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Ivan Amberlake
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Diary of the Gone: a paranormal suspense novella Kindle Edition

by Ivan Amberlake (Author), Yannis Karatsioris (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 161 ratings
Without a girlfriend, bullied by the Principal’s son, and haunted by the dead, Callum Blackwell thinks his life can’t get any worse. But he’s wrong.

Callum writes in a diary to stop the dead haunting him. He has seen them since he hit 9.

When The Blackwells move to the town of Olden Cross, Callum hopes to leave all the dead haunting him behind. But after the disappearance of a boy and his diary, his existence turns into hell.
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  1. Print length
    180 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    13 Jan. 2014
  5. File size
    886 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FGK1QTI
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Breakwater Harbor Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 13 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 886 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 180 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 161 ratings

About the author

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Ivan Amberlake

Ivan Amberlake

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Ivan Amberlake is the author of the paranormal fantasy THE BEHOLDER series, which includes THE BEHOLDER, PATH OF THE HERETIC (The Beholder, #2), and an AS I WAKE (AND SEE THE WORLD) short story (The Beholder, #2.5). The series will also include CREATURES OF LUMEN (book #3). He also writes about kids haunted by the dead. You can learn more at ivanamberlake[dot]weebly[dot]com.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
161 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this paranormal suspense novella to be a wonderful read. They appreciate the storyline, with one customer noting it's an interesting twist on a ghost story. The book maintains a good pace, with one customer describing it as fast-paced.

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6 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable read, with one customer noting that the story is very well written.

"...It is also thoroughly enjoyable. Well done, Ivan. Please write more!" Read more

"Wow what a wonderful read I just couldn't put it down I recommend this book to young and old mystery reader's excellent" Read more

"Good book, didn't expect the story to be like it was as the character wad quite young but I really enjoyed will read number 2 definitely :)" Read more

"Enjoyable and entertaining from start to finish. Would recommend this book to everyone. Story very well written and easy to follow." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Storyline’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this paranormal suspense novella, with one customer highlighting its interesting twist on a ghost story and another noting its good use of first-person narrative.

"...lad who is visited by ghosts, is well drawn through good use of 1st person narrative...." Read more

"...Saying that, I did enjoy it. It was a good enough story and quite spooky at times." Read more

"Original storyline, started out with much promise...liked main characters...." Read more

"Brilliantly,,written story..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Pace’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, with one describing it as fast-paced.

"...This is a fast-paced book, full of mystery and terror. It is also thoroughly enjoyable. Well done, Ivan. Please write more!" Read more

"...The pacing was good and the plot, while familiar, was well developed...." Read more

"Nice pace throughout the whole story. Enough twists and turns for snakes an ladders. Certainly kept my attention the whole way through...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • SPW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another cracking read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Having read and enjoyed 'The Beholder', I came to this book with high expectations. I'm very happy to say that 'Diary of the Gone' did not disappoint.
    Teen-aged Callum sees ghosts, he writes about them in his diary. Question is, why are the ghosts visiting him?
    Although aimed at a younger audience than 'The Beholder', 'Diary of the Gone' is certainly nail-biting at times and packs some very creepy images. Being a fan of horror, the scares in this book really appealed.
    This is a fast-paced book, full of mystery and terror. It is also thoroughly enjoyable.
    Well done, Ivan. Please write more!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stephen Hills
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good solid read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting twist on a ghost story. Callum, 15 year old bullied lad who is visited by ghosts, is well drawn through good use of 1st person narrative. Other characters were less well developed, especially Aidan and Gloria, both of which were central to the story. The pacing was good and the plot, while familiar, was well developed.

    Ivan's voice is engaging and my interest was maintained throughout.

    A few things that might have made this novel even better include:
    a) a bit more attention to proofing - there were a few missing words and typos
    b) a bit more development of some characters, especially Gloria and Aidan
    c) a little more tension and menace at the end of the story - it felt a tiny bit rushed.

    The above did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Suziblue
    3.0 out of 5 stars An ok read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is quite a short story and seems as though the author kind of rushed it along. I felt that it lacked something and there could of been more depth to it.
    Saying that, I did enjoy it. It was a good enough story and quite spooky at times.
    One person found this helpful
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  • david dee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly,,written story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Wow what a wonderful read I just couldn't put it down I recommend this book to young and old mystery reader's excellent
    One person found this helpful
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  • Claire M. White
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2014
    I really enjoyed this book!! I didn't want to put it down.

    This is the story of 15 year old Callum who sees shadows, the dead. He finds that if he writes about them in his diary they go away for a while.

    He doesn't get on with his sister who blames him for their moving to Olden Cross. So when his best friend goes missing he's on his own and when more kids start to disappear its up to him to figure out what's happening and try to unravel the mystery of Olden Cross with the help of the shadows.

    I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lydia Kaminski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Good book, didn't expect the story to be like it was as the character wad quite young but I really enjoyed will read number 2 definitely :)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • David Jolly
    3.0 out of 5 stars Like father, like son, not.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Nice pace throughout the whole story. Enough twists and turns for snakes an ladders. Certainly kept my attention the whole way through. Those of a nervous disposition should stay away or keep the light on at night.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Suze56
    3.0 out of 5 stars Started well...then
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Original storyline, started out with much promise...liked main characters. The ending for me made it to unbelievable and left me asking to many questions. Didn't come together well so a bit disappointing
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Raymond Mathiesen
    5.0 out of 5 stars The fear inside manifest…
    Reviewed in Australia on 1 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Callum is plagued by visions of the Gone, those doomed to die. Tortured by the experiences he understandably has trouble coping. In a bid to move him to a more peaceful environment his family have moved to Olden Cross, a hick town on the edge of a swamp. But the visions do not end, and worse yet, teenagers seem to have started disappearing.

    This novel really was a great read. The plot has no dull spots and the story moves along swiftly, keeping you intrigued, and then on the edge of their seat.

    Callum is a likable 15 year old, with the same desires and troubles as many guys of that age: he wants a girlfriend; he fights with his older sister; he has to put up with bullies. We instantly feel that we would like to know him. We are on his side and want him to overcome his troubles. Beverly is convincing as an older sister. She definitely has a mind of her own and spirit. She understandably has trouble accepting her brother, who after all seems to her to be a bit weird.

    While this is a paranormal thriller, it is also a novel about coming of age. How can we overcome ordinary life problems? How do we cope with circumstances like an absent father? Will we rise to meet life's challenges, or will we be a "sissy-pants"?

    This book will definitely appeal to the young and young at heart. It will also definitely appeal to guys, although girls will find plenty of female characters in it to relate to.

    I really did like this book. Paranormal is one things, but as I have tried to say there is more than that in it to recommend it. I really do think it is worth 5 stars.
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  • Mary Fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy little ghost story
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Diary of the Gone is a creepy little horror novella about a fifteen-year-old boy, Callum, who sees ghosts of the dead. The only thing he can do to keep them away is write about them in his diary - which is what the title refers to (he calls the ghosts "the gone"). But then, his visions start touching the real world when a boy from his school vanishes, and he starts seeing the boy's ghosts. And when Callum's own friends start disappearing, he realizes he can't run from his curse any longer...

    Ivan Amberlake is a fine writer with a gift for bringing settings and emotions to life and transport you into his world. The haunted environment in which Diary of the Gone takes place ... creepy swamps, chilling spirits, shiver-inducing visions... really stand out, and Callum's sometimes tortured, sometimes deadpan, always tense voice makes him come alive. And the plot intrigue - the disappearing kids, secrets from the past - keep the story moving forward. It's a short, quick read, and I enjoyed every moment.

    As far as young adult books go (and I've been reading a LOT lately), Diary of the Gone slides right into the category while avoiding the pitfalls that often come with it. No overlong whining here - the tight nature of the novella won't allow for it. While the premise (boy seeing dead people) isn't totally original, it hardly matters in this context. I love a good ghost story, and sometimes, I just want a good old-fashioned chiller. And what was great about this book was that it wasn't TOO horror-y. There were plenty of scares, but no gratuitous gore or violence. The fear was achieved through suspense rather than shock, which was great.

    So if you're looking for a quick, creepy paranormal read, I highly recommend that you give Diary of the Gone a try.
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  • Lynxie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great mysterious horror
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Diary of the Gone had some great twists. I wasn't sure to start with who was doing what, if it was all in Callum's head or not.

    Ivan is blessed with being able to write quite good imagery into his scenes. There were some really creepy scenes, almost to the point where my skin was crawling. This was particularly applicable when reading about the images of the dead Callum could see.

    On the whole, the characters were very likeable. Callum, a 15-year-old boy who sees the dead, was surprisingly amusing in his own way. I liked the barbed comments between him and Beverly, his sister. I would have liked to see a bit more substance to a couple of the characters though. In particular, Vivian and Callum's mum.

    I think the story was great, the ideas fresh and the writing did the story and characters justice, but I would have liked more detail about the victims - conditions the victims stayed in too. The ending was very quick - perhaps a little too quick, I would have liked it a little more drawn out. Especially when speaking about the climax. It was all over very quickly and I think it left a lot missing.

    Ultimately, this book read like a cross between The ghost whisperer and Harry Potter, particularly the character of Harry in The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

    I'm not sure if this would fit into the Young Adult genre. The protagonist is young, but the content is a bit too graphic for YA audiences. Perhaps it's a better fit for New Adult?

    The story does need an editor to fix up a few structural issues and some minor line editing and proofing.

    A few things I noticed:

    3% - ...owned (up) to it?"
    He just put something in the microwave then leaves the house... Even silly young boys would be likely to stop the microwave before leaving.

    76% - ..her die?" I (delete I, add she) asked.
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  • Indyguy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Better suited for younger readers
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    OK. Better suited for younger readers.
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  • Sheri A. Wilkinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Awesome. A great paranormal read, truly fabulous!
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Diary of the Gone by Ivan Amberlake

    When The Blackwells move to the town of Olden Cross, Fifteen year old Callum's life is not the best for him. He is bullied, haunted by dead people and not to happy about the move. But he does makes some friends.

    Soon his friends begin to disappear and so does "The Diary Of The Gone". It is a diary that has a mind of its own, nothing good seems to come out of that diary. Will Callum be able to figure out what is going on? What (if anything) is the connection to the disappearances and the diary? Will he be able to face "the Gone" and save his friends?

    A well written short story. I really liked Callum. He is an average teen, bullied, just wanting to fit in and have a happy life. The story is very original, not your usual ghost story. The pace is swift, exciting and captivating. A definite all night read!

    I also liked the cover, very eye-catching. I feel that young-adult as well as adult readers who love a great ghost/paranormal story will enjoy Diary of the Gone. I highly recommend to all.
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