PT Hylton

Author of the Storms of Magic, The Savage Earth, and The Deadlock Trilogy

Books

Thief’s Odyssey

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Noted writer of words and stories John L. Monk has published a new novel called THIEF’S ODYSSEY. I read an advance copy, and I think it’s his best yet. It’s about a master thief whose life is thrown into turmoil when his past catches up with him.

thief_blogIt’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s well researched. If I were the blurbing type, I might say something like: “THIEF’S ODYSSEY will steal your heart!” or “John L. Monk picked the lock to my book-loving mind and heart with this one!” or Unputdownable!!!”

But I’m not, so I’ll just give you the link and recommend you check it out at your earliest convenience. Which, let’s be honest, is now. Like whatever else you’re doing is unputdownable.

Click here to check it out on Amazon. Cool cover, too.

Fun fact: ‘Thief’ and ‘odyssey’ are two words I cannot spell write on the first try. So it took me way longer than it should have to write this post. But you’re worth it, reader. You’re worth it.

Buy the Ticket, Take the RIDE

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If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know I’m a big fan of John L. Monk’s book KICK.

The sequel, FOOL’S RIDE, is out now. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of the book, and I can tell you this one’s even better than KICK. It’s a bit darker, a touch more thought provoking, and just as much fun.

Here’s the offical blurb:

Dan Jenkins is back, body hopping a scumbag at a time in his quest for the perfect ride. He doesn’t need much. Premium cable TV, good books, a well-stocked pantry, and he’s set. But the Great Whomever has other plans.

After six months waiting in limbo, Dan catches a ride as a horror novelist whose gruesome stories aren’t just fiction. Later, he hunts a man who’s escaped justice for far too long. Then, in his greatest challenge yet, he strays too deeply into the lives of the people he loves: his most foolish ride of all.

Click the cover image below to check it out on Amazon.

 

September Book Reviews

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Reviews of books I read in September. Including:
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon
Dare Me by Megan Abbott
The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

June Book Reviews

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pinesPines by Blake Crouch

Platform:  Paperback (Amazon)

Small town with a secret! As you probably know, this is one of my favorite sub-genres, and Crouch does a wonderful job with it here.

Non-spoilery synopsis: A Secret Service agent gets in a car accident while in Wayward Pines, Idaho. Bad things ensue.

Spoilery synopsis: Watch the trailer below. This book is being made into a star-studded TV show and it will air on Fox this fall. It looks beautiful, but the trailer gives away A LOT of the book. You have been warned.

Born Standing Up by Steve Martinsteve-martin-born-standing-up

Platform: Digital (Oyster)

I love memoirs that focus on a particular time period or subject rather than jamming a full lifetime into one book. This one is all about Steve Martin’s experiences as a stand up comedian. It tracks his journey from a young man learning the performance ropes at Disneyland all the way through his decision to walk away from stand up forever. Martin is a great writer and this book has a lot to say about art, comedy, and the evolution of a performer.

boneshaker_Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

Platform: Digital (Humble Bundle)

It’s the 1880s. The Civil War is still a thing that is happening. Seattle is a wasteland contaminated by a strange gas that kills people and then brings them back as zombies. The gas can also be used to make a popular (and valuable) drug, so airship pirates frequent the nearly abandoned city to harvest the gas.

So, you know, the usual.

Priest strikes a wonderful balance of action, big ideas, and small character moments. This book is only six or so years old, but it is already considered by many to be a sci-fi classic. It’s steam punk at its finest.

Also, Priest is a fellow Eastern Tennessean.  Represent!

The Family Fang by Kevin WilsonThe-Family-Fang-Cover

Platform: Digital (Oyster)

Annie and Buster Fang kids had weird childhoods. Their parents were performance artists, and they often involved their children in their strange public spectacles. Which is to say that Annie and Buster spent their time creating bizarre scenes at shopping malls. Now the kids are grown up and their relationships with Mom and Dad are rocky at best. But the performance art may not be over yet.

This is book is so strange and wonderful. It’s hard not to use the word quirky, though I will try. It has a bit of a Wes Anderson vibe, which I consider to be a good thing. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. Go check it out. (Please and thank you).

In a strange coincidence. Kevin Wilson is ALSO a fellow Eastern Tennessean. Go southern literature!