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A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2) by Pamela Sparkman – Review by Sarah Oakes

A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2)A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A spellbinding read about second chances. Zeph has always been on the dark side and has done many terrible things along the way. When he tried to kill himself in despair, he is saved and healed by an elf. Surrounded by people who hate him, will Zeph change for the better or return to his old ways?
A brillaint read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn’t put down. Well developed characters like Zeph cold personality while struggling with his feelings or Arwyn living in hope but still standing up for herself. Zephs struggles to find his way and not be a monster was powerful and emotive throughout. Great supporting cast of fun friends like Lorchlan or Seary.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the sea and the cliff and the forest as wild untamed beauty which was perfectly written. I also loved the detail of the monsatery as something sacred but unique. I also loved the use of opposites in the novel in light and dark/ night and day or religion and magic which worked beautifully together to make contrasts with wonderful vivid colours.
I also loved the fantasy used in the novel with realms and magic with different societies and laws to create a spellbinding fantasy world. The inclusion of magical beings with different powers and mystical creatures of darker mythology made for a captivating read and was beautifully written. Overall, a great read and I would give it five stars.

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A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness book 2) – Review by Madison Degraffenreid

A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2)A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman book (Heart of Darkness Book 2)

Zeph has known nothing but darkness since he was taken as a boy. Upon being revived he is given a second chance at life but still struggles with the darkness with in. He was a monster and still is. How can he change. Can his heart be healed and will he ever be able to find who that boy was again?

I absolutely loved the storyline of this novel. I was worried that I would be lost since I did not read book 1 but the author did a great job of building this story where the reader does not need to read the first. There was so much taking place with Zeph and his emotions as he tried to fight the darkness. This book is definitely a 5 star book.

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A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness Book 2) by Pamela Sparkman – Review by Cynthia Ayala

A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness Book 2)A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A powerful novel that follows a band of characters as they try to navigate their way out of the darkness that almost swallowed them up. As a fantasy novel, this story had to be unique in some way, especially in dealing with fairies, and the way the story functions is pretty unique. There is a coldness that emanates from the story as it talks about the Unseelie court, brutality that makes the story jump off the pages and infect the reader with fear and anger. It’s good when a story makes the reader feel so strongly for the characters and the story, not to mention the world that is being built here.

Sparkman did an incredible job building this world and recreating this fantasy and these fairy creatures for the reader. The essence that surrounds them, the plot and definition of the characters is unique and truly stands out. Not to mention the message the story holds the message of perseverance.

The base of the story is all about hope; it’s about having hope and finding the light even in the darkest of times. It means that even when someone loses themselves to darkness the way Zeph lost himself to the darkness that they can find the light and find a way to save themselves from the overwhelming darkness. That message is so incredibly powerful. Zeph found his way out, but this story is all about him and his newfound friends trying to pick up the pieces, to repair themselves and their relationships with one another, to repair everything damaged by the dark with love and hope. And it is an incredible journey to follow because it allows the characters to move about the story with dimension, to jump off the pages and litter the reader with their emotions and thoughts, making the reading experience even more compelling. These characters grow together; they form this bond that allows them to face the darkness head-on once more, adding tension and action to the novel.

There is another thing that makes this story so good, and it’s Sparkman’s use of language. There are some scenes that are triggering, and thankfully Sparkman does give the reader notice before even beginning to read the story, but what makes those scenes as powerful as they are triggering is her limited use of language. These are scenes that have every opportunity to be explicit but are not, and it’s all due to Sparkman’s impeccable use of language. She uses the minimalist of words to get the scene around, playing on the slightest of details to make the scene pop. And pop they do. The reader isn’t dulled by the excessive use of language, there is enough provided to lure the reader in, keep them grounded, and focus on what is happening in the story rather than be distracted by the detail and words. These scenes carry so much power and that’s how they should be. Admittedly they are uncomfortable to read, but they should be, but that only serves to give them more weight, lending to the creation of a powerful novel.

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A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness #2) by Pamela Sparkman – Review by Liz Vrchota

A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2)A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“A monster like me deserves no mercy.”

I had several preconceptions of what type of novel this was going to be when I dove right in. Surely, it would have some dark and luminous magic, adventure, and mystery, otherworldly creatures, and sci-fi a plenty. I was so wrong. Now, there was a lot of the above, but this book exceeded my expectations and was so much more than a tale of fantasy and lore. It was a touching story of love and loss, the impact that the desire for revenge can cause a person, endless life lessons woven into a fast paced story line that will keep you gripped from beginning to end. My only critique would be one of myself for not reading the first book, The Moon Shines Red, before this one. It was a tad confusing in minor areas, but I still immensely enjoyed the book, and now have another to go back and devour. I would recommend that you read about Pamela Sparkman’s character breakdowns at the end. She shines some light on who these characters where to her, how they grew within her mind and helped her create this amazing novel full of their story.

Zeph has not had the ideal life, in fact it has been quite terrifying at times. When he was just a child he was kidnapped! After he finally was able to return home, he was a completely different person. Cold inside and out. He believes that he doesn’t deserve love, friends, or anyone really around him. His chrysalis of darkness envelopes him helping create that barrier.

‘He had only ever brought pain to those he cared about. He didn’t deserve to be here. He would end this now.’

Arwyn has always been drawn to Zeph. She can sense his pain and understands it, but she wants to heal him before what little light that is left in him fades out to black forever. They must work through the demons plaguing Zeph together.

“I am nowhere…I exist. But I do not live. I am nowhere.”

The plots and the lessons hidden within are penned so smoothly and with such beauty that you don’t even realize the world passing around you as you read. You are transported to the world of Zeph and walk along beside him as his chrysalis slowly begins to crack with the patience, loyalty, and undivided love and attention of family and friends. Especially, as he discovers more and more about his past and demons. I love this next quote, and the implication it portrays. It makes me think of the thing I tell my mini every day on the way to school, a tradition passed amongst the women in the family. “Remember, just find one little thing in today that made you happy for one second. Anything, a butterfly flew by you, you didn’t fail that test… etc.” It is the tiniest of things that can make our day. Then pay that forward. Every afternoon we discuss. Even in the darkness, or the darkest of days, there is some happiness/ beauty to be found. It only takes a moment to look for it, and pass it on. I would like to see more of these characters. I know, it’s the conclusion, but I really loved Zeph and Arwyn. I will be sad when I finish book one. Thank you for the gorgeous gem of a novel Pamela Sparkman.

“It is only at night that we can see the stars, Zeph. Darkness doesn’t have to be scary. It can be beautiful. You have just forgotten.”

Review by @lizaileen
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A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2) by ​Pamela Sparkman – Review by Jenni Bishop

A Monster Like Me (Heart of Darkness, #2)A Monster Like Me by Pamela Sparkman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Monster Like Me by ​Pamela Sparkman ​is a heartbreaking story where our main  character believes he is a monster. It is a story of love and loss, revenge and  redemption, forgiveness and pain. A prisoner of his past and horrors Zeph believes he  deserves everyone’s hatred but with love and understanding is it possible to change not  only his mind but his heart as well. The story is heart wrenching as even though you  see the evil it is an evil not of his doing. Watching him suffer bought tears and heartfelt  sorrow. For a story to provoke such strong emotions means it is a very well written  story. This fantasy is unlike your usual fantasy, it is not all hearts and flowers and is  pretty dark but is every bit as good.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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A Monster Like Me (Heart Of Darkness Duology Book #2) by Pamela Sparkman – Review by Angela Hayes

5 Stars

 

A Monster Like Me is the second and concluding instalment in the Heart of Darkness Duology by Pamela Sparkman. It is an incredibly good paranormal fantasy, full of despair, revenge, lies, secrets, depression, choices, fate, life and death, action, danger, drama, adventure, battles, tests, friendship, redemption, and forgiveness.

Because this is the second part of a duology, I really recommend reading the first instalment before you begin this one, as there are important facts and backstory that will enhance your overall reading experience of this book.

There are some emotional details of a sensitive nature, but the author doesn’t use them gratuitously, she is careful, but also realistic about it. It made my heart ache. There are quite a lot of touching scenes also, and the depiction of the friendships, and banter really made me smile and warmed my heart. There was also tension, suspense, and heart-stopping details that sent me scrambling, flipping pages as I read along to find out how things would work out. The story is really well written, and Ms. Sparkman managed to shade the story really well, giving it true balance- blending both darkness and light into the storyline.

The characters are just fantastic- fully developed individuals who are original, complex, flawed, and a little quirky. Zeph is the perfect example of an anti-hero, and when I embarked on this book I wasn’t entirely sure how I would feel about him at the end of the story, I wasn’t sure I could like him- But he really did win me over, and his story is quite compelling. I loved the other secondary characters too, although I feel they all played important rolls in the story, helping the story to flow and grow….and adding extra interest. I love Arwyn, she is amazing, and the connection she has with Zeph is everything…..

I read the book completely engrossed in the wonderful world that Ms. Sparkman ingeniously created. I was swept into this action-packed adventure, hanging on every word- there was a lot at stake (including my heart)- I could see and feel, the blood sweat, tears, joy, emotion, heart, and soul, that Ms. Sparkman put into her creation….. and I. Loved. Every. Single. Word!!!

I am excited to see what she will do next!

 

Thank you, Ms. Sparkman!