I'm conflicted.   The structure of the sentences are, for the most part, good.   But there is some tense switches, some misused words, and some repetition that make it clear that the book sorely needs an editor.    Add to that some depictions of assorted ethnicities that made me slightly uncomfortable, and this looks like it might end up being a one half to two star review.   (Just how much I like the story, and just how prevalent these issues are, will factor into the rating.)

 

And while I do consider Gavin a friend, I've also spoken to him, and told him I think this book needs an editor.   Before starting this, I looked over some of the five star reviews, just because I sometimes do that; they said, mostly, that they liked the story, and I've got to admit I'm intrigued so far.   Certainly intrigued enough to read on.   (Although I was waiting to watch the newest episodes of In the Flesh, so the macabre part of me switched to a reread of Warm Bodies to fit into that theme.)  

 

I think Gavin also knows me well enough to know that I won't lie to him, mostly because I respect him too much to lie to him.   Also, I've been questioned as to why Gavin is someone I'm following and why he isn't on the vetted SPA list, and this is why: I'd read enough of the book to see that there were issues, and disqualified it.   I respect both Gavin, and my other followers, enough not to put a book up there simply because they are a friend.   

 

Should the next book be properly edited?  I'd consider adding him, so long as this book went through the same treatment.

 

I'd like to think this is me being even-handed and as unbiased as possible.  I'd also like to think that this is me being transparent about the relationship between Gavin and me.   He's a friend.   We've shared conversations both in public and in private.   We've had a rough patch, but despite this, and despite him making decisions that I understand - but don't condone, and that, quite frankly make me ill when I think of them - he's also been very kind to me, and because of this, he is still my friend.   

 

I only hope that a review that is honest, even a brutally honest review, will not change that, although I know it has with other friends in the past.  (< -- and just because this is a hot topic, yes, this is an invitation for Gavin to post on my review as much as I invite other authors to post.   And by that I mean so long as they don't tell me how to review, I don't have beef with them.   As soon as they start doing that, which is their right, I have beef.   It's a mistake in my opinion, but one which they are free to make.)

4.5 out of 5 stars

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. I love a good horror novel and purchased it from B&N to read from instead.

Right from the get-go, the author had me tuned in. Some Prologues hint at what is to come, this one sets up the book masterfully, while giving the reader a few chills. Right away, the author talks about urban legends, and he doesn't stop with the Prologue, but feeds them to you bit by bit throughout the entire book. In some ways, it brought me back to my childhood, when my friends and I would see who had the scarier story. This in no way is making me say this book is juvenile, because it is sooo not that at all. I've always loved a bit of creepiness and this book filled what I've been lacking lately.

As the story progresses, you get to know the individuals that are being targeted. The storytelling is fantastic, the intricate layers being weaved to and fro, resulting in the ends reaching together at the end but not giving you the answers you wanted, which leads you to wanting the next book now. Too many times creepy, suspenseful stories lose their way with storylines that are repetitive of other books, give too much away to keep you interested or just lose their momentum. This book is not one of those. When you think that you're starting to figure something out, there's a shift in the story that totally makes you rethink things.

The author is superb in handling multiple POV's. I've read my fair share of books, as I'm sure you have, and sometimes seeing the same scene from another person's POV seem almost a carbon copy and starts to feel boring and overused. Not in this book. Each POV is as unique as each character is. The way the author brings each character into the fold keeps the reader attached to the story and keeps the flow of the action, keying in on the readers senses.

I recommend this book to all lovers of horror, but I do think that I would recommend it to those 16 and above and who can handle the bumps in the night without losing large amounts of sleep. I look forward to reading more in this series and whatever else author Gavin Hetherington writes.

"...Everybody has a secret. Behind every smile lies a dark story. Behind every hello is a hidden goodbye."

* Silence...*

Do you feel that? That's the hair on the back of your neck standing up! That's the goosebumps slowly taking over. And that is a book you’re not going to want to put down. Holy jumpin' books! What an opening! From the book cover alone, you know your about to ready something spooky, add in the synopsis and I'm sure your ready to plug-in your night-light!

"A sly fog rolled into the town like a flood from the forest, completely embedding the ground, hiding the pavements and roads from naked eyes."

This was perfect for opening up on my imagination. The detailing and description through this book had me feeling like I was actually there among the characters, and that is an amazing feeling to have while reading a book. Remnants of the Damned started with a fast paced prologue that has you jumping right into the story. I loved how fast paced it was, this book had a perfect flow and there wasn't a point when I thought the story line was too slow or too fast.

Gavin decision to have multiple POV’s from all the main characters was absolute genius! From this you get to experience and see the scenario from a different angle, which makes this book so much more fastening. While there was room for improvement with the writing style I still strongly believe that Gavin Hetherington is an author to look out for!

Overall, Remnants of the Damned has every single element to classify this as a horror story and a good one at that! A spooky fast paced read that ends with a cliffhanger and makes you want to run out and grab the next book! Sadly, I’ll have to wait until October, cue the sigh! Sigh.

I give this 4 'high pitch screams' butterflies!

I'm not one for a witch hunt, so I'm going to give this book a shot. It's free on Amazon right now (today is 4/13/14), but I don't know for how long.

This isn't really a review and it's more just my thoughts on why this ended up on my DNF shelf. I made it to 12% (Part I Chapter 3 - There's No Place Like Home) and after having a bad book month already, I decided it was best not to continue.

 

I downloaded this book at Amazon (for my Kindle) while it was free (it might still be?) after following the author here on BL and getting the impression that he's a nice guy that's trying hard to get his start in the writing world. I knew it was self-published and I have heard rumours about what this means. I've never read a self-published before (and if I have I might just have been ignorant to the fact) but I guess this book fits the bill to the rumours I've read about.

 

I get the feeling that the author might be better with coming up with stories and not so great in the writing department (yet). The four chapters I read were not fleshed out at all and seemed more like what you'd write down as the ideas are flowing through your head (first draft). I had the feeling that I was eavesdropping on someone retelling a story that someone else might have told them.

 

I have other notes and stuff but meh, I don't think I need to add it here. I'm just going to say that all writers start at this place at some point in their lives. Writing isn't something you are born being able to do, it's something that you have to work your ass off to do well. I hope the author isn't discouraged by this (he follows me and might read this which makes me a little nervous), but instead takes this as incentive to continue polishing his writing style.

 

This has inspired me to write another review... one on self-editing that I read last year. That's what's coming up next, so unless I get side-tracked, should be my next review (real one this time). :)