Decent horror. I wanted to love it, but I just...liked it. It felt both too short and too long in some places. If this were to become a series I would definitely pick up the second one, I am definitely intrigued by the storyline and possibility of learning more.

I want to thank the publisher for giving me the chance to review this arc.

Okay, so I didn't like this book all that much. Going through the rating scale I now use for all of my own reviews here's why.

Characters: The characters were likable enough. But I could not get past the fact that a box arrives at a Deputy's (former military) house at 2 o'clock in the morning, and they just bring it it. They leave it in the house while they go back to sleep. Why didn't they leave the massive package outside? Why did they have to bring it inside especially since they weren't going to open it till later? How can you trust an unknown package delivered at 2 o'clock in the morning. The characters kept doing these things that I felt were not very logical. Also I don't know how to feel about the main guide for Craig the protagonist being a indigenous man, when Mr. Coppel is not of that indigenous tribe.

Atmosphere: I felt like this was a strong point because the feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere was done well, but it could've been a little better. The change into 1996 wasn't as huge of a shift as I feel like it might should have been though.

Writing: The writing was okay. The mix of sci-fi, horror, and mythology didn't work for me. The chapters explaining Craig's backstory were completely unnecessary by the end of the book. If you had only given me the part about Craig's parents dying, that would have been enough.

Plot: I felt the plot was a little all over the place. We were following this family for most of it, getting some information about Craig's backstory that was not needed. Then suddenly we're time travelling to 1996, and there's this whole organization of people who kill these monsters that seem to be from indigenous folklore because surprise in the end an Australian girl scout tribe of Australian indigenous people go missing. Definitely wanting to make a series out of this it seems.

Intrigue: I was intrigued by mainly the mythology of the creature, but there wasn't hardly anything surrounding the mythology. After doing my own research into Hopi culture, there seemed to be some things that I felt like should have been included when talking about Hopi mythology and beliefs. Again, I don't know if this is a good representation of the Hopi culture nor is it my place to say yes or no.

Logic: Everything to do with Craig's background seemed very logical. I wish there was more explanation to the time walkers and what the legends in Hopi Culture say about time walkers. The part in the beginning about them bringing in the box was pretty illogical and for a man like Craig, I don't see how he would've done that.

Enjoyment: All in all, I was enjoying it until the author brought in indigenous people's mythology so heavily like that since I was aware that the author was a white man. The chapters about Craig's backstory were not enjoyable especially knowing they really had no impact on the story by in large. There were some decisions that were not logical and bothered me the entire book. I gave it an extra point though because the cute puppy, Steeler, survived the entire book.

With six new novels publishing in less than one year the author is perhaps making a challenge to the current grand masters of horror - Stephen King in the USA and Graham Masterton in the UK?
There are echoes here of the horrors of H.P. Lovecraft and Algernon Blackwood in a plot carefully blending the tropes of classic horror with the new.
There's everything one could wish for in a good horror novel from deadly portals to other worlds, rabid creatures in the attic, a centuries-old witch, to a picnic at Hanging Rock.

Craig Edmonds and is family are awakened by knocks on the door at 2am. They find a large package addressed to the family. When they open the package they find a mirror. He will have to travel back in time to win against a 16th century witch.

I like this story. It’s a mish mash of horror, action and sci-fi.

Oh dear. I’m not even sure how to describe this genre mix here, it tried for horror, it tried for sci-fi, it mostly succeeds in being a testosterone fueled half-baked rehash of every stereotype and trope in the history of books. There are better reads out there.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this one and read it in one day. Look forward to much more by this author.

In Legacy, we're introduced to a sheriff's deputy and his family who've received an unexpected package in the middle of the night and soon face equally unexpected consequences for accepting it. On the face of things, this is a novel about the supernatural but I'd actually say this ends up being more of an adventure or thriller novel with supernatural elements mixed in for good measure. One might be able to call it a blend of the classic House horror film from the eighties and the equally campy Trancers series of the nineties featuring Jack Death only with the intent to tackle supernatural intruders from other worlds via time jumps. Fans of either of these film series may find a nice little b movie read in this book. Personally, I felt like there was still some work to do.

This story and its presentation have some solid points and a validly unique premise to work with but I think this one, the first in an intended series of books about our hero, really needed more time to percolate before it went into the cup. There are some grammar issues off and on and the narrative isn't always smooth, but I think the larger problems lie with the story. It's a bit all over between discussions of trauma that are in turns either very stark or very detached and often feel unused for character development or establishing. Not only are these trauma points suddenly dropped in our laps, but we're also just as suddenly jerked back to the main narrative without the two being fully connected. There are some really loose characterizations for everyone besides Craig, leaving most of the characters two-dimensional at best particularly because there is so much telling going on for parts of the story when we should be shown instead. Several points occur where gender stereotypes or cultural depictions interrupt our connection to these other characters too, up to an I including both Ahote, a magical Indian, and Craig's wife, Jenny. I have to be honest and say that these things detracted enough from the story that I wasn't able to fully enjoy it. I hope the author is able to work out some improvements with his novel and later installments of the series before he goes forward, there is some real promise and unique ideas here.

This started out really strong for me. I was almost sure that I would end up giving it 5 stars because it seemed like such an original idea and the dialogue was so relatable. But maybe 20% in, it began to get a little drawn out with so much filler that didn't seem to have anything to do with the heart of the story (like how the table was set to eat ribs, etc). My ARC also had a lot of typos, which I can usually look past, but once there was such graphic child abuse introduced, I gave up.

Really sad because I wanted to like this one!!

Craig Edmonds and his young family are awoken at 2 AM by someone banging at their front door. On their doorstep they find an unexpected delivery… a large crate with a generic label addressed to his family.

Their remote house, the lateness of the hour, the unexpectedness of the delivery… something feels wrong to Craig, a sheriff in the high desert of southern Utah. It has taken him years to recover from the psychological trauma he’d undergone as an elite Marine sniper, but his life was now simple and complete.

But then he opens the crate to discover an intricately carved wooden mirror. Now Craig must fight an enemy far worse than any he’d encountered in the Middle East. Only this time he is battling against time and the embodiment of evil in a desperate attempt to save his family. His mission will take him twenty five years into the past and six thousand miles from home in order to defeat the reanimation of a 16th century English witch in this spine-chilling time travelling horror.

Overall I would say that I enjoyed this one. It was an original concept (snipe in the head the creepy witch who has kidnapped my wife for her soul but in 1996 with a time jumping aboriginal) haha but it was a fun and action packed adventure.

I really fell in love with Craig’s character and thought that Coppel expertly used his back story to draw on that sympathy and empathy, but he is probably the only character in the book I found mildly believable (and at times that was a stretch).

This is one of those books that is better taken with a pinch of salt and an open mind - it’s def set up for a prequel and I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t read it.

#bookreviewsbymrsc #legacy #chriscoppel

Unfortunately this was archived not long after I got approved so I was unable to download it before hand.

A loud pounding on the door awakens the Edmonds family at 2am and when Craig Edmonds investigates he finds a heavy, huge "gift". Merry Christmas Edmonds family! It turns out that the family has been given a large antique mirror which sits perfectly on the living room floor. Only the dog seems to be aware that the mirror is creepy and should be avoided. (worry not, the dog is not harmed). Craig should have listened to the dog.
Craig comes home one day to find that his life is turned upside down and the only way to fix it is to trust yet another mysterious visitor to his door, Ajote. Ajote informs Craig that the two of them must go back in time 25 years to save the life of his wife's ancestor by killing the witch who comes to consume her. Only then will the events that began with the 2am knock be prevents. If only it were that simple......

Legacy is a mind bending and unique spin on time travel, portals, beings from alternate dimensions and humanity. As odd as it sounds, this is a more realistic take on time-travel than other's I have read and it was fun to "go back in time" by 25 years and encounter the world of the late 90's again through Craig's eyes. At less than 200 pages this is a quick read and it keeps you interested right to the very end. Happy travels, readers!
#Legacy #netgalley

A haunted mirror horror story with Native American lore and time travel. Ahote is a “time walker” and can bring people back in his own timeline to fight fith dimensional monsters that find ways to enter the world and kill/eat people. A mirror shows up on a family’s doorstep in the middle of the night. They must have never seen a single horror movie before because they immediately adorn the mirror in their living room. Obviously the mirror is haunted and its up to Ahote and a member of the family to go back in time and kill the witch.

I loved that parts of this book were actually scary and everything came together perfectly except maybe the technology aspect but time travel is weird. The author has a great way to set up the scary parts to chill you. The ending is left open to possible continuation and I will be on the look out.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book. The story felt cliché and the writing style felt almost...bland? I wouldn’t discourage anyone from giving this a try, but it wasn’t for me.

Chris Coppel’s novel Legacy is clearly primed to be a series. In this first book, the groundwork is set for the lead protagonist, Craig Edmonds, to be the Lone Ranger to Ahote’s Tonto, as they skip through time and different dimensions to tackle monsters.

The writing is utilitarian: “She was in her late twenties and was taller than she ever hoped to be. She watched her calories and kept active to make sure she didn’t add to her volume by putting on any unneeded weight.” Coppel doesn’t do his characters any favours by the blatant, sexist stereotypes employed throughout: “As I walked back into the living room, I looked at the mirror for some reason.” “That would be because you’re a woman,” Craig jibed.”

Add to this, any woman that’s duped into forgiveness by “a full-size coconut and salted caramel sponge cake” is pretty thin on the stuff that matters. This is made more repulsive for female readers when her kids are cognisant that she’s being bought off: “I knew Mommy was mad so I hoped really hard you’d go to Honey’s.” Despite the relationship currency of cake, there’s also plenty of fat shaming in this book: “I don’t want you turning into one of those men I see in the St George Costco. I’m warning you now. The day you come home with stretchy pants and a gut, I’m outa here.”

The military descriptions of sniping, including the wilful murders of children by American soldiers in countries like Afghanistan, are obviously the author’s forte, as the descriptions here are better than the rest of the book. Shame about the topic area: “Though not ideal, if his shot was approved and the cell user was a young girl, the shot was still taken. If the next convoy passed his rooftop location without being blown apart, it was considered a good kill. Luckily his resulting (and well deserved) PTSD helps Craig turn his skills from murdering Afghan women and kids to shooting monsters.

The novel’s plot is basically a collection of the usual tropes, strung together in predictable ways: “fly six thousand miles, shoot a witch before she steals a dead woman’s soul, then fly back again and return to my present day.” Legacy does the job but feels more like an action screenplay than a nuanced novel. The nuts and bolts are there but artistry is lacking.

The book cover caught my attention straight away and once I had read the book description I knew I had to read it. A throughly enjoyable read. Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meet The Edmonds family, people who have never watched or read any mirror related scary stories. They live in nowhere Utah, don’t use locks (or sound judgement) and apparently that relaxed lifestyle had made them into the kind of people who will comfortably accept an anonymous gift of a giant antique mirror delivered mysteriously at 2 am and immediately and unsuspiciously will hang it on their wall.
Seriously people? It’s like you’re asking to be horrorfied (not the same as horrified no matter what Word says). Mind you, they stick right by their new decoration despite increasingly creepy occurrences following its arrival.
Sure enough, it’s no ordinary mirror sent by their antique loving aunt as a random gift through some sort of nighttime UPS. In fact, it’s a portal for a witch from 1700s who’s really into immortality. Now The Edmonds family has really stepped into it and will require the assistance of a knowledgeable Native American gentleman with time traveling skills to sort it out. And, of course, Craig’s sniper skills will help too. Because it’s/he’s just all American like that. A sniper turned sheriff turned witch slayer. Woohoo, go Craig.
And that’s basically it. A bunch of genre basics thrown in together, thoroughly stirred and cooked reasonably well. Made for a quick fun read. Appears to be primed for series’ first. This was my first read by the author and it’s a fairly decent introduction as far as those things go. Thanks Netgalley.

Chris Coppel is a master of this genre. Spooky and adventurous with characters developed with emotion and grace. You can’t help rooting for the retired sniper turned cop as he tries desperately to reverse time and kill a witch whose hunting his wife. This could be a start to an incredible series. I want to read more. Awesome!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc