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Hezekiah
In a dark fantasy world where some individuals have incredible powers, the horror of human nature is all too real.
Hez is a young boy who has grown up abused and controlled by his family and their destructive religion. His own mother believes he is the cause of all evil in the world. The adults around him avert their eyes and refuse to acknowledge his situation.
Over time, Hez realizes he has abilities that set him apart from others. Slowly he begins to experience freewill and chooses to experiment and learn about what he can do. Hez begins visiting other realms with powerful beings he can call on for protection and friendship. He can also visit the future, though he does not always understand what he sees.
Following a destructive experiment that nearly levels his small town, and then his capture at the hands of Gods Own, Hez learns that he is not the only person with incredible abilities. He must decide whether he can trust those he meets and aid them in a war he did not know existed or remain isolated and in hiding.
Hez's story explores themes of abuse and mental illness. At what point is a person not responsible for their actions?
Hez is a young boy who has grown up abused and controlled by his family and their destructive religion. His own mother believes he is the cause of all evil in the world. The adults around him avert their eyes and refuse to acknowledge his situation.
Over time, Hez realizes he has abilities that set him apart from others. Slowly he begins to experience freewill and chooses to experiment and learn about what he can do. Hez begins visiting other realms with powerful beings he can call on for protection and friendship. He can also visit the future, though he does not always understand what he sees.
Following a destructive experiment that nearly levels his small town, and then his capture at the hands of Gods Own, Hez learns that he is not the only person with incredible abilities. He must decide whether he can trust those he meets and aid them in a war he did not know existed or remain isolated and in hiding.
Hez's story explores themes of abuse and mental illness. At what point is a person not responsible for their actions?
- GenresFantasy
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
5388 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 17, 2022
Gracias a NetGalley, el editor y el autor por la copia avanzada.
La portada fue lo primero que me atrajo de la historia, aparte del título que es el nombre del protagonista y del que vamos viendo toda la historia. Fue todo un poco confuso porque es en forma de diario, pero no ha sido para nada lo que esperaba. Le doy 3⭐ por cortesía al autor.
La infancia de Hezekiah está llena de abusos hasta la médula y me ha parecido excesivo. Todos los detalles son realmente gráficos y pienso que no encajaba en este tipo de historia. Vrail y Puff son de las pocas cosas salvables de este libro, porque la historia parece sacada de un diario de un niño de 14 años.
Intentaré leerme el siguiente libro, pero no prometo nada.
La portada fue lo primero que me atrajo de la historia, aparte del título que es el nombre del protagonista y del que vamos viendo toda la historia. Fue todo un poco confuso porque es en forma de diario, pero no ha sido para nada lo que esperaba. Le doy 3⭐ por cortesía al autor.
La infancia de Hezekiah está llena de abusos hasta la médula y me ha parecido excesivo. Todos los detalles son realmente gráficos y pienso que no encajaba en este tipo de historia. Vrail y Puff son de las pocas cosas salvables de este libro, porque la historia parece sacada de un diario de un niño de 14 años.
Intentaré leerme el siguiente libro, pero no prometo nada.
May 8, 2022
Hi everyone, Its Christopher the reader here and the book we are here to talk about tonight is Hezekiah. I want to say a huge thank you to NetGalley for a copy in return for an honest review. This is the first book in the series. I am now going to talk about some of the book's details. It was first published on the 1st of April in 2022. It was told using first person with it being in Hez's point of view. The book had three parts to the story. All together the book had 240 pages.
-I thought that it had some good character and place detail. I liked how the book first started, I found it interesting and I wanted to know what was going to happen at the end of the story. I liked discovering about some of Hez's powers. I loved most of the side characters that the story had, I would have liked for them to have had a bit more page time though. I did find this book challenging to read most of the time. I did tear up a few times while reading. I did feel like I could relate to the character, Hez quite a lot when reading the story.
To be honest I don't feel like I am a huge fan of story's that reads like Journals, especially for it to be the same all the way throughout the book. I do feel like I would have liked this story if it was a TV Show or Movie instead. I personally do feel like I would have liked it more us as the reader could have got to know the main character's name sooner within the book then we did. I did feel that there was quite a bit of stuff that was within the story that was repeated a little to much. I feel like each time some stuff was brought up that it dived in a bit to much instead of just having the book slightly acknowledge some of the past. I did find some parts to be a bit boring at times. It did feel a bit wordy, I think I would have liked it more if it was shortened down quite a bit. I also feel like the story would have been more easier to understand as with it being wordy It did get a bit confusing. While reading I did find a few spelling mistakes, mistakes in wording and also some missing words.
-I did like the ending and thought that it was pretty good, I feel like it made the book feel complete but also hinting that there will be more to come. I do think that if the books get turned into an audiobook then I would definitely carry on with this series.
For each book that I read, I rate it out of 10, so for this I'm going to give it 5.5. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself, as it will maybe be one of you're favourites, you never know.
April 7, 2022
Hezekiah was an unexpected read. The story is told from the perspective of Hezekiah, aka Hez, as if we are reading his journal.
His childhood is described in painstaking detail, and ordeals of his abuse are graphic. Hezekiah was shaped by his traumatic childhood and his mother’s mental illness. He has always known he had abilities others did not and yearned to learn about them.
Hez causes a nearly catastrophic event in his efforts to test his powers, and is shortly thereafter captured by God’s Own; the religious organization he grew up in. He discovers he is not the only one with powers and has to decide who to trust.
This story has some of the most unique characters I’ve ever read about. I loved the descriptions of each realm and their respective inhabitants. Vrail is a mysterious protector and Puff gives some comic relief through his cuteness. Thread and Dust are incredible and work their powers in tandem to cause destruction for their enemies - they’re my favorite of The Group.
This story is a great magical realism read, though the writing style didn’t always appeal to me. However, the story is written as if you are reading a 14 year old boy’s journal, so the prose reflects that and connects the reader with Hez. While this book wasn’t my favorite, I’ll give the next book a read because I simply must know what happens.
His childhood is described in painstaking detail, and ordeals of his abuse are graphic. Hezekiah was shaped by his traumatic childhood and his mother’s mental illness. He has always known he had abilities others did not and yearned to learn about them.
Hez causes a nearly catastrophic event in his efforts to test his powers, and is shortly thereafter captured by God’s Own; the religious organization he grew up in. He discovers he is not the only one with powers and has to decide who to trust.
This story has some of the most unique characters I’ve ever read about. I loved the descriptions of each realm and their respective inhabitants. Vrail is a mysterious protector and Puff gives some comic relief through his cuteness. Thread and Dust are incredible and work their powers in tandem to cause destruction for their enemies - they’re my favorite of The Group.
This story is a great magical realism read, though the writing style didn’t always appeal to me. However, the story is written as if you are reading a 14 year old boy’s journal, so the prose reflects that and connects the reader with Hez. While this book wasn’t my favorite, I’ll give the next book a read because I simply must know what happens.
April 10, 2022
First of all: thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC I received of this book.
This book just wasn’t for me. The plot made absolutely no sense at all, I hated every single character and the severe abuse was too much for me. I’m begging publishers to put trigger warnings in their books, honestly. This book described brutal child abused for approximately 25% of the book and it made me extremely uncomfortable and unhappy. I didn’t expect that. The description of the book said that Hez, the main character, lived a hard life with his family etc but I really didn’t see the graphic horror of his abuse coming. Please take this warning very seriously.
As for the rest of the book - I’d say that it gave me PET by Emezi Akwaeke and Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White vibes. We have a Christian Cult and also the “monster” thing going on. The main character is only 14 years old so the writing style of his diary is, of course, a little childish so it felt like a middle grade book to me, yet it wasn’t. It was very gorey and brutal. I’d label it Magical Realism with Horror elements to it. I really liked the aesthetic of the book though. The different realms and everything sounded amazing to me and I personally think I would’ve enjoyed this book so much more without the cult aspect. Everything felt so rushed.
First we were thrown into this horrible abuse situation, then we discover the depths of the cult and suddenly there’s another group? I was so confused. The actions the second group took against the cult seemed so rushed and were always weirdly effective? Like, they never failed?
And personally I found it extremely unbelievable and unrealistic that Hez took years of severe abuse so easily like - it didn’t show in his personality AT ALL. I expected him to have some sort of PTSD or whatever but he literally just acted like a normal child and sorry but no. I didn’t suffer through those super detailed abuse descriptions just for them to have no impact on the rest of the story. That was just sloppy execution in my eyes.
Anyways, I wouldn’t recommend this book at all. I feel very bad to rate an ARC this badly but this has to be said.
This book just wasn’t for me. The plot made absolutely no sense at all, I hated every single character and the severe abuse was too much for me. I’m begging publishers to put trigger warnings in their books, honestly. This book described brutal child abused for approximately 25% of the book and it made me extremely uncomfortable and unhappy. I didn’t expect that. The description of the book said that Hez, the main character, lived a hard life with his family etc but I really didn’t see the graphic horror of his abuse coming. Please take this warning very seriously.
As for the rest of the book - I’d say that it gave me PET by Emezi Akwaeke and Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White vibes. We have a Christian Cult and also the “monster” thing going on. The main character is only 14 years old so the writing style of his diary is, of course, a little childish so it felt like a middle grade book to me, yet it wasn’t. It was very gorey and brutal. I’d label it Magical Realism with Horror elements to it. I really liked the aesthetic of the book though. The different realms and everything sounded amazing to me and I personally think I would’ve enjoyed this book so much more without the cult aspect. Everything felt so rushed.
First we were thrown into this horrible abuse situation, then we discover the depths of the cult and suddenly there’s another group? I was so confused. The actions the second group took against the cult seemed so rushed and were always weirdly effective? Like, they never failed?
And personally I found it extremely unbelievable and unrealistic that Hez took years of severe abuse so easily like - it didn’t show in his personality AT ALL. I expected him to have some sort of PTSD or whatever but he literally just acted like a normal child and sorry but no. I didn’t suffer through those super detailed abuse descriptions just for them to have no impact on the rest of the story. That was just sloppy execution in my eyes.
Anyways, I wouldn’t recommend this book at all. I feel very bad to rate an ARC this badly but this has to be said.
August 27, 2023
Like Reading Your Favorite Graphic Novel
Hezekiah handles shockingly mature themes without flinching in one hand while simultaneously pulling off a dark fantasy magic trick in the other.
The first third of the book took me some time to get through. It chronicles some horrifying child abuse and religious trauma. Runda pulls no punches when describing the inner state of a child suffering from an abusive and mentally ill parent. This was hard for me to read, but it didn't feel gratuitous.
That first third is also sprinkled with enough horror-mystery to keep the reader intrigued. Whatever you think is happening, I promise you won't predict where the story is going. The world Runda creates is unlike any I've read before.
I don't want to spoil much more except to say that the book is moving, imaginative, and a lot of fun. Fans of horror, comics, and science fiction will definitely dig it!
I just wish there was a graphic novel version because I would LOVE to see some of these characters illustrated (especially the fluffy ones).
Hezekiah handles shockingly mature themes without flinching in one hand while simultaneously pulling off a dark fantasy magic trick in the other.
The first third of the book took me some time to get through. It chronicles some horrifying child abuse and religious trauma. Runda pulls no punches when describing the inner state of a child suffering from an abusive and mentally ill parent. This was hard for me to read, but it didn't feel gratuitous.
That first third is also sprinkled with enough horror-mystery to keep the reader intrigued. Whatever you think is happening, I promise you won't predict where the story is going. The world Runda creates is unlike any I've read before.
I don't want to spoil much more except to say that the book is moving, imaginative, and a lot of fun. Fans of horror, comics, and science fiction will definitely dig it!
I just wish there was a graphic novel version because I would LOVE to see some of these characters illustrated (especially the fluffy ones).
April 11, 2022
I was hooked from the first page... Hez as a main character was equally adorable and badass. The magic was clever and the supporting characters interesting and as well developed as the story. And the cover art is absolutely gorgeous. I need the author to stop reading this review and finish book 2 because I need more of this story.
April 17, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars
The story itself is interesting - abused boy mistreated by family/cult, turns out his powers are real and he's actually the most powerful one of them ever, shenanigans ensue. The worlds and the monsters are wonderfully created - I thoroughly enjoyed Hez's friends.
The first thing people need to know about this book is that the first 20% (literally, 20% on the ebook tracker) is essentially a first person account of graphic child abuse. Barely anything happens around the abuse, it's just pages and pages of violence. In fact, that 20% could be summarized by: 5 year old reveals his supernatural ability to his mother, She hits him and changes. She moves them to a cult. More abuse happens. They move states again. The abuse worsens. Except it goes on for something like 50 pages,
Next is the writing style. It's tough to get through. The main character is 14 writing reflectively about his life. So it makes sense that the writing is choppy and meandering, it's just not very engaging, Plus there is the occasional slip into adult nuance that again breaks any immersion.
I don't like leaving low star reviews, and I genuinely feel like the bones of this story could be built into something excellent but the book as it exists now is not for me,
1.5 stars
The story itself is interesting - abused boy mistreated by family/cult, turns out his powers are real and he's actually the most powerful one of them ever, shenanigans ensue. The worlds and the monsters are wonderfully created - I thoroughly enjoyed Hez's friends.
The first thing people need to know about this book is that the first 20% (literally, 20% on the ebook tracker) is essentially a first person account of graphic child abuse. Barely anything happens around the abuse, it's just pages and pages of violence. In fact, that 20% could be summarized by: 5 year old reveals his supernatural ability to his mother, She hits him and changes. She moves them to a cult. More abuse happens. They move states again. The abuse worsens. Except it goes on for something like 50 pages,
Next is the writing style. It's tough to get through. The main character is 14 writing reflectively about his life. So it makes sense that the writing is choppy and meandering, it's just not very engaging, Plus there is the occasional slip into adult nuance that again breaks any immersion.
I don't like leaving low star reviews, and I genuinely feel like the bones of this story could be built into something excellent but the book as it exists now is not for me,
April 16, 2022
first, i wanna thank to #netgalley for the ebook.
and second, what?
that's honestly how i would describe the whole book. it was just... so confusing most of the time. the writing style was good and i really feel it could've been better if the writer stick to one thing and really really went deep into it. because there was so much going on and at the same time - absolutely nothing. honestly can't tell you what was the plot.
what i liked was the idea. lately i seem to enjoy cults and stuff around them very mchg, so i appreciate how it was portraited here. how it affected mc & his upbringing. and i liked the beautiful naivity of 14 yo kid.
the book is a no for me, but i believe it will find its audience.
and second, what?
that's honestly how i would describe the whole book. it was just... so confusing most of the time. the writing style was good and i really feel it could've been better if the writer stick to one thing and really really went deep into it. because there was so much going on and at the same time - absolutely nothing. honestly can't tell you what was the plot.
what i liked was the idea. lately i seem to enjoy cults and stuff around them very mchg, so i appreciate how it was portraited here. how it affected mc & his upbringing. and i liked the beautiful naivity of 14 yo kid.
the book is a no for me, but i believe it will find its audience.
November 2, 2023
Hezekiah feels like a fresh take on a modern fantasy novel. The story is written from Hez's point of view as he journals about his experience in life, but to me, it reads like your grandpa is regaling you with stories of his youth. I would recommend this to anyone in search of action, adventure, mythology-esque beings, or a small group attempting to overcome the odds. I can't wait to read more about Hezekiah!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews