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Ghosts of Eden
A neglected and abused little girl…A hopeless drug addict…Horrifying visions of bizarre beings that may or may not be human…A haunted desert refuge that could hold the key to everything…and all of it tied together by a mysterious jar that contains the secrets of good and evil, reality and nightmares, creation and death…and everything in between…
Following a family tragedy, Kayla, a twelve-year-old orphan, and Garty, a college dropout and junkie, are sent to spend the summer with an enigmatic uncle neither of them have ever known, at his palatial desert home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb. While Garty struggles to come to grips with his reckless past, and Kayla attempts to discover her place in the world, their Uncle Xander reveals the true purpose for them being there.
Soon, dark secrets will be revealed. They will be shown things that will change their perceptions of the physical universe, because nothing is as it seems, and no one is safe from the terrifying secrets awaiting them. When the strange jar is opened, otherworldly horrors slip forth with ambitions of dominance, oppression and terror.
Eden will be reborn.
Following a family tragedy, Kayla, a twelve-year-old orphan, and Garty, a college dropout and junkie, are sent to spend the summer with an enigmatic uncle neither of them have ever known, at his palatial desert home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb. While Garty struggles to come to grips with his reckless past, and Kayla attempts to discover her place in the world, their Uncle Xander reveals the true purpose for them being there.
Soon, dark secrets will be revealed. They will be shown things that will change their perceptions of the physical universe, because nothing is as it seems, and no one is safe from the terrifying secrets awaiting them. When the strange jar is opened, otherworldly horrors slip forth with ambitions of dominance, oppression and terror.
Eden will be reborn.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Keith Deininger
24 books112 followersKeith Deininger is an award-winning dark fiction author. His titles include WITHIN, MARROW'S PIT and A GAME FOR GODS. He is best known for blending elements of fantasy with horror in his surreal, literary style. He grew up in the American Southwest and currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and daughter.
www.KeithDeininger.com
www.KeithDeininger.com
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February 10, 2015I just can't get into this book. I am gonna quit while I'm just confused and not keep on until I get angry at it.
ETA: The author of this book just liked this review. Mr. Keith Deininger..you just gained a fan. We don't call out authors that behave well often enough. You took the time to do that even though the book wasn't for me. I'll give another of your books a go just for that.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley/Darkfuse in exchange for an honest review.
ETA: The author of this book just liked this review. Mr. Keith Deininger..you just gained a fan. We don't call out authors that behave well often enough. You took the time to do that even though the book wasn't for me. I'll give another of your books a go just for that.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley/Darkfuse in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2014
Ghosts of Eden is my second read from Keith Deininger and I have to say I enjoyed this immensely, it’s one of those books that tickles the imagination, a story of magic, dark powers and people that exist outside the restraints and the fabric of our world.
I’ve read a few stories recently that used alternate realities, doors to other dimensions, that sort of thing and Keith Deininger carried it off very well, the biggest plus is that he made it believable and didn’t just stick it down the readers throat, something too many fail to accomplish. Believable asks a lot, but when you’re truly invested in the story and the characters, then the question is that much easier to answer.
Kayla Greenwood’s life takes a dramatic turn when her family is killed in an accident, plagued by increasingly strange dreams with messages that simply can’t be real, she is packed off to live with the previously unknown Uncle Xander and life is about to become a little bizarre.
The fucked up life of Garty Branson is the second important addition to the cast, a drug user who while camped out at a rave happens upon a tiny porcelain jar, as quick as he finds it, its presence is forgotten but it’s something he will never lose and it has a significant part to play in the future. Garty manages to squander everything, his flat, his friends and soon he’s also packed off by his stepfather to an Uncle Xander out in Los Alamos.
Uncle Xander owns an impressive mansion, they each get their own rather nice room and soon enough they find they are to be tutored by the crazy old man, lessons in science & illusion. Things just get insane for the two youngsters from here out, this place is seriously fucked, warped beyond belief. They see things, people that can’t be real, dream things that might better be called nightmares and it seems they are in this place for a reason, one beyond comprehension.
A quote that I liked.
‘She turned. Then the air began to thicken and waver like the phosphorescence of an invisible fabric – and the silvery veil fell over the world again’.
Within the story are interludes that tell tales of the infamous Los Alamos, birthplace of the atomic bomb and a town of scientists, mainly employed by ‘the Lab’.
I highlighted a lot of notes in Ghosts of Eden and I generally only do that when I feel I’ve enjoyed or seriously disliked something and I definitely enjoyed reading this.
It’s almost like Harry Potter on amphetamines, only a bit darker with lost marbles and a constant danger always on the periphery.
A 4.5* rating
I received Ghosts Of Eden from Darkfuse & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and that’s what you’ve got.
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
I’ve read a few stories recently that used alternate realities, doors to other dimensions, that sort of thing and Keith Deininger carried it off very well, the biggest plus is that he made it believable and didn’t just stick it down the readers throat, something too many fail to accomplish. Believable asks a lot, but when you’re truly invested in the story and the characters, then the question is that much easier to answer.
Kayla Greenwood’s life takes a dramatic turn when her family is killed in an accident, plagued by increasingly strange dreams with messages that simply can’t be real, she is packed off to live with the previously unknown Uncle Xander and life is about to become a little bizarre.
The fucked up life of Garty Branson is the second important addition to the cast, a drug user who while camped out at a rave happens upon a tiny porcelain jar, as quick as he finds it, its presence is forgotten but it’s something he will never lose and it has a significant part to play in the future. Garty manages to squander everything, his flat, his friends and soon he’s also packed off by his stepfather to an Uncle Xander out in Los Alamos.
Uncle Xander owns an impressive mansion, they each get their own rather nice room and soon enough they find they are to be tutored by the crazy old man, lessons in science & illusion. Things just get insane for the two youngsters from here out, this place is seriously fucked, warped beyond belief. They see things, people that can’t be real, dream things that might better be called nightmares and it seems they are in this place for a reason, one beyond comprehension.
A quote that I liked.
‘She turned. Then the air began to thicken and waver like the phosphorescence of an invisible fabric – and the silvery veil fell over the world again’.
Within the story are interludes that tell tales of the infamous Los Alamos, birthplace of the atomic bomb and a town of scientists, mainly employed by ‘the Lab’.
I highlighted a lot of notes in Ghosts of Eden and I generally only do that when I feel I’ve enjoyed or seriously disliked something and I definitely enjoyed reading this.
It’s almost like Harry Potter on amphetamines, only a bit darker with lost marbles and a constant danger always on the periphery.
A 4.5* rating
I received Ghosts Of Eden from Darkfuse & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and that’s what you’ve got.
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
September 20, 2014
4.5 stars, rounded up!
Keith Deininger has the ability to blend genres so well, that it's often impossible to tell where the lines between them exist! Here we have the tale of an orphaned girl, Kayla, and Garty (an undirected, drug user). Both find themselves sent to live with an "uncle" that neither of them never knew existed before. When Xander, the reclusive uncle, refers to them as brother and sister, it's just the beginning of the strange things that continue to plague these two.
In a world where the "veil" between universes is able to be transgressed, Keith Deininger eases us into the possibilities by setting the stage with realistic visions/nightmares, guardian/sentry animals, and strange beings that "should" terrify, yet somehow manage not to appear out-of-place here. In Uncle Xander's laboratory, you get the feeling that truly ANYTHING is possible.
I found myself hanging on every word in this fantastic novel! The main characters were both believable and empathetic--I honestly cared what happened to them, and what secrets each of them held inside.
Another novel that will haunt me for some time to come--well done!!!
*I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Keith Deininger has the ability to blend genres so well, that it's often impossible to tell where the lines between them exist! Here we have the tale of an orphaned girl, Kayla, and Garty (an undirected, drug user). Both find themselves sent to live with an "uncle" that neither of them never knew existed before. When Xander, the reclusive uncle, refers to them as brother and sister, it's just the beginning of the strange things that continue to plague these two.
In a world where the "veil" between universes is able to be transgressed, Keith Deininger eases us into the possibilities by setting the stage with realistic visions/nightmares, guardian/sentry animals, and strange beings that "should" terrify, yet somehow manage not to appear out-of-place here. In Uncle Xander's laboratory, you get the feeling that truly ANYTHING is possible.
I found myself hanging on every word in this fantastic novel! The main characters were both believable and empathetic--I honestly cared what happened to them, and what secrets each of them held inside.
Another novel that will haunt me for some time to come--well done!!!
*I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
January 3, 2015
Kayla, a 12 year old orphan and Garty, a drug addicted waster, both find themselves at their uncles desert mansion. Kayla has been picked to begin an apprenticeship with her uncle and Garty is roped in to help with her tuition.
Things are not as they first seem as they both suffer from horrifying nightmares and find themselves questioning the reality around them as strange things transpire. It becomes clear that they are there for a much bigger purpose and that their uncle is not exactly who he seems.
You could never accuse Keith Deininger of having no imagination, this strange and surreal tale was a mix of many different genres and they blended together almost seamlessly. Character wise, Kayla and Garty are engaging for the most part although Garty isn't the most sympathetic character at the start, his journey in the story sees him becoming a much stronger person and one I really liked by the end of the novel.
Although I enjoyed it I found that there was just too much going on for me in this. The dark fantasy and magical world building weren't clear enough for me and I struggled to remember or make sense of what was going on. This read is about altered realities so I expected that there would be a certain amount of trippiness but with so much detail in the book it failed to make enough sense for me.
Whilst this read didn't quite gel for me I think the author is very talented and I have enjoyed his other reads immensely, anyone thinking of picking up his work would do well to read The New Flesh, an amazing read that I highly recommend.
Things are not as they first seem as they both suffer from horrifying nightmares and find themselves questioning the reality around them as strange things transpire. It becomes clear that they are there for a much bigger purpose and that their uncle is not exactly who he seems.
You could never accuse Keith Deininger of having no imagination, this strange and surreal tale was a mix of many different genres and they blended together almost seamlessly. Character wise, Kayla and Garty are engaging for the most part although Garty isn't the most sympathetic character at the start, his journey in the story sees him becoming a much stronger person and one I really liked by the end of the novel.
Although I enjoyed it I found that there was just too much going on for me in this. The dark fantasy and magical world building weren't clear enough for me and I struggled to remember or make sense of what was going on. This read is about altered realities so I expected that there would be a certain amount of trippiness but with so much detail in the book it failed to make enough sense for me.
Whilst this read didn't quite gel for me I think the author is very talented and I have enjoyed his other reads immensely, anyone thinking of picking up his work would do well to read The New Flesh, an amazing read that I highly recommend.
September 24, 2014
Garty and Kayla are each special in their own way. Unbeknownst to them they have a special connection that brings them together at their Uncle Xanders desert mansion where they must try and unravel the illusions that are keeping them trapped there (and within themselves).
I am a fan of Keith’s work and Ghosts of Eden does not disappoint. It took me a few chapters to get into this one, but once I did, it clicked and the story took hold. It has a sci-fi / fantasy vibe going on that does not get overly complicated in plot, but has more than enough juice to make you think. Another well done tale from Mr. Deininger. Recommended!
*As a member of the DarkFuse / NetGalley Readers Group, I received an advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Keith’s work and Ghosts of Eden does not disappoint. It took me a few chapters to get into this one, but once I did, it clicked and the story took hold. It has a sci-fi / fantasy vibe going on that does not get overly complicated in plot, but has more than enough juice to make you think. Another well done tale from Mr. Deininger. Recommended!
*As a member of the DarkFuse / NetGalley Readers Group, I received an advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2014
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Ghosts of Eden is the fourth book I've read by Keith Deininger and his imagination never ceases to amaze me. I'm not sure which dimension Keith hails from but I'm very suspicious that it's not our own.
Ghosts of Eden is a mixture of horror, fantasy and possibly some drugs that I would like added to my cup of coffee. As usual he sets an atmosphere so fantastical that it's hard not to get caught up in it. Garty is a drug-addicted screw-up of a 19 year old who can't seem to find a stable place to crash after his mother dies. Kayla is a perceptive and optimistic child whose family doesn't understand her, and soon she starts seeing things she doesn't seem to understand herself. When Garty and Kayla's lives collide in the form of "Uncle Xander" and his secret laboratory, the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur.
I will admit that I'm not a huge fan of fantasy in general, but Keith has a way of blending it so well into his stories that most of the time I forget that I don't like it. My only gripe with this one was that it was a little more out there than some of his others and that the ending seemed to be a little rushed but it was good nonetheless.
Ghosts of Eden is the fourth book I've read by Keith Deininger and his imagination never ceases to amaze me. I'm not sure which dimension Keith hails from but I'm very suspicious that it's not our own.
Ghosts of Eden is a mixture of horror, fantasy and possibly some drugs that I would like added to my cup of coffee. As usual he sets an atmosphere so fantastical that it's hard not to get caught up in it. Garty is a drug-addicted screw-up of a 19 year old who can't seem to find a stable place to crash after his mother dies. Kayla is a perceptive and optimistic child whose family doesn't understand her, and soon she starts seeing things she doesn't seem to understand herself. When Garty and Kayla's lives collide in the form of "Uncle Xander" and his secret laboratory, the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur.
I will admit that I'm not a huge fan of fantasy in general, but Keith has a way of blending it so well into his stories that most of the time I forget that I don't like it. My only gripe with this one was that it was a little more out there than some of his others and that the ending seemed to be a little rushed but it was good nonetheless.
May 31, 2015
Ghosts of Eden is the fourth book by Keith I have read. Shadow Animals is the only book by Keith I have not read. It's in my TBR pile, should get to it soon. Becoming a big fan of Keith's work. If it wasn't for the DarkFuse book club I might have never read any of his books. For me that is the big plus of the book club, being exposed to writers that aren't the mainstream. The story starts out like two separate tales. First Kayla who loses her family in a accident. Second Garty who is kicked out of his grandmother's house by his stepfather. But both come together at Uncle Xander's home in Los Alamos. They are both given rooms and told that he will be tutoring them. Will stop here, don't want to say too much. Just that if you have not read any of Keith's books here is a great start. I like a story like this, well written, that has a nice flow and keeps you wanting to read to see what's next. I gave Ghost of Eden 4 1/2 stars.
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2016
Dark fantasy that will hold you in place for hours. Deininger's writing evolves over the years darkly fantastic leaning more toward Gaiman-esque fantasy with each successive book he writes. And each one just gets better.
GHOSTS OF EDEN brings together a little girl and a teenage boy to the home of their uncle. Told they will be staying with the eccentric old man for the summer in his mansion these two unwanted kids find something unusual together. But will they make it through the summer?
Like all of Keith Deininger's books, this is not a casual read. Thought is required on your part. Stretch your brain! And enjoy!
I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
GHOSTS OF EDEN brings together a little girl and a teenage boy to the home of their uncle. Told they will be staying with the eccentric old man for the summer in his mansion these two unwanted kids find something unusual together. But will they make it through the summer?
Like all of Keith Deininger's books, this is not a casual read. Thought is required on your part. Stretch your brain! And enjoy!
I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
November 3, 2014
3.5 of 5 Stars Review copy
I read the opening line. "The man in the street, walking awkwardly in his wrinkled slacks and dress shirt buttoned all the way to his neck at midnight, seemed out of place in the neighborhood, as if he's arrived from another world." I thought, this looks like fun.
Ghosts of Eden was fun in a weird way. Where magic and physics merge into one, where "Those with the ability to travel between universes, to visit and speak with and influence the minds of the observers--what physicists call the inhabitants of other planets--on distant worlds, would hold the power to guide and shape the course of the multiverse itself."
After the death of her parents, Kayla Greenwood is sent to live with her uncle. Garty Branson has never met a recreational drug he didn't try. After a particularly rough experience at a multi-day music festival, Garty, now in possession of a mysterious jar of nothing, is sent to live with his uncle. Same uncle, Dr. William Eldritch Xander, who isn't at all what we are led to believe.
What kept me from loving this book was that I really didn't like any of the characters. I didn't feel as if I knew any of then very well and I didn't particularly care what happened to them. Then there was the overall weirdness of what the children were up against. When it was over, I felt as if I had just come down from a rather bad trip.
Ghosts of Eden is from Darkfuse and set to be released on November 4th for the Kindle. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this one at no additional charge.
I can't really come out and recommend Ghosts of Eden, but much like taking LSD back in the '60s, your experience may vary.
I read the opening line. "The man in the street, walking awkwardly in his wrinkled slacks and dress shirt buttoned all the way to his neck at midnight, seemed out of place in the neighborhood, as if he's arrived from another world." I thought, this looks like fun.
Ghosts of Eden was fun in a weird way. Where magic and physics merge into one, where "Those with the ability to travel between universes, to visit and speak with and influence the minds of the observers--what physicists call the inhabitants of other planets--on distant worlds, would hold the power to guide and shape the course of the multiverse itself."
After the death of her parents, Kayla Greenwood is sent to live with her uncle. Garty Branson has never met a recreational drug he didn't try. After a particularly rough experience at a multi-day music festival, Garty, now in possession of a mysterious jar of nothing, is sent to live with his uncle. Same uncle, Dr. William Eldritch Xander, who isn't at all what we are led to believe.
What kept me from loving this book was that I really didn't like any of the characters. I didn't feel as if I knew any of then very well and I didn't particularly care what happened to them. Then there was the overall weirdness of what the children were up against. When it was over, I felt as if I had just come down from a rather bad trip.
Ghosts of Eden is from Darkfuse and set to be released on November 4th for the Kindle. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this one at no additional charge.
I can't really come out and recommend Ghosts of Eden, but much like taking LSD back in the '60s, your experience may vary.
October 16, 2014
I was given an ARC ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My second book by Keith Deininger, who I feel is a very good writer, and both are very different. Both “Ghosts of Eden” and the novella “Marrow’s Pit” were from Darkfuse, which is a great publisher of horror, speculative/sci-fi, fantasy, and crime/noir.
I liked “Marrow’s Pit” better but that is because I tend to like sci-fi better than fantasy, but both were extremely well written. “Ghosts of Eden” however fits squarely into the fantasy genre and would appeal even to the YA fantasy crowd if you removed a few scenes and images—and if they like their fantasy very, very dark.
Two damaged and disenfranchised young people with nowhere to turn are dropped off at dear old uncle Xander’s house basically because no one else wants them. Uncle Xander sure does and not in a good way. Xander is a scientist who has discovered a world or worlds beyond pure science and has devoted his life instead to magic. He has plans for the both of them and begins their “training” almost immediately.
What starts as a really odd school of wizardry/magic under the tutelage of dear old, messed up, depraved, and endearing in no way uncle Xander (think Lemony Snicket but ten times as bad) turns into an all out war that will satisfy any fan of fantasy and magic.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, you will really enjoy Ghost of Eden. It has it all. Great characters, a compelling story, and dark and disturbing imagery you will not soon forget.
My second book by Keith Deininger, who I feel is a very good writer, and both are very different. Both “Ghosts of Eden” and the novella “Marrow’s Pit” were from Darkfuse, which is a great publisher of horror, speculative/sci-fi, fantasy, and crime/noir.
I liked “Marrow’s Pit” better but that is because I tend to like sci-fi better than fantasy, but both were extremely well written. “Ghosts of Eden” however fits squarely into the fantasy genre and would appeal even to the YA fantasy crowd if you removed a few scenes and images—and if they like their fantasy very, very dark.
Two damaged and disenfranchised young people with nowhere to turn are dropped off at dear old uncle Xander’s house basically because no one else wants them. Uncle Xander sure does and not in a good way. Xander is a scientist who has discovered a world or worlds beyond pure science and has devoted his life instead to magic. He has plans for the both of them and begins their “training” almost immediately.
What starts as a really odd school of wizardry/magic under the tutelage of dear old, messed up, depraved, and endearing in no way uncle Xander (think Lemony Snicket but ten times as bad) turns into an all out war that will satisfy any fan of fantasy and magic.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, you will really enjoy Ghost of Eden. It has it all. Great characters, a compelling story, and dark and disturbing imagery you will not soon forget.
November 13, 2014
Are you ready to take that leap of faith between reality and fiction? Will you put your fate in the hands of author Keith Deininger, hoping he will return you in one piece, mentally and physically? If so, you are ready for Ghosts of Eden, a twisted tale of magic, mystery and mayhem.
Two children, one a special young orphan and one a college dropout whose biggest ambition is his next score of drugs, both come together under strange circumstances, when an unknown wealthy “uncle” takes them both in. Kayla and Garty are now the guests of a very eccentric and rather creepy Uncle Xander, who has rules, expects them to attend his “schooling” and endeavors to open their minds to the unimaginable, magic from within. Treated like a science, is there a way to bring the magic out in everyone or just a chosen few? Is one child more valuable than the other? What is the end game here? Is magic to be used for good or is there a far more sinister plan in mind?
Ever seen the cross section of a log? The outside is rough, but each ring inside tells another layer of the story behind this tree. Welcome to Keith Deininger’s world, where you will go round and round until he decides you’ve had enough, then, he wraps it all up, ties the knot and everything fades to black. And. There. You. Sit. Wondering what hit you and how it happened. There is just something eerily dark about Mr. Deininger’s writing that leaves you wondering, could this really happen, so you grab a jar and concentrate...
I received this copy from DarkFuse in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: DarkFuse
ISBN: 9781940544410
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 185 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Two children, one a special young orphan and one a college dropout whose biggest ambition is his next score of drugs, both come together under strange circumstances, when an unknown wealthy “uncle” takes them both in. Kayla and Garty are now the guests of a very eccentric and rather creepy Uncle Xander, who has rules, expects them to attend his “schooling” and endeavors to open their minds to the unimaginable, magic from within. Treated like a science, is there a way to bring the magic out in everyone or just a chosen few? Is one child more valuable than the other? What is the end game here? Is magic to be used for good or is there a far more sinister plan in mind?
Ever seen the cross section of a log? The outside is rough, but each ring inside tells another layer of the story behind this tree. Welcome to Keith Deininger’s world, where you will go round and round until he decides you’ve had enough, then, he wraps it all up, ties the knot and everything fades to black. And. There. You. Sit. Wondering what hit you and how it happened. There is just something eerily dark about Mr. Deininger’s writing that leaves you wondering, could this really happen, so you grab a jar and concentrate...
I received this copy from DarkFuse in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: DarkFuse
ISBN: 9781940544410
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 185 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 8, 2014
This more a dark fantasy work than horror, and it showed a ton of imagination. It took me a few chapters to get immersed in it, but once I did, it took off for me. It's a story of a brother and sister who discover each other when they are brought to their uncle's house, and the brother is already an adult (with a checkered past). I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling it, but both of them go through a process of learning about their special abilities, and about who their uncle really is.
There was a lot left unexplained, or else I missed some things, and usually I don't mind that, but a little bit more "glue" might have helped here. It also had a few minor editorial issues, but I was interested enough in the story that they didn't ditract me from it. This was somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I'm rounding up. I like Keith's style and his imagination, I think once he gets a little more polish he's going to be an author to watch. Definitely recommended for dark fantasy fans!
There was a lot left unexplained, or else I missed some things, and usually I don't mind that, but a little bit more "glue" might have helped here. It also had a few minor editorial issues, but I was interested enough in the story that they didn't ditract me from it. This was somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I'm rounding up. I like Keith's style and his imagination, I think once he gets a little more polish he's going to be an author to watch. Definitely recommended for dark fantasy fans!
November 16, 2014
This book was my first time reading the work of Keith Deininger, and it likely won't be the last. The writing was crisp and nicely evocative, and I enjoyed his sense of imagination and scope. That said, this story just didn't quite gel for me, primarily because of it's fantasy-genre tropes. I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre, and try as I may I can never find myself easily escaping into those works. While I enjoy horror reads quite a bit, this one is more of a dark fantasy and I was bit lost as to the importance of denotics and a bit deaf to the science-vs-magic aspects of the story. So, simply put, it just wasn't for me. I plan on checking out his other works, though, particularly The New Flesh, which sounds a bit more intriguing to me.
December 7, 2014
Great pacing with a visually descriptive writing style that creates wonder and dread at the same time.
January 28, 2018
Where do I begin with this? Well, first of all, the obligatory…this audiobook has been provided for me by the publisher gratis and my review (obviously, blatantly so) is in no way affected by this largess. Now then to book…what a strange one. Seriously strange, like a fairy tale got high on quantum physics. Unfamiliar with the author prior to this, I had no idea what to expect. It sounded interesting enough and was free and I needed some noise to walk to and this did in fact succeed in making outside slightly more tolerable, in fact one time even warranted a walk that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred. Because it is, in fact, intriguing, this story, the very strangeness of it makes it compelling in a way. It’s certainly original and has some interesting ideas and intersects magic and science in a very appealing (to me, at least) way. The writing is pretty good, some nice genuine interactions. However, as an audio book it leaves a lot to be desired. In all fairness I usually download audiobooks from the library and those tend to be from major publishers with presumably larger budgets. This one was from Crossroad Press and…not great. Decent enough, but that’s about it. The sound faded in and out weirdly, Chapter 12 skipped all around until it straightened itself out and the narration was pretty underwhelming. The latter might be partially due to my weirdly sexist ears that prefer male audiobook readers. Either way, I kind of wish I had actually read this one instead of listened to it, which is unusual. Normally it’s the case of an average to above average story being elevated by the delivery, here it’s the opposite. But it was free and quick enough and did entertain, so there it is.
December 18, 2014
I found Ghosts of Eden to be an enjoyable if frustrating book. Enjoyable because, on the whole, it's a well-executed and inventive story. Frustrating because Deininger leaves some questions unanswered and hints at much larger things going on in the world he's created.
The story centers around Kayla, a recently-orphaned girl, and Garty, a college dropout with a drug problem. Events in their lives bring them together under the roof of their mysterious Uncle Xander. He wants to teach his wards something of magic, and from there things get weird in the house.
The sort of magic Deininger writes about is the kind that's not so much hocus pocus as it is someone understanding the nature of reality above and beyond what humans are typically capable of. References are made several time to quantum physics and string theory. I'm a big fan of this type of magic because I feel it still operates with a set of rules (as far as such things go). The problem, though, is it kind of falls apart when the reader discovers the sort of magic Kayla is capable of, because it does not neatly fit withing the quasi-scientific paradigm that has been established. Of course, much of what the reader is told about magic may be coming from something of an unreliable narrator, so it's likely the confusion is intentional.
And that brings me to what might be my only real complaint about Ghosts of Eden. In what I can only believe has become something of a hallmark for Deininger, he's packed this story with all sorts of allusions and mentions of elements that are unrelated or only tangentially related to the story being told. The Council is a great example of this. Almost from page one characters are referring to the Council, yet we're never given more than the vaguest of ideas about what (or who) exactly the Council is.
I understand what's going on: Deininger is setting up his stories so that, while self-contained, they are obviously parts of a larger world and he's leaving himself room to come back at some future time should inspiration strike. The problem is that he seems to do this for every story he writes and, as far as I know, hasn't come back to any yet, so readers are left hanging to some extent. (As an aside, Deininger has stated that he plans to come back to some of the worlds he's created at some point in the future, so it's mostly a matter of waiting.)
Still, that's kind of a non-complaint since I'm basically saying "this world is too creative..." Ghosts of Eden is a great work of dark fantasy that's worth reading, and I'll be over here quietly waiting for future stories in the same setting.
The story centers around Kayla, a recently-orphaned girl, and Garty, a college dropout with a drug problem. Events in their lives bring them together under the roof of their mysterious Uncle Xander. He wants to teach his wards something of magic, and from there things get weird in the house.
The sort of magic Deininger writes about is the kind that's not so much hocus pocus as it is someone understanding the nature of reality above and beyond what humans are typically capable of. References are made several time to quantum physics and string theory. I'm a big fan of this type of magic because I feel it still operates with a set of rules (as far as such things go). The problem, though, is it kind of falls apart when the reader discovers the sort of magic Kayla is capable of, because it does not neatly fit withing the quasi-scientific paradigm that has been established. Of course, much of what the reader is told about magic may be coming from something of an unreliable narrator, so it's likely the confusion is intentional.
And that brings me to what might be my only real complaint about Ghosts of Eden. In what I can only believe has become something of a hallmark for Deininger, he's packed this story with all sorts of allusions and mentions of elements that are unrelated or only tangentially related to the story being told. The Council is a great example of this. Almost from page one characters are referring to the Council, yet we're never given more than the vaguest of ideas about what (or who) exactly the Council is.
I understand what's going on: Deininger is setting up his stories so that, while self-contained, they are obviously parts of a larger world and he's leaving himself room to come back at some future time should inspiration strike. The problem is that he seems to do this for every story he writes and, as far as I know, hasn't come back to any yet, so readers are left hanging to some extent. (As an aside, Deininger has stated that he plans to come back to some of the worlds he's created at some point in the future, so it's mostly a matter of waiting.)
Still, that's kind of a non-complaint since I'm basically saying "this world is too creative..." Ghosts of Eden is a great work of dark fantasy that's worth reading, and I'll be over here quietly waiting for future stories in the same setting.
January 13, 2015
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Also this book is published by DarkFuse and you generally cannot go wrong with anything they put out to the masses.
Kayla is orphaned. Not a bad thing for her really after what can only be described as an abusive childhood. Garty is a college dropout. He has also probably sampled all known drug and hallucinogenic known to man.....in a weekend. After the death of Kayla’s parents and Garty having a fallout with his stepdad, they are both sent to live with an uncle that neither of them know. They don’t even know each other. Uncle Xander seems to be a little bit nuts. He believes that Kayla has a higher purpose than normal human beings and proposes to teach her and give her the knowledge she needs to progress. Garty is to be his assistant. How will they cope with the strange goings on in Dr Xanders laboratory? Will either of them survive?
Wow! What did I just read? This is the first book I have ever read by Keith Deininger and to be honest I have no idea what to make of it. I feel like I have just woken up after a 30 year magic mushroom trip. I don’t even know how to put this book in a category. It’s a psychedelic vision into the world of physics. It’s a journey of alternative realities where you the reader must try and decide which side of the coin is the true reality. I found it very confusing at times and then just as I was getting to grips with the story, it flipped again and I was off on another journey into unknown territories.
A big part of me really enjoyed this book and a big part of me really wanted it to end. The writing is very effective. The descriptions of scenes and memories and nightmares do put you in a position where you can visualise them very well and imagine exactly what it must have been like for the characters even though, as I say, they could be very confusing. After reading this I checked out some other reviews of Mr Deiningers work and it seems that to truly enjoy his writing you need to totally open and free your mind to anything that might happen. I generally do that with each book that I read. I just wish someone had warned me to do it double for this one.
This gets 3 stars from me but I suspect I may read this again and if I understand it more the score could go up.
Kayla is orphaned. Not a bad thing for her really after what can only be described as an abusive childhood. Garty is a college dropout. He has also probably sampled all known drug and hallucinogenic known to man.....in a weekend. After the death of Kayla’s parents and Garty having a fallout with his stepdad, they are both sent to live with an uncle that neither of them know. They don’t even know each other. Uncle Xander seems to be a little bit nuts. He believes that Kayla has a higher purpose than normal human beings and proposes to teach her and give her the knowledge she needs to progress. Garty is to be his assistant. How will they cope with the strange goings on in Dr Xanders laboratory? Will either of them survive?
Wow! What did I just read? This is the first book I have ever read by Keith Deininger and to be honest I have no idea what to make of it. I feel like I have just woken up after a 30 year magic mushroom trip. I don’t even know how to put this book in a category. It’s a psychedelic vision into the world of physics. It’s a journey of alternative realities where you the reader must try and decide which side of the coin is the true reality. I found it very confusing at times and then just as I was getting to grips with the story, it flipped again and I was off on another journey into unknown territories.
A big part of me really enjoyed this book and a big part of me really wanted it to end. The writing is very effective. The descriptions of scenes and memories and nightmares do put you in a position where you can visualise them very well and imagine exactly what it must have been like for the characters even though, as I say, they could be very confusing. After reading this I checked out some other reviews of Mr Deiningers work and it seems that to truly enjoy his writing you need to totally open and free your mind to anything that might happen. I generally do that with each book that I read. I just wish someone had warned me to do it double for this one.
This gets 3 stars from me but I suspect I may read this again and if I understand it more the score could go up.
November 20, 2015
Ghosts of Eden represents another foray into New Mexico dark fiction by Keith Deininger. This time around, nine-year old Kayla and college-dropout Garty are “sent” to live with their uncle for the summer in his isolated mansion outside of Los Alamos. Both had been experiencing horrifying events and strange nightmares. When things spiral out of control and separate tragedies strike them both, their only option is Uncle Xander’s place in the desert. As it turns out, it was no accident that the two end up there as Xander begins tutoring them about dark arts, string theory, and weird physics. Can this guy be up to no good? You bet. You see, Kayla and Garty have “abilities” of their own…
Keith Deininger has been tantalizing his readers with brief incursions into strange worlds and other dimensions across a number of his works. So far, only sections or pieces have been unveiled, the full scope of his alternative universe has yet to be portrayed (although, his just released Godgame trilogy may be what we’ve been looking for – and it is on my to-be-read pile at the moment). The glimpses have been enticing as the author’s imagination jumps into high gear. I find his presentations chilling and exciting. The story line can be baffling, if not confusing at times, but this is half the fun in reading his works. What the heck is going on? You have to keep reading to find out.
The descriptions provided a fine sense of place. I was in Los Alamos about fifteen years ago, and I felt Keith hit all the right notes. His short interludes into the city itself provided a great sense of other-worldliness which enhanced the story. Interestingly enough, I found the passages in the early half of the book in which we learned about Kayla and Garty (and their scary experiences) more gripping than when they meet up at Xander’s house. I’m not sure why that is; maybe the author had reached a plateau of sorts. Nonetheless, the passages in the laboratory and when the kids were creeping around the mansion were well written – due to Keith Deininger’s freaky imagination and tremendous speculative fiction skills. A solid four-star read.
Keith Deininger has been tantalizing his readers with brief incursions into strange worlds and other dimensions across a number of his works. So far, only sections or pieces have been unveiled, the full scope of his alternative universe has yet to be portrayed (although, his just released Godgame trilogy may be what we’ve been looking for – and it is on my to-be-read pile at the moment). The glimpses have been enticing as the author’s imagination jumps into high gear. I find his presentations chilling and exciting. The story line can be baffling, if not confusing at times, but this is half the fun in reading his works. What the heck is going on? You have to keep reading to find out.
The descriptions provided a fine sense of place. I was in Los Alamos about fifteen years ago, and I felt Keith hit all the right notes. His short interludes into the city itself provided a great sense of other-worldliness which enhanced the story. Interestingly enough, I found the passages in the early half of the book in which we learned about Kayla and Garty (and their scary experiences) more gripping than when they meet up at Xander’s house. I’m not sure why that is; maybe the author had reached a plateau of sorts. Nonetheless, the passages in the laboratory and when the kids were creeping around the mansion were well written – due to Keith Deininger’s freaky imagination and tremendous speculative fiction skills. A solid four-star read.
August 11, 2016
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
A neglected and abused little girl…A hopeless drug addict…Horrifying visions of bizarre beings that may or may not be human…A haunted desert refuge that could hold the key to everything…and all of it tied together by a mysterious jar that contains the secrets of good and evil, reality and nightmares, creation and death…and everything in between…
Following a family tragedy, Kayla, a twelve-year-old orphan, and Garty, a college dropout and junkie, are sent to spend the summer with an enigmatic uncle neither of them have ever known, at his palatial desert home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb. While Garty struggles to come to grips with his reckless past, and Kayla attempts to discover her place in the world, their Uncle Xander reveals the true purpose for them being there.
Soon, dark secrets will be revealed. They will be shown things that will change their perceptions of the physical universe, because nothing is as it seems, and no one is safe from the terrifying secrets awaiting them. When the strange jar is opened, otherworldly horrors slip forth with ambitions of dominance, oppression and terror.
Eden will be reborn.
This was a fascinating book. For me it was part slow-burner, part seat-of-your-pants stuff. And that is highly unusual to say the least. It is a story that makes you pause to think about our reality...and then it is also a story that makes you flip the pages to find out what's coming next. That is an amazing talent. So, as far as the plot was concerned, I was hooked.
The one thing that I did struggle with a little bit - and the reason that this wasn't a 5 star book - was the "world-building." I love these kinds of stories a lot when the world that we inhabit when we read it is full and engrossing. This was just a little short on that for me. I think the plot and the hooks were more pronounced than the world itself.
Otherwise, this was an enjoyable read - and I have come to expect that from DarkFuse books!
Paul
ARH
A neglected and abused little girl…A hopeless drug addict…Horrifying visions of bizarre beings that may or may not be human…A haunted desert refuge that could hold the key to everything…and all of it tied together by a mysterious jar that contains the secrets of good and evil, reality and nightmares, creation and death…and everything in between…
Following a family tragedy, Kayla, a twelve-year-old orphan, and Garty, a college dropout and junkie, are sent to spend the summer with an enigmatic uncle neither of them have ever known, at his palatial desert home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb. While Garty struggles to come to grips with his reckless past, and Kayla attempts to discover her place in the world, their Uncle Xander reveals the true purpose for them being there.
Soon, dark secrets will be revealed. They will be shown things that will change their perceptions of the physical universe, because nothing is as it seems, and no one is safe from the terrifying secrets awaiting them. When the strange jar is opened, otherworldly horrors slip forth with ambitions of dominance, oppression and terror.
Eden will be reborn.
This was a fascinating book. For me it was part slow-burner, part seat-of-your-pants stuff. And that is highly unusual to say the least. It is a story that makes you pause to think about our reality...and then it is also a story that makes you flip the pages to find out what's coming next. That is an amazing talent. So, as far as the plot was concerned, I was hooked.
The one thing that I did struggle with a little bit - and the reason that this wasn't a 5 star book - was the "world-building." I love these kinds of stories a lot when the world that we inhabit when we read it is full and engrossing. This was just a little short on that for me. I think the plot and the hooks were more pronounced than the world itself.
Otherwise, this was an enjoyable read - and I have come to expect that from DarkFuse books!
Paul
ARH
October 7, 2014
Not an easy short novel to rate and review, Keith Deininger's latest DarkFuse publication is less of a horror and more of a dark fantasy which again showcases his considerable imagination. The plot - essentially involving two young people brought to the middle of nowhere (when their families are killed or disown them) for reasons that become increasingly sinister - is anything but straight forward. Deininger teases the reader with a weird and wonderful prologue that sets the tone for the novel, then follows it up with some mind-bending scenes that at times blend reality, dreams, nightmares and alternate realities. Doors that open on different places, slithering things within the dark, weaponised pointers, and a man with candles arranged around the brim of his hat are just some of the oddities awaiting readers within Ghosts of Eden.
It takes quite a while for things to becomes (somewhat) clear, so this is not a simple read. Truth be told, toward the end of Ghosts of Eden I had to go back and re-read a few sections to get a better handle on what was happening, illustrating that this requires a little more thought than your typical Sunday afternoon relaxer. But the ride is worth the effort, especially for those that enjoy reads where they never really know where they stand.
3.5 Not-Quite Cheshire Cats for Ghosts of Eden.
The preceding is based on an eARC obtained through Netgalley courtesy of DarkFuse Publications.
It takes quite a while for things to becomes (somewhat) clear, so this is not a simple read. Truth be told, toward the end of Ghosts of Eden I had to go back and re-read a few sections to get a better handle on what was happening, illustrating that this requires a little more thought than your typical Sunday afternoon relaxer. But the ride is worth the effort, especially for those that enjoy reads where they never really know where they stand.
3.5 Not-Quite Cheshire Cats for Ghosts of Eden.
The preceding is based on an eARC obtained through Netgalley courtesy of DarkFuse Publications.
May 15, 2015
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
Ghosts of Eden is an interesting take on the orphan ends up in an adventure trope. Kayla’s family passes away, leaving her a twelve-year-old orphan. She and Gary, a college dropout and notorious junkie, get to spend the summer with her uncle Xander, an uncle she’s never known or heard of. Both Kayla and Gary are haunted by nightmares while reality starts to transform and strange things, too strange to be real. Their uncle isn’t who he seems to be, and soon they find themselves in a dark adventure that may chance the way they see the universe, forever.
The author has an amazing imagination, and knows how to tell a story well. Despite the surreal elements, the world of Kayla and Gary felt quite real. It was hard to figure out which was reality and which wasn’t, though, but I thought that added to the surreal qualities of the book. As usual, DarkFuse delivers another excellent story.
Ghosts of Eden is an interesting take on the orphan ends up in an adventure trope. Kayla’s family passes away, leaving her a twelve-year-old orphan. She and Gary, a college dropout and notorious junkie, get to spend the summer with her uncle Xander, an uncle she’s never known or heard of. Both Kayla and Gary are haunted by nightmares while reality starts to transform and strange things, too strange to be real. Their uncle isn’t who he seems to be, and soon they find themselves in a dark adventure that may chance the way they see the universe, forever.
The author has an amazing imagination, and knows how to tell a story well. Despite the surreal elements, the world of Kayla and Gary felt quite real. It was hard to figure out which was reality and which wasn’t, though, but I thought that added to the surreal qualities of the book. As usual, DarkFuse delivers another excellent story.
December 3, 2014
This is the story of Kayla and Garty. Kayla comes from an abusive, neglectful family and Garty is a hopeless drug addict. Unbeknownst to themselves they are brother and sister, and have been sent to stay with their strange and enigmatic Uncle Xander. Their Uncle believes that Kayla has powers and Garty is there to be his assistant. They both have no idea though that Xander has other, nefarious plans...
This was really, really trippy! There were several threads and realities converging on each other and at first it was difficult to work out what went where, but once I had a handle on where the story was going, I had an absolute blast reading it. I loved the characters, and the 'otherworldliness' lent an interesting twist to the story.
This was really, really trippy! There were several threads and realities converging on each other and at first it was difficult to work out what went where, but once I had a handle on where the story was going, I had an absolute blast reading it. I loved the characters, and the 'otherworldliness' lent an interesting twist to the story.
July 5, 2015
This is the third book I've read by Keith Deininger and they have a common characteristic: They're weird stories.Also they're interesting books and this one is not exception.
This is the story of Kayla and Garty, a girl and a young man that in a way are " lost " and lonely in this world.Soon they find each other in a strange house where other dimensions and worlds are unveiled,also some things about tthemselves too.
A very personal and fascinating work by Keith Deininger in the fantasy genre.I hope there is a follow up to this novel soon,I'd like to read about Kayla and Garty again,this story is not over yet.
This is the story of Kayla and Garty, a girl and a young man that in a way are " lost " and lonely in this world.Soon they find each other in a strange house where other dimensions and worlds are unveiled,also some things about tthemselves too.
A very personal and fascinating work by Keith Deininger in the fantasy genre.I hope there is a follow up to this novel soon,I'd like to read about Kayla and Garty again,this story is not over yet.
September 12, 2014
REVIEW: GHOSTS OF EDEN BY Keith Deininger
A sci-fantasy fable of magical history and historical events filtered through the mind of an accomplished author, GHOSTS OF EDEN is unrelenting and rapid-paced as machine-gun fire, from the original fantastical scene in a quiet neighborhood, through an unwanted childhood, a desert rave reminiscent of Burning Man, to encounters in a spooky abode of a surviving grandparent, finally on to Los Alamos, where history collides with science, magic, and the Multiverse. This novel never lets go.
A sci-fantasy fable of magical history and historical events filtered through the mind of an accomplished author, GHOSTS OF EDEN is unrelenting and rapid-paced as machine-gun fire, from the original fantastical scene in a quiet neighborhood, through an unwanted childhood, a desert rave reminiscent of Burning Man, to encounters in a spooky abode of a surviving grandparent, finally on to Los Alamos, where history collides with science, magic, and the Multiverse. This novel never lets go.
December 1, 2014
Once again, Deininger mixes genres seamlessly together to produce an excellent book. The storyline hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. He weaved the different characters together perfectly to create a story that I won't soon forget!
The perfect blend of enough fantasy to keep you guessing and enough reality to keep you grounded, this is one not to miss.
The perfect blend of enough fantasy to keep you guessing and enough reality to keep you grounded, this is one not to miss.
November 17, 2014
I really liked this novel in the early parts where the author explores the life of the two young characters. I was a little lost in the Los Alamos interludes. The ending left the story an opening for future adventures.
November 15, 2014
Wow! Interesting story of dreamers and gatekeepers between other dimensions. Recommended.
October 16, 2014
A good dark fantasy that does not quite reach its full potential
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/ghosts... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/ghosts... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
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February 10, 2015This is copy 88 of 100 signed numbered copies.
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