ajohnson895's review
The cover on this needs to be updated to the Amazon version, because that one is TOP TIER.
The story revolves around Alex, Cole, Trent and Dante as they explore ancient Maya ruins. What they discover is a sacred temple and artifacts protected by dark forced stronger than they can begin to understand. When the pieces of the puzzle come together, the four explorers are transported to a different dimension—one where women are the predators and Oprah is the President.
The mythical was balanced with the science in juuuuust the right way that you have to suspend disbelief and roll with it. Plus, this novella doesn’t slow down for you. You’re dropped right in the middle of a social group and left to figure out who these people are and how they got here. It’s paced perfectly to where you can’t STOP reading. You have to know what’s going to happen next and if these people are going to make it home.
Spoiler alert: They don’t.
The story revolves around Alex, Cole, Trent and Dante as they explore ancient Maya ruins. What they discover is a sacred temple and artifacts protected by dark forced stronger than they can begin to understand. When the pieces of the puzzle come together, the four explorers are transported to a different dimension—one where women are the predators and Oprah is the President.
The mythical was balanced with the science in juuuuust the right way that you have to suspend disbelief and roll with it. Plus, this novella doesn’t slow down for you. You’re dropped right in the middle of a social group and left to figure out who these people are and how they got here. It’s paced perfectly to where you can’t STOP reading. You have to know what’s going to happen next and if these people are going to make it home.
Spoiler alert: They don’t.
midrel's review
3.0
I received a copy of this book for free, and leaving a review entirely of my own volition.
I feel like my biggest issue with the story is that it did not know what kind of story it wanted to be. The atmosphere often swayed between trying for suspense/horror then switching to something that seemed more bizarro orientated.
An early example would be the strange beach scene after the initial exploration. It's not a complete deviation from the story like (pardon the example) an anime beach episode, but it did feel like a jarring thematic deviation, maybe specially because of the attempts at humour.
Not that I think horror can't have humour, but I think it was just too soon (and it probably depends a lot on the kind of humour).
I otherwise think the story had promise, and definitely look forward to seeing if the next instalment can improve on the faltering bits.
I feel like my biggest issue with the story is that it did not know what kind of story it wanted to be. The atmosphere often swayed between trying for suspense/horror then switching to something that seemed more bizarro orientated.
An early example would be the strange beach scene after the initial exploration. It's not a complete deviation from the story like (pardon the example) an anime beach episode, but it did feel like a jarring thematic deviation, maybe specially because of the attempts at humour.
Not that I think horror can't have humour, but I think it was just too soon (and it probably depends a lot on the kind of humour).
I otherwise think the story had promise, and definitely look forward to seeing if the next instalment can improve on the faltering bits.
dhartanya's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book, had some good twists and turns.
It didn't take half the book to get into things which is nice!
My only eye roll came at using "the package" to describe a man's penis. Feels soooo high school.
I can't wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed this book, had some good twists and turns.
It didn't take half the book to get into things which is nice!
My only eye roll came at using "the package" to describe a man's penis. Feels soooo high school.
I can't wait to read the next book.
shanaroszko1990's review
5.0
When I started reading this book I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was so wrong. I honestly thought it was just going to be about treasure hunting but i was so wrong. I liked the different personalities of the characters and how you didn't know what would happen next.
prettyamy1's review
5.0
Wow, I was not expecting this! I went in with no expectations because I had not heard of the book but it was so good! I can't wait to dive into the second one!
kt42reads's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
What started out as a Mayan mystery turns into a white-knuckle adventure of dizzying scope. The characters draw the reader quickly into the heart of their intimate group and the excitement and trepidation of what they encounter.
I am eager to see what happens with the next book in the series!
I am eager to see what happens with the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
5piresl's review
4.0
ARC review.
A Forgotten History is the first novella by indie authors Chelsea Thornton and Travis Brown. It tells the story of Alexis, Cole, and Trent after finding a mysterious Mayan ring in Mexico. There´s mystery, supernatural elements, a sense of dread and moments of genuine horror throughout the book. I won´t spoil any of the actual plot though.
First off, let me say I really enjoyed reading this story. I got so engrossed with reading I sometimes completely forgot to take notes for this review. That says something I think.
The descriptions of places are very well done even though they aren´t excessively wordy. The reader can truly see the places in their minds.
The characters are also very well done. You can understand them, and all have some level of depth despite this just being the first novella in a series. If the quality is the same or higher in the next entries, I foresee even more well-rounded characters. Alexis was my favorite. Also, the sibling banter between Alexis and Cole is just really enjoyable to read. It feels very real to me.
As for issues with the book: there aren´t that many. A few (3-4) paragraphs felt a bit too expository about character feelings and such. It might be a “me” thing though, so this isn´t to be seen as a serious issue. I found maybe a couple of typos or unnecessary words in phrases but considering this is an indie publication that probably has more issues with editing and revising than bigger, more well-known authors and publishing houses, this is acceptable. It happens, even with the said well-known authors and publishing houses. As you can see, I´m really nitpicking here. As I said, not many actual flaws.
I truly believe these authors will just keep getting better and more polished, both in their ideas and writing style. Coming up wit a story, the very basics of the plot, is the simplest part in my opinion. The hardest part is tying it all together cohesively with well written characters, which we do see here. We see certain tropes here (they are inevitable really), but they don´t feel tropy. The authors managed tio either give it their own twist or to make it interesting in some other way.
As for my rating, I will give it two: One considering this novella as an indie and first publication of the authors and the second as if it were by a famous author.
Indie: 4/5 stars. It´s just a very solid work for debuting authors for the reasons I mentioned above.
Famous author rating: 3/5 stars. It´s lacking some polish, but it will certainly come with time.
I really look forward for the next entry and will certainly buy this one to support the authors.
A Forgotten History is the first novella by indie authors Chelsea Thornton and Travis Brown. It tells the story of Alexis, Cole, and Trent after finding a mysterious Mayan ring in Mexico. There´s mystery, supernatural elements, a sense of dread and moments of genuine horror throughout the book. I won´t spoil any of the actual plot though.
First off, let me say I really enjoyed reading this story. I got so engrossed with reading I sometimes completely forgot to take notes for this review. That says something I think.
The descriptions of places are very well done even though they aren´t excessively wordy. The reader can truly see the places in their minds.
The characters are also very well done. You can understand them, and all have some level of depth despite this just being the first novella in a series. If the quality is the same or higher in the next entries, I foresee even more well-rounded characters. Alexis was my favorite. Also, the sibling banter between Alexis and Cole is just really enjoyable to read. It feels very real to me.
As for issues with the book: there aren´t that many. A few (3-4) paragraphs felt a bit too expository about character feelings and such. It might be a “me” thing though, so this isn´t to be seen as a serious issue. I found maybe a couple of typos or unnecessary words in phrases but considering this is an indie publication that probably has more issues with editing and revising than bigger, more well-known authors and publishing houses, this is acceptable. It happens, even with the said well-known authors and publishing houses. As you can see, I´m really nitpicking here. As I said, not many actual flaws.
I truly believe these authors will just keep getting better and more polished, both in their ideas and writing style. Coming up wit a story, the very basics of the plot, is the simplest part in my opinion. The hardest part is tying it all together cohesively with well written characters, which we do see here. We see certain tropes here (they are inevitable really), but they don´t feel tropy. The authors managed tio either give it their own twist or to make it interesting in some other way.
As for my rating, I will give it two: One considering this novella as an indie and first publication of the authors and the second as if it were by a famous author.
Indie: 4/5 stars. It´s just a very solid work for debuting authors for the reasons I mentioned above.
Famous author rating: 3/5 stars. It´s lacking some polish, but it will certainly come with time.
I really look forward for the next entry and will certainly buy this one to support the authors.
More...