The Wordsmith

Thrilling. Submersive. Chilling. This book was all of those things, and more. As a writer myself, this one hit close to home and totally creeped me out! But...I mean that as a good thing! What a wonderful, unique idea for a story!

The wordsmith

Author Alan Ayer


Wow it had me shaking in my bare feet, I don't wear boots. It was a roller coaster ride until the very end. It reminded me of The Ignored by Bentley Little. Could this really happen? I guess it could, if you want something really badly. Do not plan on a good night's sleep. Or even a good next day.

Keep the night light on.


I was giving the story in advance, by Netgalley, with the promise to be truthfull, good or bad

Look out all of you horror writers out there. Alan Ayer just rocked this world. Wordsmith is the story of an author using a typewriter to type, not just any typewriter but a Wordsmith. Once they start writing, they don't want to stop. This book took me on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and terror. So many things I didn't see coming. What would you give to write a bestseller? I was honored to read this book. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise.

How has this book been published for over 3 months and there are less than a hundred ratings on Goodreads? This is one you definitely should not miss. Yes, it is a horror book and there are some graphic details in here. However, the concept and the way that concept was used was very imaginary and unlike anything I've read yet.

I raced through this book. At one point, my Kindle told me I had 4 1/2 hours left to read. The next time I looked, I had a little over an hour. It had not been three hours!

I was addicted! It was crazy! There was nothing great or outstanding about any of the characters, but the plot . . . It was just so twisted with strong Stephen King or Michael Koryta vibes.

Man, oh man, this is definitely a book I will not be forgetting about. Ever!

Some of the writing near the end was just like bullet points, but I didn't care. I was held spellbound. I wanted to read it faster - I didn't need any fluff or extra words. I wanted, needed, had to know how it ended.

An excellent read that I would recommend to any King or Koryta fans.

Huge thanks to BooksGoSocial and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

4.5 Stars for Alan Ayer's debut novel The Wordsmith. I'm blown away that this is a debut novel Mr. Ayer is mad talented, this is a must for your to read list if you enjoy the likes of Stephen King. This is a well-written faced- paced strangely odd but oh so good book.

The Wordsmith was a really fast read for me. Like the readers of writer and main character, Walt Erickson, I couldn't put the book down until I finished the story.

Alan Ayer has a unique writing style that takes a little getting used to. He writes in short, straight forward sentences. He also has paragraphs where a scene can be in one setting and the very next sentence, it could be somewhere else. That can be a little jarring but it is something I got used to.

It is a little hard to say much about the story because it might spoil the plot but it was definitely creepy. I liked the idea of a typewriter having a life of its own and what it makes a person do. I also liked the twist ending.

If you like creepy books, definitely give this one a try.

Not gonna lie, I was very close to a DNF on this one, guys. So close, you don't even know. This book needs a good editor, someone to work out the kinks (lack of spacing being the biggest issue). The sentences were choppy and short and vague from the start and things got pretty redundant after a while.

But

I went online and started reading through reviews. I was surprised so many people 5 star this book... and gave astonishing reviews (especially since this is Alan Ayer's debut novel). So you know what I did? I kept reading. I have never pulled a DNF on any novel I have ever read and promised to review. So I kept at it, and you know what?

I liked it.
I got used to the writing style, and the short sentences, and ignored the repeated details I had started to despise in the very beginning. I kept reading and found this story to be pretty outstanding actually.

The premise is great and although it has its kinks that need to be worked out, it had a pretty strange twist at the end that left me thinking "what the fuck".

After everything, I think I'd give the actual book itself 4/5 stars just due to it needing a good editing... but it has such awesome potential that reminds me a lot of Stephen King.

I can't believe I almost didn't read it.
It's definitely worth the read, guys.
And if you start to read and think you're ready to DNF it, push through... because it will definitely be worth it.

An author who isn’t, the typewriter that can, and an enigmatic premise – all great raw material for a good spooky horror read.

Summary:

An other-worldly typewriter generates un-put-downable books, and the possessor of the typewriter gets to enjoy a lavish lifestyle – but at what cost?

Main Characters:

Walt Erickson: The main character, an ordinary guy hustling with his brother to get a business up and running.

Marie: Walt’s eventual girlfriend, way out of his league.

Ian: Ex-military, no-nonsense character who has been there, seen it all, and killed most of it.

Minor Characters:

Mitch: Walt’s agent, road companion, who launched the author’s career.

Paul: The finder of the typewriter, he becomes its first recorded victim (as noted by Walt), and gets put into an asylum and permanent coma.

Plot:

Walt’s brother Paul had the initial idea of bidding, sight-unseen, on items in abandoned storage lockers, with a view to selling on individual items at a profit. The two brothers build up a nice little business, until they come across a typewriter.

Paul disappears off the radar shortly afterwards, and when Walt calls to his apartment, he finds his brother feverishly, maniacally typing, producing a draft of a book that Walt (not a reader himself - in fact, he despises books) cannot put down. Unfortunately, the typewriter has possessed Paul, who needs to be taken away and kept sedated, otherwise he would literally keep typing until he dies.

Walt sees the potential in this idea, and tests out ideas on how to produce a book, without himself becoming entrapped. He eventually succeeds, and ultimately attains a lifestyle befitting an internationally-renowned multiple-title best-selling author. However, there is a dark side to this life,

As the novel progresses, we see Walt descend into an amoral, self-absorbed character, with little or no empathy for anyone, even his comatose brother. Completely uninterested in books, even in those he “writes” himself, he leads a double life, and is always concerned about being exposed, and how he will get the next novel done.

We spiral downwards with Walt, and just when he seems to have found happiness, his life begins to fall apart, with a suspicious girlfriend trying the reconcile the public image with the private man, Walt's increasingly love of cognac, and rather dissolute personal life - the book has a twist or two that keeps you intrigued to the end.

What I Liked:

Great premise.
A very quick and compelling read.
There is a great twist at the end, even though I thought I'd spotted the ending!
What I Didn’t Like:

Characters a little too wooden, and somehow uninvolved in their own lives, given the risks that were being run.
The style and writing did not flow as smoothly as expected, though it is a debut novel.
Overall:

This is a good read, and if you like the genre you will enjoy this. Some graphic scenes, but nothing too outlandish. You will definitely look at prolific authors in a new light! There are areas that need to be tightened up, characters could need a little filling out, but it will be a good holiday or downtime read. A 3.5 star rating.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks due to NetGalley and the author for giving me a free copy of the book, in return for an honest and objective review.

Love the premise, and good storytelling throughout. Plenty of twists and turns without going *too* overboard.

How far will a writer go in order to be famous?

How evil can a person get when they desire fame and money?

The Wordsmith is a chilling novel in which we discover all these things, and many more. As we follow Walt Erickson, successful writer, we discover that his life and work are much darker than anyone would ever expect.

The Wordsmith is a page-turning horror story. Not 100% unique, but atmospheric nonetheless, it's a very good book for fans of thrillers. Definitely recommended for all fans of the genre.

Thrilling. Disturbing. Entertaining. Addicting. Those are the four words that come to mind when I think about The Wordsmith by Alan Ayer. Because this book centers around an author in an ominous situation, I could not help but think of Stephen King as that is a trope he often uses in his writing. And in this one we get a possessed typewriter - how cool is that? Fans of dark fiction and disturbing thrillers will definitely enjoy this read. Ayer is a talented storyteller and I am looking forward to different books as he has a unique way about his writing style! 4 stars!

OMG! I had forgotten how much fun horror stories could be! Nearly as good as King's were back in the day! A possessed typewriter is just too, too much fun!Lots of interesting characters, love Walt and his main squeeze, Marie. Just a whole lot of great reading. It's really hard top put down once started. And this is the perfect month for a frightening read, too!

Ayer's Wordsmith is a haunting, genre-defying novel that left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Walt Erickson, a successful yet morally dubious writer, embarks on a twisted journey fueled by his insatiable hunger for fame and recognition. With a unique typewriter by his side, Walt's creative process takes a dark turn, delving into the depths of humanity's darkest aspects.

The writing is astoundingly imaginative, weaving a chilling narrative that blurs the lines between horror, mystery, and the supernatural. As Walt's girlfriend begins to unravel the unsettling truth behind his words, the tension and suspense intensify, leaving me questioning just how far one would go for success.

The characters are well-drawn, with complex motivations and actions that kept me guessing until the very end. The plot is gripping, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked, even as I was haunted by the eerie atmosphere and the sense of impending doom.

While the supernatural element may not be everyone's cup of tea, Ayer skillfully blends it into the story, adding an element of the unknown and heightening the stakes. The detailed descriptions paint a vivid picture of the characters and settings, drawing me deeper into the story.

The Wordsmith is a thought-provoking, dark, and thrilling read that challenges the boundaries of traditional genres. Ayer's writing is masterful, and I eagerly anticipate more of his works in the future. If you're a fan of horror, mystery, and psychological suspense, this book is a must-read. But be prepared to question what you thought you knew about the human psyche, as Ayer's story unearths the darkest secrets that lurk within us all.