| Title | : | SCRIBE |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 125 |
| Publication | : | Published September 26, 2023 |
In this prequel to SMOLDER, Michael R. Goodwin reminds you that you are never truly alone in the woods.
SCRIBE Reviews
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Scribe is the prequel to Michael R. Goodwin's Smolder. It's every bit as suspenseful and even more heartbreaking. The entity in the forest (the Nothing) is older than the forest, older than time. So naturally it will be a major part of the prequel. We have more characters with deep dark secrets and strong emotions that attract the Nothing.
Again, love is a strong theme in this story, as well as honesty - being forthcoming with your loved ones and being true to yourself. Being a shorter novella, I can't going into the story much without giving away key elements. So I'll keep this review very short. In closing I would like to thank the author for the epub version of the book so that I could provide my honest thoughts and review. I found Scribe every bit as enjoyable to read as Smolder. I'm happy to give it five stars. -
Drop what you’re reading and pick up “Smolder” by Michael R. Goodwin! You’re going to want to read it before reading “Scribe”
“Scribe” is the prequel to “Smolder” and I was lucky enough to receive and advance copy.
The characters, the story, the 1800s setting, the horror, everything was so well written! I finished this book in about 3 hours and the entire time I myself felt lost in the woods being hunted down by The Nothing.
The main conflict that the main characters are facing within themselves is very different from the conflict the main characters are facing in the previous book, and while they have their own personal problems they all face the same threat and danger.
It’s a must read for any fan of the horror genre.
I’m hoping there’s more to this story because I am hooked and can’t enough! -
Goodwin has done it again! This fantastically creepy story is a must read! Although I will be thinking twice before spending anytime in the woods.
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Old ritual feels creepy, dark, and shadowed, teetering on the edge of folklore. This fast-paced story will unleash Goosebumps as a fight for survival and devastation ensues.
I was given the awesome opportunity to read this early. Scribe is the prequel to Michaels other book Smolder.
The year is 1863, when we meet the family of Jeremiah and Susannah and their two children, Andrew and Elizabeth. Living amongst the woods of West Hamilton Maine. If you remember Smolder ( which I highly recommend reading first), the woods are not a safe place to be! -
I recently read and enjoyed Goodwin’s super creepy “Smolder” and was super excited when I heard of “Scribe” being a prequel. I was stoked to get selected for an advanced copy.
This book was great! Firstly, I loved the setting of it being in 1863. Immediately, it was refreshing and a new take on the previous story, which felt like a perfect fit. The pacing of the book is excellent and really gets the foundation down quickly, no waste space. I like fast-paced writing and this hits the mark.
The characters are all well-introduced and easy to connect with quickly. I was truly interested in this family and where this story was heading. The main subject of the book, a magical scribe, creates a massively unsettling and intriguing atmosphere.
I didn’t plan on reading this in one day, as I like to break up even shorter works, such as this novella, into a few sittings. However, I was truly engaged and kept flying through the pages. The quick pace and anxious story kept me flying through each page until the end.
Overall, the story was very well-written, exciting and very creepy, especially in the details. I actually enjoyed this one even BETTER than “Smolder”, and the stories connect seamlessly. I would definitely recommend reading that one before the release of “Scribe”, but I think you can actually read them in any order and they are both great! I plan on rereading the former again now to get an even more fuller expense of this wonderful world in the woods! -
Scribe is a prequel to Smolder, set way way back in 1863. It actually goes back even farther, in 1688, to give the actual origin of the evil that lives in the woods. But, in 1863, it’s awakened and ravishes a whole family. While the story itself is thrilling, it’s actually super helpful with answering questions left after reading Smolder.
I did find the story incredibly sad. There is so much loss, grief and regret. While the evil feeds on anger, it is not the main emotion in the story. I think this really shows the range in Michaels writing style. While the book is supposed to be horror, I felt it was more fiction. The story has layers, and depth, that outshine the blood and gore. But, maybe I’m reading too much into it. Lol
If you read Smolder, I suggest reading Scribe. But now I need a sequel to Smolder, lol. I feel like these stories can birth a seriously evil third book, and I think Michael can bring it next level. It will have all the emotions and scares we need! -
“In the woods, the creatures within the dark ranks of trees were sleeping. Some were hibernating, waiting for the thaw that always arrives with spring. Others were simply resting, waiting for their time to hunt.”
It was a pleasant change to read a horror story not set in the present day. There was also another pull to why I wanted to read this. SCRIBE is set in 1863, a prequel (novella sized) to SMOLDER, a dark Stephen King-esque style monster horror.
I’m going to keep the details to a minimum to not spoil the essence. Goodwin has become quite a name in the indie horror and I can see why. He writes with eloquence and rich detail that can either chill you to the bone, or move you. See the quote above. If you’re a fan of horror (especially monster horror), I’d suggest you give his work a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. -
ARC Review
Scribe by Michael R. Goodwin
125 Pages
Pub Date : September 26, 2023
I knew this was a prequel going in but I was not prepared, yet pleasantly surprised to open with a look back to 1688 and the Penobscot natives making a deal with an evil that's all too familiar if you've read Smolder but Goodwin. Then we jumped ahead to 1863, where we spent the rest of our time with Civil War vet Jeremiah, his wife Susannah, their two children, a mysterious stranger, and a secret he's been keeping for many years.
That's all I'm going to say about the plot on this one because, damn it moves fast. I was first introduced to Goodwin through one of his shorts in an anthology that I read. I quickly became a fan, and he has kept me hooked ever since. The depth of emotion that he is able to achieve in limited pages is masterful. The prose is beautifully heartbreaking and almost poetic. I get the feeling this may not be the last we experience in the world of the Nothing, and I will be here to experience it all.
Thank you to the author for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Which is super easy when a book hooks you the way this one did. Grab a copy on September 26, 2023. I'll be adding the paperback to my physical collection. -
WOW! I was utterly captivated by this novella from front to back. Having read SMOLDER last year and really enjoying it, I was extremely excited for the idea of a 2nd book in the series. When Goodwin put out a call for ARC readers I responded right away and was so lucky to receive an advanced readers copy!
For some reason I assumed it would be a sequel but this was a prequel. The history of The Nothing and the story of those that faced it before. First of all, the characters in SCRIBE were so exquisitely written. I felt so deeply for this small farm family as I read through the terror that they faced. I think this is the first time I prefer the 2nd book to the 1st in a series. Yet again, I’m in awe of Goodwin’s work. Excuse me while I fill my cart with all his work. -
It’s hard to find a prequel that’s just as good as the original. Let me tell you, this is an exception. Adding history to the mystery in Smolder, Scribe goes on to show us what is behind the Nothing. This story details the destruction that plagues beings too stubborn to trust what lies beyond beliefs.
The setting creates an atmosphere of dread in which you can’t help but look over your own shoulder. The characters are very well developed with layers to unfold as the story goes.
This book is a must read if you enjoyed: Smolder by Michael R. Goodwin, The House that Bleeds by Jamie Stewart, and the Outsider by Stephen King. -
Once again I was gifted this by @michaelrgoodwin
& Thank you, so much!!
This…
𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞!
Just like the first one this was 𝒻𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓅𝒶𝒸𝑒𝒹, 𝑒𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓁𝑒𝒹 except… this might be my 𝒻𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒 of the pair!
I enjoyed this 1863 setting featuring a Civil War Veteran, the character development- 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘… and how others prepared for it before.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥!
You can definitely fly through this in one sitting, feeling 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 throughly this novella.
I hope there’s more follow-up, in-depth detail on the creature in the future to come👀 -
I recently had the great pleasure of reading the ARC of @michaelrgoodwin SCRIBE, which is the prequel to his 2021 horror novella SMOLDER. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is Horror with Heart at its finest! While the scary bits are definitely chilling and eerie, for me the real terror is the price of keeping a secret. The sincere characters, the creepy period setting and the intense conflict all make for a great late night page turner.
I absolutely recommend reading SMOLDER, but if you hit up SCRIBE first, I think you’re good. They’re honestly both amazing so don’t miss ‘em. -
3.5/5 stars.
This prequel to Smolder takes place in 1863 and follows Civil War veteran Jeremiah and his family who live in a cabin in the woods where a dark entity resides. One day his daughter meets a stranger near their home who gives her a sharpened bone that she can use to carve drawings of the people she wants to protect from the entity. When Jeremiah discovers the carved drawings in his barn, he scratches them off. Little does he know that there will be major consequences to what he’s done…
This is a short novella and I don’t want to spoil it but if you’re looking for a full-on creature feature, you won’t get that here as it’s mostly character driven and full of tragedy where nothing seems to go right for these characters. I enjoyed this story for the most part, but ultimately wanted more of an in-depth explanation on the creature itself. A full length novel would be great to see in the future as I enjoyed the complex characters, setting and atmosphere.
Overall, it’s a solid prequel. If you enjoy stories with lifelike characters and creepy stories set in the woods, you’ll enjoy this quick read. -
The Nothing.
This story has a legend (The Nothing), love, loss, grief, lies, secrets, and death. Everything a good short story needs. -
This prequel to Smolder is smoking! It sizzles with dread and atmosphere, and you’ll find yourself burning through the pages to find out what happens. Goodwin managed to pack a load of heart and lore next to just as much horror and fear. It feels like a tale of old - it’s grand, epic and haunting.
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5/5 - Forest with all the ominous creepy vibes as expected in a amazingly written horror novella.
Michael R Goodwin is one my favorite horror authors. His stories never miss. They are truly captivating and deliver on every single horror beat expected by the genres readership.
This book is the prequel to his book, Smolder. A lot of fans say read this book first because of the timeline placement and I’d agree as well, but also, this story is strong enough on its own and can be read after book one imo.
* Thank you for the generosity of the author for allowing me to read the ARC of Scribe. It was a great ride and I can’t wait to read more of your stories. -
This was an interesting book with a unique storyline. The beginning had me so sucked into the story as it was happening, but then I passed the halfway point by a bit, and it seemed like a completely different story. The pacing and storyline, while similar, changed a bit... which left me confused. It did pull together after some reading. I clearly should have read the book Smolder first, even if Scribe is the prequel. It was actually pretty creepy and atmospheric.
Thank you to Michael Goodwin for the opportunity to read this. -
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆.
SCRIBE is a prequel to SMOLDER, and I chose to read this book first. The prequel opens in 1688 with the Penobscot tribe of Northern Maine. There is something in the woods, something that they only refer to as The Shadow, but it's taking their people and doesn't discriminate; women and children are slaughtered as well. An elder makes a deal with The Shadow for protection, and then we move 200 years later to meet Jeremiah, a veteran of the Civil War, who has chosen a plot of land in West Hamilton, Maine, as his homestead to share with his wife and two children.
After an absolutely terrifying encounter with a predator who attacks his livestock one cold winter night, he sees something that he can't believe is real. And when it decides to stay close to the homestead, Jeremiah knows he will face horrors even worse than what he faced in the war, especially after he discovers his daughter is in possession of a length of bone that she says was given to her to a strange man in the woods. She was instructed to use it as a scribe and carve pictures of anyone she wanted to keep safe. Jeremiah is rattled but writes her story off as nonsense, destroying the unsettling carvings. Six days later, tragedy struck.
This novella had an absolutely grand sense of atmosphere as the reader could easily find himself in the cold; in the absolute stillness of the woods at night where something primordial is hunting. With so many horror novels centered around the creepiness of the woods, this one stands out for how accurately the author captured that sense of dread and foreboding. I love anything to do with horror and folklore, and this one was an absolute winner. Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. SCRIBE will publish September 26, 2023. -
Slightly …. boring.
