Driven to the Hilt: The Deepest Cut - Softcover

Lamb, D G

Softcover

ISBN 10: 099932750X ISBN 13: 9780999327500

Publisher: Calyse Publishing, 2017

Synopsis

WINNER!!

2018 Literary Classics Gold Seal for Young Adult Science Fiction - “...a wildly thrilling page-turner that will keep readers in suspense clear to the last page and beyond.”

WINNER!! 2018 Independent Author's Network Outstanding Science Fiction

“...a wildly thrilling page-turner that will keep readers in suspense clear to the last page and beyond.”

Already a social outcast because of his father’s alleged betrayal, young Joshua finds himself trapped outside the mining colony on the planet of Cypress Grove. He faces a murky rainforest infested with a creature so deadly, it has kept all humans confined inside their only settlement for decades. If he can manage to escape these alien wilds, he must then brave the even darker dangers of the colony’s underworld.

It is a tale of survival, a premature coming of age in an environment demanding resiliency, inventiveness, and self-reliance. But when teetering on the sharp edge of stark choices, decisions of life or death, can Joshua afford to consider questions of right and wrong, or does expediency rule the day?

Debut author D G Lamb, a clinical neuropsychologist, uses his understanding of posttraumatic stress symptoms to inject psychological authenticity and complexity into Joshua's personality, creating a wounded, but endearing central character.

FIVE 5-star Readers Favorite reviews!!

“...one of the most original and well-told stories I’ve ever read.” - SC

“For a debut, Driven to the Hilt is a great success...” and “...a gripping sci-fi that will enthrall readers.”- RD

“Cypress Grove is a stunning world packed with enough of the alien to feel different while still having enough similarities to Earth to be relatable.” - CLF

“...a debut novel that brilliantly introduces a series with huge promise of entertainment.” - RO

“The unpredictable story arc was probably my favorite aspect. I’m not exaggerating when I say the story plot took 5 or 6 turns into directions that I had not predicted. There were even a couple of times that I was unsure if I liked the direction it was going. But, then a few pages later, I was completely hooked again and marveling at how much I was enjoying what was happening.” - SC

“The action is intense and the psychological aspect of the story comes out brilliantly.” - RO

“By the end of the book, every experience that Joshua is forced to endure, and every character that he is forced to interact with all come together. It’s like a great impressionistic painting. When you look at it up close you see lots of beautiful colors, but when you step back and look at the finished product you find yourself in awe at how all the colors come together. That’s how I felt at the end of Driven to the Hilt: The Deepest Cut.” - SC

“It is emotionally intense and it is hard not to feel for the protagonist ...watching him grow through the challenges is delightful.” - RO

“This enjoyable novel is the perfect Christmas gift for kids to learn the life lesson that nothing is impossible if you put your mind, heart and soul into it.” - RT

About this title

About the Author

D G Lamb is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist. His day job involves helping people to become more independent after some type of neurological injury. In addition to a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, he has a Master's in Art Therapy. He has also worked with law enforcement officers to deal with PTSD after critical incidents. While recovering from prostate cancer surgery, his son suggested he try his hand at creative writing. Although his professional experiences certainly informed aspects of this story, he also drew upon his love of cooking and backpacking the mountain trails of Arizona (where unlike Cypress Grove, it rarely rains). This is his debut novel.

Review

Bronze Medal Winner!  UK's 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Teenagers Category)                             Finalist! Realm Makers Alliance Award.
 
Quarter Finalist!  The Booklife Prize of Publishers Weekly.

FIVE 5-star Readers' Favorite reviews!
 
"...a debut novel that brilliantly introduces a series with huge promise of entertainment." - R Oserio, Readers' Favorite
 
"D G Lamb builds an intricate, dystopian world... creates a unique reading experience that highlights the characters' actions and emotions... (and the) characters are well fleshed-out... we easily root forJoshua." 9.5/10  Booklife Prize of Publisher's Weekly
 
"...one of the most original and well-told stories I've ever read." - Scott Cahan, Blogger/Book Reviewer
 
"There are twists and turns around every corner... Pure engagement!*****" - Leonard Tillerman, Blogger/Book reviewer
 
"Cypress Grove is a stunning world packed with enough of the alien to feel different while still having enough similarities to Earth to be relatable." - CL Farley, Readers' Favorite
 
"The unpredictable story arc was probably my favorite aspect... the story plot took 5 or 6 turns into directions that I had not predicted. There were even a couple of times that I was unsure if I liked the direction it was going. But, then a few pages later, I was completely hooked again and marveling at how much I was enjoying what was happening." - Scott Cahan
 
"The action is intense and the psychological aspect of the story comes out brilliantly... it is hard not to feel for the protagonist ...watching him grow through the challenges is delightful." - R Oserio
 
 "Lamb does an outstanding job of displaying Joshua's evolving worldliness while still maintaining a childlike sense of innocence about the character." - CL Farley, Readers' Favorite
 
"Author D.G. Lamb has a smooth yet intelligent style of writing." - Scott Cahan
 
"Driven to the Hilt [is] a memorable series, but what makes it truly unique is Lamb's use of font changes for different characters and large spaces for dramatic pauses. This 'Dynamic Formatting' is very effective in many instances, yet it's subtle enough that a reader who dislikes it shouldn't be overly distracted." - CL Farley
 
"D G Lamb knows how to make the reader keep on turning the pages..." - R Oserio

"If you enjoy reading about wilderness survival on a new planet, political intrigue and conspiracies, and mysteries from the past, you will definitely enjoy Driven to the Hilt: The Deepest Cut. The book does not "read young" at all, so older readers will enjoy Joshua's adventures (and misadventures). With a balance between the grittiness of real life and the resilience of hope, Joshua's story offers more than just an entertaining escape, but an inviting illustration of the sorts of moral choices we all make. Who do we want to be? What defines us? Are there things more important than mere survival?"  Yaasha Moriah, Science Fiction & Fantasy blogger

Edition details

• Publisher: Calyse Publishing
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 099932750X
• ISBN 13: 9780999327500
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 290