March 2022 Group Read #2 with Guest Author, Steve Stred

[Kenneth]

This is the thread for the March 2022 Group Read # 2 with Guest Author, Steve Stred, as we read his novel, Mastodon. Grab your copy at the link below and please help welcome to HA, Steve Stred!

[Kimberly]

Welcome Steve!!!!

[WendyB]

Oh I want to read this one! Welcome Steve!

[Kristin]

This has been on my tbr list! Welcome Steve!

[Billy]

Welcome Steve!
This sounds like a great read! Can't wait to get into it!

[Justin]

Yes, I actually just got this!

[Kasia]

Looks amazing, already had this on my TBR :D

[Latasha]

Welcome Steve and thanks for joining us.

[Latasha]

This one sounds really good too!

[Steve]

Hey all! Thanks for having me! Truly humbled to see this!

[Sally]

Hi, welcome Steve! I've been seeing this book all over Goodreads lately, can't wait to start it!

[Char]

Hey, Steve! It's awesome to see you here!

[Kimberly]

I've enjoyed all of the books I've read from you so far, excited to have you here. :)

[Kasia]

Thank you for being here with us Steve, I saw this book on someone else's TBR and was like "I need this!!". The cover alone is glorious! I will be starting this soon, bit of an octopus on roller-skates at the moment with a lot of group and buddy reads haha.

[Steve]

Thank you all. It's a bit surreal honestly haha! Excited to see some pals already here and meeting some new people!

I'll do my best to check in a few times each day to answer any questions and catch up!

[Greg]

Hello Steve,

I read this last month and enjoyed it. Some real fun and interesting concepts with this one. I mentioned in my review that it was not what I was expecting. There's an obvious comparison to a piece of popular literature (minor spoiler) (view spoiler)[ The Island of Dr. Moreau (hide spoiler)] Was this something you planned going in or did this kind of come to you in the middle of writing it? It's not a theme you see emulated too often I think. Or maybe I'm just blind to them.

Also Favorite Cryptids and Monsters? GO!

[Steve]

Greg wrote: "Hello Steve,

I read this last month and enjoyed it. Some real fun and interesting concepts with this one. I mentioned in my review that it was not what I was expecting. There's an obvious compari..."

Hey, Greg! Cheers and thanks for reading.
- Yes, it was something I wanted to explore with that topic (I'll keep it spoiler free for those who've not read it yet) and in relation to that particular piece of literature. This book is part of an ongoing theme I've found myself writing about (something hidden and is discovered) and when I went about creating the creatures, I really wanted to navigate that X-Files/Cryptid/Government side of things! Many people will often say "mankind is the worst monster of them all," so I really wanted to look at - what happens when the worst monster makes monsters, if that makes sense!
- as for fav Cryptids and Monsters - I've been scared of werewolves since I saw Monster Squad as a kid and I'm a massive Bigfoot/Sasquatch buff, especially growing up in the mountains of British Columbia!

[Greg]

Thanks!

At least you know how to defend yourself against Wolfman. But does Sasquatch have nards? Something to address in your next one I think. LoL

[Steve]

Greg wrote: "Thanks!

At least you know how to defend yourself against Wolfman. But does Sasquatch have nards? Something to address in your next one I think. LoL"

LOL - they must right? Albert Ostman claimed in 1924 when he was kidnapped that there was a family of them, including kids!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_...

[Alan]

I'd say welcome Steve, but I know you're always lurking about the board, so I'll just say haaaiiiii. 🤪

[Badseedgirl]

Welcome Steve. I was drawn to your book by the gorgeous cover. I plan to start it in the next couple days.

[Steve]

Badseedgirl wrote: "Welcome Steve. I was drawn to your book by the gorgeous cover. I plan to start it in the next couple days."

Thanks! The cover was created by Francois Vaillancourt, who does some truly phenomenal covers. :)

[Kimberly]

Just purchased my copy--hoping to start next week!

[Steve]

Kimberly wrote: "Just purchased my copy--hoping to start next week!"

Wow, hey thanks!

[Nick]

This look so good. I can't wait to crack into it!

[Steve]

Cheers!

[Krystal]

I am in! Just got a copy :)

[Badseedgirl]

I'm starting this book tonight. Ok. I might, in the spirit of complete honesty, have peeked at a few pages at lunch time today.

[Steve]

Krystal wrote: "I am in! Just got a copy :)"

Thank you!

[Steve]

Badseedgirl wrote: "I'm starting this book tonight. Ok. I might, in the spirit of complete honesty, have peeked at a few pages at lunch time today."

Ha! That happens!

[Badseedgirl]

I'm 40 pages in and the build up and tension are definitely the main feature so far. (view spoiler)[It is nice to see other governments besides the US dabbling in nefarious actions against it's own people. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

My copy arrived today so I'll be starting this evening. I was planning on reading it sometime soon as I was immediately drawn in by the cover artwork and the name (great band!) when I first saw it online. After reading the synopsis on the back I was even more interested.

So, I was so glad to see it come up as a group read which meant I HAD to buy it now and read it next. Really looking forward to it.

[Steve]

Jennifer wrote: "My copy arrived today so I'll be starting this evening. I was planning on reading it sometime soon as I was immediately drawn in by the cover artwork and the name (great band!) when I first saw it ..."

Thanks! Hope you dig it!

[Steve]

Badseedgirl wrote: "I'm 40 pages in and the build up and tension are definitely the main feature so far. [spoilers removed]"

Great to hear!

[Badseedgirl]

"For two will create warmer memories than one."

Is this a quote you found, I could not find it, and I really love it. If it's original I want to make sure you get the credit when I use it.

[Steve]

Badseedgirl wrote: ""For two will create warmer memories than one."

Is this a quote you found, I could not find it, and I really love it. If it's original I want to make sure you get the credit when I use it."

Yeah, that was all me! That line actually took forever to iron out. Had more words and less words and more and back and forth. Finally got it settled on that!

[Badseedgirl]

Steve wrote: "Badseedgirl wrote: ""For two will create warmer memories than one."

Is this a quote you found, I could not find it, and I really love it. If it's original I want to make sure you get the credit wh..."

It grabbed my heart and gave it a squeeze in the best way. All your effort was well worth it in my opinion.

[Steve]

Badseedgirl wrote: "Steve wrote: "Badseedgirl wrote: ""For two will create warmer memories than one."

Is this a quote you found, I could not find it, and I really love it. If it's original I want to make sure you get..."

Thank you!

[Netanella]

Just started this last night and I'm enjoying the crypto / science gone awry vibe already.

And my curiosity is up . . . both parents gone missing on the same day, in the same neck of the woods, years apart. Strange twist of coincidence, or are there darker forces at work??

I'm intrigued.

[Sally]

Just opened this to read a little before bed. Steve, you dedicated this to your dog, that's the sweetest damn thing! I love it!

[Steve]

Netanella wrote: "Just started this last night and I'm enjoying the crypto / science gone awry vibe already.

And my curiosity is up . . . both parents gone missing on the same day, in the same neck of the woods, y..."

Cheers!

[Steve]

Sally wrote: "Just opened this to read a little before bed. Steve, you dedicated this to your dog, that's the sweetest damn thing! I love it!"

Thanks! He was such a big part of our life for so long. We're approaching a year since he passed here and it's been just crazy that he's not with us anymore.

[Jennifer]

I read the majority of the book in one sitting yesterday, I was enjoying it so much.

I'll added my comments about the story as others read so I don't spoil anything.

I love the setting for the story (well, not whatever bad things the military are up to). Hiking and being outdoors with nature is one of my favourite settings for stories. One of my favourite books is Adam Neville's The Ritual.

Being out in the trees with nature must be so wonderful, it's not something I've ever really done. I'm from England so most outdoor walking I've done tends to be across moors. I find it terrifying too as I would have absolutely no idea what to do and would instantly crumble to pieces if I was stuck in the Great Outdoors.

The Barton family were really interesting, and I really enjoyed going hiking with them. I felt safe as they knew what they were doing!

I did laugh when Tyler said that going caving was a hard pass. People who do that I honestly think are insane.

Do you go hiking much Steve?

[Jackie]

I am so excited to read this one! I’ve heard all good things.

[Steve]

Jackie wrote: "I am so excited to read this one! I’ve heard all good things."

Hey thanks!

[Steve]

Jennifer wrote: "I read the majority of the book in one sitting yesterday, I was enjoying it so much.

I'll added my comments about the story as others read so I don't spoil anything.

I love the setting for the st..."

Thanks for reading it!
Yes, growing up I spent a considerable amount of time outside and in the woods. Our backyard had about 200 meters of trees that jutted to the base of the mountain behind us. We were only allowed to go so far into the woods as we had a lot of predatory wildlife that lived near us (bears, cougars, coyotes etc). My grandfather had a trap line and my dad and his siblings all grew up as hunters as well, so I hunted until I was 13 or so. Where we lived (in Burton, BC) we didn't have a lot of options, so getting a moose or elk draw back then meant we'd have meat in the freezer all winter. Was such a different way of life. Now, living in a city of a million people, we're lucky to have a sprawling river valley close to our place as well as places just outside of the city to get out and explore!

[Sally]

Just finished this on my lunch break and I really enjoyed it Steve, thank you! I so loved the scenery in this one, the descriptions of the forest were absolutely beautiful.

Two things I appreciated other than your great story...first, giving us your writing playlist. I LOVE that! It makes me feel even more connected to a book. And secondly, the loving way you talked about your dog in the afterward, wow man, I really felt that. You have definitely won me over sir! Much thanks!

[Steve]

Sally wrote: "Just finished this on my lunch break and I really enjoyed it Steve, thank you! I so loved the scenery in this one, the descriptions of the forest were absolutely beautiful.

Two things I appreciat..."

Thank you for reading, Sally! Really appreciate it!

[Kimberly]

I just downloaded and started last night!

[Badseedgirl]

I finished the book over the weekend. (view spoiler)[I was crushed by the ending. I thought Tyler was having exceptionally good luck while trying to get out of the forest, but the ending when everyone dies/was genetically modified was still so very, very sad. I could not help but feel like Tyler was being played with by Mr. Adams. He had overwhelming force and seemed to be playing some kind of sick game with the young man, waiting until Tyler thought he was almost in the clear before sending the ultimate betrayal by having his Dad be the one who helps catch him. No happy ending on this one! (hide spoiler)]