Tellers March

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NOTE: I was given a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
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Domestic is the first episode (or book) of the Benediction series by Tellers March.
I 'won' this book from Library's Things' Early Reader program. At the time, I signed up for it because it was paranormal and no one else was requesting it.
I went into the book blind, I didn't remember much about it, which is how I like doing these books awarded by the early reader program. The story kept my interest, but there were some oddities, but I'll get to that later. I did about halfway through read what it was about because I wasn't sure who the main character was. We didn't get too far along in the story and there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end… or really a lead in to episode (book) 2.
The characters were thought out, described at time a little odd, but that is below too. Thought they were believable and I wanted to know what would happen to them. There's some great snarky lines in the story and I laughed.
This story is not one author, or two but a group of them … think this episode has four writing. Each author is responsible for one or two of the characters. In a way the book is written how someone would tell a story out loud, but it was still good.
What bugged me to no end was they kept referring to the main male character Zak as "the bartender", which wouldn't been bad if he was at the bar he worked at or going to the bar. But it was at odd moments one of the authors called him that and it just didn't flow in the story. I'd rather it would've alternated between Zak and he/his/him.
There were no sex scenes in the book, let alone a love interest. The thing that might turn off readers is the large amount of "F" bombs used. Things like this doesn't bother me, but even I was tiring of seeing it over and over again. Especially because other less offensive swear words could be used. There are some typos, but I've noticed this happening a lot lately, and some are with mainstream writers.
All in and all I thought it was a good start to the series. Next one should prove interesting as we get deeper into the storyline. The skinny, it's worth the 99 cents to give it a try.… (meer)

Benediction Episode 1 is an introduction to the intermingling lives of Zak, Becker, and Robyn in a modern early-millennial slice of life with a Supernatural-esque twist. Zak is the main protagonist at this point whose thoughts and actions drive the story forward. He is a thirty-something single guy in a small town with a kind heart, rough appearance, and a brain that doesn’t always work as fast as his heart. Becker is a no-frills tomboy with full-speed sarcasm and bluntness that easily balances Zak as a friend and roommate. Robyn is... something different and new to all of them, including herself. She meets Zak as a scared and broken girl on the road and inadvertently connects the three of them to the life she thought she escaped from. Becker acts as a common-sense buffer as Zak and Robyn discover parts of themselves they never would have suspected... Or wanted.

This biggest successes of this book for me are the original concept and relatable humor. I don’t typically enjoy stories that are set too closely to my real world, but I couldn’t help but chuckle as I read the plethora of, shall we say, nerdy inside jokes. A particular favorite involves the Reddit famous “neckbeard” concept. The creature concept revealed at the end of this episode was different from anything I’ve read. I don’t honestly know if I’m a fan of the idea or not, but I give credit for stumping me with the originality.

My biggest problems with this book are perhaps due to preference more than anything. If I read a book about fantasy, I don’t want to be reminded of the real world. This was almost like a Redditor’s daydream where the life we live intersects with what we wish we could be if fantasy and magic was real. I can understand the appeal to someone who enjoys that sort of “true to life” scenario, but it is not relatable to me and actively pulled me out of the story. There were a few mispellings, but most people probably wouldn’t notice them.

I’m curious to know what happens with Benediction, but I don’t know if the writing and originality is enough to overcome my personal struggle of staying in the story with so many modern references.… (meer)