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Caller 107
When thirteen-year-old Natalie Rausch said she would die to meet DJ Crazy Todd, she did not mean to be literal.
Two years is a long time to be stuck between two people that want nothing more than to destroy each other. A tween crush on the larger-than-life jock from a local radio station is the only trace of a once-happy life ruined by warring parents.
Whenever WROK 107 ran a contest, she would dive for the phone, getting busy signals and dead air every time. She never expected to get through, but at least with her best friend at her side even losing used to be fun.
Before her parents ruined that too.
Her last desperate attempt to get their attention, falling in with a dangerous group of older teens, goes as wrong as possible. With no one left to blame for her mess of a life but herself, karma comes full circle and gives her just a few hours to make up for two years’ worth of mistakes-or be forever lost.
Two years is a long time to be stuck between two people that want nothing more than to destroy each other. A tween crush on the larger-than-life jock from a local radio station is the only trace of a once-happy life ruined by warring parents.
Whenever WROK 107 ran a contest, she would dive for the phone, getting busy signals and dead air every time. She never expected to get through, but at least with her best friend at her side even losing used to be fun.
Before her parents ruined that too.
Her last desperate attempt to get their attention, falling in with a dangerous group of older teens, goes as wrong as possible. With no one left to blame for her mess of a life but herself, karma comes full circle and gives her just a few hours to make up for two years’ worth of mistakes-or be forever lost.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2014
9 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Matthew S. Cox
197 books266 followersBorn in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 28, 2015
3.5 Stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Natalie's life hasn't been what she expected from it for the last two years. After her parents got a divorce, and she was used as a means by the parents to hurt each other she's grown into an angry teen that has nothing of the bright prospects she used to have. After another fight she finds herself with her no-good new friends but it may very well be her last night on earth.
This was quite an interesting story. Even though Natalie isn't the nicest of kids in the beginning of the story (I'm being very friendly here) you could easily see where she came from and how bad she felt. The Christmas-carol like ghost that lets her make up for some mistakes made for a nice twist to it.
It was a very fast and light read, even though the themes were definitely not something I'd consider light. I read another book (Prophet of the Badlands) by the same author a few months ago and was therefore drawn to this book, but they are completely different books, though both interesting and worth a read, IMHO.
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Natalie's life hasn't been what she expected from it for the last two years. After her parents got a divorce, and she was used as a means by the parents to hurt each other she's grown into an angry teen that has nothing of the bright prospects she used to have. After another fight she finds herself with her no-good new friends but it may very well be her last night on earth.
This was quite an interesting story. Even though Natalie isn't the nicest of kids in the beginning of the story (I'm being very friendly here) you could easily see where she came from and how bad she felt. The Christmas-carol like ghost that lets her make up for some mistakes made for a nice twist to it.
It was a very fast and light read, even though the themes were definitely not something I'd consider light. I read another book (Prophet of the Badlands) by the same author a few months ago and was therefore drawn to this book, but they are completely different books, though both interesting and worth a read, IMHO.
August 15, 2017
** I recieved this ARC for an honest review from Curiosity Quills Press**
CALLER 107 by Matthew Cox is a dark story about a teen going through difficult times. As the blurb suggests, the main character does die in the book, but it is the journey from before and after that death that is the huge impact.
I honestly hated Natalie, the main character, in the beginning. She was throwing her life away. Everyone around her was trying to help, but she seemed too pissy to understand. I understood where she was coming from, but I just wanted to shake the poor thing.
Be warned, the beginning is dark and will anger you. I was having serious anger issues towards the main character. However, that doesn't mean you should put down the book. Even in the beginning, the reader catches glimpses of the Natalie before the book began. You will see a girl torn and in pain. It isn't outright obvious though. The inner struggle she goes through that the reader sees is what makes the book extremely interesting,
In the end, I began to love her. She is a girl trying to find herself and love. In the process of all her anger she loses that, but then finds it again in the end. I could tell you the process, but the book is an emotional torrent that is a must read through.
But seriously, this book is amazing. I love the ease it was to be pulled into the world. The dark elements of the story kept me going even when I wanted to throw my Kindle to the ground for Natalie's stupidity. I finished this book in one day. Seriously, this is a book worth reading.
CALLER 107 by Matthew Cox is a dark story about a teen going through difficult times. As the blurb suggests, the main character does die in the book, but it is the journey from before and after that death that is the huge impact.
I honestly hated Natalie, the main character, in the beginning. She was throwing her life away. Everyone around her was trying to help, but she seemed too pissy to understand. I understood where she was coming from, but I just wanted to shake the poor thing.
Be warned, the beginning is dark and will anger you. I was having serious anger issues towards the main character. However, that doesn't mean you should put down the book. Even in the beginning, the reader catches glimpses of the Natalie before the book began. You will see a girl torn and in pain. It isn't outright obvious though. The inner struggle she goes through that the reader sees is what makes the book extremely interesting,
In the end, I began to love her. She is a girl trying to find herself and love. In the process of all her anger she loses that, but then finds it again in the end. I could tell you the process, but the book is an emotional torrent that is a must read through.
But seriously, this book is amazing. I love the ease it was to be pulled into the world. The dark elements of the story kept me going even when I wanted to throw my Kindle to the ground for Natalie's stupidity. I finished this book in one day. Seriously, this is a book worth reading.
February 6, 2017
I received a free signed copy of this book from the author, Matthew S. Cox, for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes YA can be difficult to read as an adult but this one wasn't.
Natalie, the main character, is a 13 year old girl stuck in the middle of a nasty divorce. She starts running with a bad crowd, even though she doesn't really want to.
Cox, does a really good job, in my opinion, writing from the female perspective. Does Natalie complain and whine? Yes, she is a 13 year old girl after all. She also shows a lot of spunk, determination and forgiveness.
I found this story to be very entertaining and once I got a few pages into it, I had a hard time putting it down.
I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes YA can be difficult to read as an adult but this one wasn't.
Natalie, the main character, is a 13 year old girl stuck in the middle of a nasty divorce. She starts running with a bad crowd, even though she doesn't really want to.
Cox, does a really good job, in my opinion, writing from the female perspective. Does Natalie complain and whine? Yes, she is a 13 year old girl after all. She also shows a lot of spunk, determination and forgiveness.
I found this story to be very entertaining and once I got a few pages into it, I had a hard time putting it down.
February 11, 2014
Great read. It's not classified as YA, but I think many teens would enjoy this book and relate to the main characters situations of having her parents going through a divorce and feeling abandoned by her father.
July 26, 2015
This was a pleasant surprise and find. It came up for me on BookBub and I decided to buy it. The book pretty much drew me in from the beginning. At times it seems like it could be a cliche book but it never quite is. I very much enjoyed it.
January 8, 2014
At first I didn't think I would like this. Then WHAM, out of left field this just grabbed me and wouldn't let go 'till the end.
Great Job Mr. Cox.
Great Job Mr. Cox.
May 17, 2017
Living through a parent's bitter divorce can make anyone rebel but young thirteen yr. old Natalie takes it to the extreme and it could cost her the ultimate price, her life.
Natalie shuts everyone out and starts hanging out with a gang of older teens and that ends badly.
She has no one to blame for the horrific mess she's in but herself. Can she makes amends to the ones she's wronged or will she be lost forever?
I highly recommend this book if you like the YA genre with a touch of the supernatural. I'm definitely not in the YA age group and still really enjoyed this book that puts you through the emotional wringer.
Natalie shuts everyone out and starts hanging out with a gang of older teens and that ends badly.
She has no one to blame for the horrific mess she's in but herself. Can she makes amends to the ones she's wronged or will she be lost forever?
I highly recommend this book if you like the YA genre with a touch of the supernatural. I'm definitely not in the YA age group and still really enjoyed this book that puts you through the emotional wringer.
March 3, 2017
First, I need to get the required disclaimers out of the way. Though we share a name, Matt and I are not related, nor have we met; and I was not provided with any incentives or asked to provide a positive review of this book.
Whether it is 25th Century Parapsychology-SciFi thrillers, young adult paranormal adventures or children’s fantasy quests, Matthew S. Cox delivers. When you pick up one of Matt’s books. You are guaranteed several things: the book will have a strong story, with complex characters and believable dialogue. Caller 107 does not disappoint. The story itself is well-crafted, fast-paced and character driven. For a character driven story to work, you must have well developed, complex and realistic characters, which Caller 107 does. Additionally, you have to have strong, realistic dialogue that makes sense. Again, Matt hit the mark
Even though Caller 107 is a paranormal based, young adult, coming of age, second chance tale, you do not have to suspend disbelief to make the story work. Anyone that has tried to be the Nth caller on a radio promotion knows the frustration the busy signal can induce. It is bad enough when it is for a pair of event tickets or $107, but when it is for your life and soul, it is far worse. In a way, the story has a hint of A Christmas Carol meets Wolfman Jack. The strength of the story, from beginning to end, takes you on an emotionally charged, wild ride.
Like most of Matt’s books, the primary character is a waifish female, though in this case, it is explained by the simple fact she is a teenage girl. You are probably not going to like Natalie in the beginning of the book, I didn’t. If you’ve read any of his other books, you start thinking that Matt has a hidden teenage waif held captive in his soul. The character development of Natalie, as well as her parents, is complex and realistic. As the story unfolds and she makes her transformational journey, you grow to truly care for her. Not only is this a coming of age story for Natalie, it is a story of redemption, for her and the other characters.
Whether it is 25th Century Parapsychology-SciFi thrillers, young adult paranormal adventures or children’s fantasy quests, Matthew S. Cox delivers. When you pick up one of Matt’s books. You are guaranteed several things: the book will have a strong story, with complex characters and believable dialogue. Caller 107 does not disappoint. The story itself is well-crafted, fast-paced and character driven. For a character driven story to work, you must have well developed, complex and realistic characters, which Caller 107 does. Additionally, you have to have strong, realistic dialogue that makes sense. Again, Matt hit the mark
Even though Caller 107 is a paranormal based, young adult, coming of age, second chance tale, you do not have to suspend disbelief to make the story work. Anyone that has tried to be the Nth caller on a radio promotion knows the frustration the busy signal can induce. It is bad enough when it is for a pair of event tickets or $107, but when it is for your life and soul, it is far worse. In a way, the story has a hint of A Christmas Carol meets Wolfman Jack. The strength of the story, from beginning to end, takes you on an emotionally charged, wild ride.
Like most of Matt’s books, the primary character is a waifish female, though in this case, it is explained by the simple fact she is a teenage girl. You are probably not going to like Natalie in the beginning of the book, I didn’t. If you’ve read any of his other books, you start thinking that Matt has a hidden teenage waif held captive in his soul. The character development of Natalie, as well as her parents, is complex and realistic. As the story unfolds and she makes her transformational journey, you grow to truly care for her. Not only is this a coming of age story for Natalie, it is a story of redemption, for her and the other characters.
July 26, 2015
Written For All Who've Been Hurt By Divorce As Either The Parent Or Child. . .
Honestly I grabbed this book without reading much of the description thinking it was only to do with a teenager and her wanting to connect with a DJ. That is soooo not the case, this book is way more than I was expecting but in a good way. The plot feels confusing at first especially with the verb tense and perspective being a bit off, but as you read on and more of the situation is revealed, a reader can see such a depth to this book you may not have expected. I certainly wasn't, which made this book a great emotional read that has left a huge impression on me for life.
After a two year bitter divorce in which her two parents want only to destroy each other, left thirteen-year-old Natalie Rausch in the middle and alone, now she is nothing but hardened towards those around her. Natalie absolutely hates everything her mom says and does, since Natalie is convinced she is all to blame for destroying their family. She also hates her dad for cutting her out of his life and leaving her alone with the one person in the world she really hates. Natalie lets herself spiral out of control by dropping her grades, shop lifting, dressing like a punk and swearing worse than a sailor all in an effort to enrage her mother and get attention from her non-existent father. However, it's not until Natalie hits her lowest point by hanging out with a group of dangerous older teens that she finds herself in real physical danger. It's then that redemption in a series of tasks given by a spirit in the form of DJ Crazy Todd may be possible if, and only IF, Natalie can fix her wrongs in time. Natalie takes the offer of a second chance and winds up on a journey with her mother and father exploring where her family fell apart and why, but most importantly how they can move forward together, if Natalie completes her tasks and wins approval for her second chance.
Overall, this story has such a grasp on how much divorce destroys kids and families, that for me a person who has not experienced divorce firsthand, now feels more attuned to help the kids I do know who have gone through these types of messy divorces with more clarity. Now the plot flow, perspective, verb tense and story structure was a bit rough for me to get through for a couple chapters, but once I got a third of the way in I realized this book was emotionally golden. Natalie is hurting and expressing it as best she knows, which is basically wreck whats left of her life since her parents helped destroy what happiness she had once before they started fighting. So when they, as a family, finally get a chance to let the hurt and blame fall away, by allowing the whole truth to come out it helps them all heal. Natalie is clearly a thirteen year old girl who is trying to be older than she needs to be, but her life changed the moment her parents decided to divorcee. As an adult who helps kids, many who come from split families, I know the kids are always hurt from the experience and this book helped remind me their actions are reactions, which may be for attention not always self destruction. So if you were once an angry teen from a bitter divorce, or know a teen(s) that are angry at everyone and everything when the people in their world seem against them, than this book may be a good choice.
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
Honestly I grabbed this book without reading much of the description thinking it was only to do with a teenager and her wanting to connect with a DJ. That is soooo not the case, this book is way more than I was expecting but in a good way. The plot feels confusing at first especially with the verb tense and perspective being a bit off, but as you read on and more of the situation is revealed, a reader can see such a depth to this book you may not have expected. I certainly wasn't, which made this book a great emotional read that has left a huge impression on me for life.
After a two year bitter divorce in which her two parents want only to destroy each other, left thirteen-year-old Natalie Rausch in the middle and alone, now she is nothing but hardened towards those around her. Natalie absolutely hates everything her mom says and does, since Natalie is convinced she is all to blame for destroying their family. She also hates her dad for cutting her out of his life and leaving her alone with the one person in the world she really hates. Natalie lets herself spiral out of control by dropping her grades, shop lifting, dressing like a punk and swearing worse than a sailor all in an effort to enrage her mother and get attention from her non-existent father. However, it's not until Natalie hits her lowest point by hanging out with a group of dangerous older teens that she finds herself in real physical danger. It's then that redemption in a series of tasks given by a spirit in the form of DJ Crazy Todd may be possible if, and only IF, Natalie can fix her wrongs in time. Natalie takes the offer of a second chance and winds up on a journey with her mother and father exploring where her family fell apart and why, but most importantly how they can move forward together, if Natalie completes her tasks and wins approval for her second chance.
Overall, this story has such a grasp on how much divorce destroys kids and families, that for me a person who has not experienced divorce firsthand, now feels more attuned to help the kids I do know who have gone through these types of messy divorces with more clarity. Now the plot flow, perspective, verb tense and story structure was a bit rough for me to get through for a couple chapters, but once I got a third of the way in I realized this book was emotionally golden. Natalie is hurting and expressing it as best she knows, which is basically wreck whats left of her life since her parents helped destroy what happiness she had once before they started fighting. So when they, as a family, finally get a chance to let the hurt and blame fall away, by allowing the whole truth to come out it helps them all heal. Natalie is clearly a thirteen year old girl who is trying to be older than she needs to be, but her life changed the moment her parents decided to divorcee. As an adult who helps kids, many who come from split families, I know the kids are always hurt from the experience and this book helped remind me their actions are reactions, which may be for attention not always self destruction. So if you were once an angry teen from a bitter divorce, or know a teen(s) that are angry at everyone and everything when the people in their world seem against them, than this book may be a good choice.
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
July 27, 2015
Natalie is an angry 13 year old who hates her mom and takes her anger out on everyone who matters to her. Her parents have divorced and her father has abandoned her. She doesn’t care about her old friends, or advanced placements, or being the good girl anymore. She is hanging out with new friends even though everyone else tells her the gang is bad news. She doesn’t really want to do the things they do, but she doesn’t want to be alone. When they make her get the door unlocked and be their lookout while they break into a house, she gets spooked and runs off before the cops can find her. Natalie knows that this is going to get her in trouble with her new friends, but after another rough fight with her old best friend and a blow out with her mom she doesn’t care anymore and doesn’t feel like she has anywhere else to go.
Etan, the leader of the gang, decides that if Natalie won’t do the crime the only other way to put her in her place in the gang is to have his way with her. When Natalie fights him off and humiliates him, he won’t let that stand and comes back with a gun. When the shooting ends Natalie staggers into the alley before she can’t move anymore. Lying there she sees how much she has messed up her life. Now she is sorry, but is it too late? When DJ Todd shows up and tells her things might not be so bad if she does what he says, Natalie strives to make it out alive. But is her childhood crush, really who he appears to be and can she survive the night?
This story is an interesting take on the typical story of a ghost that tries to make amends. The author did an excellent job of creating an angry out of control 13 year old girl. I really felt her anger and pain. Even when I could see the stupid choices she was making, I felt like I would empathize and make those stupid choices as well. The characters of this story have a lot of life. None of them are perfect, all of them need to work together to get through the crisis they created in life and maybe stop Natalie’s death.
Natalie’s parents are not just filler characters. They are more than the stereotypical feuding parents in a bitter divorce. Their story is not one of love and reconciliation either. They are very human and very believable. Leah, Natalie’s best friend from preschool to high school, is trying so hard to keep Natalie in her life even though she is the victim of Natalie’s anger. Only Natalie can really save herself, and everything she had to face and accept in the fight of her life showed her who she really was.
I enjoyed this story, it was a shorter read but it captured my attention well. The characters and scenery were brought to life vividly. There were some very rough scenes, there was some content that was a little bit juvenile, and at times the story did wander into some trite places. Overall it was a good read and I liked it.
For this and other reviews you can check out my book clubs blog at https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...
Etan, the leader of the gang, decides that if Natalie won’t do the crime the only other way to put her in her place in the gang is to have his way with her. When Natalie fights him off and humiliates him, he won’t let that stand and comes back with a gun. When the shooting ends Natalie staggers into the alley before she can’t move anymore. Lying there she sees how much she has messed up her life. Now she is sorry, but is it too late? When DJ Todd shows up and tells her things might not be so bad if she does what he says, Natalie strives to make it out alive. But is her childhood crush, really who he appears to be and can she survive the night?
This story is an interesting take on the typical story of a ghost that tries to make amends. The author did an excellent job of creating an angry out of control 13 year old girl. I really felt her anger and pain. Even when I could see the stupid choices she was making, I felt like I would empathize and make those stupid choices as well. The characters of this story have a lot of life. None of them are perfect, all of them need to work together to get through the crisis they created in life and maybe stop Natalie’s death.
Natalie’s parents are not just filler characters. They are more than the stereotypical feuding parents in a bitter divorce. Their story is not one of love and reconciliation either. They are very human and very believable. Leah, Natalie’s best friend from preschool to high school, is trying so hard to keep Natalie in her life even though she is the victim of Natalie’s anger. Only Natalie can really save herself, and everything she had to face and accept in the fight of her life showed her who she really was.
I enjoyed this story, it was a shorter read but it captured my attention well. The characters and scenery were brought to life vividly. There were some very rough scenes, there was some content that was a little bit juvenile, and at times the story did wander into some trite places. Overall it was a good read and I liked it.
For this and other reviews you can check out my book clubs blog at https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...
June 4, 2019
First, I have to start off by stating that I got this book free of charge in exchange for a review, but as I always state, this does not in any way impact my review. My reviews are always honest and my own.
I did not expect to go to the places this book took me. I did not expect to be ported back into the jumbled, crazy, scared, rebellious and wild feelings that being a tween can bring. Heck, tween wasn’t even a word back when I was one. It’s been a very long time since I was trying to figure out my place in the world, caught in that area of no being longer a child but also not yet a person who feels ok on that road to being my own person. Matt has the amazing ability to grab you by the feels and place you smack in the middle of your own feelings in your own life.
Natalie, the main character, finds herself being pushed and pulled by forces and emotions of events and people that she cannot control. The old stability of loving parents and a comfortable household has been shattered in the war of divorce. Lying in ruins, her mother, unable to deal with her own feelings of abandonment, is self-medicating, alternately ignoring or commanding Natalie. Worst yet for Natalie, her beloved father has cut all ties with her, refusing to say why not answering calls or emails. Natalie no longer finds value, attention or solace in getting good grades. She turns away from her friends and attaches herself to the outliers, the trouble-makers, the gangs. It seems that not even being brought home by the police makes her parents want to start paying attention to her. But finally, Natalie takes one step too far and finds herself in a situation well beyond her capacity to handle. The results are deadly.
The story doesn’t end there; in many ways, the story starts here. Not sure exactly what happened to her, Natalie finds herself traveling through familiar places made strange. She is tasked with a journey, the outcome unclear. People, strange, real and fantasy, pop in and out, some helping and some less so. The goal is not clear and the landscape, though at times familiar, is like a bad dream.
I wholeheartedly suggest this book. Read it yourself, and leave it for the YAs you know. Use it to recall how you felt and how your decisions at that time of your life affected you, and check to see if your journey turned out as you wanted it. Use the book to develop a conversation if you are a parent. But most of all read it.
I did not expect to go to the places this book took me. I did not expect to be ported back into the jumbled, crazy, scared, rebellious and wild feelings that being a tween can bring. Heck, tween wasn’t even a word back when I was one. It’s been a very long time since I was trying to figure out my place in the world, caught in that area of no being longer a child but also not yet a person who feels ok on that road to being my own person. Matt has the amazing ability to grab you by the feels and place you smack in the middle of your own feelings in your own life.
Natalie, the main character, finds herself being pushed and pulled by forces and emotions of events and people that she cannot control. The old stability of loving parents and a comfortable household has been shattered in the war of divorce. Lying in ruins, her mother, unable to deal with her own feelings of abandonment, is self-medicating, alternately ignoring or commanding Natalie. Worst yet for Natalie, her beloved father has cut all ties with her, refusing to say why not answering calls or emails. Natalie no longer finds value, attention or solace in getting good grades. She turns away from her friends and attaches herself to the outliers, the trouble-makers, the gangs. It seems that not even being brought home by the police makes her parents want to start paying attention to her. But finally, Natalie takes one step too far and finds herself in a situation well beyond her capacity to handle. The results are deadly.
The story doesn’t end there; in many ways, the story starts here. Not sure exactly what happened to her, Natalie finds herself traveling through familiar places made strange. She is tasked with a journey, the outcome unclear. People, strange, real and fantasy, pop in and out, some helping and some less so. The goal is not clear and the landscape, though at times familiar, is like a bad dream.
I wholeheartedly suggest this book. Read it yourself, and leave it for the YAs you know. Use it to recall how you felt and how your decisions at that time of your life affected you, and check to see if your journey turned out as you wanted it. Use the book to develop a conversation if you are a parent. But most of all read it.
September 16, 2014
I did not expect to go to the places this book took me. I did not expect to be ported back into the jumbled, crazy, scared, rebellious and wild feelings that being a tween can bring. Heck, tween wasn’t even a word back when I was one. It’s been a very long time since I was trying to figure out my place in the world, caught in that area of no being longer a child but also not yet a person who feels ok on that road to being my own person. Matt has the amazing ability to grab you by the feels and place you smack in the middle of your own feelings in your own lfie.
Natalie, the main character, finds herself being pushed and pulled by forces and emotions of events and people that she cannot control. The old stability of loving parents and a comfortable household has been shattered in the war of divorce. Lying in ruins, her mother, unable to deal with her own feelings of abandonment, is self medicating, alternately ignoring or commanding Natalie. Worst yet for Natalie, her beloved father has cut all ties with her, refusing to say why, not answering calls or emails. Natalie no longer finds value, attention or solace in getting good grades. She turns away from her friends and attaches herself to the outliers, the trouble-makers, the gangs. It seems that not even being brought home by the police makes her parents want to start paying attention to her. But finally, Natalie takes one step too far and finds herself in a situation well beyond her capacity to handle. The results are deadly.
The story doesn’t end there; in many ways, the story starts here. Not sure exactly what happened to her, Natalie finds herself traveling through familiar places made strange. She is tasked with a journey, the outcome unclear. People, strange, real and fantasy, pop in and out, some helping and some less so. The goal is not clear and the landscape, though at times familiar, is like a bad dream.
I wholeheartedly suggest this book. Read it yourself, and leave it for the YAs you know. Use it to recall how you felt and how your decisions at that time of your life affected you, and check to see if your journey turned out as you wanted it. Use the book to develop a conversation if you are a parent. But most of all read it.
Natalie, the main character, finds herself being pushed and pulled by forces and emotions of events and people that she cannot control. The old stability of loving parents and a comfortable household has been shattered in the war of divorce. Lying in ruins, her mother, unable to deal with her own feelings of abandonment, is self medicating, alternately ignoring or commanding Natalie. Worst yet for Natalie, her beloved father has cut all ties with her, refusing to say why, not answering calls or emails. Natalie no longer finds value, attention or solace in getting good grades. She turns away from her friends and attaches herself to the outliers, the trouble-makers, the gangs. It seems that not even being brought home by the police makes her parents want to start paying attention to her. But finally, Natalie takes one step too far and finds herself in a situation well beyond her capacity to handle. The results are deadly.
The story doesn’t end there; in many ways, the story starts here. Not sure exactly what happened to her, Natalie finds herself traveling through familiar places made strange. She is tasked with a journey, the outcome unclear. People, strange, real and fantasy, pop in and out, some helping and some less so. The goal is not clear and the landscape, though at times familiar, is like a bad dream.
I wholeheartedly suggest this book. Read it yourself, and leave it for the YAs you know. Use it to recall how you felt and how your decisions at that time of your life affected you, and check to see if your journey turned out as you wanted it. Use the book to develop a conversation if you are a parent. But most of all read it.
September 7, 2014
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review.
Caller 107 was a pretty quick read, and I rather enjoyed it. I'm floating between 3 and 4 stars, mostly because I'm not quite sure what to do with a book like this. It's very different from my normal book and I am still a little muddled about my feelings for it. I'm writing this immediately after I finished reading the book, so maybe I'll get more clarity as time goes on.
This book is the story of a girl who's trapped in a pretty shitty situation. Her parents are divorced and she's caught in the middle of a pretty vicious fight. She's not handling it well, and everyone involved seems to have forgotten how to think of the feelings of the others. The friends the main character finds to help her through this difficult time aren't really friends at all, just other kids with shit in their lives. Anyway, things escalate and she finds herself in a bit of trouble, and then the book gets kind of weird. I don't want to say too much, so I'll stop there.
I thought the characters felt real. The family situation was brutal and, unfortunately, all too common. I felt like there was some nice "lessons to be learned" stuff going on, I'm not sure if it was a little too heavy-handed? Maybe i'm looking for "cheesy?" I don't really know, there was something that rang a little off with me as far as the development of the characters in the end of the book, but I can't put my finger on it. Other than that, though, I got quite in to the book. I went through it quite quickly and felt myself getting pulled in to the head of the main character, which was really nice. It was a good book.
Caller 107 was a pretty quick read, and I rather enjoyed it. I'm floating between 3 and 4 stars, mostly because I'm not quite sure what to do with a book like this. It's very different from my normal book and I am still a little muddled about my feelings for it. I'm writing this immediately after I finished reading the book, so maybe I'll get more clarity as time goes on.
This book is the story of a girl who's trapped in a pretty shitty situation. Her parents are divorced and she's caught in the middle of a pretty vicious fight. She's not handling it well, and everyone involved seems to have forgotten how to think of the feelings of the others. The friends the main character finds to help her through this difficult time aren't really friends at all, just other kids with shit in their lives. Anyway, things escalate and she finds herself in a bit of trouble, and then the book gets kind of weird. I don't want to say too much, so I'll stop there.
I thought the characters felt real. The family situation was brutal and, unfortunately, all too common. I felt like there was some nice "lessons to be learned" stuff going on, I'm not sure if it was a little too heavy-handed? Maybe i'm looking for "cheesy?" I don't really know, there was something that rang a little off with me as far as the development of the characters in the end of the book, but I can't put my finger on it. Other than that, though, I got quite in to the book. I went through it quite quickly and felt myself getting pulled in to the head of the main character, which was really nice. It was a good book.
July 30, 2014
Poor Natalie…caught in the war between her parents who are divorcing and both fighting for custody of her fights back the only way she knows how…to rebel! Once an A+ student with a bright future ahead of her in high school the anger she has building up inside of her towards her life brings her to the brink of a spiraling downfall with dire consequences. One fateful night when she decides to leave the gang…the life that Natalie once knew is drastically changed in the blink of an eye. In the ensuing story…Natalie must figure out what the clues mean that are delivered by a special means in order to get her life and the family and friends back that she had so bitterly turned away from herself before it is too late and her life is ended…for good.
This was a very thought provoking story of what ifs. What if you were given the chance to change things you have done in order to change your future? What if what you had thought to be true…wasn’t? What if for some reason you were given that second chance at life…would you be able to save yourself? These and more questions were raised in my mind as I read this fantastic story written by Matthew Cox. His detailed descriptions of the scenes had me holding my breath at times and feeling the pain that thirteen year old Natalie was feeling…both the emotional and physical. Once I had started this book I was unable to put it down until I turned the last page. This is one of the best stories of life and hurting the ones we love and maybe…somehow…with divine intervention…able to change the outcome and get forgiveness.
This is definitely a book to be recommended and well worth reading!
This was a very thought provoking story of what ifs. What if you were given the chance to change things you have done in order to change your future? What if what you had thought to be true…wasn’t? What if for some reason you were given that second chance at life…would you be able to save yourself? These and more questions were raised in my mind as I read this fantastic story written by Matthew Cox. His detailed descriptions of the scenes had me holding my breath at times and feeling the pain that thirteen year old Natalie was feeling…both the emotional and physical. Once I had started this book I was unable to put it down until I turned the last page. This is one of the best stories of life and hurting the ones we love and maybe…somehow…with divine intervention…able to change the outcome and get forgiveness.
This is definitely a book to be recommended and well worth reading!
March 7, 2015
Caller 107, after saying the title one wouldn’t know what to think of it. It’s the title that already starts the reader wondering what journey you are about to embark on. This whole story was quite the unexpected chain of events for the reader. You read, follow the plot, and boom! Matthew changes it upside-down and you are left speechless. You are smacked with such powerful emotions; you are just awestruck with the turn of events. I tried my hardest to predict outcomes of certain events, but am left with a complete plot twist. It’s true; the author can twist our reality into a whole different perspective on life. This story really changed my views on the world beyond our own. Matthew states at the end of the book, the reasoning behind this whole story, and I’m very elated you decided to go ahead and publish it. It’s truly outstanding, what one smidge of an idea, can become at the end. If you enjoy books that twist your predictions, and make you really attached to protagonists, then this is the story for you. Trust me; the title makes itself known once you read it. When I read the particular passage that mentioned the title, it was then that you were overcome with a sort of gratifying revelation. I recommend reading this book at night. It gives it that eerie feel, which blends together so smoothly! Caller 107 is one of those stories, that’ll keep those pages turning, and leave you pondering whenever you reach an end to a chapter. I enjoyed the writing style, looking forward to reading more of Matthew’s work.
April 20, 2016
Finding The Escape Hatch
This is a stand alone novel.
This was an amazing and angsty story that still managed to be sweet and uplifting. It showcases how badly children of divorce can take their parents using them as a weapon against each other. Natalie was willing to throw everything she had worked so hard for away to pay back some of the pain her parents had caused her. While written about a young adult protagonist, I would not suggest this book as suitable reading material for any but the maturest of young adults as it deals with very serious issues and depicts graphic violence. It was an amazing reading experience filled with plenty of plot twists and a great ending!
Being a child of a very antagonistic divorce has caused Natalie to burn down her old life and look for new "friends" who fit the way she feels inside better than her old ones. She has blown off school and started shoplifting as well as hanging with a "street gang" to hopefully hurt her parents. Them fighting over her like she was some prized piece of property was bad enough... Now her father has abandoned her completely! Does he really not want her anymore because she is a "bad girl" and will ruin his "reputation"? Can she fit in with her new, rougher crowd? Or will she always be a wannabe? Will her parents ever see the damage they have done and the pain they have caused her?
***This book is suitable for incredibly mature young adult through adult readers who enjoy action packed, drama filled, angsty adventures with plenty of violence and a bit of the supernatural :)
This is a stand alone novel.
This was an amazing and angsty story that still managed to be sweet and uplifting. It showcases how badly children of divorce can take their parents using them as a weapon against each other. Natalie was willing to throw everything she had worked so hard for away to pay back some of the pain her parents had caused her. While written about a young adult protagonist, I would not suggest this book as suitable reading material for any but the maturest of young adults as it deals with very serious issues and depicts graphic violence. It was an amazing reading experience filled with plenty of plot twists and a great ending!
Being a child of a very antagonistic divorce has caused Natalie to burn down her old life and look for new "friends" who fit the way she feels inside better than her old ones. She has blown off school and started shoplifting as well as hanging with a "street gang" to hopefully hurt her parents. Them fighting over her like she was some prized piece of property was bad enough... Now her father has abandoned her completely! Does he really not want her anymore because she is a "bad girl" and will ruin his "reputation"? Can she fit in with her new, rougher crowd? Or will she always be a wannabe? Will her parents ever see the damage they have done and the pain they have caused her?
***This book is suitable for incredibly mature young adult through adult readers who enjoy action packed, drama filled, angsty adventures with plenty of violence and a bit of the supernatural :)
April 18, 2015
In this book you will meet Natalie a straight A student with a bright future. Suddenly she is a young teen stuck between two parents in the middle of a divorce, fighting over her, their unwilling bargaining tool. She is pissed off at the both of them. She blames her mother for wrecking their family, and her father for not bring there. She becomes embroiled in a world of danger. She is involved with a bad element, gets into trouble, both at school, and with the law. She abandons her life for a life on the dark dangerous streets with a gang in attempt to get some payback at her parents. As I ride along with Natalie, I was at first angry because I felt she was acting like an insolent little brat, but she got under my skin and I just wanted to reach out and help her. This story is full of twists and turns. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, hold on, plot twist! This I'd the kind of story that grips you once you get into the story and keeps you turning pages until the very end. Kudos to Matthew! This story was very well written and the characters were well defined. I definitely recommend this book.
I was given this book free for an honest review.
I was given this book free for an honest review.
July 25, 2015
I saw that this book was free through a website and I read the synopsis, deciding to pick it up. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not only was in a fast paced read but it was also unlike anything I have ever read before.
At times I wanted to hate the main character but then I would remember she is only thirteen years old and issues like her mother cheating causing her parents to get a divorce would make anyone who is just entering her teenage years to act out. She doesn't hear from her father, her mother telling her he won't talk to her because he wants nothing to do with her, she has no love for her mother, she ruins her relationship with her best friend, her grades are dropping, she is getting into trouble with the law, and she is angry all the time.
One day she gets killed. A man came to her and told her she can live only if she beats the contest. In order to win the "radio" contest she must right all of her wrongs.
By the end of this story I found myself truly enjoying it.
At times I wanted to hate the main character but then I would remember she is only thirteen years old and issues like her mother cheating causing her parents to get a divorce would make anyone who is just entering her teenage years to act out. She doesn't hear from her father, her mother telling her he won't talk to her because he wants nothing to do with her, she has no love for her mother, she ruins her relationship with her best friend, her grades are dropping, she is getting into trouble with the law, and she is angry all the time.
One day she gets killed. A man came to her and told her she can live only if she beats the contest. In order to win the "radio" contest she must right all of her wrongs.
By the end of this story I found myself truly enjoying it.
July 21, 2014
Matthew Cox knows how to yank your heart out, twist it around, and then put it back in your chest.
I loved Caller 107, and identified with the MC (probably more than I should), but that is what made me love it. This is a story that people can truly fall into, and just... feel. The emotions Matthew Cox was able to send through me were intense and somewhat annoying, seeing as I'm not an emotional person.
In the beginning, I wanted to bitch slap Natalie, hard. Then again, looking back, when I was that age, I should have done the same to myself. Everything she goes through is so real, it's like you're there, walking beside her as she ventures on this journey. I've never rooted for a character to succeed so hard.
Even if you don't read YA, I seriously suggest you read this one. Matthew Cox has a gem here. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.
I loved Caller 107, and identified with the MC (probably more than I should), but that is what made me love it. This is a story that people can truly fall into, and just... feel. The emotions Matthew Cox was able to send through me were intense and somewhat annoying, seeing as I'm not an emotional person.
In the beginning, I wanted to bitch slap Natalie, hard. Then again, looking back, when I was that age, I should have done the same to myself. Everything she goes through is so real, it's like you're there, walking beside her as she ventures on this journey. I've never rooted for a character to succeed so hard.
Even if you don't read YA, I seriously suggest you read this one. Matthew Cox has a gem here. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.
July 22, 2014
Review: CALLER 107 by MATTHEW COX
Poor Natalie: What a miserable life...and Death. Once a capable, smart, pre-teen with a straight shot at advanced classes and early university.admission, her parents' unexpected divorce and subsequent inability to mature has resulted in Natalie' s extreme behavior: shoplifting, spiraling grades, running with a batch of gang wannabes, breaking-and-entering...and eventually, the worst occurs, an attempted rape, then murder. Very dystopian, very despairing. Yet Natalie, who has exhausted all her options, is unexpectedly granted one-more-chance..to make it right.
The publisher, Curiosity Quills Press, provided an ARC for the sole purpose of my fair and honest review. No fees were exchanged.
Poor Natalie: What a miserable life...and Death. Once a capable, smart, pre-teen with a straight shot at advanced classes and early university.admission, her parents' unexpected divorce and subsequent inability to mature has resulted in Natalie' s extreme behavior: shoplifting, spiraling grades, running with a batch of gang wannabes, breaking-and-entering...and eventually, the worst occurs, an attempted rape, then murder. Very dystopian, very despairing. Yet Natalie, who has exhausted all her options, is unexpectedly granted one-more-chance..to make it right.
The publisher, Curiosity Quills Press, provided an ARC for the sole purpose of my fair and honest review. No fees were exchanged.
March 27, 2015
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie is caught in the war between her divorcing parents. Both want custody of her. She decides to rebel once an A plus student with her whole future ahead of her , her grades begin to slip. All the anger building up inside her brings her to the brink of a spiraling down fall. One fateful night she decides to leave the gang she had been hanging out with and in the blink of an eye her life is drastically changed. In order to get her life back she has to figure out the clues that are delivered to her by a special way. This is a book of what if's . What if i hadn't done that? What if i had listened? If you were given a second chance at life would you do things differently this time?
Natalie is caught in the war between her divorcing parents. Both want custody of her. She decides to rebel once an A plus student with her whole future ahead of her , her grades begin to slip. All the anger building up inside her brings her to the brink of a spiraling down fall. One fateful night she decides to leave the gang she had been hanging out with and in the blink of an eye her life is drastically changed. In order to get her life back she has to figure out the clues that are delivered to her by a special way. This is a book of what if's . What if i hadn't done that? What if i had listened? If you were given a second chance at life would you do things differently this time?
July 8, 2014
I got this story and thought the idea was very creative. I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed. Matthew Cox has written a great story that evokes emotion. This story starts out with the "troubled teen" who isn't handling her life well. Despite attempts from others to help out, she gets herself caught up in a dangerous situation. Now, she is in the real fight. Her choices carefully monitored. Will she be able to leave her anger behind and make the better decision?
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
October 12, 2014
I'm already a fan of Matthew Cox's Cyberpunk books, but this YA was a big divergence for him. I have to say it was better than I expected. This is a hard hitting story about a young teen dealing badly with more than a fair share of hardships. Cox doesn't pull any punches, taking readers to the depths of despair and then lower. Coming back from an unbelievable depth, the ending is powerful and emotional. You'll want to cry and cheer.
December 31, 2017
An emotional read that, nonetheless, feels so very real!
I will admit that I am a big fan of Matthew Cox’s writing, and this book is one more illustration of why that is.
Mr. Cox writes so vividly, you feel like you are right there, in the action, with the characters. There were several moments when I had to blink away tears while reading this book.
I look forward to reading every book written by this author, and this is yet another example of his stellar work!
I will admit that I am a big fan of Matthew Cox’s writing, and this book is one more illustration of why that is.
Mr. Cox writes so vividly, you feel like you are right there, in the action, with the characters. There were several moments when I had to blink away tears while reading this book.
I look forward to reading every book written by this author, and this is yet another example of his stellar work!
September 27, 2014
Caller 107 is beautifully written, tells a fantastic story, and isn't afraid to get gritty when the time calls for it. The characters are very believable as people, and diverse that they don't all sound a like. The subplots are woven together with an intricate design that gets the reader lost in the book, not even realizing they've been immersed into another world. That's the best kind of book!
February 18, 2015
That's a brat!
That girl and all the characters were so well written. It made it hard to care what happened to her. I almost lost interest early on but kept going and it was worth it. I liked the surprise ending but a little hard to follow. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That girl and all the characters were so well written. It made it hard to care what happened to her. I almost lost interest early on but kept going and it was worth it. I liked the surprise ending but a little hard to follow. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2015
It was an odd book, at times almost childish; but it was being told from a 13 yr old's perspective so I guess childish is appropriate. I'm not sure it is something I would want to read again, and I would be selective in suggesting it to others. There is foul language (doesn't bother me) and some religious references that may be offensive to some.
February 21, 2016
I was so surprised how much I enjoyed this book - I spent most of the night reading it! I wasn't immediately drawn in by the story, but the next thing I knew I couldn't put it down. The story has a very surreal quality to it, meanwhile being very poignant. I would be curious to see other stories with the main character in them.
May 16, 2019
CALLER 107 by Matthew Cox is a dark story about a teen going through difficult times. As the blurb suggests, the main character does die in the book, but it is the journey from before and after that death that is the huge impact.
November 17, 2015
The beginning and ending were great. The middle dragged on a bit.
Overall the story was good. I really don't know what else to say about this book. It was an interesting read.
Overall the story was good. I really don't know what else to say about this book. It was an interesting read.
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