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The Watchtower #1
The Watchtower
His first day of work wasn't what Martin Cunningham expected. A sultry boss, a classy receptionist, the drama-queen foreigner, and a painfully shy techie who prefers hiding to human interaction, was the oddest group of characters he'd ever met. When an assassination attempt is made against his new boss, Martin comes face to face with the stuff of nightmares.
Now he and his new co-workers must race to prevent another attack, but where do they start? There's very little to go on, and the only solid piece of evidence escaped through the u-bend in the toilet. By the end of the day, Martin becomes one of the privileged few who really understands what lies in the shadows, and what it means to work in THE WATCHTOWER.
Now he and his new co-workers must race to prevent another attack, but where do they start? There's very little to go on, and the only solid piece of evidence escaped through the u-bend in the toilet. By the end of the day, Martin becomes one of the privileged few who really understands what lies in the shadows, and what it means to work in THE WATCHTOWER.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2011
49 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Darke Conteur
10 books38 followersDarke Conteur writes stories within the realms of Science Fiction and fantasy because she can’t settle on one genre and doesn’t think she should. She has no awards under her belt, no diplomas from college or university. All she has is a vivid imagination and a need to create.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 14, 2012
The Watchtower is written by Darke Conteur and is published through Smashwords and Amazon. This is a six chapter, 27,732 word paranormal novella.
Darke Conteur is a stay at home mum who is at the mercy of her muse writing anything from the paranormal to science fiction. Darke lives with her husband, son, two cats, one kitten and a ghost dog. She runs her own blog where she aids other writers to be heard posting interviews and news from the writing world, as well as updates on her own work and hobbies. Darke’s passion for writing began in her mid-teens. At 16 she completed her first novel but the manuscript was lost, she hopes to one day re-write the story with a “more scifi feel”.
Martin Cunningham is at a loss, with no job he fears for starvation and the loss of his home. Sending out job applications is a regular thing next to receiving no replies. Deciding to follow up on an application several weeks old, Martin finds himself asked to attend the creepy office of a mysterious lady by the name of Jezryall. However what is more creepy, the gothic surroundings reminiscent of Dracula’s castle or the mysterious package he was asked to deliver by a scaredy cat courier? And why is everyone so frightened by a harmless object?
Sometimes things happen for a reason and events have a tendency to occur when they are supposed to. Danger can lurk around any corner and even the most innocent of looking packages can be deceiving and in this case they really are. When Martin’s would be employer receives a mysterious package the race is on to find out exactly what it is and where it came from but was Martin supposed to be there? A job application he has not heard from, he decides instinctively to contact and is asked for an interview. Was it fate?
With Jezryall not used to receiving packages of any kind, Martin’s interview is about to get very hands on and unbelievable. Will Martin survive the interview? Who are the Gemini? Who or what is Jezryall? Who is trying to kill her? and why?
With their lives in danger and Martin completely out of his comfort zone, does Martin get the job? And if so after everything, will he still want it?
The Watchtower is a novella at less than thirty thousand words therefore the story moves quite quickly. For me I feel this story should have been a little longer to fully appreciate all the story has to offer as it comes together in a whole. There are a number of interesting aspects, magical spells and abilities present within the story, so many in fact I do not feel that each quite get enough reader time to understand them, as well as characters.
I enjoyed this story very much but it did read very quickly which can be frustrating for people who like to flesh out their characters and stories. At times I feel there were moments when the pace should have changed to aid in visualisation. I would recommend The Watchtower to anyone with an interest in the supernatural. If this story is anything to go by then Darke Conteur is someone to watch out for, I would definitely like to see something longer by this author. I give The Watchtower by Darke Conteur 4 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Darke Conteur is a stay at home mum who is at the mercy of her muse writing anything from the paranormal to science fiction. Darke lives with her husband, son, two cats, one kitten and a ghost dog. She runs her own blog where she aids other writers to be heard posting interviews and news from the writing world, as well as updates on her own work and hobbies. Darke’s passion for writing began in her mid-teens. At 16 she completed her first novel but the manuscript was lost, she hopes to one day re-write the story with a “more scifi feel”.
Martin Cunningham is at a loss, with no job he fears for starvation and the loss of his home. Sending out job applications is a regular thing next to receiving no replies. Deciding to follow up on an application several weeks old, Martin finds himself asked to attend the creepy office of a mysterious lady by the name of Jezryall. However what is more creepy, the gothic surroundings reminiscent of Dracula’s castle or the mysterious package he was asked to deliver by a scaredy cat courier? And why is everyone so frightened by a harmless object?
Sometimes things happen for a reason and events have a tendency to occur when they are supposed to. Danger can lurk around any corner and even the most innocent of looking packages can be deceiving and in this case they really are. When Martin’s would be employer receives a mysterious package the race is on to find out exactly what it is and where it came from but was Martin supposed to be there? A job application he has not heard from, he decides instinctively to contact and is asked for an interview. Was it fate?
With Jezryall not used to receiving packages of any kind, Martin’s interview is about to get very hands on and unbelievable. Will Martin survive the interview? Who are the Gemini? Who or what is Jezryall? Who is trying to kill her? and why?
With their lives in danger and Martin completely out of his comfort zone, does Martin get the job? And if so after everything, will he still want it?
The Watchtower is a novella at less than thirty thousand words therefore the story moves quite quickly. For me I feel this story should have been a little longer to fully appreciate all the story has to offer as it comes together in a whole. There are a number of interesting aspects, magical spells and abilities present within the story, so many in fact I do not feel that each quite get enough reader time to understand them, as well as characters.
I enjoyed this story very much but it did read very quickly which can be frustrating for people who like to flesh out their characters and stories. At times I feel there were moments when the pace should have changed to aid in visualisation. I would recommend The Watchtower to anyone with an interest in the supernatural. If this story is anything to go by then Darke Conteur is someone to watch out for, I would definitely like to see something longer by this author. I give The Watchtower by Darke Conteur 4 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
March 31, 2012
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell
I am a BIG lover of the fantasy and paranormal world. I always love when authors manage to mix both worlds together in unique and fun ways. The Watchtower is a novel that fits both worlds. There were aspects of the book I enjoyed and aspects I believe could use some work.
The story opens right smack in the middle of intrigue and mysterious fantasy. As a reader, I was instantly drawn into the story through my eager curiosity. The characters come into the story cloaked in magic and strong personalities. I liked Aslin right from the beginning and he remained my favorite character throughout my time reading the novella. He is an authoritative, no-nonsense type of guy,but also kind and wise. I also couldn’t help,but love the fact that he was Scottish *wink*
Martin was an alright lead. He often times lacked common sense and was too gullible. I was also rather frustrated with the fact that he fell head over heels for his new boss and for some ridiculous reason, trusted not only his new boss, but new teammates when he knew nothing about them. He spent his time gawking at his new boss or making stupid decisions. His character did manage to redeem himself later in the action scenes. Barb was a fierce and strong willed woman. I liked her gift and appreciated the fact that the author created a female character with both power and brains. Daniel is cute and sweet, but he also acts too childish at times and a bit useless. Jezryall is never really developed. She is the blandest character out of the set and very underwhelming considering the power she holds.
The plot is fairly interesting but the execution lacked the “wow” power to really show off what the author was hoping to accomplish. There were moments of suspense, scenes full of action and alluring revelations, but the actions of the characters, particularly Martin and Jezryall, as well as the dialogue dampened some of those scenes. The actions scenes though were written pretty well and were probably the best scenes from the novella.
I did like the mixture of Greek mythology and Christian storytelling. I also liked the idea behind the zombies. Although, the mixtures of Greek and zombies were a bit odd and out of leftfield; as a reader I found the connection hard to connect together even for a fantasy story. There just seemed to be something missing within the plotline.
I do not usually comment on the level of grammar errors within a novel because I realize that editing can’t always be perfect and for an Indie author, it can be difficult to find a good editor for an affordable price. But since at the beginning of the novella, the author gives notice that it had been copyedited, I had noticed many places where words were misspelled and the amount of commas used. It became a bit distracting at times.
The Watchtower is one of those stories with such a high level of potential and refreshing concept that, even with its many flaws, I would still recommend reading. Perhaps if the author looked into a good content edit or extending the novella to more pages, both the story and characters would be fleshed out better.
The author’s voice is strong with sarcasm underneath. I am curious to see what other stories the author comes up with and how she grows as a writer. The Watchtower is a short and quick read fantasy fans will have fun reading.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
I am a BIG lover of the fantasy and paranormal world. I always love when authors manage to mix both worlds together in unique and fun ways. The Watchtower is a novel that fits both worlds. There were aspects of the book I enjoyed and aspects I believe could use some work.
The story opens right smack in the middle of intrigue and mysterious fantasy. As a reader, I was instantly drawn into the story through my eager curiosity. The characters come into the story cloaked in magic and strong personalities. I liked Aslin right from the beginning and he remained my favorite character throughout my time reading the novella. He is an authoritative, no-nonsense type of guy,but also kind and wise. I also couldn’t help,but love the fact that he was Scottish *wink*
Martin was an alright lead. He often times lacked common sense and was too gullible. I was also rather frustrated with the fact that he fell head over heels for his new boss and for some ridiculous reason, trusted not only his new boss, but new teammates when he knew nothing about them. He spent his time gawking at his new boss or making stupid decisions. His character did manage to redeem himself later in the action scenes. Barb was a fierce and strong willed woman. I liked her gift and appreciated the fact that the author created a female character with both power and brains. Daniel is cute and sweet, but he also acts too childish at times and a bit useless. Jezryall is never really developed. She is the blandest character out of the set and very underwhelming considering the power she holds.
The plot is fairly interesting but the execution lacked the “wow” power to really show off what the author was hoping to accomplish. There were moments of suspense, scenes full of action and alluring revelations, but the actions of the characters, particularly Martin and Jezryall, as well as the dialogue dampened some of those scenes. The actions scenes though were written pretty well and were probably the best scenes from the novella.
I did like the mixture of Greek mythology and Christian storytelling. I also liked the idea behind the zombies. Although, the mixtures of Greek and zombies were a bit odd and out of leftfield; as a reader I found the connection hard to connect together even for a fantasy story. There just seemed to be something missing within the plotline.
I do not usually comment on the level of grammar errors within a novel because I realize that editing can’t always be perfect and for an Indie author, it can be difficult to find a good editor for an affordable price. But since at the beginning of the novella, the author gives notice that it had been copyedited, I had noticed many places where words were misspelled and the amount of commas used. It became a bit distracting at times.
The Watchtower is one of those stories with such a high level of potential and refreshing concept that, even with its many flaws, I would still recommend reading. Perhaps if the author looked into a good content edit or extending the novella to more pages, both the story and characters would be fleshed out better.
The author’s voice is strong with sarcasm underneath. I am curious to see what other stories the author comes up with and how she grows as a writer. The Watchtower is a short and quick read fantasy fans will have fun reading.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
August 8, 2012
I am a BIG lover of the fantasy and paranormal world. I always love when authors manage to mix both worlds together in unique and fun ways. The Watchtower is a novel that fits both worlds. There were aspects of the book I enjoyed and aspects I believe could use some work.
The story opens right smack in the middle of intrigue and mysterious fantasy. As a reader, I was instantly drawn into the story through my eager curiosity. The characters come into the story cloaked in magic and strong personalities. I liked Aslin right from the beginning and he remained my favorite character throughout my time reading the novella. He is an authoritative, no-nonsense type of guy,but also kind and wise. I also couldn’t help,but love the fact that he was Scottish *wink*
Martin was an alright lead. He often times lacked common sense and was too gullible. I was also rather frustrated with the fact that he fell head over heels for his new boss and for some ridiculous reason, trusted not only his new boss, but new teammates when he knew nothing about them. He spent his time gawking at his new boss or making stupid decisions. His character did manage to redeem himself later in the action scenes. Barb was a fierce and strong willed woman. I liked her gift and appreciated the fact that the author created a female character with both power and brains. Daniel is cute and sweet, but he also acts too childish at times and a bit useless. Jezryall is never really developed. She is the blandest character out of the set and very underwhelming considering the power she holds.
The plot is fairly interesting but the execution lacked the “wow” power to really show off what the author was hoping to accomplish. There were moments of suspense, scenes full of action and alluring revelations, but the actions of the characters, particularly Martin and Jezryall, as well as the dialogue dampened some of those scenes. The actions scenes though were written pretty well and were probably the best scenes from the novella.
I did like the mixture of Greek mythology and Christian storytelling. I also liked the idea behind the zombies. Although, the mixtures of Greek and zombies were a bit odd and out of leftfield; as a reader I found the connection hard to connect together even for a fantasy story. There just seemed to be something missing within the plotline.
I do not usually comment on the level of grammar errors within a novel because I realize that editing can’t always be perfect and for an Indie author, it can be difficult to find a good editor for an affordable price. But since at the beginning of the novella, the author gives notice that it had been copyedited, I had noticed many places where words were misspelled and the amount of commas used. It became a bit distracting at times.
The Watchtower is one of those stories with such a high level of potential and refreshing concept that, even with its many flaws, I would still recommend reading. Perhaps if the author looked into a good content edit or extending the novella to more pages, both the story and characters would be fleshed out better.
The author’s voice is strong with sarcasm underneath. I am curious to see what other stories the author comes up with and how she grows as a writer. The Watchtower is a short and quick read fantasy fans will have fun reading.
The story opens right smack in the middle of intrigue and mysterious fantasy. As a reader, I was instantly drawn into the story through my eager curiosity. The characters come into the story cloaked in magic and strong personalities. I liked Aslin right from the beginning and he remained my favorite character throughout my time reading the novella. He is an authoritative, no-nonsense type of guy,but also kind and wise. I also couldn’t help,but love the fact that he was Scottish *wink*
Martin was an alright lead. He often times lacked common sense and was too gullible. I was also rather frustrated with the fact that he fell head over heels for his new boss and for some ridiculous reason, trusted not only his new boss, but new teammates when he knew nothing about them. He spent his time gawking at his new boss or making stupid decisions. His character did manage to redeem himself later in the action scenes. Barb was a fierce and strong willed woman. I liked her gift and appreciated the fact that the author created a female character with both power and brains. Daniel is cute and sweet, but he also acts too childish at times and a bit useless. Jezryall is never really developed. She is the blandest character out of the set and very underwhelming considering the power she holds.
The plot is fairly interesting but the execution lacked the “wow” power to really show off what the author was hoping to accomplish. There were moments of suspense, scenes full of action and alluring revelations, but the actions of the characters, particularly Martin and Jezryall, as well as the dialogue dampened some of those scenes. The actions scenes though were written pretty well and were probably the best scenes from the novella.
I did like the mixture of Greek mythology and Christian storytelling. I also liked the idea behind the zombies. Although, the mixtures of Greek and zombies were a bit odd and out of leftfield; as a reader I found the connection hard to connect together even for a fantasy story. There just seemed to be something missing within the plotline.
I do not usually comment on the level of grammar errors within a novel because I realize that editing can’t always be perfect and for an Indie author, it can be difficult to find a good editor for an affordable price. But since at the beginning of the novella, the author gives notice that it had been copyedited, I had noticed many places where words were misspelled and the amount of commas used. It became a bit distracting at times.
The Watchtower is one of those stories with such a high level of potential and refreshing concept that, even with its many flaws, I would still recommend reading. Perhaps if the author looked into a good content edit or extending the novella to more pages, both the story and characters would be fleshed out better.
The author’s voice is strong with sarcasm underneath. I am curious to see what other stories the author comes up with and how she grows as a writer. The Watchtower is a short and quick read fantasy fans will have fun reading.
July 21, 2015
Plot/Story:
This was a strange story to be honest. I enjoyed it, though the writing felt a little flat at times. There is one character named Aslin, we learn his name fairly early in the story, yet Martin continues to refer to him as “the Scot.” Which, in all honesty became glaringly annoying.
That aside, I did find the story to be enjoyable for the most part and was anxious to see what happened next. There was not much character building and there is still much to learn about the characters of the story.
I would continue reading the series if I didn’t have something to read, but it is not something that I felt the need to continue. It was a short read, so I didn’t feel like I wasted any time on it and the story is unique. I would love to walk into a new job and find out I have walked into some kind of supernatural business. It did kind of remind me of the Twilight Zone, so that’s a plus.
Characters:
As I said before, the characters are a little flat and you don’t learn a ton about them in this short story.
Romance/Kills:
There are a few deaths, but they do not stick out too much. And there was no romance.
Writing:
The writing was okay. It wasn’t annoying, but I felt that it could have used a little more sprucing up.
Beginning:
I was interested in the story from the beginning. There is enough mystery in the first chapter to keep me reading.
Ending:
There was a decent ending. Some questions answered, some left open. It inspires you to read the next novel if the story interested you enough to find out what happens next.
Cover Art:
I usually like simplistic cover art. The cover art of this novel though, it makes it seem like a book about witchcraft and while it has some elements of witchcraft it didn’t feel too much like the main focus. The art is pretty, but this is not a book I would pick up simply because of its cover art.
Blurb:
The blurb is exactly what the book is about. I was not disappointed in that aspect.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Neopleon Bonaparte once said there were two motivations to move men; inspiration and fear, but for Martin Cunningham, starvation was a damn good means of motivation too.
Highlights: It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Lowlights: There isn’t a lot of character building.
Final Thoughts: I do not have the desire to continue the series, but I did enjoy the story.
For more book reviews check out: The Reading Bud
This was a strange story to be honest. I enjoyed it, though the writing felt a little flat at times. There is one character named Aslin, we learn his name fairly early in the story, yet Martin continues to refer to him as “the Scot.” Which, in all honesty became glaringly annoying.
That aside, I did find the story to be enjoyable for the most part and was anxious to see what happened next. There was not much character building and there is still much to learn about the characters of the story.
I would continue reading the series if I didn’t have something to read, but it is not something that I felt the need to continue. It was a short read, so I didn’t feel like I wasted any time on it and the story is unique. I would love to walk into a new job and find out I have walked into some kind of supernatural business. It did kind of remind me of the Twilight Zone, so that’s a plus.
Characters:
As I said before, the characters are a little flat and you don’t learn a ton about them in this short story.
Romance/Kills:
There are a few deaths, but they do not stick out too much. And there was no romance.
Writing:
The writing was okay. It wasn’t annoying, but I felt that it could have used a little more sprucing up.
Beginning:
I was interested in the story from the beginning. There is enough mystery in the first chapter to keep me reading.
Ending:
There was a decent ending. Some questions answered, some left open. It inspires you to read the next novel if the story interested you enough to find out what happens next.
Cover Art:
I usually like simplistic cover art. The cover art of this novel though, it makes it seem like a book about witchcraft and while it has some elements of witchcraft it didn’t feel too much like the main focus. The art is pretty, but this is not a book I would pick up simply because of its cover art.
Blurb:
The blurb is exactly what the book is about. I was not disappointed in that aspect.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Neopleon Bonaparte once said there were two motivations to move men; inspiration and fear, but for Martin Cunningham, starvation was a damn good means of motivation too.
Highlights: It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Lowlights: There isn’t a lot of character building.
Final Thoughts: I do not have the desire to continue the series, but I did enjoy the story.
For more book reviews check out: The Reading Bud
May 21, 2015
Step into The Watchtower and follow Martin through his first day on the job, and what a day it turns out to be. As he prepares to report to his boss he is given a package to take to her. It contains a deadly living thing that will set the tone for the whole day. He then meets his very strange co-workers. Everyone must work together to find out who sent the deadly creature to kill his boss.
Along the way Martin will discover mythical and magical things. Can he believe in all that he sees? There are many characters introduced in this story, some good and some evil. Martin is introduced to certain depths evil. As he fights alongside his co-workers to overcome the evil that is happening at the Embassy he learns so much about them, himself, and his beliefs. They enemy is defeated and Martin is left to do his job.
This is a short novella but is packed with action, magic, mythical creatures, and adventure. It will keep you turning the pages to see what happens, what new characters you will meet, and what magic will happen next. This creative story will leave you wanting more.
This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review. Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng
Along the way Martin will discover mythical and magical things. Can he believe in all that he sees? There are many characters introduced in this story, some good and some evil. Martin is introduced to certain depths evil. As he fights alongside his co-workers to overcome the evil that is happening at the Embassy he learns so much about them, himself, and his beliefs. They enemy is defeated and Martin is left to do his job.
This is a short novella but is packed with action, magic, mythical creatures, and adventure. It will keep you turning the pages to see what happens, what new characters you will meet, and what magic will happen next. This creative story will leave you wanting more.
This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review. Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng
July 22, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised reading The Watchtower by Darke Conteur. I expected a reasonably interesting fantasy novel, a short and quick, agreeable read. What I got was a highly crafted, delightfully intricate book, entangled in a dark and a fascinating fantasy world populated with captivating characters.
The book starts with the character of Martin Cunningham, who is looking for a job and getting a bit desperate. This job urgency is what brings him to Terin Global, a not-at-all typical place of employment. Once hired, he slowly gets dragged into a dangerous and strange world.
One of the best aspects of the book is Martin’s point-of-view, which goes from, “okay these guys are quirky” to “I can’t believe this is happening” without ever seeming forced or out of step. As a reader, you identify with Martin and are drawn into the story as he is wrenched from his comfortable beliefs and faced with another reality.
The plot is fast-paced, but never sacrifices continuity or believability in favour of keeping the action moving. The reader receives just enough explanation and back-story to construct the fantasy, without breaking the authenticity of the real world setting. The Watchtower is a first-rate urban fantasy and I highly recommend it.
The book starts with the character of Martin Cunningham, who is looking for a job and getting a bit desperate. This job urgency is what brings him to Terin Global, a not-at-all typical place of employment. Once hired, he slowly gets dragged into a dangerous and strange world.
One of the best aspects of the book is Martin’s point-of-view, which goes from, “okay these guys are quirky” to “I can’t believe this is happening” without ever seeming forced or out of step. As a reader, you identify with Martin and are drawn into the story as he is wrenched from his comfortable beliefs and faced with another reality.
The plot is fast-paced, but never sacrifices continuity or believability in favour of keeping the action moving. The reader receives just enough explanation and back-story to construct the fantasy, without breaking the authenticity of the real world setting. The Watchtower is a first-rate urban fantasy and I highly recommend it.
September 28, 2016
I found this one starting a little difficult to comprehend, and thinking "Oh God, where is this going to go?" Set in the real world, it crosses over into a portal of demonic Hell, with the protagonist Martin clambering to understand what was happening. It made sense for the reader to follow his perspective at this point.
There was excitement very early on, within the first 4 - 5 pages. From Martin's perspective, you had no idea what was going on, and didn't know who any of the characters were or their individual significance. We didn't really know much about Martin either, apart from that he seems to be "normal", albeit of interest to the slightly more supernatural characters. It was immediately obvious that Jezryall was more than she appeared, but not what that was. Even later in the book, that detail is still hazy at best.
It was interesting enough to hold my attention after I had a working understanding of the primary characters revealed at this stage of the book series. The story seemed to end rather abruptly however, and I turned the last page faster than expected. I will likely take a look at the next book in the series, as this one seemed to be a scene-setter for a larger story.
My original rating of 3 stars remains.
There was excitement very early on, within the first 4 - 5 pages. From Martin's perspective, you had no idea what was going on, and didn't know who any of the characters were or their individual significance. We didn't really know much about Martin either, apart from that he seems to be "normal", albeit of interest to the slightly more supernatural characters. It was immediately obvious that Jezryall was more than she appeared, but not what that was. Even later in the book, that detail is still hazy at best.
It was interesting enough to hold my attention after I had a working understanding of the primary characters revealed at this stage of the book series. The story seemed to end rather abruptly however, and I turned the last page faster than expected. I will likely take a look at the next book in the series, as this one seemed to be a scene-setter for a larger story.
My original rating of 3 stars remains.
March 7, 2013
Written nicely enough, but it doesn't feel like a stand-alone story, more like a prequel to a proper novel that will follow. So I was a bit disappointed as it did sound quite promising, but doesn't really deliver.
December 4, 2012
The author piqued my curiosity in chapter one, then created an intriguing world with very interesting characters.
February 11, 2021
This is a very quick and short read about a guy who is down on his luck and goes for a job interview not realising it's actually his first day on the job. You don't know why he is down on his luck or much about him. The story is told in a very succinct way meaning you don't get much character development.
It turns out that he is working for some magical corporation (again not explained or elaborated on), and a package he took up to their floor when he arrived for the 'interview' was actually a mystical creature intent on killing his new boss. They go to explore this and rid the world of this evil.
I usually like fantasy style books but this didn't do it for me, the lack of detail and story bugged me; but what bugged me more was the authors love for describing candles as "drippy candles" every time. Also one of the characters say that their boss can take out the baddies in one stroke. Who says baddies in a novella?!
It turns out that he is working for some magical corporation (again not explained or elaborated on), and a package he took up to their floor when he arrived for the 'interview' was actually a mystical creature intent on killing his new boss. They go to explore this and rid the world of this evil.
I usually like fantasy style books but this didn't do it for me, the lack of detail and story bugged me; but what bugged me more was the authors love for describing candles as "drippy candles" every time. Also one of the characters say that their boss can take out the baddies in one stroke. Who says baddies in a novella?!
May 16, 2021
Not for me I'm afraid. It's an ambitious story, but there's just too much going on here. And, fair enough, novellas are a tricky length. But this is less than 30,000 words, if I understand it correctly, and it crams in demons, psychics, Greek gods, zombies, a brosnie (some kind of mythological reptile?), Druidism, human sacrifice, and dodgy goings on at the Russian embassy. It's too much, and as a result justice is done to none of it. There's no room to really explore anything, and the main character, who comes across all this strangeness on the first day of his new job, is given no real space to react to any of it.
July 26, 2018
The book wasn't too bad. It had some spellbinding moments.
This is the first book in the series.
The characters have different personalities who are complexed by being good and evil.
It is a fast moving novel as it is only 90 pages long. It was a quick yet gripping read but this isn't something I would like to read again.
I would recommend this book to paranormal and fantasy book lovers.
This is the first book in the series.
The characters have different personalities who are complexed by being good and evil.
It is a fast moving novel as it is only 90 pages long. It was a quick yet gripping read but this isn't something I would like to read again.
I would recommend this book to paranormal and fantasy book lovers.
June 23, 2017
Laughs and a Good Read
Loved this book,though made me laugh out loud in some places it made my day,will be telling my friends who are into myths and magic as much as me,I think they will enjoy it to.
Loved this book,though made me laugh out loud in some places it made my day,will be telling my friends who are into myths and magic as much as me,I think they will enjoy it to.
May 13, 2023
A great SI-FI book
The 1st in the series. A well written book with well developed interesting characters, lots of action, easy read with some fun, humor, and a great ending. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different than the same old story line. Enjoy 2014
The 1st in the series. A well written book with well developed interesting characters, lots of action, easy read with some fun, humor, and a great ending. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different than the same old story line. Enjoy 2014
September 25, 2018
A quick read to the beginning of a series. A different genre to what I normally read.
December 22, 2015
I received this novella from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
From the recap on the author's site:
His first day of work wasn’t what Martin Cunningham expected. A sultry boss, a classy receptionist, the drama-queen foreigner, and a painfully shy techie who prefers hiding to human interaction, was the oddest group of characters he’d ever met. When an assassination attempt is made against his new boss, Martin comes face to face with the stuff of nightmares.
This book feels like an introduction to a larger story and to the set of characters that will move in its background, and as such it does a good work of sketching the individual players without giving too much away, leaving further exploration for the next tales down the line.
The events themselves are a curious mix of urban fantasy, dark magic and humor: Martin Cunningham, the only “normal” person in the group, is quite believable in his role as the proverbial fish out of water as he’s enlisted by the mysterious Terin Global Corporation for a Public Liaison post – and they do need a PR person indeed, since the core team consists of Jezryall, a fire-breathing demon in human form and her cohort of strange individuals with even stranger abilities that Martin meets in the Corporation's main offices that look like a cross between a Goth club and a horror movie set.
When an attempt is made on Jezryall’s life with the arrival of a strange package, containing a venomous creature ready to hatch, the team launches in hot pursuit of the perpetrators, uncovering a black magic-practicing coven hiding in the Russian embassy. Poor Martin is brought along, in his very first day on the job, and his attitude about the whole, crazy mess is perfectly detailed in this thought: “Planning to attack a group of people who had sharp daggers and zombies, while all they had was a Druid with flaming fingers, a timid medium, and a psychic in stilettos, was, in fact miles above the whole Embassy thing”. This made me both laugh out loud and feel great admiration for Martin who, despite some quite understandable bafflement, still manages to pull through with flying colors (well, more or less…) and with his sanity intact.
The caper makes for a quick, at times quite amusing read, and the contrast between the matter-of-fact attitude of Jezryall’s team in the face of such weirdness, and Martin’s disbelief, keeps things interesting – after all the poor guy goes from a normal, boring life to a plunge into the unbelievable in a matter of hours! – but still something seems to be missing, as if some parts of the background information were too muddled to truly help the reader make heads or tails of what is really happening. What I mean is that there is a sort of… unfinished feel to the story itself that kept preventing me from fully slipping into immersion mode and enjoying the story. A certain number of typos and a few characterization choices – like the main bad guy who was something of a cliché – did not help either.
Nonetheless, all the above being just a matter of personal preference, I believe there is a definite potential here, one that needs to be fully explored and polished, so it can turn into the enjoyable sequence of stories this promises to be.
https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com...
From the recap on the author's site:
His first day of work wasn’t what Martin Cunningham expected. A sultry boss, a classy receptionist, the drama-queen foreigner, and a painfully shy techie who prefers hiding to human interaction, was the oddest group of characters he’d ever met. When an assassination attempt is made against his new boss, Martin comes face to face with the stuff of nightmares.
This book feels like an introduction to a larger story and to the set of characters that will move in its background, and as such it does a good work of sketching the individual players without giving too much away, leaving further exploration for the next tales down the line.
The events themselves are a curious mix of urban fantasy, dark magic and humor: Martin Cunningham, the only “normal” person in the group, is quite believable in his role as the proverbial fish out of water as he’s enlisted by the mysterious Terin Global Corporation for a Public Liaison post – and they do need a PR person indeed, since the core team consists of Jezryall, a fire-breathing demon in human form and her cohort of strange individuals with even stranger abilities that Martin meets in the Corporation's main offices that look like a cross between a Goth club and a horror movie set.
When an attempt is made on Jezryall’s life with the arrival of a strange package, containing a venomous creature ready to hatch, the team launches in hot pursuit of the perpetrators, uncovering a black magic-practicing coven hiding in the Russian embassy. Poor Martin is brought along, in his very first day on the job, and his attitude about the whole, crazy mess is perfectly detailed in this thought: “Planning to attack a group of people who had sharp daggers and zombies, while all they had was a Druid with flaming fingers, a timid medium, and a psychic in stilettos, was, in fact miles above the whole Embassy thing”. This made me both laugh out loud and feel great admiration for Martin who, despite some quite understandable bafflement, still manages to pull through with flying colors (well, more or less…) and with his sanity intact.
The caper makes for a quick, at times quite amusing read, and the contrast between the matter-of-fact attitude of Jezryall’s team in the face of such weirdness, and Martin’s disbelief, keeps things interesting – after all the poor guy goes from a normal, boring life to a plunge into the unbelievable in a matter of hours! – but still something seems to be missing, as if some parts of the background information were too muddled to truly help the reader make heads or tails of what is really happening. What I mean is that there is a sort of… unfinished feel to the story itself that kept preventing me from fully slipping into immersion mode and enjoying the story. A certain number of typos and a few characterization choices – like the main bad guy who was something of a cliché – did not help either.
Nonetheless, all the above being just a matter of personal preference, I believe there is a definite potential here, one that needs to be fully explored and polished, so it can turn into the enjoyable sequence of stories this promises to be.
https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com...
April 1, 2015
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book for review
This short urban fantasy novella is filled with magic and magical beings, and an action filled story that throws you into the deep end from the early pages. The story is enjoyable and it is a wonderful concept but being a novella there is not a lot of room to expand and I would have loved more detail about these characters and their abilities. Having said that though, it is a nice quick introduction to each of them and the story acts like a mini adventure before a grander story is to emerge. There is enough to make the story work and make it understandable and being the first in the series more information will no doubt be provided in later books.
The story is fast paced but easy to follow and Conteur has written it well so that Martin's initiation and confusion about the magical world is realistic but not distracting. From think these people are just quirky colleagues to being suddenly thrown into a situation with dark magic he handles it well and Conteur demonstrates his gradual acceptance suitably, while still maintaining his slight disbelief. It is clear that Martin is often too caught up in the present situation to do any real reflection on what is happening, but when he does it comes across quite naturally and while he thinks the entire thing quite bizarre, there is also no doubting what he sees before his eyes.
The characters are likeable and Conteur has given an introduction to them in a manner that feels real and believable, and fitting to the circumstances. The detail is limited, and being a novella understandable, but there is also enough to grasp who they are and understand their roles. The immediate action that unfolds means there is little time to ponder decisions and people too much but Conteur manages to maintain the story well and not skip information or make the story feel like it has ignored crucial information while still retaining some mystery. As a result getting involved in this story is easy and the intrigue and pull you along with Martin as he discovers who these people are and what kind of job he has signed himself up for.
There is not a long explanation about Terin Global Corporation but Conteur fits information neatly and smoothly into the narrative and dialogue and the reader learns as Martin learns. I enjoyed the mystery and the lack of information at the start because it added to the story. Conteur sets up the workplace as being weird and peculiar and having quirky characters who do not explain things which works well and provides a bit of curiosity. Nothing much is explained to Martin and he gets flung into this strange new job which immediately becomes somewhat bizarre leaving little time to think, yet Conteur is aware not to make Martin too accepting too quickly.
The story is a quick read at less than 100 pages and is a decent introduction into the series. The concept is interesting and Conteur delivers a story that is filled with the unknown and the supernatural tied together with action, intrigue, and unique and fascinating magical beings.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
This short urban fantasy novella is filled with magic and magical beings, and an action filled story that throws you into the deep end from the early pages. The story is enjoyable and it is a wonderful concept but being a novella there is not a lot of room to expand and I would have loved more detail about these characters and their abilities. Having said that though, it is a nice quick introduction to each of them and the story acts like a mini adventure before a grander story is to emerge. There is enough to make the story work and make it understandable and being the first in the series more information will no doubt be provided in later books.
The story is fast paced but easy to follow and Conteur has written it well so that Martin's initiation and confusion about the magical world is realistic but not distracting. From think these people are just quirky colleagues to being suddenly thrown into a situation with dark magic he handles it well and Conteur demonstrates his gradual acceptance suitably, while still maintaining his slight disbelief. It is clear that Martin is often too caught up in the present situation to do any real reflection on what is happening, but when he does it comes across quite naturally and while he thinks the entire thing quite bizarre, there is also no doubting what he sees before his eyes.
The characters are likeable and Conteur has given an introduction to them in a manner that feels real and believable, and fitting to the circumstances. The detail is limited, and being a novella understandable, but there is also enough to grasp who they are and understand their roles. The immediate action that unfolds means there is little time to ponder decisions and people too much but Conteur manages to maintain the story well and not skip information or make the story feel like it has ignored crucial information while still retaining some mystery. As a result getting involved in this story is easy and the intrigue and pull you along with Martin as he discovers who these people are and what kind of job he has signed himself up for.
There is not a long explanation about Terin Global Corporation but Conteur fits information neatly and smoothly into the narrative and dialogue and the reader learns as Martin learns. I enjoyed the mystery and the lack of information at the start because it added to the story. Conteur sets up the workplace as being weird and peculiar and having quirky characters who do not explain things which works well and provides a bit of curiosity. Nothing much is explained to Martin and he gets flung into this strange new job which immediately becomes somewhat bizarre leaving little time to think, yet Conteur is aware not to make Martin too accepting too quickly.
The story is a quick read at less than 100 pages and is a decent introduction into the series. The concept is interesting and Conteur delivers a story that is filled with the unknown and the supernatural tied together with action, intrigue, and unique and fascinating magical beings.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
June 24, 2015
This was just the book I needed to read. I've been in quite the reading slump lately and this was the perfect book to get me out of it. It was exciting, fast paced and funny. I loved every bit of it. At only 90 pages it packed a wallop of a punch.
Martin starts his first day as a public liaison officer for a company he knew nothing about. Things are strange and creepy from the moment he walks off the elevator. When a weird worm creature attacks one of his new coworkers, things get stranger. Martin soon meets very powerful beings and finds out things about the world that he never knew existed. Can he figure out who sent the worm creature to kill his boss before another is sent?
Poor Martin had a helluva first day at work. First he gets attacked by a giant worm then he meets a greek God and Goddess, finds out Hell is real and then meets some zombies. There was some more stuff too but I can't give everything away. Of course, I think he'll keep that job because hello, he would never be bored, like ever!
I can't think of anything that I didn't like about this book other than the length. This was one of those books that I desperately wished it was longer. Every page of this book is packed with amazing stuff like dark magic and zombies. I think everyone would enjoy reading this and I look forward to reading more from this author and more of this series.
Martin starts his first day as a public liaison officer for a company he knew nothing about. Things are strange and creepy from the moment he walks off the elevator. When a weird worm creature attacks one of his new coworkers, things get stranger. Martin soon meets very powerful beings and finds out things about the world that he never knew existed. Can he figure out who sent the worm creature to kill his boss before another is sent?
Poor Martin had a helluva first day at work. First he gets attacked by a giant worm then he meets a greek God and Goddess, finds out Hell is real and then meets some zombies. There was some more stuff too but I can't give everything away. Of course, I think he'll keep that job because hello, he would never be bored, like ever!
I can't think of anything that I didn't like about this book other than the length. This was one of those books that I desperately wished it was longer. Every page of this book is packed with amazing stuff like dark magic and zombies. I think everyone would enjoy reading this and I look forward to reading more from this author and more of this series.
October 9, 2011
This book is an exciting twist on the "good vs. evil" trope. The bad guys are awesomely evil, and the good guys are heart-warmingly good, but a word of advice: don't turn your back on them.
I hope you can tell I loved the characters. I'm glad this is a new series, because I really look forward to getting to know them better. There's Martin, our hero, who finds himself in over his head in a paranormal world he never knew existed. There's a druid and a time traveler, and a psychic. Oh, and if you've ever had a boss you thought was a demon... wait until you meet this one.
There's plenty of action, too, with battles featuring flame-throwing, poison, and zombies you actually feel sorry for.
I know Darke is busy on the second novella, so read this one soon. You'll want to be ready for the next one!
I hope you can tell I loved the characters. I'm glad this is a new series, because I really look forward to getting to know them better. There's Martin, our hero, who finds himself in over his head in a paranormal world he never knew existed. There's a druid and a time traveler, and a psychic. Oh, and if you've ever had a boss you thought was a demon... wait until you meet this one.
There's plenty of action, too, with battles featuring flame-throwing, poison, and zombies you actually feel sorry for.
I know Darke is busy on the second novella, so read this one soon. You'll want to be ready for the next one!
July 9, 2015
The first day on the job is difficult for almost everyone, but Martin's first day was literally out of this world. His gorgous new boss is in fact half demon and half human. When in her demonic form, she is a large dragon.
Martin is the new Human Liason official, which he incorrectly mentally translates into a PR position.
The other assistant's are a Druid, an HTG spell casting Magician and a female human Psychic. It doesn't appear as though Martin has any special abilities, but he was Captain of the Debate Team in college. He has the potential to be a great Spin Doctor.
This story is a short novella or long short story that had the potential for much more and it left me wanting more. That will Make me get the next book in the series.
Some minor Indie errors kept this from being worth 5*.
Martin is the new Human Liason official, which he incorrectly mentally translates into a PR position.
The other assistant's are a Druid, an HTG spell casting Magician and a female human Psychic. It doesn't appear as though Martin has any special abilities, but he was Captain of the Debate Team in college. He has the potential to be a great Spin Doctor.
This story is a short novella or long short story that had the potential for much more and it left me wanting more. That will Make me get the next book in the series.
Some minor Indie errors kept this from being worth 5*.
October 28, 2011
What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.
Length? – A short evening read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Fantasy, alternate dimensions.
Written approximately? – 2010.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: Martin, an average unemployed person needs a job. The job he lands in, shows him how to see what most people pass by, unable to recognize what is really going on all around him. Belief really is a relief.
Notes for the reader: Be sure and read all the blog tour posts to better understand, and get to know the characters!
Length? – A short evening read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Fantasy, alternate dimensions.
Written approximately? – 2010.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: Martin, an average unemployed person needs a job. The job he lands in, shows him how to see what most people pass by, unable to recognize what is really going on all around him. Belief really is a relief.
Notes for the reader: Be sure and read all the blog tour posts to better understand, and get to know the characters!
March 23, 2014
Very unique characters and storyline!
This is about your average guy who applies for a job at a well established company. He thinks it is an interview, but he has the job as a Public Relations for the company. The story begins and ends with his first day on the job. He has to overcome many unusual obstacles and mythical/magical/supernatural creatures. This book definitely grabs your interest. I will be getting the next book in series to find out what happens next. I love this book and the concept of having different characters with unique abilities to help save the world from those who would corrupt it. I will recommend this book to family and friends. Keep up the great writing and I will continue to read your series, D. Conteur. Cheers!!!!!!
This is about your average guy who applies for a job at a well established company. He thinks it is an interview, but he has the job as a Public Relations for the company. The story begins and ends with his first day on the job. He has to overcome many unusual obstacles and mythical/magical/supernatural creatures. This book definitely grabs your interest. I will be getting the next book in series to find out what happens next. I love this book and the concept of having different characters with unique abilities to help save the world from those who would corrupt it. I will recommend this book to family and friends. Keep up the great writing and I will continue to read your series, D. Conteur. Cheers!!!!!!
October 25, 2011
A fun urban fantasy. Or is it paranormal?
Martin is a 'normal' dude desperate for work and ends up working for some very strange folks. Still reeling from his lack of interview he discovers that these strange folks aren't exactly 'normal' humans. And maybe not even human. And that his job as public relations manager might involve some very fast thinking, a few tales, and suspending all sorts of disbelief.
Quickly pulled into an adventure that opens his eyes to the underworld--quite literally--he has what one would consider a helluva a first day at work.
My understanding is that this is a prequel to one of Conteur's novels.
(Love the Canadian tidbits.)
Martin is a 'normal' dude desperate for work and ends up working for some very strange folks. Still reeling from his lack of interview he discovers that these strange folks aren't exactly 'normal' humans. And maybe not even human. And that his job as public relations manager might involve some very fast thinking, a few tales, and suspending all sorts of disbelief.
Quickly pulled into an adventure that opens his eyes to the underworld--quite literally--he has what one would consider a helluva a first day at work.
My understanding is that this is a prequel to one of Conteur's novels.
(Love the Canadian tidbits.)
August 23, 2014
Talk about your most bizarre first day of work ever, Martin walks into an interview and gets mired in mess of things you shouldn't have to deal with on your first day, let's say. Like walkers of the …. wait, I can't spoil it.
This is fun to read, well-written and takes you on quite an adventure. I think you'll like it. I did!
This is fun to read, well-written and takes you on quite an adventure. I think you'll like it. I did!
May 25, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. Great story. I was hooked right from the beginning, I couldn't put it down. Kept wanting more. I also liked the author's style. I highly recommend you download your copy of this book and enjoy a good read.
June 1, 2015
I like the characters even if the protagonist was a bit naïve sometimes. Perhaps that is why he was targeted by all these demons, (I hate zombies eeuuww) zombies and a lot of other supernatural beings. The story is fast paced and I am looking forward to read more books by this author.
May 17, 2012
If I could give this zero stars I would. It was short but the writing was terrible, the story was rushed and left you feeling like wtf just happened. I'll never recommend this book.
April 12, 2013
This could have had a better rating if it was actually a novel. With some more work on character development this could be a good novel.
March 16, 2013
Slow start, really picks up. Looking forward to reading the sequel
August 29, 2013
This was a very strange book from the beginning. Not my cup of tea and wouldn't read it again.
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