Horse of Wind and Shadows by L.B. Shire

April 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HORSE
Horse of Wind and Shadows by L.B. Shire
Publisher: Lycaon Press
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (154 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review by: Astilbe

Evil lurks in the waters off the Oregon coast. A lone girl, a magnificent horse, zombies… Can hope prevail with each hoof beat in the sand?

All Taryn wanted was to have a horse again.

When she spotted the black steed running through the ocean waves, she knew there must be a way to capture the feral horse. Her best friend, Flyn, said it wasn’t possible. Not one to turn away from a challenge, will she risk friendships and love to make her dream come true?
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Flyn has been Taryn’s self-proclaimed protector since they were kids. Thrust into a world of unpredictability, he tries his best to keep the strong-willed girl out of trouble. Taryn stumbles upon a horse and decides she wants to make it her own against his growing concerns. Will he be able to keep Taryn safe, or will she be lost to him forever?

Is there any point in wishing for impractical things when there’s no guarantee you’ll live to see tomorrow? Of course Taryn knows how dangerous it is to grow up in a world full of zombies, but she can’t help but to dream of what it would feel like to ride a horse again.

Taryn is one of the most interesting protagonists I’ve met so far this year. Her strengths and flaws reveal themselves early on in her adventures, and she definitely possesses quite a few of each. Sometimes her unrelenting stubbornness made me wish I could climb into the scene and persuade her to listen to other points of view, but her empathy and curiosity kept me rooting for her until the conclusion.

I did notice some grammatical errors in the text as I was reading. There were also a few instances in which the characters’ syntax was unusual. It was never quite clear to me if the author was writing a new type of dialect that was created by the large number of orphans in the plot whose education has been sparse to non-existent or if these oddly written sentences would have disappeared with another round of editing.

Strong, even pacing drew me back into the story. There is little room for sentimentality or nostalgia in this world because the characters are forced to spend so much of their time gathering supplies and outrunning the dead. This realistic look at what it would take to keep a small community functioning under such dangerous conditions when a large percentage of their members are young children and teenagers piqued my interest almost as much as the dilemmas Taryn and her makeshift family face.

The paranormal elements of this tale captured my attention immediately. It’s fairly rare for a zombie novel to include the types of phenomenon that the author inserts into the text, so I was curious to see how everything would tie together. I would have liked to see more time spent developing this subplot. It’s a unique twist, yet the amount of space it was given wasn’t quite enough to explain all of the questions I had in the beginning.

It took me a while to determine the most appropriate age recommendation. Taryn is a few months shy of 16 when the story begins, but her emotional response to her circumstances and her obsession with the horse make her come across as someone who is a few years younger than her chronological age. There is a genuinely innocent and naive side to this character that is often at odds with her surroundings, and it is because of these traits that this story is suitable for high school students of any age.

I’d recommend Horse of Wind and Shadows to anyone who would like to shift effortlessly between genres. This novel is equal parts young adult and science fiction with just enough horror thrown in to remind the reader that there are always zombies lurking beyond the perimeter.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Night Man Cometh by Tony-Paul de Vissage

April 15, 2014 By 2 Comments

COMETH
The Night Man Cometh by Tony-Paul de Vissage
Publisher: Class Act Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Historical, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (376 pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In 1249, Damien La Croix willingly choses Undeath rather than perish of the Plague. Once risen as a vampire, he takes his betrothed into the dark with him, but something goes wrong and Antoinette perishes. Thus, Damien begins a solitary walk down the corridors of time in search of Antoinette’s replacement.

Beginning with Konstancza in 15th century Romania where Damien and his garde de nuit serve Voivoide Vlad Drakula, his search extends into the far future to a fateful meeting in a snow-filled Chicago. Until then, Damien meets, loves, and loses each person he thinks may be the one to replace his Antoinette—Kate in Colonial America, who avenges herself against her rapist but prefers to hang rather than become an Undead; Bess, a 21st century Goth, wanting both an Undead lover and a living one and dying for the wrong choice; Michel, a concentration camp guard where Damien and his kind are imprisoned in the human answer to the Vampire Problem; Alyss – descendant of his beloved Konstancza –lost to a rival vampire’s seduction.

All could be his but all perish, for when the Night Man Cometh, can Death be behind…?

Even though you are able to experience arousal you are not able to get an cialis tab erection. Therefore, lacking of blood order cialis australia appalachianmagazine.com remains the main reason which has been detected for erectile dysfunction in almost every region of the world. In the world of Web 2.0, link building has shifted to social bookmarking and social media appalachianmagazine.com pharmacy australia cialis sites. You should wear loose cotton undergarments. side effects of levitra Two questions have been on Damian’s mind since his transformation: will I ever find a second soulmate, and is it really possible to change? Only time will tell if he figures out the answer to either of them.

Damian wasn’t exactly a saint during his short first life, and his thirst for violence only becomes more unquenchable once he begins his Undead one. His severe lack of empathy and self-awareness brings depth to his personality even if certain horrid choices make it difficult to find many positive things to say about him early on. What I found most interesting about Damian’s character development, though, was how slowly it takes place. Centuries can pass between the first glimmer of change and the next step in Damian’s evolution, but because those moments are given so much time to take hold in his mind they always felt genuine to this reader.

I would have liked to see more time spent exploring the personalities and interests of Damian’s potential life partners. Some of them are developed well enough for me to understand his attraction to them, but others were given very little time to express their unique qualities. Even love at first sight eventually needs something to back up that first flush of emotion, and this novel would have easily earned a much higher rating had I better understood why he chose some of his paramours.

From the opening scene Mr. de Vissage kept my interest piqued with strong, even pacing. By covering Damian’s journey through such an incredibly long period of time the author is able to slowly build a complex supernatural society that would have been hard to flesh out in such detail in a shorter story. I found certain subplots even more captivating than the focus of Damian’s mission because of how expertly the author weaves everything together from one millennia to the next.

As someone who has never had any exposure to the French language, it was sometimes difficult for me to determine the meanings of French words and phrases that show up routinely in the first few sections of this novel. Some of them were easy to figure out because their English equivalents were so similar to them, but certain words remained a mystery to me until the end. While I understand why the author wanted Damian to retain this part of his heritage, it would have been helpful to either have had a glossary of the terms at the beginning of the book or more context clues about their meanings embedded in the text near them.

By far my favourite part of this book involves how effortlessly the author brings back the traditional approach to vampire mythology. Damian and his associates are sexually alluring to humans, but they are also extremely dangerous, unpredictable creatures. The horror elements of this tale are ubiquitous and include the darkest themes of that genre.

I would especially recommend The Night Man Cometh to anyone who is a fan of Dracula. Even with its flaws, this is a noteworthy example of what vampire fiction can be.

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

A Clockwork Army by Quinn Langston

April 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ARMY
A Clockwork Army by Quinn Langston
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Historical
Length: Short Story (82 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“An army of automatons controlled by a vampire! ”

Colonel Julian Hawthorne has set in motion a maniacal plan to rule the world with a clockwork army of human automatons. And as a vampire, he has the wealth and all the time in the world to achieve his mad goal.
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Lord Sebastian Hawthorne is equally determined to stop his brother in his tracks. Sebastian has never forgiven Julian for making him a vampire. But unlike Julian, Sebastian sees humans as more than cattle to be dominated and bled dry. With the help of Theodosia Ambrose, clockwork expert, he vows to thwart his brother s plans at any cost. Even his own immortal life.

Being a vampire doesn’t mean Sebastian can do anything he wants to do. Unfortunately his brother hasn’t figured that out yet, and unless something happens soon Julian might not get another chance to learn that lesson.

One of my favorite things about vampire literature is figuring out what rules govern them in each universe. Every author chooses a unique set of abilities and limitations for their vampires, and this book’s interpretation of it snagged my attention immediately. It was very helpful to know what to expect from them so early on in the plot as some of the author’s rules are quite different from other vampire stories I’ve read.

I would have liked to see more time spent developing the personalities of the main characters. There were a few times in which certain individuals make choices that seem out of character for them based what I learned about them earlier. With more information I would have had an easier time determining if these decisions were meant to illuminate parts of their personalities that had previously been unexamined or if they were actually inconsistencies. I had some trouble connecting to the characters as they were written due to this confusion.

The horror genre is strongly represented in this book, and some of the most frightening scenes are fairly graphic. They work well within the plot, though, and even manage to tie together some of the most easily recognizable tropes from science fiction, horror, and steampunk. What surprised me the most was where Ms. Langston deviates from what I expected to happen. Her creative approach to all three genres made my first introduction to her work memorable, and I’m looking forward to reading more from her soon.

A Clockwork Army is a good introduction to steampunk. I would especially recommend this novella to anyone who is curious about this sub-genre but has yet to give it a try!

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

After Life Lessons by Laila Blake & L.C. Spoering

April 4, 2014 By 2 Comments

LESSONS
After Life Lessons by Laila Blake & L.C. Spoering
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (226 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Hulking shadows emerge out of the chaotic flurries of the blizzard. Something is dying, and so they come, like vultures.

After months of struggling south to escape the zombie-infested remains of New York, a snowstorm traps 23-year old artist, Emily, and her son in an abandoned gas station. Starving and desperate, they encounter Aaron, an Army medic on a mission of his own, who offers them a ride to ease the journey.
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The road is a long and dangerous place to travel, and every day brings a new threat. But fear and adrenaline also drive the two closer together; they find laughter and a budding attraction that starts to thaw at their numb and deadened feelings. And that’s when the pain really starts to hit, when places long thought lost prickle back to life. Eventually, they will have to fight not just for survival, but for a future together, or their broken world will swallow them whole.

Few things are in shorter supply in a post-zombie world than trust. Giving it to the wrong person could have dire repercussions, after all, and few people are in a position to take that chance. Unfortunately Emily doesn’t have many options left.

Post-apocalyptic fiction works best when the reader is occasionally thrown a curve ball, and this story is no exception to that rule. The even pacing and the inclusion of a few surprising twists to some tropes that are common in this genre made me wish I could read the sequel immediately. I was especially mesmerized by how quickly Emily switches between protecting her son from the horrors of their predicament and scolding him for the types of shenanigans that all children get up to when left to their own devices. Including these experiences in the same scenes helped me get to know these characters very quickly and made the climax even more compelling.

Trying to survive in a world full of zombies is difficult enough for adults, but it becomes even more challenging when there’s a small child to protect. These factors on their own provide more than enough fodder for advancing the plot, so I was a little thrown off by why the possibility of a romantic relationship between Emily and Aaron is brought up so often. Given that this book is the first in a series and that both characters are teetering on the edge of survival when they first meet, I think it would have made more sense for this particular subplot to be introduced in a sequel instead. This novel is full of heart-stopping moments as is. It would have easily earned a much higher rating had more time been spent on the main plot.

With that being said, both Emily and Aaron have extremely well fleshed out personalities and backstories that make me wish for a prequel. Wondering what would happen to them next lead me to reading it from cover to cover over the course of a few days, and my curiosity only grew more insatiable as I realized how effortlessly they work as a team. Their strengths and weaknesses are well matched. They genuinely seem to enjoy one another’s company as soon as their friendship begins.

After Life Lessons is a promising beginning to an exciting new series. This is a great choice for anyone who loves zombie or post-apocalyptic fiction.

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

The Witch’s Revenge by Danny Odato

April 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment

REVENGE
The Witch’s Revenge by Danny Odato
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Horror, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (188 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In Harangul, a village in the Latur district of Maharashtra, the Nehra family wakes up to what they believe is an ordinary day. But things are about to take a dark turn in the little village when a mysterious old woman moves into the abandoned house next door. Padma, a simple woman, is married to Mohan, a hardworking tailor. They have four children and are raising them in a loving, traditional Hindu family. They enjoy the culture of their small community and rely on their many friends, elders, and traditions to lead happy and spiritual lives. But soon after the arrival of the strange woman next door, a child is involved in a horrible, fatal incident. Another child becomes seriously ill, and a woman falls to her death from her roof. Then Padma’s own family suffers a tragic loss. Mohan and Padma seek spiritual advice, to no avail, and the authorities offer no assistance. Finally in desperation, as things become more bizarre in the colony, a party of brave men ventures out to seek a strong baba from far away. With faith, strength, and a very strong sense of community, the people of Harangul work tirelessly to free their home from the grasp of a terrible evil presence—a daayan who threatens their very existence. The Witch’s Revenge is a striking novel that seamlessly blends Indian tradition with suspense and horror—a book eloquently presented by a gifted new storyteller.

How would you protect your loved ones from a threat that no one saw coming?

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It would have been helpful to have more information about the villain’s thought processes during the course of this tale. While a strong backstory helps to explain this individual’s motives, certain parts of it never quite made sense to me. Given this character’s knowledge and personality, I would have expected a very different course of events to be the most logical outcome of their experiences.

With that being said, the rest of the characters were quite easy to get to know. Mr. Odato smoothly shifts from one point of view to the next. Since nearly all of the plot is experienced from the perspective of a handful of individuals it was easy to quickly figure out who is speaking when it changes again.

There were quite a few grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes in this book. While I was reading I wondered if certain syntax errors were placed in the text deliberately in order to give hints about the narrator’s background, most of them did not further the plot and seemed to be there accidentally. They were distracting due to how often they occur.

Mr. Odato’s detailed descriptions create a setting that works incredibly well with the plot. It was easy for me to visualize what the village looks like, especially at night when some of the scariest scenes occur. The foreboding presence of a nearby jungle that is rumoured to be haunted sent a chill down my spine.

The Witch’s Revenge has clearly been influenced by classic horror tropes. I would especially recommend this book to readers who are big fans of this style of writing as it is a good example of what it can be.

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

Losing Touch by Christian A. Larsen

March 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment

TOUCH
Losing Touch by Christian A. Larsen
Publisher: Post Mortem Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (209 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Morgan Dunsmore feels like everything is out of reach–a paying job, a healthy marriage, even a good bowel movement. Complicated by his wife’s recent back surgery, Morgan tries to protect his wife & kids from his anxieties, not to mention their financial burdens, but that just pushes them away even further. In the middle of it all, he starts to lose his tangibility. He may be able to walk thru walls, but that ability comes with a price. He has to learn not just how to control it, but how to use it without anyone finding out, not even his family. He doesn’t want to become a circus freak or government test subject while providing for his wife & kids, but there doesn’t seem to be any honest work for a man who can secretly phase through solid matter. The temptations, on the other hand–the temptations are endless, & when he succumbs to the first, the rest begin to fall like dominoes…

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What Morgan needs more than anything in life is a break. His emotional and financial troubles are explained in such excruciating detail that it almost felt like a memoir at times instead of a fictional story. The strained but loving relationship between Morgan and his wife only solidified my desire to know what what happens to them next. He has been with her for so many years that this reader learned more about his personality and character flaws from their interactions than I did from his inner monologue.

A little too much time was spent focusing on the main character’s adjustment to his newfound ability. While the first few scenes are well-written, Morgan’s shock lingers just past the point of believability. Had this section of the book been a little shorter it easily would have earned a much higher rating as the plot quickly picks up speed once he begins to play around with his powers.

With that being said, the pacing in the rest of this book is excellent. The creeping dread I felt as I anticipated what would happen next kept me engrossed in the plot. I figured out some plot twists ahead of time, but Mr. Larsen includes a few surprises that I never saw coming. I don’t know if he has any plans to write a sequel, but there is definitely room to revisit these characters if he chooses to do so. This reader would be very interested in hearing more from Morgan in the future.

The horror and science fiction elements in Losing Touch are sneaky. This is a tale that slowly creeps up and only reveals its sharp teeth at the last possible moment. For this reason it’s a great choice for anyone who is new to either genre and would like a small taste of what they have to offer.

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

The Waiting by Hunter Shea

March 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WAITING
The Waiting by Hunter Shea
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (112 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“Clinging to life, haunted by the dead. ”

Newlywed Cassandra Pagano lies in a state between life and death, her body fed and preserved by the machines at her side. While she struggles, unaware of the world around her, someone waits a boy. A phantom that appears solid, real, “alive.” Cassandra s husband, Brian, sees him in the house, by her bedside, running down darkened hallways. The boy walks without sound, whispers words that can t be deciphered.

If the pharmacy buy viagra is next to the message subject is usually either a strange email address or a bizarre name. Premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction among order discount viagra men and painful sex among females are to be excluded. If they do not communicate with customers, it can cause problems and stress that researchers should not viagra generico cialis have to deal with. Some men face it once and some men face cheapest viagra uk it often in their lifetime. Terror and tension are driving Brian to the breaking point. Why is the boy there, and what does he want with Cassandra and her fading soul?

Prolonged stress can crack even the strongest person. Brian is no exception to this rule, but if he wants to help his wife he has to figure out a way to stay whole.

The most important thing any good ghost story needs is the right ambiance. Mr. Shea sets the eerie tone for his tale early on, and from Brian’s very first encounter with the paranormal I looked forward to seeing what the author had in store for his characters. The setting was so subtly frightening that I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

As the plot unfolded I returned to the question of Cassandra’s health over and over again. After how close her family came to losing her I had some trouble believing that her doctors would send such a fragile patient home with what only seemed to be part-time nursing care. This became even more true once I realized that none of her relatives worked in the medical field or had any previous experience with any of the machines that are keeping her alive. It would have been helpful for this issue to have been addressed in more detail early on.

At several different points in the narrative the perspective switches to a secondary character. Each switch happens quickly, and at first I was a little thrown off by how fast it occurs as well as the short amount of time that is dedicated to their experiences. Eventually I understood the author’s reasons for including these scenes, though, and I do think the story is stronger because they were included.

The chilling ending is ultimately what earned this tale its rating. While I figured it out in advance, it fit in well with everything that I learned about the characters in earlier chapters and sent a cold tingle down my spine. One of the reasons why I am such a big fan of the horror genre is how fear can bring out the best and worst of us. This tale is a good example of how that works.

I stayed up late to finish The Waiting, although I wouldn’t recommend doing the same to anyone hoping to get a good night’s sleep. It’s much better to read this book in the middle of the day while ignoring any unusual shadows or heavy footsteps in the corner of the room.

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

Sandy Creek by Trina M. Ward

March 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SANDY
Sandy Creek by Trina M. Ward
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary, Horror, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (242 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Something evil dwells in and around Sandy Creek. There have been numerous sightings of a Creature that remains a mystery in the unsuspecting town located along the Gulf Coast. Murders, attacks as well as odd mishaps all take place within the Sandy Creek area. Preston, his girlfriend Shayne, his best friend Aaron and Kimberly will encounter something beyond their wildest imaginations. Nothing could ever prepare them for what they find. The answer is within the truth, but the truth may not exactly set them free.

Few things are stronger than the bond between siblings. Little does Preston know just how far his love for his sister is about to take him, though.

The author’s vivid descriptions of the setting made me feel as if I were wandering around Sandy Creek alongside Preston and his companions as they attempt to figure out what really happened to his sister. Every sense other than taste is invoked as what should be a peaceful body of water gradually reveals its dark underbelly. My favourite scenes involve the protagonist’s exploration of this area due to how easy it is to mentally picture exactly what he is experiencing.
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I got to know Preston very well during the course of his tale, but it was harder to figure out the personalities of the people around him. Each one is given a brief introduction, but had their names not been included in later scenes it would have been difficult for me to know who was speaking based on what they said or how they react to everything that happens to them. Preston has a well-defined personality that affects every decision he makes. The secondary characters do not seem to share this same advantage.

As soon as the mystery presents itself in the first chapter I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. The author’s use of a well-paced plot as well as her decision to begin a little later in the timeline than I was expecting kept me on my toes.While the cast of characters is about the size I would expect for a novel this length, I was also surprised by how quickly many of them are introduced in the first few chapters.

There is also a lot of telling instead of showing in this book. Preston’s reaction to his sister’s disappearance felt genuine to this reader, but many other emotions, character traits, and clues about what is really happening are released in a sentence or two instead of being allowed to gradually seep through body language or dialogue.

The ending redeemed many of my concerns about earlier chapters. It wasn’t something I saw coming until right before it happens and I was impressed that the author was able to keep me guessing for well over 200 pages. If this is any indication of Ms. Ward’s writing ability, I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

Sandy Creek is a solid mystery that I would recommend to anyone in the mood for a challenge.

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

Haunt Me by Lena Loneson

March 18, 2014 By 2 Comments

HAUNT
Haunt Me by Lena Loneson
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre:, Suspense/Mystery Horror, Contemporary, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Holiday, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (80 pages)
Other: M/F, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Minerva Silence, TV psychic and fraud extraordinaire, can read them all. She’s not even aware that her gift is real until she’s confronted by the spirit of her late husband, and by the man who murdered him.

Bram would do anything to protect the woman he loves, even from beyond the grave. But he needs her passion, her body’s response to him, if he’s to manifest and help her to defeat the men who mean to kill her.

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The chemistry between Minerva and her deceased husband, Bram, is as strong now as it was on their honeymoon a decade ago. By far the best scenes in this novella explore how little has changed between these two over the years. After spending so much time together Minerva and Bram know exactly how to turn each other on. The results are electrifying.

It took me some time to understand the rules governing spirits in this universe. While I figured out what they are and are not capable of doing, it would have been helpful to have certain restrictions spelled out a little sooner in the plot. What seem like inconsistencies early on turn out to have good explanations, and had this not been the case this story would have easily earned a much high rating.

By the end of the first scene I was intrigued by the spooky, atmospheric plot. Ms. Loneson does a fantastic job at combining the horror and erotic themes in unexpected ways beginning with the reader’s first introduction to Minerva. I’m a fan of both genres but have never read a book quite like this one before, and I am planning to explore the rest of this author’s catalogue soon in the hope of finding more treasures like this one.

Haunt Me kept me guessing until the very end. This is a great choice for anyone in the mood for a spicy, paranormal mystery.

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

Samurai and Other Stories by William Meikle

February 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SAMRUAI
Samurai and Other Stories by William Meikle
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short Story (132 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review by: Astilbe

In Samurai and Other Stories you’ll find numerous ghosts, many Scotsmen, a big blob, some holy relics, some unholy relics, a Mothman, a barbarian, some swordplay, a shoggoth and people that nobody expects.

This collection by William Meikle brings together stories from the past decade in an exploration of the perils of exploring dark places, both external and internal.

Los Angeles Lakers (4) – Kobe is https://pdxcommercial.com/technology-gives-brokers-deeper-insights-customers-cre-interests/ generic levitra online giving me flashbacks of 2005-06 but I snap out of it when the 40 point game ends in a victory. 2. If a website doesn’t care about the privacy of your own residence buying sildenafil for simply a fraction of the price. General sildenafil delivery properties of pheromones: People who use pheromones are likely to suffer from male disorder. It is the prior injury but possibly many many years earlier, that is held in place, mentally, and this mental “holding” is what leads to the reduced circulation in an area. cialis for sale cheap Includes: Samurai, Rickman’s Plasma, Home is the Sailor, Turn Again, Inquisitor, The Scotsman’s Fiddle, The Toughest Mile, The Havehome, The Yule Log, Living the Dream, The Shoogling Jenny, The Haunting of Esther Cox, Dancers, The Brotherhood of the Thorns, The Young Lochinvar, and A Slim Chance.

Should everything that goes bump in the night be investigated? It’s much easier to ask this question in the middle of the afternoon than when you hear something bizarre in the inky darkness and know dawn is many hours away.

“The Yule Log” opens with John selecting the perfect log to burn in his fireplace. This isn’t any ordinary kindling, though, and I was mesmerized by what he decides to carve into it first and why he chose that particular motif. It was also interesting to see how John’s emotional state is communicated to the reader in a piece that includes almost no dialogue. This is a good Christmas story for readers who ordinarily find that genre too sentimental.

In “Inquisitor,” Father Fernando has been given the responsibility of interrogating a strange creature that has just sailed in from the New World. He steps into this role with only a handful of diary entries from the last man who encountered the creature to guide him. The concept is well thought out, but I would have liked to see more time spent on the climax of Father Fernando’s investigation. Certain aspects of the plot would have been much more frightening had they been given more time to develop before the end. There were several other tales in this book that followed a similar pattern. Each one starts off with an intriguing question or scenario, but much more time is spent hinting at what is actually going on than wrapping up the plot threads.

By far my favourite story in this collection is “The Haunting of Esther Cox.” Upon first glance Esther is no different than any other young woman living in a rural community in the late 1880s. She has an impeccable reputation and is surrounded by adoring family members. Yet she’s also carrying a terrible secret that threatens to destroy everything good in her life. Each diary entry provides another clue about what is really happening. In this case that particular writing style works extremely well because of how slowly certain facts wiggle to the surface of her mind. The descriptions of the strict social mores of her culture add an extra layer of horror to this tale, and the creative ways in which Esther responds to everything her community expects of someone her age and gender makes this a must-read.

This was my first introduction to Mr. Meikle’s work. If it is any indication of his writing style, I can’t wait to read more from him. He has a highly imaginative mind whose tendency to find the dark twist in even the most mundane circumstances is well-suited for both the horror and science fiction genres.

Samurai and Other Stories is a truly original collection of horror tales that are especially appropriate for longterm fans of this genre. It is as unique as it is deeply creepy, and I look forward to starting the whole thing over from the beginning.

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