James S. Murray

This was an "advance reader copy" from a Goodreads Giveaway: 3.5 stars. I read the book in one sitting -
Likes: It was an entertaining read and kept me interested and wanting to find out what would happen next. The characters were believable and had some depth. Anything that takes place in an environment where you can't escape from also makes the story more tense! I would recommend if you like a thriller (a bit gory!) that you can read in a couple hours! Also - it made me look up how many people disappear from cruise ships - Yikes!!
Dislikes: The gory descriptions - although some people might enjoy that. I also was annoyed a few times of the characters throwing their heads back with laughter - which didn't seem believable in the situations when this happened. Who does that? Some of the phrases I would have worded differently - but then, it's not my book...
Thank you for the entertaining read!
… (altro)

I won’t call myself an Impractical Jokers superfan but I like the show well enough, have seen many episodes, and read this book because I was curious if Murr had actual writing chops or not.

Awakened showed early promise as a high-concept horror idea only to end up feeling every bit as rough as I expected from a debut novel that was likely published, at least in part, due to the author’s fan following.

Plagued with paper-thin character and an overuse of tropes (the female SWAT hero, the reformed Hispanic ex-gang member, the corrupt politician), I found Awakened to be somewhat poorly written and often telegraphing. If the author had let the action play itself out without warning what might happen (usually via unnecessary inner dialogue), the end result would have been a much more enjoyable, far less predictable read. This is a newbie error and I’m surprised developmental editing didn’t tip him off. Plot-wise, Awakened borders on scatter-shot. It’s a horror novel but it’s a political thriller that dips its toes into sci-fi waters. The lack of focus feels like a book trying to accomplish too much in too few pages. Some of what it does manage to pull together is either laughably bad, improbable, or cliché.

That said, the book is action-packed. The premise is great—subterranean creatures thwarting the building of a fast train connecting NYC to NJ by way of a tunnel under the Hudson—and the first few chapters grabbed me. When the train makes its tragic maiden run, arriving at the platform heavily damaged, empty of passengers, and dripping with blood and viscera, I had to know where everyone went.

I wouldn’t have figured Murr for a horror writer but some of the best moments in the book are the most graphic. That guy outside the IMAX? Brutal, in the most awesome way. What the author lacks in finesse (and the writing is, at times, painfully bad), he makes up for in imagination. I’d put Awakened in the beach read category. Entertaining, if you don’t want to think too much about what you’re reading and if you can curb literary snobbery. I’m not clamoring for the next installment, but Awakened was a fun read while it lasted.… (altro)

Holy.

First off, for anyone reading this review who hasn't read any of James S. Murray's books with Darren Wearmouth yet, and is only familiar with his comedy, please don't underestimate him. The man transitions to thriller and horror seamlessly.

This was such a ride. It's fast-paced, original, and the main character is just so multidimensional and human. It took some unexpected turns, and the one reveal towards the end made me audibly gasp. I love the way it ended, and I really hope to be reading more about Maria Fontana (a certified badass through and through) soon.… (altro)