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The Bensalem Files #1
Sentinel
A monster. A missing boy. And nowhere to run.
Something is lurking in the woods just beyond Aaron and Ellen Dreyer's new country home, and an evil that has been hiding in plain sight is about to emerge. A neighbor is brutally murdered, their 4-year old son goes missing in broad daylight, and the local town of Bensalem devolves into a cesspool of finger-pointing and chaos. With nowhere left to turn, Aaron and Ellen are forced to venture into the woods to find their son... and the truth. But in the process, they uncover a force larger and more sinister than they ever could have imagined.Praise for Sentinel..."He's making waves! Horror fans, Drew Starling should be at the top of your author-to-watch list."~ Daniel Willcocks, Best-Selling Horror Author"What instantly stands out in Sentinel is the author's ability to take the reader on a journey. He masterfully evokes emotions through beautifully penned characters and scene building. This is a dark, unsettling story that the author successfully sprinkles with generous doses of mystery and creepy scenes, enough to keep you glued to your reading spot until the very end. Well written, beautiful and haunting."~ PAN's Book Reviews"Starling shows off his chops at writing horror, with scenes that are disturbing, yet necessary. With this debut, Starling has singled himself out as an author to watch in the horror genre. I give this 5 out of 5 stars."~ Holley Cornetto from Horror TreeWhat readers are saying...★★★★� "One of the best horror stories I have ever read, and I went through it quickly because I couldn't put it down."★★★★� "Wow! From start to finish this book offers everything you need to get you on the edge of your seat, hiding behind the sofa, and shaking under your duvet."★★★★� "This book will keep you up reading it, but be sure to keep the lights on as the creep factor is there."★★★★� "I have been a fan of Drew Starling's horror shorts for some time so I was excited to see what he could do with a full length novel. He did NOT disappoint!"★★★★� "Even though I sat in the sun on my deck, I was pulled into a dark world. Whisked away into a horror that played out in my head like a movie, which this would make a great one!"★★★★� "There are more twists and turns in the characters than I’ve read about in books in a long time. The ending is a total surprise."
Something is lurking in the woods just beyond Aaron and Ellen Dreyer's new country home, and an evil that has been hiding in plain sight is about to emerge. A neighbor is brutally murdered, their 4-year old son goes missing in broad daylight, and the local town of Bensalem devolves into a cesspool of finger-pointing and chaos. With nowhere left to turn, Aaron and Ellen are forced to venture into the woods to find their son... and the truth. But in the process, they uncover a force larger and more sinister than they ever could have imagined.Praise for Sentinel..."He's making waves! Horror fans, Drew Starling should be at the top of your author-to-watch list."~ Daniel Willcocks, Best-Selling Horror Author"What instantly stands out in Sentinel is the author's ability to take the reader on a journey. He masterfully evokes emotions through beautifully penned characters and scene building. This is a dark, unsettling story that the author successfully sprinkles with generous doses of mystery and creepy scenes, enough to keep you glued to your reading spot until the very end. Well written, beautiful and haunting."~ PAN's Book Reviews"Starling shows off his chops at writing horror, with scenes that are disturbing, yet necessary. With this debut, Starling has singled himself out as an author to watch in the horror genre. I give this 5 out of 5 stars."~ Holley Cornetto from Horror TreeWhat readers are saying...★★★★� "One of the best horror stories I have ever read, and I went through it quickly because I couldn't put it down."★★★★� "Wow! From start to finish this book offers everything you need to get you on the edge of your seat, hiding behind the sofa, and shaking under your duvet."★★★★� "This book will keep you up reading it, but be sure to keep the lights on as the creep factor is there."★★★★� "I have been a fan of Drew Starling's horror shorts for some time so I was excited to see what he could do with a full length novel. He did NOT disappoint!"★★★★� "Even though I sat in the sun on my deck, I was pulled into a dark world. Whisked away into a horror that played out in my head like a movie, which this would make a great one!"★★★★� "There are more twists and turns in the characters than I’ve read about in books in a long time. The ending is a total surprise."
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2021
88 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
About the author
Drew Starling
31books78followersAn Amazon bestselling author of horror and dark fiction, Drew Starling is a husband and dog dad who loves strong female leads, martial arts, and long walks in the woods with canine companions. He would like to think his plots are better than his prose, but strives to make his words sound both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. He listens to Beethoven, Megadeth, and Enya when he writes, and he'd be absolutely delighted if you'd consider joining his mailing list (which you can find a link to about one and a half mouse scrolls up this page). His only rule of writing: the dog never dies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 12, 2021
The awesome people of Eerie River Publishing were kind enough to send me Drew Starling's debut novell, 'Sentinel', for review.
The story unfolds when the Dreyer family moves into their new country home, in search for a quiet, simple life.
The small town of Bensalem seems ideal at the beginning, but the perfect picture will soon be shattered by strange occurrences, the appearance of an unknown entity, the brutal murder of a neighbor and the disappearance of Caleb, Aaron and Ellen's own child.
When the authorities are unable and incapable of finding Caleb and when everyone seem to be reluctant to believe the couple's story of what might have happened, then the only solution is to take action.
Aaron and Ellen decide to take action and head in the woods to find their son. A desperate and dangerous decision that will bring them face to face with unspeakable evil that lurks in the woods and secrets running through generations of Bensalem's residents.
Will they succeed in finding their son, or meet their own doom while trying?
What instantly stands out in 'Sentinel' is the authors ability to take the reader on a journey. He masterfully evokes emotions through beautifully penned characters and scene building.
The anquish and anxiety that the parents of young Caleb felt throughout the story was successfully shared with me, resulting in an edge of my seat all-nighter to reach the end of this fantastic supernatural, occult horror novel.
This is a dark, unsettling story, that the author successfully sprinkles with generous doses of mystery and creepy scenes, enough to keep you glued to your reading spot until the very end.
Well written, beautiful and haunting. If this is the authors debut, then I feel many good things coming from him in the near future. Hold on, am I already sensing a sequel...?
'Sentinel' is out on May 14th by Eerie River Publishing.
Get it at:
The story unfolds when the Dreyer family moves into their new country home, in search for a quiet, simple life.
The small town of Bensalem seems ideal at the beginning, but the perfect picture will soon be shattered by strange occurrences, the appearance of an unknown entity, the brutal murder of a neighbor and the disappearance of Caleb, Aaron and Ellen's own child.
When the authorities are unable and incapable of finding Caleb and when everyone seem to be reluctant to believe the couple's story of what might have happened, then the only solution is to take action.
Aaron and Ellen decide to take action and head in the woods to find their son. A desperate and dangerous decision that will bring them face to face with unspeakable evil that lurks in the woods and secrets running through generations of Bensalem's residents.
Will they succeed in finding their son, or meet their own doom while trying?
What instantly stands out in 'Sentinel' is the authors ability to take the reader on a journey. He masterfully evokes emotions through beautifully penned characters and scene building.
The anquish and anxiety that the parents of young Caleb felt throughout the story was successfully shared with me, resulting in an edge of my seat all-nighter to reach the end of this fantastic supernatural, occult horror novel.
This is a dark, unsettling story, that the author successfully sprinkles with generous doses of mystery and creepy scenes, enough to keep you glued to your reading spot until the very end.
Well written, beautiful and haunting. If this is the authors debut, then I feel many good things coming from him in the near future. Hold on, am I already sensing a sequel...?
'Sentinel' is out on May 14th by Eerie River Publishing.
Get it at:
December 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
An interesting mystery set in a small town brimming with evil secrets. This is a slow burn when it comes to horror, but it’s there. However, what really is more horrific than having your young child go missing? My favorite thing about this story was the mother’s backstory and how it fed her self-doubt as a parent. We can all relate. Sentinel is a promising author’s debut in indie horror and a sequel is expected soon.
Note: The author’s wife is the audiobook narrator and she sounds like a pro! I love to see a family working together and excelling while doing so!!
My favorite quote:
“Sometimes I think we’re ants that got hold of a fresh pie. Most of us go through life, we walk on the crust of this earth, we take a piece of it, and then we go back home. But for the few of us that are willing to put the work in, there’s so much more to this world. There’s so much more that lies below the surface if we look for it.�
An interesting mystery set in a small town brimming with evil secrets. This is a slow burn when it comes to horror, but it’s there. However, what really is more horrific than having your young child go missing? My favorite thing about this story was the mother’s backstory and how it fed her self-doubt as a parent. We can all relate. Sentinel is a promising author’s debut in indie horror and a sequel is expected soon.
Note: The author’s wife is the audiobook narrator and she sounds like a pro! I love to see a family working together and excelling while doing so!!
My favorite quote:
“Sometimes I think we’re ants that got hold of a fresh pie. Most of us go through life, we walk on the crust of this earth, we take a piece of it, and then we go back home. But for the few of us that are willing to put the work in, there’s so much more to this world. There’s so much more that lies below the surface if we look for it.�
October 27, 2021
The Town of Bensalem is a quaint and Cozy little town. A town where you think “nothing bad can happen.”�.
But�. Isn’t it always the small towns that prove to be�. Sinister.
The Dreyer family wanted a simple life� but that “simple life� rapidly becomes obliterated by secrets, unusual deaths and the disappearance of their own son.
To locate their missing boy they must venture into the deep, dark woods� and what they discover there will forever distort their plans for a� simple life.
I instantly immersed myself into this book. Absorbing the story and gulping it down in just one sitting. I was pretty anxious reading it, though 😅 I’m a parent myself, so, I could totally related with these characters. I could feel their pain and their fear. So, yeah� I was stressed! Lol
My only complaint� I wanted more. I Needed more answers. Thankfully, Mr. Starling recently announced that there’s a sequel. I’m very much looking forward to book 2, NOTHUS.
I am quite impressed that this Drew Starling’s debut novel. I absolutely loved this book!
But�. Isn’t it always the small towns that prove to be�. Sinister.
The Dreyer family wanted a simple life� but that “simple life� rapidly becomes obliterated by secrets, unusual deaths and the disappearance of their own son.
To locate their missing boy they must venture into the deep, dark woods� and what they discover there will forever distort their plans for a� simple life.
I instantly immersed myself into this book. Absorbing the story and gulping it down in just one sitting. I was pretty anxious reading it, though 😅 I’m a parent myself, so, I could totally related with these characters. I could feel their pain and their fear. So, yeah� I was stressed! Lol
My only complaint� I wanted more. I Needed more answers. Thankfully, Mr. Starling recently announced that there’s a sequel. I’m very much looking forward to book 2, NOTHUS.
I am quite impressed that this Drew Starling’s debut novel. I absolutely loved this book!
August 27, 2021
“Sometimes I think we’re ants that got hold of a fresh pie. Most of us go through life, we walk on the crust of this earth, we take a piece of it, and then we go back home. But for the few of us that are willing to put the work in, there’s so much more to this world. There’s so much more that lies below the surface if we look for it.�
I don’t get enough monsters in my life. And by that I mean my horror tastes tend to lean towards hauntings, possessions, and psycho killers. So it was refreshing to take a little break and dive into something a little more cosmic. Enter SENTINEL by Drew Starling, the perfect end of summer read.
This was a creature feature that felt heavily like a supernatural mystery / police procedural. The peaceful life of a small family is thrown into chaos when their little boy disappears. Did he wander off? Was it a kidnapping? Or does it have anything to do with a mysterious and menacing monster seen every night shambling through the meadow? The same monster that is suspected of brutally murdering their next door neighbor?
Starling gave his audience a story from multiple perspectives, adding depth and making it more immersive. The small town of Bensalem, with it’s centuries-old secrets, reaffirmed my hesitation to move into any small towns EVER. I loved how nothing was as it seemed as I continued to read. If you’re looking for ancient evils, family strength, and Lovecraftian vibes, definitely pick this book up!
(Thank you so much Drew Starling for this wonderful review copy!)
I don’t get enough monsters in my life. And by that I mean my horror tastes tend to lean towards hauntings, possessions, and psycho killers. So it was refreshing to take a little break and dive into something a little more cosmic. Enter SENTINEL by Drew Starling, the perfect end of summer read.
This was a creature feature that felt heavily like a supernatural mystery / police procedural. The peaceful life of a small family is thrown into chaos when their little boy disappears. Did he wander off? Was it a kidnapping? Or does it have anything to do with a mysterious and menacing monster seen every night shambling through the meadow? The same monster that is suspected of brutally murdering their next door neighbor?
Starling gave his audience a story from multiple perspectives, adding depth and making it more immersive. The small town of Bensalem, with it’s centuries-old secrets, reaffirmed my hesitation to move into any small towns EVER. I loved how nothing was as it seemed as I continued to read. If you’re looking for ancient evils, family strength, and Lovecraftian vibes, definitely pick this book up!
(Thank you so much Drew Starling for this wonderful review copy!)
July 30, 2021
There is something about this novel, the Sentinel, that just didn't agree with me. I did however, after some further thought, change my rating from a 3 to a 4. It felt like it was too long, and stuffed with filler that didn't go anywhere and didn't do anything for the story. But I guess this could be forgiven because this is only book one - so maybe, hopefully, there is a bigger picture with more to come.
What I did like was the story of the Sentinel itself, the cult, the otherworldly, Lovecraftian, dimensional aspects of horror that permeated the background of the novel. I certainly wanted much more of that! What I didn't like were the main characters - Aaron and Cheryl especially. I did like Ellen more - her fierce motherly protection and backstory were very good. But Aaron is by far the most annoying character of this story and he is a primary figure. And officer Cheryl...I don't know why so much time was spent with this character and her family - maybe more will happen in book two?
I will add that Drew's writing is very good - I enjoyed his romp through nightmares and mind bending / snapping descriptive terror. Monsters hold their weight and the death scenes feel real and terrible. I only wished that the story had been 'tighter'...
What I did like was the story of the Sentinel itself, the cult, the otherworldly, Lovecraftian, dimensional aspects of horror that permeated the background of the novel. I certainly wanted much more of that! What I didn't like were the main characters - Aaron and Cheryl especially. I did like Ellen more - her fierce motherly protection and backstory were very good. But Aaron is by far the most annoying character of this story and he is a primary figure. And officer Cheryl...I don't know why so much time was spent with this character and her family - maybe more will happen in book two?
I will add that Drew's writing is very good - I enjoyed his romp through nightmares and mind bending / snapping descriptive terror. Monsters hold their weight and the death scenes feel real and terrible. I only wished that the story had been 'tighter'...
September 3, 2021
SENTINEL is the debut novel from Drew Starling and it was a great book to help me end August with and usher me into September / spooky season. Small town horror is always going to be my jam and I am happy to say Starling continues my track of successful reading with this story. And when you throw in some ancient supernatural, culty, creature-feature vibes then you will keep me hooked! While telling this fresh story, Starling also does an excellent job at devleoping our main characters, the Dreyer Family, while simultaneously not skimping on the impacts of our side characters. Part of me thinks that a side character or two might be even more vital to the story of the next book, Nothus! Here's hoping!
I definitely recommend checking out this book - it reads fast and as I mentioned it has those great, cozy small town vibes that can enhance the isolation and fear aspects of the story. Looking forward to what else Starling does and the next book in this universe.
I definitely recommend checking out this book - it reads fast and as I mentioned it has those great, cozy small town vibes that can enhance the isolation and fear aspects of the story. Looking forward to what else Starling does and the next book in this universe.
September 18, 2022
Wow...such an enjoyable read. It's my first Starling read and he did not disappoint at all. This is a story about a family that witnesses a huge mysterious creature across from their house. Weird things start to happen and affect the husband's mental state. Soon after the sighting, bad things begin to happen near their home and the police are baffled by everything that's going on. Wild supernatural things occur and the disappearance of the couple's young son pushes them over the edge.
I really loved the fact that in this story, the stronger characters are women. The wife/mother of the family is the one trying to push forward on investigations and eventually takes things in her own hands. The motherly instincts she shows felt very authentic and believable. It was a breath of fresh air that the father wasn't exactly the "prince charming" to save the day--he was actually more sensitive to what was going on and more affected. While reading certain scenes in this where the mother was being H.I.B.C, I couldn't help but say "F*ck Yeah!".
SENTINEL was honestly a great story and unique. There was one specific scene where the husband is sleeping in bed and starts to see horrific things in his room. My Goddess...it was genuinely scary. It gave such a creepy vibe that's similar to the movie "The Grudge"--images I will never forget. Did I have to stop reading that part of the book because I was in the dark and was a bit freaked out? YES. This doesn't happen too often for me so that alone makes me rate a book five stars.
Overall, I am a fan of Starling's writing style. It was easy to follow even with the different perspectives and multiple characters. I am absolutely invested in this story and town so I will be immediately reading the sequel to this wild book.
I recommend SENTINEL to people who enjoy small town stories with bits of the supernatural and cultish vibes.
Thank you again to the author for this copy in exchange of my honest review.
5/5
*Check for CW
I really loved the fact that in this story, the stronger characters are women. The wife/mother of the family is the one trying to push forward on investigations and eventually takes things in her own hands. The motherly instincts she shows felt very authentic and believable. It was a breath of fresh air that the father wasn't exactly the "prince charming" to save the day--he was actually more sensitive to what was going on and more affected. While reading certain scenes in this where the mother was being H.I.B.C, I couldn't help but say "F*ck Yeah!".
SENTINEL was honestly a great story and unique. There was one specific scene where the husband is sleeping in bed and starts to see horrific things in his room. My Goddess...it was genuinely scary. It gave such a creepy vibe that's similar to the movie "The Grudge"--images I will never forget. Did I have to stop reading that part of the book because I was in the dark and was a bit freaked out? YES. This doesn't happen too often for me so that alone makes me rate a book five stars.
Overall, I am a fan of Starling's writing style. It was easy to follow even with the different perspectives and multiple characters. I am absolutely invested in this story and town so I will be immediately reading the sequel to this wild book.
I recommend SENTINEL to people who enjoy small town stories with bits of the supernatural and cultish vibes.
Thank you again to the author for this copy in exchange of my honest review.
5/5
*Check for CW
August 16, 2021
Yesterday, I finished “The Sentinel�. It is a creature feature in a small town. Books like this are why I will never move to a small town. The Dreyer family moves into a new town in search for a simpler life. The Town of Bensalem looks ideal, until strange occurrences start happening. People start to go missing and someone is murdered in a neighbors yard. When the Dreyer’s son goes missing, they set off to find him and come face to face with the evil that lurks in the woods.
“The Sentinel� is a dark, creepy book with a small amount of gore. Honestly, I would have liked a little more gore in this type of story.
It was well constructed and flowed quite well with no real lulls. The creature was introduced quite early, which sets the dark tone for this book. The characters were likable. I felt myself rooting for the Dreyer’s. Mrs. Dreyer was my favorite character because she was just
so strong.
With that being said, there were parts of the book I felt could have been explained a little more. There will be a book 2, which I am looking forward to reading, so maybe those questions will be answered.
October 29, 2021
If you’ve ever heard something in the woods go bump (or howl) in the night, and it sent shivers up your spine, 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙡 is sure to add to those shivers. �
�
The Dryer family has moved to Bensalem for a fresh start, for a slower more enjoyable life. What awaits them is something far more creepy and sinister than they had bargained for. Then, Caleb, their 4-year-old son goes missing, and the creep level is stepped up a few notches as the search for the missing boy ensues, and something nonhuman is definitely lurking, stalking in the forest. And by nonhuman, I specificially mean a huge lumbering beast that’s at least 20 feet tall with three yellow eyes and limbs that are straight out of nightmares. Is this what eviscirated the Dryer’s neighbor and kidnapped their son? �
�
The story itself doesn’t start off particularly scary as we settle into the town of Bensalem and get to know its residents. Starling���s writing draws you in and makes you feel right at home in this quaint town. There is this sense of anticipation, creeping dread, and general anxiety while waiting to see what is lurking within the pages (and the woods surrounding the town). The character development is done in such a way that you feel like you know the characters, and therefore you are rooting for them throughout their journey to find their disappeared son. The descriptions of gore, the natural enviornment, and the parent/child relationship dynamics are beautifully done. I felt the story was a medium-paced chilling read, and it definitely keeps your hungering for more. I want Caleb to be saved at all costs, and I want to know more about the mysterious society, “The Order of the Old Roses.� There is certainly something sus going on here. �
�
🖤🖤🖤🖤💕/5- Literally the only complaint I can think of is that I have to wait to see how all of this turns out�.luckily, the next installment, NOTHUS, is set to be released in 2022 (and the cover of that one is GORGEOUSLY CREEPY!) I already need it in my library!
�
The Dryer family has moved to Bensalem for a fresh start, for a slower more enjoyable life. What awaits them is something far more creepy and sinister than they had bargained for. Then, Caleb, their 4-year-old son goes missing, and the creep level is stepped up a few notches as the search for the missing boy ensues, and something nonhuman is definitely lurking, stalking in the forest. And by nonhuman, I specificially mean a huge lumbering beast that’s at least 20 feet tall with three yellow eyes and limbs that are straight out of nightmares. Is this what eviscirated the Dryer’s neighbor and kidnapped their son? �
�
The story itself doesn’t start off particularly scary as we settle into the town of Bensalem and get to know its residents. Starling���s writing draws you in and makes you feel right at home in this quaint town. There is this sense of anticipation, creeping dread, and general anxiety while waiting to see what is lurking within the pages (and the woods surrounding the town). The character development is done in such a way that you feel like you know the characters, and therefore you are rooting for them throughout their journey to find their disappeared son. The descriptions of gore, the natural enviornment, and the parent/child relationship dynamics are beautifully done. I felt the story was a medium-paced chilling read, and it definitely keeps your hungering for more. I want Caleb to be saved at all costs, and I want to know more about the mysterious society, “The Order of the Old Roses.� There is certainly something sus going on here. �
�
🖤🖤🖤🖤💕/5- Literally the only complaint I can think of is that I have to wait to see how all of this turns out�.luckily, the next installment, NOTHUS, is set to be released in 2022 (and the cover of that one is GORGEOUSLY CREEPY!) I already need it in my library!
August 27, 2021
The Dreyer family moves onto Wickham Rd in the sleepy town of Bensalem hoping for a great place to settle in with their little family. What lurks in the woods and the secrets the town holds changes everything.
Sentinel started off with what I thought was going to be a slow paced book but when things picked up, I was totally engrossed! Starling did a brilliant job of capturing my attention with his vivid writing. I could visualize everything from the outdoors, the town of Bensalem, the characters and the beast that roamed the woods.
The tension in this book is insane and it continues to build throughout the book leaving you wanting more. As the story progresses things get weirder, and weirder with Aaron and his family. The terror the family goes through runs off the pages often leaving me with a sense of dread too.
When the twists begin things get even more thrilling. I loved the mystery and suspense involved in this book. It was so gripping! I literally did not want to put this book down. This was beautifully written and yes, I am saying that about a horror book.
This was a debut novel for Starling, I cannot wait to see what else he has in store. This was my first read by him, and I’m hooked. I look forward to the second book in this series.
Sentinel started off with what I thought was going to be a slow paced book but when things picked up, I was totally engrossed! Starling did a brilliant job of capturing my attention with his vivid writing. I could visualize everything from the outdoors, the town of Bensalem, the characters and the beast that roamed the woods.
The tension in this book is insane and it continues to build throughout the book leaving you wanting more. As the story progresses things get weirder, and weirder with Aaron and his family. The terror the family goes through runs off the pages often leaving me with a sense of dread too.
When the twists begin things get even more thrilling. I loved the mystery and suspense involved in this book. It was so gripping! I literally did not want to put this book down. This was beautifully written and yes, I am saying that about a horror book.
This was a debut novel for Starling, I cannot wait to see what else he has in store. This was my first read by him, and I’m hooked. I look forward to the second book in this series.
July 9, 2021
what a debut! read the Sentinel!
The cover dragged me in and the story did not disappoint ! Awesome creature and tale that goes along with it! Great novel!
The cover dragged me in and the story did not disappoint ! Awesome creature and tale that goes along with it! Great novel!
May 11, 2021
❤❤❤� Crush for this scary and addicting thriller.
The Grand Elder is the feared leader of the Order of the Old Roses.
That day he summoned a deacon to entrust him with a secret and vital mission for the Order.
The deacon will have to go to Bensalem...
In Bensalem, Aaron Dreyer returns from a grueling trip to India.
He’s exhausted but so happy to finally reunite with his wife Ellen and their four-year-old son Caleb...
-------------
A great discover and a crush for this fantastic, captivating, scary and moving story that reads very quickly.
The characters are very well chosen and the little Dreyer family is adorable.
The story of the novel is absolutely gripping and there are many unforeseen events.
Reading it at night, I even managed to scare myself...
An incredible read for lovers ot the genre.
To discover absolutely ❤�
The Grand Elder is the feared leader of the Order of the Old Roses.
That day he summoned a deacon to entrust him with a secret and vital mission for the Order.
The deacon will have to go to Bensalem...
In Bensalem, Aaron Dreyer returns from a grueling trip to India.
He’s exhausted but so happy to finally reunite with his wife Ellen and their four-year-old son Caleb...
-------------
A great discover and a crush for this fantastic, captivating, scary and moving story that reads very quickly.
The characters are very well chosen and the little Dreyer family is adorable.
The story of the novel is absolutely gripping and there are many unforeseen events.
Reading it at night, I even managed to scare myself...
An incredible read for lovers ot the genre.
To discover absolutely ❤�
May 9, 2021
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.
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.
August 17, 2021
This was honestly soo good! Based on the premise, I knew Sentinel will be right up my alley but I didn't expect it to be so great, especially since it's Starling's debut novel (how?). The story follows Aaron, his wife Ellen, and their 4-year-old Caleb, who move together to the small town of Bensalem. Not long after their move, strange things start to happen - their neighbor is found murdered and basically torn apart and Caleb goes missing right after. While desperately trying to find their son, Aaron and Ellen come across the town's terrifying secret, a creature that haunts the woods during the night and brings terror and chaos to the people in Bensalem. Or so they think 😈
I love myself a small-town horror story and Sentinel is mixing that with cults, conspiracies, some mystic elements, and all the good stuff in between. I like how you start out thinking Aaron is the hero of the story, but you soon realize the women are the ones in charge, and I also really enjoyed the ending. It's hinted that there will be a sequel, which I'm really excited about!
Also, Starling's writing is so on point. This was one of those cases in which you can actually feel that the author's style and tone fit perfectly with the genre he explores. I haven't got the slightest negative thing to say about this book, it was great from start to finish, it kept me invested, entertained, and I got similar vibes to some of the books that I used to read and love in high school, like John Saul's Creature and Serge Brussolo's Nightmare for Rent.
I love myself a small-town horror story and Sentinel is mixing that with cults, conspiracies, some mystic elements, and all the good stuff in between. I like how you start out thinking Aaron is the hero of the story, but you soon realize the women are the ones in charge, and I also really enjoyed the ending. It's hinted that there will be a sequel, which I'm really excited about!
Also, Starling's writing is so on point. This was one of those cases in which you can actually feel that the author's style and tone fit perfectly with the genre he explores. I haven't got the slightest negative thing to say about this book, it was great from start to finish, it kept me invested, entertained, and I got similar vibes to some of the books that I used to read and love in high school, like John Saul's Creature and Serge Brussolo's Nightmare for Rent.
May 6, 2021
Scary and thrilling. A really fun read. (I got an advance copy)
June 5, 2021
I received an advance copy of Sentinel and I was hooked, start to finish. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat, and the characters kept me coming back for more.
May 10, 2022
Fans of small-town, cosmic horror, listen up: You'll want to add SENTINEL to your TBR. It has everything you'd expect: kind folks new to town, friendly neighbor, and then a shocking murder that coincides with an unspeakable creature being spotted near the woods. That's where things take a sharp turn, and it's a wild ride from there on out.
Starling excels at describing the scene, making you feel what the characters are going through, leaving you wanting more by cleverly revealing just enough to keep you on the hook. This story has gore and blood, heart and despair, action and suspense... Something for everyone.
There were a few times where the dialogue was not always realistic or congruent with the character's personality. Might just be personal preference, but it was easy enough to look past it and that's all I have for criticism. This was a solid read overall, and you'd be remiss if you didn't consider it.
Thank you to Drew for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Starling excels at describing the scene, making you feel what the characters are going through, leaving you wanting more by cleverly revealing just enough to keep you on the hook. This story has gore and blood, heart and despair, action and suspense... Something for everyone.
There were a few times where the dialogue was not always realistic or congruent with the character's personality. Might just be personal preference, but it was easy enough to look past it and that's all I have for criticism. This was a solid read overall, and you'd be remiss if you didn't consider it.
Thank you to Drew for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
May 1, 2021
Great first novel for a short story author. Some very creepy characters in this one. Not everything is as it seems in this small sleepy town. Some of the smiling faces hide some hideous secrets and Mr. Starling doles them out like a fisherman teasing a trout with a nice fat fly. The prose is not TOO gory for those who prefer not to be grossed out too too much. Moves along nicely with very few hiccups. Definitely worth a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
December 5, 2022
**Review originally published in SCREAM Magazine**
There’s a lot to love in Drew Starling’s debut novel Sentinel. A pervasive atmosphere of dread, amplified by the eerie methodical pacing and punctuations of brutal violence. A hulking, looming monster with glowing eyes and long, trailing fingers. A hint at a larger world, peering through the fabric of our reality, bolstered by a local cult. And an epic, nightly battle between supernatural entities: avatars that hint at a larger war for the fate of mankind.
The Dryer family has moved to the tiny town of Bensalem in search of a simpler life and a fresh start. The book starts slowly, giving us the lay of the land, allowing us to get to know Aaron, Ellen, and their young son Caleb, and introducing us to the townspeople. Everything is going well until their only neighbor for miles around is horrifically murdered. Then Aaron begins to notice a giant figure lurking in the field in the middle of the night. Things really kick off when Caleb disappears in broad daylight and the subsequent search to find him gradually reveals the centuries-old secrets of the town.
This is my first time reading anything by author Drew Starling, but I was very impressed with his ability to craft a well-paced and satisfying story. The writing is composed and self-assured, and I particularly enjoyed the immersive imagery, world-building, and attention to detail. The dialogue was a bit hit or miss for me, and Aaron came across as ineffectual and frustrating at times, but overall the main characters are developed in a way that really brings them to life. I also like how the story switches perspectives between the parents and the local police officer Cheryl, a tactic that draws us further into the story and gives it a nice balance between supernatural mystery and police procedural.
By far my favorite elements are the creature(s) and the cosmic, Lovecraftian vibes. I don’t want to give away too much, but the creature design is fantastic. The mysterious entity, featured on the book cover, felt so real and original; it had a weight and menace that had me holding my breath and biting my nails whenever it appeared in the dark of the night. There’s also a fair amount of unease and a creeping sensation of the unexplainable that surrounds the events in the story. It feels both grounded and ethereal, and I loved every moment.
Sentinel hits many of the highlights of cult horror, cosmic horror, creature feature, and small town horror. The descriptive writing is impeccable, and I was enthralled by the chilling atmosphere that Starling maintains throughout the book. This is the first book in a series, it’s subtitle is actually The Bensalem Files #1, and I’m very much looking forward to where things go in the next book, Nothus, when it releases later this year!
There’s a lot to love in Drew Starling’s debut novel Sentinel. A pervasive atmosphere of dread, amplified by the eerie methodical pacing and punctuations of brutal violence. A hulking, looming monster with glowing eyes and long, trailing fingers. A hint at a larger world, peering through the fabric of our reality, bolstered by a local cult. And an epic, nightly battle between supernatural entities: avatars that hint at a larger war for the fate of mankind.
The Dryer family has moved to the tiny town of Bensalem in search of a simpler life and a fresh start. The book starts slowly, giving us the lay of the land, allowing us to get to know Aaron, Ellen, and their young son Caleb, and introducing us to the townspeople. Everything is going well until their only neighbor for miles around is horrifically murdered. Then Aaron begins to notice a giant figure lurking in the field in the middle of the night. Things really kick off when Caleb disappears in broad daylight and the subsequent search to find him gradually reveals the centuries-old secrets of the town.
This is my first time reading anything by author Drew Starling, but I was very impressed with his ability to craft a well-paced and satisfying story. The writing is composed and self-assured, and I particularly enjoyed the immersive imagery, world-building, and attention to detail. The dialogue was a bit hit or miss for me, and Aaron came across as ineffectual and frustrating at times, but overall the main characters are developed in a way that really brings them to life. I also like how the story switches perspectives between the parents and the local police officer Cheryl, a tactic that draws us further into the story and gives it a nice balance between supernatural mystery and police procedural.
By far my favorite elements are the creature(s) and the cosmic, Lovecraftian vibes. I don’t want to give away too much, but the creature design is fantastic. The mysterious entity, featured on the book cover, felt so real and original; it had a weight and menace that had me holding my breath and biting my nails whenever it appeared in the dark of the night. There’s also a fair amount of unease and a creeping sensation of the unexplainable that surrounds the events in the story. It feels both grounded and ethereal, and I loved every moment.
Sentinel hits many of the highlights of cult horror, cosmic horror, creature feature, and small town horror. The descriptive writing is impeccable, and I was enthralled by the chilling atmosphere that Starling maintains throughout the book. This is the first book in a series, it’s subtitle is actually The Bensalem Files #1, and I’m very much looking forward to where things go in the next book, Nothus, when it releases later this year!
June 15, 2022
Set in a Rural Virginia town called Bensalam , Sentinel begins with a strikingly Pet Sematary feel. Aaron Dreyer, his wife Ellen and their 4 year old son Caleb along with the family dog Cooper are relatively new to Bensalam and their only neighbor is old Hank Teakle the horse farmer up the road whom Aaron and Caleb have made fast friends with.
Just back from a trip to India Aaron has a wicked case of jet lag and finds himself awake at 4am, when cooper goes crazy Aaron sees something alarming emerge from the woods out into the field across from their home and aims to find out what it is..
Bensalam is no ordinary town and the Dryers soon find out just how much when their son Caleb goes missing.
This book honestly shocked the hell out of me, it was so full of love and healthy family dynamics which I feel is rarely seen in horror, Ellen was also a delightfully strong female character along with Cheryl the police officer who wants answers to what’s happening in Bensalam, after a grisly murder.
This story is not just well written it’s dynamic and interesting, I devoured this book and felt all the book sadness when I got to the end and realized that the next book Nothus doesn’t come out til Sept.
Tell @scarystarling to give me a sneak peek 😂😂
Starling did an amazing job with this book, it is a must read, specially for those like me who love a good � There’s something in the woods� story.
���️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Thank you to Drew for providing me with a copy for review, it was so good I feel unworthy 😅 thanks again, can’t wait for Nothus.
Just back from a trip to India Aaron has a wicked case of jet lag and finds himself awake at 4am, when cooper goes crazy Aaron sees something alarming emerge from the woods out into the field across from their home and aims to find out what it is..
Bensalam is no ordinary town and the Dryers soon find out just how much when their son Caleb goes missing.
This book honestly shocked the hell out of me, it was so full of love and healthy family dynamics which I feel is rarely seen in horror, Ellen was also a delightfully strong female character along with Cheryl the police officer who wants answers to what’s happening in Bensalam, after a grisly murder.
This story is not just well written it’s dynamic and interesting, I devoured this book and felt all the book sadness when I got to the end and realized that the next book Nothus doesn’t come out til Sept.
Tell @scarystarling to give me a sneak peek 😂😂
Starling did an amazing job with this book, it is a must read, specially for those like me who love a good � There’s something in the woods� story.
���️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Thank you to Drew for providing me with a copy for review, it was so good I feel unworthy 😅 thanks again, can’t wait for Nothus.
June 20, 2021
Supernatural horror with fully developed characters and a great plot. One of the best I've read in the past few years! I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next book.
January 8, 2023
Solid: 1.5-2/5
I was excited to read this, but it unfortunately comes off like a script for a Syfy made-for-tv movie.
The story, characters, and horror themes are unoriginal, dry, and lacking to the point where I read most of the book in one sitting just to be done with it.
Dialogue: not much needs to be said other than 90% of the dialogue feels overdone, unrealistic and insincere.
Characters: the best character is the dog. The worst character is easily Aaron. You can tell he was written to be a more emotional, softer counterpart to the strong female lead archetype, but his dialogue, thoughts and actions come across as overly dramatic and incompetent with no redeeming qualities. Every other character is flat and experiences no level of growth or change. This could be because it’s the first in a series, but it was still incredibly underwhelming. The only character with any hint of dynamism is Skylar, and even that feels forced.
Writing: the writing is what disappointed me the most. Not everything needs a description, and every description doesn’t need to be a full sentence or sometimes a paragraph long. I swear I know more about one of the character’s azure, oceanic eyeballs than I do about either of the key antagonists. Not everything needs a metaphor, and if you use a metaphor for the love of god don’t explain to the reader what you’re trying to say by using a metaphor. Let the reader figure it out themselves, don’t rob them of that little bit of agency. What’s worse is that the excessively florid language tells, not shows, everything it describes from people, places, things, events, thoughts and actions. It’s pretty easy to understand everything considering a lot of the time you’re told exactly what to understand and how to understand it. The book is also riddled with technical errors, misspelled words, and a few minor continuity issues. In short, you can tell it’s a debut novel, and the writing was too lacking for me to get fully immersed in the story.
Theme/Plot/Horror Elements: Standard mysterious organization, supernatural creatures and character archetypes. All these elements together could make for a fine story, there are plenty of examples of it working, but every element feels underdone and lifeless. Secret orgs are such an overdone trope and this one isn’t unique. It’s your typical “ancient, in the shadows, self-important� org that doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. Their purpose, as described in this book, seems entirely self imposed and unnecessary, like managing a natural situation that doesn’t need to be managed in the first place. I’m assuming more will be revealed in further entries, but this book doesn’t do the organization any credit or give the reader a reason to be invested. The creatures aren’t scary or interesting. In fact, they’re barely described or featured in any remarkable way. I know what they look like, but aside from a couple paragraphs one mostly just walks around doing nothing like a bad imitation of the monster from cloverfield. The characters are static and underdeveloped. So much of what they say and do is illogical, trite or overly dramatic. For example, halfway through the book Ellen conceives an overly complicated plot to prove the existence of a creature when they could’ve simply used a camera, something that isn’t thought of by either Ellen or Aaron despite having an entire evening and night to prepare for the creatures arrival. This same level of intelligence persists throughout the story for every character, but chiefly Aaron and Ellen. Aaron is without a doubt the most uncharismatic, annoying character I’ve encountered in a horror story, and honestly the book would’ve been better without him. His dialogue, internal and external, is so poorly written and his use of expletives feels like a middle schooler who recently learned the word “fuck�. Maddeningly, and this may be the worst of it all, the main police officer, who comes close to being somewhat genuinely interesting, recites miranda rights incorrectly. A five second google search would’ve netted a block of text to copy and paste. It’s an error that doesn’t fit the character at all and shows a lack of attention to detail that’s noticeable in many parts of the story.
Overall, every story element fails to generate any type of genuine investment or entertainment for the reader. It’s all surface level, and anything that attempts to go deeper is done through dry, exposition instead of entertaining, impactful actions and plot points. This books fails to be horrific in any way other than how terribly unhorrific it is. If you’re looking for a genuine supernatural horror, skip this book.
I was excited to read this, but it unfortunately comes off like a script for a Syfy made-for-tv movie.
The story, characters, and horror themes are unoriginal, dry, and lacking to the point where I read most of the book in one sitting just to be done with it.
Dialogue: not much needs to be said other than 90% of the dialogue feels overdone, unrealistic and insincere.
Characters: the best character is the dog. The worst character is easily Aaron. You can tell he was written to be a more emotional, softer counterpart to the strong female lead archetype, but his dialogue, thoughts and actions come across as overly dramatic and incompetent with no redeeming qualities. Every other character is flat and experiences no level of growth or change. This could be because it’s the first in a series, but it was still incredibly underwhelming. The only character with any hint of dynamism is Skylar, and even that feels forced.
Writing: the writing is what disappointed me the most. Not everything needs a description, and every description doesn’t need to be a full sentence or sometimes a paragraph long. I swear I know more about one of the character’s azure, oceanic eyeballs than I do about either of the key antagonists. Not everything needs a metaphor, and if you use a metaphor for the love of god don’t explain to the reader what you’re trying to say by using a metaphor. Let the reader figure it out themselves, don’t rob them of that little bit of agency. What’s worse is that the excessively florid language tells, not shows, everything it describes from people, places, things, events, thoughts and actions. It’s pretty easy to understand everything considering a lot of the time you’re told exactly what to understand and how to understand it. The book is also riddled with technical errors, misspelled words, and a few minor continuity issues. In short, you can tell it’s a debut novel, and the writing was too lacking for me to get fully immersed in the story.
Theme/Plot/Horror Elements: Standard mysterious organization, supernatural creatures and character archetypes. All these elements together could make for a fine story, there are plenty of examples of it working, but every element feels underdone and lifeless. Secret orgs are such an overdone trope and this one isn’t unique. It’s your typical “ancient, in the shadows, self-important� org that doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. Their purpose, as described in this book, seems entirely self imposed and unnecessary, like managing a natural situation that doesn’t need to be managed in the first place. I’m assuming more will be revealed in further entries, but this book doesn’t do the organization any credit or give the reader a reason to be invested. The creatures aren’t scary or interesting. In fact, they’re barely described or featured in any remarkable way. I know what they look like, but aside from a couple paragraphs one mostly just walks around doing nothing like a bad imitation of the monster from cloverfield. The characters are static and underdeveloped. So much of what they say and do is illogical, trite or overly dramatic. For example, halfway through the book Ellen conceives an overly complicated plot to prove the existence of a creature when they could’ve simply used a camera, something that isn’t thought of by either Ellen or Aaron despite having an entire evening and night to prepare for the creatures arrival. This same level of intelligence persists throughout the story for every character, but chiefly Aaron and Ellen. Aaron is without a doubt the most uncharismatic, annoying character I’ve encountered in a horror story, and honestly the book would’ve been better without him. His dialogue, internal and external, is so poorly written and his use of expletives feels like a middle schooler who recently learned the word “fuck�. Maddeningly, and this may be the worst of it all, the main police officer, who comes close to being somewhat genuinely interesting, recites miranda rights incorrectly. A five second google search would’ve netted a block of text to copy and paste. It’s an error that doesn’t fit the character at all and shows a lack of attention to detail that’s noticeable in many parts of the story.
Overall, every story element fails to generate any type of genuine investment or entertainment for the reader. It’s all surface level, and anything that attempts to go deeper is done through dry, exposition instead of entertaining, impactful actions and plot points. This books fails to be horrific in any way other than how terribly unhorrific it is. If you’re looking for a genuine supernatural horror, skip this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2021
Review of Sentinel by @scarystarling. Thank you so much for the copy of your new novel in exchange for an honest review.
Sentinel had a lot things that I enjoy in a horror novel. The small town. Lovable characters. Mystical phonomenon. All of those elements combined really kept me wanting to learn more and more about the town of Bensalem.
This story follows Aaron, his wife Ellen and their son Caleb (can’t forget Cooper 🐶) who have recently moved into town. When Aaron discovers a Bigfoot-like creature lurking in the woods behind their house and a handful of brutal events happen soon after, he can’t help but link the two together. This is ultimately the force behind Sentinel. What is that thing with 6ft long fingers and why is it in my backyard?
Honestly my very favorite part of this book was just the overall story. The author really created a world capable to withstand a series. I wanted to know more about other characters (I love Cheryl) and more about the mystic elements in the background driving the plot forward. It was really great.
The only reason it was 4 stars for me would be that at times the author heavily described what I thought were less important points and for me personally it dragged in those instances.
Overall I really liked Sentinel and the small-town, everything is not what it seems vibe of this book. Congrats to the author!
Sentinel had a lot things that I enjoy in a horror novel. The small town. Lovable characters. Mystical phonomenon. All of those elements combined really kept me wanting to learn more and more about the town of Bensalem.
This story follows Aaron, his wife Ellen and their son Caleb (can’t forget Cooper 🐶) who have recently moved into town. When Aaron discovers a Bigfoot-like creature lurking in the woods behind their house and a handful of brutal events happen soon after, he can’t help but link the two together. This is ultimately the force behind Sentinel. What is that thing with 6ft long fingers and why is it in my backyard?
Honestly my very favorite part of this book was just the overall story. The author really created a world capable to withstand a series. I wanted to know more about other characters (I love Cheryl) and more about the mystic elements in the background driving the plot forward. It was really great.
The only reason it was 4 stars for me would be that at times the author heavily described what I thought were less important points and for me personally it dragged in those instances.
Overall I really liked Sentinel and the small-town, everything is not what it seems vibe of this book. Congrats to the author!
May 3, 2021
I have been a fan of Drew Starling's horror shorts for some time so I was excited to see what he could do with a full length novel. He did NOT disappoint! This is a great start to a what will hopefully become a series. Good character development that really has you emotionally invested in them. I could almost feel the anxiety and terror of the two main characters as they lost and subsequently search for their little boy and the feelings of helplessness when local law enforcement won't take them seriously when they try to tell them what they believed was happening. His writing is vividly detailed so that I could easily picture everything in my mind. There is an overall creep factor that that is just perfectly unsettling and a story that kept me turning pages way to late because I just had to know what was going to happen next! My reason for only 4 stars instead of 5 is twofold. First, while it is certainly a tale of the supernatural, it leans a bit to the cosmic side of horror that I have never been a fan of. And finally I was a bit aggravated at the end. I like a nice, neat finish even for a series. After all that this family has been through there is a cliffhanger for a finish. I always find that more than a little irksome, especially for a novel because you always have to wait so long for the next book! A little hint as to where the next one will go is great to get the excitement for it going but this just stopped cold like a season finale of a tv show but there at least you will usually only have to wait a few months to find out what will happen! Overall a really entertaining read and a great first novel. I look forward to reading more from him. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
June 4, 2021
Sentinel by Drew Starling is an incredible journey. I felt the emotions of these characters. I truly think one of the things that makes this book so good is the character development.
Sentinel is dark and unsettling. The mysterious intrigue surrounding the plot had me reading late into the night. I finished this in one sitting because there was no way I could wait to find out what happened.
I’m a new fan of Drew Starling and fully intend to read his future work. The writing in Sentinel is beautiful and haunting. I absolutely loved this one. Highly recommended.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Sentinel is dark and unsettling. The mysterious intrigue surrounding the plot had me reading late into the night. I finished this in one sitting because there was no way I could wait to find out what happened.
I’m a new fan of Drew Starling and fully intend to read his future work. The writing in Sentinel is beautiful and haunting. I absolutely loved this one. Highly recommended.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
May 12, 2021
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and I am leaving an honest review.
First, I liked the author's prose very much, he really knows his way with words and use them to enhance the overall experience. The characters are believable and likable, the pacing is very good - a real page-turner. The horror elements lean to the cosmic horror territory and are executed really well. There's a kind of nightmare sequence that really stuck with me.
My only complaint is that I wanted a little more of the gory/creepy stuff. Just one or two more of those scenes during the second act and it would have been perfect.
A great debut novel. Recommended!
First, I liked the author's prose very much, he really knows his way with words and use them to enhance the overall experience. The characters are believable and likable, the pacing is very good - a real page-turner. The horror elements lean to the cosmic horror territory and are executed really well. There's a kind of nightmare sequence that really stuck with me.
My only complaint is that I wanted a little more of the gory/creepy stuff. Just one or two more of those scenes during the second act and it would have been perfect.
A great debut novel. Recommended!
June 16, 2021
A young family move to Bensalem, a small town with the beauty of nature surrounding them, what could possibly go wrong. Sentinel is a slow build up as we learn about the townspeople of this small sleepy town, which is not nearly as sleepy as first impressions give. Once the story speeds up, it drags you along, heart kicking and screaming. An ensemble cast, there were definitely some characters I felt a deeper connection to then others, but I cannot wait to see what they have in store for them in the next installment.
July 31, 2021
Gore, lots of wtf moments, creatures. Secrets in this small town. Does anyone know what's in those woods?....ok, so I really don't like going out in my backyard at night anyway because we have many creatures. Now, I definitely don't want to go out. Thank you Drew! Obviously fiction, but makes me wonder just what COULD be hiding and watching me from the tree lines? Great book to read if you need a good spook and like cults. Loved it.
August 2, 2021
Drew is a great storyteller and he delivers a beautifully written and atmospheric read with amazing characters, a perfectly sleepy little town, just the right amount of gore and suspense galore. I don’t normally get scared but I had some chills here and there. This one gave me some Stranger Things vibes as well and I loved it! Great debut novel that's worth a read! 4.5⭐️
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