David Michael (6)

The Summoning Fire by David Michael was definitely not what I was expecting when I read the book description, but in a good way. The story takes place in Hell on Earth, a place consumed by demons, harpies, and other creatures that quietly, or sometimes not so quietly, wait in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to strike. After her partner Sam is killed in front of her, Reese Howard goes on a rampage of revenge to get back at The Old Man, a half human and half demon prince from Hell, show more whom single handedly tore Reese's world apart. I found it easy to relate to these characters, because even if you haven't went through the same trials as these characters have, there is no doubt that the emotions they display are those that most everyone would. I was originally going to rate this book a 3 because it did get confusing at times because the chapters jump back and forth, and there were a couple of times that I had to stop and think back to other chapters to pick up the story line. Another reason I was considering a 3 was because there were some very graphic scenes that tugged at my heart strings, either because they hit to close to home or because I felt as though some victims did not deserve the pain inflicted on them, although some of them probably deserved worse. But at the end of the day...I am giving The Summoning Fire a solid rating of 4 because it successfully did its job and kept my attention, made me feel for the characters, and kept me guessing as to how it would end. I'm definitely going to read more of David Michael's writings. show less

The Girl Who Ran With Horses by David Michael is the emotional journey of Stevie Buckbee as she tries to separate herself from her past and the person she wants to be. After the sudden death of her brother, Stevie is shipped off to live with her aunt and uncle for the upcoming school year as her father tries to deal with the loss. Since Stevie’s mother had previously walked out of her life, Stevie is left feeling abandoned. But summer break has finally arrived and even though she is filled show more with resentment, Stevie is happy to finally be able to go home. She has looked into all of the horse racing events in the area and wants nothing more than to ride her horses again and win some races. What should be a promising summer, quickly turns Stevie’s world spinning. The Girl Who Ran With Horses is a book not only about coming to terms with normal teenage insecurities but about accepting who you are, even if that means you can talk to horses. One thing I enjoy is reading books from authors who challenge themselves by writing in different genres. I previously had the pleasure of reading The Summoning Fire, also by David Michael, which is completely opposite of The Girl Who Ran With Horses. Which is a great thing! I have nothing but respect and admiration for authors who can successfully pull off writing in not only different genres, but in genres that don’t fit together. It’s like having a hardcore horror author writing a baby’s nursery rhyme book. David Michael has earned that respect and admiration as The Girl Who Runs With Horses is a delightful young adult book and one that I will gladly allow my daughter to read. Well, after she learns to read of course :) show less

Stevie Buckbee misses her family, or what's left of it. She only receives a few cards a year from her mother, who left the family a few years ago, and then with the death of her brother Edwin, her dad decided it would be best if she spent the school year in Tulsa with her aunt and uncle. Although she spent school breaks at home on the family ranch in Antlers, OK, she is anxious to return for good. When summer break arrives she is anxious to head home for good, all she ever dreams of is being show more home with her dad and brother Blake ,and to spend time with her beloved horses, especially Jack Rabbit a feisty horse her father purchased for her. While on spring break Jack Rabbit threw her but that doesn't diminish her plans for training and racing him over summer break. When she arrives home her dad seems distant, and her brother Blake is making plans to go away to college in the fall. The ranch looks neglected, and there are fewer horses boarding there. When she learns she has developed a special connection with the horses, being able to communicate with them thru thoughts, and sometimes feeling what they feel, she isn't sure at first its real. With everything going on at the ranch, the one thing she fears is that her dad will send her back to Tulsa in the fall. Can the family pull together, and will things ever be normal again for Stevie?

Stevie is a young girl coming of age, who has dealt with a lot of upheaval in her life. The author does a remarkable job of portraying Stevie's feelings. She seems like a young girl lost in alot of ways without alot of control over what goes on around her. While she is a bit headstrong at times, especially when it comes to listening to people who are trying to teach her how to ride her horse. She is also very practical and worries about those around her.The author tackles some very heavy subjects such as the abandonment by her mother, the death of her brother, her father's alcoholism, and her brother Blake growing into his own person, wanting to spread his wings away from the ranch. The authors writing drew me to Stevie immediately, and made it easy to connect with her. I could also see where her family was coming from, they are all suffering, and each one is handling it the best way they can. Her dad really feared abandonment as well, but the things he did often pushed the people closest to him away.

The paranormal twist the author throws in was neat, it was fun to hear the thoughts of the horses, although sometimes it wasn't what Stevie wanted to hear. It was interesting to see her learn to block some of it out.

A heartwarming story that horse lovers of all ages will enjoy reading. A story that is easy to connect with because the author deals with problems that are easy for alot of people to relate to. The characters are also down to earth and easy to connect with, making you hope that all will work out for them. show less

Article first published as Book Review: The Summoning Fire by David Michael on Blogcritics

Prepare to be spooked in the most unusual way. The Summoning Fire by David Michael has such an effect. When you are in Hell on Earth almost anything can happen and usually does. Devils and demons roam at will, and death is as common as coffee.

Reece-anne and her lover Sam have been assassins for the Old Man for the last few years. It is a brutal job and their initiation was worse then can be imagined. show more They travel together, Sam with her katana, a beautiful black sword, and Reece with her trusty shotgun. Death is just another day in Hell on Earth and even these weapons wielded by two women attract no outward attention. The Old Man is one of the most prolific of the crime lords, having escaped from hell, he is having the time of his life. He can eat his fill of the plump human tourists that make their way into Hell on Earth from Suburbia, and he can inflict pain at will. Reece and Sam feel it is time to break free. This is exactly what the Old Man has been waiting for as he needs the blood of one of them to create a summoning.

Luring them to his Penthouse, knowing their plans for him, he sets his trap. Deciding that Sam is the most dangerous of the two, he makes his choice and she is the one whose blood is used in the summoning. Her death will bring the very horror that is necessary in his plans for the earth, and will also help him to control this creature of the dark. Little does he realize that he has also created a different type of killer, that of Reece herself. Madness overcomes her in her despair and anger. He leaves her in misery secure in his invulnerability.

As darkness descends in the form of the summoned, death and disaster follow. The Old Man, realizing he has made a mistake by leaving Reece alive, sends the summoned after her. At every turn there is something--the summoned fights the command from his summoner--and yet because the summoner know its true name, it must follow his command. What is it about Reece Ann, that even the most unearthly blackness fights the command to destroy her? Will she get her revenge and release the torment from her very soul? Will evil truly win the war?

David Michael has written a unique and interesting cast of characters, and chose to make Reece the heroine. Or did he?

This is a story of horror and pain, and not for the weak at heart. It is graphic and sometimes cruel but always with an underlying theme. It is set in a time and place where all hell has broken loose literally. The Princes of hell have created an exit from that very place, many of them being destroyed in the process, leaving the Old Man as he is called, as the leader. He is a Prince of darkness, but refuses to be named, as true names have power. He is cruel and callus and his visage is more then horrible, it creates both fascination and fear.

The creature of darkness is the stuff of nightmares, absorbing any living thing it touches, learning from memories of those absorbed, leaving only wet skeletal remains behind. You are alternately horrified by it and at times cheering it; somehow David Michael has given it a somewhat human thought process, through its absorbtion of its victims. While it is a creature of loathing, it is also a creature pulled from it's home, following directions from a hateful master, wanting only to return to that place from whence it came.

This is a fast paced and extremely creative story, full of violence and horror. I would recommend reading this book in the full daylight unless you are sharing it with friends. Cover the windows and turn on the lights, be prepared to be scared.

This book was recieved free from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material. show less