Sallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in natureSallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in nature which bodes well for a good horror story. The only thing which let the book down was the repetitive nature of storytelling in parts with conversations rehashing events multiple times; this felt like it detracted the progressive narrative, putting a stop to a very good plot. Still well worth a read though.
Merged review:
Sallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in nature which bodes well for a good horror story. The only thing which let the book down was the repetitive nature of storytelling in parts with conversations rehashing events multiple times; this felt like it detracted the progressive narrative, putting a stop to a very good plot. Still well worth a read though....more
Action orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNAction orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNOW first otherwise the story won't feel as impactful. Does lend itself towards a romance/horror kind of vibe with Doren and Clare's relationship a point of emphasis throughout.
Merged review:
Action orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNOW first otherwise the story won't feel as impactful. Does lend itself towards a romance/horror kind of vibe with Doren and Clare's relationship a point of emphasis throughout....more
Pulse pounding, fear inducing survival horror akin to Dawn of the Dead and I Am Legend. A well written cast of characters and some hefty loads of emotPulse pounding, fear inducing survival horror akin to Dawn of the Dead and I Am Legend. A well written cast of characters and some hefty loads of emotional baggage add extra depth. ...more
Lulu loves pain; loves the way it makes her feel sexually and emotionally, yet she's able to turn off the on-switch when the need arises, having develLulu loves pain; loves the way it makes her feel sexually and emotionally, yet she's able to turn off the on-switch when the need arises, having developed a high tolerance for pain she's a pro at controlling her body's desires and stimulus.
She earns a buck pleasuring clients by allowing them to inflict pain on her. Don't misinterpret her cause, Lulu is far from a damsel in distress, this is her occupation chosen by own volition. Accompanied by her trusty puppy eyed bodyguard Danny, Lulu's latest job is for a repeat client, Mr Tak. On face value the set-up is the same; a private room in a hotel, body guard with a line of sight thanks to some hidden cameras, the only thing different about this is the shootout which takes place as soon as Lulu opens the door to the suite. Oh, and the bag of diamonds on the floor, yeah, that's different.
HIT ME is high octane action mixed with a heady dose of Faust's pitch black noir. The underworld meets the secretive world of sex head on in a bloody collision of plasma and body fluids as Lulu tries to make sense of a crime she really should have no part in. Readers familiar with the Angel Dare novels will eat this up in a single sitting (as I did), while readers looking for a story with a unique and totally kick ass protagonist will leave with a belly full of satisfaction. Fingers crossed this isn't the last we've seen of Lulu.
I loved the opening stanza which had the four young women waking to find themselves isolated in a strange environment, bound, gagged, and scared out oI loved the opening stanza which had the four young women waking to find themselves isolated in a strange environment, bound, gagged, and scared out of their minds. The sense of horror and claustrophobia was heady and made for a great introduction into the bloody world so cleverly crafted by author Tim Curran.
Then came the escape and eventual fallback to survival horror troupes mixed with some bizzaro fiction akin to the story's by Carlton Mellick III and the wheels just didn't turn as smoothly as that great opening.
The over-the-top gore and sexplotation fit the tone of the narrative and added a nice cinematic element to the creature feature theme.
I think the repetitive nature of the bestial/human conflict wore me down as the story progressed, with each of the four characters experiencing similar perils and plights as they attempted to survive the night. Still well worth a read, especially if you like your horror raw and oozing blood. ...more
BOUNT FEET by Kelsea Yu is on a whole new level when it comes to scares! This is just plain creepy, but, that's not the selling point. Equal parts horBOUNT FEET by Kelsea Yu is on a whole new level when it comes to scares! This is just plain creepy, but, that's not the selling point. Equal parts horror and heart, BOUNT FEET tells a horrific tale of a child lost and a mother's desperate plight to correct the wrongs done to her young family. The backdrop to this story is Portland's Chinese Garden and Ghost Museum which plays home to some terrifying ghosts and compliments the narrative perfectly. BOUND FEET is a difficult book to gush over without accidently giving away spoilers so I'll stop writing......more
Body dysmorphia and omnipresent hallucinatory monsters make #thighgap by Chandler Morrison a damn scary read. Not only does the body horror take centrBody dysmorphia and omnipresent hallucinatory monsters make #thighgap by Chandler Morrison a damn scary read. Not only does the body horror take centre stage but the real-world likeness of the character's struggle make this a truly memorable read....more
STARGAZERS by LP Hernandez oozes CELL vibes, taking me back to how I felt when I read the grandmaster Stephen King's take on a different kind of zombiSTARGAZERS by LP Hernandez oozes CELL vibes, taking me back to how I felt when I read the grandmaster Stephen King's take on a different kind of zombie-like being. Add in a father daughter combo to contend with Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD father/son dynamic and you know you're in for a real treat. ...more
TOXIC LOVE is unlike any other book I've read, though the bizarro fiction of Carlton Mellick III comes close.
Mike Ashbrook is a crime scene cleaner. TOXIC LOVE is unlike any other book I've read, though the bizarro fiction of Carlton Mellick III comes close.
Mike Ashbrook is a crime scene cleaner. After the murder, suicide, or death by natural causes, once the police and crime scene investigators have left, after the body (or bodies as is generally the case here) have been taken to the morgue, all that's left behind is body fluid, stains, and small remains. That's where Mike's talents are put to use - sure it's not a great job but it pays the rent and when you've got little by way of job prospects on the horizon and an estranged family needing cash for various expenses, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Little did Mike know, that, in his mid forties, working a dead end job would lead to a whole new life (both in terms of sex and money). Maybe mopping up blood and collecting skull fragments off the floor ain't so bad after all?
Naturally the cleaning business doesn't lend itself to long term employees, so when newcomer Sage (a twenty something sexpot) joins Mike on the job as the latest hire, he's thinking he'll be up for a new partner before the end of their first clean-up job together. Instead, he ends up banging Sage on the floor in a pool of the deceased blood...yeah gross...
That's pretty much how the bulk of the story plays out. Sage is a freak who loves to screw in the fluid the cleaning crew are hired to mop up. Sadly, not all the guys Sage meets are up for this kind of action...good thing Mike's short of morals (though there is some inner turmoil (which largely evaporates are the sight of Sage's bare breasts)) and lacks will power.
Once the shock value wears off, (which takes some time, believe me), the story clicks over at a steady pace with Sage's desires becoming increasingly taboo - from self harm, to necrophilia to murder, with Mike coming along for the ride - literally. Despite the graphic nature of the content, both Mike and Sage are enjoyable characters who bring life to the tale focused on death.
I was pleasantly surprised at the depth to TOXIC LOVE, in particular the criminal elements which complemented the main story nicely. The introduction of Sage's cousin into the mix was a nice touch and provided a different lens to the horror-erotica.
TOXIC LOVE is a niche read. If you dig Bizarro/horror-erotica/splatter-punk etc. then this one is perfect for you. As a reader who is relatively new to this style of book, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into it, however I found myself unable to put it down until I'd consumed all there was to offer.
PARADISE CLUB is not for the feint of heart. It you're a reader who shies away from copiousWow! That was brutal!
I could end the review there really...
PARADISE CLUB is not for the feint of heart. It you're a reader who shies away from copious amounts of blood and gore, or scenes which teeter on the edge of bizzaro-fiction / extreme-horror then PARADISE CLUB isn't for you. If, on the other other hand, you like your horror to be a full immersive experience, viscera and all - then step right up because author Time Meyer sure has served a feast!
Elliot Harper, an FBI agent, and his family win a vacation to a secluded island (along with some 600 other guests) where they'll be pampered, enjoy crystal clear water and be treated some exotic cuisine. What the pamphlet neglected to mention was that the guests would also be treated to a very exclusive and dangerous game - the Skirmish. More on that later.
Pretty early on in the piece, Elliot knows something isn't right...accidentally stumbling upon a man being tortured and killed in the basement of the hotel you're staying will give you those 'feel bad vibes'. In no time at all the resort is overrun by killer clowns, chainsaw wielding lumberjacks and samurai's to name a few, hellbent on murdering the guests in the most macabre way. Good stuff.
Horror fans will immediately think of The Purge, which is apt - after all, a select few get free reign on mass murder, but there's a difference. Rather than 'purging America', this group of costumed killers is contributing to a Lovercraftian cause to raise an ancient race! Didn't see that coming did you? The Skirmish is a bloody means to an end which threatens all participants (killers included - there's no discrimination here with some pretty gory murderer-on-murderer violence).
I had a blast reading PARADISE CLUB which just happened to be my first read by author Tim Meyer and I can tell you, it won't be the last!
THE CHARNEL CAVES sees a small resurgence of the long thought extinct monster crabs following a spate of gruesome human deaths off the Welsh coast. HoTHE CHARNEL CAVES sees a small resurgence of the long thought extinct monster crabs following a spate of gruesome human deaths off the Welsh coast. However, whilst the crabs would prove to be the culprits, author Guy N Smith does his best to impress upon the reader a new threat! One more menacing than those pesky overgrown crabs (read the book to find out what)!
While the smoke and mirrors added a little something extra to the sea food broth, ultimately, THE CHARNEL CAVES is about those famous monster crabs and their never ending thirst for human flesh.
Kept largely to a small cave, the group of crabs manage to cause a lot of chaos. Enter Pat, a character from a previous installment (I think...) who had faced these monsters previously and lived to tell the tale. He's on the coast to conquer his fears, much to the chagrin of his partner. What was meant to be a form of therapy for Pat turns into warfare, as once, again, man verses beast in a final battle to determine who is the dominant species once and for all!
Spoiler - it's the humans.
THE CHARNEL CAVES is all killer, no filler. On the surface this seems like a good deal for readers, however both plot and character development suffer. Even the threat of world war three doesn't add much depth. It's almost as if THE CHARNEL CAVES was written for a graphic novel, in which case, the scrip and pace would've been perfect.
Overall, I still enjoyed popping my Crabs cherry with THE CHARNEL CAVES.
Right from the outset, you know what sort of book this is.
Originally published in 1959, the sleaze racket of the time could be considered moderate byRight from the outset, you know what sort of book this is.
Originally published in 1959, the sleaze racket of the time could be considered moderate by today's standards, however, for Cherry, the buxom beauty at the centre of the plot, 1959 was a time when nudity and posing for pictures was near one of the worst professions a girl on the make could have. The only problem was - she needed money and was prepared to put her morals aside to get that green - to an extent that is.
Singing in cafe's, undertaking menial work in factories and working as a receptionist/bookkeeper didn't provide enough dough to make way for the big smoke, that, coupled with a deadbeat boyfriend with an equally dead end job, lead Cherry down a path she never thought she'd walk; posing for nudes pictures.
Seems a little tame, however when accosted to ramp things up and move into filming R-rated acts with strangers, the line she'd not cross was firmly drawn and oddly enough - her firm 'no' resulted in better long term life prospects. Enter Tom, her photographer who happened to be madly in love with her, whispering sweet nothings and promising her a wedding ring and to keep the nude pictures he took of her to himself - damn the money! Cherry seems pleased with this, however, life has a way of complicating things...if only she didn't have these other urges...
Sin Doll is pure sleaze pulp; from big city dreaming Cherry down to Millie, a stripper/sex worker who tries and succeeds in helping Cherry discover her sexual orientation, the pages drip with lust.
Yet there's more to the story which makes Orrie Hitt's style so easily readable and enjoyable. True, sexploitation is the name of the game, however Cherry's character is as well rounded as her curvaceous wares with Hitt writing her as a fully independent woman with sass and charisma to burn with a sense of self worth which puts her head and shoulders above the males who try (and fail) to take advantage of her. I wouldn't go as far as calling this a 'coming of age story', however there are some themes akin to that style of narrative. ...more
The noir infused plot had promise but was hindered by writing which felt shallow and lacked depth; at times the book read more like a story outline raThe noir infused plot had promise but was hindered by writing which felt shallow and lacked depth; at times the book read more like a story outline rather than a fully fledged novella in its own right.
A couple characters saved the book from being completely derailed with Issy and later Rachel being written perfectly into their roles; one as an accidental victim, the other as a 'hopes and dreams dashed damsel in distress'. However, 'protagonist' Mark, for his part, didn't fit the hero troupe, as much as I like the a-typical, there needs to be some plausibility and his character just didn't work.
I was really looking forward to giving this a shot and I'm still glad I did, I just wish the writing had more depth. Still a solid 3.5/5 stars. ...more
The Nature of Balance is an interesting horror which echoes sentiments of Nod by Adrian Barnes, with sleep, or significant lack thereof being a prime The Nature of Balance is an interesting horror which echoes sentiments of Nod by Adrian Barnes, with sleep, or significant lack thereof being a prime factor in the downfall of modern day society. The popular myth of dying in your sleep by falling from a great height or experiencing some form of significant trauma whilst at the mercy of the sandman has been a told time and time again, generation to generation. Here, author Tim Lebbon exploits that notion and then some; adding an element of animalistic horror, a mysterious entity with godly powers, and a relentless mother earth which wants to reclaim the wild.
There’s plenty of gore and creative massacre built in to this truly terrifying dystopian-like tale so if you’re squeamish, beware.
Whilst I enjoyed the book for the most part, the ending felt abrupt and too convenient for my liking. That said, the opening stanza and first glimpse of Fay was nothing short of breathtaking, perfect for horror aficionados.
If dystopian horror is your thing, I highly recommend giving this one a go. 3.5/5 stars. ...more
Cold, creepy, and claustrophobic, Antarctic Ice Beats echos The Thing whilst adding another layer of frozen horror to form, what is for the most part,Cold, creepy, and claustrophobic, Antarctic Ice Beats echos The Thing whilst adding another layer of frozen horror to form, what is for the most part, a decent and fast paced read.
Isolation works great for a self contained survival horror; a limited cast, some creepy craziness, and themes which play on the sanity of the characters. This book ticks all those boxes and then some, particularly early on. However, about half way through, the direction of the book takes a turn which didn't work for me which essentially changed the feel of the book from survival/suspense/terror to something altogether different.
I couldn't get through the opening chapters fast enough, and whilst the characters weren't all that well developed, the scare tactics and suspense certainly compensated for it. I only wish the entire book was as good as the first half.
A fun time travel story which picks up where One Word Kill left off. For the tabletop gamers among the readers, the D&D element is still prominent andA fun time travel story which picks up where One Word Kill left off. For the tabletop gamers among the readers, the D&D element is still prominent and adds a flavor of fantasy to the sci-fi, however the Stranger Things feel has been taken down a notch with this story focusing more on Nick, rather than the group as a whole. Overall a fun form of escapism which opens the door to endless possibility for future stories....more
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