The Second Wife by Catherine Cavendish

May 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

WIFE
The Second Wife by Catherine Cavendish
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (102 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Emily Marchant died on Valentine’s Day. If only she’d stayed dead…

When Chrissie Marchant first sets eyes on Barton Grove, she feels as if the house doesn’t want her. But it’s her new husband’s home, so now it’s her home as well. Sumptuous and exquisitely appointed, the house is filled with treasures that had belonged to Joe’s first wife, the perfect Emily, whom the villagers still consider the real mistress of Barton Grove.

A stunning photograph of the first Mrs. Marchant hangs in the living room, an unblemished rose in her hand. There’s something unnerving and impossibly alive about that portrait, but it’s not the only piece of Emily still in the house. And as Chrissie’s marriage unravels around her, she learns that Emily never intended for Joe to take a second wife…

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Chrissie’s life changes dramatically when a whirlwind courtship with a wealthy doctor named Joe ends in marriage. In less than a year she shifts from struggling to make ends meet in a shrinking profession to living in a mansion. She had enjoyed working and isn’t sure what to do with herself now that she has hours of free time each day. Her uneasiness at not finding a new niche yet and disinterest in taking advantage of her husband’s money really endeared me this character.

Unfortunately I never quite understood why Joe and Chrissie chose to get married. Joe is still grieving the death of his first wife, Emily, and is so attached to her memory that at times it almost seems as though he’s married to two women instead of just one. The memory of Emily actually has more say over certain household decisions than his living, breathing second wife! Chrissie’s descriptions of Joe are so sensual that I briefly wondered if she married him for his sex appeal alone. While this is not a romance novel the only time that Chrissie and Joe truly seem to like one another is when they’re sexually or romantically involved. They don’t seem to share any common interests and have poor communication skills and recurring, stormy arguments in their everyday interactions.

Perhaps the atmosphere of the house could partially explain the odd relationship between Joe and Chrissie? My favorite scenes in this book featured mysterious occurrences in a house that has known more than its fair share of grief. Ms. Cavendish subtly wove terror into unexpected places in this story. I never would have guessed something as commonplace as a chair could be so creepy. The final scene in particular sent a river of goosebumps down my arms. It foreshadows the possibility of something sinister but leaves the interpretation of what actually happens up to the reader.

The Second Wife follows many of the conventions of gothic fiction but I was still surprised by Ms. Cavendish’s spin on certain memes. This story is a fantastic choice for anyone who prefers to allow their imagination to inflate certain horrors instead of asking the author to spell everything out in bright red letters.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Passport to Phelamanga by Michael Sutherland

May 3, 2013 By 2 Comments

PASSPORT
Passport to Phelamanga by Michael Sutherland
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (59 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Grab your passport and throw away the return, because you’re never going home again.

Grab your passport for the roller coaster ride of your life as you travel through five mind bending journeys that will shock you out of your comfort zone, and take you into the new dawn you’ve always been looking for, to the land of Phelamanga.

‘After All’ – The elite have plundered the planet until there is nothing left and now their own children have mutated into an abandoned race of weakened albinos daring to crawl back to the surface to discover the truth for themselves.

‘Only Human’ – A lone young man gazes out from the mouth of a cave over the relics left by civilization. And now he is the only one left to witness the arrival of planet Earth’s first celestial visitor.

‘Bridge to Andromeda’ – He waits by a lonely road in the night determined to fulfill a promise made between friends when they were still schoolboys, to disappear into the wilds and never return.

‘Till Dawn’ – An old tramp has been on an endless journey, since the day he was released from an orphanage at the age of thirteen, in the vain hope that one day he will finally get see the mother he never knew, before experiencing his last sunrise.

‘Death Trapped’ – One phone call to the skuzzy office of the editor’s underground rag and he’s hooked on a mind bending nightmare too creepy to be real. So much of a bad trip that he can’t bring himself to believe that it’s true. But he’s the kind of guy who runs his life right on up to the wire hoping that all his problems will just fade away. It’s always worked before. But this time it’s too late. And there’s not a damn thing he can do to stop it.

It is a prescription canadian viagra http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/10/19/ohio%E2%80%99da-hayvanat-bahcesi-sahibi-olu-bulundu-aslan-kaplan-ayi-kurt-zurafa-firarda/ ED drug and should be taken under proper medical supervisions. When studied under radiography taken ed on many cats brought to the veterinary for various medical reasons (but in most case because the cats were limping or because of amerikabulteni.com cheap cialis articular pains) Here is what they discovered: In one study alone , 80 percent of cats over 15 years of age had articular degenerative lesions. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back viagra online amerikabulteni.com to your regular dosing schedule. I online viagra order amerikabulteni.com have the most fun when I find treasures that I can resell on ebay! I have found many items people tossed out thinking it was trash and made a big profit. Will the world end with a bang, a whimper or so slowly that no one notices anything until it’s too late? This collection offers five terrifying glimpses into how and why everything ends for individuals, societies and even the entire human race.

It’s scary to think that someday the human race will end. Whether our descendants die out or evolve into a new species has yet to be determined but one of the loneliest fates I can imagine is outliving ever other human being and then face one’s own mortality. The stories in the book are spooky, sad, and even occasionally funny but all of them attempt to describe what it would be like to be in this situation.

Till Dawn was full of run-on sentences that made it difficult to follow the narrator’s thoughts. I suspect that it was intended to show the narrator’s disorganized thinking and possibly hint at an underlying mental illness. The concept was quite intriguing but I spent so much time trying to figure out if the narrator was reliable that I never quite got into it.

After All shows what would really happen in an apocalypse: the wealthy would hog all of the resources, everyone else would die slowly and terribly. The question is, though, what happens many generations from now when the wealthy re-inherit the earth? Can a society survive longterm if only a few personality types are allowed to reproduce?

Death Trapped once again had me wondering how much of what the main character described was actually happening versus how much of it was a hallucination. The entities the main character meets are so unusual that they could easily be described but even when the author’s intentions are confirmed I found myself listing reasons why the other explanation was still valid. It definitely kept me guessing, though, and the characters in this story were my favourite in the entire book.

Only Human is the strongest entry in this collection. It would be so lonely to be the last member of one’s species still alive especially while witnessing the genesis of the species that will be your replacement. The twist at the end of it was unexpected and even though it left me wanting more everything was tied together precisely and all of the questions I had at the beginning were more than satisfactorily answered.

The Bridge to Andromeda has an attention-grabbing introduction but I had trouble figuring out why it ended so abruptly or how certain aspects of the plot were intended to connect to one another. The metaphors were so well-written that I could almost see them bubbling out between the sentences. I truly wished to savour the final story but never quite understood what the author was attempting to communicate.

Despite a few bumps along the way Passport to Phelamanga is an imaginative collection of tales that I never wanted to end. I hope to read more from Michael Sutherland soon and in the meantime will be revisiting these worlds and wondering what he will come up with next!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Clearing of Travis Coble by Jonathan Janz

April 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

TRAVIS
The Clearing of Travis Coble by Jonathan Janz
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (25 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Travis Coble didn’t kill and eat his family. At least that’s what a jury decided twenty years ago. But like Lizzie Borden, Travis Coble was branded guilty by an angry public and consigned to a life of suspicious whispers and sidelong stares. Now, Professor Dick Myers wants to clear Travis’s name once and for all. An interview with the reclusive mountain man would not only bring Myers fame—it could save his job.

But Myers will find more than a good story in Coble’s isolated shack in the Smoky Mountains. He will find the truth about what happened twenty years ago…and the true meaning of horror.

Are gut instincts always trustworthy? Is it better to listen to them and take a chance at being wrong or ignore them and risk something you won’t realize you’ve surrendered until it’s gone?

Kamagra belongs to the group of PDE-5 of vasodilators and the main ingredient of this tablet cialis for cheap is Sildenafil Citrate. It online cialis is not recommended for adults under 18 years of age. The biker lady doesn’t always ride her india viagra for sale own bike but often takes a back seat to her husband or life partner. So, it is best to consult someone or seek some Internet help for directions before the usage. levitra generika try that now Dick honestly believes he’s an objective reporter and all-around nice guy but the truth behind these assumptions is about to be sorely tested. As I read this book I changed my mind about this guy several times. In the beginning I admired his personality and character but as his social prejudices began to emerge I wondered how someone so intelligent and well-educated could know virtually nothing about other cultures in his own country. To be fair to him, though, Dick’s lack of knowledge is due to what I can only assume was a lack of opportunity to befriend people from rural backgrounds rather than a conscious attempt to ignore them.

I was never sure why Dick would travel to such a remote location without bringing along a cell phone. While reception can be spotty in rural locations wouldn’t it be better to bring the phone along and have a chance of contacting the outside world than to leave it at home and hope for the best? Mr. Janz’s stereotypical characterization of certain groups was also disappointing. The tropes he relied up to build tension in the plot are so well-known in the horror genre that I half-expected him to surprise the audience by subverting them. When that didn’t happen it was difficult for me to maintain interest in those characters.

Mr. Janz definitely knows how to tease an audience. While in retrospect there were several well-placed clues in the first few scenes I genuinely expected this story to produce a different ending than the one we were given. It was deliciously easy to misinterpret what was actually happening and while I would have strongly preferred to see less stereotypical treatment of certain characters the author maintained a consistently frightening atmosphere from the beginning to the end of this tale. By the final scene I had to remind myself to keep breathing as I uncovered the final mystery.

The Clearing of Travis Coble is gut-wrenching, politically incorrect horror. It’s a good choice for readers in the mood for a truly frightening story that works best when taken at face value.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Halo of the Damned by Dina Rae

April 24, 2013 By 3 Comments

HaloOftheDamnedFINALCover2ndpic (1)

Halo of the Damned by Dina Rae
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Length: Full (291 pgs)
Rated: 3 Stars
Review by Rose

A chain of advertising agencies, a new breed of humans, and a fallen angel to worship…

Andel Talistokov is known for his slick advertising agencies across the globe. He is a fallen angel that uses advertising as a weapon for Satan’s work. His growing power emboldens him to break several of Hell’s Commandments. Furious with his arrogance, Satan commands him to return to Hell after finding his own replacement. Yezidism, an ancient angel worshiping religion, quietly expands throughout the West. Armaros appears as a guest of honor during their ceremonies. He mates with young women to produce nephilim, a mixed race of humans and angels. They are alone and unprepared for their supernatural power. Joanna Easterhouse, a recovering drug addict, steps out of prison shortly after her mother’s fatal accident. She and her sister, Kim, unravel their mother’s secretive past. Intrigued, they learn their bloodline is part of a celestial legacy. Both worlds collide. Halo of the Damned is a horrifying tale that weaves research together with suspenseful twists and turns.

This book is not for the faint of heart or those sensitive to blood, gore, and general not-nice-activities–but, if you are you probably wouldn’t pick up a book about demons anyway, because–let’s face it– demons, by their very nature– are evil. And, evil beings do things that are— well— evil. Which leads to the conflicts in this book.
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Andel is in the same position Satan was in before the fall–he wants to take Satan out and be worshipped himself. Joanna and her family come from a long line of angel warriors who stand against the evil–however, it takes them a while to find out about this because there was a family schism. There’s also a hidden connection between Joanna and Andel that complicates issues.

I can see Halo of the Damned as a movie. It’s fast paced, there are a lot of characters, and Ms. Rae doesn’t let you catch your breath from start to finish.

The main issue with the book, though, is it could have used an editor’s hand. Ms. Rae is very fond of using words instead of said in tag lines–so much that it took away from the story for me. For example, on one page –out of five paragraphs–the tag lines were “demanded Joanna”; “Harriet announced”; “Kim yelled”; and “warned Harriet”. There were also incidents where the author told the reader what the characters were feeling, instead of showing us–again, taking this reader out of the action of the book. I only mention these because if they took me out of the book’s action, I’m afraid they would other readers as well.

However, if technical issues like that don’t bother your reading, the storyline itself is very well done. Like I said before, reading this book was like watching a fast-paced horror movie… and, in the end, there’s an awful lot to be said for that. A good story is a good story—and Ms. Rae is (pardon the pun) one hell of a good storyteller.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Graveyard Speaks by Hunter Shea

April 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SPEAKS
The Graveyard Speaks by Hunter Shea
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (51 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some secrets can’t stay buried.

Deep in a dark, snow-covered cemetery, a terrifying, moaning apparition rises from the same grave night after night. Even the most hardened caretakers won’t go near the Spooner gravestone on their midnight rounds. Only one ghost hunter has the will to face the unknown, but at what price? In the chilling blackness, only Jessica Backman is prepared to answer the spectral cry from beyond when the graveyard speaks.

Are ghosts capable of suffering? Can they feel the same breadth of emotions that are available to human beings?

It was purchase cheap cialis an Epicurean return to my childhood, as we reveled in old family stories. This is to say that the majority of traditional anti-estrogens like Nolvadex since there is no rebound effect. cialis professional uk These brushes are usually provided with your hearing aid, but a soft toothbrush will also do buy levitra australia the job. You have to be enrolled in a DMV-approved driver education course order viagra without prescription http://deeprootsmag.org/2015/03/03/bob-marovichs-gospel-picks-19/ is certifiable and sanctioned by the authorities. Jessica has an unusual talent that piqued my curiosity as soon as I learned about it. What made it even more interesting is that she doesn’t understand how it works or why only some people have it. For a book this length, not going into detail on this subject is sensible. As much as I would have loved to learn more about her past a lengthy exposition would not have been appropriate while Jessica was busy stalking the dead.

This story was fast-paced and plot-driven. While it was exciting to have my questions answered in rapid succession there wasn’t much space allotted to character development. Jessica is a dedicated, talented ghost hunter but I have trouble describing her personality and interests outside of this aspect of her life. Hopefully the sequel will explore who Jessica is as a well-rounded woman in more detail because I am quite intrigued with this character’s courage and ability to think on her feet!

It wasn’t until I finished reading The Graveyard Speaks that I realized it was part of a series. While there are several brief references to a tragedy that took place many years ago this tale can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I didn’t know anything about these characters before I started reading and I had no trouble quickly figuring out what was happening.

The Graveyard Speaks is a tantalizing glimpse into a world where the line between the natural and supernatural is thin, grey and smudged. I, for one, cannot wait to visit it again.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Going Up by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

April 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

UP
Going Up by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (46 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some secrets should remain hidden.

Investigative journalist Beckett Hayes hopes a stay at a Caribbean resort is just what she needs to recharge her batteries. But mysterious clanging in the night doesn’t let her get much rest. Outside her hotel room, she finds an overgrown, seemingly abandoned elevator leading up the hill. The hotel staff insists the elevator hasn’t worked in years, but Beckett can’t shake the feeling they’re hiding something. Sensing a story, she’s determined to find out the truth. But will she be alive to tell it when she finds out what awaits her at the top of the hill?

How curious is too curious? Is it always a good idea to dig to the bottom of a mystery?

So you see it is quite an embarrassment for any man. buy canadian viagra After the culling of the root cause associated with ED include unwanted frustration, disappointment, despair, lack of interest in physical life What Causes Erectile Dysfunction? A number of http://deeprootsmag.org/tag/ecstasy-and-me/?feedsort=rand cialis samples men these days. Humanity’s quest for a true aphrodisiac throughout history makes the search for the Holy Grail, El Dorado, and Free Energy look like child’s play in comparison. purchase cheap viagra In some countries, such as the US and Canada, this could result in cheapest cialis the phase of prison. After being fired for making a dumb mistake at work, Beckett decides to take a long-overdue vacation in order to clear her mind and begin writing a great American novel but little does she know what awaits her at the center of paradise. Luckily Beckett knows how to quickly make intelligent, resourceful decisions as the plot thickens. While the rest of the resort guests dance and eat what sounds like incredibly delicious food she pays close attention to her surroundings and quickly learns who she can and cannot trust. Beckett’s inquisitive, even-tempered personality is perfect for this case and she’s exactly the kind of person I’d want to have around when inexplicable things begin to happen.

I was confused by Beckett’s decision to travel alone internationally without packing a cellphone, though, especially since she thought to bring her laptop with her. Even the safest tourist destination can be struck by a natural disaster, outbreak of a communicable disease or other unexpected calamity and it seemed odd to me that she would fail to take such a basic safety precaution. In an emergency the cost of calling or texting out of the country is worth it in order to keep in touch with loved ones and send and receive valuable information. I was also puzzled by her decision to pursue more information about what was really happening at the resort without telling friends or family what was happening first. Her single act of communication with the outside world was vague and didn’t seem to blend in well with her identity as a sophisticated, single professional. Surely anyone who travels alone would be more accustomed to keeping loved ones informed of what is actually happening on the road!

Poor decisions aside this was a well-paced story that tantalized me with subtle clues about what was really going on from the very beginning. Because Beckett’s first few encounters with the mystery of the island happen after she’s sampled rum punch I wasn’t sure how much I could rely on her understanding until the truth was slowly revealed.

Going Up really ought to have a sequel written for it one day. In the meantime I recommend it for anyone in the mood for a sun-soaked getaway that may not be exactly what it appears to be at first glance.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Obsession by JoAnne Keltner

April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

OBESSSION
Obsession by JoAnne Keltner
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Paranormal, Horror
Length: Short Story (143 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some obsessions know no boundary…not even death.

Abby had the perfect suburban life: shopping sprees at the mall, a pool in her backyard, a dream bedroom, a best friend… That is, until her family moved to the backwoods of Wisconsin.

Abby plans to prove this backwoods dump is no place for a thirteen-year-old. So when her parents hire a carpenter and his son, Greg, she hangs out with the older boy to make her parents worry. But Greg turns out to be a total creep, and although Abby tells him she doesn’t like him, he continues to make her life miserable, watching her, trying to get close to her, threatening her.

What’s creepier is the mysterious brown-haired girl that keeps appearing and disappearing without saying a word. When Abby finds the girl’s old diary in the outbuilding, she learns that they share a common enemy, Greg.

Ideally, young women brand viagra mastercard should opt for screenings once in every three men are known for experiencing premature ejaculation like condition at some point in their lives, but they were able to encounter avenues on how to deal with their issues with intelligence. This makes a order cialis overnight person incapable to please their love and themselves as well. Just consult your doctor once and make use of the opportunity for pursuing new forms cialis low cost of intimacy. That’s because you need a product that’s tailored to a woman’s cheap cialis 5mg body, but it should be remembered that no amount of substance or chemical could fight psychological worries and negative emotions. Will they share the same fate too?

What could be worse than moving to a half-finished house in the middle of nowhere?

Abby’s mood swings and pessimistic attitude make it difficult to sympathize with her plight. Yes, changing schools and moving to a new state can be really stressful but from the moment she sees their new home Abby is determined to hate everything about it. Her intelligent and intuitive understanding of human nature soften the edges of her character, though, and after a few chapters I found myself looking forward to her witty, insightful descriptions of her family and friends.

Greg is one of the creepiest teenagers I’ve ever met in a young adult novel. Phrases that would sound harmless coming from anyone else in this story take on a much darker meaning when he leans in and quietly whispers them to Abby when no one else is listening. I would have preferred to see a deeper exploration of his personality and life history as the chapter in his life that probably molded his socially inappropriate behavior as a young adult was mentioned so briefly some readers may miss that clue. Those that figure it out will be rewarded with a chilling glimpse of Greg’s most important influences, though, as no one is born with the desire to terrorize other people!

I had trouble figuring out an appropriate age recommendation for this book. There was some use of inappropriate language and while the protagonist is quite appealing to tweens there are a few scary scenes that I would hesitate to recommend for anyone younger than twelve.

Obsession is a great stepping stone for middle school students who love the paranormal or horror genres and are ready to transition to slightly more mature stories. It’s spooky and spine-tingling without resorting to the blood and guts found in many adult stories in this style of writing but the plot is complex enough to to easily hold the interests of this age group.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Night Terrors by Jonathan Janz

April 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

TERRORS
Night Terrors by Jonathan Janz
Savage Species Part One
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery, Horror
Length: Short Story (118 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Peaceful Valley is about to become a slaughterhouse!

Savage Species, Part 1

For the first time ever, Samhain Publishing will serialize a terrifying original novel, Savage Species, in five installments, with new installments coming every two weeks. Here, as a special introduction to the fear that awaits you in Savage Species, is the first section, Night Terrors, absolutely free!
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Jesse thinks he’s caught a break when he, the girl of his dreams, and her friend are assigned by their newspaper to cover the opening weekend of the Peaceful Valley Nature Preserve, a sprawling, isolated state park. But the construction of the park has stirred an evil that has lain dormant for nearly a century, and the three young people—as well as every man, woman, and child unlucky enough to be attending the grand opening—are about to encounter the most horrific creatures to ever walk the earth. A species so ferocious that Peaceful Valley is about to be plunged into a nightmare of bloodshed and damnation.

Night Terrors is an intriguing suspenseful start as the first book in a chilling quintet. This gory tale follows a young group of newspaper writers covering the opening weekend of the newly constructed Peaceful Valley Nature Preserve Park and a unhappily married new mom whose only wish is for her husband to help with their six month old son and for him to stop paying his attractive assistant coach so much attention.

Emma Cayce, a young ball of energy, is reluctant to go on this news assignment to the park opening. Jesse Hargrove is happy to be anywhere Emma is. While they are out interviewing Frank Red Elk, the lone Algonquin descendent, they are invaded by green eyed inhuman creatures.

Eric Florence is a married basketball coach with a newly constructed home and a new baby. His wife, Charly is unhappy and tired of being ignored by her husband. Will the disruption of the unwelcome gory monsters bring the couple together after a tragic event in the Florence’s household?

Mr. Janz has a powerful imagination that has created an engrossing goose bump plot. I mean in the sense of ‘covering your eyes’ during a scary movie fear. The first installment, all though it’s just a teaser, draws you in with a mix of suspense and thriller. Mr. Janz has a way with delivering a descriptive writing style that puts you right in the thick of things. I was so involved with the story my heart was crushed at the abrupt ending. I personally would like to have seen the main characters more developed as far as giving them a deeper physical description. Overall the author did a fantastic job in building part one of Night Terrors to a gripping intensity that will have you anticipating the next installment.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Third Man by Malachi King

April 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

THIRD
The Third Man by Malachi King
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (12 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When two young men get lost in Alaska’s mountainous wilderness, they slowly begin to die of exposure. As their senses become numb, they become aware of a third man traveling with them at times, and are too disoriented to make contact. When the two young men collapse in exhaustion and give themselves over to death, the mysterious third man appears again. Is he there to help, hinder…or is he even there at all?

Based on a phenomenon experienced in the real world by various adventurers including mountaineers on Everest and by the Shackleton survivors in the Antarctic, The Third Man redefines the modern ghost story.

Tom and Jarvis’ history of taking foolish risks may finally have caught up with them. As these two best friends struggle to stay alive in an unforgiving climate will Tom be able to figure out what’s really happening to them?

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We’re given glimpses of how they developed their bond in a few flashbacks but I still finished this story with an unclear understanding of the personality differences between Tom and Jarvis. They’re both impulsive, thrill-seeking and oblivious to danger but it would have been helpful to see more examples of the differences between these characters that aren’t based on race or culture.

At first I thought the ending was a little too ambiguous but given the context in which this story occurs it makes sense to leave room for interpretation. After all, Tom and Jarvis were in no condition to ask coherent or thoughtful questions for several key scenes! This approach also leaves room for a sequel which I would read eagerly if Mr. King ever decides to write it.

How do we know what is real? How does the answer to this question vary from one perspective to another? The Third Man is a thought-provoking exploration of these questions that I recommend to anyone interested in a philosophical approach to horror.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Yellow House on Maloney Grove by M. Bryce Ternet

March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

YALLOW
The Yellow House on Maloney Grove by M. Bryce Ternet
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary, Horror
Length: Short Story (98 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Everyone in town seems to know something Libby and Ethan don’t, but it isn’t them they’re talking about.

After moving from Southern California to a unique, beautiful, and bizarre enclave of Western Washington, recently married Libby and Ethan try settling into a new life in a seemingly ideal home. The couple confronts the difficulties of relocation and the challenges of a young marriage, while strange occurrences in the house gradually become too pronounced to ignore. As their relationship experiences increasing strain, Libby and Ethan begin questioning the influence of the house and discover its shocking past. Shunned by the community as outsiders and finally admitting a supernatural presence in their house, Libby and Ethan must decide what is most important to them.

Every house talks to itself at night. Pipes rattle, duct work expands and contracts with changing temperatures, shutters flap in the wind and sometimes inanimate objects soar across the room.

At least that’s what is happening in Libby and Ethan’s new place.
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Moving halfway across the country to start a new job is simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting. Ethan and Libby are eager to make new friends with the locals but for some reason none of their neighbors seem interested in getting to know them. I winced in sympathy as Ethan attempts to find a friendly soul to sell him a cord of firewood or give him the inside scoop on the best place in town for a hot cup of coffee as Libby adjusted to her boss and coworkers.

Weird things begin to occur almost as soon as this couple moves into their new rental but Ethan and Libby have an excuse for every one of them. I still wonder why two computer-savvy, intelligent adults wouldn’t have investigated the clues sooner either through a simple Internet search or by visiting the archives at the local library. In their shoes this would have been my first reaction to certain inexplainable events and their passive reactions to the presence in their home and all of the contradictions they encounter distracted me from what was an otherwise good story.

In the beginning I wished the plot would speed up a little bit as the hints about what was actually happening were punctuated by what I considered to be a few too many subplots. It was rewarding to piece everything together, though, once I realized this book was meant to be a slow, subtle burn. The last few sentences were particularly chilling and begged for a sequel. While I don’t know if the author has any plans to do so I hope to hear from Libby and Ethan again soon!

The Yellow House on Maloney Grove has all the elements of old-fashioned horror. I read it over an exceptionally dreary weekend and jumped out of my skin once or twice when wooden fixtures groaned unexpectantly as they contracted and expanded. Rainy days are perfect for a book like this…if you lock the door first.

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