The Eris Ridge Trail, by Larry Hinkle -- A short read about a long trip through a cosmic horror world

 

Cover Image
courtesy of
Four Winds Bar Publishing

I received a HWA read request in my inbox for this little cosmic horror piece, and I chose to check it out for the oddest of reasons: the author's name happens to be a name I recognize from my high school days. We weren’t necessarily friends—or enemies, for that matter. Or even in the same graduating class. And as I write this, I’m not convinced that @thatscarylarry is even the Larry I had a passing knowledge of. It’s plausible though. And that’s kinda weird.

Much like the novella in question, The Eris Ridge Trail, by Larry Hinkle, is kinda weird in a cosmic/weird tales kind of way. It’s an imaginative story of a random group of people (and their dogs, in some cases) who individually get lost in different locations across the country, while on the same named trail. They find each other in this weird new world that seems to be otherwise desolate, and that randomly shifts through time, sometimes at photo shutter speeds.

Each character among this ragtag group is also in a state of being lost within the trajectory of their lives, and because of it, they gravitate to becoming a much needed family. They learn to depend on each other in a world full of constantly shifting unknowns.

It's a cleverly written piece and a quick read at just under 200 pages. The characters are relatable and likable enough and, of course, the dogs are adorable saints and saviors to some degree. That having been said, I didn’t feel like there was much of a character arc for any of them—no real epiphany for them to come to. The horror aspect was mostly situational, and not really the result of anything derived from deep character flaws. Mistakes are made throughout their combined attempts to return home, but I felt like the reason why this was happening to these characters in particular was left unanswered.

The horror aspect of the story as a whole was atmospheric, with a couple of gory parts that were relatively brief. Overall, this is a pleasant novella length story from a promising newish voice.

Click on the cover image above for options to buy.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones -- Historical Horror Fiction at its Best

Cover Image Courtesy of
S&S/Saga Press

I have been holding off on reading this latest entry by Jones, about a Native vampire, maybe because I have been anticipating it since its announcement, then bought the book —not the ebook—on preorder then, because I was so psyched by the premise from the start, refrained from committing to it because—what if I would be disappointed? What if my prediction, that this story would blow me out of the water, was wrong?

Then the Horror Aficionados group on GoodReads finally got around to voting for this as the read of the month, and… Well, I wasn’t wrong.

This story is about a Picuni known (by many names but…) as Good Stab, and a Lutheran pastor known as Arthur Beaucarne (also as Three Persons, which is genius, IMO). They meet in 1912 when, over the course of many subsequent meetings, Good Stab lays out a lengthy confession of his sins, exposing his story of becoming a vampire after events that took place during an 1870 Blackfeet massacre that both MCs are dishearteningly familiar with.

Oh, and if your go to read is historical fiction—American historical fiction, then this book needs to be on your list.

The good pastor Beaucarne can do nothing if not listen, in spite of his initial skepticism over the gory and fantastical details. He can do nothing but listen and record the confessions in a private journal, as Good Stab weaves his story, ending each session with the perfect announcement that his pipe is empty (he can’t smoke one), his allotted time is done. This style of story telling immediately brought Rice's Interview with the Vampire to mind, and the device of a vampire telling his story for the purpose of posterity works here too.

But Jones tricks us here because, while the storytelling device immediately feels like a nod to Anne Rice, it doesn’t take long to understand that what Jones is doing is not simply revealing Good Stab's confession. He's also peeling away at the good pastor's deeply imbedded flaws. There’s an increasing cat and mouse game going on between these two men, and it culminates into a gory confrontation like only Jones can do.

Of course, anyone inspired to read this after reading this review might initially be confused. Because the book begins and ends with a grad student named Etsy in the relevant present. She's researching her family history—her thrice great grandfather Beaucarne—when the manuscript of his journal falls into her lap.

I’m not going to lie. The tonal shift between current day Etsy's story, and the journal entries of Good Stab's story written by Beaucarne, didn’t initially mesh for me. Having read enough of Jones's work, Etsy acts and sounds a lot like Jade from the Chainsaw series. Different girl, same hyper-thought process voice, maybe tempered a little because there’s less of a chip on her shoulder. Her character traits are a SGJ staple though for certain. Fans of Jones will either love it or hate it. If this is your first SGJ read, it probably won’t matter. But the bookend chapters of Etsy and her discovery of the journal plays its part by story’s end and brings the story as a whole to a satisfactory—albeit tonally different—conclusion.

I loved this book, plain and simple. I was riveted. And there are a few long ass chapters that unwind as Good Stab smokes his imaginary pipe. The actual history that is imbedded into the framework of this story is heartbreaking, and the more people who become aware of it, the better.

I think I mentioned in a chat group somewhere, midway through reading, that The Buffalo Hunter Hunter just might replace The Only Good Indians or Mongrels as my favorite Stephen Graham Jones book.

It did. 100%.

Click here, or on the cover image above, for a retail link.

Where Dark Things Rise by Andrew K. Clark — A solid addition to the Dark Things series

Cover Image courtesy of
Quill and Crow Publishing

The second installment of the Dark Things series by Clark is as good as the first one, if not better. The first, Where Dark Things Grow, tells the story of Leo and Lilyfax as they grow into young adulthood in depression era Appalachia. Leo is the one who draws from a special darkness in the first book, as he tries to overcome the allure of its power in order to right things for the underprivileged, in his case, the poor.

In book two, we focus on Leo's grandson Gabe, and Gabe's potential love interest Mina. This installment is set in the 1980s, with Gabe being mentored by the ways of his grandparents, Leo and Lilyma, and with Mina being the one who struggles with a darkness as she learns to wield it.

If you are a fan of the first book, you will appreciate the relationship of the elder characters in their later years. You will appreciate how they've grown and the heartbreaks they face with the coming of age. And if you’re of a certain generation (X) you might appreciate the time setting of the book, because these new characters are teens in the 80s. Clark hits the ambiance of the iconic 80s without breaking a sweat—right there with the right vibes of Stranger Things.

But this second book weaves in a great deal of religious horror too—something I happen to be drawn to, whether reading it or writing it. It addresses the extremes of the religious right, and how it can hurt the very communities it pretends to be helping, because in this book—while the underprivileged are still targets for the villains of the story—so are teenage girls and members of the lgbtq community. These new characters are just trying to find themselves in a world where some people want to define what is righteous and what is wrong with rigidly drawn lines, and the anger and frustration that comes from this struggle is where dark things rise.

This book is a solid entry in a new era of dark, religious themed horror. Thanks to the author, the publisher and the HWA for giving ARC access to this book. Click on the cover image for adirect  purchase link. Or, here: Where Dark Things Rise Purchase Link

Take a Ride into the Weird Wild West with KC Grifant and Her 2nd Installment of the Melinda West Series

Cover Image courtesy of
Brigids Gate Press, LLC

Once again, KC Grifant offers up an entertaining, genre bending read with Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen. I had the fortune of reading the first installment of the Melinda West series over a year ago, and this second installment is just as imaginative as the first with an obvious tease for a third installment at the end.

I do recommend picking up Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger and reading it first in order to get to know the main characters and the Weird West world that they live in. It also sets up some important elements about Melinda’s backstory and her struggle with PTSD that might be confusing if you go into book two blind. But if you’re a series reader, this mashup of Wild West, Horror and even SciFi promises to have some longevity.

As with the first, this installment is plot centric and pulpy, and I feel like it pulls its story from a wellspring of pop culture Scifi reimagined for a Wild West world, with the obvious hat tip to Gremlins. There are touches of Alien, and the Borg in Star Trek comes to mind, but the story is still its own story and not some rehash dressed in Western duds. Also, Grifant populates the piece with a diverse cast.

I want to thank Brigids Gate and Grifant for approving this ARC request via NetGalley. And one final shoutout for the striking cover! Click on the cover image above, or the link below for purchase options: 

https://brigidsgatepress.com/product/melinda-west-and-the-gremlin-queen

Self Promo Time—But Not Really: Reviewing Dancer, A HauntedMTL Charity Anthology

Cover Image
Courtesy of Czykmate Books

So, I’m between a rock and a hard place with this unique little anthology of horror. You see, I'm in it, and I have made a commitment to refrain from rating my own work. My contribution to this collection consists of two haikus, six total lines within 150 pages. So maaaayyybeee I can review it? Without technically rating it? The haikus are fantastic (haha jk), but seriously, the collection of short stories and poetry is worth a look. Standouts for me include:

Kevin Hollaway's graveyard crime story Unrest

Nicole Luttrell's environmental horror piece Everything Is Fine

Sci-fi horror The Hunger Between the Stars by Kody Greene

Kathy Sherwood's The Roadside Room about a dangerous one night stand

Glenn B. Dungan's weird The Bug Room about a boy and sentient bugs with cryptic lessons

Rob Swystun's touch of folk horror with Canta Hotinza, about a mysterious construction site spreading across the land

But that’s not all. Sarah Das Gupta has both poetry and short stories of merit, and the rest of the collection has the potential to resonate with readers of a variety of tastes and interests.

Better yet, the curator of this collection, Jim Phoenix, plans to give the proceeds of this book to a worthy charity, the children of Ukraine. Anthologies are a great way to get in a touch of reading when you’re too busy to commit to a full fledged novel. And this one is for a great cause! Check it out. I recommend it even if I’m technically a part of it. My part is two cents worth of the entire book, so I think I might get a pass this time. 😉

Find it here, or wherever you choose to buy your books.

A Mortuary For Songs by Elizabeth Guilt -- A Novelette that Packs a Punch

Cover Image courtesy of
Graveside Press

    Don’t have time to read? Well this little piece, published by Graveside Press, is only 56 pages and, wow! Just wow. There is so much in this piece—nostalgia, heartbreak, love and loss, hope and horror. It’s a moving story about a high school love affair that takes a gut wrenchingly dark turn. I highly recommend it. If you have memories of high school and the hold that music had because of the way it spoke to you and helped you escape—everything— then this story will hit home.

    A young man finds friendship in a troubled young woman as they increasingly bond over the power of music. His love for her grows as they make and share endless mixtapes in their quests for meaning. But he can't seem to break past the thin shell that hides her real secrets. Until he does. And it's heartbreaking.

    If you need a taste of what this author--and this newish horror press has to offer, check out A Mortuary for Songs. You could find it at your favorite online book retailer. Or you can check it--and other merch--out at the Graveside Press website here: --GRAVESIDE PRESS MERCH-- 

Chuck Wendig's Black River Orchard — A Quick Review of a Delicious Horror Gem

Cover Courtesy of Del Rey Books

I don’t know where to begin, other than to say that this was one great book. Diverse and complex characters who find themselves up against an unusual cult of…well, people who don’t even recognize that they are being drawn into said cult. 

It begins with Dan Paxon—an apple orchard farmer who just wants to catch a break and make a successful living from his hard work and dedication. He just wants to pay the bills and be remembered for something. An apple. His apple. And when he stumbles upon one doozy of a vintage variety, his life, and the future prospects for his teenage daughter Calla, changes dramatically.

I don’t want to give away more than that. But the book starts as a slow unraveling of odd behavior as we get to know the characters and feel for the characters and understand the characters as they fall in love with these outrageously delicious apples that are, well, not what they seem to be. The villains here even garner my sympathy (until they don't) and I can’t help but wonder if the story is an allegory for things happening in our lifetime—without being too specific about those things happening in our lifetime.

Great read. Even at 600 plus pages. I highly recommend it and can visualize it as a limited series directed by someone like, I don’t know…Mike Flanagan? So hey, Mr. Flanagan, if you’re looking for something new, check it out! Give Chuck Wendig a call!

The Third Installment of the Stephen Graham Jones Lake Witch Trilogy is HERE! (Almost…)

If you're looking for that next horror book preorder, and if reading My Heart is a Chainsaw and Don’t Fear the Reaper left a ragged hole in your heart because you needed more, well… The third and final (as of now) installment is heading to bookstores this March, and the chance to preorder is now.

Cover Photo courtesy of Saga Press

I was ever so fortunate to acquire an advanced copy, and I’m popping up this review now, so that you beautiful horror minded people can keep it on your radar. Because you are beautiful. The horror community, in general, is one of the best, right? Anyway, book review, below:

I was super excited to be granted an ARC copy of this book, the third in the Lake Witch trilogy written by Stephen Graham Jones. The first two books, My Heart is a Chainsaw, and Don’t Fear the Reaper were big, splattery tales of slashers gone wild, with metadoses of pop horror culture Easter eggs to lure in the hardcore horror movie fans. Or even the softcore ones. Angel is no different in this regard. It is often times an exploded, pulpy mess of confusion, but that’s what the truest forms of the horror genre are, I suppose. Lots of twisted trails of our blood soaked nightmares. I'm trying too hard to evoke images of guts and gore, I know. But that’s what the trilogy is; Jade Daniels, the Native American final girl who can never be that. A final girl. 

This story brings Jade back to Proofrock, the idyllic little lakeside community in Idaho that has become one of  America's top destinations for murder. Jade returns after being incarcerated for her crimes from the first two books, and after enduring some state mandated therapy. But she’s out and she’s back, and she’s snagged a teacher position at her old high school, thanks to online college courses and friends with money in high places. As Jade pops pills to help her stay sane, it happens again. Students go missing, wind up dead, and ultimately have a connection with Jade and her obsession with horror.

I feel like Jones felt the pressure of having to top the frenetic pacing of books one and two here, but as is the case with many a part three story ( especially in film), the attempt doesn’t always hit the mark. This does not mean that I wasn’t entertained. Far from it… But some of the deaths/mayhem felt gratuitous. And by gratuitous, I mean deaths that just happened without provocation. I’m talking Tucker and Dale level accidents. Some of the deaths were certainly unexpected but also random, as in Final Destination random, but they didn’t feel intrinsic here.

That having been said, I feel like the number of relevant shocks and surprises outweighed the baseless ones. Favorite characters are not safe here, and the first one to go (for me) had me shouting “you bastard," at Jones—in a good way. We see everything from Jade's POV, which can be challenging because she’s not a linear thinker, but it’s true to character so be prepared. Also, reading the first two books is essential.

I think two of my favorite things about how this story was laid out, were the asides written by an investigative firm about Jade's mental state and progress after jail (yes, Mr. Jones, sir. I’m calling it jail too), and the one story thread that had me comparing Jade to Ripley in Aliens. If there is one person to focus on saving, that’s the one.

And finally, thanks to Mr. Jones and Saga Press for providing the ARC. It was one wild ride!

Tap the link here to purchase from Amazon. OR tap here to purchase from Bookshop.org…

Final Review of the Year — Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by K. C. Grifant

Cover image courtesy of 
Brigids Gate Press
Illustrated by Luke Spooner

Who remembers that old sci-fi western Wild Wild West, with Will Smith and Kevin Kline? Or if you’re really into ancient entertainment viewing, who remembers the TV series that inspired it? Well, if either of those versions of Wild Wild West were ever your cup of tea, then Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger will be a treat. 

Granted, this is less of a sci-fi story and more of a pulpy horror western, but the crossover vibes are similar. This is a plot-centric piece of storytelling with a touch of steampunk flavor for fans of, say… Supernatural. And I am a fan of Supernatural. 

Author K. C. Grifant has woven a tale of monster hunters, pleasantly diverse ones, in an alt western world that resonates with parallels to our own American wild West history. She creates sympathetic villains and morally gray heroes out for justice—for themselves— and against an underworld they have yet to understand for its horrific power. It’s not necessarily deep, but it’s well written and fun. A welcome diversion for fans of multi genre pulp fiction. 

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC to potential HWA readers. Click on the cover image for a link to Amazon.

A Very Brief Review of Mr. Jacobs vs. the Demonic Clowns...(a very long titled book)

 

Cover Image courtesy of 
Evil Cookie Publishing

Thank you NetGalley, Evil Cookie Publishing and the author for providing this ARC.

Mr. Jacobs is a plot centric novella that focuses on the actions of the outlandish Mr. Jacobs and his happenstance crew trying to save the world from a takeover by the Unnamed Shadowlord through the possession of a few hapless party clowns. It sounds like fun, right? And it is fun, to a certain degree. If you’re a fan of the exploits of a Doctor Who type of lead, or a Dirk Gently genius, or the novels of Christopher Moore or Craig McLay, then you might indeed enjoy this story.

But there’s not a lot of depth to these characters. They are arguably quirky, but we don’t get to know them or feel for them in a deeper sense. You may say that comedy isn’t designed for that, but I disagree. In my mind, a character facing an external challenge, like saving the world, still needs to face an internal challenge too, like coming to terms with his or her own beliefs or fears. Hence, the three rating for me. But it passes the Bechdel test—something that’s been lingering at the back of my mind all year so far, so thank you for scratching that itch.

Also, the ARC draft I read was riddled with pushed together wordslikethis. Sometimes this happens with advanced copies of books, so I tried not to let it influence my rating. But if these errors shouldn’t be the case, I want the publishers to be aware of it. Thanks for the read!

Find access to the book here

Brief Book Review -- Bunny by Mona Awad

Cover Image courtesy of Penguin Books

First, cudos to Mona Awad for stepping up to the plate and challenging the tech industry over using her material to train AI to write things. I'm in full support of this author's challenge. Now, about the novel Bunny...

This is the second time I'm writing this review because the first one didn't post at B&N --thanks, nook app. I "love" starting over.

But hey, I did like this book. It's confusing as heck because of the trippy things that happen--the main character Smackie, an English grad student with a huge inferiority complex, is also a highly unreliable narrator. But her imagination kicks in big time as she bleeds out her tale of woe while trying to fit in with the rich girls on campus, who reach out to include her after several semesters of treating her like an other.

And she is an other--the horror elements are a fantastic and bizarre flip to a Stepford Wives ideal, but the love story, the real love story that makes Samantha the "other", is the reason to keep reading. You could argue that there are similarities to plenty of stories out there, such as Mean Girls or Heathers (movies are stories too), or the obvious nods to Alice in her Wonderland. But the telling of this bunny horror fairytale is weird and unique and original in a good way, too.

Check it out horror fans. You can find Bunny pretty much wherever books are sold, but you should also check it out at  Bookshop.org if you want to support indie bookstores. And who doesn't love an indie bookstore?

Free Reads On NetGalley, Plus a Review on Piñata, by Leopoldo Gout

If you aren’t familiar with it, NetGalley is great. It's an opportunity for writers to get their work out to readers for free in order to coax honest reviews of their recently published (or soon to be published) work. It’s an opportunity for readers to get a free look at new books by both new and established writers before the general reading audience sees it.

Of course there’s a catch. Readers are expected to leave a rating or review of the book. But this isn’t like Goodreads, where there's that chance of a new author giving you what for if the review isn’t what they want to hear. No, NetGalley is a trusted intermediary in that process. There's no chat room where author and reviewer might virtually bump into each other. NetGalley is the barrier between the two, giving the reader the chance to give an honest opinion and the author a chance to garner thoughtful feedback for themselves and, potentially, more readers.

I've prefaced this blog with a pitch for NetGalley for two reasons. First, I am going to review a newly released horror novel, Piñata, by Leopoldo Gout. I found it on NetGalley. Second, I'm pitching my own new release, Perfect Sacrifices, which isn’t currently on NetGalley, but will be soon. Perfect Sacrifices is book three of the Perfect Prophet series, and you can find books one and two (Prophet Reborn) on NetGalley for a limited time, starting now. I am so happy with the completed third book, and I hope horror readers will love it. But it needs reviews before people will consider it, and there is a bit of backstory that comes easier if you’re familiar with the first two books. Perfect Prophet and Prophet Reborn have decent professional reviews, but it's the regular reader reviews that people look for. The more, the merrier. So please feel free to check out and review Perfect Prophet and Prophet Reborn for free at NetGalley for the next three months. You can post those reviews elsewhere too, if you want to make an author happy. Here's a link where you can sign up or login if you’re already a member…

https://www.netgalley.com/auth/login

And here’s a link to Perfect Prophet  and Prophet Reborn specifically…

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/?text=Diane+M.+Johnson

Onto the real reason you’re here, a review on Piñata by Leopoldo Gout.

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/267318

First, thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC of this intriguing horror novel. I’m a sucker for horror with cultural or historical roots, and Piñata easily fills that bill. Also, I picked this book up on the tail end of reading a book that failed the Bechdel test, and that metric is still at the back of my mind, so… This book has several female main characters who talk to each other about things beyond the men in their lives. Bravo, Mr. Gout. You passed the test!

I enjoyed this horror piece, about a Mexican descended family from NY who travel to Mexico because of mom's work as an architect. It doubles as an opportunity for the woman's school age daughters to get a taste of their heritage but, teenage girls being who they are, it doesn’t end well. But the teenage apathy isn’t the worst of the family’s problems. The mom, Carmen, is a woman in a male dominated field, and the site that her firm is helping renovate into a hotel is an old church with a dark historical past.

The near decimation of the Mexican indigenous population at the hands of conquistadors and Spanish missionaries has left a centuries old stain on this location of the world, and the history and cultural relevance of the piñata is at its core. Once part of Nahua rituals of death and rebirth, it has now become a party favor, a mockery of its original importance and meaning. Until Carmen's youngest daughter Luna shows up and introduces herself to the long silenced spirits of the past who seek revenge. Luna becomes a sort of conduit for those vengeful spirits in a way that that little girl in the movie Poltergeist was used by the voices on a static filled TV. Sort of. I’m not going to provide any more possible spoilers except to say that the idea that Poltergeist uses—the gentrification over sacred land, is an easy comparison.

I enjoyed the book, most definitely, although the build to the horrific end was a little slower than I would have preferred. The slow build pulls the rating down maybe more than it should. I don’t know, maybe it was the writing style that was fine…but it didn’t quite fill me with the looming terror that I felt it should have. Until the end. It ramped up quickly by the last quarter of the book.

Two Reviews for the Price of One: Representing Diversity in Time for Black History Month, Plus Another Shoutout to the Work of Stephen Graham Jones

 Hey, it's Black History Month! And I was fortunate to receive an ARC of The Black Guy Dies First from Saga Press. This nonfiction book on the history of Black people in horror cinema drops February 7th, 2023, and it's a perfect reading choice for anyone looking to fill up on a little cultural history relevant to the month.

Do you know what else drops on February 7th? Book two of the Lake Witch trilogy, Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones. I teased this review back in October, and the release date is here! So enjoy the review.

The Black Guy Dies First is a great reading choice for the Black History month of February. Don't Fear the Reaper is a great one too, because it's set during a freaking blizzard--much like the weather we've been having across the country. Either title is a great choice, really. Enjoy!

Cover Image courtesy of Saga Press

First of all, thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in the nick of time before Black History month.  Timing is everything. I felt a little pressured to finish this one quickly because of it and, well... here it is; a relevant review in time for a relevant month to post it. Anyway, on to the review!

When I got the mailer asking if I was interested in this title, I was beside myself. I mean, what a title! Being a bit of a movie person AND a bit of a horror person, that title meant something. I laughed because of the sad in-joke that it represents--because it's true. I was also invested, because I have an interest in horror movies in general. I know about the significance of  Duane Jones in Night of the Living Dead, I've seen the Candyman films, I'm more than familiar with the Scary Movie memes and I know who Yaphett Kotto is. And The Shining, well that's the movie that cemented my relationship with horror.

Needless to say, all of these iconic movies and people are discussed, along with Jordan Peele--of course. And if you know the in-joke of the title, or just a passing knowledge of why I've mentioned the short list above, then this book may be for you. Authors Coleman and Harris take a deeper dive into the history of Black creatives in the horror genre. They do it with humor, with wit and with a sometimes uncomfortable level of snark, but hey, it is what it is. Honest snark. They're allowed a little bit of room for snark.

Either way, it's a great title to add to your shelf if you're a movie history or horror buff of any kind. I highly recommend it. 4 Stars.

Cover Image courtesy of Saga Press

I’m tearing myself apart trying to decide how to rate this latest installment of the Lake Witch Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones because, in the movies at least, the sequel rarely stands up to the first one. There are arguable exceptions, of course. Aliens over Alien tracks for me. The Empire Strikes Back, for many a Star Wars fan (although my #1 will always be A New Hope, and Rogue One comes out ahead of Empire for me…). The Godfather Two, apparently, although the one I remember best is the first. That second Lord of the Rings, I guess…

But I'm going down a rabbit hole, and siting examples that aren’t technically in the horror genre to boot. Except for the Alien franchise. I should site Jaws, because it’s relevant to this story, and there isn’t one Jaws sequel that compares to the original. And Predator, well…the recent prequel Prey is the only one to best it, imo—and it surpasses the original by far.

Anyway, back to this review. It's a fast paced, non-stop slasher fest, more so than the first one, because that's what sequels aspire to do; there's that need to top that previous installment with more explosions, more car chases—or in this case, more splashy ways to bring out the guts and gore.

And I envision Jones standing there before the challenge, much Iike his main character Jade, giving his audience a curt nod of the head that says, "Bring it on, man. Bring it."  But don’t expect to dive into this book without reading the first one. It's easy to get lost even if you have read My Heart is a Chainsaw. In fact, I’d say it's mandatory reading. Regardless.

What I like about Don’t Fear The Reaper:

1) Dark Mill South. He's big. He's an admirable addition to the list of horror slasher icons, and his back story teaches us a little bit about that Native American history our U.S. education system likes to gloss over (or ignore). And the hook for a hand, well… any basic horror fan should know what that is a nod to. You don’t have to say his name, we know it.

2) Jones' strong suit is his ability to put us inside a character’s head—inside their skin, I guess. A suitable way to say it here, especially. It's not only Jade's eyes we're seeing through this time, and that can get tricky. But Jones is great at it. He's proven time and again, for me, that he knows how to give depth to his characters.

3) The creative, slashery ways people die is right on the mark, and the "rules" involving who dies and who doesn’t keep with the slasher tradition while playing with if there even should be rules, Scream style.

4) The beginning of this sequel gives clarity to the ending of My Heart is a Chainsaw, something I really needed. Also, the relationship Jade has with her mother—or lack of one, is addressed. Thank you! And the ending to this book is more satisfying, more complete for me

There is a lot going on in this book though. There's the slasher story, the revenge story, the ghost story, a spirit animal story. They all overlap, and it can get confusing. It’s that frenzy of making the sequel something bigger to outdo the first story, so be prepared. I feel like My Heart is a Chainsaw had more heart, it focusing on Jade and Jade alone. In Reaper, she no longer has that massive chip on her shoulder. She’s grown. What makes this story its own is the way the traumatic experience from Chainsaw has settled into the rest of the survivors, changing them forever in the wake of yet another slasher gone wild. Except this time, the slasher has a clear identity…or maybe not.

Yeah, it’s still a 5 star read…Maybe a 4.6. And Yes, I’m still looking forward to the final book. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.

I Need A Blog Post This Month But Don't Know Where To Start--A Random Rant Connected By Reviewing, Reviews and Tweet Trolls

 

  Book cover courtesy of Saga Press  

Where I want to start is with Stephen Graham Jones and his latest unreleased book Don't Fear the Reaper, a sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw, which I totally loved and respected. You see, I requested an ARC of the book via NetGalley, and I got approved, and the review is written, but there are rules, so I am refraining from posting the review here. What you CAN do, is look at all of the reviews posted at NetGalley

Needless to say, I recommend it. No spoilers here. And if, for some impossible reason Stephen Graham Jones happens to check out my blog, maybe he'll remind me to post that review here in tandem with the book's release date in February, 2023. I mean, a self published writer with a few commonalities regarding what inspired her to write horror can dream, right?

No, I'm not a stalker. Geez! But there is a brief aside at the end of the book that Jones reveals about himself, and it has to do with when he was a kid and some older family members asked if they could bunk in with him after having seen Halloween that night at the movies. They were scared. And that little personal tidbit reminded me of my big brother, someone who wanted nothing to do with his little sister from another mother, until he went to the movies and saw The Exorcist. And, much like in Jones's recollection, my brother knocked on my door and asked if he could throw a sleeping bag on the floor and sleep there for the night. Because of The Exorcist. This was the same big brother who used to tease little sister with stories about The Birds, and how those birds had a specific taste for blond haired little girls munching on popcorn.

Aaah, siblings. Still, I could apparently save my brother from the things that went down in The Exorcist. What a superpower! Anyway, I can't post any more about Stephen Graham Jones--not without violating a restraining order (I'm kidding!)--But hey! I'd totally be down for a Misery inspired story from an SGJ point of view.

But if I'm not blogging about Reaper, then what should I blog about? My mind is hyper focused on several reader/writer related things these days. The third installment of my own trilogy, that begins with Perfect Prophet, is in the beta read stage, and that's an agonizing stage for a writer. Accepting a beta read request is a daunting responsibility--I understand this; I've been there on both sides of it. There's an underlying hesitation to beta read. The author wants--or should want honest feedback. That's the point, to see how the story tracks. But if your preliminary readers are friends or family, there's that worry that "not liking" elements of a story will hurt the author's feelings. And if your preliminary readers aren't fans of the genre, well...where to begin?

I also recently read a book from a newish writer that I was excited to read but that turned out to be less than a 4 star review for me. I had a feeling that the author wouldn't take this well if I posted it. But I personally don't feel comfortable leaving highly rated reviews as a favor. So I let the author review it then let them decide if I should post it. They requested I didn't. But they appreciated my opinions. No I'm not going to share the book, the review or the author. But it was a three star review. And the way many newer authors feel about a three star rating is a conundrum. It's the death of their careers! But it's...better than average, so. But I get it. I do. Who wants to be average-ish?

And while we're on the loose topic of book ratings and reviews, let's bring up Twitter Trolls. I got to experience one recently who maybe thought he was clever because he goes by the handle "Lou Bricant." Take out the 'o', squish first name and last together and-- I'm not a fan of banning books, and a politician was posted on video regarding his support of the anti-book banning movement. Mr. Bricant did not like the politician. He posted "your trying to hard."

Someone corrected his grammar. You know how it goes. Mr. Bricant continued to berate anyone who didn't agree with him regarding the politician or those liberal free speech views. "Like anyone is going to take a Tweeter who calls himself Lou Bricant seriously," I said deciding to take that wrong turn and add to the conversation. Mr. Bricant decided I was a "bootlicker."

More hilarity ensued, and after some other follower of the thread decided to buy my book (yes! I got a sale!), Mr. Bricant went on to troll the actual book as if he'd read it. A negative review of sorts... You can see them posted below, at the bitter end.

And, if you've gotten this far in this random blog edition of writers and readers and good and bad reviews, I'd like to address Mr. Bricant's criticisms of the book he "totally read." But first, if you're an author and you are compelled to respond to a legitimate but less than stellar review, don't do it. It's not good form.

Still...

Mr. Bricant,

First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to read my books and leave your thoughts. I value your opinions and am ready to discuss the points you bring to our attention. First, thank you for pointing out that my books are not exclusive. But I'm surprised. It was never my intention to deliberately write an inclusive book. Your observation that it is inclusive is a compliment.

With regard to my books being kinda racist, I'm willing to address that. In The Schoharie, yes there is an underlying current of racism going on in that story. The main character and hero Aaron is of Native American descent, and he has to deal with it at every turn. So yes, there are racist characters in the book. None of them are heroes though. In Perfect Prophet, yeah. the character of Mark in particular could easily be perceived as, at minimum, a casual racist. He calls the band's drummer Patrick his Mexicali Leprechaun, and Patrick isn't even Mexican. But Mark is hooking up with Cleo, and maybe I'm being too subtle, but she is an African American character. I don't necessarily dwell on that, so maybe you missed it. It reasonably puts the character of Mark in a gray area of racist intent though.

In a separate complaint, you noted that my books are not LGBTQ inclusive. Fair enough. My work is not LGBTQ specific. But there is an LGBTQ character in Perfect Prophet whose gender identity isn't really established. Please feel free to read Prophet Reborn, as that character's gender preferences become pretty clear--even moreso in book three that is currently in a beta read phase! I'm excited about it. Maybe you'll like that one better!

And hey, thanks for taking the time to "read the books." Kindness is everything!

Short Book Review -- Come Closer by Sara Gran

 

Cover image compliments of Soho 
Press

This book does not have a happy ending...or does it. I guess it depends on one's point of view. The book is written from the main character Amanda's point of view, as she accounts for the days when she was introduced to, then stalked by a literal demon named Naamah.

I did some research, and Naamah does indeed have a brief Biblical history that Gran uses in a unique and satisfying (although horrific) way. I like when I’m compelled to learn things from reading fiction, and this inspired that for me.

Naamah represents a slippery slope of sin. She represents the burden of what it is to be a woman sometimes, but she also represents the karma from what happens when you mistake a beautiful woman as nothing more than a plaything, as the secondary player in the story of humanity.

I don’t know, maybe I'm overhyping that analogy. But it feels right. It feels close. It's definitely something to think about after reading the book. I think Emerald Fennel's script for the movie Promising Young Woman has a similar vibe--without the possession angle--and I loved that movie.

Short Book review: Demons by Daylight by Ramsey Campbell

 

Image courtesy of Venture Press

A Hit and Miss Collection of Campbell’s Early Work

This is actually my first Ramsey Campbell book, and I know. What took me so long, right? That being said, I was a little disappointed. I thought, as an established author, this should have been better—I mean, am I the only one who is going to address the number of typos, particularly in The Guy, where double quote marks stood in for apostrophes? And it happened a lot! I mean, come on. I"m not the best at knowing what"s right and what"s wrong on the page, but when it"s as consistent as that, it"s pretty annoying...

But then that's an editor's job, so maybe I should cut Campbell a little slack. Maybe it's just the edition I happened to read, who knows? And then I reminded myself that this is a series of shorts from Campbell's early career, and I have to admit that there’s a clear voice and style that reflects real talent. Even if they are sometimes hard to follow or seemingly cut short at the end. It could also be, in part, to my limited exposure to British writing. But not by much.

The germ of an idea that inhabits each story is pretty brilliant in most cases. The Enchanted Fruit is delicious except for the ending that felt incomplete. Made in Goatswood, Concussion, The Stocking, Sentinels, Second Staircase—all worth discussion within the realm of literary horror.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones—Review

 

What can I say about My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. It's a mess. Why give it 5 stars then, you say? Because it's a mess as seen through the lens of a very messed up main character, Jade Daniels, and that messed up, hyperactive, suicidal point of view rings true. Jade's character has some major issues, and a mind that is all over the place as she tries to navigate the hell that is her life. There’s a good chance that you won’t like her from the start, but cut her some slack. She really deserves it.

Jade isn’t even her real name, but it suits her because she’s become so jaded by the people in her life, that her only outlet for pleasure is horror movies. Slashers in particular. And this is where Jade proves that she has a brilliant mind, something to offer the world, if the world wasn’t so cruel. She buries herself so deep in slasher movie lore that, when things start to go awry in her small and picturesque Idaho town, she’s the only one who sees it coming. Because she knows how slashers work. And does that scare her? No. That excites her because she has nothing to really live for, except in terms of a slasher movie, and what a way for her to go out. For her, it’s ending on a high note.

Jade will come to that end with a shocking revelation, something that she refuses to admit to herself from the start. She can never be the final girl in this nightmare come true for a very specific reason. But she can play her part, and she struggles with that.

Of course, if you’re a true horror movie aficionado, you’re in for a treat. I consider myself a mid level horror aficionado—I remember writing a paper in my college days about the importance of horror films as social commentary, so when Jade writes extra credit homework for her history teacher doing essentially the same, I could really relate. Also, Jaws and The Shining are two iconic movies that shaped my own movie viewing tastes in a big way. What I’m getting to is that it doesn’t hurt to be a horror movie fan on some level. Or even an 80’s movie fan. I felt like there were a few nods to movies like The Breakfast Club and Heathers too.

I highly recommend this book. The only dissatisfaction I have is with its symbolic end that I wish had more closure regarding Jade and the mother who essentially abandoned her. The metaphor is clearly apparent but it doesn’t quite reflect how it turned out for Jade.

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

You can find My Heart is a Chainsaw wherever books and ebooks are sold.

Book Review: The Institute -- Stephen King

First of all, it doesn't really matter what I have to say about Stephen King's novel, The Institute. King is an established author with an established following. Some consider him to be the voice of Modern American horror. This book was destined for the bestseller lists before it was a twinkle in Mr. King's eye.

And I'm a fan. I grew up on Stephen King. His work influenced my own work in that I found a passion to write about, well...horrible things. But here I am, a huge fan of King's early works, that have gone on to become iconic horror movies, and I'm only giving The Institute a 3--okay, 3.5 but not quite a 4.

I like it. It was a fine story. Some reviewers have--and will want to make comparisons to the TV series Stranger Things, but let's face it. Stranger Things is a homage to King's work, so you can't really go about saying, "Hey, he's just trying to ride the coat tails of Stranger Things with this one."

What I am going to do is categorize this story as Mainstream Horror. There are truly better horror stories out there right now with a much harder edge to them. I've reviewed a few. And as mainstream horror that will appeal to the masses, this book is fine. It's about a kid with special powers who gets abducted by a secret government organization, to be referred to as The Institute, then is forced to undergo horrible experimentations in order to be used for global political reasons. There are other kids forced to undergo the same treatment, but our MC Luke has a goal--to find a way out.

I admire King's underlying message here--that kids are our future and we need to trust their capacity to change the world for the better on their own, not use and abuse them because of our own fears. Something like that. It's a great theme.

But too much of the story felt too familiar to me, with King relying on tropes and characterizations that are so common in his older works that here they feel like a recycling of old material. I enjoyed reading it. If you're a sporadic reader of King's work, you might enjoy it too. But I wasn't riveted. Like I mentioned, this horror story with scifi elements is on the mild side of the horror salsa spectrum.

You can find a copy of Stephen King's The Institute pretty much wherever books are sold.