I was given an ARC ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My second book by Keith Deininger, who I feel is a very good writer, and both are very different. Both “Ghosts of Eden” and the novella “Marrow’s Pit” were from Darkfuse, which is a great publisher of horror, speculative/sci-fi, fantasy, and crime/noir.

I liked “Marrow’s Pit” better but that is because I tend to like sci-fi better than fantasy, but both were extremely well written. “Ghosts of Eden” however fits squarely into the fantasy genre and would appeal even to the YA fantasy crowd if you removed a few scenes and images—and if they like their fantasy very, very dark.

Two damaged and disenfranchised young people with nowhere to turn are dropped off at dear old uncle Xander’s house basically because no one else wants them. Uncle Xander sure does and not in a good way. Xander is a scientist who has discovered a world or worlds beyond pure science and has devoted his life instead to magic. He has plans for the both of them and begins their “training” almost immediately.

What starts as a really odd school of wizardry/magic under the tutelage of dear old, messed up, depraved, and endearing in no way uncle Xander (think Lemony Snicket but ten times as bad) turns into an all out war that will satisfy any fan of fantasy and magic.

If you enjoy dark fantasy, you will really enjoy Ghost of Eden. It has it all. Great characters, a compelling story, and dark and disturbing imagery you will not soon forget. ( )

3.5 of 5 Stars Review copy

I read the opening line. "The man in the street, walking awkwardly in his wrinkled slacks and dress shirt buttoned all the way to his neck at midnight, seemed out of place in the neighborhood, as if he's arrived from another world." I thought, this looks like fun.

Ghosts of Eden was fun in a weird way. Where magic and physics merge into one, where "Those with the ability to travel between universes, to visit and speak with and influence the minds of the observers--what physicists call the inhabitants of other planets--on distant worlds, would hold the power to guide and shape the course of the multiverse itself."

After the death of her parents, Kayla Greenwood is sent to live with her uncle. Garty Branson has never met a recreational drug he didn't try. After a particularly rough experience at a multi-day music festival, Garty, now in possession of a mysterious jar of nothing, is sent to live with his uncle. Same uncle, Dr. William Eldritch Xander, who isn't at all what we are led to believe.

What kept me from loving this book was that I really didn't like any of the characters. I didn't feel as if I knew any of then very well and I didn't particularly care what happened to them. Then there was the overall weirdness of what the children were up against. When it was over, I felt as if I had just come down from a rather bad trip.

Ghosts of Eden is from Darkfuse and set to be released on November 4th, 2014 for the Kindle. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this one at no additional charge.

I can't really come out and recommend Ghosts of Eden, but much like taking LSD back in the '60s, your experience may vary. ( )