The Knack, by Jesse Gordon
Trade paperback / softcover; 330 pages
Imprint: Jessture Books (2004)
ISBN: 978-1-4116-2107-7
$16.95 | Add to Cart »
Adolescence: a time of change, a time of discovery and (for those who possess the knack) awakening magical abilities. For Aaron Capps, growing up is an uneventful ritual—until he meets Kyna, who changes his life forever by introducing him to a treacherous reality where willpower becomes something tangible and the mind rules all.
NOTE: For mature readers; contains sexual / violent content.
What people are saying about The Knack:
Devoured in one sitting, this novel cooks. Aaron (the new kid in town), Joshua (a stout heart, if not sound in body), Kyna (the tortured soul), and others, these complex characters are all blessed or cursed with an affliction much more plausible than the blood-sucking fiends of past fiction. Reality plays a big part in The Knack, because who hasn't met such people whose magnetic and forceful personalities take on a preternatural quality for good, and/or evil. Teen concerns flesh out this excellent adult story, with an ending every reader should experience.
—Mark Sutton
It's hard to find a real, believable book about adolescence these days. It's always overdone or stereotypical, but The Knack is a different story. There are strong, well-developed characters that provide support for an already compelling storyline. There are intense situations, a solid mix of action, angst, and powerful descriptions. The reader gets a heavy dose of satisfaction as they read through the book, and they are always left wanting more. I highly recommend The Knack for anyone and everyone wanting a good read about accepting who was are, what you've been through, and what's going to happen in the future.
—Carmel March
...The Knack, by Jesse Gordon, self published but worthy of traditional print. It's a vampire story, and I'm not a vampire fan, but this strikes me as an original take. They do drink blood, but actually need any kind of fluid, even their own; it seems psychological as much as physical. They have sex not so much for sexual gratification as for the associated fluid. They do have special powers, but these are difficult to develop, and it's not a happy state. Individuals are finely characterized, and the writing can be pretty: "As she moved through alternating spaces of evening darkness and frosted LED lighting, her hair a vibrant spray, a fiery beacon of femininity, she conversed on her cell phone."
—Piers Anthony
I've been a follower of Jesse Gordon for a couple of years now. The Knack was the first story I ever read by him, and it took me straight back to high school. He has a way with bringing the future into the present, and he doesn't alter the emotions that would truly manifest, nor does he force those emotions. His writing brings you into the reality that he's creating, and it's a fantastic feeling. A little weird at times, especially during the sexual scenes, but fantastic nonetheless. It's a book to be read straight through—it wasn't easy for me to put it down!
—Kelly Snyder
Also available at:
Ask for it at your local book store!
