J. Todd Kingrea

Wow, I don't even know where to start. The imagery, the nuance, the characters, the world-building, it all blew me away. I got wrapped up in the story right from the fiery opening. I really wasn't sure how well a blending of a post-apocalyptic world and the witch hunts of the Middle Ages would work out, and I was blown away. The characters are very complex, and watching Thorne face down many adversaries and change over the course of the book was fascinating. I absolutely hope to read more show more set in this same world! show less

This was another eARC that I received, this time through LibraryThing's website. I must have missed a slight bit of description on this one. I didn't pick up on it until I was already several pages in. For most of this book it reads and feels like a traditional Fantasy story where the Church rules most of the known world. There is magic and weapons seem fairly medieval themed. However, as you read through it turns out the story actually takes place about a thousand years after what may show more appear to be more like present day. There is a cataclysm that takes place and apparently throws the world back into more medieval times. With all of that being said, it was a very enjoyable read. It seems a rather quick and easy read as well. The pacing seems quick to me but not so much that it didn't allow time for the world and characters to develop. I did seem to get twisted from time to time on the plot itself but I like where things ended up at the end of the book.

I would consider this on the darker side and it appeared to have tragedy after tragedy. I really enjoyed the character development. Many times I had to ask myself who are the good guys and who are the bad guys in this story. This isn't due to it not being clear. It is more due to the fact many of the characters learn more and more about the world they live in and who they really are and who or what they want to be.

I'm excited to see where this story goes from here in the future! show less

The fifth order is taking over the land and banishing everyone they consider a “heretic” to compliance camps. There are a band of rebels trying to stop them and this is who we follow.
This story has a nice blend of historical, horror and fantasy genres and pretty much everything you could want in a story.
The writing is so absorbing you feel like you can smell the places the rebels are hiding out in.
Normally when I’ve had to stop reading a book and then pick it back up again it takes me show more a minute to get back into it, remember what’s happening etc. it didn’t happen with this book. The second I started reading I was dragged back into their world without abandon and didn’t want to leave.
The physical description of the crimson fathers was my favourite part of the whole story. So gory and so great.
That’s not to say the writing is only gross, some of the humour was fantastic. My favourite being, ‘He yelled and cursed like a eunuch in a whorehouse on half price night.’
The story culminates in an ending that is satisfying but also sets everything up for the third instalment. show less

WELCOME TO BLACK ROCK – CANCER CENTRAL

The cover lends an eerie touch to With A Blighted Touch by J Todd Kingrea, that definitely fits the evil goingons in the small town of Black Rock. Is the town cursed? Is Kit cursed? And seeing we are in a small town, we gotta have some secrets.

Kit McNeil is back in town because of the death of his mother. He will love and miss her, not so with is still living father. Kit had been abused, demoralized and beaten down by him. Even now, he reverts to the show more feelings he had as a child. His dad isn’t all wrong. His music career has been a bust, and it’s his own fault. Drinking and drugs do not make for a success.

We have a mix of characters, from Kit, to his best friend, to his new friend, to the Dunley’s and the children (?). Of course, we have to have the characters make some bone headed moves, but how else can we create the suspense and tension that their actions cause to happen.

“We’re going to get you. We’re going to get you.”

I could hear the creepy voice as if the character was speaking to me out loud.

When Kit describes his and Todd’s camp, it brought to mind our camp from my childhood. Hey, J Todd, do we share some childhood exploits. I love when an author hits the spot.

When Kit and Todd start discussing the events that have plagued the town of Black Rock, Todd shares his research, a hobby cataloging the horrific events that have taken place in their small town. Of their graduating class of 129, 54 are dead. Of the six kids that lived on the same block as Kit, he is the only one still living. Hmmm…

J Todd Kingrea’s descriptive writing brought the horror to life. The details brought vivid visions to mind. The children, an evil spirit, mutilated bodies, the dark cave…

Man oh man…Courtney in the cave…shivers ran up and down my spine as I stopped reading, letting J Todd Kingrea’s words create a movie clip running through my mind. And Kit, life does not pass before his eyes and I love how J Todd dealt with the moments that flowed through Kit’s mind. As I read his thoughts, a sense of calm and warmth and ease passed through my mind too. J Todd can paint a picture with his words and I loved that I was there for every brush stroke.

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