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WORK TITLE: Dead Links
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://joshuaingle.com/
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RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Male.
EDUCATION:University of Central Florida, M.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
WRITINGS
Contributor of short fiction to anthologies, including CLONES: The Anthology (“Frontiers of Speculative Fiction” Book 1), 2016; OCEANS: The Anthology (“Frontiers of Speculative Fiction” Book 2), 2017; UnCommon Minds: A Collection of AIs, Dreamwalkers, and Other Psychic Mysteries (“UnCommon Anthologies” Book 3), 2017; UnCommon Evil: A Collection of Nightmares, Demonic Creatures, and UnImaginable Horrors (“UnCommon Anthologies” Book 6), 2018.
SIDELIGHTS
Science-fiction and horror writer Joshua Ingle publishes short stories and novels. He said on his homepage: “Every story I write is a story with a purpose. I write to entertain you with ethical and philosophical crises, packaged in nail-biting thriller and mystery story lines, taking place in super-detailed story worlds.” Ingle holds a master’s degree in film from the University of Central Florida.
The Thorn Saga
Ingle wrote the multi-volume The Thorn Saga, a philosophical thriller about a demon with a change of heart. His 2017 omnibus collecting five volumes of the saga tells the story of Thorn, a powerful and ruthless demon, revered by all, operating in Atlanta. His job is to whisper in humans’ ears and guide them toward murder and destruction. His ancient demonic adversary, Marcus, returns from exile with a legion of demons to attack Thorn and leave him powerless. Thorn begins to have second thoughts about demon-kind’s actions and purpose. Thorn gathers fellow rebels to search for answers, which bring him in confrontation with God, Satan, vengeful angels, and blood-thirsty humans.
In a review online at Horror News, a critic found much to like about the book, praising Ingle’s use of complex concepts and scenarios, vignettes of human foibles like temptation, metaphorical messages, and ultimately offering something for every reader. The critic added: “Refusing to subscribe to a conventional formula of over saturated premises that work on the best seller list, this author creates a very fresh, innovative plot outline that will appeal to a massive audience whether a new reader or even the most jaded.” On the other hand, a reviewer on the Teal Deer Reviews website concluded that the book is “an interesting premise bogged down by philosophical wanderings, a vague plot, and unrealistic characters.” In the beginning, Thorn’s change of heart seemed rushed, and there are many paragraphs of ethical and philosophical musing, added the reviewer.
Damnetha Jules explained on the Horror Palace website that while the book touches on many familiarities, it also seems different and original. Jules continued: “Ingle focused on a specific crowd, and he definitely followed a story he has a lot of passion for, which is something I respect him for. He stayed consistent and delivered a very intriguing omnibus, even if it does maintain a dark intensity for the most part.” Contributing to the Port Jericho website, reviewer Aislynn D. Merricksson noted that some of the dialog felt stilted and the action was more telling than showing, however, the story “poses philosophical questions regarding the nature of good and evil, and if those things are ever truly set in stone. …Worth considering if you enjoy stories grounded in Christian mythology, or tales of moral quandary.”
Dead Links
In 2018, Ingle published Dead Links, a hybrid murder mystery and science fiction tale set twenty years in the future in Los Angeles. Private investigator Guy Rosen has been hired to learn who murdered Emilio Cassano, CEO of a global technology company. In this time, people have implants that let them communicate telepathically and can assume different identities. Although security footage has been erased, Rosen’s list of suspects starts with Cassano’s drunken and morose playboy son, Juan, and all of the Mafia-like Cassano family in general. Then Juan unexpectedly kills a member of Rosen’s team as Rosen is learning devastating Cassano family secrets.
With a nod to the works of Philip K. Dick, Ingle “writes in a sly, immersive prose that mixes detective novel grit with cyberpunk philosophizing,” according to a writer in Kirkus Reviews. The first act is formulaic and some characters are archetypes, however, the story arc is intriguing and the world Ingle creates is “compelling enough to keep readers invested in their fates,” said the writer.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2018, review of Dead Links.
ONLINE
Horror News, http://horrornews.net/ (July 2, 2017), review of The Thorn Saga.
Horror Palace, https://www.horrorpalace.com/ (August 3, 2017), Damnetha Jules, review of The Thorn Saga.
Joshua Ingle website, http://joshuaingle.com (August 1, 2018), author profile.
Port Jericho, http://www.aislynndmerricksson.com/ (July 13, 2018) Aislynn D. Merricksson, review of The Thorn Saga.
Teal Deer Reviews, https://tealdeerreviews.wordpress.com/ (May 24, 2016), review of The Thorn Saga.
About Me
IMG_9598_smallI’m a pathologically curious fantasy, horror, and sci-fi geek who moonlights as a film/TV enthusiast and wishes I were a scientist. I’m a big fan of this awesome and mysterious universe that we find ourselves in, and one of my favorite things to do is learn as much about it as I can and share my findings with kind gentlefolk such as yourself. In both my own work and in the stuff I read, I gravitate toward envelope-pushing, mind-bending ideas that challenge common assumptions.
Every story I write is a story with a purpose. I write to entertain you with ethical and philosophical crises, packaged in nail-biting thriller and mystery story lines, taking place in super-detailed story worlds. And I write to open your mind, and my own mind, to new ideas. Many, but not all, of my stories feature dark and ominous atmospheres, which is basically the opposite of my real-life personality. (Or at least, I’ve never heard anyone describe me as dark and ominous. But I certainly look pretty ominous in my picture on the top right, right?)
You’ll also notice my affinity for science in my books—even the fantasy ones. I can’t say I’m even an armchair expert in any particular subject, but I’m particularly keen on astronomy, cosmology, particle physics, artificial intelligence, and futurology. I could geek out with you for hours (or days? years? my entire life?) talking about all kinds of eclectic stuff.
My favorite book is A Storm of Swords, my hero is Neil deGrasse Tyson, and my favorite pastime is taking long walks on the beach. Preferably with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Also, for whatever it’s worth, I hold a master’s degree in film from the University of Central Florida. I still dabble in the film world a bit on the side.
The bottom line: writing fiction is my passion in life, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to share my stories with you.
Thanks for visiting, and if you want to chat over e-mail, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at joshthestoryteller@gmail.com.
Ingle, Joshua: DEAD LINKS
Kirkus Reviews.
(Mar. 1, 2018): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Ingle, Joshua DEAD LINKS City Starlight Press (Indie Fiction) $9.99 1, 2 ISBN: 978-1-943569-09-0
A sci-fi crime novel introduces a private eye up against revolutionary technology.
In near-future Los Angeles, people have implants that allow them to communicate telepathically with technology--though these are as susceptible to malware as their antecedent PCs--but some things are still done the old-fashioned way. Licensed private investigator Guy Rosen is all about the thrill of the chase, and he loves nothing so much as a good mystery. The sudden death of tech mogul Emilio Cassano, however, may be more than even Guy can handle. Emilio's police-averse brother, Claud, hires Guy and his partners to prove that Emilio's volatile son, Juan, is behind the murder. Guy prefers to keep an open mind, considering all of the Cassano family members and allowing himself to fall under Juan's tragic magnetism. "We could have gone to the stars," opines Juan of humanity's follies, "but instead we invented a better pair of glasses." When Juan unexpectedly kills a member of Guy's team in cold blood, the gumshoe is forced to reconsider his position. The Cassano case goes much deeper than he realized, and Guy must follow it into the heart of humans' evolving notions of reality and identity. Ingle (A God to Fear, 2016, etc.) writes in a sly, immersive prose that mixes detective novel grit with cyberpunk philosophizing. "Our obsession with the supremacy of the self has made our lives so competitive, difficult, and unbalanced that for our own identities to blur means that we can forget ourselves and rejoin the group," muses one suspect, an acting teacher reprimanded for implanting his students with new identities. "It means freedom." The rather formulaic first act quickly gives way to a much more intriguing story arc that owes more to Philip K. Dick than Raymond Chandler. Most of the characters still fit snugly into archetypes, but the world through which Ingle guides them is compelling enough to keep readers invested in their fates. The final act is a true page-turner, and the ending is as surprising as it is bold.
Starring an appealing gumshoe, this ambitious hybrid punches above its weight.
1 of 2 7/14/18, 11:00 PM
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Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Ingle, Joshua: DEAD LINKS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Mar. 2018. Book Review Index Plus,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A528959727/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=e813c566. Accessed 14 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A528959727
2 of 2 7/14/18, 11:00 PM
Book Review: The Thorn Saga – Author Joshua Ingle
Horrornews.net 07/02/2017 Book Reviews
THE THORN SAGA
The Complete Epic Story
By: Joshua Ingle
665 Pages
Thorn is a demon to be reckoned with. Revered by the ominous and feared by one and all he vies to dominate the human soul market. One day his very core existence is threatened when he’s attacked and his days of possession and murderous carnage may be numbered. The origin of his onslaught is discovered to be an age old adversary by the name of Marcus. The Thorn Saga is the life and times of an unlikely protagonist under hellfire and brimstone. Will Thorn be able to rise above the seemingly insurmountable odds of one Marcus and his legion of followers? One thing that is not open for debate, surely there will be hell to pay.
One of the most exciting and engaging things about being a novel critic especially within the horror genre is getting the one in a life time opportunity to explore the efforts of a vast variety of authors. If reading exclusively for leisure I may not have been graced with such incredible talent that I wouldn’t have stumbled upon otherwise.
Dabbling in creative waters myself I can safely state that writing a novel is no easy feat. The author suddenly becomes most vulnerable in expressing a little bit of their heart and soul with each submission. They’re susceptible to brutal criticism and in some cases empty praise. I have nothing but great admiration and respect for the craft and the people passionately putting their endeavors forward.
Perhaps what is most noteworthy about author Joshua Ingle’s The Thorn Saga is the sheer formidable bulk in page volume. A staggering six hundred and sixty five pages embodies the odyssey of one Thorn. Where most contemporary releases of today tip the page count at around two hundred fifty to three hundred pages, Ingle unleashes a beast of a horror tale and refuses to relent until the very final paragraph.
The Thorn Saga is an infectious read oozing of stylistic prose to possession your attention from page one. An almost intimidating page count becomes nonconsequential as the reading audience gravitates further and further into the fray. The Saga works on its own and kudos to the author for presenting it in this fashion. Each of the volumes Thorn, A Demon In The Dark, Sanctuary, The Devil’s Secret and A God To Fear could have just as readily been marketed as stand-alone novellas. I especially admire the fact we’re personally invited to get the full scope on our unlikely protagonist until the bitter end.
Ingle seems to understand and have a firm grasp upon his market. Refusing to subscribe to a conventional formula of over saturated premises that work on the best seller list, this author creates a very fresh, innovative plot outline that will appeal to a massive audience whether a new reader or even the most jaded. There’s a little something for everyone within these pages and Ingle brilliantly and unapologetically exploits it all along the way.
I was particularly fond of the vignettes of humanary consumption revolving around temptation. Whether it’s the self-loathing Amy or virtuous Madeline gone astray or even the suicidal Jada, as the reader gets a glimpse of the interpersonal relationship between human and demon a prominent subtext is undeniable. The parallels of these encounters into our everyday waking lives somehow manifests The Thorn Saga into a plausible tale, if even only on a metaphorical level. We morph into the tempted and breathe the story on a vicarious level. Ingle’s ability to capture the empathy experience is flawless. As a result the integrity of even a far-fetched tale is never really questioned.
The author’s presentation of virtual mythical type entities is indicative of a great deal of research put into drafting this epic tale. His applied knowledge of archangels, their heavenly counter parts, the commandments and damnation is impressive. One of the carnal rules of writing is write about what you know. It’s refreshing to see such complex concepts, scenarios and circumstances laid out in such laymen fashion that any demographic can readily digest it.
Engaging in The Thorn Saga does take commitment, one cannot deny. However when prompted with the question of recommendations to an author that readers may not have been exposed to previously the answer would be a unanimous Joshua Ingle. I’m certain to keep an eye out for this promising young talent and pray to be given the gift of an additional release.
The Thorn Saga (Book Review)
August 3, 2017 By Horror Palace Leave a Comment
The Thorn Saga is a deep dark, five book series by Joshua Ingle, and what a dark saga it is. Even though it touches on so many familiarities, it still seems different and very original in so many ways. However, I suggest NOT tying any expectations to the book, unless they speak to the talents of Mr. Ingle. And I say this because the book does have a peculiar way of evolving.
Thorn is one of the several demons (fallen angels) roaming the earth, unable to enjoy the same pleasures humans do. Their purpose is to “guide” souls to the wrong side of the tracks by whispering directly to their thoughts and influencing their decisions. Murder, suicide and all that is evil has to be the end-message of the day.
The story plays out in Atlanta, where Thorn is higher up the food chain. He is the guy in charge of keeping the evil brewing until he finds himself powerless, alone and vulnerable. An old enemy has made his return, which means Thorn will have to fight his way back to power. The only problem is the changes Thorn is going through, making it difficult to decide between following his revenge or growing a conscience.
I have to say I love the concept of the book. Putting demons in a different perspective and making them connect with living people through a “mafia” type situation really works for me. But instead of an Italian crime lord, it is an ex-angel with a score to settle. So, in terms of being original, I am definitely giving Ingle two thumbs up.
I found Ingle’s style of writing and execution quite intriguing, and I want to say it leans more towards the type of author who gathers a devoted cult following, as supposed to going with a more relaxed and commercial tone. It is rather intense and it fits perfectly with the premise of the story, which is another solid point I give Ingle. If I have to sum up his style in one word, it would be “dramatic”, which can be good or bad depending on your personal taste.
Going over to character development, there is more than enough to go around, which is also why I asked in the beginning not to tie certain expectations to the theme or title of the book. As much as the plot draws the reader and as original as it is, I felt it was more of a character driven story. It is the internal struggle Ingle focuses on with extra attention, ultimately creating a very dark, intense, slow and bittersweet story.
In terms of length and pacing, the are many tiny details to consume page after page, and it can feel like it often creeps slowly along. Once again, this can be good or bad depending on what you like. I recommend this book to avid readers who love experiencing every minute detail. However, once the book gets going, it is hard to put down, noting that Ingle goes to great lengths to make his Atlanta believable.
On the other side of the coin, Ingle is very daring in the way he approaches religion. While I personally thought there was a very interesting showdown, which I will not discuss for fear of giving away spoilers, I do not think all readers are going to appreciate it as much.
At the same time, readers should be warned that the language, violence, and sexual content are intense and very crude. If you are sensitive to these elements, it is probably not the book for you. However, I did not expect anything less from Ingle, given the dark nature of the overall story. Ingle did not limit himself to our reality, while his story was taking place somewhere completely different. In other words, he did not try to change the natural order of things, because it will take away from the authenticity he has created.
Ingle focused on a specific crowd, and he definitely followed a story he has a lot of passion for, which is something I respect him for. He stayed consistent and delivered a very intriguing omnibus, even if it does maintain a dark intensity for the most part. It is definitely an omnibus I will be personally recommending to some particular people I know.
Damnetha-Jules-Horror-Palace-Review
$15.95
The Thorn Saga
Joshua Ingle
City Starlight Press (2017)
ISBN 9781943569069
Reviewed by Skyler Boudreau for Reader Views (10/17)
“The Thorn Saga” by Joshua Ingle is a five book series that follows the redemption arc of Thorn, the most powerful demon of Atlanta. In this novel, invisible demons spend their time orchestrating heinous acts to gain prestige among their peers. They are unable to interact with the physical world and instead rely upon their own cunning to manipulate human puppets into war and genocide. This is a novel that turns the phrase “devil on your shoulder” into something literal.
“The Thorn Saga” is a heavily character-driven novel that will force the reader to think. Internal conflicts outnumber external ones and the plot itself is a bit on the slow side in the first four books. In the final installment all the pieces come together to paint a perfect conclusion and answer most of the remaining questions a reader may have. That being said, a reader who desires a more action-packed and fast-paced novel should look elsewhere.
The first two parts, “Thorn” and “A Demon in the Dark” focus on Thorn both discovering and coming to terms with who he wants to be. “Sanctuary” and “The Devil’s Secret” follow him as he figures out how to be that person, and the conclusion, “A God to Fear” finds him fighting for the right to be an individual. While Thorn’s character development alone is astounding and emotional to read, the journeys of the other main characters are equally profound.
Joshua Ingle does a fantastic job demonstrating both internal battles of his characters and the complexities of the different spirit societies. His ideas are unique and innovative, relying on a subtle kind of action. While it pales in comparison to all the positives, some of his world-building contradicts itself. For example, the demons are unable to interact with the physical world. They pass through solid objects they try to touch, but there are several scenes, specifically in the third novel, where they suddenly lose this ability and can be trapped inside rooms. It’s small things like this that undermine the foundations he’s laid down for this world.
“The Thorn Saga” is a series I found incredibly rewarding to read. It’s a new take on a common trope and I appreciated the subtleties of the plot throughout all five books. Doing a bind-up of the entire series makes them easier to read and provides immediate answers for the questions raised at the end of each individual book. Anyone tired of the angel/demon tropes we see so often in literature should pick up this book for a refreshing read. A dark, philosophical thriller following the redemption of the irredeemable, “The Thorn Saga” by Joshua Ingle is a fascinating story that will leave the reader questioning what they themselves stand for.
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Dead Links
Joshua Ingle
City Starlight Press (2018)
ISBN 9781943569083
Reviewed by Skyler Boudreau for Reader Views (3/18)
“Dead Links” by Joshua Ingle is a dual-perspective sci-fi thriller revolving around the murder of Emilio Cassano, the man behind a global corporate empire. With no witnesses to the murder and only a series of increasingly perplexing clues to guide him, private investigator Guy Rosen finds himself just as deep in the dark as the rest of the mysterious Cassano family.
Joshua Ingle brings readers twenty years into the future on the gritty streets of L. A., where technology has been integrated into nearly all areas of everyday life. Ingle uses this technology-dependent world to explore the dangers of addiction and its effect on society. Woven into an engaging mystery, this important message is clearly stated and could be applied to anything used in excess.
The plot is full of twists and turns. A complicated family dynamic adds to the mystery of Cassano’s murder, and the reader has no idea who they should trust. Everyone has something to hide and each new piece of information fuels the tension in an already strange situation.
Readers follow two narrators in two separate timelines. Guy Rosen takes them through the present story, and depressed former millionaire Alan Kornick guides them through an earlier one. Alternating between first-person (for Guy) and third-person (for Alan) adds an interesting flavor to the novel. I do have one criticism of this technique; it was not made clear that these two narrations were taking place during different time periods until the end. I was left frustrated upon the revelation. That made it seem purely like a plot device and took away from both POV’s in my opinion.
I found the overall pace of “Dead Links” a bit strange. The first half of the novel is slow and provides most of the information readers need about this futuristic L.A., and the second half, where most of the action takes place, is much faster. The shift itself is sudden but handled effectively. I wasn’t a fan of some of the dialogue. There are large sections of it that read awkwardly, because they are packed with information solely for the readers’ benefit. These passages are partly responsible for the slow pacing in the beginning of the novel.
“Dead Links” by Joshua Ingle is a sci-fi novel different from any others I’ve read before. The author was a little heavy-handed with his message for my taste, but I did enjoy seeing the topic of addiction discussed in this setting. It’s something I wish more speculative fiction did. This novel brings a message of modern danger from the future in a way that is engaging and keeps readers interested! It’s a great way for any new reader to ease into the sci-fi genre.
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Book Review: Thorn Saga (Book 1 & 2) by Joshua Ingle
cover85356-medium
Teal Deer: An interesting premise bogged down by philosophical wanderings, a vague plot, and unrealistic characters.
The Thorn Saga follows a demon named Thorn, who’s spent the past centuries since his fall from Heaven tormenting humans into suicide, murder, and other unsavoury crimes. While waiting to take the credit for a murder-suicide, Thorn is struck down by a friend-turned-enemy, Marcus, and is set on a path towards renouncing his demonic behaviour and maybe, just maybe, becoming an angel again.
Both books are very short (80 pages for the first one and 100 pages for the second, approximately) and suffer somewhat for it; in the first book Thorn’s beginning change of heart is extremely abrupt, even though a good chunk of the story is devoted to paragraphs of ethical and philosophical musing. Nothing really happens outside of this, and the characters we’re introduced to have no real depth. I personally found the Judge jarringly annoying, with dialogue that rang hollow and seemed completely out of place, and the dialogue written for Shenzuul (an African demon) is cringe-worthy. It’s barely above ‘me Tarzan, you Jane’ level. To be honest, the demons all seemed petty and childish, but I didn’t get the feeling that this was done on purpose; maybe I’m just looking for more awe-inspiring and badass in my supernatural creatures and less of the annoying parts of humanity. The humans themselves are just names with no real depth to them, except possibly for Amy. Thorn whispers bad things to them and then they die.
Ingle isn’t a bad writer, however. He’s created an interesting story that could ask some good questions about morality and whether bad people can become good again, but it both drags and is over too fast. There was really no reason to split the story into two books except for the sake of a cliffhanger. Ingle has promise, but he needs to tighten up his stories and give the reader more of a reason to get emotionally invested.
Full disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.
Thorn by Joshua Ingle is first in the Thorn Saga and follows the demon Thorn. This Netgalley copy actually contains the first two books in the series. Thorn rules supreme in Atlanta, Georgia, commanding an army of lesser demons. He and his wreak havoc among the spiritual landscape, subverting humans as they please. That all ends when Thorn finds his powers gone, just when an old rival enters the scene. As one might expect of demons, Thorn’s minions and ‘allies’ flee his side, abandoning their now weak leader.
Bereft of his powers, Thorn begins to question everything he thinks he knows. He begins to desire to change- to be good, something no self-respecting demon would want. Desperate to protect those he’s come to care about, Thorn takes matters into his own hands. He earns his place back as head of Atlanta’s demons, though part of the price to pay for this uneasy truce is that Thorn must take a demon named Shenzuul under wing, teaching him how to corrupt humans. But Shenzuul isn’t all he appears and Thorn’s rival isn’t as diminished as hoped. No, he has a most unpleasant plan in mind.
This reminds me somewhat of Crowley in Supernatural, as the King of Hell began to gain a soft spot for the Winchesters, and became more willing to inadvertently help humanity through helping the Winchesters (though they rarely seemed grateful for his assistance when given, no matter how useful it may have been). Of course, Crowley helping them started as self-serving behaviour, but he definitely changed, just as Thorn begins to change. Crowley doesn’t really have the moral dilemma Thorn does, at least he didn’t til the Winchesters tried turning him human. Despite that, Crowley does adhere to a strict code of ethics as he defines them. Thorn seems to begin doing likewise.
I found the storyline interesting. It poses philosophical questions regarding the nature of good and evil, and if those things are ever truly set in stone. Thorn certainly starts out very much on the evil side. He’s thoroughly unlikable. Sad to say, he never really grew on me. He may have, if I’d continued with the series, but I wasn’t motivated. There were parts where the dialogue felt stilted, and parts where action seemed bogged by more telling than showing, which lost my engagement at times.
Worth considering if you enjoy stories grounded in Christian mythology, or tales of moral quandary.
***Many thanks to Netgalley and City Starlight Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.