by Jason Joyner | Jun 9, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The latest book for the CFBA Tour is Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher.
Dennis Shore is the latest, greatest horror writer. His books have sold millions, but since his wife’s death he has been unable to write at all. Desperate to keep up with medical bills, he sends in a manuscript from an undiscovered writer, Cillian Reed, and it becomes his latest smash novel, with critical acclaim. He is already haunted by the guilt of his crime, but the true author begins harrassing Dennis. First with words, then with demonstrations, Dennis becomes caught up in his own horror story. Will he find the way out, or will he become like too many of his characters before him?
There’s been a few books I’ve read on the topic of a horror writer unable to write anymore. From the contemplative (Dave Long’s Ezekiel’s Shadow) to the humerous (Rene Gutteridge’s hilarious Boo series), it seems like a rich theme to mine. Ghostwriter aims for the straightforward suspense/horror aspect.
I had a hard time with this book on several levels. The main character Dennis Shore is not someone I wanted to root for. He stole the manuscript, so he brought things on himself to a degree. There was some mild sympathy in the loss of his beloved wife, but they didn’t tug the heart strings. The antagonist Cillian Reed and his friend Bob were similarly thin, without much to recommend them as fully developed characters.
Suspense is built up at times, but it starts slowly and builds in a disjointed fashion, as Dennis wrestles with his wife’s death. There is a point to this, but in my opinion it distracted from the flow more than it provided emotional punch.
There is a major twist that is handled very well-it surprised me and renewed my interest in the book for a while. It ended up being too little too late. The ending turns quickly and felt pretty contrived to me. Too convenient to bring around a happier ending.
If readers have an aversion to violent imagery, there is some in this book. It seems appropriate for a mild horror novel, and it is not excessive by my reckoning, but sensitive people should be aware.
Overall, I was fairly disappointed and struggled to finish the book. Ghostwriter has an intriguing premise and some moments that work, but overall there weren’t many goose bumps on my arms by the time I hit “The End”.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Ghostwriter, go HERE.
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by Jason Joyner | Jun 9, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The latest book for the CFBA Tour is Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher.
Dennis Shore is the latest, greatest horror writer. His books have sold millions, but since his wife’s death he has been unable to write at all. Desperate to keep up with medical bills, he sends in a manuscript from an undiscovered writer, Cillian Reed, and it becomes his latest smash novel, with critical acclaim. He is already haunted by the guilt of his crime, but the true author begins harrassing Dennis. First with words, then with demonstrations, Dennis becomes caught up in his own horror story. Will he find the way out, or will he become like too many of his characters before him?
There’s been a few books I’ve read on the topic of a horror writer unable to write anymore. From the contemplative (Dave Long’s Ezekiel’s Shadow) to the humerous (Rene Gutteridge’s hilarious Boo series), it seems like a rich theme to mine. Ghostwriter aims for the straightforward suspense/horror aspect.
I had a hard time with this book on several levels. The main character Dennis Shore is not someone I wanted to root for. He stole the manuscript, so he brought things on himself to a degree. There was some mild sympathy in the loss of his beloved wife, but they didn’t tug the heart strings. The antagonist Cillian Reed and his friend Bob were similarly thin, without much to recommend them as fully developed characters.
Suspense is built up at times, but it starts slowly and builds in a disjointed fashion, as Dennis wrestles with his wife’s death. There is a point to this, but in my opinion it distracted from the flow more than it provided emotional punch.
There is a major twist that is handled very well-it surprised me and renewed my interest in the book for a while. It ended up being too little too late. The ending turns quickly and felt pretty contrived to me. Too convenient to bring around a happier ending.
If readers have an aversion to violent imagery, there is some in this book. It seems appropriate for a mild horror novel, and it is not excessive by my reckoning, but sensitive people should be aware.
Overall, I was fairly disappointed and struggled to finish the book. Ghostwriter has an intriguing premise and some moments that work, but overall there weren’t many goose bumps on my arms by the time I hit “The End”.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Ghostwriter, go HERE.
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by Jason Joyner | Jun 3, 2009 | Blog, faith, life
We’re getting situated in the new house. It has been almost 2 weeks since we moved in. It is always going to be an adventure. The interesting thing about this house is that it was built 50 years ago by the family we bought it from. They have lived there for the whole time. There are all these little quirks that have been worked into the house over this time.
“Let’s see-to have the power on in this room the lights have to be on.”
“Operating the pump for irrigation-switch on, valve open, no water. Oh right, prime the pump with some water!” (I proceeded to open the chamber on the pump, put water in, and got drenched by the water that gushed out of the chamber I neglected to re-cover).
We certainly prayed about choosing a house, as we have been looking for 3 years before finally finding a place we liked. It is a wonderful house, but not one I would have necessarily chosen in the past. This year, however, it felt…right. Still, it required more know-how and work, and I am not a handyman by any means. To quote from Star Trek, “I’m a PA, not a plumber.”
As we were waiting to move in, I believe the Lord spoke to me about the new house. This house was about taking ownership. Basically: It’s time to grow up some more, son.
Our first house was very appealing because it had recently had major work done, with new floors, windows, siding, roof, etc. I didn’t have to do anything! We did do a little remodeling, but nothing too arduous. It was a good house, but we always knew it was a stop-over house.
The new house has been taken care of very well, but it is still 50 years old with some dated appliances, cupboards, and carpet. There’s more garden and things to take care of. I don’t want to live for a house, but I see how I need to step up and be a little more responsible, as a husband and father. We got comfortable and a little complacent in the old place. Time to step up.
(Don’t worry, some things won’t change, like my love of goofiness. This blog is pledged to stay away from being old and stodgy.)
Between getting the old house ready to sell and the new house established, I’ve learned more about home maintenance than the previous 5 years. I guess the training wheels are off. Hopefully this will spill over into other areas of life, like writing!
Here’s to ownership, and being a good steward. Thank you Lord, for how you bring me along as Your son.
—
by Jason Joyner | Jun 3, 2009 | Blog, faith, life
We’re getting situated in the new house. It has been almost 2 weeks since we moved in. It is always going to be an adventure. The interesting thing about this house is that it was built 50 years ago by the family we bought it from. They have lived there for the whole time. There are all these little quirks that have been worked into the house over this time.
“Let’s see-to have the power on in this room the lights have to be on.”
“Operating the pump for irrigation-switch on, valve open, no water. Oh right, prime the pump with some water!” (I proceeded to open the chamber on the pump, put water in, and got drenched by the water that gushed out of the chamber I neglected to re-cover).
We certainly prayed about choosing a house, as we have been looking for 3 years before finally finding a place we liked. It is a wonderful house, but not one I would have necessarily chosen in the past. This year, however, it felt…right. Still, it required more know-how and work, and I am not a handyman by any means. To quote from Star Trek, “I’m a PA, not a plumber.”
As we were waiting to move in, I believe the Lord spoke to me about the new house. This house was about taking ownership. Basically: It’s time to grow up some more, son.
Our first house was very appealing because it had recently had major work done, with new floors, windows, siding, roof, etc. I didn’t have to do anything! We did do a little remodeling, but nothing too arduous. It was a good house, but we always knew it was a stop-over house.
The new house has been taken care of very well, but it is still 50 years old with some dated appliances, cupboards, and carpet. There’s more garden and things to take care of. I don’t want to live for a house, but I see how I need to step up and be a little more responsible, as a husband and father. We got comfortable and a little complacent in the old place. Time to step up.
(Don’t worry, some things won’t change, like my love of goofiness. This blog is pledged to stay away from being old and stodgy.)
Between getting the old house ready to sell and the new house established, I’ve learned more about home maintenance than the previous 5 years. I guess the training wheels are off. Hopefully this will spill over into other areas of life, like writing!
Here’s to ownership, and being a good steward. Thank you Lord, for how you bring me along as Your son.
—
by Jason Joyner | May 20, 2009 | Blog, reviews, speculative fiction, Stephen Lawhead, Tuck
After limping through this tour by pulling up old content of mine, I finally have something original to offer: my review of Stephen Lawhead’s latest book, Tuck.
*The final book of the King Raven trilogy picks the action up right after the ending betrayal in Scarlet. Bran and his followers, the Grellon, are returning to the wild and dark forest known as the Marsh when Norman knights ride up on them for an ambush.
After the battle, Bran attempts a peace accord with the usurping lord of his kingdom, Abbot Hugo and his marshal Guy Gysburne. The overture is grossly spurned, and Bran is determined to fight for their rightful freedom. He travels to the northern Welsh to enlist his mother’s kin to help him, while Lady Merian considers the help her own family might be able to offer.
As Bran attempts a daring rescue for a northen Welsh king, his foes bring in the armies of King William Rufus. A climatic battle looms for the woodland fugitives, whether the help is available or not…*
Tuck brings out all the things we love about the Robin Hood legend – arrows flying, daring escapes, cunning impersonations, and a friar who raps the bad guys on the head with a stout staff.
I’ve noted in my last two posts on the first books, Hood and Scarlet, that Lawhead is a great writer but somewhat streaky. Tuck falls into the pattern of the first book, with multiple third person points of view, although mainly following the jolly fat friar we all know and love. Scarlet was mainly from Will Scarlet’s point of view, differing from the other books. Changing point of view is a Lawhead trademark, and I think this sometimes is his undoing.
Thankfully, he avoids the letdown trap in Tuck. Lawhead really found an authentic voice and characterization for all of his major characters. Bran (Robin Hood), Tuck, King William, and others have distinct personalities and act believably throughout. The forest is a tangible danger for the Ffreinc knights who try to defeat the Grellon, but the overwhelming numbers provide equally real suspense whether Bran will succeed or not.
There is a good balance of action and rest in between conflict, without any real dragging parts. As the third in the series, there is a pretty good introduction to all the characters without slowing down the plot. I read the first two long enough ago I couldn’t remember all the events that are mentioned, so that was my only complaint in this area.
Overall Tuck is a highly enjoyable and satisfying finish to a very strong series. I think Scarlet was the best book of the series, but Lawhead did a very good job of making each book stand up on its own.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, alternate stories, or speculative fiction, then this series is for you. There is enough Celtic lore to make it speculative, even though it mostly rests in the historical realm. However, any fan of Christian speculative fiction would do well to read liberally from Lawhead’s collection of books.
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by Jason Joyner | May 20, 2009 | Blog, reviews, speculative fiction, Stephen Lawhead, Tuck
After limping through this tour by pulling up old content of mine, I finally have something original to offer: my review of Stephen Lawhead’s latest book, Tuck.
*The final book of the King Raven trilogy picks the action up right after the ending betrayal in Scarlet. Bran and his followers, the Grellon, are returning to the wild and dark forest known as the Marsh when Norman knights ride up on them for an ambush.
After the battle, Bran attempts a peace accord with the usurping lord of his kingdom, Abbot Hugo and his marshal Guy Gysburne. The overture is grossly spurned, and Bran is determined to fight for their rightful freedom. He travels to the northern Welsh to enlist his mother’s kin to help him, while Lady Merian considers the help her own family might be able to offer.
As Bran attempts a daring rescue for a northen Welsh king, his foes bring in the armies of King William Rufus. A climatic battle looms for the woodland fugitives, whether the help is available or not…*
Tuck brings out all the things we love about the Robin Hood legend – arrows flying, daring escapes, cunning impersonations, and a friar who raps the bad guys on the head with a stout staff.
I’ve noted in my last two posts on the first books, Hood and Scarlet, that Lawhead is a great writer but somewhat streaky. Tuck falls into the pattern of the first book, with multiple third person points of view, although mainly following the jolly fat friar we all know and love. Scarlet was mainly from Will Scarlet’s point of view, differing from the other books. Changing point of view is a Lawhead trademark, and I think this sometimes is his undoing.
Thankfully, he avoids the letdown trap in Tuck. Lawhead really found an authentic voice and characterization for all of his major characters. Bran (Robin Hood), Tuck, King William, and others have distinct personalities and act believably throughout. The forest is a tangible danger for the Ffreinc knights who try to defeat the Grellon, but the overwhelming numbers provide equally real suspense whether Bran will succeed or not.
There is a good balance of action and rest in between conflict, without any real dragging parts. As the third in the series, there is a pretty good introduction to all the characters without slowing down the plot. I read the first two long enough ago I couldn’t remember all the events that are mentioned, so that was my only complaint in this area.
Overall Tuck is a highly enjoyable and satisfying finish to a very strong series. I think Scarlet was the best book of the series, but Lawhead did a very good job of making each book stand up on its own.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, alternate stories, or speculative fiction, then this series is for you. There is enough Celtic lore to make it speculative, even though it mostly rests in the historical realm. However, any fan of Christian speculative fiction would do well to read liberally from Lawhead’s collection of books.
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