The Journal of James Halldon - Diary of the Displaced

Really enjoyed this book. The story is original and not overly borrowed. For some reason it reminded me of the Sci-Fi mini series "The Lost Room".

Just bought The Broken Lands and look forward to starting it soon.

I liked the way the story developed, giving just enough to keep my interest but not so much that I could predict what was going to happen next. I didn't stop reading until there was no more to read. Can't wait to read next book.

As in my title, the book seemed to go on and on forever never getting anywhere. Living dead? "'t wasn't" very original. The trips were repetitive back and forth, back and forth. One reviewer mentioned Stephen King. The author should have called him to enliven the story. The ending just happened and was anticlimactic. Long read. I kept expecting things to get better and they never did.

Urban Fantasy, Urban Horror, Dark Fantasy I just call it damn good fun. Glynn James created a world that I can't wait to revisit, is that morbid since there are evil dead things all over the place. On my kindle he is in a collection next to I am Legend and Deadeye Dick.

When I first started reading this book it seemed well lame. it just really didn't click with my interests, but the further along I read the more the author pulled me into the story. It got to the point where I couldn't quit reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it left me wanting more! I am not a fan of this genre but the title got my attention. There are a few things about the story that I don't understand but it was good reading.

A nifty blend of Lewis Carroll, H.G. Wells and Stephen King. Dark fantasia at a fever pitch. James pulls us through a hellish wonderland of terrible beasts and gloomy landscapes. James Haldon desperately tries to unravel the mystery of how and why he has been damned to this place and knows he has to escape. Alice in Wonderland worlds populated with ghosts and madmen. Awesome fun.

This was a relatively short read (not a full length book in my opinion) but still a very good read. I'm glad I stuck it out and finished it. The descriptions were amazing and the story was easy to follow. Not sure if I will buy the rest since I got this when it was free.

I read a lot of books and you can tell within the first few pages if it's going to be a good book! This book was a little bit of a hard read for me! There were a few spelling mistakes but that was not the issue.... It was a slow book. But I finished it!
To many repetitive parts. I don't think I'll be reading any of the other books. But to all readers.... read on n imagine!!!

A strange story of a junkyard where the sun never shines, a dog thing and a horde of zombies created by a creature who wants to kill you for the keys ...... And then it gets REALLY weird. A good read that will definitely hold your interest.

I got this as a free download from POI, and I might have been disappointed had I paid for it, but for free, it was not a waste of my time to read. It was somewhat convoluted, and confusing at times and the ending was not very satisfying. Why the 3 stars then, you might ask. Well, I found the characters pretty interesting and I didn't see the ending coming. I will confess that this was my first zombie book so this may not be the most "informed" review, but I wanted to leave a review to represent us novice zombie readers. It is a fairly short story and I finished it in one afternoon. It kept me interested and I would read another book in the series, it just didn't wow me. I hope this was a little helpful to someone trying to decide on whether to download this book or not.

I got this book for my kindle as an the store freebie weeks ago and I can't remember what it was about the description that made me decide I wanted to read it. It is definitely not the type of book I would normally choose to read. I finished it in two days so it was interesting enough to hold my attention consistently. Having finished it I still can't really say whether I liked it or not. There is constant action & surprises. There are zombies, and ghosts, and other unworldly creatures. There is a villain who travels with evil minions. If you like tales that include those sort of things you might enjoy this book. I thought the ending was a bit weak and bordered on being confusing.

I thought this book was rather interesting. I didn't like that you actually had to pay for the next book in order to find out what happens. I realize that's only fair if the author wants to make money, but I didn't find it so exciting to actually pay for the next series. Overall, it was okay.

Few stories will grab your imagination, keep you reading and fill your mind with strange an exotic images than "Diary of the Displaced". The strange land and stranger beings depicted in the story will take you to a place that grips your soul. You actually "become" James Halldon and feel his emotions as you race from one scene of courage, fear, bewilderment, pain and insight after another. Fast paced, thought provoking and throughly entertaining, it is a highly recommended read and a triumphant production from the mind of Glynn James.

I've wasted over 8 hours of my life which to be sure was as displaced as this entire novelette. But I am keeping my own diary now concerning rules to follow before downloading Kindle Horror ... DAY ONE : NEVER, BUT NEVER, EAT THE MUSHROOMS ..... AND BE SURE TO TELL THE AUTHOR NOT TO EITHER " .... kidding aside, I realize from the positive ratings that this is a niche type of story for a very particular type of reader who likes this 'thought-thing' type of writing. Admittedly, I don't like when Koontz or King trys these wild 'figure it out for yourself' stories and endings either ... just noticed it's promised to be a 'series' and that would make total sense because if this was the complete series in one book we'd all only be on page 200 or so , as the ending is just begging to be a beginning or the tightening up of the gestault of a much needed plot tightening ...

I purchased this e-book because the title intrigued me. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Choppy, all over the place, not enough information, where do I start? I was confused for the first half of the book. I had to reread and I was still confused. I just wasn't a fan.

It is the makings of an exceptionally good author to be able to captivate your attention and hold it even when you have no clue what type of story you are reading. Glynn James is that author. As I read this book from the start I was thoroughly confused as to what was going on but I couldn't put the book down because I just couldn't. lol You are guaranteed to finish this 1st book with more questions than answers but you are guaranteed to enjoy every moment you spend with the lead character as he himself has no clue where he is or what he is to do. I guess in retrospect that is why the book is written the way it is as both you and the lead character are trying to figure out what the hell is going on. That's the charm of this book and I love it so I hope you will too as i'm off to book 2!!

I actually bought the omnibus edition (books 1-3 all together), but want to review book 1, which I just finished, while it's fresh in my mind.

I'm stingy with my five-star reviews, but this one deserves it. So many books are so predictable, following the typical plot arc of their genre. Maybe they have a new twist here and there, but it's really all the same. But every once in a while I discover a book in which the author has imagined things that I just couldn't ever think of and piece together on my own. This is such a book.

James, the main character, wakes up in a dark world with no memory of where he is or how he got there. And from there, things just get more perplexing. This isn't one of those stories where the author is making things up just for the heck of it. I can feel that everything the main character sees hangs together somehow, but the "real" understanding of what's what, who's who, and what is really happening remains tantalizingly out of reach.

The characters are easy to get attached to, and I especially enjoy the confused normalcy of the main character as he stumbles through his new, strange and terrifying reality. Around each corner lies something that may be dangerous or something that may just be wondrous. It's odd, mildly creepy, and totally unpredictable. And it works.

On to book two - I can't wait to see what's next.

Diary of the Displaced by Glynn James is about a man who wakes up in a dark, unfamiliar place with no idea of when or how he arrived there. As the story progresses, he explores this new, dark world, discovering strange dog-like creatures; weird, Frankenstein-esque zombies; giant mushrooms; and other, stranger things. This story is equal parts stranded survivalist; memory mystery; ghost story; treasure hunt and horror adventure, set in an eerie semi-apocalyptic landscape and is told in diary-form.

The author generates an excellent sense of atmosphere; at no point do you think the landscape he has created is safe or familiar. Even when a familiar item turns up, it only deepens the sense of unease because it isn't where it ought to be. Because the story is told using a single point of view, the reader is put in a state of sympathy in something like the same state of confusion as the narrator. His questions are largely ours, as is his frustration at the lack of answers. The antagonist* has the feel of a folk tale, and is largely effective because of the shadows and half-truths of the rhymes in which he is shrouded; nothing is as creepy as a child's rhyme.

On the downside, I felt that the writing could be tighter and that minor issues - grammar and typos - could have been spotted by an editor. Recounted conversations also felt stilted a bit, and could be made smoother and less expository**, though I do recognise that making them flow in a more regular manner could be difficult or awkward. Naturally, you're only going to remember the highlights/ important parts of a conversation if you're writing it into a diary; I just felt that they could be a bit better. I felt initially that the language is at times too simple, though this does improve as the book progresses, so this could be taken as part of representing the narrator's state of mind.

I'd recommend this to readers of dark or horror fantasy with a touch of mystery. It has a slow start to it, but builds well. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.

Overall: 3.5 or 4 stars
Review copy supplied by the author as part of LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program.

*He reminded me of Jack of Irons (Brian Froud's illustration in Faeries with the heads hanging from his belt was called to mind) from folklore, as much as the landscape reminded me of the hollow hills of the Irish Sidhe or the interior of an enchanted barrow, perhaps.

**They felt a bit like conversations one has when playing an adventure game and speaking with non-player characters in town. This book did have the feel of a game script when it started, so that may have biased me a bit.

I was so puzzled by this book for a good half of it. I seriously didn't know what to make of it, or if I would bother to read sequels. It was in this collection of post-apocalyptic novels I'd bought, and it really didn't seem to fit the genre. It still doesn't, now that I've finished it.

Still, I found myself liking the characters very much, especially our protagonist, the two ghosts, and DogThing.
The ending was a good and happy surprise, so I will buy the next two books.
Really, one of the strangest books I've read in a long time. But that's in a good way. Nice to read a supposedly post-apocalyptic book that is not all about face-eating zombies, but a real mystery.

An enjoyable and well-written written fantasy story about a man who finds himself trapped in a dark and mysterious world.

There are zombies and other strange inhabitants that wander The Corridor and James must figure out where his is and why, while trying to survive...the answers are surprising.

The story did remind me of another series by Brian Harmon (Rushed), where the protagonist travels the worlds of the Unseen; this was excellent, too.

Great storytelling, characters and plot, alongside an imaginative sense of place.

Recommended.

The main character is dumped into a world of darkness with no idea how he got there. So, as the reader, are you. As the hero explores his surroundings so do you. At first it's by touch, then he manages to create light. He finds himself within a giant junkyard, yet in a place that is clearly... well, somewhere else. This book was an amazing read and a big part is exploring the world with the hero so I don't want to give too much away.

The writing is very good, with vivid descriptions that really transport you into the world. It comes with a number of scary enemies, in particular one named Cutterjack (I'll let you read and find out more). The book builds to a very satisfying end which still leaves the door open for the next book in the series. It's so good that I went out and bought the omnibus of books 1 to 3 immediately (it was cheaper than buying 2 and 3 separately). Highly recommended.

I read about 100 books a year and it has been a while since I was so touched by a book (series).
I started with Book 1 bought in 7-pack. It was very original, but I was still hesitating whether I would like to read more. Then Chasing Spirits - very nice book, but still it didn't kick in. But eventually I started to read Book 2 and I was immediately sucked in. After finishing I was left begging for more and I already started think a lot about possible continuation and potential outcomes.
All the books (Book1-3, Chasing spirits, At last goodbye) form a fantastic series, a single book read will be nice, but may disappoint you. The power is in how all those books wind and meander together.
It is a fantastic read - sometimes very serious, sometimes very touching. I love the author's style and word selection. Ah, you just have to read it!

Overall - 4

Plot/Storyline - 4
Have you ever read a book that you liked as a gut reaction but you couldn't really explain why? This is not an ideal position when you're a book reviewer! This book is odd and has a plot like nothing I've ever read. It feels a bit like Stephan King's The Stand, but has nothing other than that feel in common with it. It was creepy and fascinating and drew you in from the beginning. Even though it was set in a world that Glynn James created, it was vivid and believable. I liked that I was never quite sure what was going to happen next - but I was never left hanging or confused.
It's the first in a series which appears to be more a collection of stories about the place than books that follow one after the other about the character (this is the impression I got from the descriptions of the other books in the series - which I just bought all of - not from having read them yet). It stands alone well, but really makes you want to know more about the main character, James.

Character Development - 4
The characters were great! The villain was scary, the heroes likable, unique, and diverse. I enjoyed the fact that he had good variety and creativity in his creations. James, other than not being near as disconcerted by his situation as I would be, is a very believable person, as were the other characters. Everyone was well developed and left you wanting you to know more about them and spend more time with them. While I enjoyed how the book ended, I didn't want it to. I wanted to know what happened next to the band of characters. (Hint, hint to the author!)

Writing Style - 4
The author's writing style is smooth but active. He keeps you moving through the book at a good pace - not too fast, not too slow. The book is written as James' diary and I enjoy his voice in that - it's very easy to read and relate to. He really draws you into his world. Dialogue is good, understandable (he has a few different ways of conveying dialogue in a diary format), and conveys a lot of information. If you enjoy books with a hint of creepy in a fantasy world I highly recommend this one!

One of the most imaginative and spell-binding books I've read in years. Totally unlike any other type of fantasy writing. A complex journey through a long, dark world. Great characters and interaction. There are imaginative monsters and twists and turns no one else has thought of. I loved book one and couldn't bear to put it down. I will immediately get the other three books in this series to continue the amusement park ride of his mind...

I don't know if I'd like to have a beer with this author, or if I'd be afraid to... be interesting as hell, though.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book for review.
I loved this story and am definitely interested in sequels. The ending was great because it wrapped up the story in this book but left room for another story later. It was written in a sort of diary format but went a little beyond sometimes so the reader wasn't left without the little things that the diary writer might gloss over. The characters were strange but intriguing and certainly had a lot of thought put into them. The atmosphere and the setting were dark and terrifying but sometimes beautiful and mystical. I think my favorite part was the mystery of what is this place and how did the main character end up there. The author did a great job of keeping you interested by giving you a few answers here and there but then introducing new questions. It was a great adventure, you wont put it down until the end.

I was a recipient of this book from the LibraryThing member giveaway in exchange for a review.
I do not seek out dark fantasy, zombie, or ghost stories. Sometimes a person benefits by stepping outside their comfort zone. Such was the case with this book. I found this book to be engrossing and kept my interest. I read it in three sittings simply because it was a bit addicting.

I actually rate the storyline, the ending, the characters at a 4.5 star level. I lowered my overall rating to 4.0 stars because of the obvious lack of editing. Sometimes I had to go back and re-read a passage to see what the author was trying to actually say.

It is a good book and I highly recommend it to everyone. This is a good "outside of the box" read. I am looking forward to the sequel.

I enjoyed this book as it was different than what I was expected having read it as part of a multi-book bundle where the other ones were more traditional zombie type reads similar to I am Legend & 28 Days type zombies....this one was more trippy and creative in my opinion. If you look around, you can find this and several other books for 99 cents, but if you want to support this author, this read itself is worth the price....I however consume lots of inexpensive and free indie books by listening to them on my Kindle Fire HDX as I work every day. I'll likely eventually purchase the sequels to see what else the author does with his characters in their created worlds.

Glynn James' incredible imagination never let up throughout the wild ride that is Diary of the Displaced. It is the most unusual apocalyptic tale I have ever read. And I have read many. It is well written and the characters are amazing creations. I highly recommend it.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I downloaded this book, but whatever my preconceived notions were, Mr. James blew them out of the water.

Reading this novel felt a bit like falling down Alice's portal. Given the nature of the plot, it couldn't have been written any other way. As the main character, James Halldon, wakes up in a strange foreign place, the story begins. We learn more about his predicament as he does. Of course I had to keep reading to figure out where he was and if he'd ever escape.

Diary of The Displaced is a well-written, uniquely crafted, one-of-a-kind book. Part horror, part sci-fi; totally entertaining. My one nitpick is the ending, but since it's part of a series I'm assuming more questions will be answered in further books. On a side note, I'm already reading book two of the series, Chasing Spirits now!

Glynn James's DIARY OF THE DISPALCED is really not my first pick when comes to reading for pleasure. I am not a zombie, horror fan; however, the basic story of survival is always a good plot line. Adding the survival of the psyche to that of the physical and my interest is always peaked. I found the diary or journal format interesting and I think it added to the validity of the story--if such a thing can exist in this genre. The main character, over time, became real enough to make me want to keep reading just to find out how things would turn out in the end. Without giving too much away, if you subtract the gore from the story, I think that the psychological trauma that the character goes through is fashioned a great deal after Poe and the like. And truthfully, who wouldn't wish to be considered with the likes of Poe. A good read for those who are into horror and gore.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

This was an interesting premise for a book. Man wakes up in the dark, not knowing where he is or how he got there, he finds a book and pen and starts to write a journal of his time there. I really enjoyed this. There were some genuinely creepy moments and also some laugh out loud moments. The description of James' experiences I felt were very true to life and I felt the fear he was feeling as he tried to work out how or why he was where he was. The ending was good and left it open for more to come as I understand it is the first in a series.

In short this is a good one, if you like this sort of thing, I suggest you give it a go. It's not very long, but you will find yourself unable to put it down once you start!

I read this in the This is the End series and bought the second and now about to start the third. I love post-apocalyptic books and this is not your ordinary zombie book. I would actually like to see this in a TV show! There's so much going on and you're taken thru so much, but it keeps it interesting. If you're looking for something a little different than "there's a plague, then zombies, then survival" but still looking for the post-apocalyptic theme, I say try it out. It's definitely not predicable! I look forward to reading more Glynn James in the future.

This book has twists and turns along the way, but gee what an addictive read. I didn't want to put it down to see what the author had in stall for James. The creatures and zombie details were awesome and gruesome. I had to sleep with the light on for a couple nights during and afterwards.

James wakes up in the dark, if you weren't scared of the dark before, you will be afterwards. James has to become courageous, able to fend for himself and finds he isn't the only THING living in the dark.

James has a long journey ahead of him and it is dangerous and full of surprises. He also makes some friends along the way in the strangest of circumstances.

This is the first in the series and the next is Chasing Spirits.

I like sci-fi but movies, not read many books. I'm a mom of five so it's been a while since I could read a book for pleasure.

This one was free on iBook. The title intrigued me. The book started . . . just started. And as the author says, "You have to start somewhere." Enjoyed being lost in a creepy world and slowly, oh so slowly, finding out clues as to where and who I was. The book is not very long. It lingered with me and I did an immediate search for more books. Surely the story wasn't over. To my delight, I've just finished book 2 (in one day) and I am really looking forward to book 3 . . . as time allows.

Books need to be better edited. Some words are left out, too many added or in the wrong place, and a few spelled wrong. Goes against my grammatical grain terribly, but the story itself has captured me. Really enjoy it. Plan to suggest it for my book club. I know there will be those in the group that would give it a 1 but oh well. It's 4 for me - I REALLY like it but don't love it. It's great fiction, nothing really redeeming about it though. Like I can't really grab an underlying moral although I could almost see one in book 2 with the Resistance when the backstory was revealed by his returned memories.

Powerfully elusive enough to read in two sittings and that is only because I had to stop and go to the bathroom. I like this book a lot. I liked it so much, I am ready to start book two at 1:04 in the morning. Mr. James has done a brilliant job of inventing a world(s?) that is fascinating and terrifying all at the same time. His hero did not have to beg for my attention...I was with him from the moment he wakes up in a dark and mysterious environment with no memory or apparent skills to save himself. Glynn James and his Dairy of the Displaced are keepers.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from "Diary of the Displaced" when I read the description, but it was captivating from start to finish. At first I wasn't sure about the whole "zombie" theme, because I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to be taking the plot seriously or if I should be laughing at it the whole way through, but it becomes clear fairly early on that the author means for it to be taken seriously and viewed through the eyes of the person making the diary entry (i.e. James Halldon) as he is just as incredulous as to what is going on as the reader is.

I thought the plot was quite imaginative and kept you guessing without being confusing. It was a unique zombie story though the end seemed to be a bit rushed. But it was (somewhat) satisfying in the end. All in all a great read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

At first... I couldn't work out if this was a zombie book, sci-fi or what... It definitely didn't seem to fit in any of the genres I am used to. But once I got past the 'where the heck is he' phase, I really got into the story. It was definitely very different from most books of this ilk, and had me not wanting to put it down at the end of the day. The only thing I didn't like is that it just FINISHED... although obviously (now) part of a series, it just rounded up too fast. But I would definitely recommend this to someone who is tired of the same old story lines.

I enjoyed this book very much. This is the type of book that draws me into the nightmare and makes me sigh a sigh of relief when I put the book down and realize I'm actually safe at home and not in that horrible place, and those horrible situations in that horrible place, described so well by the author, aren't really happening to me. James Halldon wakes up in sheer darkness with no memory of where he is or how he got there. He soon realizes he's in what seems to be a junk yard, and he isn't in very good shape, and he finds out he isn't alone. I could almost feel the sheer terror James was feeling. Glynn James is now on my favorite author list. I will certainly read his other books.

I received "Diary of the Displaced" by Glynn James for free from [...] "Diary of the Displaced" is about James, a man who has somehow landed in the land of displaced things. Anything that has come up missing can wind up here. There is no light, the dead continue to stay lost there, it includes zombies, strange barbaric dogs, a maniac, and all the trash you could ever want to sift through.
I guess I would call it science fiction. I am not really into science fiction, so I wouldn't call this one of my favorites. James isn't very clear. You can't really like him, because you know very little about him. He spends pretty much the first half of the book looking through trash and figuring out how to live in the displaced land. The second half picks up in action, chase and fight scenes, a little mystery. If the first half had been less trash sifting and more character info I would have liked it a lot more. Second half of book was pretty good.

Glynn James has done an amazing job in revitalizing the genre of Lovecraftian horror in Diary of the Displaced: The Journal of James Halldon. I've been a horror fan since I was six years old, and this is certainly going in my a-list of favorite works.

The setting is nightmarish and dreamlike, while maintaining a sense of gritty realism and wonder. The title character is believable and it is easy to empathize with him. The story reveals itself tantalizingly, from one cliffhanger chapter-end to the next.

I knew from the first chapter of the sample I read that this would be a keeper, and as soon as I saw it was available for sale - and at such a low price - I couldn't order my copy fast enough!

I heartily recommend this book to any lover of horror, and eagerly look forward to more of the author's work.

Every once in a while I stumble across a book that is so unique and pure, that I cannot believe no one has heard of it.

Glynn James paints a strange and vivid world for James Halldon, but it's not James' world. James wakes up in a strange and dark land full of dangerous creatures, but with no memory of how he has arrived there. He takes it upon himself to keep track of his exploration of this new place, and his instincts of survival. Through his journey he finds that everything is not what it seems.

This book is strange and unusual, but I feel as though I broke out of a rut of the same old thing.

I bought this book as part of a seven book set. This book totally rocked! Glynn James is a master story teller. I was totally enthralled with this book. He wove a story the likes of which I have never seen. I never found mysekf bored, as I have with some books. The characters are very three dimensional, ver real, and very likeable. I intend to buy this entire series. You really should read this. It is well worth the time, and more than wrth the cost!

This book caught my attention and was never boring from beginning to end. Details of the world and the characters in it were very descriptive which allowed my imagination to visualize what I was reading quite well. Also as the story goes on one can start to understand the relationships and put together the pieces of each character in how they intermingle with the plot. The ending actually brought a smile to my face because not only did it bring light to everything that happened in the story but a happy ending to a very strange story. Well written! I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

Just what I would think anyone would look for in any story but especially those who favor science fiction, you are taken to another world where you must discover page by page along with the charcters in the book, where you are, who you are, and why you are..
From begining to end the Author has a way of setting up the questions so you feel compelled to find the answer.
This was just a book I stumbled upon while trying to find something worth borrowing from the the store Lending Library, if you're reading reviews to decide whether or not you should invest your free time, let me assure you, you definitely should. I will gladly pay for anything else this author has to offer in this series and probably outside of the series as well.
Smoothly written not at all cumbersome, I'm only suprised this is the first I'm reading of this Author. Bound to catch on..

I found this a very fast paced, exciting read, with twists I didn't see coming. I thought I was used to this world having already read The Last to Fall by the same author, but it still surprised me.
I found myself wondering what I would have done in the same situations the character found himself in; I was rooting for him all the way. I loved the maw, which were discussed briefly in Last to Fall but examined more closely here, and the bad guy is just plain nasty. This is not I world I'd like to visit personally, but I did enjoy reading about from a safe distance.

Waking up completely in the dark, James Halldon has no idea where he is or what happened to him. His first thoughts turn to survival with water being at the top of his list.

James starts to write in a diary and this is one interesting read. He meets "Dog Thing" and eventually meets a couple of others that are "trapped" along with him.

Highly recommended.

Imagine yourself waking up in a strange land, a strange world and not knowing what you are up against. This is what happens for James, one of the characters in this book. He will face zombies, and other strange creatures while he works out the memories going through his mind. I loved how this book had a lot more depth to it than your typical zombie story....without leaving out the action, and it even keeps you guessing at what James is meant to discover in all of this.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed this book what a creative imagination. At first i really was not sure where this book was headed but once it got going it really kept me turning the pages. The writing makes this "other" world come alive. lot's of great scary stuff that keeps your heart racing...a must read. cant wait to read the 2 nd book right now...

I received a free copy of this book for reviewing it. I enjoyed this book very much. It was an odd one though. The storyline was strange, but it had a well developed plot and characters. I was never sure where the author was going with this story, definatly not predictable. The leadup was great, while I was reading it I kept wondering what would happen next. Overall it was enjoyable, if a little gory sometims.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts with the protagonist waking in a strange place in the dark, not knowing how he got there. He has to figure out how to survive, making light in a forver-dark place, finding food and water, and he is confronted by ghosts, zombies, and strange creatures. It doesn't focus just on the zombies, but on the strange realm he finds himself in and the thoughts he has while there. I thought it was a truly unique book, and I didn't know where it was going to go next. I had a hard time putting this book down!

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my review.

So refreshing! This is the first book I haven't been able to put down in quite a while. Very nicely written and edited. The characters were very well developed and interesting. I want to hear the rest of their stories, so I'll keep up with the sequels. Thank you for your new worlds, Glenn!

From the moment that I began to read this book it just sucked me in and I could not get enough of this great fantasy story. It has zombies,the maw,ghosts, and a man
who is not really sure who he is. He begins to keep a journal in a world he does not know for 39 days. The story will hold your attention and interest, but most of all it will keep you wondering how it will end. A wonderfully written book and a fine author.

I started to read this book and was automatically drawn into the imaginitive world of Glynn James. You are automatilcally deposited with the character James Halldon who does not know where he is. It is dark, junk is piled up it seems to eternity and there is a huge wall. This is where you start and as James takes his journey you also go on one with him knowing only as much as he knows. Twists and turns in this story will have you reading just to see around the corner. Then the plot comes and you are slammed with what you do not expect and left with few words to describe this book except to tell others you have got to read this. It is for those that are fans of fantasy and scifi. I cannot wait to get started on the sequel.

I had never previously read anything from Glynn James, but I have quickly become a great fan. The Diary of the Displaced is fascinating in two ways. First, the characters are engaging and deep even though the story is extremely brief. I found myself enthralled with each of the characters and wanted to know what would happen to them next. James Halldon in particular seems to behave very much the way I would in a similar situation. The second reason I found myself waiting on pins and needles for the next chapter was that technique itself: releasing it chapter by chapter. Stephen King is the only other one to pull that off in my recent memory (in The Green Mile), though I hear Dickens did it long ago as well. I found the short chapter releases to act almost like a drug for me (but a good drug!) - I couldn't wait to get my next fix. I was also very pleased with the ending of the series. Overall, I found this series very much to my liking and I now count Glynn James among one of my favorite authors, a list that includes Robert McCammon, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. I can't wait until the next series comes out.

As the title suggests, this book is written as a diary, the diary of a man who wakes in a mysterious place. I will not write a synopsis of the plot because I think it serves the story very well to discover all the secrets of the world you are thrown in along with the narrator.

What I really enjoyed in this book are the descriptions of the place in which the story is set. I was able to have a perfect picture of what was around every moment and, despite the sun shining through my window, I could easily loose myself in the darkness and horror of the world surrounding the main character. Very well done!

The end of the book lets you looking forward to reading the following books and I think I will not let too much time go before getting the second one and finding out what happens next.

I liked the twists and turns. This story brought so much to the imagination. It is a story of a man waking up in a dark & different world. He has no idea how he got there and how he will survive. He meets new people and horrible creatures. He tries to find his way out and to remember how he got there. There are so many twists and turns that you keep reading just to find out whats on the next page.

Okay, first off, this book is a little strange, but strange in the same way as Stephen King's Gunslinger series is strange. And, in my opinion, just as good. So good in fact that I looked up more of Glynn James books and got more. This was one I was disappointed when it ended. It was that good.

To me, the author left a lot to my imagination. His writing certainly held my attention and interest. As I was reading I kept imagining different scenarios. I was never disappointed when it turned out different from what I had expected.

i didn't quite know what to make of this book when i started reading it, but as it went on i found it interesting. I think it's almost more sci fi than horror although there are some nasty characters in it. the plot was good and it kept you wanting to read more. overall it is not a bad book and if you like sci fi and horror you should read this.

The author really kept me on the edge of my seat with his ability to paint a vivid picture of a very dark world. This is really an adventure story, much of it played out within the main character's own mind. I did not realize until I finished the book that this is one in a series of books within this dark land. I'm looking forward to reading these other works of Glynn James. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

Glynn James has an original series with the Diary of the Displaced.The characters along with the story made this a real page turner.The fast paced world he has created is rich in descriptive and detailed writing,can't wait for the next installment of this exciting new story.

I really enjoyed reading The Journal of James Halldon. It literally transports you to a different realm where you are piecing together interesting clues, artifacts, and creatures to figure out where you are with the narrator. Great read and I'm awaiting where he will end up next!

I bought a box set of books on Kindle, not knowing anything about them, other than they were all zombie-related. When I first started reading this book, I was a bit skeptical. It was so strange and random! I pushed on, shortly finding I couldn't put it down. I adore the author's writing style and the mental imagery he creates. Its a book I won't soon forget, even through reading a book a week! I will definitely be buying the other books in this series!! Thank you so much, Glynn James, for sharing your creative genius with the world!

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. I had read the preview for it several times, but decided not to buy it. I got the book in a box set , and loved this. I would recommend this book to anyone
Flows wonderfully, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Do you like stories that don't follow the same old formula and surprise you? If you like sci-fi and post apocalyptic with an unpredictable plot, then you will find this to be a good read. I'm ready to read the next one called The Broken Lands. Come with me!

A really well written novel. A superb glimpse into a world frightening yet not too dissimilar to ours.great characters, familiars, and truly frightening demons. This is a truly new creation. Fantastic job!

Compared to whats out there I'll give this a score of 3. Compared to books 1-3... a 1.5 at the most. Its too bad because I was hooked for the first 4 chapters and the story went off into left field. Halfway through the book I would think to myself "Ok, the pieces are now in place, here we go!". Sadly, it turns out nothing could be further from the truth.

Plot and minor writing/editing issues aside I do not think this is a solid book. Unfortunately, plot tends to be a major piece of a book. I expected some "Stephen King" stuff to happen, but not too much. Just see the "world" through the POV of more interesting characters. But I expected the latter portions of the book to setup a better ending. What I got though, left me both disappointed and slightly confused.

Certain characters are still bumbling around doing something (and I use the word something because I don't know what they are doing/thinking, and I don't think G.J. has a clue either). The plot seemed to move very little. Sure things happened, but I couldn't (and still cant) lose the feeling that nobody ever really reached a goal or accomplished anything. I'm thoroughly confused with the ending and at the same time totally unsatisfied/confused at the fate of the major character. All things considered, one is not missing much in this book in terms of plot substance.

This is just a quickie review.........This is agreat, unusual and extremely imaginative book. I became completely ingrossed, didnt set kindle down till the end. I loved this book and I'm soooooo looking forward to the continuation of this story. I am a definite Glynn James fan now & will be actively searching for all his work!! Thanks for the wonderful story!!!!!!

I enjoyed this book. The author writes well and the story has some surprises in it. I look forward to the unfolding of the wider significance of the "worlds" we have been shown as the series continues. How can you go wrong at these prices anyway. I hope to see greater complexity and deeper significance as the story goes on.

I read book 1 and enjoyed every minute that it took for me to finish the book. Now I had to buy book 2 and 3 I have to know what happens next. I would love to thank Mr James for coming up with such a wonderful page turner. I would read book 1 in the daytime everywhere I went and would come home and read until I fell asleep with my kindle in my bed. Thank you again for writing this book everyone will enjoy reading.

To be fair I'm more of a hobb, rothfuss, Sanderson fan and tend to stick to a genre I know and love.

That being said I found the book thoroughly enjoyable, reminds me a little of Neil gaiman; little bit weird little bit dark but to my knowledge fairly original and engrossing.

Can't speak about the rest of the series but will defiantly be picking them up.

From beginning until the end you cannot put this book down.
It is written in the first person view of the main character (James Haldon)
but you also get the thoughts of the other characters that you can't
help feeling for.This book moves at a cracking pace,with suprises round every corner.
Very well written with a fantastic and gripping storyline.
if you want a book that is going to keep you reading pick this up, you won't be dissapointed.

Glynn James spins a web with words that holds you as well as Spiderman's. Fantastic read from the first slide of the finger. I couldn't wait to get home and begin reading more, gripped by the protagonist James' predicament and engrossed with his, strange, new environment, I felt it all and held on tight! Glynn James is epic, with an imagination and cleverness for writing second to none. He's made a faithful reader of me.

I have rarely read a book that has surprised me. This is it! Wow. It was so surreal and free. The twists and turns left me breathless. Everyone who enjoys a surprise should read this book. Great job Mr. James.

Diary of the Displaced is an amazing book!! Cannot wait to read the rest in this series. Glynn James has definitly become one of my favorite authors!! He makes you feel as though your right there with James and DogThing on their adventure. And what an adventure it is! Fantastical creatures, ghosts, the maw. Who here doesnt want their very own maw after reading this? Give this book a try, you wont be disappionted.

Glynn James is by far my favorite author right now. I originally read "Diary of the displaced" in the split-up form I found online. So glad I found it, bought it about half way through the split version.
The story's great and keeps you wanting more throughout the book. Unfortunately, it did end though, I could have read on for quite a bit more.
Highly recommended!

This is the first time i read a book by this author . i have to say i rather enjoyed the book, storyline and characters. I did find the ending slightly sudden and some what confusing with a few typos. But still i would recommend this book as a good read and look forward to reading others by the same author.

The "Diary of the Displaced" had me hooked from the beginning. Not quite horror, not quite fantasy, the story treads a path all of its own. It's inventive and quirky, with deeper mysteries unravelling on every page. This is a great book and well worth a read.

This book was horrible honestly! It was very confusing and hard to follow. It wasnt even interesting enough to make you want to follow it! I dont even know if this is a zombie story! I dont know what he is!!!! Did I say this book sucks?