Lifelike

by Peter J. Dudley

Jewel's talent with paints is like magic, as if her brush is more like a witch's wand than a simple painting tool. She could be great, one of the greatest in the world, if her parents would only let her.

Vowing to make her own way as a great artist, Jewel runs away to San Francisco where she discovers her talent really is magical. Worse: It's dangerous. When she meets a mysterious but alluring man who promises to train her to use her magic, she puts her future and her body in his hands. But is he really what he seems, or is Jewel risking not only her safety and possibly her life, but also her very soul?

Genres: Paranormal

Paperback

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

Peter rarely uses his electrical engineering degree from UC Berkeley these days. Instead, he writes adventure and fantasy fiction, short stories, and poetry for people with a sense of adventure (or a sense of humor). He has a day job as an executive in Corporate Social Responsibility, running a huge corporate volunteer program and the nation's largest employee charitable giving campaign. In his career, he's worked on the first smart phone, the first PDA, and the first stealth bomber. A Connecticut native, he has been in the San Francisco area for most of his life and is the proud father of two fantastic kids: one is an Eagle Scout and the other is a transgender woman.

Reviews

[Peter Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the author. I think it's pretty good.

A booklife Reviews editor also thinks it's pretty good. Here are some quotes from their editorial review:

"a tense, mysterious atmosphere... darkly fantastic YA adventure"

"The novel's themes are pertinent in the #MeToo era... [this] tale is both cautionary and empowering, and YA readers in search of a topical urban fantasy will find a lot to love."

"Teen readers seeking an empowering tale about female solidarity against predatory men will appreciate this suspenseful urban fantasy."

[Melanie Hooyenga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dudley weaves an intriguing tale of magic, art, and witchcraft that leaves the reader breathless until the very last pages. As Jewel learns more about her abilities and what it could mean for her future, she grows closer to a powerful man with all the answers—and a few secrets of his own.

[Aerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, let me acknowledge that a) I know the author and b) I am mentioned in the acknowledgments. AND it is precisely because I know the author that you can trust my review. It's my goal in life to keep him honest.

"Lifelike" is the fourth novel by Dudley that I've read. When I read an early version of it, I had to stop because of the creep factor. I say this with highest regard. It's difficult to create a villain. The tension that Dudley wrought was done with an expert hand. And because I have little tolerance for spooky, creepy, mysterious, I couldn't finish reading that early draft.

Upon its publication, I purchased a Kindle copy, poured a glass of wine, and prepared to get a third or so of the way through. Two hours later, I was finished, slightly breathless and very impressed. (I need to say: there are sex scenes. They're tasteful, written with a light hand, but I wouldn't recommend this novel to someone under the age of, say, sixteen.)

The protagonist, Jewel, is an eighteen-year-old Texas girl who escapes to San Francisco when she discovers her other-worldly powers. There, she meets a lovely variety of neighbors, friends - and an unlikely patron and mentor in wealthy, sophisticated Damon. Damon has many secrets but Jewel's power eclipses even his darkest ones. As she stumbles closer and closer to his real identity, Jewel's life - and soul - are in danger of being lost in his world of art and intrigue.

And, indeed - the most ardent love song in this book is to art itself. From the minute differences of one shade of oil paint to another, from the idea of capturing a person's essence in a portrait, to the loving depiction of the de Young museum, Dudley salutes the beauty and intricacies of creating visual art. He does so with limited exposition and description, using words to crisply and precisely - well, paint - the scenes and images of his setting.

For me, this limited exposition is key. The reason I call this a beach novel is that it moves so quickly. Whereas a work like Maggie Stiefvater's "The Raven Boys" involves quite a lot of philosophical narration, "Lifelike" is streamlined and paced to be enjoyable.

I told you I would be honest. There are some incongruities. Jewel doesn't recognize a reference to the Love Boat, but when she sees Captain's red hoodie with a hammer and sickle on it, she wonders if he is a Communist. Likewise, she worries about drinking wine since she's underage, but she moves to Damon's house without much of a second thought. Also, I'm not sure that Dudley knows the difference between a macaroon and a macaron, but now I'm getting really picky.

I encourage you to buy this magical story and enjoy its whimsical, chilling spell.

[Julaina Kleist-Corwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lifelike is a page-turner. Jewel, the protagonist has a life-threatening inner struggle. She loves someone who could kill her with paintbrush strokes.
Throughout the book, I wondered if Jewel’s artistic talent and her unfolding magical abilities could save her from an alluring master painter.
Her decision is made more difficult when she learns there are several girls who came before her and who are kept under the master’s control.
Dudley's minor characters are developed to the point where I found myself cheering them on.
The plot moves along at a fast but good fast pace.

[Katarina Stenstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, and it took some turns I wasn't expecting.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/8/2022)! 🎁