Bookslayer: A review of what I just read

Title:Night SlayerSeries: Midnight WarAuthor: William MassaGenre: Supernatural Thrillers & Suspense.Length: 183 pagesPublisher: Critical Mass PublishingFormat: EbookRelease Date: 08/18/2018Price: $0.99 at time of reviewFROM COP TO DEMON HUNTER.My Name is Jason Night. I’m a SWAT Team Commander and former Marine. I’ve experienced a lot of crazy shit in my life, and I don’t scare easily. At least not until today. After seeing my whole team get wiped out by a succubus and nearly dying myself, I’ve been recruited by a mysterious sorceress to become a soldier in a new war.Most of us use, or have heard of Goodreads. Every year Goodreads has an annual challenge. You as the user, pick some books to read throughout the year. The number of books is up to you. This year I challenged myself to read thirty books. I'm off to a slow start. So far I've read two. I started my third yesterday. Of the two, I was so impressed with one of them I thought I'd share my review.The book is Night Slayer: The Midnight War, by William Massa. It is a dark urban fantasy story. Like others in this genre events push the protagonist, Jason Night, into a hidden world. This world exists within our own sense of reality, but is bigger, scarier, and more dangerous.If you're a fan of television shows like: Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire slayer, Angel, or Grimm, then you'll like this book.If you were to compare it a book series, the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher would be an accurate comparison. The Dresden Files created and defined today's urban fantasy genre. Night Slayer doesn't reinvent the wheel of urban fantasy. But it brings fresh ideas to the genre that keeps the book from feeling like something you've read before.Jason Night is a former Marine, that begins the story as a SWAT team captain. He is the best at what he does. His team members are the best at what they do. He knows danger, and he's no stranger to death. There isn't a threat that his experience and skill can't overcome. That is until chapter two.Jason and his team of elites are overwhelmed by an evil they've never encountered, much less understand. Jason narrowly escapes death at the hands of a demon. His team wasn't so lucky.In his escape Jason meets an ancient sorceress, who strikes a pact with him. In exchange for saving his life Jason becomes her weapon, her soldier, her Night Slayer. With his teammates deaths fresh on his mind, Jason agrees. Besides saving his life, the sorceress makes Jason stronger, faster, and grants him the ability of magic.My Review of Night SlayerNight Slayer, is the first book in the Midnight War series by William Massa. Like I said, if you're into the mentioned shows, or books akin to the Dresden Files you'll like this book. I am fans of all the above.That said there was very little I didn't like about this story. Here is my review on Goodreads.Massa has an impeccable editor/proofreader.Massa's writing is so inviting and immersive that you can't see/don't care about small errors.Chances are its a little bit of both.*Something that could be better*1. Now one thing that didn't appeal to me was Jason's plain lack of self control when it comes to sex. It's obvious that Jason's disciplined. It's also obvious that Jason has feelings for the sorceress that helps him. But, despite these two facts, Jason engages with other women on several occasions. It doesn't track with the character established in other areas of the book.*Something I really liked*1. One of the subtle (but cool things) I noticed is how Massa writes the protagonist's thoughts. The story's narrated in first person. When I write I italicize a character's thoughts when revealing inner dialogue. So do many authors, George R Martin is an example.Massa instead allows Jason's inner dialogue to run as normal text. This is interesting because Jason and the Sorceress share a telepathic link. This link will sometimes surprise Jason, and by extent the reader. Jason will be deep in thought. The reader will be gaining insight into his thought process when the Sorceress interjects her opinion. It surprises both Jason and the reader. It feels almost as if the fourth wall shattered, but not quite. It's a neat trick, and one I haven't seen before now.2. Another boon to the story is that the book doesn't end on a cliffhanger.The battle is won, but the war is far from over.The above text is telling of this book. Much like Harry Potter, each book seems to bring the protagonist closer to the final confrontation. Like Harry Potter, it ties up the story of the moment with each book. This should leave readers satisfied, but still hungry for more. The alternative being readers feeling cheated and forced to buy further into the series to gain satisfaction.ConclusionI enjoyed this book and Massa's storytelling ability. I will most likely read the series to conclusion after I've finished a few other books on my 'To Read' list. And despite my criticism of the protagonist's weird duality, it doesn't detract from the story. Therefore I give Night Slayer:Midnight War 5 stars for an exciting read. If you like content like this, or if you have a particular book you'd like me to review let me know in the comments!To meet my goal I'm reading at least three books a month. I'm about to finish up a LitRpg book,Accidental Thief by C.J Davis and then I'll probably start A Dog's Way Home, by W. Bruce Cameron