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No Reflection (The Furies)
Nicole's life is falling apart. She's taking double her usual dosage of anxiety meds, on the verge of losing her job, panic-stricken and isolated in the largest city in the United States...and all of that was before she saw the Woman get hit by the L Train going through Union Square. Now she's been pulled into a world of shadows and secrets, trapped in a lower east side brownstone with a washed out shock-rocker and his group of bizarre supernatural conspiracy theorists, stalked by someone lurking in the darkness waiting for the opportune moment to drag her underground... As her life shatters around her, Nicole struggles to reassemble the fragments. A confrontation with the concepts of vanity, dependence, media, and culture; No Reflection is a story about the horrors of our contemporary world and the sanctuaries we can find within it.
Unknown Binding
First published May 26, 2013
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About the author
S.R. Hughes
5 books16 followersS. R. Hughes inhabits the glittering dreamways between blackened stars. He writes dark fantasy, horror, and lite sci-fi.
S. R. Hughes has been featured in Sanitarium Magazine, as well as in the Wild Hunt eZine, and on the Have You Heard the One? podcast. His first novel, The War Beneath, released on October 1st, 2019 through Permuted Press. His second, A Maze of Glass, released on October 14th, 2022 through Ritual Dark Press.
Find out more about him at https://thesrhughes.com
S. R. Hughes has been featured in Sanitarium Magazine, as well as in the Wild Hunt eZine, and on the Have You Heard the One? podcast. His first novel, The War Beneath, released on October 1st, 2019 through Permuted Press. His second, A Maze of Glass, released on October 14th, 2022 through Ritual Dark Press.
Find out more about him at https://thesrhughes.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 8, 2015
Today, I am reviewing the Paranormal/Horror story No Reflection by Spencer Hughes. Reminiscent (to me) of the works of E.J. Stevens crossed with a bit of Stephen King, No Reflection introduces a regular (as far as we know!) protagonist, Nicole, who becomes the unexpected target of a serial killer after witnessing a horrific scene in the New York Subway. She teams up (reluctantly at first) with a group of “monster hunters” who believe the perpetrator to be some sort of supernatural.
I give this book a solid 4.25/5. Here is my breakdown.
Characters: 4/5. Pretty darn great. I’m a fan of the “normal person caught in the supernatural” trope, and Hughes did it well. I could feel Nicole’s terror as she faced these events without knowing why she was targeted…or even by whom. The violation of her personal everything was perfectly crafted. I look forward to learning more about the team she fell in with, though; their characterizations, while good, felt just a tad one-dimensional, probably because the story was focused so much on Nicole.
Plot/Storyline: 5/5. Bravo! I was creeped out from the beginning. The hook was effective, and the final reveal, while I (like the main character) saw it coming, was still emotionally powerful. I applaud Hughes for creating such an intricate thriller/horror and weaving it deftly.
Flow: 4.5/5. Great. I tore through this book as quickly as I could. There were sufficient slow-downs to keep it from being a madhouse, but there was always pressure, always something that needed to be done. That’s the way I like my books.
Spelling/Grammar: 4/5. There were a couple of typos in this book, but little of note. One thing I do want to mention (only because I noticed it) is that Hughes has an interesting thing he does in dialogue. Rather than using ellipses (I just…I just wanted to go.”), he uses a full period stop (I just. I just wanted to go.”). This happens a lot, and I’m not saying it’s wrong, but it’s different enough that I noted it and it caught me a few times. It’s a much more jarring transition than the ellipsis…not that I like books that are overpeppered with ellipses, either :)
Overall: 4.25/5. Very good. Very, very good. I will be reading the sequel when it’s out. This kind of story is one of my favorites, and Hughes pulled it off with aplomb. Thank you for the opportunity to read it, and good luck!
I give this book a solid 4.25/5. Here is my breakdown.
Characters: 4/5. Pretty darn great. I’m a fan of the “normal person caught in the supernatural” trope, and Hughes did it well. I could feel Nicole’s terror as she faced these events without knowing why she was targeted…or even by whom. The violation of her personal everything was perfectly crafted. I look forward to learning more about the team she fell in with, though; their characterizations, while good, felt just a tad one-dimensional, probably because the story was focused so much on Nicole.
Plot/Storyline: 5/5. Bravo! I was creeped out from the beginning. The hook was effective, and the final reveal, while I (like the main character) saw it coming, was still emotionally powerful. I applaud Hughes for creating such an intricate thriller/horror and weaving it deftly.
Flow: 4.5/5. Great. I tore through this book as quickly as I could. There were sufficient slow-downs to keep it from being a madhouse, but there was always pressure, always something that needed to be done. That’s the way I like my books.
Spelling/Grammar: 4/5. There were a couple of typos in this book, but little of note. One thing I do want to mention (only because I noticed it) is that Hughes has an interesting thing he does in dialogue. Rather than using ellipses (I just…I just wanted to go.”), he uses a full period stop (I just. I just wanted to go.”). This happens a lot, and I’m not saying it’s wrong, but it’s different enough that I noted it and it caught me a few times. It’s a much more jarring transition than the ellipsis…not that I like books that are overpeppered with ellipses, either :)
Overall: 4.25/5. Very good. Very, very good. I will be reading the sequel when it’s out. This kind of story is one of my favorites, and Hughes pulled it off with aplomb. Thank you for the opportunity to read it, and good luck!
August 19, 2013
Spencer Rhys Hughes' debut novel, No Reflection, is the dark and gritty, albeit somewhat introductory, tale of an aspiring fashion designer living in New York City. Nicole's ordinary morning commute turns away from the mundane when a woman gets hit by a train right in front of Nicole's eyes. But this wasn't any accident - there was something wrong with the woman on the tracks, something...otherworldly? Nicole, not quite sure what she saw, tries to pass off the vision as a panic attack/slight mental breakdown. But when Nicole begins to feel like she is being followed, she can't help but get sucked into an underground world she never knew - or dreamed - existed.
All in all, I liked this book. The storyline for me was a little bit odd, but not in a bad way. My main complaint is that the paranormal aspect felt a little tagged on. It wasn't really necessary in the context of this book; I would have just as easily believed that the killer was a messed up human with a very messed up hobby. I do think, however, that this book is set up for a more paranormal immersed second book. If the intention was to ease the reader into out-of-the-norm ideas, just as the ideas are introduced to Nicole, I'm okay with it. If not, well...it could have been handled better.
The characters were generally likeable, though awkward at times. They all seemed to be their own people, which sounds like a strange compliment but really is meant as one. I'm interested to see how the relationships grow throughout the course of the series, to see if the characters become less of a smattering of islands and more connected as the adventure unfolds.
The was definitely a different sort of read for me because, while I read a lot of paranormal literature, this was one of the few books that truly focused (like a laser beam...) on the grotesque nature of all things evil. There was blood, guts, dirt, and whatever else one might find in the tunnels beneath NYC. It was explained in such fine detail that I could feel the filth under my nails and found myself choking at the smell. As someone who has never really lived in a city (and would have no idea of these intricacies), I really appreciate Hughes' ability to put me in the space.
No Reflections is full of fun "Easter eggs," fantastic imagery, and a film-noir type plot. It's a quick read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in sci-fi, paranormal, and horror, but a strong stomach is a must!
All in all, I liked this book. The storyline for me was a little bit odd, but not in a bad way. My main complaint is that the paranormal aspect felt a little tagged on. It wasn't really necessary in the context of this book; I would have just as easily believed that the killer was a messed up human with a very messed up hobby. I do think, however, that this book is set up for a more paranormal immersed second book. If the intention was to ease the reader into out-of-the-norm ideas, just as the ideas are introduced to Nicole, I'm okay with it. If not, well...it could have been handled better.
The characters were generally likeable, though awkward at times. They all seemed to be their own people, which sounds like a strange compliment but really is meant as one. I'm interested to see how the relationships grow throughout the course of the series, to see if the characters become less of a smattering of islands and more connected as the adventure unfolds.
The was definitely a different sort of read for me because, while I read a lot of paranormal literature, this was one of the few books that truly focused (like a laser beam...) on the grotesque nature of all things evil. There was blood, guts, dirt, and whatever else one might find in the tunnels beneath NYC. It was explained in such fine detail that I could feel the filth under my nails and found myself choking at the smell. As someone who has never really lived in a city (and would have no idea of these intricacies), I really appreciate Hughes' ability to put me in the space.
No Reflections is full of fun "Easter eggs," fantastic imagery, and a film-noir type plot. It's a quick read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in sci-fi, paranormal, and horror, but a strong stomach is a must!
January 30, 2014
Full disclosure: Mr. Hughes is a personal friend, but that does not mean I read his book any less critically, especially since I've had previous exposure to his writing, going back to high school.
This read has been a gripping tour de force. Mr. Hughes has quite deftly blended the elements that make wonderful mystery with Bram Stoker's sheer terror inducing descriptions. The plot opens with fashion designer Nicole witnessing a woman getting hit by a subway train. From there, she finds her world spiralling out of control, with reality and fantasy colliding in a veritable train wreck of perception.
Mr. Hughes writing style brings the reader along to that mental precipice. The expression of Nicole's terror and confusion saturates the narrative and the reader cannot help but spiral with her. There were honestly places where I felt as though I would fall into her terrified dream state on my own.
My criticisms of the book are mostly technical, and a fair number probably stem from the fact that it is self published and lacked the benefit of the full editorial process. The first thing I found was the appearance of the occasional typo, nothing major, but they do crop up. The biggest problem that I had with the lay out is that there are breaks between each paragraph, which, aesthetically, drives me absolutely nuts. Again, this may be a side effect of self publication, but it is something I have a problem with. That being said, there is one point, toward the end of the novel, where the paragraph breaks are combined with indentation to create a brilliant aesthetic effect, so it's not all bad.
I found the characters to be wonderfully put together, colored through Nicole's perceptive lens in ways that make them quite real. It has been quite a while since I read a book that I didn't want to put down, but No Reflection had me absolutely on the edge of my seat.
And so, my friend, kudos on your first novel. You've done great, I can't wait to read the next one. Quick word choice note though, you can't have a "cold sirocco." Sirocco is the wind that blows off the Libyan desert into southern Italy. Good idea, wrong name to pick though.
This read has been a gripping tour de force. Mr. Hughes has quite deftly blended the elements that make wonderful mystery with Bram Stoker's sheer terror inducing descriptions. The plot opens with fashion designer Nicole witnessing a woman getting hit by a subway train. From there, she finds her world spiralling out of control, with reality and fantasy colliding in a veritable train wreck of perception.
Mr. Hughes writing style brings the reader along to that mental precipice. The expression of Nicole's terror and confusion saturates the narrative and the reader cannot help but spiral with her. There were honestly places where I felt as though I would fall into her terrified dream state on my own.
My criticisms of the book are mostly technical, and a fair number probably stem from the fact that it is self published and lacked the benefit of the full editorial process. The first thing I found was the appearance of the occasional typo, nothing major, but they do crop up. The biggest problem that I had with the lay out is that there are breaks between each paragraph, which, aesthetically, drives me absolutely nuts. Again, this may be a side effect of self publication, but it is something I have a problem with. That being said, there is one point, toward the end of the novel, where the paragraph breaks are combined with indentation to create a brilliant aesthetic effect, so it's not all bad.
I found the characters to be wonderfully put together, colored through Nicole's perceptive lens in ways that make them quite real. It has been quite a while since I read a book that I didn't want to put down, but No Reflection had me absolutely on the edge of my seat.
And so, my friend, kudos on your first novel. You've done great, I can't wait to read the next one. Quick word choice note though, you can't have a "cold sirocco." Sirocco is the wind that blows off the Libyan desert into southern Italy. Good idea, wrong name to pick though.
February 4, 2017
It's probably bad form to review one's own work but I don't particularly care.
We'll start with the bad and the ugly. First, the prose is lacking in art and aesthetics. There are some great sentences but very few great pages. Word-selection and arrangement don't quite measure up to some later works by the same author (ahem). Second, some of the grammatical choices seem off in retrospect. I love a good sentence fragment or five, but sentence fragments are given strength by the flow of the sentences before and after them and often the numerous sentence fragments in No Reflection don't have that strength. Third in the "con" column: in the constant rush of the story to move forward, certain seemingly important character moments lose their gravity. The events occur without a mind to breathing space or consideration or, dare I say, reflection? Ehhhh? Ehhhhh?
On the positive end of the spectrum, however, it remains (to me) quite a page turner. There's good momentum. The pace is strong (as mentioned above: perhaps too strong). The characters are charming and endearingly fallible--more likely to screw up than to succeed, but always doing their damnedest. At least in this "reader's" opinion (ahem).
It's a very visceral story. The grotesqueries are more immediately grotesque than they seem to be in later works by the same author. No pulled punches. Terrible things happen and the prose ensures that the audience understands how terrible they are.
A deeply flawed book written by someone who is clearly an amateur. Still, despite its flaws, a decent read and a good way to introduce one's self to the world and characters in The Furies series. (And/or to introduce one's self to the clearly sick and deranged mind behind many truly disturbing tales.)
We'll start with the bad and the ugly. First, the prose is lacking in art and aesthetics. There are some great sentences but very few great pages. Word-selection and arrangement don't quite measure up to some later works by the same author (ahem). Second, some of the grammatical choices seem off in retrospect. I love a good sentence fragment or five, but sentence fragments are given strength by the flow of the sentences before and after them and often the numerous sentence fragments in No Reflection don't have that strength. Third in the "con" column: in the constant rush of the story to move forward, certain seemingly important character moments lose their gravity. The events occur without a mind to breathing space or consideration or, dare I say, reflection? Ehhhh? Ehhhhh?
On the positive end of the spectrum, however, it remains (to me) quite a page turner. There's good momentum. The pace is strong (as mentioned above: perhaps too strong). The characters are charming and endearingly fallible--more likely to screw up than to succeed, but always doing their damnedest. At least in this "reader's" opinion (ahem).
It's a very visceral story. The grotesqueries are more immediately grotesque than they seem to be in later works by the same author. No pulled punches. Terrible things happen and the prose ensures that the audience understands how terrible they are.
A deeply flawed book written by someone who is clearly an amateur. Still, despite its flaws, a decent read and a good way to introduce one's self to the world and characters in The Furies series. (And/or to introduce one's self to the clearly sick and deranged mind behind many truly disturbing tales.)
Want to read
August 6, 2014Wart Suggested
December 25, 2020
I know I finished this, but I can't remember a whole lot about it. But I'm not an avid reader, and I nevertheless finished it, so that says something to me usually.
August 20, 2015
The writing style is a little like a young adult book allowing you to read through it quickly. But the real driving force is the need to know what will happen next, what the resolution will be. The story is exciting and interesting. A real world setting for the fantastical and terrifying. I was only half way through when I pre-ordered the next book, and cant wait to see what happens next.
January 12, 2014
This was a book with lots of twists and turns, but it was the ending that brought everything together for me. I would highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews