S.J. Budd's Blog, page 12
September 14, 2018
The Mouth of the Dark by Tim Waggoner
This has definitely got to be the most WTF book I have ever read? At the end of every page I was like "WTF?!" And it only got weirder further in.
This is a really fun book and Tim Waggoner certainly has an amazing imagination which has earned him a Bram Stoker Award.
Jayce, a middle aged man stuck in a rut has lost his daughter. She's vanished into thin air and it's taken all these years following his bitter divorce to realise he barely knows anything about his beloved Emory. But one thing he is sure of is that he'll go to any lengths to find her.
But finding his daughter is no easy journey when he discovers a dangerous underworld, Shadow which exists along ours. Jayce suspects this is where his daughter is, and that she might be in danger.
"He'll do anything it takes to find his daughter, even if it means becoming a monster himself..."
I wouldn't really classify this as horror though it is certainly dark. I loved how it was so unpredictable which makes it a book hard to put down once you start reading it. This book can get quite uncomfortable at times, particularly when Jayce begins to learn more about Emory, it's literally every dad's worst nightmare but I love how Tim Waggoner is an author not afraid to embrace being controversial.
I was very fortunate to be given this book from Flame Tree Press which has just launched in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few titles, The Siren and the Specter, Bad Neighbour and many more I can't wait to get started on. I'd like to say how impressed I am with the craftsmanship of the writers involved. They're all amazing books and I can't wait to see what's released next.
This is a really fun book and Tim Waggoner certainly has an amazing imagination which has earned him a Bram Stoker Award.
Jayce, a middle aged man stuck in a rut has lost his daughter. She's vanished into thin air and it's taken all these years following his bitter divorce to realise he barely knows anything about his beloved Emory. But one thing he is sure of is that he'll go to any lengths to find her.
But finding his daughter is no easy journey when he discovers a dangerous underworld, Shadow which exists along ours. Jayce suspects this is where his daughter is, and that she might be in danger.
"He'll do anything it takes to find his daughter, even if it means becoming a monster himself..."
I wouldn't really classify this as horror though it is certainly dark. I loved how it was so unpredictable which makes it a book hard to put down once you start reading it. This book can get quite uncomfortable at times, particularly when Jayce begins to learn more about Emory, it's literally every dad's worst nightmare but I love how Tim Waggoner is an author not afraid to embrace being controversial.
I was very fortunate to be given this book from Flame Tree Press which has just launched in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few titles, The Siren and the Specter, Bad Neighbour and many more I can't wait to get started on. I'd like to say how impressed I am with the craftsmanship of the writers involved. They're all amazing books and I can't wait to see what's released next.
September 13, 2018
The Bad Neighbour by David Tallerman
I was really fortunate to have this book sent to me in exchange for a review from Flame Tree Press, but my other half liked the look of it so much he nabbed it for himself.
Here's his review!
The back cover blurb gave me a good idea of what to expect but I was still shocked by how gripped by the story I became.
When part-time teacher Ollie Clay panic-buys a rundown house in the outskirts of Leeds, he soon recognizes his mistake. His new neighbor, Chas Walker, is an antisocial thug, and Ollie's suspicions raise links to a local hate group. With Ollie's life unravelling rapidly, he feels his choices dwindling: his situation is intolerable and only standing up to Chas can change it. But Ollie has his own history of violence, and increasingly, his own secrets to hide; and Chas may be more than the mindless yob he appears to be. As their conflict spills over into the wider world, Ollie will come to learn that there are worse problems in life than one bad neighbor.
What strikes me as so capturing is how much I could relate to the story's protagonist, Ollie. A lot of us have been there. Investing or wanting to invest a lot of time and emotion into your first house/flat purchase only to have your heart broken on discovering the property isn't all you thought it was when you learn your neighbour is as antisocial as they come.
Okay, that hasn't quite happened to me but the book makes it very easy to imagine yourself in Ollie's shoes. All your money invested in what a third party would only describe as shithole, which only dawns on you after the purchase when you have the displeasure of meeting the tyrant next door. All scarily relatable.
Of course things don't stop there. Without spoiling the twists and turns of the story, the neighbour is worse than merely an antisocial annoyance; his neo-nazi extremist views extend to actions also. Personally I found it really upsetting to reluctantly admit these types of people probably still exist in today's society. I would say if any potential readers are particularly sensitive to racism or have traumatic personal experience on that topic I could imagine this a tough read so proceed with caution in that case. Otherwise it certainly works to make you hate the antagonists and places you squarely behind Ollie and friends. It makes you wonder what you would do when confronted by such evil.
It really is a great read, I'd rate it very high as a real world gritty thriller. The kind of story that has me flying through the pages as my schedule will allow and thinking about the the story when I put it down.
Colin Farr, book reader extraordinaire.
Here's his review!
The back cover blurb gave me a good idea of what to expect but I was still shocked by how gripped by the story I became.
When part-time teacher Ollie Clay panic-buys a rundown house in the outskirts of Leeds, he soon recognizes his mistake. His new neighbor, Chas Walker, is an antisocial thug, and Ollie's suspicions raise links to a local hate group. With Ollie's life unravelling rapidly, he feels his choices dwindling: his situation is intolerable and only standing up to Chas can change it. But Ollie has his own history of violence, and increasingly, his own secrets to hide; and Chas may be more than the mindless yob he appears to be. As their conflict spills over into the wider world, Ollie will come to learn that there are worse problems in life than one bad neighbor.
What strikes me as so capturing is how much I could relate to the story's protagonist, Ollie. A lot of us have been there. Investing or wanting to invest a lot of time and emotion into your first house/flat purchase only to have your heart broken on discovering the property isn't all you thought it was when you learn your neighbour is as antisocial as they come.
Okay, that hasn't quite happened to me but the book makes it very easy to imagine yourself in Ollie's shoes. All your money invested in what a third party would only describe as shithole, which only dawns on you after the purchase when you have the displeasure of meeting the tyrant next door. All scarily relatable.
Of course things don't stop there. Without spoiling the twists and turns of the story, the neighbour is worse than merely an antisocial annoyance; his neo-nazi extremist views extend to actions also. Personally I found it really upsetting to reluctantly admit these types of people probably still exist in today's society. I would say if any potential readers are particularly sensitive to racism or have traumatic personal experience on that topic I could imagine this a tough read so proceed with caution in that case. Otherwise it certainly works to make you hate the antagonists and places you squarely behind Ollie and friends. It makes you wonder what you would do when confronted by such evil.
It really is a great read, I'd rate it very high as a real world gritty thriller. The kind of story that has me flying through the pages as my schedule will allow and thinking about the the story when I put it down.
Colin Farr, book reader extraordinaire.
September 10, 2018
August 27, 2018
Incubate Initiate
I'm delighted to announce my latest story, Incubate Initiate is out now at Dark Fire Fiction.
Go read it here
Go read it here
August 20, 2018
Dystopia by Aphotic Realm
It's landed, the fourth instalment of Aphotic Realm and this may just be their best issue yet! There's a stellar line up included in here of awesome writers and for the first time there's now comics included, more interviews, including one with the legendary Kevin J.Anderson and even book reviews!
The theme for this mighty issue is Dystopia! In here you'll find tales of of broken worlds, dismantled societies and lost hope. Few remain and they will fight by any means for survival.
It seems Aphotic Realm keep outdoing themselves with each issue. I for one cannot wait for the next issue: Eldritch!
The Red Umbrella by Brian Black
Dystopia gets off to a cracking start with The Red Umbrella by Brian Black. A really gripping tale set in a post apocalyptic world where nothing is what it seems.
Interrogation by Anoop Anthony
A great tale warning of the endless cycle of carnage and bloodshed. Can humanity work together in a crisis or will they rip each other apart?
May it Pass by Bo Chapell
A scientist father and his daughter team up to save the world by heading out to space, but will she find the salvation for humanity or something much worse?
Flake John F.Leonard
What are these strange flakes falling out of the sky? Why won't they melt? Is is a harmless freak weather pattern or something more sinister?
Soul Sisters by Pegi Eyers
Billions have died during "The Waves," but a few remain. How did they survive? And what's their purpose now?
Hungry Little Things by S.J.Budd
My little tale about a reclusive mother desperate to get her son home. Is she right to want to stay indoors? What's really out there?
Frostbyte by Kevin Holton
A heart braking tale when a doctor's bedside manner is removed to make way for extra efficiency. The world is being taken over by machines and Dr Vy Phrazian is trying to hold on to humanity. A really emotional tale.
Fix Me by Lachlan Watt
Definitely the scariest story in this collection. A young mechanic finds herself trapped in darkness with no way out. She can't remember how she got here or what's gone on, but is there any point in remembering? The truth won't set you free.
8-Bit Rebellion by A.A.Medina
Arnold Jones is locked into a world of slavery to the machines who have overtaken humanity as the ruling force. Many people just give up, but can Arnold find a way out of this hell? This is a really cool story with a message of hope.
The Day the Towers Rose by S.E.Casey
If the end of days were approaching how would you react? Would you fight back, kill yourself or try to survive in any way that you could?
Shards of Yesterday by Mandi Jourdan
The world has been saved by a secretive company known as Lazarus who worked out the ancient secrets to life, magic and the soul. But have they really made the world a better place?
Perfecting Humanity by Michael J.Wyant Jr
A really cool mind bending story of a young woman with a special abilities, but is it a gift or a curse?
Ruby by Jonathan Boon
There are many ways in which we are destroying our planet and over-population is just one of them. A theme explored with heart braking reality in Jonathan Boon's Ruby. This is the tale of Ruby is just too good at school and soon atractts unwanted attention. Very thought provoking
Perforator's Run by Cameron Kirk
In his Grandad's legendary Chevrolet the Captain is returning to Dead City, a landscape of blackened towers and the roaming undead. There's a great foreboding atmosphere in this bleak portrayal of a post war world.
August 18, 2018
For Exposure: The Life and Times of a Small Press Publisher by Jason Sizemore
This is the hilarious account of how Jason Sizemore had a mid life crisis and decided to launch his own publishing company, Apex, which needs no introduction.
Reading this book has given me so much respect and admiration for small independent publishers. The struggles of a writer are very well documented but for the first time you get to see the trials and tribulations of an editor.
Jason Sizemore recounts his journey of becoming on of the top indie publishers with pure charm and sincerity. I was really rooting for him and long live Apex. It's a very honest account of his struggles and shortcomings with brilliant anecdotes of book con shenanigans. I've never been to a convention but after reading this I'm dying to try them out! Bring on StokerCon 2020!
Sounds of the Night
Sounds of the Night is the latest anthology to be released by the super awesome Alban Lake Publishing crew due out Oct 18.
My story, What The Eyes Cannot See, will be included. This is my first novelette to be published!
You can pre-order Sounds of The Night now from Infinite Realm Book Store here
New Story! Fliggy-Wibbit hits Mystic Blue Review
You can read my latest tale, Fliggy-Wibbit in issue 5 of The Mystic Blue Review. My first non horror tale to be published, but it is still spooky!
You can read it here is Issue 5
You can read it here is Issue 5
August 7, 2018
The Siren and The Specter by Jonathan Janz
Hands down this has got to be the best book I've read this year, and I've read some very good books! If I'm honest when I first started to read this book I thought it would be your standard haunted house story but this book is so much more than that.
It starts off slow, but creepy, there's an ominous undercurrent and not unlike the epic TV series of 24 it kicks off and takes you on an adrenaline packed adventure. It became one of those book where I had to keep reading, even if it meant staying up all night. I was genuinely scared reading this book which isn't something that happens often.
When David Caine, a celebrated skeptic of the supernatural, is invited by an old friend to spend a month in “the most haunted house in Virginia,” he believes the case will be like any other. But the Alexander House is different. Built by a 1700s land baron to contain the madness and depravity of his eldest son, the house is plagued by shadows of the past and the lingering taint of bloodshed. David is haunted, as well. For twenty-two years ago, he turned away the woman he loved, and she took her life in sorrow. And David suspects she’s followed him to the Alexander House.
This is so much more than a horror story, this has some really powerful themes of lost loves, death and the true nature of evil. It's not just monsters who are evil but us and lurks in everyone one of us. There comes a time in everyone's life where we have to deal with our past, take responsibility for the mistakes we've made.
I really warmed to the main character David, a good guy who made some bad decisions and his past actions haunt him as much as the ghosts in this book. What I found interesting with this book is that there were two ghosts, a Siren and a Spectre as well as the demons David harbours inside. He has been invited to the haunted house in a bid to convert him and I loved the extreme efforts he goes to, to not believe in the paranormal.
The Siren and the Spectre is so thrilling as all the secondary characters have their own brilliant plots. I don't want to say too much and spoil the book for those who've not yet read it but there's loads of characters you will really hate and loads you will love.
If this is the sort of fiction that Flame Tree Press will be releasing from now on I think the horror genre is going to get huge.
I'd like to say a really big thank you to Flame Tree Press for giving me an ARC of The Siren and The Spectre.
About the Author
Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories. His work has been championed by authors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, and Brian Keene; he has also been lauded by Publishers Weekly, the Library Journal, and the School Library Journal. His novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year. Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children. You can sign up for his newsletter (http://jonathanjanz.us12.list-manage....), and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.
July 24, 2018
Shotgun Strange Stories Magazine Issue 1
Attention everyone there's a brand new magazine for those who love strange and scary stories, it's called Shotgun Strange Stories edited by David Wilson. It's available in print for only $4 and good news for those across the atlantic, I purchased the digital bundle which includes a pdf, epub and mobi copy for only $2 which as around £1.50 in sterling. Absolute bargain!
I'm reviewing the kindle version. There's so much more included in the paper version with really cool features such as word searches and illustrations. You'll be able to see this in the pdf copy if you go for the digital bundle.
Road Trip by Matthew Standiford
Greg is learning to live again after a brutal loss in his life. He's gone through a really bad patch but has come out broken but in one piece. As long as he has his dear wife, Kirstin beside him to guide him out of the darkness. This was a great tale to start off the first issue. I found this really moving and the ending tears you apart.
The Ordinary by Michael Carter
Road Trip is a hard story to follow but Michael Carter's tale, The Ordinary delivers! A dystopian tale about a broken society trying to survive in harsh times. This one sent shivers down my spine.
Fertilizer by Ian Bain
This is a gripping tale which is dramatic form start to finish. A eager gardener soon regret unleashing a potent fertilizer in his garden which has far reaching consequences. I really loved this!
Roadblock by Christopher Powers
I've encountered Christopher Powers tale before int he critically acliamed Monsters Exist anthology by Deadman's Tome with his tale, Bitten. For me it was one of the stand out tales and Roadblock is equally as brilliant. A hit man takes the wrong job on the wrong night!
City Boy by Ron Clinton
Glen needs some time away from the city to reflect but finds that out in the country things are just as hectic. This tale was really fun to read and I loved the dark comedy within.
Diorama by Cody Daigle-Orians
I really liked this tale told through the perspective of a little boy who feels lost in life. He's all alone and has no one to fight his corner until he makes a friend. A really creepy story!
Red Mailbox by John Bender
Man this is a dark tale! A very original tale and I'm going to be avoiding all red mailboxes int he future!
We are Heros by Brodie Lowe
A really cool tale with elements of science fiction. Viggo, a young man working in a comic store has his day turned upside down when he receives a strange visitor.
There's also an offering of really cool articles dealing with all things horror:
Collecting The Macabre: 30 Years of Pursuing Books of Wickedness & Wonder by Ron Clinton
‘Zisi’s B-Movie Reviews!’ By Christopher Zisi
