I’m at the base of the world’s tallest mountain, I just spent the night hiding in a cave, and even you can’t identify what the hell it is we’re chasing. I’ve been better.
Ashton Macaulay
Whiteout
Format:
ebook
Purchase directly from the author.
Amazon/Kindle Unlimited.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Nick Ventner is a drunk with a blatant disregard for others. He’s also damned good at hunting creatures that aren’t supposed to exist.
From amateur necromancers in the bayou to Sasquatch impersonators in the Pacific Northwest, Nick’s seen it all. Even if some of the details might be a little fuzzy.
In Whiteout, Nick faces his greatest challenge to date. Accompanied by his trusty mountain guide, Lopsang, and his testy apprentice, James, Nick journeys into the Himalayas to settle a matter of pride and payouts, as he searches for the lost riches of Shangri-La rumored to lie within the mountain’s peak. However, the sudden arrival of Nick’s greatest adversary, Manchester, complicates matters, and pits the two in a race towards the top, and both soon find that they have not just one another to contend with, but also a mythical and elusive yeti that has been terrorizing the mountain.
Point of view:
The main story is told in 1st person. There are interspersed scenes where Nick is relaying the adventures and these are written in 3rd person. It was a little jarring at first, but actually made it easier to track what was story & what was convo.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
I found this book by following Aberrant Literature on Twitter and I’m so glad I did. I borrowed it thinking that it was horror, and while it sort of fits that category it’s more like action/adventure/thriller with some gruesome scenes. There’s also a huge comedic element due to the irreverent humor and musings of the main character, Nick Ventner. He’s a delightful mashup of Indiana Jones, Van Helsing, and House (you know, the insanely smart yet constantly high TV doctor?). Nick prefers his inebriation from a bottle though and given his experiences, I couldn’t really blame him.
The humor is a bit over-the-top at times, but Ashton Macaulay completely owns it in the writing and it makes for a superbly gratifying experience. This is almost non-stop action & suspense presented in a series of shorter adventures leading up to the final attempt to vanquish the Yeti. Admittedly I know nothing about the mythos surrounding the Yeti, Shangri-La, or any of the legends that make up this story – but I don’t felt it hurt my enjoyment one bit. Macaulay immerses the reader completely in the world building.
I definitely recommend the prequel novella, A Man of the Mountain and the second book of the series, Downpour.
Trigger Warnings (possible spoilers):
There’s peril, violent death, and some gore.
About the author:
Ashton Macaulay is a fiction writer living in Redmond Washington. His works include Whiteout, the tale of drunken monster hunter, Nick Ventner, Man of the Mountain, an intriguing audio drama surrounding a man trying to maintain the Bigfoot legend and various short stories published through Aberrant Literature.
You can connect with Macaulay here:
You can connect with Aberrant Literature here:
My Favorite Quotes
He conjured the fiery demeanor of a born-again mother who’s just found out her daughter experimented with sex. – Whiteout by @RealMacAshton @AberrantLit #Yeti #Thriller #Suspense #MonsterHunter #GetTheManADrink
Tweet
I’m at the base of the world’s tallest mountain, I just spent the night hiding in a cave, and even you can’t identify what the hell it is we’re chasing. I’ve been better. – Whiteout by @RealMacAshton @AberrantLit #Yeti #Thriller #Suspense #MonsterHunter #GetTheManADrink
Tweet
Needle in a Haystack: Mountain Edition. – Whiteout by @RealMacAshton @AberrantLit #Yeti #Thriller #Suspense #MonsterHunter #GetTheManADrink
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