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Location: United Kingdom

Member Since: Feb. 25, 2016

Alex Jon Blythe

Smashwords book reviews by Alex Jon Blythe

The Death Of The Motherless Kitten on Feb. 25, 2016

Strange Lovecraft-esque, brooding piece with a bit of David Lynch thrown in. It's dark tone won't be for everyone, no story ever is, but if you want to feel just a little *unsettled* for ten minutes I recommend not to pass this up. Huang has a style of writing that haunts and balances on forbidden boundaries unashamedly.
Another Child on Feb. 25, 2016

The twist is there but doesn't come as a twist should - like a brick to the head. What would have helped would have been a little foreshadowing earlier on, which could have been used as the momentum for the wrecking ball. I couldn't say *what* foreshadowing without spoilers (800 words is difficult to dissect without giving the game away). Nevertheless, the intent was there; it didn't spook me personally but it doesn't mean it won't spook others.
The Skin Worshipper on Feb. 26, 2016

I will be honest and say I only made it to Chapter 14 before giving up entirely. The story has a good premise, hence the first star. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver on the expected chills. The suspense falls flat when it could have easily nailed you to the seat, and the tension is none existent. The problem is the characterisation. I really wanted to feel for them, especially the hikers, but none of them had a personality. Yes, they all had back story, but the execution of the character traits was unemotional when their pasts could have so easily given them strong identities. The character of Hawk for example. Instead of thinking 'Man, I'm so sorry', it was more of oh-hum situation. Internally and externally he was a cardboard cut-out. As a first draft, the story has potential, LOTS of potential, but as a completed work as it stands, it cannot inject that adrenalin a story of this type needs. I hate to be over critical, writing a novel isn't a walk down a sunny street, but I hope it helps the author in some way.