Book Jacket

 

rank 3985
word count 50014
date submitted 18.07.2010
date updated 18.07.2010
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Crime
classification: moderate
complete

The Giant's Boots

Catherine Cardoza-Summers

A middle aged, school teacher’s obsession with his fifteen year old student leads to an unthinkable act.

 

15 year old Dana Silva is a self-described “invisible girl.” Overweight and painfully shy, she wants only to feel wanted. Instead, she is plagued with a hopeless crush, an abusive step-father, and recurring nightmares of a faceless monster. Despite the scarcely concealed love of her eccentric best friend, Jack Simmons, and the newly acquired attention of star athlete Ryan Ferrell, Dana cannot see her own desirability. She has no idea that there is someone who desires her above all. Bruce Altar is a man obsessed. Middle aged and disenchanted with life, his teaching career is tiresome, his family, a burden. Only Dana brings him joy, and he intends to possess her, at any price. A masked kiss sets off a chain of events that will bring the young girl to the very brink of insanity. Abduction, isolation, and the development of a horrifying attachment to her captor, leave Dana dangerously submissive. Only an unlikely partnership between Jack and Ryan offers hope of escape, as they unravel the circumstances of the girl’s disappearance, and race to prevent the unthinkable...

 
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tags

abduction, dark, obsessed, plot twist, shocking, stalker, suspense, teen, v.c. andrews

on 8 watchlists

31 comments

 

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billysunday wrote 377 days ago

Interesting plot, and I agree w/your character-Halloween should be a national holiday. It's a blast. Only read the first chapter and it has a YA ring to it.
Dina of The Last Degree and Halo of the Damned

Inkfinger wrote 382 days ago

Wow, I read the whole lot in one day! Amazing writing, deep characters. The beginning had a bit too much light, 'jokey' teenage dialogue for me, but once I read past that you had me hooked right until the end. I never guessed the connection between Dana and Alter either. And I'm so sad Jack dies!
This has to be published one day.
Becky x

paperbat wrote 645 days ago

For a teacher myself, the theme is quiet startlying! But well written.
Appreciate if my more fun 'paperbat adventures' for children could be assessed/backed , if you see fit.
Jerry [paperbat]

Esrevinu wrote 659 days ago

Great imagery and descriptions--I think you do a very good job of connecting with your readers. The book is filled with tension, action, and suspense. You are a gifted writer my friend and your manuscript will do very well.
Backed with pleasure
Best wishes
Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

Wilma1 wrote 662 days ago

I liked this choosing a campus to set this around was a good move, mixing the ordinary with the extraordinary. Bring in Halloween a storm, a stranger who appears and fly’s away with her to do goodness knows what and a friend/love interest with Jack. You have a hit

Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley – I hope you can spare a moment to take a look

ccb1 wrote 665 days ago

Backed the Giant's Boots. Great job of building suspense in an unlikely place; high school. The teen characters are beleiviable dealing with the usual insecurities: appearance, friends, and love. But underneath this story line lies the eerie and freighting real plot. Good job.
CC Brown
Dark Side

ccb1 wrote 665 days ago

Backed the Giant's Boots. Great job of building suspense in an unlikely place; high school. The teen characters are beleiviable dealing with the usual insecurities: appearaance, friends, and love. But underneath this story line lies the eerie and freighting real plot. Good job.
CC Brown
Dark Side

andrew skaife wrote 666 days ago

I am backing this book on the strength of the read which I found impressive enough to back. The problem is that while my Talent spotter ranking sank below one hundred I have been inundated with requests to read. If you require detailed comments please message me otherwise I was proud to back you and will watch with interest. Cheers for now. BACKED.

livid wrote 666 days ago

Hi, I am sorry that this comment does not help you in any way just yet, other than to let you know that I think your work is worth backing, but I am getting used to the site slowly. Also, work commitments and writing are being squeezed to try to keep up. After the first days I thought that the reading returns and support would slow but as yet they have not even begun to. So, in order to be fair I am backing everyone who I think deserves it, thanking everyone who has backed me and keeping an increasingly long list to get back to and give my hand written comments over. I hope this is ok with you? Cheers.

DP Walker wrote 666 days ago

Hi Catherine
This is beautifully atmospheric and what struck me most was how you managed to contrast the eerie narrative with the more light-hearted. The relationships between the students at the beginning are developing nicely. This has that 'something's going to happen any minute' kind of feel to it.
Backed
DP Walker
Five Dares

Jedda wrote 668 days ago

I'm sure that young high school students will love this. Diverse characters all within their social realm will bring the story into their world. I think that the dialogue could do with a prune and to be called "Sweets" so often would drive me mad. However your story flows and from the sleezy Mr Paulson to the unsympathetic bully of a step father you have realistic characters we all love to hate. Backed, Anne

Paul_aucuparius wrote 668 days ago

Hi

I've read your first chapter - thoroughly enjoyed your evocation of atmosphere - I will read on later today.

Would you consider a swap read of Freddie, Bill and Irving - different genre - but set in the 1960's - would appreciate any comment.
Best wishes

Paul

Cariad wrote 669 days ago

This is great. Such a mixture of atmospheres. The creepy start - exactly what - we want to know, is going on. You then take us into the real, everyday world and manage to be funny, relevant and everyday while all this is going on in the background. Good stuff. Watchlisting and will read more tomorrow (way past my bedtime here)
Polly
STONES

Colin Eston wrote 670 days ago

Catherine

Nice chilling, erotically charged opening, segueing seamlessly into innuendo-laden adolescent banter. I like the way you let Dana and Jack's relationship and characters come out through convincing dialogue.

A few instances of over-prescriptive writing - you don't need to describe how everything is said in a conversation - a couple of clunking cliches - fate worse than death, put a damper on - but these are minor irritations in a tense and creepy concept where the foreboding is only heightened by deceptively everyday conversations. Backed on my watchlist.

For a different school, students but equally disturbing relationships, perhaps you could glance at Dying for Love - I notice you have no titles currently on your shelf???

Yours

Colin Eston

Telegraph wrote 670 days ago

A remarkable work of fiction with polished charcter and rich diolouge that engages us from the first word.

Joanna Carter wrote 672 days ago

Breathtaking - and shocking in the best possible way. On my shelf.
Joanna Carter
Fossil Farm

yasmin esack wrote 673 days ago

Ouch! Thi is hot.

backed for sure

THE THIRD EYE

lizjrnm wrote 673 days ago

Absolutely brilliant so far - you are one talented writer and so glad the entire novel is uploaded - Backed of course!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Barry Wenlock wrote 673 days ago

Exceptional and clever writing. Dana is superbly done.
Backed with pleasure.
best wishes, Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Owen Quinn wrote 674 days ago

I though this was going to be a children's book but bloody hell was I wrong. This is a cracking thriller and I feel for the lost Dana, everyone has felt like this at some point but the teenage years are the worst. Another good play on you never really know people and this for me rates with Along came A Spider, Silence of the Lambs etc. Tense, creepy, exciting and heartbreaking. You have done well.

Katy Christie wrote 674 days ago

Apologies but I couldn't finish the first chapter - can't read off screen for long and because of that you may well wish to ignore this comment. When I initially started reading, I thought 'Oh no, not another dream sequence'. However, the story quickly kicked in and I really enjoyed it. You have captured the teenage voice perfectly and your writing flows smoothly. (I still think the first chapter is too long though :))
Katy Christie
No Man No Cry

SammySutton wrote 674 days ago

Catherine,
Wonderful writing, gripping plot.
Dana is an example of an impeccable characterization!
Great Job. Congratulations!
Backing!
Good Luck!
Sammy Sutton
King Solomon's '13

name falied moderation wrote 674 days ago

Dear Catherine
Where did you get the book cover? the short pitch of yours is perfect in the respect that it proposes a question that I want answered. The long pitch made promises to me that this book was going to be just great. Well you did not disappoint me. Your characters are so well painted, so vivid in their color that they outplayed their scenes very well in my head and believe it , they will not leave.. I have not read it all but will carry on. CONGRATS on a well crafted book that is an easy read because of the structure. A suggestion for the ong pitch and that is to put in paras. It could give the impression of being a little long, which it is not. This may be the first read your publisher, and I know you will get one, will have of your book.
BACKED BY ME FOR SURE
I do hope you will review my book, comment and most of all BACK it. but either way the BEST of luck with yours
Denise
The Letter

Bocri wrote 674 days ago

19 July 2010
The Giant's Boots, an intriguing title, has a stark pitch which is marginally weakened by information overload. It is much like a synopsis whereas it should attract interest by what it suggests and what it doesn't actually say. The opening to the story is satisfyingly chilling and as a reader I can relate to the sense of powerlessness, associated with the nakedness that is almost universal that is accurately and graphically described in the nightmare segment.
Characterisation and dialogue are skilfully created and dimension to the players. The plot develops consistently and with a logicality that lends credence to the events that take place. The introduction of Altar and the mode operandi of his seduction technique are especially well presented. The departure of a major player is always a surprise to the reader and many authors are reluctant to 'kill off' such members of the cast but the creator of The Giant's Boots had no such hesitation and the book is the stronger for it. BACKED. The Tuzla Run

soutexmex wrote 674 days ago

Welcome aboard, Catherine. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. I dislike this genre but man, both of these pitches work. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book on the website, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

lynn clayton wrote 674 days ago

We all have frightening dreams and fantasies and usually they're so personal they sound stupid when told to other people. But you've managed to grasp what frightens us all and described it with skill. Whispering unintelligibly, that's what was worst for me.
Your dialogue, especially that spoken by Altar is excellent. Backed. lynn

Burgio wrote 674 days ago

GIANT’S BOOTS
This is a scary story. I’m never crazy about books that begin with a dream (so many do) but here, I got the feeling right away this wasn’t a dream, so okay. The premise of this (teacher in love with a student) is certainly timely; the idea that the relationship could be more than just infatuation is frightening. Will make all parents who read this check out what teachers their daughter has this year. A good read, I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

PATRICK BARRETT wrote 674 days ago

This is so far outside my normal reading choice that it would be in a completely different book store. But you had me reading solid for the whole amount you have entered on here. THIS IS RIVETTING. The conversations are authentic, the characters are believable and the plot is enthralling. This deserves to be an instant success and would easilly make an enthralling film. Fantastic read. Patrick Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

Despinas1 wrote 675 days ago

Brilliant pitch. The Giant's Boots is an amazing novel which will take Authonomy by storm. Backed with utmost pleasure. Great, no.... Fantastic writing.
Helen
The Last Dream

celticwriter wrote 675 days ago

Hi Catherine. Enjoyed your synopsis. You paint with words wonderfully. I'm not a critic, just a scriptwriter jumping into the novel world for the first time, however I can appreciate a good story with a good visual. Nicely done!

blessings,
jim
p.s. I love Oregon

SusieGulick wrote 675 days ago

Dear Catherine, I love your ability to put me there in your story - I really go scared in chapter 5 - the idea!! But this kind of thing happens because I read it in the paper & pray for the victims. :) Your pitch is excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :) Could you please take a moment to back my 2 memoir books? Thanks. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."
backed :)
Love, Susie :)

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