Engrossing and explosive. I revelled in the revelation of the preceding volume and was kept captivated from first to last word in this instalment. TheEngrossing and explosive. I revelled in the revelation of the preceding volume and was kept captivated from first to last word in this instalment. The terrifying simplicity and cleverly plotted political plan for the sectioned off providence of 'Pines did not disappoint. ...more
Genre bending mystery wrapped in an omnipresent shroud of darkness where light is truth and illusion is normalcy. Complex and seamlessly simple in itsGenre bending mystery wrapped in an omnipresent shroud of darkness where light is truth and illusion is normalcy. Complex and seamlessly simple in its execution of theme, the narrative revolving around a replica small town suburbia thrust foundational deep into preternatural existence by ignorance is a shot of pure adrenaline for readers of speculative fiction.
What an incredible science-fiction/fantasy tail this was. One of those rare books that constantly keeps you guessing. MultiThe world is not the world.
What an incredible science-fiction/fantasy tail this was. One of those rare books that constantly keeps you guessing. Multiple plot threads spanning multi dimensional quality. Truly engrossing. ...more
Dark and violent. Writing reminds me of Jason starr; white collar noir infused with horror to create a perfect cult blend of vampire goodness. Loved iDark and violent. Writing reminds me of Jason starr; white collar noir infused with horror to create a perfect cult blend of vampire goodness. Loved it. ...more
Clothing, toiletry, phone chargers and itineraryVacation Check List:
Flights and accommodation booked - tick
Passport, foreign currency arranged - tick
Clothing, toiletry, phone chargers and itinerary packed - tick
Car hired booked - tick
Relaxing daytrips planned - tick
knives, guns, and other handheld weapons primed for self defence - cross
Kids taught how to shoot shotguns - cross
Hand to hand combat training undertaken - cross
The Island, whilst billed as a thriller, gives off some serious survival horror vibes in the best way. Set on a small landmass just off the east coast of Australia, The Island pits a US family against a territorial band of inbred crazies who want nothing more than to maintain their vice like grip on the small piece of isolated terra firma - even if that means murder.
It's difficult to balance out character development in a survival horror setting, after all, the protagonists and antagonists generally don't last all that long, however I found myself connected to each character, even those on the hunt for the Baxter family. Every character had a backstory and read 'real' - be it Ma and her penchant for pain and suffering or Heather, the young wife and prime victim with a killer instinct. It all just works.
The Island completely blew me away with Adrian McKinty once again delivering an all consuming story that's truly unputdownable (I finished this is two sittings). I also recommend checking out the brilliant novel 'The Chain' too if you haven't already....more
"Nothing ever prepares you for the strangeness on the mountain." - [12]
Blood Mountain by Brenda S. Tolian is a collection of twelve short stories whic"Nothing ever prepares you for the strangeness on the mountain." - [12]
Blood Mountain by Brenda S. Tolian is a collection of twelve short stories which form part of a broader narrative centred around a truly harrowing and distinctly horror-infused locale destined to scare and intrigue the reader into a state of apprehensive giddiness and madness with each terrifying instalment. It's like watching the proverbial train crash, unwilling to look away until the last drop of blood hits the already red-stained pavement.
Opening with 'Blood Mountain' and concluding with 'Seraphim', this collection comprises a delectable dish of horror to satisfy anyone's appetite for nightmare inducing storytelling; monsters, cannibalism, witchcraft, and ghosts to name a few; all manner of macabre is catered for.
My personal favourites include the aforementioned 'Blood Mountain' which set the tone of the collection perfectly, 'The Stone Mother', 'Snake Man', 'William Zuni', 'The Turning of Tsetah Dibe', and 'What Remains', with an honourable mention to 'Slaughter Lodge' (such a great title and equally entertaining story) - but honestly, I'm just nit-picking, I love them all, however, if forced to pick my 'must read', check those out first.
I wish more authors took the same approach to Brenda S. Tolian when publishing short story collections as I felt more connected to each instalment, thanks to the familiar setting and reappearing characters and themes (Undersheriff Blackwood and the Red Women spring to mind).
"It was like the mountain had a mouth that just ate them up, never to be seen again, or if they were found, they were in pieces." - Ink Poison
A Cosmology of Monsters is a heady mix of Lovecraftian lore infused with the dark and uncertain world of Grimm’s fairy tales. Visually immersive and dA Cosmology of Monsters is a heady mix of Lovecraftian lore infused with the dark and uncertain world of Grimm’s fairy tales. Visually immersive and densely dreamy, the plot is a poignant reminder of the importance of family and innocence and equally how easily both can be lost in the chaos of fantasy and fact. Noah is a likable character and I loved seeing him grow as the story progressed, ditto for his parents who share equally important page time via by virtue of their backstory which plays a large part instilling the Lovecraft inspired theme. Highly recommend for readers of high concept horror and character-focused narratives. ...more
Is ballerina noir a thing? If not, it definitely should be after reading The Turnout. Much like Megan Abbott’s teen-noir novels, The Turnout is full oIs ballerina noir a thing? If not, it definitely should be after reading The Turnout. Much like Megan Abbott’s teen-noir novels, The Turnout is full of secrecy, exploration, growth, misguided intentions, and, above all, abuse of power. Enthralling from start to finish. ...more
The Bluffs is a heady mix of mystery and intrigue fueled by speculative crime fiction amid a back drop of adolescent female noir; think Megan Abbott (The Bluffs is a heady mix of mystery and intrigue fueled by speculative crime fiction amid a back drop of adolescent female noir; think Megan Abbott (Dare Me), Jonathan Janz (The Siren and the Spectre), and Jane Harper (Force of Nature).
The complexities and cleverly plotted criminal components ensure the reader can never get complacent; just when I thought I'd figured it out, the script was flipped upside down with all blood soaked paths leading down a dark and dangerous new direction.
Despite the constant element of surprise and never ending twists, not once did the plot loose plausibility; every single piece of the puzzle fit perfectly; a testament to a well written story.
I can't recommend The Bluffs enough. 5/5 stars....more
There was a hint of Jack Ketchum's Off Season about this inbred cannibal tale set among a backdrop of isolation and ignorance. Not only is there stomaThere was a hint of Jack Ketchum's Off Season about this inbred cannibal tale set among a backdrop of isolation and ignorance. Not only is there stomach churning gore and nightmare inducing feeding scenes but there's also a deranged and disturbing form of copulation and an omnipresent threat of dread throughout; some of the hallmarks of Ketchum's similarly-themed book.
I'm a big fan of Guy N Smith's horror (Accursed is one of my favorites) and this book did not disappoint. The tension was intense, the characters developed just enough to care about(only just - but that's okay given most end up as dismembered meat set to boil), and the setting and plot equally well defined and written.
The sheer ignorance of the small town community which, for hundreds of years harbored the deformed inbred populace is at once frustrating to read and a brilliant plot device (you really want the cannibals to eat each and every one of them). When some of those townsfolk meat (get it?) their end, the result is nothing short of satisfying.
The stars of the show, those crudely malformed and murderous mountain dwelling cannibals, are truly menacing. Everything about them screams scary; the way they look (the cover to this edition is 100% accurate), their limited forms of communication and intelligence, to their hunter-gatherer nature; it's a brutal and efficient storytelling technique to scare the living daylight out of the reader.
Cannibals is one of the best horror novels I've read - I only wish Guy N Smith wrote more! ...more
In the cold dark depths of horror where blinding white fear and perpetual nightmare reins, a sinister spread of madness driven by a primal instinct diIn the cold dark depths of horror where blinding white fear and perpetual nightmare reins, a sinister spread of madness driven by a primal instinct disrupts reality in this highly addictive new novel by Darcy Coates.
Through a veil of snow and ignorance, Clare, unassumingly drives head-on into danger after a phone call from her sister, the contents of which remain a mystery which gently unfolds as the plot, not so gently, reaches a fever pitch.
Whilst a solid, singular and sequential story featuring interesting and life-like characters is great, Voices in the Show goes the extra mile in delivering a horror with depth, both in story and character.
For a large portion of the book I thought this was horror of the haunted house variety mixed with a little bit of crazy by virtue of an unsettling and slightly 'off' resident of a secluded mansion who takes Clare in following a car accident in the forest.
How wrong I was.
Echoing elements of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, Darcy Coates succeeds in scaring the crap out of the reader; creatures hiding in the shadowy corners of dark rooms conjure vivid imagery of Stephen King's Gerald's Game, and an ever present threat of danger, combined with a confined sense of claustrophobia make for one hell of a read....more
Loved the film as a kid and really enjoyed the healthy dose of nostalgia. This is a fun read with some well rounded characters (Ergo being a personal Loved the film as a kid and really enjoyed the healthy dose of nostalgia. This is a fun read with some well rounded characters (Ergo being a personal favourite) and a simple, easy to follow plot. ...more
I was blown away by the two novellas collected in this tightly wound package of horror; When Darkness Loves Us, and Beauty Is..., two novellas of terrI was blown away by the two novellas collected in this tightly wound package of horror; When Darkness Loves Us, and Beauty Is..., two novellas of terror which couldn't be any more unique from one another.
Darkness Loves Us is a creature feature of sorts with a distinct and disturbing human element. The hallucinogenic and oppressive nature of the story completely envelopes the reader a dangerous underworld where madness lies at the cusp of reality. Pitch perfect horror which will no doubt resonate for a long time to come.
Beauty Is... is set across two timelines; the present and the past with both centering around Martha, a 50 plus year old with a learning disability. Whilst the horror is more human, its no less terrifying than When Darkness Loves Us, perhaps not in execution but in tension.
Dust Devils is a western with strong horror themes, an engaging cast of characters, and a tight linear plot which keeps the pages ticking over in rapiDust Devils is a western with strong horror themes, an engaging cast of characters, and a tight linear plot which keeps the pages ticking over in rapid pulse pounding fashion.
The protagonist and accidental hero, Cody, is a man wronged by the sins of his wife who is forced unwillingly into a world of violence, pain and the preternatural amid a backdrop of a dust covered wasteland inhabited by dangers previously confined to nightmares.
I love the idea of a travelling troupe of nasties visiting isolated townships and reaping havoc, leaving nothing but death and despair in their wake...yeah that's a little morbid but I do like my horror most macabre and that's the sort of meal Janz dishes up here; a heady blend of vampire and cannibalism, scorched meat, and wet thick blood tapped straight from the vein.
Gifted kids in turmoil held to ransom by a secret organisation under the guise of serving their country; a sacrifice for the greater good, isn't an exGifted kids in turmoil held to ransom by a secret organisation under the guise of serving their country; a sacrifice for the greater good, isn't an exactly original or mind-bending inconceivable concept. Yet, Stephen Kings' latest tome manages to feel fresh, exciting, and new. This despite the flurry of fiction surrounding Stranger Things and the secret experiments carried out on kids from that franchise (see Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond).
Like most books I've read by Stephen King, it's the characters, not necessarily the plot which reign supreme and that's true with the Institute (though the plot is pretty great too). Luke Ellis is a great character who is instantly likable. Whilst gifted with semi-super powers and a ridiculously high intellect, King writes him in a way which is down to earth, making him more kid-like as apposed to the standard hero/savior. The ensemble cast, notably Avery, compliment Luke and make for a nice ying to the evil Institute yang.
I wouldn't classify this book as horror, however there are definitely horror elements, particularly in 'Back-Half' (read the book, you'll understand). Much like Sleeping Beauties (co-authored with son Owen), King distances himself somewhat from the genre he's best known, focusing on character and story first, creepy stuff second.
The verdict? If you're one of Stephen Kings Constant Readers chances are you've already read this, or will soon read it , if you're on the fence; fence sit no more, The Institute is great....more
In the distant future mankind has conquered the stars, well at least low Earth orbit anyway... but ambition, greed, and an overwhelming desire to be tIn the distant future mankind has conquered the stars, well at least low Earth orbit anyway... but ambition, greed, and an overwhelming desire to be the first has led to a space ages arms race; inhabit Mars, build bases on the Moon, mine asteroids in deep space, commercialize low Earth orbit...it's all for the taking and for one young entrepreneur, secrecy, scandal and a series of covert space ops, places him, and mankind on the brink of greatness.
Delta-V is a space nerds wet dream; a pure shot of science fiction adrenaline direct to the vein.
Author Daniel Suarez is known for his high octane tech-fi thrills but this one is something special. Delta-V puts the reader firmly in outer-space right alongside the characters in a claustrophobic and isolated place-setting which reads 'real' thanks to some tech-jargon and clever concepts right out of the space travel playbook.
There's a cinematic feel to the story which bodes well for future stories set in this universe as well making for some great, tension filled moments (which I don't detail to avoid spoiling). Everything about Delta-V feels big, as does the lasting impression. I give this a solid 5 (out of 5) stars. ...more
Loading...
