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Before Leonora Wakes (Division #1)

by Lee Thompson (Goodreads Author)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 29 ratings · 14 reviews

In the first Division Mythos novel Red Piccirilli is a runt, a dreamer, a naive boy with an imaginary friend and little else. But right before summer vacation starts he finds an albino girl trapped in a shed behind a local house. After Red frees her, the world he knew quickly unravels into something more mysterious—an unsteady reality where a man with silver teeth and buzz...more

Kindle Edition, First

Published 2010 by Bloodberry Market

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Feb 06, 2013 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books, horror, kids-and-teens, kindle-lendable

Lee Thompson has written an online serial novel, The Collected Songs of Sonnelion, which will be available just a couple more weeks.

I started reading and it looks really good, but I wanted to get to know Red Piccirilli as a little boy first and then see him grow up. So I started with the first novella in the Division Mythos which takes place during the 1960’s in a small town in Michigan.

Red is 13 years old and looking forward to his summer vacation. He has an imaginary friend named Pig who does...more Lee Thompson has written an online serial novel, The Collected Songs of Sonnelion, which will be available just a couple more weeks.

I started reading and it looks really good, but I wanted to get to know Red Piccirilli as a little boy first and then see him grow up. So I started with the first novella in the Division Mythos which takes place during the 1960’s in a small town in Michigan.

Red is 13 years old and looking forward to his summer vacation. He has an imaginary friend named Pig who doesn’t disappear as such friends are supposed to; instead, he becomes a close friend who wants to prove to Red just how real he is. Red is a kind and sensitive boy, but the bullies who torment him think he’s weird.

Their adventures begin when they encounter a scary looking guy who lives on the wrong side of the tracks and a girl who needs rescuing in a big way. When Pig starts to act differently because of Leonora, and Red’s friend Amy goes missing, Red has some serious choices to make.

This is a horror story, but it is also a coming-of-age tale. I love the relationship Red has with his sister, Maggie, and his parents. Unlike other stories where parents are undeveloped, flat, unrealistic or unlikable, Red’s parents are very real and sympathetic characters.

Red’s conversation with his dad after he caught him smoking a joint in the garage was very touching. There was an undercurrent of sadness, hurt, a sharing of secrets and quiet understanding.

“Just because someone believes something doesn’t make it true, and all of our opinions are colored by things that have hurt us. She’s not always right, about what she says or believes. Neither am I. Sometimes we think we have all the answers, but we don’t. We’re lucky if we even have partial answers.”

Poor Red...if only life was so simple and people didn’t change and good friends were forever.

The sweet ending warmed my heart and brought a little tear to my eye. I know this is only the beginning and Red’s story is far from over. I just hope that his inner strength and determination is enough to keep battling the dark forces that surround him.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the rest of the series.
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27 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Gef rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, dark-fantasy

I figured if I was going to dive into Lee Thompson's Division mythos, I needed to start at the very beginning, and that meant reading his novella, Before Leonora Wakes, a coming-of-age adventure focusing on the boyhood version of Red Piccirilli.

Set in 1960s Michigan, Red is a twelve-year-old boy whose only friend, Pig, is imaginary. Always up for adventures together, they see a strange man who not only appears to possess supernatural abilities, but can also see Pig, which frightens the imaginary...more I figured if I was going to dive into Lee Thompson's Division mythos, I needed to start at the very beginning, and that meant reading his novella, Before Leonora Wakes, a coming-of-age adventure focusing on the boyhood version of Red Piccirilli.

Set in 1960s Michigan, Red is a twelve-year-old boy whose only friend, Pig, is imaginary. Always up for adventures together, they see a strange man who not only appears to possess supernatural abilities, but can also see Pig, which frightens the imaginary sidekick. They follow the stranger to his home though, hoping to find out his secret, and wind up discovering there is a little girl trapped in a cage inside the stranger's shed. Despite the menace that radiates from the man, Pig convinces Red they need to rescue the girl. But they've already been warned by the stranger to stay away, and when a new friend of Red's named Amy goes missing, the stakes are raised even more.

Red is an immensely intriguing character, complemented by his relationships and decisions throughout the story. The quickly evolving relationship he has with his imaginary friend, Pig, was especially engrossing. At first, it's not quite clear if Pig is a ghost or pure concoction, but he certainly takes on a life of his own and exhibits his own motivations and desires as the story progresses. Red, in reaction to this, is faced with whether the friendship he has with Pig is as innocent and mutually beneficial as he always took for granted.

The rescue story really hearkened to those wonderful childhood stories of wanting to be the knight in shining armor who saves the damsel in distress. It's the kind of story that nearly every boy daydreams about at some point in their childhood, with the only real difference among us is the monster we must face. In Red's case, the monster is nothing like what he expected, and even when its true face is shown, he's still unsure of himself and his allegiances.

Before Leonora Wakes reminded me of Clive Barker's The Thief of Always in spots, as well as Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, two other magnificent coming-of-age tales with hefty doses of the supernatural. It's a little rough around in the edges in spots, like the moments Red spends at home with his parents, but the family dynamic itself is rough around the edges, so I'm unsure how much I can criticize that at all. What I will say is that for a hundred pages of magic and mystery, the story feels remarkably grand in scope and definitely had me eager to read more stories set in Lee's Division.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 K.E. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Before Leonora Wakes by Lee Thompson

A scrawny twelve-year-old, Red Piccirilli has almost outgrown his imaginary friend, Pig. In Before Leonora Wakes, they will set out on one last adventure together. A wizard with silver teeth keeps a princess locked in a cage and Pig is determined to rescue her, even as Red’s own princess goes missing. Soon, Red stands alone against forces he doesn’t understand, as he struggles to find his strength, battling betrayal and the consequences of his mistakes. Red mu...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am not a fan of YA because it’s usually so YA. This was not. While the theme may have been accessible enough for a younger audience it still had more than enough depth to interest readers of all ages. I was immediately drawn to Red and Pig from the very beginning and was completely intrigued by their relationship. I was actually bummed when Pig “changed” and their friendship deteriorated. In some ways, it reminded me of a twisted childhood fairy tale. Very solid work from Lee Thompson. I defin...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2011 Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Awesome! A fanatastic debut, which wets this reader's appetite for Lee's novel, Nursery Rhymes 4 Dead Children. Seriously folks, this is one ebook that you will not regret buying and I challenge any reader to put this one down after sampling a couple of chapters. Spooktacular, magical fiction for most age groups. Rediscover the joy of storytelling and read what happens when Leonora Wakes.

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 17, 2012 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, horror-extreme-horror

Red and his imaginary friend, Pig, really grabbed my attention. I actually felt bad for Pig for a moment or two (wanting to be a real boy) but then when the princess is saved, the detail and conversations that Red and Pig had that I found so engaging came to a halt and the story kinda fell off a little with all the 'Why would God let this happen' questions and reflections on the things that were happening. I would have also liked to have read/learned more about the angel and the other world, but...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hard-to-find, e-reader, young-adult, lendable-kindle

I enjoyed the read. The boys' friendship was fascinating and the writing is pitch-perfect.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 kisha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-suspense

"All these people moving through life all around me, and no one, not a single person, knows what I'm going through." (my favorite line)

It was a good read. Very good storytelling. I loved the many themes; friendship, betrayal,loyalty, sacrifice, courage. The story taught many lessons especially for a younger crowd but even adults could learn a thing or two from this magical fantasy story. This was a very dark story and magical. I must admit I'm more of a realist so following some of the fantasy w...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good little story for the teenage and YA group. Good overcomes evil...for now anyway. A hint of romance, adventure with a strong family moral base. It leaves the ending with the possibility for a series which we may see in the future. Oh! And remember all is not what it seems!

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Feb 20, 2012 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, 2012-reads

It is always a pleasure to read the first book in a series and realize that you have a whole group of books to look forward to. That is how I felt when I finished Before Lenora Wakes. Great characterization and a compelling plot highlight this introduction to a dark world where nothing is as it seems. Where monstrous exteriors do not speak to the true character and seeming innocence and helplessness belies a powerful malevolence. And it is going to get darker from here. In the last year I have d...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 15, 2011 Glen Krisch rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, how was this written by a new author? As a follow-up, Thompson's debut novel will soon be out from Delirium. After reading Before Leonora Wakes, I'm waiting in line for his next release.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 29, 2013 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review to come soon. This is a fantastic book. I loved it!

1 like · like · see review

Jun 05, 2012 Charlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, loanable-but-loaned-already

This is the first novella in the Division Mythos by Lee Thompson and I just loved it.

A young boy is finding out that all is not as it seems, not even his invisible friend. Despite being bullied a bit here and there, Red Piccirilli is a very brave boy on the verge of becoming a man.

This story sucked me in and I just felt so much for Red. His sensitivity and bravery were some of the things that attracted me to him and I can't wait to read more. I highly recommend this novella!

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 03, 2011 Jennifer | Book Den rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age

Loved it! Before Leonora Wakes is a very imaginative, dark, coming of age story. Highly recommended.

2 likes · like · see review

May 26, 2013 Narayanan marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Kate marked it as to-read

Shelves: 1-kindle-loanable-titles

Apr 28, 2013 Amy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Apr 12, 2013 Traci L. marked it as to-read

Apr 01, 2013 Bryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

Mar 23, 2013 Robby marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle-edition, horror

Mar 22, 2013 Steph marked it as to-read

Mar 21, 2013 Oskar marked it as to-read

Apr 22, 2013 Maxine Marsh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror

Feb 24, 2013 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

Feb 08, 2013 Sara marked it as to-read

Jun 01, 2013 Patrickmalka rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jan 22, 2013 James marked it as to-read

Feb 28, 2013 Jason rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, read-2013

Jan 20, 2013 Sadia marked it as to-read

Jan 18, 2013 Randolph Carter marked it as to-read

Shelves: fiction, horror

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Horror Aficionados : BEFORE LEONORA WAKES (Division #1) Giveaway	2	80	Sep 09, 2012 12:45pm
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About Lee Thompson

I write dark fiction. I want to make people feel and make them think. That's my dream. I will also be writing under the names Thomas Morgan, James Logan, and Julian Vaughn. Some of my favorite authors: Clive Barker, Donald Westlake, Peter Straub, Stephen King, Greg Gifune, Lee Thomas, William Faulkner, Robert Dunbar, John Gardner, Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, John Connolly, Jack Cady, Tom Picc...more I write dark fiction. I want to make people feel and make them think. That's my dream. I will also be writing under the names Thomas Morgan, James Logan, and Julian Vaughn. Some of my favorite authors: Clive Barker, Donald Westlake, Peter Straub, Stephen King, Greg Gifune, Lee Thomas, William Faulkner, Robert Dunbar, John Gardner, Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, John Connolly, Jack Cady, Tom Piccirilli, Brian Hodge, Douglas Clegg, Jack Ketchum, Lee Child, James Lee Burke, and Cormac McCarthy.

"10 out of 10 Stars... GOSSAMER: A TALE OF LOVE AND TRAGEDY will blow you away my friends. It is that good." -- Peter Schwotzer/Famous Monsters of Filmland.

"WHEN WE JOIN JESUS IN HELL is as crazy as its tormented protagonist. Hard as nails.” – Jack Ketchum

“Lee Thompson knows his horror-noir. He fuses both genres together in the turmoil of terror, tragedy, blood, guilt, and lost chances at redemption.”–Tom Piccirilli, author of THE LAST KIND WORDS

"The voice of the deputy feels authentic: brooding, soulful, haunted. In fact, there’s a heartfelt quality to the whole grim book. Even some of the most grisly moments manage to be poetic and full of emotion, and the author’s literary influences echo loudly. At times, the mood evokes Piccirilli or Braunbeck or Gifune combined with Sherwood Anderson."-- Robert Dunbar, author of WILLY, THE PINES, and THE SHORE

“Thompson’s voice is his own — strong, hypnotic, and unsettling. Nursery Rhymes 4 Dead Children is a bleak fucking book, and therein lies its danger. So beautifully-constructed is Thompson’s prose, that the reader is often caught off-guard, mesmerized by a turn of phrase or a descriptive passage, until the book grabs you by the balls and rips them right off, breaking your heart and your psyche in the process.” — Brian Keene, author of GHOUL, DARK HOLLOW and THE RISING.

"I’ve said it many times and believe it more everyday, Lee Thompson is not only the next big name at Delirium Books but in the genre." – Shane Ryan Staley at Darkfuse Publications.

"The Dampness of Mourning is a riveting Thriller..." Midwest Book Review.

"Lee Thompson’s prose is electric!" — Bob Freeman, author of DESCENDANT.

"Like a dark Twilight Zone meets Alfred Hitchcock Mystery." -- Lee Thompson, author of NURSERY RHYMES 4 DEAD CHILDREN.

http://leethompsonfiction.com
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Before Leonora Wakes (Division #1)

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