Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge,from the author, via Pump Up Your Book for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own
Let's step back to Halloween for a bit, so ya'll guys can breathe!
I'm not sure what I was expecting, knowing that Michael is Carole Roman's son, I knew he had some great story telling genes already. What I didn't realize was he was already writing under the pen name of Phillip Michael Cash, whose stories I love! this book has a lot going on in it- future gone bad, family dysfunction, supernatural beings, corporate greed, loyalty, finding oneself, tourism gone bad, and some romance. Maybe it was just too many story lines, that made it so different than his other novels. I read the book in one sitting, like his others, but I always felt like I knew what was coming a couple of chapters ahead. Maybe it's from having read his other books and picking up subtle nuances, so I knew what characters would do/say. While there were a couple of surprises within (but not the ending), the book went pretty much how I originally saw it outlining by the 3rd chapter. That's not to say it's a bad book, but if you've read his other books, it won't be as thrilling/can't put down, as his others. For those new to Michael's fiction, it's a decent read, fitting for this week, with it's Halloween undertone.
Giveaway:
Michael Okon is giving away 2 autographed copies of MONSTERLAND!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a copy.
This giveaway ends midnight December 29.
Winner will be contacted via email on December 30.
Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
Let's step back to Halloween for a bit, so ya'll guys can breathe!
Synopsis:
Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.
The last couple years of high school have not been fun for Wyatt Baldwin. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An on-going debate with his best friends Howard Drucker and Melvin over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.
But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can rock out with vampires at Vampire Village, be chased by actual werewolves on the Werewolf River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.
With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?
Book Excerpt:
What did these strangers want? Billy fought the urge to scream.
This is our home. Humans don’t belong in the swamp.
The moon continued to rise, the familiar agony beginning in his chest. A full moon, a
dangerous moon, Billy fought the demons churning within his body, feeling the pain of
metamorphosis.
He curled inward, hunching his shoulders, the curse of his nature making his spine pull
until his tendons and muscles tore from their human positions to transform into
something wicked.
A howl erupted from his throat, followed by another, and then another. Grabbing
handfuls of dirt, he tried to fight the awful change, but, as the sun set, the moon took
control of his life, and the unnatural force tore through his unwilling body.
Reason fled; his heart raced. Falling on his hands and knees, Billy let loose a keening cry
as his face elongated, his body changing into a canine, fangs filling his mouth. He raced
in a circle in a demented dance, knowing his fellow pack members did the same thing.
Slowing, he regulated his labored breathing, forcing the icy calmness he needed to keep
some semblance of reason. He peered through the dense brush. Lights from the search
party bobbed in the distance. The odor, the stench of humanity, filled the clearing. The
enemy had arrived.
This is our home. Humans don’t belong in the swamp.
The moon continued to rise, the familiar agony beginning in his chest. A full moon, a
dangerous moon, Billy fought the demons churning within his body, feeling the pain of
metamorphosis.
He curled inward, hunching his shoulders, the curse of his nature making his spine pull
until his tendons and muscles tore from their human positions to transform into
something wicked.
A howl erupted from his throat, followed by another, and then another. Grabbing
handfuls of dirt, he tried to fight the awful change, but, as the sun set, the moon took
control of his life, and the unnatural force tore through his unwilling body.
Reason fled; his heart raced. Falling on his hands and knees, Billy let loose a keening cry
as his face elongated, his body changing into a canine, fangs filling his mouth. He raced
in a circle in a demented dance, knowing his fellow pack members did the same thing.
Slowing, he regulated his labored breathing, forcing the icy calmness he needed to keep
some semblance of reason. He peered through the dense brush. Lights from the search
party bobbed in the distance. The odor, the stench of humanity, filled the clearing. The
enemy had arrived.
Review:
I'm not sure what I was expecting, knowing that Michael is Carole Roman's son, I knew he had some great story telling genes already. What I didn't realize was he was already writing under the pen name of Phillip Michael Cash, whose stories I love! this book has a lot going on in it- future gone bad, family dysfunction, supernatural beings, corporate greed, loyalty, finding oneself, tourism gone bad, and some romance. Maybe it was just too many story lines, that made it so different than his other novels. I read the book in one sitting, like his others, but I always felt like I knew what was coming a couple of chapters ahead. Maybe it's from having read his other books and picking up subtle nuances, so I knew what characters would do/say. While there were a couple of surprises within (but not the ending), the book went pretty much how I originally saw it outlining by the 3rd chapter. That's not to say it's a bad book, but if you've read his other books, it won't be as thrilling/can't put down, as his others. For those new to Michael's fiction, it's a decent read, fitting for this week, with it's Halloween undertone.
Giveaway:
Michael Okon is giving away 2 autographed copies of MONSTERLAND!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a copy.
This giveaway ends midnight December 29.
Winner will be contacted via email on December 30.
Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
About the Author:
Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including
paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long
Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business
and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling is his DNA. Michael
has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for
films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on
the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help
books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
For more info,check out his Website | Twitter | Facebook
paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long
Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business
and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling is his DNA. Michael
has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for
films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on
the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help
books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
For more info,check out his Website | Twitter | Facebook
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