat of what would have otherwise been a stellar scene.
Overall this was a very fun and exciting book that gripped at my emotions, made me laugh and had a very surprising ending. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
This Review is based on a digital Galley from Netgalley.
One of the things that made this book so enjoyable for me was the quirkiness of the main character. He is dealing with a blessing/curse situation that he inherited and has no control over. He has spent years trying to hide from the power he has to no avail, and it has created a pretty sad life for him to have to endure.
There is a lot of good humour in this book and after getting to know the main character for a couple of chapters, you can't help but love him and feel bad for his unfortunate situation. He was such a realistic character that at times I forgot I was reading and felt as if I were walking in his shoes. It was easy to care for him.
The one thing I did notice about this novel that I thought could have been worked over a bit was the places where the main character flashed back to earlier events. The writing was still good, but the timing was often bad. Just when another scene would get interesting it would cut away, therefore dissolving the tension somewhat of what would have otherwise been a stellar scene.
Overall this was a very fun and exciting book that gripped at my emotions, made me laugh and had a very surprising ending. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
This Review is based on a digital Galley from Netgalley.
July 29, 2013
Stonefly is the entrancingly woven story of Jacob Duke, a grantor of wishes. Duke is not blessed by his ability to grant what is desired but cursed by his requirement to do in order to save both himself and the clueless who dare utter to him their wish.
The product of the one-night stand of his gypsy father and career driven mother, Duke’s childhood is comfortable on the outside and tormented within. His "wish" curse, which isn't fully revealed to him until his 18th birthday, is courtesy of the djinn (genies or spirit creatures).
However, this knowledge of the curse does not come before he is bound to materialize the wish of a classmate while still in grade school. The act gets him five years in a mental institution where the child confronts both the madness and clarity of his curse and seals his fate to grant the one wish he cannot bear to hear.
Years later, the wish of another young boy brings him full circle in confronting his own prior actions and sets him on a quest to discover the worth of another's life that can so easily be "wished" away. In the end, it is not about what is deserved as much as what is desired and the high cost of getting what we want at the expense of others.
The story has heartbreaking kids, a crazy back country villain, abuse, secrets, unrequited love and an ending that brought me to tears.
Stonefly is a thought provoking and pointed reminder of the idiom "be careful what you wish for" - both for yourself and for others for none are without consequences.
I received a copy of the book from Smith Publicity for a voluntary, honest review.
The product of the one-night stand of his gypsy father and career driven mother, Duke’s childhood is comfortable on the outside and tormented within. His "wish" curse, which isn't fully revealed to him until his 18th birthday, is courtesy of the djinn (genies or spirit creatures).
However, this knowledge of the curse does not come before he is bound to materialize the wish of a classmate while still in grade school. The act gets him five years in a mental institution where the child confronts both the madness and clarity of his curse and seals his fate to grant the one wish he cannot bear to hear.
Years later, the wish of another young boy brings him full circle in confronting his own prior actions and sets him on a quest to discover the worth of another's life that can so easily be "wished" away. In the end, it is not about what is deserved as much as what is desired and the high cost of getting what we want at the expense of others.
The story has heartbreaking kids, a crazy back country villain, abuse, secrets, unrequited love and an ending that brought me to tears.
Stonefly is a thought provoking and pointed reminder of the idiom "be careful what you wish for" - both for yourself and for others for none are without consequences.
I received a copy of the book from Smith Publicity for a voluntary, honest review.
May 20, 2013
First off, a huge thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Stonefly. I did not know exactly what type of book I was getting myself into, but I really really enjoyed this one. The story was so well thought of and put together very nicely.
A young man, Jacob Duke, is born with this curse where he is forced to grant any wish a person makes. If he does not grant the wish then the person who made the wish will die by the end of a week. At the age of 10 he ended up killing a classmate since a little girl wished the boy dead. He got sent to a crazy-house and makes a friend. Fast-forward to present day where he is 18 and has been released, and now a new little kid is wishing for his own father to be killed. The book follows Jacob as he has to figure a way to either kill the boy's father or possibly get him to make a new wish, or risk the little boy dying.
I don't want to spoil anything more since that is the basic setting of the novel. There were elements of suspense, mystery, and a few action scenes. The small town setting and character development was done so well. The twist at the end shocked me and for some reason I don't know how I did not see it coming. I'm glad I decided to read a book by a new author and discovered his talent for storytelling. 4.5/5 Stars! I can't wait for book two however long that may be since this one is to be released June 1, 2013.
A young man, Jacob Duke, is born with this curse where he is forced to grant any wish a person makes. If he does not grant the wish then the person who made the wish will die by the end of a week. At the age of 10 he ended up killing a classmate since a little girl wished the boy dead. He got sent to a crazy-house and makes a friend. Fast-forward to present day where he is 18 and has been released, and now a new little kid is wishing for his own father to be killed. The book follows Jacob as he has to figure a way to either kill the boy's father or possibly get him to make a new wish, or risk the little boy dying.
I don't want to spoil anything more since that is the basic setting of the novel. There were elements of suspense, mystery, and a few action scenes. The small town setting and character development was done so well. The twist at the end shocked me and for some reason I don't know how I did not see it coming. I'm glad I decided to read a book by a new author and discovered his talent for storytelling. 4.5/5 Stars! I can't wait for book two however long that may be since this one is to be released June 1, 2013.
June 18, 2013
Thanks to the author/publisher for a review copy.
I really had no idea what to expect in reading this book. I honestly just thought, "Hey, the cover looks interesting." Because I will admit it. I definitely judge a book by it's cover. I am one of those. But you know what, it is the cover that will draw us in. And look at it sitting up top there. It is interesting and unique and you want to know what it is about, don't you? Yep, me too.
So, not knowing what to expect, I found some very funny passages, some intriguing mystery. A whole new spin on the "genie in a bottle" concept. And I loved every minute of it. I am not really sure what genre this one falls into, so I am not sure who to recommend it to. And it is not really my usual YA fare of late. But it was an intriguing story that will make me think twice anytime I start to say "I wish.." because you can never know what hangs in the balance. The story was well-written. I felt most connected to Frankie, though. I am not sure I can explain why. I sympathized for all of the other characters, but Frankie is what kept me pulled into the story.
Pick this one up and give it a read, especially if you need a change of pace. No matter what you usually read, this will not fit into a neat little genre box. And that is a good thing. Cannot wait for the next book!
I really had no idea what to expect in reading this book. I honestly just thought, "Hey, the cover looks interesting." Because I will admit it. I definitely judge a book by it's cover. I am one of those. But you know what, it is the cover that will draw us in. And look at it sitting up top there. It is interesting and unique and you want to know what it is about, don't you? Yep, me too.
So, not knowing what to expect, I found some very funny passages, some intriguing mystery. A whole new spin on the "genie in a bottle" concept. And I loved every minute of it. I am not really sure what genre this one falls into, so I am not sure who to recommend it to. And it is not really my usual YA fare of late. But it was an intriguing story that will make me think twice anytime I start to say "I wish.." because you can never know what hangs in the balance. The story was well-written. I felt most connected to Frankie, though. I am not sure I can explain why. I sympathized for all of the other characters, but Frankie is what kept me pulled into the story.
Pick this one up and give it a read, especially if you need a change of pace. No matter what you usually read, this will not fit into a neat little genre box. And that is a good thing. Cannot wait for the next book!
April 1, 2014
Stonefly is a supernatural story that feels familiar, but has a wholly original concept. Jacob Duke has to grant wishes. If you wish for something sincerely and Jacob can't grant it in seven days, you die. This makes Jacob a bit frantic, especially as the clock ticks down. So frantic, that he once spent time in a mental hospital, and became deaf as a result.
Jacob Duke comes back to the town of Braketon where he spent time in the aforementioned mental hospital. This time, he is just looking for a little rest and relaxation when he runs across a young boy who wishes that his father was dead. Jacob wants nothing to do with this, but after meeting the boy's abusive, violent father, thinks it might not be a bad idea.
Jacob is a very likeable hero in the vein of Odd Thomas (high praise from me, indeed). There's a good setup for a series with some good recurring characters, like Jacob's mysterious father, his mother and the sheriff who just wants her to notice him, and Lori Nelson, who Jacob helped and has strong feelings about. It's a very well told tale, and I definitely would read more about this character. Well done!
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Haley Road Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.
Jacob Duke comes back to the town of Braketon where he spent time in the aforementioned mental hospital. This time, he is just looking for a little rest and relaxation when he runs across a young boy who wishes that his father was dead. Jacob wants nothing to do with this, but after meeting the boy's abusive, violent father, thinks it might not be a bad idea.
Jacob is a very likeable hero in the vein of Odd Thomas (high praise from me, indeed). There's a good setup for a series with some good recurring characters, like Jacob's mysterious father, his mother and the sheriff who just wants her to notice him, and Lori Nelson, who Jacob helped and has strong feelings about. It's a very well told tale, and I definitely would read more about this character. Well done!
I was given a review copy of this ebook by Haley Road Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.
May 23, 2013
The beginning of this story made me want to go hmmm… It’s the kind of story where you do get answers but not all at once, and the way Scott J. Holliday introduced those answers was phenomenal.
The plot sped along and kept me guessing. You found out about his curse and that he’s a genie pretty early on, but the rules surrounding this curse you learn as JD learns. A little at a time throughout the book. And what JD goes through and what he does, to others and to himself, sounds appalling but then you get the back story and each time I had an Aha moment.
The characters were extremely interesting but I think my favorite is Motown. He just seemed so down to earth, but still so messed up. Lori is also interesting, but I’m just curious to see where their relationship will go. I like her but at the same time, she’s as messed up as JD so, the jury is out on if I’m a fan of them being together or not. I guess we’ll see how it’s going to play out.
The telling of this story makes it sound very sinister. It has a dark quality about it that I just loved. I’ve never read Scott J. Holliday but after thoroughly enjoying Stonefly, I am sure I will read more of his work. I can’t wait for book two of this series.
The plot sped along and kept me guessing. You found out about his curse and that he’s a genie pretty early on, but the rules surrounding this curse you learn as JD learns. A little at a time throughout the book. And what JD goes through and what he does, to others and to himself, sounds appalling but then you get the back story and each time I had an Aha moment.
The characters were extremely interesting but I think my favorite is Motown. He just seemed so down to earth, but still so messed up. Lori is also interesting, but I’m just curious to see where their relationship will go. I like her but at the same time, she’s as messed up as JD so, the jury is out on if I’m a fan of them being together or not. I guess we’ll see how it’s going to play out.
The telling of this story makes it sound very sinister. It has a dark quality about it that I just loved. I’ve never read Scott J. Holliday but after thoroughly enjoying Stonefly, I am sure I will read more of his work. I can’t wait for book two of this series.
May 7, 2013
Stonefly has an intriguing setup: Jacob Duke suspects his father is a genie who has given him the worst kind of curse: When he hears someone make a wish, Jacob is compelled to make that wish come true—or the wisher will die. The world-building around Jacob and his birthright is well thought out and presented; there’s not too much information, just enough presented exactly when it’s needed to have the most impact.
Jacob’s curse has led him to do some unthinkable things. At the age of ten, he killed a classmate. Not long after, he punctured his own eardrums with a pencil. But when ten-year-old Frankie wishes someone would kill his father, Jacob is faced with the worst kind of moral dilemma.
This was a competently written book, and I think with a little work it could have been better. I think it was self-published, and there are some rough edges that could stand to be smoothed (primarily interrupting action with flashbacks, which bled the tension at the worst possible moments), but all in all this was an enjoyable read.
This ARC was furnished by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jacob’s curse has led him to do some unthinkable things. At the age of ten, he killed a classmate. Not long after, he punctured his own eardrums with a pencil. But when ten-year-old Frankie wishes someone would kill his father, Jacob is faced with the worst kind of moral dilemma.
This was a competently written book, and I think with a little work it could have been better. I think it was self-published, and there are some rough edges that could stand to be smoothed (primarily interrupting action with flashbacks, which bled the tension at the worst possible moments), but all in all this was an enjoyable read.
This ARC was furnished by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2013
Excellent concept. Fresh, bold and engaging.
A little darkness goes a long way in this extraordinary book.
The main character is the result of an unknown father and a mother who likes to keep secrets. Jacob has a gift, but he considers this gift a curse and quite frankly I would have to agree with him on that.
Just imagine having the power of wishes and yet nothing is ever that simple in life.
It has an air of mystery and the unexplained about it throughout. You just know there is something else just round the corner waiting to fit into place like the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
I really enjoyed the way the author meandered between the minds of the unstable and the supposedly stable characters. Nothing is what it seems and what is murder to one is answering a cry for help to another. It questions right or wrong, morality and mental health.
Fascinating thought though, what would you wish for if you were given the one time chance. What do think that wish would be if it was just something said in the spur of the moment?
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
A little darkness goes a long way in this extraordinary book.
The main character is the result of an unknown father and a mother who likes to keep secrets. Jacob has a gift, but he considers this gift a curse and quite frankly I would have to agree with him on that.
Just imagine having the power of wishes and yet nothing is ever that simple in life.
It has an air of mystery and the unexplained about it throughout. You just know there is something else just round the corner waiting to fit into place like the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
I really enjoyed the way the author meandered between the minds of the unstable and the supposedly stable characters. Nothing is what it seems and what is murder to one is answering a cry for help to another. It questions right or wrong, morality and mental health.
Fascinating thought though, what would you wish for if you were given the one time chance. What do think that wish would be if it was just something said in the spur of the moment?
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
August 8, 2013
STONEFLY has to be one of the most unusual books that I have had the pleasure of reading. Jake spent his youth in a mental institution after he killed a classmate to grant another's wish. He is driven to grant wishes no matter what they might be due to a curse that he inherited from his father. This is the only thing that he inherited from the man and Jacob's feelings are rather conflicted about both him and his mother.
STONEFLY is written in the first person and normally I find that style rather hard to read. In this case however I found Jacob and his thoughts to be fascinating. The way that he deals with his curse is interesting as he made himself deaf so that he would be able to hear passing people making random wishes. He is still able to grant wishes as he is excellent at lip reading.
I found STONEFLY to be a fascinating book and I am sorry that it is over. I even put the book down for a couple days when I got close to end just to make it last longer. I am definitely waiting impatiently for Broken Horizon which is the next book in this series.
STONEFLY is written in the first person and normally I find that style rather hard to read. In this case however I found Jacob and his thoughts to be fascinating. The way that he deals with his curse is interesting as he made himself deaf so that he would be able to hear passing people making random wishes. He is still able to grant wishes as he is excellent at lip reading.
I found STONEFLY to be a fascinating book and I am sorry that it is over. I even put the book down for a couple days when I got close to end just to make it last longer. I am definitely waiting impatiently for Broken Horizon which is the next book in this series.
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