Amazon.com: Customer reviews: SENTINEL: A Thrilling Supernatural Horror Novel (The Bensalem Files Book 1)

Top positive review

what is that lurking in the woods???

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021

This was definitely a great story to read! While at first we aren't exactly sure what is happening, we are drawn in by the town... the characters... and the writing. The family dog Cooper goes into a frenzy one night, and Aaron just HAD to look and see what it was... that's when the trouble begins.

Drew Starling has done a wonderful job of creating a creepy town with its atmosphere. We feel we are there with Aaron, Ellen, Caleb, Cooper as they realize things are not as they seem. The characters are very well developed where you care about them and the sense of dread surrounding them. The Sentinel is described in such a way that we can see it in our mind's eye! Ugh!

The author weaves a tale where you must keep reading until the very last page! Oh, the suspense!!! I can't wait to read the NEXT story in the series!

If you are looking for a different kind of story, then this is it. You will be drawn in and be held captive until the very end. There are many elements at play here, and they gel together to create a memorable story.

While I had been given an ARC, I am freely sharing my enjoyment of this story. I have enjpyed t so much that I purchased a copy to support the author. Thank you, Mr Starling! More, please!

5 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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taug

It’s Just Vol 1!

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021

There were some good passages, occasionally even poetic ones, but I found myself mentally rewriting sentences/phrases every other page: verbs or adjectives poorly chosen, word order sometimes confused, or problematic syntax. Basically, careful editing would have been really helpful.
On Amazon, this book was NOT described as Volume 1—as in “the first book in a series/set.” We find that out at the end. So, no plot resolution in the final pages. Sadly, I’ll never know.
One positive: the Sentinel is a good, scary monster, like it appears on the cover.
It is, however, a PROtagonist. Too bad.

2 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Julie Blaskie

what is that lurking in the woods???

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021

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5 people found this helpful

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Tammy May

Highly recommended, scary!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2021

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I read a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for my voluntary and honest review.

The Dreyer family (Aaron, Ellen and their 4-year old son Caleb) moved to a rural home near a small town. They thought life was going to slow down and be quiet, a good place to raise their son. In short time, things started getting creepy. Soon, Caleb disappeared and a hunt ensued.

This was a scary read. I was completely captivated by the characters and the events going on around them, events dragging them in and under. I felt the characters were well developed. The scenes were described with wonderful detail. I was truly drawn into the story, not quite able to put it down.

I would highly recommend this book and am definitely looking forward to see what Drew Starling comes up with next.

3 people found this helpful

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Guy

A wonderful debut novel by Drew Starling

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2021

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Drew Starling has become one of my favorite authors of short stories from my introduction to his work in Night Dive (in Night Terrors Volume 2). SENTINEL, his debut novel, didn't disappoint.

SENTINEL is set in a small town complete with its local secrets and legends, drying communities and old cults. When the small Dreyer family moves in to a large old house on a somewhat deserted road and befriend's their only neighbor things start to go wrong. When the neighbor makes dinner plans with Aaron Dreyer to privately discuss things of the area perhaps the dinner should have been planned a day earlier.

If you are a visual reader this is a good novel for you. It's hard to put down once starting it. It's a good scare but not so much to make me not want to move to a small rural community (Monsters don't scare me. Monsters are no more scary to me than sharks, bears, and lions. People scare me.).

I am left with 2 questions though (1. What does India have to do with anything? And 2. What of the gate?). Perhaps the answers were given but I read the novel over the weekend so could have missed it in the wee hours I should have been sleeping.

Though I believe SENTINEL is a stand-alone novel I am looking forward to the sequel NOTHUS.

One person found this helpful

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taug

It’s Just Vol 1!

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021

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2 people found this helpful

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T. Townsend

Starling creatively composes work of beauty

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2021

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Book 1 starts count science fictiony- not usually reviewers style-but through perfect imagery, which is current throughout book, author won reviewer over.
Book begins with “grand elder” discussing things with a minion. Then quickly adverts to Aaron, main character, whose family is likable throughout book.
Aarons son gets kidnapped. And the outcome of his life hangs in the balance as Aaron , his wife, and members of law enforcement scrapple with figuring out who and why someone would kidnap little Caleb,
The answers are shocking but well worth the read.
Reviewer recommends book to adults

One person found this helpful

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pennyg

Wow - what a story!

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021

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For this author’s first novel - it was fabulous. One of the best horror stories I have ever read, and I went through it quickly because I couldn’t put it down. I felt that I was part of this family - felt their fear and horror, and loved their dog. Im waiting for the next one to continue their story. I rarely buy books due to budget, but am so glad I got this ine.

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grace m skowronski

STOP ORDERING VIA THE REVIEWS

Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021

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I DID IT AGAIN I ORDERED BY THE REVIEWS....NO NO NO IT IS NOT A NAIL BITTER. I READ UP TO 240 PG. IT IS NOT SUSPENSE, THRILLER IT IS- DULL AND BORING WAITING FOR SOMETHING EXCITING!

One person found this helpful

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Jessica Black

An Old School Horror Story

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021

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Horror is one of my favorite genres and has been since I was probably a bit too young for it. This story returned me to the vibe of older, more paced horror stories where the characters make sense and the situation hits you hard. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this read and cannot wait to see what Starling comes out with next!

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