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Master and Apprentice #1
Ann Marie's Asylum
Ann Marie has just earned her Ph.D. in chemistry at age sixteen when she receives a mysterious and lucrative job offer. The new position at the infamous Asylum Corporation takes the young chemist and her alcoholic mother from their working-class Philadelphia neighborhood to coastal California. She grows fascinated with her new boss, famed Dade Harkenrider, a handsome but reclusive scientist labelled Dr. Death by internet conspiracy theorists and rumored to be involved in witchcraft and murder. A young pioneer in drone warfare and mind-control drugs, Harkenrider conducts secret experiments that defy the boundaries of space and consciousness in an advanced laboratory in the hills perched over Los Angeles. As Ann Marie grows closer to her new mentor, a sinister plot by a secretive coven is unfolding in the city. This monstrous force is stealing pets and children in an effort to breathe life into an ancient and terrifying evil.
- GenresFantasyHorrorYoung Adult
ebook
First published December 15, 2013
29 people are currently reading
1,607 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Rankin
5Ìýbooks27ÌýfollowersChristopher Rankin grew up with a love of science, animals and horror movies. He studied chemistry and physics and received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently lives in California with his wife, Jennifer, and a small pride of cats.
Please visit his website for updated information.
Please visit his website for updated information.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 11, 2018
A Different Take
A pretty interesting story, a slightly different take on witches and sorcerers with something else thrown in...I guess it is the science. Moves along well, characters are engaging enough, but a little predictable. A nice diversion.
A pretty interesting story, a slightly different take on witches and sorcerers with something else thrown in...I guess it is the science. Moves along well, characters are engaging enough, but a little predictable. A nice diversion.
February 2, 2016
More questions than answers
I wanted to love this book. I mean I really wanted to love it. The synopsis seemed original and creative . Try as I might I just couldn't get past the many inconsistencies. Anne Marie the lead female protagonist was a genius scientist yet lived a mediocre life outside the job. She also carried little to no professionalism when it came to work etiquette. For a genius she made some of the oddest choices that at every turn put her in danger. Dade (the male protagonist) by his very build-up lacked the capacity of human emotion yet cared for certain people in this book. I was unable to bond with any of the characters because they lacked depth. Some lacked a backstory and others lacked personality. I enjoyed the storyline but I wished for more solutions and answers. I will read any other books by this author since he seems like a writer to watch, just more attention to sticking to the plot and editing out filler information.
I wanted to love this book. I mean I really wanted to love it. The synopsis seemed original and creative . Try as I might I just couldn't get past the many inconsistencies. Anne Marie the lead female protagonist was a genius scientist yet lived a mediocre life outside the job. She also carried little to no professionalism when it came to work etiquette. For a genius she made some of the oddest choices that at every turn put her in danger. Dade (the male protagonist) by his very build-up lacked the capacity of human emotion yet cared for certain people in this book. I was unable to bond with any of the characters because they lacked depth. Some lacked a backstory and others lacked personality. I enjoyed the storyline but I wished for more solutions and answers. I will read any other books by this author since he seems like a writer to watch, just more attention to sticking to the plot and editing out filler information.
January 31, 2015
Thus we venture deep, deep into the uncanny valley...
Trippy, scattered, horror-inducing. I was going to read something else to avoid nightmares, but sleep mugged me in the middle of reviewing and I just woke up without dreaming anything particularly brain-bleach requiring. So, yay. I would like to know how it all turns out so I'll be reading the next one. There's nothing particularly gory, it's more of a creeping sense of discomfort and skew. Definitely got triggered by the mom in the story, reminded me too much of my own!!
Trippy, scattered, horror-inducing. I was going to read something else to avoid nightmares, but sleep mugged me in the middle of reviewing and I just woke up without dreaming anything particularly brain-bleach requiring. So, yay. I would like to know how it all turns out so I'll be reading the next one. There's nothing particularly gory, it's more of a creeping sense of discomfort and skew. Definitely got triggered by the mom in the story, reminded me too much of my own!!
September 15, 2014
Ann Marie's Asylum is not just your typical horror or science fiction novel. I mean, it definitely has everything I love about horror and science fiction like witchcraft, sorcery, futuristic advanced technology (including great little drones called DeathStalkers), gory and unique kills (and some very violent and horrifying ones at that), manipulative evil characters who do unspeakable things, and the innocent children you root for. However, it is so much more than that. Amongst all of the supernatural adventure and scares, you also have extremely well-written and moving characters who are on deeply emotional journeys. The characters are developed so well that you are immediately pulled in and care about them, and your heart breaks for them when they find themselves in peril. Basically, even though there is all of this otherworldly supernatural stuff going on, this book tells a very human story and it touches on struggles we all face, such as loneliness, the feeling of not fitting in, and the desire for a soul mate or someone we can cling to and trust in this life.
Ann Marie's Asylum also goes beyond storytelling to open your mind and challenge your way of thinking. It is not really a political book and it doesn't shove an agenda down your throat; however, through its story, it does offer some very interesting and unique ideas on some controversial and difficult subjects like hallucinogenic drugs, the numbing effect corporate America can have on workers, homelessness, poverty, addiction, and strained family relationships. It asks tough questions like who the real psychopaths and monsters are in a society or even in a family, and it really makes you think and feel something as you read it. Now, all of this isn't to say that the story is all serious all the time. There are great moments of levity and humor throughout the book as well, and when the book ends you are left with a significant sense of satisfaction and even a strange calmness. Strange because you know that the story is definitely not over and the characters' struggles have only really just begun. I really enjoyed reading Ann Marie's Asylum, and I appreciate its strong female characters and its unique storyline, and I am very excited for the next chapter in the saga.
Ann Marie's Asylum also goes beyond storytelling to open your mind and challenge your way of thinking. It is not really a political book and it doesn't shove an agenda down your throat; however, through its story, it does offer some very interesting and unique ideas on some controversial and difficult subjects like hallucinogenic drugs, the numbing effect corporate America can have on workers, homelessness, poverty, addiction, and strained family relationships. It asks tough questions like who the real psychopaths and monsters are in a society or even in a family, and it really makes you think and feel something as you read it. Now, all of this isn't to say that the story is all serious all the time. There are great moments of levity and humor throughout the book as well, and when the book ends you are left with a significant sense of satisfaction and even a strange calmness. Strange because you know that the story is definitely not over and the characters' struggles have only really just begun. I really enjoyed reading Ann Marie's Asylum, and I appreciate its strong female characters and its unique storyline, and I am very excited for the next chapter in the saga.
July 12, 2014
Well, I couldn't help but love it.
Sure, this was Ann Marie's story, but lets face it, Dade and his arch nemesis really stole the show. The characters were all just so beautifully fleshed out and well, Dade is just completely bad-ass -- I mean, Dr Death, his utter repulsion at his own soft-humanity. The whole show he put on was just fantastic. But really he is who I'd like in my corner when death-eater drones and mind-manipulating mad scientists are the new reality.
I loved following it all through Ann's eyes, she is strong, assertive, pragmatic but beneath that you can still see the emotionally vunerable seventeen year old she is.
Can highly recommend it.
Sure, this was Ann Marie's story, but lets face it, Dade and his arch nemesis really stole the show. The characters were all just so beautifully fleshed out and well, Dade is just completely bad-ass -- I mean, Dr Death, his utter repulsion at his own soft-humanity. The whole show he put on was just fantastic. But really he is who I'd like in my corner when death-eater drones and mind-manipulating mad scientists are the new reality.
I loved following it all through Ann's eyes, she is strong, assertive, pragmatic but beneath that you can still see the emotionally vunerable seventeen year old she is.
Can highly recommend it.
February 27, 2015
Not my normal....
I don't usually read science fiction so much....but I started this book and also it was free...I like to give a fair chance to different types of books..once I got into a few chapters I found that it was quite interesting and that of course meant that I was compelled to finish the book and actually really enjoyed it...strange and different
I don't usually read science fiction so much....but I started this book and also it was free...I like to give a fair chance to different types of books..once I got into a few chapters I found that it was quite interesting and that of course meant that I was compelled to finish the book and actually really enjoyed it...strange and different
February 26, 2015
This was very different from what I expected....
May 29, 2021
Wow, just wow!!
This book took me on a completely different ride than I was expecting. And to be honest,I loved it. The way it was written kept me on the edge of my seat. This series is definitely one to be given a chance
This book took me on a completely different ride than I was expecting. And to be honest,I loved it. The way it was written kept me on the edge of my seat. This series is definitely one to be given a chance
April 6, 2020
Interesting premise but the writing was sub par.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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