Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master by K. Ritz

Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master Reviews

• 
  Frank Watson

  There is much to like in SHEEVER’S JOURNAL, DIARY OF A POISON MASTER by K. Ritz.
  
  One quality might seem strange, so let me get it out of the way first.
  
  Many adventure/fantasy writers place their stories in well-developed alternative, dark worlds filled with strange countries and cultures that are vaguely reminiscent of medieval or post-apocalyptic times in which magic and sorcery are as common as casual violence and swordplay. Perhaps the master of this is Robert E. Howard in his “sword and sorcery” stories such as those about Conan the Barbarian.
  
  Ritz has developed such a setting, though his protagonist is not a swashbuckling adventurer who is “just passing through” a city or kingdom. Rather, Sheever, his protagonist, is a menial cook. It is as if the spotlight in one of Howard’s stories has shifted hero deciding the fate of worlds to a person who might have been anonymous in a sword and sorcery story.
  
  Same type of world. Different focus.
  
  Now. That is out of the way. Let’s look at less strange qualities that make this story worthwhile.
  
  One of the most enjoyable to me is the plot, which is as subtle as a New Yorker story. It plays out in leisurely fashion, told in the form of journal entries. Entry by entry we learn about Sheever’s back story as a trained assassin, the complex cultures of his world, the large and small challenges, victories, and defeats of the world of a common cook.
  
  The plot might be difficult to summarize, though I might suggest it involves Sheever coming to terms with himself, perhaps seeking absolution for his decisions and actions. It also involves discussion about belief, fate, and justice.
  
  This is not a short book, but Ritz keeps our interest through his well-developed, and subtle, characters in the alien (to us) setting.
  
  As with many “literary” stories, there are questions that remain unanswered. Whether this is a plus or minus depends upon the reader’s ability to handle ambiguities in fiction.
  
  In my mind, however, Ritz’s ability to explore a “sword and sorcery” world in such a “literary” fashion makes this well worth the reading.
• 
  David Armstrong

  I began reading this book/journal and I have to admit, I didn't know if I was going to enjoy a day by day record of someone's life. For me it started out a little slow, which is my reason for only 4 stars. Once I got going, I found myself getting more and more interested in how this was going to turn out. I write reviews of all the books I read and will never give any spoilers, just my opinion about whether or not I could recommend a book to a potential future reader. I truly did enjoy this, and when I reached the last page, I was a bit disappointed that there would be no more pages for me to turn. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy the book, because I did and I would recommend this book, but if you are like me you too may find yourself wondering in the first few days of this journal, "Where is this going", but in the end, you may also ask yourself, "How did I get here so fast"? Good book!
• 
  Dawn Thomas

  Sheever’s Journal, A Diary of a Poison Master by K. Ritz
  Book Review by Dawn Thomas
  
  410 Pages
  Publisher: Strategic Publishing
  Release Date: August 9, 2019
  
  Fantasy
  
  Someone is searching for Sheever but that seems to be an everyday event for him. The book is written in the form of a journal or diary. Sheever writes of everyday events as he sees them. He also writes about his past, his family and his fears. He reaches a point when he must decide to stay in this current life working as a cook or make a run for it. I loved this book! When I finished, I went back and reread the beginning and then went back and reread the ending. Definite cliffhanger. Amazing work! I stayed up almost all night to finish it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasty-type stories.
  
• 
  Soochi Sandhiya

  What if you get a chance to look back on your life and reflect on the twists and turns you have survived?
  
  That will be interesting as well as enlightening for anyone of us to know more about what has been played with us by God.
  
  While enjoying this interesting read, I had the same thought: I felt like I should revisit my life and put it into words.
  
  As our central character, Me’acca Mysuth Sheever, lived among enemies with a hidden identity and a motive and survived, He gets hold of a journal, and this brings him to revisit his past in terms of all the good and bad memories and all the sins he has committed to reach this point.
  
  First of all, the writing style is immensely captivating; the start of the story would never give you a clue about the thrill unfolding further. It's immersive and exciting to know more. The life story of the central character is interesting to read, and each subplot is designed accordingly to keep a hook on the readers.
  
  Overall, it was a different kind of read and would definitely take you to a different world
• 
  Janalyn

  Mika missive which in his language means glorious goat is 40 years old he has been working at a royal house for five years far from the land of his birth. When the story starts you learned there are many things Sheiver (because that is what he goes by now) is on the run but for what the reader doesn’t know at least not yet. For five years he has kept to himself his only interactions with others being mandatory at work but when he sees a woman in an alley who looked as if her throat has been cut in like she has been abused he notices she is getting trinkets to sell and wants out of guilt and or redemption to buy something from the lady so when she pulls out a beautiful journal he buys it for a topping. She essentially tells him his deeds or a map to his soul and to write them down in the book and so he does. Once he starts recording the ends and outs it seems more and more he interacts with his coworkers and although throughout the book he tells us what a horrible unredeemable sinner he is. Yet he helps a widow and her two children he teaches his boss how to write numbers in in a world where raping and beating women is a public event he protects and takes up for them. Although they think him a raise the can turn into a demon and or impregnate women with demon babies he for the most part is liked by almost everyone know a lot of things I am putting in this review but lots I am leaving out like his quest to go home again his childhood memories and so much more this book was so good once you start reading it it mentions things that aren’t familiar but the more you read the more you understand, this book is brilliant intelligent and so original I cannot wait to read the next book and feel so lucky I ran across this one. The world building is phenomenal with the different races religions and the minority groups I just found it absolutely awe inspiring and let me just say one more time this book is so original I absolutely love that I know I said that already but I just want to reiterate it so you know this is not your average read if you like alternative whirls with a great plot then you’ll definitely love Sheiver’s Journal by Que Rittz please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
• 
  Grady

  ‘Writing about myself is insanity. Worse. It’s suicide.’ – Buckle up for a rich fantasy ride
  
  Massachusetts author K. Ritz makes an auspicious writing debut with SHEEVER’S JOURNAL: Diary of a Poison Master – hopefully the first volume of a considered series about a world of shadows. Creating a world in a unique timeframe and populating that curious arena with imaginative yet relatable characters is an achievement usually found only in practiced authors. Yet Ritz has already mastered that craft with this radiant novel!
  
  With operatic language that seduces the reader, Ritz opens with a mysterious creature who states, ‘The following journal was penned in secret by Me’acca Waen Tronaruth YenMysuth Sheever, Poison Master, and my friend.’ Then the beginning of the ‘journal,’ a purchase from a woman - “Take it,” she urged. “Record your deeds for study. Lo, the steps of your life mark the journey of your soul.” In the year 516 (calendar source unknown) Sheever initiates both the journal and the intoxicating story that follows: ‘Day 5, 9/516 I was born on the 16th day of the 2nd month, 477 years post Cyntic War. I am thirty-nine. My hair was dark when I was young. It’s grey now. My eyes are also grey. I’m five foot and a half span tall. Weigh about ten stone. Small for a man by most standards. I live in Tiarn, capital city of Meara. Actually, the city is across the river. The River Tyrne, that is. I am not Mearan. Mearans are the most inaccurate people in the world. I am not one of them. But I pretend to be. I work in the base kitchens of High Lord Fesha Trivak. As a cook. I’m clean-shaven…’ The quintessence of fantasy is established!
  
  The storyline is complex yet wholly accessible, and Ritz provides a brief summary: ‘…He begins the journal cautiously, describing the area where he works as a cook, and the people he’s forced to endure. Hints of his past emerge as he also records day-to-day events. As the journal evolves, he finds himself more entangled than he ever wanted to be in the lives around him, and more sympathetic to people he wanted to hate. Memories haunt him, and he struggles to maintain a grip on his sanity as he prays for – and fears – the signal that his years in exile have ended and he can return home.’
  
  A solid, well-staged fantasy, this book not only entertains: it also raises issues about interrelationships that are clearly recognizable in our strange world! Very highly recommended for a broad audience.
• 
  Ray

  I had no idea what I was expecting when I started this book. In fact, it was completely different from what I thought. Based on the cover and brief synopsis, I thought it would take place in modern times and have a religious note to it. However, when I saw the dates and descriptions for each journal entry, I loved how it took place in a historical setting.
  
  I haven't read a lot of journal-type books, but I have enjoyed every single one of them. I like how it gives me the perspective of the character alone, while also leaving gaps for me to fill in. I have to connect those gaps with the information provided. I also like how it reflects the character's day. One day can be short, while another will have a lot of details. A very interesting type of book indeed.
  
  This book is 'literally' a diary of Sheever. He has a past, which he mentions now and then, but he is currently living in the kitchens as a cook. He bought the journal and started writing from time to time. I like how vague it can be. For example, he mentions wanting to kill somebody, and how easy it is for him as he has done it many times before. When I read that, I thought, what is it about his past? I want to know. I need to know. He also mentions the names of people from his past, and you don't know who they are exactly until later.
  
  It's a fantastic type of book. I would recommend it to any fictional fantasy lover.
• 
  Grymm Gevierre

  First, I don't know why I love stories in journal format so much, but I really feel like I dive deep into novel formatting this way. This book is no different. Ritz captures the urgency and feel of his main character's (Sheever, of course) changes throughout his time hiding among his enemy, through incarceration, and beyond.
  
  One of the most mesmerizing things about a book like this, when executed well, is that you can "see" in real-time how simply being open to learning about the human behind the wall that divides can break down some of the barriers. Perspective matters, and no reasonable person truly wants to be the villain or source of someone's ire… it becomes harder to let that hate fester the more time you spend with those who are enemies. That said, foundational motivations play a massive part in this book.
  
  A line, almost poetry, sums up Sheever's experience: "Sunshine brought cheer this morning. No one could stay out and bask."
  Nothing good lasts, and nothing terrible is all-consuming.
  
  It's a great book with a very cool format, perspective, and creative way to explore style.
  
• 
  Lorna Enslin

  Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
  Reading this book was a whole new experience for me as a reviewer as it captured me from the outset and had me reading into the wee small hours. The complexities of the main protagonist provide readers with a cornucopia of intrigue and fascination, laced with horror, for Sheever is a man with past secrets that can never be exposed. It tells the story of Sheever, an aloof sometimes obnoxious and unpredictable man who records the day-to-day events of his life in a journal, where glimpses of his past simmer and threaten to bubble over.
  
  The author's superb writing style, immersed in wit and wry humour in 'Sheevers Journal, Diary of a Poison Master' reveals a storyline that will entice and entertain readers in equal measure. The vivid imagery speaks volumes and reminds us of how truly vulnerable we all are.
  
  This master storyteller will leave you gasping for more when you arrive at the end of the book: my only wish is that there will be a follow-up to Sheever's Journal, as enticing and unputdownable as this one was.
  
• 
  Readerom

  Sheever’s Journal, by K Ritz, had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. Me’acca Mysuth Sheever’s slow development from a bitter man trapped amongst his enemies, to someone actually questioning his prejudices and feeling sympathy for the people he always hated, encapsulates perfectly how easy it is to judge without really knowing a person. He’s forced to reflect on his past, his mistakes, and how he got to where he is now. It is a wonderfully written book exploring the rawness and vulnerability of human emotion, and how nothing is ever as simple or permanent as it seems. The format of this story just adds to how personal the book, and really allows us a deep dive into Sheever’s personality. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!
• 
  Pegboard

  Sheever’s Journal is the first book in the K. Ritz series about a world of shadows. Me’acca Sheever, Poison Master, serves as a cook in the kitchen of High Lord Fesha Trivak, but his journal reveals he is much more than a cook. Once a predator, he is now in hiding, waiting his days out for the prophecy to be fulfilled. After five years as a cook, he purchases a journal to bare his soul. Secrets of his past life only slip out as they relate to his interaction with those around him.
  
  It amazed me when I read the last page of Sheever’s Journal. Everything turned full circle as the reader of the journal realized the extent of Sheever’s shrewdness. K. Ritz’s character rivets between a meek cook who tries to keep in the shadows, and then you find him saving lives and drawing attention to himself by trying to set things right. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Me’acca’s story, but the ending was a masterpiece! I look forward to the next in this series since the author’s ability to draw in their reader is mesmerizing.  
• 
  Rajnish Kumar

  To be honest, I am not a person who likes keeping a record of my life, but this book made me feel that I should keep one. I picked this because of the extended title "Story of the Poison Master," and I am lucky enough to get what I was expecting in terms of entertainment. The story is the fictionalized version of a person named Sheever, who is living in disguise among his sworn enemies to learn more about them and serve their fate. This was a difficult and dangerous task for him. He learns about them, and at the same time, his past is revealed. His fears, insecurities, and troubles take on a dangerous shape, and he finds it difficult to adjust. Then comes a seller who sells her this journal, and he pens down everything. There are many subplots, which I am not mentioning here. The story is well carved, and the characters are well developed. Subplots are seamlessly aligned to maintain the interest and hook in the story.
• 
  August Ostetn

  This is one of the most unique books I have read in a while. It's an interesting fantasy book called Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master that takes place in the year 516 following the Cyntic War. Sheever hides among his enemies as a chef, mourning the death of his partner and kid. Over five years, he keeps a diary in which he writes about his battles with his heritage and eventually develops an interest in a widow and her family. The humorous novella presents a civilization in which maintaining peace necessitates strict sacrifices. There's a lot to keep track and while the writing can be confusing, it's still worthwhile. This book is a thoughtful examination of fate, survival, and the ups and downs that fill most of our lives. A must-read and recommended.
• 
  Prita Mariesh

  Sheever’s Journal: Diary of a Poison Master by K. Ritz was a gripping and unforgettable read! I nearly devoured it in one go, almost forgetting to pace myself. The enticing narrative and spellbinding plot had me deeply invested in the story up unto its conclusion. A tortured spirit, Sheever has been a prisoner of past dealings for five years. Living under a guise has brought its fair share of troubles and Sheever, desperate for absolution, has formed a plan to regain his freedom. But things become complicated when he becomes entangled in the lives of the people he never particularly cared for, beginning an interesting journey that willl have readers begging for more. I cannot wait for K. Ritz’s next installment in The Shadows series!
• 
  Rose

  Interesting concept for a novel. A man is hunted for his past, and so he goes to live among his enemies, working as a cook in the kitchen. The time is Year 516 post Cyntic War. Sheever is devastated about the death of his partner and his child, and therefore, can't get close to another woman. However, he slowly does become interested in the life of a widow and her family.
  Sheever writes of his existence and his struggle with his family's legacy, his past, and his destiny to live as a cook. He writes in this journal for 5 years.
  If you like a bit of fantasy and historical fiction, you may enjoy this. I found all of the names and places a bit difficult to track, though.
  
• 
  Swati Tanu

  The book takes you into a world where keeping secrets is really important and finding forgiveness seems far away. Me'acca Mysuth Sheever, living with people who are supposed to be his enemies, starts a journey to think about himself and feel troubled inside as he deals with his past and all the things he keeps hidden.
  
  The story starts with Sheever carefully writing in a blank journal, promising to write down everything he does because a mysterious woman asks him to. As he goes through his days working as a cook and talking to people, memories from his past come up, making him feel sad and wishing things were different.
  
  What's special about this book is how it looks into people's minds and how hard it is to find forgiveness. Sheever struggles to stay okay in his head while dealing with sad memories and wanting to make things right. The author tells a story full of mystery and excitement, pulling readers into Sheever's world where there are lots of secrets to uncover.
  
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