What do you think?
Rate this book
Onyx Webb #1
Onyx Webb: Book One: Episodes 1, 2 & 3
Best-Selling Authors Fenton & Waltz Welcome You to the World of Onyx Webb. This is Book One. (Episodes 1, 2, and 3) The Onyx Webb series is a multi-genre mash-up that combines elements of supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more.
It’s June, 1980 and piano prodigy, Juniper Cole is on the way to her senior prom.
- It’s January 2010, and Koda Mulvaney has blown through his 20 million dollar trust fund and is told by his father to return home and get to work.
- It’s August, 1904 and little Onyx Webb is on her way to the famous World’s Fair in St. Louis with her father, Catfish.
Two of the three will see a ghost, one will become a ghost and everyone will learn that life is hard to let go of even when you’re dead. And that's just Book One. Designed to read like a supernatural soap opera, Onyx Webb is a paranormal suspense series, with supernatural romance, as well as a dash of historical fiction. The stories may haunt you, the darkness may disturb you, but ultimately you’ll be reminded to treasure every moment of your life because... If you think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead.
It’s June, 1980 and piano prodigy, Juniper Cole is on the way to her senior prom.
- It’s January 2010, and Koda Mulvaney has blown through his 20 million dollar trust fund and is told by his father to return home and get to work.
- It’s August, 1904 and little Onyx Webb is on her way to the famous World’s Fair in St. Louis with her father, Catfish.
Two of the three will see a ghost, one will become a ghost and everyone will learn that life is hard to let go of even when you’re dead. And that's just Book One. Designed to read like a supernatural soap opera, Onyx Webb is a paranormal suspense series, with supernatural romance, as well as a dash of historical fiction. The stories may haunt you, the darkness may disturb you, but ultimately you’ll be reminded to treasure every moment of your life because... If you think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead.
216 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2015
97 people are currently reading
1,451 people want to read
About the author
Richard Fenton
55 books105 followersAuthor, best-selling business fable Go for No! Also Million Dollar Year, The Fear Factory, The Diamond Line, and others. Professional speaker. Now also fiction author of, Onyx Webb, the Series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 11, 2016
I just hope this series lives up to its potential because so far I'm totally intrigued.
It opens with an excerpt from the journal of Onyx Webb written in Crimson Cove, Oregon March, 2010.
We then move back to 1904 near St Louis and a six year old Onyx and her father Catfish.
Then it's California 1971 where we meet child prodigy Juniper Cole and her brother Quinn.
London 2010 billionaire and sexiest man alive Koda Mulvaney.
St Louis 1904 Obedience Everhardt and her 'daughter' Lucinda.
Savannah Georgia 1979 Juniper, Quinn and Quinn's friend Wyatt Scrogger.
There's also Dane Luckner and Mika Flogler and that's just the main characters in part 1 there's also parts 2 and 3 here.
The more we read the more we can see the connections forming, the links that are/will be there.
We know Onyx was born a half-ghost the child of a human father and a ghost mother but the question is what connects all these characters.
January 26, 2017
I'm hooked!
Just read the first book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. Sucked me in from the very first page. I'm hooked!
Just read the first book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. Sucked me in from the very first page. I'm hooked!
August 3, 2017
When Andrea Waltz referred to her book in the Lovers of Paranormal group as "unique", I thought to myself, yeah, ok, that's what they all say. I prepared myself to sit down and read Onyx Webb, ready to dive in to the same old story that's been done many times over. Imagine my surprise, upon reading just the first several pages, to discover that this book really is unique, just as the author claimed.
In the first 3 episodes contained in this book, authors Fenton and Waltz introduce a myriad of characters that seemingly don't have any sort of connection to one another. Through a very interesting style of narration involving multiple POV's and time-jumps, it soon becomes clear that these characters aren't unrelated at all, but rather intricately entwined through various circumstances, both historically and during the present day. Slowly, very slowly through the course of three episodes, the way these characters are associated is revealed, but not all of them. Some of the reveals were quite surprising, jaw-droppingly so.
In this serial, readers are given interesting little snippets of each of the pivotal characters' lives, and I'm assuming they are all going to be pulled tighter and tighter as the series moves on. Oftentimes gruesome and creepy, I found myself trying and failing to predict where exactly the authors were taking this story. Several times, I was pretty certain I knew exactly what was going to happen and then with some deft trickery, authors Fenton and Waltz made a fool of me. Well done, authors. Well done.
There is also a very slight religious undercurrent that seems to run through this story. While very light in the beginning, it seemed to get a bit heavier towards the third episode. I'm not one for religious stories, or really anything centering around religion, but this didn't bother me in the least. In fact, it added a dark sort of quality to the story, especially where the orphanage is concerned.
Bottom line -- what I thought this story was going to be, wasn't. It was truly unique, as claimed, and downright weird. Weird in this sense is completely complimentary, as unique is really an understatement. The authors managed to incorporate various genres all in one, giving readers a suspenseful ghost story with a light touch of horror, a heavy dose of gruesome, and a cast of characters where some, but not all, are exceptionally creepy. Be warned -- because this is an episodic story and only the first three are contained in this book, the ending will not answer your questions, nor will it give you The Big Reveal. For that, you'll need to move along to the rest of the episodes, which I certainly plan to do.
**Many thanks to the author for providing a copy through the Lovers of Paranormal (LoP) group in exchange for my honest opinion.
In the first 3 episodes contained in this book, authors Fenton and Waltz introduce a myriad of characters that seemingly don't have any sort of connection to one another. Through a very interesting style of narration involving multiple POV's and time-jumps, it soon becomes clear that these characters aren't unrelated at all, but rather intricately entwined through various circumstances, both historically and during the present day. Slowly, very slowly through the course of three episodes, the way these characters are associated is revealed, but not all of them. Some of the reveals were quite surprising, jaw-droppingly so.
In this serial, readers are given interesting little snippets of each of the pivotal characters' lives, and I'm assuming they are all going to be pulled tighter and tighter as the series moves on. Oftentimes gruesome and creepy, I found myself trying and failing to predict where exactly the authors were taking this story. Several times, I was pretty certain I knew exactly what was going to happen and then with some deft trickery, authors Fenton and Waltz made a fool of me. Well done, authors. Well done.
There is also a very slight religious undercurrent that seems to run through this story. While very light in the beginning, it seemed to get a bit heavier towards the third episode. I'm not one for religious stories, or really anything centering around religion, but this didn't bother me in the least. In fact, it added a dark sort of quality to the story, especially where the orphanage is concerned.
Bottom line -- what I thought this story was going to be, wasn't. It was truly unique, as claimed, and downright weird. Weird in this sense is completely complimentary, as unique is really an understatement. The authors managed to incorporate various genres all in one, giving readers a suspenseful ghost story with a light touch of horror, a heavy dose of gruesome, and a cast of characters where some, but not all, are exceptionally creepy. Be warned -- because this is an episodic story and only the first three are contained in this book, the ending will not answer your questions, nor will it give you The Big Reveal. For that, you'll need to move along to the rest of the episodes, which I certainly plan to do.
**Many thanks to the author for providing a copy through the Lovers of Paranormal (LoP) group in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 14, 2015
I loved everything about this book. From the different points of view to the different dates in time to the fantastic illustrations and the hair raising creepiness.
When I reached the end of this book, Onyx Webb was still an enigma to me. I know there are many more episodes to come and I’m sure I’ll figure her out. The jury is still out about her right now.
Ever wanted to know how it felt to be a ghost? From what I learned in this book, it’s no fun. Can’t taste, can’t feel, and can’t love. Why stick around? This story will tell you why.
Taking place in different time periods, all of the characters start their stories here and it’s promised by the authors that following episodes will reveal their full stories and bring all of the characters together.
For now, I’m just getting to know Onyx and her father Catfish, rich boy Koda Mulvaney and his best friend Dane, Quinn Cole and his missing sister Juniper, and a slew of secondary characters.
I’ve read other books written in episodes but not quite like this. The characters stories span many centuries but it’s easy to follow them as their voices speak clearly. And there are several mysteries happening at different times and I have no clue how they’ll all come together.
I also knew there wouldn’t be an ending in this book, so no surprise there. And that’s the ‘hook.’ I was hooked from the first chapter, compelled to keep reading, and in no hurry to finish.
The illustrations are spectacular and the writing is easy to follow. Not what you’d expect at all with the story occurring in several different time periods and told from many points of view.
Trying to label this, I’d call this a ghost story and a mystery. Maybe adding a dash of historical too. With lots of showing and some telling. Short chapters that make the read fly. And I believe I already mentioned the illustrations. They are all through the book and ‘tell’ a story too.
There are several more books to come, each containing three episodes. You can bet I’m off to grab the second book now and will be watching for others as they are released.
I received this book for my honest review.
When I reached the end of this book, Onyx Webb was still an enigma to me. I know there are many more episodes to come and I’m sure I’ll figure her out. The jury is still out about her right now.
Ever wanted to know how it felt to be a ghost? From what I learned in this book, it’s no fun. Can’t taste, can’t feel, and can’t love. Why stick around? This story will tell you why.
Taking place in different time periods, all of the characters start their stories here and it’s promised by the authors that following episodes will reveal their full stories and bring all of the characters together.
For now, I’m just getting to know Onyx and her father Catfish, rich boy Koda Mulvaney and his best friend Dane, Quinn Cole and his missing sister Juniper, and a slew of secondary characters.
I’ve read other books written in episodes but not quite like this. The characters stories span many centuries but it’s easy to follow them as their voices speak clearly. And there are several mysteries happening at different times and I have no clue how they’ll all come together.
I also knew there wouldn’t be an ending in this book, so no surprise there. And that’s the ‘hook.’ I was hooked from the first chapter, compelled to keep reading, and in no hurry to finish.
The illustrations are spectacular and the writing is easy to follow. Not what you’d expect at all with the story occurring in several different time periods and told from many points of view.
Trying to label this, I’d call this a ghost story and a mystery. Maybe adding a dash of historical too. With lots of showing and some telling. Short chapters that make the read fly. And I believe I already mentioned the illustrations. They are all through the book and ‘tell’ a story too.
There are several more books to come, each containing three episodes. You can bet I’m off to grab the second book now and will be watching for others as they are released.
I received this book for my honest review.
April 17, 2016
Well, I didn’t see this one coming! Want something different, presented in a unique way? Have you ever thought about “after,” as in after you die, what will it be like? Will you be ready to leave this world? Will you move on to a better place? Or would you want to hang on to life, with all of its ups and downs, as well as those moments and people that make it precious? Will you question what you thought was important?
Sit back and get ready for a chaotic journey that begins in 1904 and a young girl, Onyx Webb, at the World’s Fair and continues into the twenty-first century. But wait, this will not be a straight shot deal, prepare for the characters to take you through a maze of eras, meeting some amazing characters, both good and, well, not-so-good, and somehow there will be a connection with young Onyx Webb who died so long ago.
Onyx Webb – Book One – Episodes 1-2-3 is the creative brainchild of Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, who definitely make an amazing writing team. Do you like characters that come to life? A plot that is unpredictable? Traveling through different times to different places? Need something different to add to your reading pile? This is it, created by the authors, driven by the characters, definitely a supernatural experience!
I received this copy from Andrea Waltz in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Onyx Webb - Book 1 - Episodes 1-3
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Courage Crafters, Inc
ISBN: 0990751813
Genre: Fantasy | Supernatural Suspense
Print Length: 218 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Sit back and get ready for a chaotic journey that begins in 1904 and a young girl, Onyx Webb, at the World’s Fair and continues into the twenty-first century. But wait, this will not be a straight shot deal, prepare for the characters to take you through a maze of eras, meeting some amazing characters, both good and, well, not-so-good, and somehow there will be a connection with young Onyx Webb who died so long ago.
Onyx Webb – Book One – Episodes 1-2-3 is the creative brainchild of Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, who definitely make an amazing writing team. Do you like characters that come to life? A plot that is unpredictable? Traveling through different times to different places? Need something different to add to your reading pile? This is it, created by the authors, driven by the characters, definitely a supernatural experience!
I received this copy from Andrea Waltz in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Onyx Webb - Book 1 - Episodes 1-3
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Courage Crafters, Inc
ISBN: 0990751813
Genre: Fantasy | Supernatural Suspense
Print Length: 218 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 4, 2015
The tagline on the cover of Onyx Webb hooked me – Think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead – and I had to read Book I by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz. I am just hoping I made the right decision, because there are more books to come and I will not learn the ending here.
Onyx Webb is a paranormal thriller that will have you questioning the most important things in “life”. If you are a fan of character driven stories, this one is for you.
Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz do a wonderful job of building complex characters that are well developed and I quickly found my favorites and the villains. As each characters story grows, so does my interest.
We have kidnappers and serial killers, ghosts and visions. What is real? You will have to read Onyx Webb to find out for yourself.
There is more than one villain walking the streets and you never know who you can trust. People are not always what they seem.
Onyx is not your average child and her life took a turn for the worst when she met him.
Men – they can be the life of you or the death of you.
Onyx Webb, Book I laid a solid foundation.There is so much going on, that I feel I will not be able to rest until I know the whole story. Thank goodness Book II is out and waiting for me to grab a copy of my own.
I received Onyx Webb by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz in return for an honest and unbiased review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
Onyx Webb is a paranormal thriller that will have you questioning the most important things in “life”. If you are a fan of character driven stories, this one is for you.
Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz do a wonderful job of building complex characters that are well developed and I quickly found my favorites and the villains. As each characters story grows, so does my interest.
We have kidnappers and serial killers, ghosts and visions. What is real? You will have to read Onyx Webb to find out for yourself.
There is more than one villain walking the streets and you never know who you can trust. People are not always what they seem.
Onyx is not your average child and her life took a turn for the worst when she met him.
Men – they can be the life of you or the death of you.
Onyx Webb, Book I laid a solid foundation.There is so much going on, that I feel I will not be able to rest until I know the whole story. Thank goodness Book II is out and waiting for me to grab a copy of my own.
I received Onyx Webb by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz in return for an honest and unbiased review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
August 17, 2016
This was quite a good read,thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in the series.
October 28, 2017
so much stuff happening here! lots of threads to follow in short bursts of story, I was glued!
First of all, oh my goodness that cover! I was so glad I was reading this on my Kindle instead of actually holding a physical copy because this spidery cover just undoes me! Luckily the story itself is not full of spiders, at least not yet, though who knows what is in store for us in future episodes! This books collects the first 3 episodes into 1 book, there are 10 books in all with 32 total episodes. They are available through Kindle Unlimited currently if you have that, or for around $3.99 each book.
I picked up the first one on hearing how much a friend was enjoying them, and though skeptical (she's much more into horror than I) gave it a try this week, it being the Halloween season and all. There are many characters, all of them very different and well written, so that even though it is a lot to keep track of, they are all different enough that I didn't get confused. You quickly get a feel for each scenario. Add to that the fact they are occurring in different time periods throughout a roughly hundred year time frame, which adds another level of curiosity at how they are related to each other.
I appreciated the very short, action packed chapters, and the ability of the authors to keep you hooked while doling out the tidbits of story. As a non-horror fan I can report this was not too much for me, yet, and while murdery and twisty things happen, I was more intrigued than squeamish. I'm in for the rest of the story because I need to find out how all of these people end up related!
Good find DragonGoddess! Thanks!
First of all, oh my goodness that cover! I was so glad I was reading this on my Kindle instead of actually holding a physical copy because this spidery cover just undoes me! Luckily the story itself is not full of spiders, at least not yet, though who knows what is in store for us in future episodes! This books collects the first 3 episodes into 1 book, there are 10 books in all with 32 total episodes. They are available through Kindle Unlimited currently if you have that, or for around $3.99 each book.
I picked up the first one on hearing how much a friend was enjoying them, and though skeptical (she's much more into horror than I) gave it a try this week, it being the Halloween season and all. There are many characters, all of them very different and well written, so that even though it is a lot to keep track of, they are all different enough that I didn't get confused. You quickly get a feel for each scenario. Add to that the fact they are occurring in different time periods throughout a roughly hundred year time frame, which adds another level of curiosity at how they are related to each other.
I appreciated the very short, action packed chapters, and the ability of the authors to keep you hooked while doling out the tidbits of story. As a non-horror fan I can report this was not too much for me, yet, and while murdery and twisty things happen, I was more intrigued than squeamish. I'm in for the rest of the story because I need to find out how all of these people end up related!
Good find DragonGoddess! Thanks!
March 14, 2017
4.5 Onyx Webb Stars
I bought this book for free on kindle because of the cover. Yeah, I know superficial right? Well I was debating on deleting it off of my kindle and goodreads when I read the synopsis again and thought why not?
So Onyx Webb is about multiple characters in different areas of the world and different eras. The beginning of the book starts in St. Louis with Onyx Webb a young girl in 1904 going to the fair with her father; Catfish, California 1971 with Juniper Cole a piano prodigy, Koda Mulvaney a hot, young billionare in London 2010, Obedience Everhardt and her 'daughter' Lucinda in also in St. Louis 1904, and many others.
There are three 'episodes' per book and it spans different time periods and along the way you will see how these people connect to a bigger storyline all together. Think of it like American Horror Story if you've seen it.
Also with this book series, it is multi-genre so it has a little bit of romance, murder, mystery, paranormal, supernatural, ghosts, etc. I feel though that this is more supernatural than anything else but we'll see the father along we get.
I really loved how it was told. All in third person and each chapter was a different character, with a different storyline, a different time, etc. It does feel like AHS because there are a multude of characters and we'll see how they all fit into the bigger picture together.
There have already been some strings connecting and I cannot wait for more.
It does sort of leave on a cliff hanger but it isn't too bad, and they already have seven of them out (not including Onyx Webb: Book One) and the last two should be out by the end of this year.
I am so glad that I found this, it is very interesting and entertaining. Not at all what I have been reading previously and I like that about it.
P.S. This married couple; Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz who is writing this together and this is their first fiction novel (they write non-fiction, business books)!
I bought this book for free on kindle because of the cover. Yeah, I know superficial right? Well I was debating on deleting it off of my kindle and goodreads when I read the synopsis again and thought why not?
So Onyx Webb is about multiple characters in different areas of the world and different eras. The beginning of the book starts in St. Louis with Onyx Webb a young girl in 1904 going to the fair with her father; Catfish, California 1971 with Juniper Cole a piano prodigy, Koda Mulvaney a hot, young billionare in London 2010, Obedience Everhardt and her 'daughter' Lucinda in also in St. Louis 1904, and many others.
There are three 'episodes' per book and it spans different time periods and along the way you will see how these people connect to a bigger storyline all together. Think of it like American Horror Story if you've seen it.
Also with this book series, it is multi-genre so it has a little bit of romance, murder, mystery, paranormal, supernatural, ghosts, etc. I feel though that this is more supernatural than anything else but we'll see the father along we get.
I really loved how it was told. All in third person and each chapter was a different character, with a different storyline, a different time, etc. It does feel like AHS because there are a multude of characters and we'll see how they all fit into the bigger picture together.
There have already been some strings connecting and I cannot wait for more.
It does sort of leave on a cliff hanger but it isn't too bad, and they already have seven of them out (not including Onyx Webb: Book One) and the last two should be out by the end of this year.
I am so glad that I found this, it is very interesting and entertaining. Not at all what I have been reading previously and I like that about it.
P.S. This married couple; Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz who is writing this together and this is their first fiction novel (they write non-fiction, business books)!
September 11, 2015
Initially I was a bit lost as to what to write in my review. This story was unlike any I have read before. This is book 1 of a series that will be told over a course of nine books consisting of three episodes each. The episodes are not self-contained; as such to understand the course of events they must be read in order. Embedded in each episode are twists, turns and surprises that will compel you to keep turning the pages as you are eager to uncover the mysteries of Onyx Webb.
When I was asked to review this title I was on the verge of refusing because I felt that this would not be for me. However, when I reached the last sentence of the blurb I was intrigued and I decided right then and there that I would give this book a chance. I am so very glad I did. The story was riveting and difficult to put down.
Onyx Webb is a unique mixture of history, mystery, suspense and the paranormal. The story spans more than one time period and features an eclectic mix of characters. The story moves forward and backward in time. Some readers may find this disconcerting; however the way in which the authors present the shifts between times did not in any way cause confusion.
The story features three main characters from different time periods, the 1900’s, 1970’s and 2000. At first I thought to myself what do these characters and the periods have in common, however as I progressed through the story the connections slowly became clear. The characters were well developed and I was able to connect with each of them.
The authors’ writing style was descriptive which made it easy to see the events through the eyes of each of the characters. The story was well paced and it’s evident that quite amount of research went into preparing this story. The historical events were spot on and it aided in the enhancement of the story.
This installment has whetted my appetite for more. I can’t wait to get my hands on the remaining books as I am eager to know how the story will play out. If you are looking for a story that’s unique and exciting that’s filled with history, suspense, mystery and have a touch of the paranormal then Onyx Webb is just the book for you.
When I was asked to review this title I was on the verge of refusing because I felt that this would not be for me. However, when I reached the last sentence of the blurb I was intrigued and I decided right then and there that I would give this book a chance. I am so very glad I did. The story was riveting and difficult to put down.
Onyx Webb is a unique mixture of history, mystery, suspense and the paranormal. The story spans more than one time period and features an eclectic mix of characters. The story moves forward and backward in time. Some readers may find this disconcerting; however the way in which the authors present the shifts between times did not in any way cause confusion.
The story features three main characters from different time periods, the 1900’s, 1970’s and 2000. At first I thought to myself what do these characters and the periods have in common, however as I progressed through the story the connections slowly became clear. The characters were well developed and I was able to connect with each of them.
The authors’ writing style was descriptive which made it easy to see the events through the eyes of each of the characters. The story was well paced and it’s evident that quite amount of research went into preparing this story. The historical events were spot on and it aided in the enhancement of the story.
This installment has whetted my appetite for more. I can’t wait to get my hands on the remaining books as I am eager to know how the story will play out. If you are looking for a story that’s unique and exciting that’s filled with history, suspense, mystery and have a touch of the paranormal then Onyx Webb is just the book for you.
April 22, 2016
Straight off the bat this story hits you with it’s beautiful characters in touching and tragic situations. The central character, Onxy Webb, has a fascinating life starting in Louisiana in the 1920s which strings along through her timeline throughout the story.
I love the amount of detail that goes into the historic explorations of the story. In some ways it feels like and exploration of innocence and evil in America’s past. And it is fascinating to explore.
Dizzying
This story is written more like a TV show than it is a book, with a large collection of different story lines set in different time periods that slowly begin to tie together as the episodes continue.
I often found this style of storytelling confusing, and it would sometimes take reading a page or two of the chapter before I actually got a grasp on the who, what, when, and where of the new story-line.
Stunning
The disorientation of the chapter openings aside, this book is stunningly well written. The characters quickly capture your attention and compassion, even when they’re not the shiniest of souls. They are all complex and interesting people stepping unwittingly into the bigger picture this book is starting to weave.
I also really enjoyed the poetic moments sprinkled into the story. Some of those moments, made me pause, reread, and just think on what they were sharing before continuing with the story.
Superbly Demented
If you like season 1 of American Horror Story, then the twisted and macabre horror and historic elements that are blended into this story is going to be a literary feast for you. There are frightening spirits, beastly humans, serial killers, kidnappings, World Fairs, and a scene that turned Ferris Wheels into a message of terror.
Even though I found the non-linear story-line frustrating at times, it is a fantastic and unique piece of horror fiction that I think most readers will enjoy sinking their teeth into.
I love the amount of detail that goes into the historic explorations of the story. In some ways it feels like and exploration of innocence and evil in America’s past. And it is fascinating to explore.
Dizzying
This story is written more like a TV show than it is a book, with a large collection of different story lines set in different time periods that slowly begin to tie together as the episodes continue.
I often found this style of storytelling confusing, and it would sometimes take reading a page or two of the chapter before I actually got a grasp on the who, what, when, and where of the new story-line.
Stunning
The disorientation of the chapter openings aside, this book is stunningly well written. The characters quickly capture your attention and compassion, even when they’re not the shiniest of souls. They are all complex and interesting people stepping unwittingly into the bigger picture this book is starting to weave.
I also really enjoyed the poetic moments sprinkled into the story. Some of those moments, made me pause, reread, and just think on what they were sharing before continuing with the story.
Superbly Demented
If you like season 1 of American Horror Story, then the twisted and macabre horror and historic elements that are blended into this story is going to be a literary feast for you. There are frightening spirits, beastly humans, serial killers, kidnappings, World Fairs, and a scene that turned Ferris Wheels into a message of terror.
Even though I found the non-linear story-line frustrating at times, it is a fantastic and unique piece of horror fiction that I think most readers will enjoy sinking their teeth into.
June 25, 2016
Originally posted here: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
_________________
When I first heard about this series, I was immediately intrigued. The story is told through different characters and at different points in history and they all weave together to create one story. I had to see how this would all work and from the get go, I was hooked.
Onyx Webb is like watching a soap opera on the TV in book form. There are so many different people and storylines to follow and immerse yourself in that it’s hard not to fall in completely. Interspersed with quotes and pictures, the book itself is a visual delight that enriches the reading experience.
I loved how different each of the characters were, and each of the time frames too. Seeing how they all connected was interesting and I loved how dramatically their lives could all change. Onyx’s life didn’t turn out quite as she would have hoped, Juniper could say the same thing, and Koda has to dramatically rethink his life after a chance encounter with a mirror that holds a trapped soul.
I felt the story was over too soon, although it wasn’t rushed, more that I flew through the story because I was enjoying it so much. I definitely think that there’s a lot about this book that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There’s something for everyone within the pages: mystery, romance, ghosts… they’re not kidding when they say it’s a multi-genre. Having said that, it doesn’t feel like it was forced or trying too hard. Simply put, it’s an enriching tale with many facets that draws the reader in, holds them tight, and takes them on a journey.
Following the lives of several characters at different times throughout history, Onyx Webb is rich tapestry of lies, mystery and death. Thoroughly enjoyed and will be continuing this series soon.
_________________
When I first heard about this series, I was immediately intrigued. The story is told through different characters and at different points in history and they all weave together to create one story. I had to see how this would all work and from the get go, I was hooked.
Onyx Webb is like watching a soap opera on the TV in book form. There are so many different people and storylines to follow and immerse yourself in that it’s hard not to fall in completely. Interspersed with quotes and pictures, the book itself is a visual delight that enriches the reading experience.
I loved how different each of the characters were, and each of the time frames too. Seeing how they all connected was interesting and I loved how dramatically their lives could all change. Onyx’s life didn’t turn out quite as she would have hoped, Juniper could say the same thing, and Koda has to dramatically rethink his life after a chance encounter with a mirror that holds a trapped soul.
I felt the story was over too soon, although it wasn’t rushed, more that I flew through the story because I was enjoying it so much. I definitely think that there’s a lot about this book that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There’s something for everyone within the pages: mystery, romance, ghosts… they’re not kidding when they say it’s a multi-genre. Having said that, it doesn’t feel like it was forced or trying too hard. Simply put, it’s an enriching tale with many facets that draws the reader in, holds them tight, and takes them on a journey.
Following the lives of several characters at different times throughout history, Onyx Webb is rich tapestry of lies, mystery and death. Thoroughly enjoyed and will be continuing this series soon.
October 30, 2015
Onyx Webb is a unique, bizarre accumulation of Individual tales in three episodes. This book is unlike anything I have ever read. It flows from one person to another smoothly, yet it is disconcerting.
The characters are each intriguing and unique. The authors have well-defined each one in a manner they truly seem real. The scenes are portrayed well through effective, vivid descriptions.
There are several characters involved in various scenarios. They each tell their own story - Their mysterious beginnings, how they met others, what circumstances brought them to the places they end up.
Each tale is captivating and easily visualized, however, The book ending leaves one feeling he/she is missing half the book. It is a continuation but it cuts off too abruptly. It is an eerie combination of romance/thriller/mystery combined. It is a book you will want the sequels to very soon.
*Beware there is profanity.
The characters are each intriguing and unique. The authors have well-defined each one in a manner they truly seem real. The scenes are portrayed well through effective, vivid descriptions.
There are several characters involved in various scenarios. They each tell their own story - Their mysterious beginnings, how they met others, what circumstances brought them to the places they end up.
Each tale is captivating and easily visualized, however, The book ending leaves one feeling he/she is missing half the book. It is a continuation but it cuts off too abruptly. It is an eerie combination of romance/thriller/mystery combined. It is a book you will want the sequels to very soon.
*Beware there is profanity.
June 1, 2016
Onyx Webb. Wow.
This book was fantastic. One thing that I especially liked about it is how natural it was to read. I am somewhat of a slow reader, yet I found myself flying through this book.
A character driven, supernatural thriller that leaves you thirsting for more. Immediately I was sucked into the story and found myself turning the page as more and more questions filled in my head. I found myself asking "How are these people related? Are they related?" and blown away when I saw how it was all coming together. I cannot wait to read the next volumes.
Andrea and Richard do a fantastic job of effortlessly taking you back through many characters' stories and the different eras happening throughout the book. Both have done an incredible job at turning a supernatural ghost story into something unique and awe inspiring.
This book was fantastic. One thing that I especially liked about it is how natural it was to read. I am somewhat of a slow reader, yet I found myself flying through this book.
A character driven, supernatural thriller that leaves you thirsting for more. Immediately I was sucked into the story and found myself turning the page as more and more questions filled in my head. I found myself asking "How are these people related? Are they related?" and blown away when I saw how it was all coming together. I cannot wait to read the next volumes.
Andrea and Richard do a fantastic job of effortlessly taking you back through many characters' stories and the different eras happening throughout the book. Both have done an incredible job at turning a supernatural ghost story into something unique and awe inspiring.
May 3, 2017
This book is good on so many levels. Kudos to the writing team of Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz. There are few books that can switch back and forth in time and not be awkward at some point or hard to follow. Onyx Webb takes place in 3 different era's with different characters and is done superbly.
The characters are very well developed and well defined. There are ones you'll like and ones that you'll dislike intensely and you meet one of the later soon after the book opens. I kept turning the pages because I was so engrossed and wanted to know what happened to all the characters.
I have never read a book quite like Onyx Webb and I look forward to the next part of the story to see what happens. It is a very unique book; written a very unique way.
The characters are very well developed and well defined. There are ones you'll like and ones that you'll dislike intensely and you meet one of the later soon after the book opens. I kept turning the pages because I was so engrossed and wanted to know what happened to all the characters.
I have never read a book quite like Onyx Webb and I look forward to the next part of the story to see what happens. It is a very unique book; written a very unique way.
September 17, 2015
Review: ONYX WEBB Book 1 EPISODES 1-3 by Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton
I found my new favorite book when I opened the first pages of ONYX WEBB. There is not a dropped thread in this exciting, engrossing, riveting, incredible paranormal, suspenseful, supernatural, mysterious, time-switching, multi-characted serial...I realize how Dickens' audience must have felt, hanging on from week to week with bated breath for the newest installment...
ONYX WEBB is a story in a class by itself. I can see it becoming a cult classic--and why not? I certainly plan to read it over and over and over again...because in the words of Jacqueline Susann: "Once is not enough."
I found my new favorite book when I opened the first pages of ONYX WEBB. There is not a dropped thread in this exciting, engrossing, riveting, incredible paranormal, suspenseful, supernatural, mysterious, time-switching, multi-characted serial...I realize how Dickens' audience must have felt, hanging on from week to week with bated breath for the newest installment...
ONYX WEBB is a story in a class by itself. I can see it becoming a cult classic--and why not? I certainly plan to read it over and over and over again...because in the words of Jacqueline Susann: "Once is not enough."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2016
LOVED it ! It has so much suspense in it. There is a bit of love in there but it is mostly paranormal. I really liked the way that it was all split. Into episodes. It is all kind of like reading a TV show, specially since you get so many different stories within an episode. I honestly cant wait for the next installment, specially for Kodas and the Quinns, those 2 are really up my alley, but the again Onyx's story is getting really good as well... SOOOOO I guess I simply cant wait for it all XD
Plus the authors are super nice :3
Plus the authors are super nice :3
March 15, 2016
very enjoyable read.
August 27, 2016
Audience: Those who enjoy short episodic based fiction with horror and supernatural themes.
Summed up in one word: Audacious
Author Bio: Richard Fenton & Andrea Waltz are both #1 Amazon Bestsellers and both have a passion for writing paranormal ghost stories. They are focusing on their amazing Onyx Webb series which will eventually be a 9 book/27 episode series.
First Impression: I am rather cautious when it comes to book series as I am easily sucked in and then I spend weeks and weeks having to read all the other instalments as I get rather addicted... This book was no different. The Onyx Webb series is a hooking episodic monument to paranormal/horror fiction. I have to write this review, then go an order the rest of these books as I need to know what happens next!
Summary of the Story:
The first book in this huge paranormal/horror series begins with a 6 year old Onyx Webb. In 1904 at the World Fair in Missouri USA, Onyx Webb is taken by a serial murderer Obedience Everhardt as a replacement for a daughter she lost years before. Onyx's father Catfish won't rest until she is safely back in his care as she is everything he has left.
Quinn's parents are useless, one is a drunk and the other deserted him and his sister Juniper. Juniper is a piano prodigy, playing from very young age and gaining celebrity status in her teens. Their father took his daughter's earnings and fled to another state. Quinn is very protective of Juniper and letting her out of his sight for just one night has serious consequences.
Koda Mulvaney is a handsome, smart and desirable 23 year old billionaire. Every girl wants him and every guy wants to be him. Burning through cash without a care in the world, his father soon steps in and puts a stop to his antics. On a path to destruction, Koda receives a shock to his very core when he sees a ghost of a woman. His obsession with seeing the ghost again overwhelms him.
Onyx Webb The Series: Book One spans over a century, with events from each storyline rippling through to the others. Onyx Webb is a rare breed and she has many stories to tell.
Review
Plot: Book 1 is only 1/9 of this extensively elaborate story, so there is much more to come. Within this book alone there is horror, wonder, fear, spirituality, anger, resentment and regret. I really appreciate the structure of this book, multiple bite sized plot lines, thinly connected by a paranormal/spiritual underlining. The brief chunks of each character's story really help to keep the book fresh and also keep it interesting. What I loved about this story is the fact that it is open-ended. I finished this book wanting a lot more. The authors left these story lines on cliffhangers and I need to know what happens to these characters next.
Writing Style: As I said before, the authors have chosen to have many brief encounters with each character instead of longer chapters. This works magnificently to keep the plot lines flowing and also it allows the reader to focus on the key events occurring in each characters story. I also revel in the fact that the authors changed up not only the format (there is also journal entries and outer body experiences) but they also included songs and poetry which added another dimension to the atmosphere of the book. The authors have chosen to take a darker approach with this story, with haunting, suffocating and unpleasant flavours for the most part, though there are elements of wonder and humour included when necessary to brighten up the story.
Setting: The fact that this book is set across america, only really adds continuity, consistency and allows the authors to include several historical events and ideas in the story. There is nothing really remarkable about the setting as this is a character driven story.
Characters: Each character has their own bold, significant and note worthy story. Onyx Webb is really the main event in this book, her story is a kind of ground zero for all the other events that occur in the later years of this book. Onyx Webb takes a large quantity of these pages, though not a single word is wasted. Her story is emotional, dark and filled with paranormal wonder. (Spoiler! Being half-ghost will do that to you ;). The other characters and events in the story have their own feel, but they do contain similarities and consistencies with Onyx Webb's own adventure. I can happily say that I don't have any one favourite story, they are all so good.
Themes: Trust, Faith, Parental Concern, The Paranormal, Ghosts, Wonder, Horror and Manipulation. Themes mean different things to different people, so all I can say is that there will always be something for everyone. The most important theme here is disillusionment and dreams, each character is plagued with dreams and confusing thoughts and feelings.
Likes: Structure, Characters, Potential, Paranormal Foundation.
Dislikes: That I don't have the other books now.
Cover Art: 7/10 great idea but the execution is a little off.
Rating: Overall I thought this book was a success and I am looking forward to getting my hands on the other instalments in this series. There is many things on offer here, great plots, exciting characters and other important qualities like a decent atmosphere made of fear, wonder, ghosts and horror... with a tiny dash of humour in parts.
9/10
Summed up in one word: Audacious
Author Bio: Richard Fenton & Andrea Waltz are both #1 Amazon Bestsellers and both have a passion for writing paranormal ghost stories. They are focusing on their amazing Onyx Webb series which will eventually be a 9 book/27 episode series.
First Impression: I am rather cautious when it comes to book series as I am easily sucked in and then I spend weeks and weeks having to read all the other instalments as I get rather addicted... This book was no different. The Onyx Webb series is a hooking episodic monument to paranormal/horror fiction. I have to write this review, then go an order the rest of these books as I need to know what happens next!
Summary of the Story:
The first book in this huge paranormal/horror series begins with a 6 year old Onyx Webb. In 1904 at the World Fair in Missouri USA, Onyx Webb is taken by a serial murderer Obedience Everhardt as a replacement for a daughter she lost years before. Onyx's father Catfish won't rest until she is safely back in his care as she is everything he has left.
Quinn's parents are useless, one is a drunk and the other deserted him and his sister Juniper. Juniper is a piano prodigy, playing from very young age and gaining celebrity status in her teens. Their father took his daughter's earnings and fled to another state. Quinn is very protective of Juniper and letting her out of his sight for just one night has serious consequences.
Koda Mulvaney is a handsome, smart and desirable 23 year old billionaire. Every girl wants him and every guy wants to be him. Burning through cash without a care in the world, his father soon steps in and puts a stop to his antics. On a path to destruction, Koda receives a shock to his very core when he sees a ghost of a woman. His obsession with seeing the ghost again overwhelms him.
Onyx Webb The Series: Book One spans over a century, with events from each storyline rippling through to the others. Onyx Webb is a rare breed and she has many stories to tell.
Review
Plot: Book 1 is only 1/9 of this extensively elaborate story, so there is much more to come. Within this book alone there is horror, wonder, fear, spirituality, anger, resentment and regret. I really appreciate the structure of this book, multiple bite sized plot lines, thinly connected by a paranormal/spiritual underlining. The brief chunks of each character's story really help to keep the book fresh and also keep it interesting. What I loved about this story is the fact that it is open-ended. I finished this book wanting a lot more. The authors left these story lines on cliffhangers and I need to know what happens to these characters next.
Writing Style: As I said before, the authors have chosen to have many brief encounters with each character instead of longer chapters. This works magnificently to keep the plot lines flowing and also it allows the reader to focus on the key events occurring in each characters story. I also revel in the fact that the authors changed up not only the format (there is also journal entries and outer body experiences) but they also included songs and poetry which added another dimension to the atmosphere of the book. The authors have chosen to take a darker approach with this story, with haunting, suffocating and unpleasant flavours for the most part, though there are elements of wonder and humour included when necessary to brighten up the story.
Setting: The fact that this book is set across america, only really adds continuity, consistency and allows the authors to include several historical events and ideas in the story. There is nothing really remarkable about the setting as this is a character driven story.
Characters: Each character has their own bold, significant and note worthy story. Onyx Webb is really the main event in this book, her story is a kind of ground zero for all the other events that occur in the later years of this book. Onyx Webb takes a large quantity of these pages, though not a single word is wasted. Her story is emotional, dark and filled with paranormal wonder. (Spoiler! Being half-ghost will do that to you ;). The other characters and events in the story have their own feel, but they do contain similarities and consistencies with Onyx Webb's own adventure. I can happily say that I don't have any one favourite story, they are all so good.
Themes: Trust, Faith, Parental Concern, The Paranormal, Ghosts, Wonder, Horror and Manipulation. Themes mean different things to different people, so all I can say is that there will always be something for everyone. The most important theme here is disillusionment and dreams, each character is plagued with dreams and confusing thoughts and feelings.
Likes: Structure, Characters, Potential, Paranormal Foundation.
Dislikes: That I don't have the other books now.
Cover Art: 7/10 great idea but the execution is a little off.
Rating: Overall I thought this book was a success and I am looking forward to getting my hands on the other instalments in this series. There is many things on offer here, great plots, exciting characters and other important qualities like a decent atmosphere made of fear, wonder, ghosts and horror... with a tiny dash of humour in parts.
9/10
August 25, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/on...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Scott
Onyx Webb is an explosive new concept in literature. Part historical fiction, part detective story, part horror and dipping into the realm of the supernatural, this edition is sure to delight in one aspect of the story or another. Harkening back to the “serialized” novels of the ‘20’s (of which more will be spoken of later) the story will be told over the course of nine books with three episodes apiece. In episodes 1, 2 & 3, which Book 1 encompasses, one is introduced to the story spanning multiple eras and multiple characters, the reader being led by only by a ghost – the ghost of Onyx Webb.
Each episode is almost self-contained, but this isn’t to be taken to mean they can be read out of order. One episode follows naturally from the previous, adding plot turns, twists and surprises; even though you see them coming, you are encouraged to read forward, yearning for more. The writing style is natural, flowing unobtrusively off the page, an invisible barrier to the story at play. Dialogue comes across as genuine from each of the myriad characters in the first three episodes, From billionaire playboys to Civil War widows, from murderers to young girls, the reader never tires of learning more about their motivations and desires. The characters are that three-dimensional.
The writing itself is exceptional. Given the research that must have gone into planning a millennium spanning story, it’s simply amazing that the authors kept it together as tightly as it did. Sparing no calamity, the Civil War, the roaring twenties, the stock market crash, the great depression, the modern world of lifestyles of the rich and famous, the teamwork of Fenton and Waltz, while twisting events to their own design, push the history out with a tangible force that propels the characters forward. Easily digestible, each episode is like your, say favorite T.V. show, one that holds its own water, but hints at what’s to come. I almost felt drawn to it as I would a reader of the heyday of pulp fiction. But serialized stories might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
As mentioned, the characters, at least from what you get from the read, seem to play pre-determined roles, but are fully fleshed out before they even hit the page. Kudos must go to the authors of Onyx Webb, for creating a cast to be reckoned with, from the lowest kind of scum, to the most prudent of them all. Written from a rather sly third person omniscient point of view, the reader is just given enough interest to whet their appetite, and murky information that will obviously play out in the continuing saga. Dealing from a deck of playboy billionaires, drunken gamblers, ghosts, businessmen, young girls, and the omnipresent Onyx Webb, whose apparition guides you through this hand, leaves no doubt, at least in my mind, that the cards are stacked against the reader. The more you learn, the more you want to know about the details and histories of this multi-faceted drama.
For lovers of historical fiction, mysteries, horror, suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal (which should include almost everyone). Onyx Webb Book 1: Episodes 1-3 should be placed on a must read shelf – it’s that good. And with promised deadline dates by the authors, this is bound to be a series destined to hold a place in everyone’s heart and possibly a bit more.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Scott
Onyx Webb is an explosive new concept in literature. Part historical fiction, part detective story, part horror and dipping into the realm of the supernatural, this edition is sure to delight in one aspect of the story or another. Harkening back to the “serialized” novels of the ‘20’s (of which more will be spoken of later) the story will be told over the course of nine books with three episodes apiece. In episodes 1, 2 & 3, which Book 1 encompasses, one is introduced to the story spanning multiple eras and multiple characters, the reader being led by only by a ghost – the ghost of Onyx Webb.
Each episode is almost self-contained, but this isn’t to be taken to mean they can be read out of order. One episode follows naturally from the previous, adding plot turns, twists and surprises; even though you see them coming, you are encouraged to read forward, yearning for more. The writing style is natural, flowing unobtrusively off the page, an invisible barrier to the story at play. Dialogue comes across as genuine from each of the myriad characters in the first three episodes, From billionaire playboys to Civil War widows, from murderers to young girls, the reader never tires of learning more about their motivations and desires. The characters are that three-dimensional.
The writing itself is exceptional. Given the research that must have gone into planning a millennium spanning story, it’s simply amazing that the authors kept it together as tightly as it did. Sparing no calamity, the Civil War, the roaring twenties, the stock market crash, the great depression, the modern world of lifestyles of the rich and famous, the teamwork of Fenton and Waltz, while twisting events to their own design, push the history out with a tangible force that propels the characters forward. Easily digestible, each episode is like your, say favorite T.V. show, one that holds its own water, but hints at what’s to come. I almost felt drawn to it as I would a reader of the heyday of pulp fiction. But serialized stories might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
As mentioned, the characters, at least from what you get from the read, seem to play pre-determined roles, but are fully fleshed out before they even hit the page. Kudos must go to the authors of Onyx Webb, for creating a cast to be reckoned with, from the lowest kind of scum, to the most prudent of them all. Written from a rather sly third person omniscient point of view, the reader is just given enough interest to whet their appetite, and murky information that will obviously play out in the continuing saga. Dealing from a deck of playboy billionaires, drunken gamblers, ghosts, businessmen, young girls, and the omnipresent Onyx Webb, whose apparition guides you through this hand, leaves no doubt, at least in my mind, that the cards are stacked against the reader. The more you learn, the more you want to know about the details and histories of this multi-faceted drama.
For lovers of historical fiction, mysteries, horror, suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal (which should include almost everyone). Onyx Webb Book 1: Episodes 1-3 should be placed on a must read shelf – it’s that good. And with promised deadline dates by the authors, this is bound to be a series destined to hold a place in everyone’s heart and possibly a bit more.
October 24, 2015
ONYX WEBB: BOOK ONE: EPISODES 1, 2 & 3 is the first foray into fiction by the Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, a husband and wife team who have previously published a series of successful motivational non-fiction books. ONYX WEBB: BOOK ONE is projected as the opening salvo of a 10 book, 27 episode series. With each book so far (Book Two has just been released) coming in at well over 200 pages, OW looks to be a 2,000 page story.
But this is good news for lovers of mysteries, ghost stories and horror fiction, as OW 1 is a very interesting, thrilling opening to the longer story. It flips back and forth in time from 1904 to 2010, with several intermediary stops during which the main characters are introduced. The opening narration is by Onyx, who in 2010 is a ghost, but somehow still able to interact with the world of the living. As a little girl in 1904, she is abducted at the St. Louis Exposition by an insane serial killer, but with the help of her father, Catfish and a police detective, she manages to escape, freeing the imprisoned next victim just before she was about to be killed as well.
Another story line opens up in 2010 featuring Koda Mulvaney, 20-something heir to a billion dollar family fortune, who with his pal, Dane, has just managed to blow $20M of his inheritance in 2 years flying around the world staying at the most expensive hotels and partying his ass off with wine (mostly Crystal) and women until his father yanks him back home and puts him to work.
And finally in 1971 we meet Juniper Cole, child piano prodigy appearing on the Tonight Show and then a few years later, as a beautiful young woman living with her brother-guardian Quinn who dropped out of College to care for Juniper when they father disappeared with another woman and their mother disappeared into the bottom of a bottle.,
There is no possible way to connect all these events and people, as EPISODES 1, 2 & 3 are merely the set up (part of the set-up) to a very large and complicated story that will span over 100 years. But the writing and pacing are terrific. There are already several very likable characters as well as some not-so-likable ones, and there is Onyx, who hardly appears at all.
If the rest of this series is anything like the ONYX WEBB: BOOK ONE: EPISODES 1, 2 &3, anyone who enjoys a good ghost story, a mystery and/or a thriller will certainly like this. This is not a children's book. It contains no graphic sex but does contain some graphic violence, but Fenton and Webb manage to (skillfully) keep most of that stuff implied and/or off-screen, so if one likes horror thrillers that are PG-13 rated, here you go.
Highly recommended
JM Tepper
May 17, 2015
Interesting Premise
Onyx Webb is a web indeed of mixed characters, mixed evil deeds and killers spread through the United States from the early 1900s to modern times. There is some unique, creative concepts on the theory of ghosts and the afterlife, intriguing initially, but turning more into a mishmash of confusion by the end of Episode 3 or the end of the book, which leaves the reader hanging.
The characters, though not following any rhyme or reason, are at least consistent through most of Episodes 1 and 2. Then Episode 3, perhaps in an attempt to bring the story together, introduces a barrage of new characters and background characters now taking center stage that jumbles up the flow of the story and makes everything too far-fetched. Even though it's fictional fantasy or the paranormal, it has to be believable. Maybe it "could" happen in an alternate reality or on a different level of consciousness. Up until the third Episode, I had that smidgen of "perhaps?" Then it scattered into too many tangents and non-believability, at least for me, concluding nothing.
All we know for sure is that Onyx is a ghost who must feed on the energy of the living to hold onto her tenuous grey reality, where she has fallen in love with a living man who supposedly loves her in return. I believe the story vaguely points to who that may be, but I'll not share even my own suspected spoiler to book 2 for Waltz's and Fenton's loyal followers.
In spite of the train-wreck (literally--it's in the story!) of this first book of 3 mismatched Episodes, I find creativity and writing talent sprinkled through this whirlwind. "A way with words" it has been called in the past. I use the term poetic prose myself, and there is some genuine poetry scantily laced through the book that is refreshing and a definite asset. There are some redeeming qualities that make this train-wreck intriguing and in places definitely fun. So for those who like something out-there, which is what the paranormal is all about, this may be your cup of tea, just not mine in its present from. The cover, cheesy graphics could be cleaned up and the story reined in or organized better to flow in a pattern that makes sense in the next book. I realize it is a series book, segmented in Episodes, which I love, but a hint of a conclusion and a little less chaos in Episode 3 of "dug up" characters and abrupt new storylines, "pacing", would do wonders for this intriguing paranormal romp.
Onyx Webb is a web indeed of mixed characters, mixed evil deeds and killers spread through the United States from the early 1900s to modern times. There is some unique, creative concepts on the theory of ghosts and the afterlife, intriguing initially, but turning more into a mishmash of confusion by the end of Episode 3 or the end of the book, which leaves the reader hanging.
The characters, though not following any rhyme or reason, are at least consistent through most of Episodes 1 and 2. Then Episode 3, perhaps in an attempt to bring the story together, introduces a barrage of new characters and background characters now taking center stage that jumbles up the flow of the story and makes everything too far-fetched. Even though it's fictional fantasy or the paranormal, it has to be believable. Maybe it "could" happen in an alternate reality or on a different level of consciousness. Up until the third Episode, I had that smidgen of "perhaps?" Then it scattered into too many tangents and non-believability, at least for me, concluding nothing.
All we know for sure is that Onyx is a ghost who must feed on the energy of the living to hold onto her tenuous grey reality, where she has fallen in love with a living man who supposedly loves her in return. I believe the story vaguely points to who that may be, but I'll not share even my own suspected spoiler to book 2 for Waltz's and Fenton's loyal followers.
In spite of the train-wreck (literally--it's in the story!) of this first book of 3 mismatched Episodes, I find creativity and writing talent sprinkled through this whirlwind. "A way with words" it has been called in the past. I use the term poetic prose myself, and there is some genuine poetry scantily laced through the book that is refreshing and a definite asset. There are some redeeming qualities that make this train-wreck intriguing and in places definitely fun. So for those who like something out-there, which is what the paranormal is all about, this may be your cup of tea, just not mine in its present from. The cover, cheesy graphics could be cleaned up and the story reined in or organized better to flow in a pattern that makes sense in the next book. I realize it is a series book, segmented in Episodes, which I love, but a hint of a conclusion and a little less chaos in Episode 3 of "dug up" characters and abrupt new storylines, "pacing", would do wonders for this intriguing paranormal romp.
January 14, 2020
Original review can be found at the bandar (b)log
When I read the blurb about Onyx Webbby Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, my interest was piqued. "Onyx Webb is a multi-genre mash-up that combines supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more." AND MORE?! How many genres can one book have?
The authors claim that their book is unique, and frankly, I don't think there's a better way to describe it.
The first book in the Onyx Webb series introduces a slew of characters (including the title's namesake, Onyx Webb) via episodic-type chapters. These chapters jump from location to location, and the year they take place range from 1904 to 2010. The characters are from all walks of life: billionaire prodigal son, elderly Southern serial killer, gypsy child with a foretold curse, young piano-playing celebrity, AND MORE.
How these characters lives and stories weave together will ultimately be revealed fully throughout the series; however, in book one you begin to see little threads weaving their lives together.
WHAT I LURVED!
1) The pace: A lot happens in this 200-page book. The chapters are short and easy to digest, so you fly through the novel. The numerous plot twists don't hurt the pacing either!
2) The creep factor: There is a lot of eerie stuff that goes on, and the horror-lover in me just eats it up. To those that don't love horror: this book toes a perfect line between too much detail (which I would love) and too little. So if you don't like horror/creepy stuff, don't let the weirdness alone deter you.
3) The characters: The characters are wonderfully odd, so I loved all of them! Also, their names. The names are oh-so strange (Obedience, Onyx, Juniper, Catfish, Stormy, Koda - and MORE!), and there is little that I love in a book more than super bizarre names.
This book is definitely not for everyone; however, I could see people who enjoy the episodic quality, the creepiness, and all the oddities loving this series. If this book sounds like it's for you, I'd suggest you give it a try (I can at least promise it will be a quick read!).
When I read the blurb about Onyx Webbby Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, my interest was piqued. "Onyx Webb is a multi-genre mash-up that combines supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more." AND MORE?! How many genres can one book have?
The authors claim that their book is unique, and frankly, I don't think there's a better way to describe it.
The first book in the Onyx Webb series introduces a slew of characters (including the title's namesake, Onyx Webb) via episodic-type chapters. These chapters jump from location to location, and the year they take place range from 1904 to 2010. The characters are from all walks of life: billionaire prodigal son, elderly Southern serial killer, gypsy child with a foretold curse, young piano-playing celebrity, AND MORE.
How these characters lives and stories weave together will ultimately be revealed fully throughout the series; however, in book one you begin to see little threads weaving their lives together.
WHAT I LURVED!
1) The pace: A lot happens in this 200-page book. The chapters are short and easy to digest, so you fly through the novel. The numerous plot twists don't hurt the pacing either!
2) The creep factor: There is a lot of eerie stuff that goes on, and the horror-lover in me just eats it up. To those that don't love horror: this book toes a perfect line between too much detail (which I would love) and too little. So if you don't like horror/creepy stuff, don't let the weirdness alone deter you.
3) The characters: The characters are wonderfully odd, so I loved all of them! Also, their names. The names are oh-so strange (Obedience, Onyx, Juniper, Catfish, Stormy, Koda - and MORE!), and there is little that I love in a book more than super bizarre names.
This book is definitely not for everyone; however, I could see people who enjoy the episodic quality, the creepiness, and all the oddities loving this series. If this book sounds like it's for you, I'd suggest you give it a try (I can at least promise it will be a quick read!).
May 13, 2016
Onyx Webb is sooo more than just a ghost story. I’m not entirely sure what it is, but it’s definitely more than just a ghost story. It’s like 3 stories in one that are all woven together in a way that you can almost make out the full picture but not quite. It’s like the name of a movie just on the tip of your tongue that you can’t quite remember. You know it’s there, but you aren't sure what it is. You can tell they are all connected somehow, but just can't connect the dots.
From the very beginning, Onyx Webb had me completely engrossed in the story. I ended up marathon reading it because I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. The story is all consuming. This book is formatted in such a way that gives the reader the impression that these events actually occurred. There are photographs, letters, and journal entries from the characters that give the reader something more tangible than just the story itself. I thought it was fantastic.
Overall, I thought this was an amazing story that anyone who likes a good mystery and ghost type of story would really enjoy. Anyone who is looking for a book that gives the reader more than just words should enjoy this book as much as I did.
From the very beginning, Onyx Webb had me completely engrossed in the story. I ended up marathon reading it because I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. The story is all consuming. This book is formatted in such a way that gives the reader the impression that these events actually occurred. There are photographs, letters, and journal entries from the characters that give the reader something more tangible than just the story itself. I thought it was fantastic.
Overall, I thought this was an amazing story that anyone who likes a good mystery and ghost type of story would really enjoy. Anyone who is looking for a book that gives the reader more than just words should enjoy this book as much as I did.
February 25, 2018
What a refreshingly different kind of story! I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Onyx Webb. I read it in two days, but would have polished it off in one sitting had I the time to do so. It truly is a tangled web of seemingly random events through time that end up showing you how they start to come together. You get tidbits of the many characters’ lives, but the small amount you get paints such a rich picture that you’re not at all unsatisfied.
The characters all have depth, even the short-lived ones. There are a lot of characters, which usually throws people off, but they are all quickly made memorable. I love that this first book in the series is like an introduction to the characters at the same time that there is so much plot happening.
The timeline jumps around a lot. When I first started the story, I was sure it was going to get confusing, but it actually flowed quite well. I don’t think that the ending was wrapped up enough. I understand that it’s an ongoing series, but it still didn’t feel like the end of a book like it should have. That being said, it was smart to include the preview for the next book. I definitely intend to read the next book as soon as possible.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The characters all have depth, even the short-lived ones. There are a lot of characters, which usually throws people off, but they are all quickly made memorable. I love that this first book in the series is like an introduction to the characters at the same time that there is so much plot happening.
The timeline jumps around a lot. When I first started the story, I was sure it was going to get confusing, but it actually flowed quite well. I don’t think that the ending was wrapped up enough. I understand that it’s an ongoing series, but it still didn’t feel like the end of a book like it should have. That being said, it was smart to include the preview for the next book. I definitely intend to read the next book as soon as possible.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2015
Honestly, I was a little concerned that this book is the first in a ten-book series. It raises the bar that much higher since it takes something very special to keep my attention for that long. So, does this series deserve such a big commitment?
YES!
I really love this book. It is atmospheric, unique, and super creepy. I could tell right away that a lot of research went into it (from the different locations, to the time periods, to all the historical references). The characters are interesting and multidimensional, which is not always the case in paranormal novels so this was a pleasant surprise. The story captured my attention immediately. It is the kind of book that you want to pick up without knowing too much about the story. The way every point of view intertwines keeps the story fresh and unexpected. I loved that so much. Actually, I pretty loved everything about it, even the incredible design (seriously, the format adds so much to the story). I can't wait to know what happens next!
If you're looking for a new series that has plenty of heart-pounding fun, definitely check out Onyx Webb!
YES!
I really love this book. It is atmospheric, unique, and super creepy. I could tell right away that a lot of research went into it (from the different locations, to the time periods, to all the historical references). The characters are interesting and multidimensional, which is not always the case in paranormal novels so this was a pleasant surprise. The story captured my attention immediately. It is the kind of book that you want to pick up without knowing too much about the story. The way every point of view intertwines keeps the story fresh and unexpected. I loved that so much. Actually, I pretty loved everything about it, even the incredible design (seriously, the format adds so much to the story). I can't wait to know what happens next!
If you're looking for a new series that has plenty of heart-pounding fun, definitely check out Onyx Webb!
July 29, 2016
In keeping with my protocol to abstain from giving out spoilers, I’d like to keep this review simple but informative.
The combination of cover plus synopsis drew me into Onyx Webb’s world and I just had to jump at the opportunity to review.
Onyx Webb is not your average child by any means. From the very first chapter of the first book you get outline on her life, and realize her life has been marked by a series of bizarre events from birth, including the secrets surrounding her being.
There’s so much more than meets the eye here and that’s what kept me turning the pages. I enjoy stories that takes us outside the box and clearly paint a picture of what the plot holds without giving too much out all at once.
There’s a little of everything in this book. Many mysteries lurking in every corner, with an interesting mix of genres, followed with equally intriguing characters throughout.
Keep in mind I only read the first two books. I have yet to get my hands on the rest.
I really like the world the author has created, and appreciate the fact that we can clearly see what’s going on through Onyx’s eyes.
The combination of cover plus synopsis drew me into Onyx Webb’s world and I just had to jump at the opportunity to review.
Onyx Webb is not your average child by any means. From the very first chapter of the first book you get outline on her life, and realize her life has been marked by a series of bizarre events from birth, including the secrets surrounding her being.
There’s so much more than meets the eye here and that’s what kept me turning the pages. I enjoy stories that takes us outside the box and clearly paint a picture of what the plot holds without giving too much out all at once.
There’s a little of everything in this book. Many mysteries lurking in every corner, with an interesting mix of genres, followed with equally intriguing characters throughout.
Keep in mind I only read the first two books. I have yet to get my hands on the rest.
I really like the world the author has created, and appreciate the fact that we can clearly see what’s going on through Onyx’s eyes.
October 31, 2015
I am not really a fan of soap opera's, however this story had me hooked from the beginning. The characters were interesting and I could not wait to read more about them. They each had issues, and yet their stories flowed together nicely. There were mystery, drama, ghosts and a great narrator. I did get confused a few times, but that is to be expected from a story written like this one was. I liked the different time periods and it added an extra historical angle to the plots. I would like to reread this book when I have all the episodes so I can read the characters from beginning to end. The ending left me waiting for the rest of the episodes, and I cannot wait to read more. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own. - See more at: http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2...
March 18, 2017
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. The authors do not seem big on description or certain details but it's more than made up for by fascinating characters and what seems to be an intricate plot that while appearing to be all over the place at first is now starting to show connections. I have a feeling as the series goes on these characters will be connected more intricately in a web (pardon the pun but I couldn't resist) that will only get more complex. I'm all for that.
Oh and there are already a few characters that need a decent helping of justice dropped on their head. Or at least vengeance.
Oh and there are already a few characters that need a decent helping of justice dropped on their head. Or at least vengeance.
March 29, 2016
I normally read mysteries, police procedurals, non-fiction, biographies...never paranormal suspense! This book appeared in one of my free book enewsletters and the cover and odd title intrigued me. It was free so what the heck. I LOVED IT! Characters, stories, darkness, every little thing...including writing style. It really flows. I usually get ebooks from the library or online free but I'll gladly be paying to get Book Two and the rest, I'm sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews