The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses

The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action

This is the first book by K.N. Smith that I have read and I’m pleased to see that it’s the first in a series because I was amazed at the development of the story, the subtext, and the characters and I am interested to see how it all progresses.
What makes this book particularly fascinating is the manner in which the community in which the characters exist is itself a living, conscious entity. In this respect, the book has a strong fantasy element to it. Yet, contrasted against the fantastical elements is a realism which pits the idyllic against the criminal and the fantasy against grim reality.
There is a wonderful interplay of disparate, contrasting elements which play out on two levels: within the minds of the characters and within the world surrounding them. The writer makes great use of backstories and subtext to lend depth, subtlety, and mystery to the unfolding of the story as it vacillates from surreality to reality. This constant interplay is echoed in the lives of the characters as they struggle to balance their newfound powers with the need to maintain life on a mundane level.
Additionally, the writer introduces poetic elements into the narrative, placing the story into a mythical context, each of the characters’ actions being a response to Fate as they struggle to reach a balance between the demands of normalcy and the pull of destiny. The entire story is neatly woven together in an unpredictable manner and is driven by well executed action sequences, intriguing backstories, and dialogue which lend believably and relatability to the characters and situations.
I would recommend this book to readers of fantasy, mystery, and even fans of certain kinds of comic books which explore how the introduction of new powers or abilities put pressures upon those who acquire them to undergo intensive personal transformations in order to accommodate the responsibilities these entail. Five stars.

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The Wretched Walls (Kindle Edition)

 A decent into madness...hits the reader like a sledgehammer., February 17, 2015

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Well written psychological horror. My favorite work by Brian Kaufman. It's rather clever, funny in some places--which balances out its darker aspects. It's dynamic, believable, and creepy. I recommend it to readers of HP Lovecraft, fans of Bate's Motel, and those who read the author's other works. There's plenty to enjoy here.

GRACE OF THE MONARCHS & HER MIRACULOUS JOURNEY (Kindle Edition)

 A transcendent, transformative allegory about life, death, and the evolution of a  

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This book can be taken as allegory, speculative fiction, and a philosophical thought experiment. It uses a powerful narrative device--that of consciousness as experienced through the perspective of a butterfly--to put human life into a broader, transcendent context. It confronts the reader with basic and sometimes uncomfortable questions about the purpose of life and death. The reader is taken on a journey alongside Grace as she experiences the remarkable contrast between the seemingly simple life trajectory of a butterfly and the apparent complexity of a lawyer's life. Grace's expectations are turned inside out as the narrative guides the reader though the trials and tribulations of a troubled soul's self-awakening.

Downhill (Kindle Edition)

 A new twist on the zombie genre, December 29, 2015

 

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Great short story. Humorous and original. Author builds suspense and takes story into an unexpected place at the end. I would consider it to be dark satire, somewhat Kafkaesque. I will definitely look into the author's other work. Five stars because it is a solid work of short fiction. Fans of The Walking Dead will enjoy this one.

Parabo (Kindle Edition)

 If you like a large dose of black humor with your horror then this is for you., January 7, 2016

 

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This is an enjoyable read and I'm glad to see that it's part of a series. I'll be following this author to see how this one develops. If you like a large dose of black humor with your horror, then this is for you. I'm a fan of The Evil Dead and related types of cult horror flicks and this book has that same vibe. It's not too serious but the horror aspect is still terrifying. The characters and dialogue well done here and the plot goes into some unexpected direction. Five Stars.

Driving Grandpa (Kindle Edition)

 An enjoyable, poignant read with great dialogue and lots of heart, 

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This book hooked me from the very beginning because of how relatable its characters are. The dialogue between the man and his grandfather is lighthearted but also soulful. The writer effortlessly blends the events taking place with back stories and flashbacks, providing depth and believability to the situations and characters.

There is a lot of humor, nostalgia, and love throughout the narrative. I found it easy to get lost in the anecdotes and back stories of Grandpa's life and was hooked until the end.

Winner Takes All: An Anamorphous Tale About Origins, Aliens and Time

 Wow. This is an intriguing, mind bending and deep!y philosophic  

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This is a fast paced but highly focused story which covers a lot of geographical , chronological, historical, and intellectual territory. It takes place against a backdrop of historical events and involves historical personages as it explores the hidden influences driving humanities progress throughout time. The author weaves together elements as disparate as synchronicity, aliens, serial reincarnation, spiritual evolution, suppressed archaeology, and psychology. The narrative, despite the complexity of the subject matter, is solid and very readable.

If you're someone who enjoys fringe conspiracy, new age thought, and Jungian psychology, then this book is for you. I haven't enjoyed a book in this genre this much since Robert Anton Wilson's The Illuminatus Trilogy. It has depth, action, romance, and intrigue. Best of all, it takes place in historical settings and shines a light into some very deep and dark rabbit holes.

I had no idea where it was going to wind up and the pace of the story and its many permutations kept me hooked to the end. Five Stars. Definitely an author to follow.