I was excited to read and review this superhero genre story not just because it looks super intriguing, and it’s one of my favorite types of reads, but it was written by a good friend of mine that I met through blogging! (You hear that Sean? Totally “good friend” status after letting me rant your ear off on your lunch break! Haha…
Now I haven’t read much fiction in recent years.. just keeping up with the Dresden Files and Mortal Instruments series whenever new books come out, and it’s been YEARS since I’ve reviewed a fiction book, so bear with me, yeah?
About the Book
Book description from Amazon.com:
The witch, an ageless spell-caster with a secret history. Refractor, a light-wielding hero as powerful as he is driven by his own guilt. Shillelagh, an Irish man who speaks loudly and carries a big stick anyway. The Fox, an art thief with the ability to control his own density on a mission of vengeance. The Tank Man, a trapped soul piloting a Nazi war machine. Five people, drawn together by fate in order to combat the creeping forces of darkness. Can they learn to work together in order to save the world from the things that lurk on the edge of reality? Find out that answer and more in The Guard, the first book from Bewildering Tales of Fiction! Featuring a cover by Savannah Mirabile!
About the Author
Author description from the mastermind himself (also stolen from Amazon.com, haha):
“My extensive exposure to TV and movies has made me an excellent source for pop culture, and a terrible source of real life skills, but I think I make manchild chic look pretty good.”
Sean Walsh is a 28-year-old comic fan, film journalist, and 9-5’er who can tell you an oral history of the Marvel Universe but stare at you blankly when it comes to a 401k. Despite his poor attempts at ‘adulthood,’ he ekes out a rather happy existence in Connecticut with his two handicapped cats, and really, who needs more than that?
My Thoughts on the Book
First off, the negative side to my review – and let me stress the “negative” for me all stems from personal preference in story content, not the actual quality of the content itself.
So two negatives for me. 1) I read out loud to my girls whenever I get a chance to have some “me time” and read, and so excessive swearing or disturbing content is hard to.. uhh.. censor. I have reached expert ninja stealth level when it comes to reading out loud without the naughty bits, but some books, even books I love, are hard to navigate around. (For instance, the last Dresden book? Holy freaking cow Jim Butcher, tone it down man!) So this book had just a wee bit too much cursing for my tastes.
2) I have a huge aversion to books, TV shows and movies where kids get hurt or corrupted / possessed in some way. I have actually changed Doctor Who and X-Files episodes when kids get hurt and stopped reading Anne Rice novels that I was otherwise engrossed in. I even threw a bit of a bitch fit when a kid got killed in Hansel and Gretel and made my husband turn the movie off. (Of course I was six month pregnant and emotional as heck, but still…) So the story segments with kids dying, and one of the primary characters being an evil child makes it a little difficult for me to fully abandon myself to the story without some personal discomfort / distaste. But I will say, the bits of content that I found personally appealing were not done in a gratuitous way – it was all story elements that moved the story along and built or helped define the character of primary persons in the story.
So if you’re not squeamish about those sorts of things, there’s no other issues I’ve found with the book.. it was a solid, intriguing and well-paced read! The world Walsh crafts is believable, personable and clearly shows well thought out planning – none of that meandering “I’m just making this up as I go along” quality that you find in many new and budding authors.
Walsh also has a way with words, and is able to pack a lot of description and emotion into a short amount of space, which is one of my favorite qualities in a wordsmith. None of the dialogue seemed forced, and the interjections of comedy and chemistry between the main players was effortless and enjoyable.
His ability to ease the severity of a scene with humorous dialogue, without ruining the momentum of the drama displays a very Whedon-esque flair, which I deeply enjoy. While I am interested in reading the next book in this series because he left it off on one hell of a cliffhanger, I would actually be far more interested in reading more works from Walsh that take on a bit of a lighter, less dark theme.
If you are interested in giving this book a look-see, and supporting a wonderfully talented up and coming author, you can purchase The Guard at Amazon.com (CLICK HERE) where it is currently just $8 on Amazon Prime!
I appreciate your totally honest review and have to admit that if I read outlaid my own books to my girls this too would be a deal breaker for me, luckily I don’t and may just have to check this one out. Thanks Gingi!! 🙂
Whenever I have ANYTHING negative to say in a review (especially when the product has been provided) I always feel guilty somehow.. but I don’t EVER want to misrepresent something, you know? As a mom who RELIES on reviews of books and products to make purchases, I hate when I feel hookwinked by bloggers who just exchange positive reviews from free stuff!
Not gonna lie, I get frikkin’ GIDDY over advance copies of books! I’m so totally going to take you up on it. I am interested to see how you craft the different worlds of the various characters.. I bet your head is constantly in those places! <3
I appreciate the honest review. I don’t mind swearing but when kids are hurt and killed, it’s hard for me.
That said, I adore Harry Potter and Star Wars – in which such things happened.. and Doctor Who, for that matter.
It’s hard, though.
Yeah, like, that episode where the Doctor gets his memories repressed and thinks he’s some teacher in the past and falls in love? When the little girl gets killed and possessed, I seriously lost interest in the entire story arc…
I think when you do a review it’s only right you do give your view point.
Must admit this is not a book I would probably read, because it is not my genre. Having said that I’m sure there are many who would enjoy it.
We are so fortunate to have a wealth of books to choose from.
Have a good week, and many thanks for your comments on the low carb diabetic blog. We love receiving, reading and sharing them.
Gingi, this book looks really interesting! Totally out of my normal genre (whatever that is). But honestly, sometimes those turn out to be the best books out there. I’ll be checking this out! And with Amazon Prime….well…you know how that goes =)
Very nice and clear review!
This book sounds interesting, I love some mistery and scary on a book from tie to time! 😀
xxx
S http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it
Great review. Whilst I’m not hugely averse to story lines featuring child abuse/cruelty it all depends on the level and if it is gratuitous or not. That said, cover aside, for some reason this really grabbed my attention, I’m afraid this book doesn’t really appeal to me.
I really like an honest book review, so this was a good read. Like you I don’t read much fiction these days, I used to, but… free time is either spent creating some visual art or dabbling with the website 🙂
I appreciate your totally honest review and have to admit that if I read outlaid my own books to my girls this too would be a deal breaker for me, luckily I don’t and may just have to check this one out. Thanks Gingi!! 🙂
Whenever I have ANYTHING negative to say in a review (especially when the product has been provided) I always feel guilty somehow.. but I don’t EVER want to misrepresent something, you know? As a mom who RELIES on reviews of books and products to make purchases, I hate when I feel hookwinked by bloggers who just exchange positive reviews from free stuff!
Sounds scary!! Great plot though!
Have a lovely weekend:)
Rosanna x
Thank you so much for the review Gingi, this was awesome! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 I’ll have to put a quote on the cover of my next book.
Thanks again, and expect a new book to review soon. Perhaps even an advance copy.
<3
Not gonna lie, I get frikkin’ GIDDY over advance copies of books! I’m so totally going to take you up on it. I am interested to see how you craft the different worlds of the various characters.. I bet your head is constantly in those places! <3
Oh that is funny trying to edit out the bad words to your kiddos! How fun that you actually know the author!
Yeah, I have mastered the on-the-fly speed reading of “darn it”, “kick your butt” and “oh fudge”! hehehe…
Great review 🙂
ARedLip&Love
Amazing post!
mystylishcorner.blogspot.ba
Loving the plot and hey I have 10$ giftcard so I might as well buy and read it)
Thanks for sharing!
You’ll have to let me know what you think of it!!
Great review. I”m with you– don’t mess with kids… even in books.
Yeah, that an animals. Either of those get hurt and I’m emotionally check out, haha..
I appreciate the honest review. I don’t mind swearing but when kids are hurt and killed, it’s hard for me.
That said, I adore Harry Potter and Star Wars – in which such things happened.. and Doctor Who, for that matter.
It’s hard, though.
Yeah, like, that episode where the Doctor gets his memories repressed and thinks he’s some teacher in the past and falls in love? When the little girl gets killed and possessed, I seriously lost interest in the entire story arc…
Wow! Love them all http://www.louisvuittonsmalls.com
Reminds me of those days when I had to read to my kid. Lovely memories…… xoxo
lovely post indeed 🙂 i hope you’re having an amazing day!
mfashionfreak♥blog
Children in peril upsets me, too, but that is a fantastic author’s description 🙂
I think when you do a review it’s only right you do give your view point.
Must admit this is not a book I would probably read, because it is not my genre. Having said that I’m sure there are many who would enjoy it.
We are so fortunate to have a wealth of books to choose from.
Have a good week, and many thanks for your comments on the low carb diabetic blog. We love receiving, reading and sharing them.
All the best Jan
Great selection!
Have a nice evening!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
Great post and looks like I need to add this book to my gift list for hubby, thanks!
If he reads it, let me know what he thinks! <3
Sounds like a good story overall! That’s great you can edit as you read aloud – I think I’d have a really difficult time with that.
I need to get the girls to hurry up and learn to read so we can all have quiet “read to ourselves” time, haha…
Great post!
Kisses from Ibiza
Dress to Impress Ibiza
Great post <3
Federica
http://www.thewalkinfashion.com
Gingi, this book looks really interesting! Totally out of my normal genre (whatever that is). But honestly, sometimes those turn out to be the best books out there. I’ll be checking this out! And with Amazon Prime….well…you know how that goes =)
LOL, right?! There is something about Amazon that, uhh,, takes all my money.
Very nice and clear review!
This book sounds interesting, I love some mistery and scary on a book from tie to time! 😀
xxx
S
http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it
This had scary moment from time to time.. it’s a good suspense read..
Great review. Whilst I’m not hugely averse to story lines featuring child abuse/cruelty it all depends on the level and if it is gratuitous or not. That said, cover aside, for some reason this really grabbed my attention, I’m afraid this book doesn’t really appeal to me.
I really liked the cover too, completely forgot to mention that….
Looks like a great book! I adore reading them daily <3
Sounds scary!! Great plot though! http://www.louisvuittonsmalls.com/
I really like an honest book review, so this was a good read. Like you I don’t read much fiction these days, I used to, but… free time is either spent creating some visual art or dabbling with the website 🙂