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Another Home Run by Luke Smitherd

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Zia Tiger

January 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I was first introduced to Luke Smitherd through The Stone Man. I've read a lot of his other works and really enjoy the stories and worlds he creates. In Do Anything (Tales of the Unusual) Smitherd continues his excellent story telling. While the book starts off oddly, not many books start with the chapter "Closure", it is an engaging read. Even though Do Anything is Sci-Fi, don't let that dissuade you from reading it if you are not into Sci-Fi, to me it's more human nature and a comment on society and where it is possibly heading.

If I could give half stars I would give it a 4.5, mainly due to length, 84 pages is not a lot for $2.99. However just because it is short doesn't mean that it doesn't deliver. It will definitely leave you wanting to discuss the book with others. I would highly recommend it for a book club, for there are a lot of great discussions waiting at the end of the book.

Also I would highly recommend reading the rest of Smitherd's other books. Each one is an incredible read. Smitherd is definitely a hidden gem in the literary world and I would also like to point out that he is in the running for Audiobook of the Year 2015 (UK) for The Stone Man, competing with the likes of J.K. Rolwing and Stephen King.

5 people found this helpful

Tense and Totally Enthralling

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katrina

January 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

So tense and totally enthralling. So much going on in this book- the experiences and back-stories, and timeline changes, and the changing views make for a very, very exciting read. This author really knows how to weave a tale using alternate universes to make the reader question everything around them, and every decision they make, right down to the minutia and routine. If you can become so engaged in a piece of literature that you walk away from every read still contemplating what was written, throughout the day, then you know you've found an author to stick with. Luke Smitherd is this author- he never disappoints, and his imagination and style make him one of the best new authors out there today. His other books have the same powerful grasp, too- always exciting to get new stories from his extraordinary mind! Thank you and keep 'em coming, Smitherd!

3 people found this helpful

Do Anything is a book with two disturbing stories

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FrCl

January 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Do Anything is a collection of two stories in which the characters find themselves in circumstances beyond their control and beyond their belief.

In Closure, Gary and Carla are a normal, loving couple. Something completely abnormal happens and Gary must decide if he will Do Anything to make things right again. What he has to do makes him question his long-held belief system and his definition of morality.

In Your Name is in the Book, the people of the world are finally given the opportunity to live in peace and prosperity, but some must pay a high price if they don't meet the standards of the new world.

Both stories have a surreal feeling about them. Things are happening to the characters that they can't quite believe, and to the author's credit, readers can easily put themselves into the shoes of the characters and understand the terrible choices they must make. It is quite discomforting to picture yourself in their situations and wonder what choices you would make. Would you really Do Anything to get what you needed at the expense of others?

3 people found this helpful

Wonderful stories! Closure

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Drac1968

January 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wonderful stories! Closure , was my favorite story in Do Anything. I think anybody would do the same, if given the choice. And I believe anybody would recognize that everything is still the same, even if they knew the truth. YNIITB, was a concept that I have never read before. I actually made notes throughout the story of what I thought was happening and was going to happen. I was wrong EVERY time! Luke Smitherd knows how to write a story that will go completely different from what you think. Even the " afterward" is worth reading! He makes you want to read everything he has written, which I have! And I loved everyone of them . TDR is still my favorite. Now called In the Darkness, that's Where I'll Know You. Luke Smitherd has very quickly became one of my favorite authors! He's right up there with Stephen King in my opinion!

One person found this helpful

Like Stephen King meets the Twilight Zone

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MetalHead

March 23, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

If you're not familiar with Luke Smitherd's work, he's a wunderkind of short story fiction. In these two sci-fi/horror gems, he draws on Stephen King and Rod Serling (among others) and puts together a pair of stories where people just leading their normal lives find out that their normal lives are anything but. The stories are as emotionally charged as they are entertaining. The second story, "Your Name Is In the Book," is a little dark, even for Luke, but it had the feel of a super twisted episode of Twilight Zone, but darker still. Definitely worth the price Enjoy!

2 people found this helpful

The execution of the ideas could be a bit more polished.

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Most recent customer reviews

Reinold F.

I felt like have seen old chapters of black and white science fiction TV series: interesting stories but somehow a bit hollow or artificial, the protagonists just seems to be a...Read more

Published 3 months ago

IT Guy

Good read.

Intriguing concepts. First story could have been a bit longer. My second book by author . Good storyteller .

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Kindle Customer

Thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi stories

I liked this book and it counts towards my Goodreads goal for 2018. Also the author appreciates the reviews immensely.

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Agile_Chris

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Real honest to goodness Sci Fi speculative fiction written brilliantly. Highly recommend, both stories a real page turner.Read more

shelliefromtirau

Excellent stuff

If you like ‘off the wall’ you’ll love Luke Smitherd’s books

Willow

here are another two unpredictable, bizarre tales from Luke Smitherd.
‘Closure’..... what would you do if another version of you came and stole something precious and then...Read more

Great writing style with a brilliant plot but it took a lot of patience to finally discover just how ingenious the plot was. Wow

Charlie Brown

Ingenious but cryptic

the ones that are slightly unpleasant but not the worst things that could happen

G. Parlee

Reading Luke's stories have convinced me to stop examining the speed bumps in my life, the ones that are slightly unpleasant but not the worst things that could happen.Read more

Hands down new favorite author

Angel Colin

Luke does it again! I couldn't put Do Anything down. Can't wait to read his new book!

Another fantastic collection of short stories by Luke Smitherd.

Henry

If you like well written, well composed, short stories with a plot and a novel twist in the end, then you should pick up this collection today.Read more