by: Zander Marks
Just because Wilkin's a crackhead doesn't mean the shadows aren't real.
They're real. And
they've been haunting him since he was seven years old. Mostly he ignores them.
But when the ghost
of his childhood friend shows up at the local motel, Wilkin can't ignore the
call of friendship. And when his friend's killer buys the motel so he can
destroy the remains, Wilkin can't ignore that, either.
Wilkin steals his
friend's skull before the killer can destroy it and is plunged into a hot mess
of a supernatural thrill ride.
A death-race
pursuit of a child's skull. A ghost-talking trucker hauling plush toys to
Kansas. Five demonic farm-kids in a housing project. A Dodge City marshal with
justice on his mind. And a graveyard full of snitches.
It's enough to make
you want to hit the crackpipe. All leading to a climax where staying alive is
the least of Wilkin's worries.
Because when most
of the people around you are spirits anyway, DEATH AIN'T BUT A WORD.
The first sentence in the blurb above got me to agree to
review this book and I was hooked by the end of the 1 ½ page prologue. I
absolutely love the protagonist Wilkin and yeah, he has a drug problem, but you
really empathize with him and deep down he is a good person even if he doesn’t
believe it.
There is lots of
action, killing, and dark humor, as well as violence, drug use, profanity, but
oddly enough no sex. The writing is tight and polished and I enjoyed the
unusual cadence of the prose, which is completely different from most of the
stories I read and I was surprised at the turn of events in the book. It starts
out being about a junkie who can see ghosts and tries to ignore this fact until he
runs into a childhood friend who disappeared when they were seven. Wilkin ends
up having to run for his life when the killer realizes his secret is out. This isn't a “who-dun-it” mystery, because you know pretty much right from the start
who the killer is. This story is more about Wilkin accepting who he is and
using it to help others. Unfortunately for Wilkin, he never got the training he
needed and doesn't understand the rules and sometimes the dead, even when they
were your friend, don’t play nice.
There are a few places where the story drags; one chapter
in particular is one big description of what it is like to be high and while
there is a reason for the scene it didn't have to be so long. The story is told
from many POVs, but mostly Wilkin’s which I preferred. There is also a
noticeable change in the tone of the story about 1/3 of the way through. It
went from something Tom Robbins/Terry Pratchett –ish to something more like a
traditional urban fantasy. Wilkin’s character and the story lost some of its
quirkiness, but it was still a fascinating and original take on the ghost world.
If you like your
stories dark edged and unusual characters then give this one a try.
Wilkin quotes:
Ganesh was rooting for Wilkin, and it scared the hell out of
him. Because when a Hindu god feels the need to offer you strength and
compassion, you know the shit’s about to get real.
On Wednesday, the
shit got real.
”And don’t piss on
my leg and tell me it be raining, cause you coulda stopped it. You let it happen. You knew all along,
and you were wrong for that. So F***
you and don’t hand me no light saber and play some bitch-ass Yoda. I AIN’T
HAVING IT!”
You can this for $.99 right now!
***GIVEAWAY***
Print copy of Death Ain't But a Word
US ONLY
1. Leave a way to contact you
2. Followers get double entry (tell me how you follow)
Contest Ends March 24th at midnight!
The first line does hook you. Sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Wow this book sounds awesome. Butterfli262002@Yahoo(dot)com I follow on facebook and gfc and email and twitter and pinrest
ReplyDeleteInteresting book! Enjoyed the review. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI follow by email.
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the excerpt from the book. $1 is a great price but I hope to win a print copy since my husband hogs the ereader.
ReplyDeleteetotschinger at yahoo dot com
It's definitely different! :)
ReplyDeletepyrosama at comcast dot net
Sounds great. I was also looking for a way to join you today, but I haven't found it yet. Love your giveaways and your site. Keep up the awesome work.
ReplyDeleteI follow you vie Google, and email. And any other way I can find. I think your reviews are spot on, and really make me want to read the book, so I couldn't ask for more.
ReplyDeleteYour review makes me want to read the book. Very intriguing. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this opportunity! :D
balenette@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book. I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteBratcourt92@yahoo.com
Those are interesting quotes
ReplyDeleteI follow via email
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I've already purchased the digital copy. If I'm lucky enough to win the print book, then yehah! tscott@tarahscott.com I follow sheep every which way I can.
ReplyDeleteI follow email fb and Twitter. :-)
ReplyDeletetamip@2zooms.com
contest is over and the random.org picked #11 Tarah Scott! I will send you an email. Thanks to everyone who entered. Please check this book out, it is only $.99 and it is more than worth it! and spread the word to help this cool writer out :)
ReplyDeleteI enter very few print book contests. I'm thrilled to have won!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheep.
Suspense, murder...such a thrill to read!!! A crazy start of a somewhat new, even crazier relationship? "Wilkin" has his work cut out for him! You gotta have this thrill!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! took me by complete surprise. Looking forward to the next book.
Delete