Wyvern
by John H. Carroll
Price: $3.99 USD. 110810 words.
Published on April 9, 2013. Fiction.
Book 1 of the Wyvern Trilogy
Pelya Jornin rides away from Dralin. Nightmares travel with her, haunting the lonely roads that threaten to drive her mad. The dangers within her own mind outweigh the perils of traveling alone.
It is Pelya’s intention to join the Blue Wyverns. However, things are not as they should be. Will Pelya’s mind conquer battles that cannot be fought with a sword?
Location: United States
Member Since: Nov. 24, 2010
58 users have added this author as a favorite.
John H. Carroll
Biography
John H. Carroll was the youngest of seven children and was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1970 where he was kept in a dresser drawer with the clean socks. Luckily, he wasn’t kept with the dirty socks or else he might have grown up to become slightly warped.
As a child, John spent most of his time wandering through the Mojave Desert in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the sky, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. One of his favorite memories is watching his dad build the fuselage of Evel Kneivel’s skycycle in their garage. One of his least favorite moments was watching that skycycle fall into the Snake River. (Not his dad’s fault and he has documentation to prove it, so nyah)
As a teenager, John spent most of his time driving wherever he could in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the road, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He was the captain of the chess team, lettered in golf and band while in high school, and wasn’t beaten up anywhere near as much as one might imagine.
As an adult, John spends most of his time staring at a computer screen in an attempt to avoid people. He stares at the monitor for hours, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He has been married to his wonderful wife for sixteen years and they have three obnoxio . . . wonderful children who always behave . . . when they’re asleep.
Emo bunny minions surround John at most times. He is their imaginary friend and they look to him for guidance. At one point, they took over the world. No one noticed because they left everything exactly as it was. They gave the world back after a week because it was depressing.
The Willden Trilogy is his first endeavor into the field of writing. Other series and standalone works will be forthcoming. In addition, John has written a number of short stories that can be found at most eBook sites. He writes in the evenings and weekends whenever possible. Regrettably, the family mentioned in a previous paragraph desires food and shelter, requiring the author to possess a full time job until his writing makes him rich.
As a child, John spent most of his time wandering through the Mojave Desert in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the sky, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. One of his favorite memories is watching his dad build the fuselage of Evel Kneivel’s skycycle in their garage. One of his least favorite moments was watching that skycycle fall into the Snake River. (Not his dad’s fault and he has documentation to prove it, so nyah)
As a teenager, John spent most of his time driving wherever he could in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the road, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He was the captain of the chess team, lettered in golf and band while in high school, and wasn’t beaten up anywhere near as much as one might imagine.
As an adult, John spends most of his time staring at a computer screen in an attempt to avoid people. He stares at the monitor for hours, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He has been married to his wonderful wife for sixteen years and they have three obnoxio . . . wonderful children who always behave . . . when they’re asleep.
Emo bunny minions surround John at most times. He is their imaginary friend and they look to him for guidance. At one point, they took over the world. No one noticed because they left everything exactly as it was. They gave the world back after a week because it was depressing.
The Willden Trilogy is his first endeavor into the field of writing. Other series and standalone works will be forthcoming. In addition, John has written a number of short stories that can be found at most eBook sites. He writes in the evenings and weekends whenever possible. Regrettably, the family mentioned in a previous paragraph desires food and shelter, requiring the author to possess a full time job until his writing makes him rich.
Where to find John H. Carroll online
Website: http://www.ryallon.blogspot.com/
Twitter: kookoo88
Wattpad: JohnHCarroll
Twitter: kookoo88
Wattpad: JohnHCarroll
- Dralin - Chapter 1
- Attack of the Sugar Plum Fairies, A Story for Demented Children
- Unholy Cow, A Story for Demented Children
- Drippy the Peg Legged Rainbow, A Story for Demented Children
- The Emo Bunny that Should, A Story for Demented Children
Where to buy in print
Books
Naughty Nanoworms, A Story for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 4050 words. Published on March 25, 2013. Fiction.
Life on the streets is generally peaceful for Albert, but the streets are not without their hazards. While avoiding one type of trouble, Albert walks his way into even worse trouble. Will he keep his shopping cart? Will Meezer the cat come up with a plan to destroy the world? Can a shopping cart and a skateboard ever get along? The seventh entry in the Stories for Demented Children Series.
Price: $0.99 USD. 4050 words. Published on March 25, 2013. Fiction.
Life on the streets is generally peaceful for Albert, but the streets are not without their hazards. While avoiding one type of trouble, Albert walks his way into even worse trouble. Will he keep his shopping cart? Will Meezer the cat come up with a plan to destroy the world? Can a shopping cart and a skateboard ever get along? The seventh entry in the Stories for Demented Children Series.
Phairyphant
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 4490 words. Published on March 12, 2013. Fiction.
Mystical phairyphants have existed since the days of wooly mammoths and mastodons. Phairydust allows them to fly on powerful, gossamer wings while they use their trunks to sniff the air for opportunities to make the world a better place for elephants. This is the story of Elly, one such phairyphant.
Price: $0.99 USD. 4490 words. Published on March 12, 2013. Fiction.
Mystical phairyphants have existed since the days of wooly mammoths and mastodons. Phairydust allows them to fly on powerful, gossamer wings while they use their trunks to sniff the air for opportunities to make the world a better place for elephants. This is the story of Elly, one such phairyphant.
Pelya
by John H. Carroll
Price: $3.99 USD. 110960 words. Published on November 29, 2012. Fiction.
(4.50 from 4 reviews)
Book 3 of the Dralin Trilogy: Sir Imbra has told Pelya that he would one day need her help. Will Pelya’s sword arm be enough to battle a power beyond anything she’s seen? Will Ebudae’s power overcome the might of potent magic? In a city filled with despair, can the hopes and efforts of such talented individuals win the day?
Price: $3.99 USD. 110960 words. Published on November 29, 2012. Fiction.
(4.50 from 4 reviews) Book 3 of the Dralin Trilogy: Sir Imbra has told Pelya that he would one day need her help. Will Pelya’s sword arm be enough to battle a power beyond anything she’s seen? Will Ebudae’s power overcome the might of potent magic? In a city filled with despair, can the hopes and efforts of such talented individuals win the day?
Rain Glade
by John H. Carroll
Price: $2.99 USD. 25080 words. Published on September 13, 2012. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
In an insignificant village lives a simple peasant girl by the name of Rain. She wonders what the future holds for her, or if the future even cares about her fate. Jacob is a young man conscripted into Lord Greffen’s militia. He discovers Rain injured one day and seeks to aid her. The world of Ryallon holds many places filled with magic and mystery. How will one such glade change their lives?
Price: $2.99 USD. 25080 words. Published on September 13, 2012. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review) In an insignificant village lives a simple peasant girl by the name of Rain. She wonders what the future holds for her, or if the future even cares about her fate. Jacob is a young man conscripted into Lord Greffen’s militia. He discovers Rain injured one day and seeks to aid her. The world of Ryallon holds many places filled with magic and mystery. How will one such glade change their lives?
Ebudae
by John H. Carroll
Price: $3.99 USD. 116530 words. Published on May 13, 2012. Fiction.
(3.00 from 1 review)
Book 2 of the Dralin Trilogy: On Ebudae Pallon’s sixteenth birthday, she and her best friend Pelya are allowed into the city without escort. They visit the wonders of Carnival and make new friends. However, life in the city of Dralin is never simple . . . or safe. The Dralin Trilogy is a dark, swords-and-sorcery fantasy series following the lives of a few unusual individuals.
Price: $3.99 USD. 116530 words. Published on May 13, 2012. Fiction.
(3.00 from 1 review) Book 2 of the Dralin Trilogy: On Ebudae Pallon’s sixteenth birthday, she and her best friend Pelya are allowed into the city without escort. They visit the wonders of Carnival and make new friends. However, life in the city of Dralin is never simple . . . or safe. The Dralin Trilogy is a dark, swords-and-sorcery fantasy series following the lives of a few unusual individuals.
The Emo Bunny that Should
by John H. Carroll
Price: $4.99 USD. 3260 words. Published on April 6, 2012. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
Emo the Bunny was a sad bunny. He preferred gloomy days, walks over a cliff and misery of any sort. One day he saw something very unusual. Normally he'd take a nap and try to forget about it, but for some reason he took an interest. Then things happened. Emo the Bunny hated it when things happened. With beautiful illustrations by Arlene Rose.
Price: $4.99 USD. 3260 words. Published on April 6, 2012. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review) Emo the Bunny was a sad bunny. He preferred gloomy days, walks over a cliff and misery of any sort. One day he saw something very unusual. Normally he'd take a nap and try to forget about it, but for some reason he took an interest. Then things happened. Emo the Bunny hated it when things happened. With beautiful illustrations by Arlene Rose.
Attack of the Sugar Plum Fairies, A Story for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 5520 words. Published on October 21, 2011. Fiction.
(4.80 from 5 reviews)
The Sugar Plum Fairies are tired of dancing for nothing. To make matters worse, the North Pole is freezing, they have to wear skimpy outfits and their poor little legs get worn out quickly. When the Elvin Labor Union was formed, the poor little fairies were left out of any sort of fair bargaining agreement. The time has come for all of that to change.
Price: $0.99 USD. 5520 words. Published on October 21, 2011. Fiction.
(4.80 from 5 reviews) The Sugar Plum Fairies are tired of dancing for nothing. To make matters worse, the North Pole is freezing, they have to wear skimpy outfits and their poor little legs get worn out quickly. When the Elvin Labor Union was formed, the poor little fairies were left out of any sort of fair bargaining agreement. The time has come for all of that to change.
A Collection of Stories for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: $2.99 USD. 20060 words. Published on October 21, 2011. Fiction.
Five short stories combined into one collection, written for demented children and adults too. Follow the tales of anti-heroes through misadventures and mishaps. Emo bunnies, zombies, rainbows, an unholy cow and sugar plum fairies dance across the pages. Caution, these stories are not for the sane of heart.
Price: $2.99 USD. 20060 words. Published on October 21, 2011. Fiction.
Five short stories combined into one collection, written for demented children and adults too. Follow the tales of anti-heroes through misadventures and mishaps. Emo bunnies, zombies, rainbows, an unholy cow and sugar plum fairies dance across the pages. Caution, these stories are not for the sane of heart.
Dralin
by John H. Carroll
Price: Free! 94940 words. Published on October 16, 2011. Fiction.
(4.50 from 4 reviews)
Many cities know the touch of evil and despair, but none are as bleak as Dralin. A young woman flees her past, making Dralin her destination. A young Guardsman with his own dark history hopes to make a difference in a city without hope. Is sorrow their only destiny, or can love redeem them? Two young girls raised in this city learn life's hard lessons early. Will they be defeated by its evil?
Price: Free! 94940 words. Published on October 16, 2011. Fiction.
(4.50 from 4 reviews) Many cities know the touch of evil and despair, but none are as bleak as Dralin. A young woman flees her past, making Dralin her destination. A young Guardsman with his own dark history hopes to make a difference in a city without hope. Is sorrow their only destiny, or can love redeem them? Two young girls raised in this city learn life's hard lessons early. Will they be defeated by its evil?
Unholy Cow, A Story for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 5020 words. Published on October 3, 2011. Fiction.
(4.67 from 3 reviews)
Everyone keeps talking about holy cows, but nobody wants to discuss the evil, unholy cows. They creep through nighttime pastures, looking for the next opportunity to make the world a worse place to live. Opal’s parents think Halloween is evil and that candy is bad for little children. They have never let her go trick or treating. Runyx the Unholy Cow is about to change that.
Price: $0.99 USD. 5020 words. Published on October 3, 2011. Fiction.
(4.67 from 3 reviews) Everyone keeps talking about holy cows, but nobody wants to discuss the evil, unholy cows. They creep through nighttime pastures, looking for the next opportunity to make the world a worse place to live. Opal’s parents think Halloween is evil and that candy is bad for little children. They have never let her go trick or treating. Runyx the Unholy Cow is about to change that.
Drippy the Peg Legged Rainbow, A Story for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: Free! 4290 words. Published on September 20, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Rainbows have existed throughout the universe since shortly after its inception. Born from light and moisture, they have expanded along with galaxies and other cosmic goo. Many are ancient, being nearly as old as the universe itself. Others are young, only born moments ago. This is the story of one rainbow, neither ancient nor young . . .
Price: Free! 4290 words. Published on September 20, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) Rainbows have existed throughout the universe since shortly after its inception. Born from light and moisture, they have expanded along with galaxies and other cosmic goo. Many are ancient, being nearly as old as the universe itself. Others are young, only born moments ago. This is the story of one rainbow, neither ancient nor young . . .
Alien Coffee
by John H. Carroll
Price: $2.99 USD. 23370 words. Published on August 31, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
Jillian keeps trying to drink her coffee, only to find the cup empty. However, she is NOT the one drinking it. It frustrates her more and more with each passing day until she finally discovers exactly what has been happening. Aliens, coffee, emo bunnies, snails, teenagers and a Columbian drug lord all take part in this humorous sci-fi romp. It’s hard to tell which one is worse.
Price: $2.99 USD. 23370 words. Published on August 31, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review) Jillian keeps trying to drink her coffee, only to find the cup empty. However, she is NOT the one drinking it. It frustrates her more and more with each passing day until she finally discovers exactly what has been happening. Aliens, coffee, emo bunnies, snails, teenagers and a Columbian drug lord all take part in this humorous sci-fi romp. It’s hard to tell which one is worse.
Kethril
by John H. Carroll
Price: $3.99 USD. 118160 words. Published on July 17, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Book 3 of the Willden Trilogy: The companions have a plan to return Princess Anilyia to the Kingdom of Mayncal. As with most of their plans, events happen in an entirely different way. The others begin to learn more about Tathan of the Shadows and his murky past. That past presents barriers to accomplishing their goals and they must overcome them.
Price: $3.99 USD. 118160 words. Published on July 17, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) Book 3 of the Willden Trilogy: The companions have a plan to return Princess Anilyia to the Kingdom of Mayncal. As with most of their plans, events happen in an entirely different way. The others begin to learn more about Tathan of the Shadows and his murky past. That past presents barriers to accomplishing their goals and they must overcome them.
Zachary Zombie and the Lost Boy, A Story for Demented Children
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 4450 words. Published on April 19, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
Zachary Zombie is searching for newts in the forest. He finds a lost boy instead. When the boy asks nicely for help getting to his home in the village, Zachary agrees. Things are bound to go wrong when a magical stag, a pretty woman at the edge of a cliff, a party in the cemetery and villagers with torches and pitchforks are mixed with a craving for brainsss.
Price: $0.99 USD. 4450 words. Published on April 19, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review) Zachary Zombie is searching for newts in the forest. He finds a lost boy instead. When the boy asks nicely for help getting to his home in the village, Zachary agrees. Things are bound to go wrong when a magical stag, a pretty woman at the edge of a cliff, a party in the cemetery and villagers with torches and pitchforks are mixed with a craving for brainsss.
Anilyia
by John H. Carroll
Price: $3.99 USD. 95290 words. Published on April 6, 2011. Fiction.
(4.33 from 3 reviews)
Book 2 of the Willden Trilogy begins the adventure shortly after the events of book one. Tathan and his companions meet danger with a healthy dose of humor and irreverence during their adventure. Tales of a kidnapped princess are spreading like quick-fire and the world may go poof if something isn’t done.
Price: $3.99 USD. 95290 words. Published on April 6, 2011. Fiction.
(4.33 from 3 reviews) Book 2 of the Willden Trilogy begins the adventure shortly after the events of book one. Tathan and his companions meet danger with a healthy dose of humor and irreverence during their adventure. Tales of a kidnapped princess are spreading like quick-fire and the world may go poof if something isn’t done.
Dont Ever Change
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 7280 words. Published on February 24, 2011. Fiction.
(4.70 from 10 reviews)
High school: a time of memories, good and bad. Students get together to sign each other’s yearbooks. “Don’t Ever Change” is a common phrase. What would happen if one of those students never did change? How would that student feel about it? Would it make them happy, sad or psychotic? How would you feel if you had never changed from that young teenager in high school?
Price: $0.99 USD. 7280 words. Published on February 24, 2011. Fiction.
(4.70 from 10 reviews) High school: a time of memories, good and bad. Students get together to sign each other’s yearbooks. “Don’t Ever Change” is a common phrase. What would happen if one of those students never did change? How would that student feel about it? Would it make them happy, sad or psychotic? How would you feel if you had never changed from that young teenager in high school?
Test Pilot
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 5990 words. Published on December 24, 2010. Fiction.
(4.00 from 4 reviews)
Gregg Johnson was a test pilot in the Skull Squadron where death was the only retirement benefit. XOXO-13 was the designation for an experimental spaceship Gregg named Hugs and Kisses. When a tiny thing goes wrong in space, it becomes a very large thing. As usual, it had flaws, but would they be fatal?
Price: $0.99 USD. 5990 words. Published on December 24, 2010. Fiction.
(4.00 from 4 reviews) Gregg Johnson was a test pilot in the Skull Squadron where death was the only retirement benefit. XOXO-13 was the designation for an experimental spaceship Gregg named Hugs and Kisses. When a tiny thing goes wrong in space, it becomes a very large thing. As usual, it had flaws, but would they be fatal?
Blue Haired Alien Girlfriend
by John H. Carroll
Price: $0.99 USD. 6000 words. Published on November 27, 2010. Fiction.
(4.56 from 9 reviews)
Blue Haired Alien Girlfriend is a stand alone short story. Joshua is a manager at FishBurgers who walks home alone every evening. One night, he comes across an unusual blue-haired woman sitting on a bench. He's thrown for a loop when she tells him where she's from, but he doesn't mind. Sometimes love can be a little quirky, sometimes it can be a lot quirky.
Price: $0.99 USD. 6000 words. Published on November 27, 2010. Fiction.
(4.56 from 9 reviews) Blue Haired Alien Girlfriend is a stand alone short story. Joshua is a manager at FishBurgers who walks home alone every evening. One night, he comes across an unusual blue-haired woman sitting on a bench. He's thrown for a loop when she tells him where she's from, but he doesn't mind. Sometimes love can be a little quirky, sometimes it can be a lot quirky.
Rojuun
by John H. Carroll
Price: Free! 95530 words. Published on November 24, 2010. Fiction.
(4.90 from 10 reviews)
Book 1 of The Willden Trilogy: Rumors are spreading about a new race called Rojuun. They appeared from the depths of the mountains eight hundred years ago with the intention of taking over the world. Tathan of the Shadows has been charged with learning more about them. However, he must learn more about his very unusual companions before he can succeed.
Price: Free! 95530 words. Published on November 24, 2010. Fiction.
(4.90 from 10 reviews) Book 1 of The Willden Trilogy: Rumors are spreading about a new race called Rojuun. They appeared from the depths of the mountains eight hundred years ago with the intention of taking over the world. Tathan of the Shadows has been charged with learning more about them. However, he must learn more about his very unusual companions before he can succeed.
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Smashwords book reviews by John H. Carroll
- The Descent
on Dec. 22, 2010
I liked this and had a fun time reading it. The words flowed smoothly for the most part and made it easy to read. It's about a man with his mind in the clouds. The perfect story for any dreamer. I found myself wondering what was seen in that cloud. Perhaps the writer's imagination?
- The Book of Deacon
on Feb. 27, 2012
As an avid reader of fantasy, sometimes it's hard to try someone new rather than re-reading books I love, but I'm so glad I opened this book. It didn't take long to get involved in Myranda's fate. I found myself nervewracked by what could happen next and had a hard time putting the book down. The characters Myranda meets are fascinating and easy to like. I feel so bad for Deacon though and hope things work out for him. My only two critisms are the lack of chapters, which makes finding my place hard if I swipe up or down on my Kindle instead of sideways, and a few instances of head jumping between characters. These are not enough to truly detract from the story though. :) I've picked up the next two and am halfway through the second. I can't wait to get back to it. :)
- The Great Convergence
on March 05, 2012
An excellent sequel and I can't wait to get to the third. I don't like that the baddies seem invincible and hope that the good guys start to have some successes! Like the first book, the head hopping is a bit disconcerting where the viewpoint switches from one character to the next between paragraphs, but I'm getting used to it.
- The Battle of Verril
on July 18, 2012
(no rating)
The third book is the best and wraps the trilogy up nicely. Myranda comes into her own and shines. I like strong heroines. Myranda holds true to her beliefs throughout all and inspires everyone else. The build up to the ending is finely crafted. It does get frustrating when the heroes keep walking into the exact same traps over and over. I felt like smacking them in the back of the head. But it's also nice to see villains that are every bit as nasty as they're supposed to be. By the end, I wanted them all destroyed. My favorite characters are Ivy, Myn and Deacon. Lain is a bit too sullen for me and Ether is incredibly foolish for someone who's supposed to have been watching the world since it came into existence. My absolute favorite is Myranda though. She's lived a tough life and remains strong and resolute throughout all three stories. Strong leading women are my favorite. :)
- Nature Abhors a Vacuum
on Aug. 16, 2012
Have you ever read one of those books where you're instantly interested in the main character? Yeah. This is it. It starts with a prologue of an incident in the Aiden Wainwright's youth. Chapter 1 begins with him as an adult who has been defined by that incident. The city they're in has been shut down and someone has to get through for supplies. A number of characters join him along the way. Each one of these people have their own personality and are given the time to develop to the point where the reader is invested in what happens to each and every one. My favorite is the cleric, Nellise. (I have a thing for beautiful clerics, but . . . ) Actually, my biggest complaint about these books is that Nellise's life is going to suck. I'm certain it will end badly. *sigh* The dialogue has humor scattered throughout, the battle scenes are vivid and intense, and the characters make you like or hate them. For the first time in a long while, I found myself staying up late, not wanting to put the book down. I truly recommend this to anyone who likes high fantasy. At over 200,000 words, it's a tale of epic proportions that reads fast.
- Brynn, the Exorcist
on Feb. 13, 2013
I enjoyed this! It's very far out of my typical genre of epic fantasy. I've had a few odd looks when I've told people that I was reading Christian Horror, but if you think about it, it's the perfect category. Demons and angels fighting for the souls of ordinary humans where the ultimate prize for us is Heaven or Hell. Brynn the Exorcist is book 1 in a series currently being written. It introduces the characters Brynn Duvaine and Anthony Russo to the reader. Brynn is a psychologist working with victims of the worst sorts of violence from their childhoods. Anthony is a pastor suffering from the worst sort of disease any person of god can suffer, Vanity. I came to like Brynn right away. She's a strong female lead who begins as a skeptic about anything slightly out of the normal. Making it harder is that the forces of evil try to encourage that skepticism. Sometimes it takes great willpower and some divine assistance to rise above it. Once she overcomes that skepticism, she proceeds with devout determination and courage. Brynn suffers and has doubts, as all people do, but she pushes through and does what she believes to be right. She is a true heroine who I came to feel a connection to. Pastor Anthony goes through moments where he believes himself to be brilliant and moments where he believes himself to be a failure. There is much more happening behind the scenes that the author hasn't told us yet though. I believe there will be more revealed in future books. My favorite characters are the demons that possess us innocent humans. I'm totally claiming possession the next time my wife blames me for something. ;) But the demons are delightfully evil and each has its own twist. If anything, they could be even more vile, as could Lilith. I occasionally wished I could be even more frightened. On the negative side. I didn't like the husband at all. He didn't seem to have a lot of redeeming qualities, and the ones he did have, he lost sight of along the way. Also, there were a few instances where I was told a conversation, or something else happened, but I think it would have been better to read about it while it happened. The last thing was some mild head hopping between characters without a *** break in perspective. It either wasn't too terrible, or I'm just becoming use to it in books these days. None of the negatives were enough to detract from a superb story that was well-written and well edited. :) I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys horror, especially with demons. There is heavy Christian revelation and enlightenment, but it's very thoughtful and adds to the story rather than detracting.
- Priscilla the Great
on March 04, 2013
If Nancy Drew had a child one of the X-Men, you'd have someone almost as awesome as Priscilla the Great. This story is written for preteens through young adults, but it's an excellent read for all ages. As far as why I chose to read it instead of one of my normal fantasy books, well . . . slight confession: I've read all the Nancy Drew series, most of the Hardy Boys, all the Tom Swift, all the Cherry Ames . . . and lots of other books geared to young adult. It's what I read before someone introduced me to my first Xanth book at the age of 14. I've actually had this one in my Kindle for over a year now (along with a bazillion other books, or however many the Kindle holds) I really, really, really enjoyed this book. Priscilla is a likable character who goes through the standard frustrations of a 12 year old, but also has a few twists thrown in. She's not without her personality flaws, but they're realistic and the reader can totally sympathize with them. She's got a brothers that make her life difficult, as brothers are supposed to do, and an overprotective father. Her mother is always absent, which upsets Priscilla more than perhaps anything. A couple of boys and a best friend complicate matters, as they should. That's their job after all. Then information about the Selliwood Institute starts to appear. I can't tell you too much without giving spoilers. Mix in shady experiments, children, government plots and you get a story that's filled with adventure, danger and mystery. There's no end to the suspense. I started reading and didn't stop until I had finished the story a few hours later. The only negative I found was that certain things stretch believability a little bit, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story, and it might not be a problem for it's target audience, which is probably people under the age of 40. *chuckling* I highly recommend this book for preteens on up. It's a great story with characters that the reader can relate to. I've already purchased the next in the series and will be getting more as I finish each one. Oh yeah, there's about 8 or so of them, so it's plenty to keep a reader interested.