Finding time to post between books is harder! Don't just like and leave, please - I can talk for Ireland and would love to prove it! Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Email required Address never made public. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: It's written like a journal, so you have a lot of Jake's internalization about his life and what he's feeling and thinking, but it's also written as though he's currently experiencing these events. You can't help but like and feel for Jake, and when he starts going down that dark path, you're screaming in your head, "What are you doing, Jake? Don't do it, Jake! It's totally funny how his thoughts get distracted when he's writing in his journal. Nick is a contradiction.
- .
- blowing through the cobwebs of my mind.
- Casting Shadows Everywhere by Tim McBain and L T Vargus.
- Paperback Editions.
- .
- Love Untouched (Unexpected Book 3).
You think he has Jake's best interest at heart, but towards the end you realize that Nick is not what he seems. He's a low-brow charmer, and it's easy to see how he can manipulate Jake into believing his dark philosophy. Even as a reader reading how Nick views the world, it's so close to the truth that you think he's onto something profound, until he tips over the edge into unrealistic assumptions and thoughts. The twist toward the end had my eyes bugging and my mouth dropping open.
I almost couldn't believe what I was reading and totally wasn't expecting the book to end the way it did. I loved the way the story veered sharply off the road and took me somewhere I wasn't planning on going. There's a bit of violence, so if that's not your thing, you might not like it quite as much as I did. But if you can handle it, this is a must-read for young adult contemporary suspense. I've already recommended it to both my kids, and that's saying something.
Feb 12, Emily rated it really liked it. He doesn't have much to choose from. In his rambling, slang-filled journal entries he considers how he's always been a victim and begins to learn from his sociopathic older cousin, Nick, how to be "less of a pussy. Jake's a pretty smart kid. It's interesting how he goes from a profanity-laden rant to philosophic musings in 15 year old Jake is searching for meaning, control, and a role-model in his life. It's interesting how he goes from a profanity-laden rant to philosophic musings in the space of a paragraph.
The author has really captured the stream-of-consciousness, nearly conversational way of speaking and thinking of this lower-class teenager. Jake's a character study and an exploration on socio-economics and personal growth, but this isn't your average coming-of-age tale. I wouldn't recommend it for teen readers for fear they'd over-identify with Jake and emulate his behavior. The story builds with suspense, and a maternal reader really begins to fear for the protagonist. A fake-out near the end is almost too much, but it's reigned back in satisfactorily.
Overall, this is not my usual genre, but I enjoyed the peek into a different kind of story. Then I began it with a little bit of trepidation, because from the very first chapter, the dark themes inherent in the book's plot become evident. It is about a bullied teenager, Jake, who is given life lessons by his cousin, Nick, whom we first encounter when he tries to strangle somebody.
I like novels with dark themes, but not always; and I was a little bit afraid that this book would turn out to be depress I have to admit, I chose to read Casting Shadows Everywhere because I liked the title.
- Interkulturelle Pädagogik (German Edition).
- The Birthday Present (Tom and Ricky Mystery Series Set 2);
- Warte, bis du schläfst: Thriller (German Edition).
- Oeuvres de Marivaux (French Edition)!
- Books I’ve Read No. 16 – Casting Shadows Everywhere;
- Imprisoning Medieval Women: The Non-Judicial Confinement and Abduction of Women in England, c.1170-1509!
- .
- Casting Shadows Everywhere, by L.T. Vargus - Empty Sink Publishing!
- I Haiku You.
- About heretherebespiders.
I like novels with dark themes, but not always; and I was a little bit afraid that this book would turn out to be depressingly grim. My fears were unfounded, however. Although Nick's lessons lead Jake down a progressively ominous path, the book is never dour. In fact, it is an absorbing and entertaining read, thanks mostly to the high quality of the writing. I was surprised to discover that this book is L. Vargus's first novel; she writes with a consummate professionalism. Casting Shadows Everywhere is an intelligent and interesting book, and I am looking forward to reading more work from this writer in the future.
Jake is fifteen years old and an outcast. His peers pick on him and he is lacking self esteem. He has a crush on Beth she is beautiful and is his dream girl, the ones guys like him never seem to get. Nick is Jakes older cousin and he is the complete opposite of Jake. He is a professional Burglar" with a bad attitude and believes that there is no right and wrong, things just happen. Nick quickly takes Jake under his wing and teaches him how to be a burglar.
Jake eagerly wants Nicks acceptance, an Jake is fifteen years old and an outcast. Jake eagerly wants Nicks acceptance, and Nicks acceptance of Jake boosts Jakes self esteem. But soon Jake begins to question himself and his cousin. A fast paced read with some laugh out loud moments. I highly recommend for ya as well as adult readers. I would love to read more books by L.
It was really good. I'm a little gob-smacked by the ending still, but I think I enjoyed it a lot. I feel somewhat uncertain about it, because it was two thirds of a great book, followed by one sixth that lurched off in an unwelcome direction and had me questioning the author, and finally ends off with one sixth that brings it home in a really thought-provoking fashion. Although I was jarred out of my comfort zone for a bit and still not sold on the unwelcome sixth of the book completely, the abs It was really good.
Although I was jarred out of my comfort zone for a bit and still not sold on the unwelcome sixth of the book completely, the absolute authenticity of the narrative voice is what makes the book without question. The main character and narrator is perfect as a bit of an outsider and over-analyzer, just trying to make sense of the world. Brilliant piece by piece character development is what kept me in it to the end. I could not get into this story for some reason I cannot explain. I found the kid Jake to be boring beyond words and I could not connect with him or any of the other characters.
I got the idea that he was a wuss and his cousin was supposed to be teaching him how to cope in the world. The problem is I knew the cousin was either a sociopath or psychopath from the first time he was mentioned and it wasn't much of a leap to seeing the kid take on his characteristics. It took me a while to read it be I could not get into this story for some reason I cannot explain. It took me a while to read it because I kept stopping the reading to do other things, which means it was not keeping me interested.
I can say it did not work for me but does not mean that it would not be perfect for someone else. I say at least give it a try and see for yourself.
Casting Shadows Everywhere, by L.T. Vargus
Vargus is the master of plot twists - not huge crazy ones that make you go "WHAT?! Suddenly you're in a place that gives you serious deja vu, but is a wholly new experience. Even though this book is YA fiction, it doesn't have the simplistic writing style of most YA books which is a huge turn-off to me , and the protagonist is smarter than most adults.
This book would be Awesome book! This book would be a great gift for your way-too-intelligent niece or nephew that loves to read And get a copy for yourself while you're at it. Feb 02, Noel Brady rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved it on the very first page and every single page after that.
It's so dark and yet so funny. The prose is gorgeous and the character's voice is so strong.
Casting Shadows Everywhere
The authors describe the book as a cross between Fight Club and Catcher in the Rye and they couldn't be more correct. Mar 03, Beth rated it it was ok. I was two thirds through the book, before it got some what interesting. But overall I thought it was pretty boring! Ginger My best friend in college was a Dead Head. You know, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, tie-dye, cool music, and dope. Lots and lots of dope. My friend was way into acid. Not me, I couldn't give up control like that, and besides, someone had to drive, right?
And grass just made me sick at my stomach, so no pain. Is this a book about the Grateful Dead and acid trips? But this powerful, horrifying book took me to a place in my mind that must be very like those acid trips. Through the journal of a year-old, we take a weird journey through what it means to be 15, powerless and alone. To find a way to grind the sadistic kid's head into the ground so he can see what it feels like? It brought up memories best forgotten, pain, heartbreak.
But mostly, it opened me up with the wisdom and compassion shown by the author. Many issues were touched on. The aforementioned bullying, of course. But also expectations, loss, grief, and how easy is is to turn an inherently good person to the dark. Looking back on my review, it seems that I didn't like the book. That couldn't be further from the truth. This book touched me, inspired me, and drew me in like nothing else I have read in a very long time.
I highly recommend it for what it represented to me. A walk into the dark. And a view of the light at the end of the forest. This book was provided to me by the author in return for a realistic review.
All opinions are my own and are not predicated on receipt of the book by the author. Nov 12, Nev Murray rated it liked it Shelves: I received a free download of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Also never read anything by L. Vargus before so wanted to give it a go. This story is told through his eyes in excerpts from his journal. He is an admitted wimp. His best friend is Beth. He is in love with her but too scared to do anything about it. Nick is his cousin and a complete opposite. Nick decides to take Jake under his wing to teach him all he knows. This includes stealing, drinking and accompanying him on burglaries. Jake discovers a more sinister side to Nick and has some important decisions to make.
How to deal with Nick and how to deal with his own demons just beginning to surface. It was totally not what I was expecting at all. This is a coming of age story told by Jake himself. It follows him from the age of 9 then jumps to present day when he is He tells of his life in school, with Beth his secret love and Nick his cousin. He also has a tendency to jump to totally random thoughts in the journal and also describes in detail what he is learning from his psychology class. I was really disappointed with it. Given the amount of 5 star reviews it has had it left me thinking I had missed something.
Reading as a series of informal diary entries this book is written from the point of view of 15 year old Jake.
Contact Form
An American teenager of a single parent family, Jake strives to do more with his life. He wants a reason to get up in the morning. The opening scenes are very vivid, we meet Jake's cousin Nick who will play an important adult role in Jakes next few months. There are few males for Jake to look up to and Nick's air of danger entices Jake. No longer prepared to be a victim to school bullies Reading as a series of informal diary entries this book is written from the point of view of 15 year old Jake. No longer prepared to be a victim to school bullies Jake accepts Nick's offer to help him learn some important life lessons.
Jake finds that he likes the excitement and thrill that taking on Nick's tasks give him and he can feel himself changing and wanting to keep changing. Jake's college lessons help him analyse his feelings and actions which make him different from Nick. Nick ultimately becomes out of control relying on his one rule in life "Don't get caught".
The book deals with plenty of teenage issues such as bullying, bulimia, puberty and peer pressure. There is strong language and violence in Jake's journey to find meaning in life. He came full circle through his lessons with Nick. Nick felt life had no meaning. Jake did something with his life experience, he changed his outlook and at the end began living his life once again. There is a lot of strength in this story and if you can see through the violence and some of the points that no parent wants to think about, there is a lot of true life experiences.
Many teenagers are trying to find themselves and they have to deal with issues today that we all need to face.
Ski-Wee's Book Corner: Casting Shadows Everywhere by L.T. Vargas, Smarmy Press
You can change yourself. We're not all powerless and trapped in the roles we find ourselves in. Why are we here? What is the meaning of it all? In the immensity of the cosmos, are there any rules worth following? In a world where might rules and fortune favours the knave, do we t "You can't control the world, but you can control yourself. What follows is a standard transgressive narrative: And then things quickly escalate, bordering on the absurd, until we reach the breaking point and know that Jake will never be the same person again—and are left pondering whether he is truly better for it or not.
The book is well-edited: I noticed only a few, subtle typos and places where the language could have been smoothed out a bit. But otherwise, the book is filled with wonderful quotes that would be at home in any work of transgressive fiction. For example, when lamenting his relationship with his dad, Jake quips: The older cousin, Nick, represents another pillar of transgressive fiction: There is just things that happen. Unlike Fight Club, the characters in Casting Shadows Everywhere are insulated and most concerned with the world immediately around them.