Steve Stred's Blog, page 67

Book Review: The Best of Intentions by Joshua MacMillan

Title: The Best of Intentions

Author: Joshua MacMillan

Release date: July 21st, 2021

Thanks to Joshua for reaching out and sending me a copy of his debut to read.

As someone who loves, loves, loves reading, I go into each book super excited and absolutely expecting to love each and every story I come across. But, as we all know, that is impossible and never the case.

With ‘The Best of Intentions,’ I went in with a hesitancy, due to the prevalence PTSD looked to be playing in the story line. I find that if not handled well, PTSD can be used the same way as somebody with an amputation or cognitive issue – a crutch that is convenient to make a character lesser than and an easy target. I was also a bit hesitant due to the PTSD narrative being related to the man’s military history. I’m personally not a huge fan of military fiction, so I wasn’t sure how this would all play out.

One thing I have found though, over the course of posting reviews for six years or so now, being Canadian and having not lived and had an American upbringing has definitely created an internal measuring stick when things like guns, guns in the home and guns around kids comes into play. I say all of that with the asterisk that I grew up hunting and for a period of time had both my prohibited and non-prohibited firearm licenses. I currently own two firearms, neither of which are here at my house, and neither of which are functional, fire-ble rifles.

What I liked: The story follows our main character, Corey, his wife Sam and their son Jonathan. Corey is a manager at a security company and lately his nightmares have returned. He says he has PTSD under control, even as he sleeps less, dreams more and starts to drink more frequently.

When, randomly, one day, he finds a note that says ‘TEN DAYS’ and a following note, two days later that reads ‘EIGHT DAYS,’ he grows unhinged and the story unravels even more.

MacMillan does a fantastic job of making you see how tight of a family unit they are and how much Sam cares for and worries about her husband. Corey works hard and when home, tries his best to instill morals and values into his son, getting him to help with chores and be a good kid.

The crux of the story is whether you don’t see the obvious clues and tells as to what is going to happen. I saw it about 25% in, but if you decide to play along and see how far down the crazed well Corey is going to travel, you’ll enjoy a fast-paced read.

What I didn’t like: As I mentioned, the crux of this story revolves around Corey’s descent into his PTSD, drinking and ultimately paranoia over these ‘mysterious’ clues. We see him drink more, clean his guns, leave his guns around the house and not have any issues about it whenever confronted. As well, for a guy who was supposed to be considered super responsible and the manager of where he works, his phone is constantly dead, which would be a major priority for someone to keep charged if they had that level of job responsibility.

Ultimately, none of that worked for me and, unfortunately, I knew how the story was going to end very early into it, which totally eliminated any emotional impact it should’ve had when it finally happened.

Why you should buy this: I think MacMillan does a good job of creating tension and wanting you to root for our characters. I think if you read the synopsis and it does grab you, you’ll have a fun time, if not an obvious time and that’ll be an individual reader response each and every time.

For this reader, it sadly didn’t pull me along like I think the author intended and created a situation where I just couldn’t get the necessary attachment.

2/5

Book Review: The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson

Title: The Saturday Night Ghost Club

Author: Craig Davidson

Release date: August 14th, 2018

One thing I’ve found, through being a voracious reader, reviewing everything I read and getting older, is that a lot of my reviews have been more introspective, more memoir-ish, in that when things connect and it brings me back to a time and place I’ve long forgotten or not visited for many years, I’ll often discuss that in the review, which to some maybe annoying as heck, and others just may enjoy.

Craig Davidson is a few years older than myself, but one thing we share in common, is the growing up in a small town in Canada and having most of our formative years being in the late 80s and early 90s.

This book had me enraptured, squeezed tight with nostalgia and the overwhelming knowledge that something bad had happened and how would its tentacles reach those around this event?

I grew up in Burton, BC, Canada, population maybe 100? I grew up in the time of party lines, three TV channels, NHL games only on Saturday Nights and thinking nothing was bigger than winning the Stanley Cup. When I arrived, my parents lived in a trailer near the beach, across from the Hankins. It wasn’t long until the kind lady across the gravel road became Grandma Hankins, which she remained until she passed away a few years back. Grandma Hankins was my original gateway into the unknown. She always had Weekly World News tabloids laying around and when I’d ask her questions, she’d give me as straight of an answer as she felt necessary. She never teased me about Bat Boy or the Loch Ness Monster or Elvis meeting Bigfoot, instead she answered as though all of that was fact. She was my introduction to Spontaneous Human Combustion, an affliction that still haunts me to this day.

My Grandma Hankins was my own Uncle C, a character that was paramount in this novel.

Now, before I dive deeper into this review, I have to also mention, this story is centered around two friends, Jake and Billy, who along with Jake’s Uncle (and occasionally Billy’s sister Dove and Uncle C’s friend Lex) form a Ghost Searching Club. Nothing official, just a few trips out around the town to seek out things, and discover what people don’t want you to know. God, did this bring me back. I tried desperately a few times to create a similar thing with my few childhood friends. Back at that age, Chad didn’t care about ghosts, he wanted to rip around on his dirt bike or smash bottles. Lorne didn’t care about ghosts, he wanted to play sports or play in the sandpit with our Tonka’s. My younger friend, Tyson didn’t care about ghosts, unless it was a ghost movie that had boobs in it. And my friend Simon wanted to play video games, discuss which girls were getting boobs and try and steal his older brother’s porn.

My own attempts at a Saturday Night Ghost Club continually failed, so like most of my childhood, where I was on my own a lot and created worlds and characters in my own head, I went about it on my own.

What I liked: As I mentioned, the story follows Jake, a neurosurgeon, looking back at a special time in his childhood when he made a true friend, spent time with his Uncle C, and fell in love for the first time.

Now, it may sound crazy to some to say this, but this was the first time I’ve read a proper Craig Davidson book. I first discovered him as Nick Cutter, reading both ‘The Troop’ and ‘The Deep.’ I then read two of his releases (‘The Preserve’ and ‘The Coliseum’) under his Patrick Lestewka pseudonym. Not that the Davidson releases haven’t interested me, it just happened to occur in that order. This book is pristine. The writing is crisp, the pages drip with nostalgia and emotion and there are a few moments in here of genuine fright. While, for some, this may be a book that falls flat as it doesn’t have any of the gore that Cutter/Lestewka reads are known for, this book is simply haunting and made me nervous over what was happening.

I loved the lessons/anecdotal openings to each chapter, where grown up Jake would share something from his current job that related back to that time in his life. It really helped to tie our adult existence into our childhood experiences. Also, the usage of the character, Lex, Uncle C’s best friend, was spot on. A way to gauge each instance and ultimately a barometer that showed the rapid spiral that was happening.

Watching Jake and Billy become friends was such a joy. Early on we learn that Jake often makes friends with new kids, only to have them move on to other kids and ignore or torment him later on. To see Billy be a true friend was so heartwarming. As well, Dove was a great character. That wild child influence who pushed Jake out of his comfort zone, while also acting as that free spirit who was up for anything. She really added to the nostalgia feelings that carried throughout.

Davidson wraps it all up by including an ever present bully, parents who care deeply about their son and want to see him become the most he can be, and the town itself acting as a fluid character, one offering places to explore but darkness around every corner.

What I didn’t like: Frankly, I loved this book and a big part of that is the direct relatability to so many elements in here. I think some may not get that same attachment or association if they’ve not experienced a lot of what’s happened in this book and that may really sway a readers experience with this release.

Why you should buy this: Over the last five years, my life has changed immensely and I’ve begun to discover that books seem to end up at the top of my TBR just when I need it. Oddly, I just recently watched a live interview between Craig and Andrew Pyper and the fact that I discovered both of those writers at the same time, when I bought ‘The Demonologist’ and ‘The Troop’ together all those years ago in Abbotsford, really brought this one around and landed hard in my soul.

I’m now a forty year old father, a husband, no longer an athlete, no longer a university student, no longer in high school, and no longer that lonely kid playing in the forest behind our home, pretending to be searching for ghosts and sasquatch and Chupacabra, scared that I was about to spontaneously combust. You can’t go back in time, but you can try and revisit it in some sense, some fashion that makes you smile, and makes you happy that you had that time, that freedom.

As for this book, it unlocked a lot of those emotions, made me reach over and hug my son, knowing that soon I’ll be having to guide him through those years, when kids can be mean, shadows can be monsters and the future never looked so far away.

My only sorrow with this book, and in turn this review, is that Craig’s not on social media, that I can’t tag him in this review or DM him to say thank you for returning me to those days long since lived. I may reach out and find a way to email him, but until then – just know, this book is precious, this book is beautiful, and if you lived a similar childhood – of seeking out strange things, enjoying the wind in your hair and the clack-clack-clack of baseball cards on your spokes as you rode your bike faster than a race car – this book is one you have to read.

Coming of age brilliance.

5/5

Announcing Mastodon – My Next Novel!

Releasing January 28th, 2022, cover art by Francois Vaillancourt!

SYNOPSIS:

17 years ago, Tyler Barton was born in the Rocky Mountains, while his parents were on a hike.

On that day, his mother disappeared, never to be seen again.

Now, history repeats itself.

On the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, Tyler’s father is flying home when the plane he’s on disappears – in the same area where his mother was last seen.

Undeterred by officials, Tyler decides to hike into the area in search of his father, hoping to find him alive and bring him back to safety.

But there’s a reason that area is prohibited to enter and even though Tyler doesn’t care, he’ll soon find out that the wilderness can hide some of the deepest, darkest fears known to man.

From the author of ‘Incarnate,’ ‘The Window In the Ground’ and ‘Ritual’ comes a new novel that’ll make you rethink your Summer hiking trip.

Advance Praise;

“An old-school creature thriller told with crisp pacing and kick-ass set pieces, Steve Stred’s Mastodon is a monster-in-the-woods tale with some choice surprises and plenty of rampaging fun.”
– Andrew Pyper, author of The Residence, The Damned and The Demonologist

“Steve Stred’s Mastodon reads like a cross between Gary Paulson’s Hatchet and Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy: a big-hearted adventure yarn with a dark and compelling mystery at its core.”
– Shaun Hamill, author of A Cosmology of Monsters

“Mysterious. Gripping. High-octane. Mastodon is not the typical creature feature.”
– Eddie Generous, author of Rawr and Behemoth Risen

“Mastodon is a jaw-dropping trek into a heart of darkness. Full of emotion, yet rife with grotesque imagery that only Stred can deliver.”
– David Sodergren, author of The Forgotten Island and Maggie’s Grave

“Mastodon is another tour de force from Canada’s master of dread. The journey into a forbidden wilderness cordoned off by the military is reminiscent of Jeff Vandermeer’s Annihilation, but as bleak, daring, and darkly comic as Harlan Ellison. The pace of the story never relents, its emotional highs are spectacular, and its lows will rip your guts out: a voyage and return epic with the balls-to-the-wall horror shows of S. C. Mendes’s The City thrown in. Stred should be held in the same regard as Straub and King.”
– Joseph Sale, author of Save Game and Gods of the Black Gate

“Mastodon is a compelling read that will leave you blistered and broken as you join a young man’s rescue mission into the Canadian wilderness inhabited by unspeakable horrors. Steve Stred masterfully delivers a story exploring the physical and emotional limits we push through in order to save the people we hold most dear.”
– J. A. Sullivan, horror writer and contributor to Kendall Reviews.

About writing the novel:

In April of 2020, I, like many people in the world, was temporarily laid off from my work place as the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions came into place. At the time, here in Edmonton, where I worked was deemed non-essential and for eight weeks I was sent home, before slowly returning to modified hours and eventually full time. I work in the medical field, so I was happy to return to work and be able to see my patients again and help them remain active and pain free.
While I was stressed over not working, at the same time it offered me a rare opportunity to spend more time with my wife, son and our dog. I mentioned almost immediately to my wife that I’d need to figure out a way to keep working on my current WIP’s and she suggested that each day, I still take that hour I normally write at work and do that at home. I was also able to find other open spaces where I wrote and it was during those eight weeks I cranked out the first draft of this book. Draft one sat at a little over 42K words.
As I usually do, I let the novel sit for a month before I opened the file again and worked on draft two. Sadly, this coincided with my father-in-law unexpectedly passing away in June. An incredibly emotional time, which we’re still trying to navigate, I knew I could utilize some of those emotions I was working with and my wife was sharing, to add into Tyler’s journey here.
The cover art on this release is done by the fantastic François Vaillancourt. I’ve long been a fan of his creations and it was one day where I spotted this come across one of his posts that I knew this had been specifically made for this book. It was fate (or Ka, for you constant readers). François was so easy to work with and I can’t thank him enough or recommend him enough.

I know I’ll be taking some flack from folks because of the cover blurb. That’s ok. Andrew played a very prominent role in this novel getting to completion. I’m still blown away that my favorite author knows my name and that he calls me a friend. I attended an online workshop of his which helped to iron out some issues I was having with this book, but also two other novels. His input was amazing. I was hesitant on reaching out to see if he’d offer a blurb if he enjoyed this, but when I mentioned it to my wife, she said I absolutely needed to ask. That I was raving about this book and that I’d kick myself if I didn’t. To think that he read this and enjoyed it AND offered a blurb! Blown away.

I also want to thank Shaun Hamill, Eddie Generous, Joseph Sale, Jennifer Sullivan (TOC BUDDIES!) and David Sodergren for giving this one an early read and offering some kind words. If you’ve not read their works, do fix that!

So, I hope this one brings you some thrills!

Goodreads link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59764101-mastodon

You can preorder it here;

mybook.to/mastodon

or at Amazon US Link;

Book Review: Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

Title: Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Release date: January 7th, 2020

The 5th book in McGuire’s PHENOMENAL Wayward Children jumps straight into the action and at this point, if you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume you’ve read up until this book. If not – please note, some spoilers are within, but unfortunately that’s necessary when you’re this far into a series.

What I liked: After book four (and 4.5) took a diversion over to discovering Lundy’s back story, book five focuses squarely on Jack and Jill and what happened at the Moors. A door blasts open in the basement of The School for Wayward Children and we find Alexis and Jill, but that body now playing host to Jack. Things have unraveled, Bleak is feared dead and Jack wants to return and seek vengeance on what her sister has done.

The story is told through the narrative of an adventure, we get the group banding together, returning to the Moors and ultimately confronting Jill. McGuire does an amazing job of treating this entry as both a piece of the bigger story, but also an individual dark fairy tale. We get to meet Gideon and Cora discovers the Drowned Gods and ultimately we get a fantastic climax where Jack confronts Jill and the Master is put in his place. Seanan has really crafted some really amazing characters and we even get an emotional moment with Kade and a bridge.

It was great to once again visit the Moors and even though it’s alluded that we’ll never visit there again, I wouldn’t be surprised if we do return at some point in the future.

What I didn’t like: Each character plays a specific role and it was great to see Christopher have his moment connecting with one of the horses that Jack had created. But in this entry, Sumi was incredibly annoying and I didn’t think the character added anything except being a distraction.

Why you should buy this: If you’ve read the first four, you’ll definitely be checking this one out. With a sixth already out and a seventh entry arriving in a month, you have more than enough time to catch up.

If you’ve not read any of these and have stumbled upon this review – go back to the start, be sure, open the first door and welcome to these amazing worlds you’re about to discover.

5/5

Book Review: Tapping the West by Scott Messenger

Title: Tapping the West: How Alberta’s Craft Beer Industry Bubbled Out of an Economy Gone Flat

Author: Scott Messenger

Release date: May 5th, 2020

I know, I know, this isn’t a horror book or a sci-fi book or something deep and dark with gore and evisceration, but I read throughout a lot of genres and this book came to me in a special kind of way.

You see, way back in August of this year (2021), I was invited to my very first author event. I know! Exciting. It was at the best bookstore here in Edmonton, Daisy Chain Bookstore on 124th Street, and I was over the moon to be asked to participate. There were four of us there, introducing ourselves and reading from our work, and one of those authors just happened to Scott Messenger. I can’t say why, maybe it was us being the two males on the panel, or the telepathic connection that we both shared the same sense of humor, but we clicked and we chatted for most of the night and have stayed connected through Instagram.

This book, typically, would never in a million years interest me based on topic. You see, I don’t drink alcohol. Where I grew up, alcohol took the lives of a number of residents, grabbed others by the throat and had them spiral into addiction and helplessness or simply seemed to act as a force to keep many of my classmates in the small town. Now, don’t get me wrong – I have nothing wrong with drinking for social aspects and enjoyment of taste (I do take great issue with alcohol abuse and drunk driving) but I’m someone who can have a great time without getting drunk.

But, it was Scott’s description and reading of this book that really had it grab a hold of me. It was an interesting idea. He started a blog, One Year of Alberta Beer, and it took off. And from that the history of Craft Beer in the province unfolded and soon Scott had a book on his hands.

What I liked: Funny enough, this book ended up having two things I typically don’t find myself drawn to in books I read or want to read – a lot of information on beer and humor! But, I have to tell you, Scott’s writing is a joy and it worked really well.

The book follows him as he not only visits almost four dozen breweries of Craft Beer around the province, but dives into the history of the brewing. How it came to rise as an alternative to the major brewers and how they used different ingredients to turn their liquid into a chef’s menu, allowing those who enjoy this type of alcohol to have so many varieties to sample.

Throughout, Scott really does a great job of showcasing the struggle that it took to get the industry up and going, and how it took time for them to gain any respect. To push past a “local” tag and grow into a renowned industry. I really enjoyed seeing the major players and how they pushed against the big brewers while also tentatively respecting the other micro breweries that were also entering the scene.

What I didn’t like: In this case, instead of discussing a plot point or character I didn’t care for, as someone who doesn’t drink, I was lost when Scott was discussing flavors and ways of producing the product. I got it and know the basics, but those parts were not for me! Ha!

Why you should buy this: This is a really great look at a significant historical rise in not only the Albertan Craft Beer Industry, but Craft Beer in general. As well, the thoroughness Scott has included, while making it not only readable, but enjoyable and having perfect laugh points, showcases his talent as a writer. This one would make for a perfect read for someone who enjoys underdogs vs major player books, historical fans, beer fans, or even fans of Canadian non-fiction. I will say, it was a very insightful look at how entrepreneurs persevered when everybody around them thought they’d fail.

Outstanding book.

5/5

Book Review: Coprophilia by Tim Friesenhahn

Title: Coprophilia

Author: Tim Friesenhahn

Release date: November 13, 2021

**Trigger Warnings a Plenty Here!**

Coprophilia – noun – abnormal interest and pleasure in feces and defecation.

**Normally, I’d share the cover as both the featured photo as well as the main cover up top there, but due to the extreme content, I’ve held off and will have it lower.**

Big thanks to Tim for sending a digital copy over to me. From what I understand, Amazon has banned the book, so you can get digital copies on Godless (link at the end as always with my reviews here) and I’m not too sure about physical copies.

Whenever I get a book to review, I approach it with as much fairness as I can. I want to love every single book, but the reality is you can’t. Just last night I DNF’d a book that will undoubtedly be on many people’s year end ‘Best Of’ Lists. That’s ok.

With EXTREME horror (and yes I put this in all-caps. Every horror book has extremity in it, hence the idea of the subgenre’s within) I typically approach it by looking for the ‘why’ and the symbolism.

Case in point – I’ve read Matthew Stokoe’s ‘Cows,’ and was blown away by the symbolism, the despair and the metaphoric look at how the main character was searching for acceptance, hope, love and ultimately control.

All too often in EXTREME horror, the books are written purely to disgust and repulse and fair enough. If that’s the author’s prerogative, more power to them. What it can often do, for me at least, is have the book fall flat. I can’t root for anyone, can’t hope for someone’s survival and can’t understand the ‘why’ when certain things are done or happen. No connection for this reader means no enjoyment, typically.

So it was, that I approached ‘Coprophilia’ by Tim Friesenhahn in the same manor. I personally, have zero trigger issues. I can read whatever and have no reaction, but I understand why other’s do.

The story is repulsive and disgusting, but, much like ‘Cows,’ that aspect is used to cover the reality that this is a story about two people who’ve been abused horrifically. If I had to relate this to any movies, I’d say it had elements of ‘Hostel’ and ‘The Human Centipede’ as well as dipping its toes into the same waters as ‘A Serbian Tale.’

What I liked: The story follows Paige, a man who was abused as a child by one of his father’s girlfriends and has a number of issues that he hasn’t sought professional help over. After falling for a woman and getting quickly married, those issues rear up and he flees, only to be seduced, drugged and captured by Deleyza. You see, Deleyza, this young, gorgeous woman, is out being her own ‘Dexter.’ Seeking out pedophiles and rapists, seducing them and then torturing them, until she decides to kill them. She too has been abused, and it’s through this shared connection that Paige finds himself falling for her, even as he witnesses and is involved in some horrible, horrible acts.

I really enjoyed watching how Paige internally struggled with his outward revulsion to what was happening and just how depraved Deleyza was, with his inward understanding that she was broken, just like him and that maybe together they could make things work.

As the story unfolds, Friesenhahn gives us many twists and turns, and they ultimately push Paige to the absolute limit of what he believes, but also what he can accept. The ending showcases that inner turmoil and with an epilogue added on, I’d say half of that epilogue added to their relationship and showed how they’d connected.

What I didn’t like: There were a number of issues I had and I’ll try my best to remain spoiler free but also constructive. First up – there is a very jarring POV shift shortly after the book starts. The book begins following Deleyza and showcasing her ‘why’ of her depravity. Suddenly, the book switches to 1st person POV from Paige’s perspective (where it remains for the rest of the book until the epilogue), which really threw me off. I’d believed at first it was going to be following Deleyza, so the switch to Paige didn’t feel natural.

Secondly, the coprophilia aspect also just sort of arrives. We never do get much of a back story as to why  Deleyza has this urge. We learn about the first time it happened and the underlying threat she felt by who was doing this act, but there wasn’t a connection between that act and why she fell so hard for this addiction. Unlike in ‘Cows,’ which really showcased the reason, this act didn’t have the depth of symbolism I was hoping it could have. The character being broken down and made to debase themselves with an act lesser than low, of being made to love something that we’re told from a very young age is wrong and disgusting. I think if that could’ve been sorted a bit or expanded upon, we really could’ve seen it used as a device to elevate these two characters from scum to lovers.

Lastly, I felt half of the epilogue was good to close the story off but the other half felt a bit forced. There’s this other element introduced, that hadn’t been discussed once before, it was just there near the house and it almost felt like it was added purely as a potential sequel/follow up piece, which really dampened a lot of the growth we’d seen in these characters.

Why you should buy this: If you’re an EXTREME horror fan and you frequent the Godless sight, you’ll most likely have come across this. If you’re looking for the grossest of the gross, the depravity and sickness of a story that is unhinged and an escape, you’ll most likely really enjoy this.

If you’re a horror fan who likes to dabble in the EXTREME extreme side, I think this one’ll be a miss for you.

It’s a fast read, filled with tension and a number of questions that will make you wanting to find out more. Tim’s done a great job of giving these characters depth when some of the story works to limit how much connection we have with them.

3/5

**** Here is the Godless buy link;

Coprophilia by Tim Friesenhahn

**** Here is the full cover art uncensored ****

Book Review: 30 Minutes or Less Part 3 by Matthew Vaughn

Title: 30 Minutes or Less Part 3

Author: Matthew Vaughn

Release date: November 29th, 2021

Over the last few years, one author I’ve really connected with is Matthew Vaughn. He’s a bit of a social media nomad, sometimes posting, sometimes not, but whenever I see him popping up, we’re always interacting and frequently DMing. It’s grown from a connection to a friendship and I’m always excited to see what he has in store.

As a reader, I’m not one who typically sets my reading direction on EXTREME horror. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a ton of folks who love the gore and violence and the detachment from reality that can come with it, but I’ve never been an overly huge fan of it. Saying that, Vaughn may well be one of my personal favorite extreme horror authors because each of his works always has character depth and emotional aspects. It’s not just gore for gore’s sake or violence without recourse.

One thing I’ve always been vocal about for my own reviews, is that I always will be honest and truthful as to how a book read for me. So, with that in mind – I want to be upfront by stating – this one does not work as a stand alone. You need to read books one and two prior to get the emotional aspects and the depth of Bella’s survival. Because of this, I’m reviewing this book as to how it fits into the series, and rating on Goodreads accordingly.

What I liked: The book picks up directly after the events in book two and we see Bella taken to a new location by the 30 Minutes or Less Killer. Vaughn does a great job of having the police arrive and finding what’s occurred back at Bella’s place, but once Bella is tossed to the basement at the new location and finds another family has been kidnapped and bound, she knows she’s running out of time.

Vaughn goes for broke on this one, with buckets and buckets of blood, tons of slashing, stabbing and carnage. If it wasn’t for the build up of books 1 and 2, this wouldn’t really be all that interesting, but there’s little hints and subtle clues that tie the three together and ultimately give us some foreshadowing about how this one’s going to end.

The finale is fantastic and Vaughn makes sure we get to see everything wrapped up and how those who do survive will never be the same.

What I didn’t like: I alluded to it earlier, but if this was a singular novella released, it wouldn’t have any depth, any character development or any connection between reader and character. Part of it is the reality of it being part 3, but in some aspects it felt a bit rushed through.

Why you should buy this: If you’ve read the first two, you’ll want to see how it finishes. I think, ideally, you’d read books 1-2-3 back to back to back and get the entire story in one sitting and seeing just how much emotion Vaughn can truly stack into an extreme horror book. An ideal ending to a fun, heart-pounding trilogy.

4/5

30 Minutes or Less Part 3 by Matthew Vaughn

Author Interview: Justin M. Woodward

I do a few interviews from time to time, mostly over at Kendall Reviews, but when I was chatting with Justin recently and he was raving about what was coming down the pipeline from him, I knew I wanted to take a minute and ask some questions about his previous releases. Justin had taken a step back from writing, following the passing of his mom. Now, he’s ready to return and firing on all cylinders. When I first “broke onto the scene” if you will, back in late 2016, Justin was one of the first authors to really reach out and cheer me on. He was always encouraging and he even kindly read a bunch of my work. In fact, one of the very few blurbs I have on any of my covers was the phenomenal gem he gave regarding my debut novel ‘Invisible.’

That blurb got people’s attention, and at some point here, when I get my act together to get that book re-edited and re-released for it’s “5th Year Anniversary Edition,” I’ll see if Justin wants to contribute a foreword.

Justin’s writing has always been top notch and I’ve always admired how varied his releases are. So, with all of that said, I managed to wrangle an interview with him. Justin currently lives in Headland, Alabama with his wife and two adorable sons. If you’ve not read any of his works previously – get on it – he’s a must read dark fiction author.

SS: Man, thanks so much for doing this, I always have a blast chatting with you. After a little bit away from the writing world, you’re about to return big time and take the dark fiction community by storm once again! Before we get into what’s coming, let’s jump back and revisit your earlier works. Let’s go all the way back to ‘The Variant.’ I personally loved this one, but I still struggle to try and categorize it. Would you suggest this as being Urban Fantasy?

JW: Thanks Steve. ‘The Variant’ is a bit difficult to categorize, for sure. When I first start writing it I was really into Palahniuk as far as writing style goes, but my story I had to tell was about my biggest fear: losing my (at the time) 2 year old son. I’ve heard it described as a sci-fi thriller, and I’ve also heard people refer to it simply as “horror.” Take your pick!

SS: What inspired ‘The Variant’?

JW: I was really into the band Coheed and Cambria and had become friends with the Drummer, Josh Eppard. He had a hip-hop group called Weerd Science where he talked about abductions by aliens and other phenomenon that supposedly happened to his family. It sparked an idea in my head along with my greatest fear. It sort of just came together.

SS: Now, in early 2018 you released ‘Candy.’ Correct me if I’m wrong, but you wrote this as a Patreon style release, right? Delivering a new chapter each week? Did you enjoy writing that book or were you stressed the entire time?

JW: Ha! Candy was a blast, and yes, I released it chapter-by-chapter every Saturday until it was finished. It was a challenge to myself for sure. I had no idea what was happening to Candy next, and it kept it exciting.

SS: Would you ever consider doing that again? Writing and releasing a book with new chapters each week?

JW: Definitely!

SS: ‘Candy’ is more of an action/adventure type book, more Quentin Tarantino than Wes Craven. Was the reception of the book what you expected?

JW: I’m very thankful for the type of response I got. I think “most” people got it, and if they didn’t, they didn’t have to continue. This was actually a pivotal time in my writing career where I found out what was important — involving and including fans in the process. It was also awesome writing as basically a female version of myself.

SS: Only a month or so after ‘Candy’ released, you had your classic novel drop, ‘Tamer Animals.’ That Francois Vaillancourt cover still is jaw-dropping three years later. What was the inspiration to writing this stunning, coming-of-age/folklore novel?

JW: There are actually a few factors that caused ‘Tamer Animals’ to come into being. I guess the first of which was the obvious: ‘The Variant’ was out in the world, and suddenly I’d been deemed a horror writer. Of course my short stories going out into various anthologies probably didn’t help that image. But I’d set my sights on “horror.” Around the same time, a band I really enjoy called “Other Lives” had an album of the same name. The singer crooned the chorus: “We’re just Tamer Animals. We’re the same as animals.” It clicked with me. On top of that, I’d just read “The Troop” by Nick Cutter and “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac Mccarthy, and I guess you could say they added to the soup that became ‘Tamer Animals.’

SS: ‘Tamer Animals’ has a very specific theme or plot that you touch upon in the afterword. When the book was released, do you think many people picked up on that?

JW: Funnily enough, I don’t really know. Even worse, by the end of the book, I think I was just as confused as Paul was about what the message really is. I think at the end of the day the themes will play on everyone’s mind differently, and that’s okay.

SS: Roughly a year later we got the ‘Rotten Little Things’ novella, which acts as a ‘Tamer Animals’ prequel. Was it fun to revisit that world?

JW: It was! Although that book is not necessarily “fun” by any stretch of the imagination. I definitely had a story to tell, something that had popped into my mind while driving one day and demanded to be written.

SS: I would suspect we’d get a sequel or another release set in the ‘Tamer Animals’ world at some point. Is that something you’d like to do? If so, have you made any progress on that?

JW: You weren’t supposed to ask this question! Just kidding. Yes, there is a third book in the works, though it’s currently paused. It’s actually about halfway done, and hopefully will see the light of day within the next couple years.

SS: After ‘Rotten Little Things’ you teamed up with Jay Sigler (author of Train Thoughts) for ‘Jerry’s Book Sucks: The Book.’ This book was really left field from TA and RLT. More humorous, borderline bizarro and more expansive in scope. Looking back at it now, how do you see that book in your repertoire? Does it hold up for you?

JW: To this day, JBS is my favorite thing I’ve ever released. I know that sounds crazy, but it was the most fun I’ve ever had doing something creative. I love the end product, even if it’s a bit out there (especially for horror fans taste). But I think the humor is smart, the messages strong, and the trip an absolute blast. I think the problem with the reception of JBS lies in the fact that some found it a string of random events with no point. Funnily enough, the sequel has been done for some time (and will see the light of day eventually) with a third planned. Every bit of that story has a point.

SS: Man, I didn’t know that! That’s awesome that you are still grinding away in that world. Since ‘Jerry’s Book Sucks: The Book’ you’ve been pretty much locked and focused on the Reality Bleeds series. I know that you’ve now stepped away from that series and left it in the hands of the other author. Was it a relief for you to step away? Did you use it as a catalyst to dive back into your projects you’d put on the back burner?

JW: Yes, and YES. Listen, I love the idea behind Reality Bleed and I think the first four books definitely hold up as an epic space horror saga. The problem is simple. For anyone out there wondering if it’s a good idea to commit to a fast-paced release series while your mom is dying, it’s not.

SS: I couldn’t imagine. Seriously, my condolences, Justin. Losing a parent is never easy.

A tough sentiment to follow, so my apologies for switching topics, but let’s look to the future. What’s next for Mr. Woodward? You’ve announced a Death Head’s Press Splatter Western is coming. How is that progressing? What else are you working on?

JW: I’m happy to say I’m nearly finished with my Splatter Western “Here Comes The Sun.” It’s dark, it’s violent, and it’s a bloody fun time (if your idea of fun includes a box of tissues and a night light). After that, I plan to finally release my first short story collection sometime in early 2022. I have at least two more I’d like to finish before the end of 2022. One being a coming of age story about a small town murder mystery mixed with plenty of emotion, the other is my first swing at a dark fantasy novel called CASTLEMANIA! Can’t wait to release that madness on the world.

SS: That all sounds great!

JW: Thanks again Steve!

There we go! It looks like we’ll be getting a bunch of awesome new stuff coming from Woodward. If you’ve not checked out his work, please do so! He also has some fantastic short stories in a number of anthologies.

To find more of his work, check out the link to his Goodreads Page!

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15612928.Justin_M_Woodward

Book Review: Undertaker’s Moon by Ronald Kelly

Title: Undertaker’s Moon

Author: Ronald Kelly

Release date: October 27th, 2011

If you’ve read/followed along with my reviews, you’ll undoubtedly have discovered that I love reading Lycanthrope horror. Werewolf, werewolves, all things sharp fangs, long claws, silver bullets and full moons. Inevitably though, I’ll dive into four or five in a row and I’ll need a break.

Last year, I read ‘Fear’ by Ronald Kelly, which is not only one of the best books you’ll ever read, but a book that showcases why ‘the old guard’ often times does things better than the new kids. ‘Fear’ is a prime example of that. I’ll explain in a minute.

Knowing that not only was I ready to dive into another wolf story, but also that I had this one from Kelly sitting on my Kindle, I dove in, excited to see what he’d created here.

What I liked: Kelly, even by his own admission, has had a resurgence and has stormed the dark fiction writing world once again. It has been fantastic to see. He had a writing career in the 70’s and 80’s during the horror boom then. When it went belly up, he took time off, returning full force once again roughly a decade ago. This is why I mention Kelly is from ‘the old guard.’ And what I mean by that is evident on every single page of ‘Undertaker’s Moon.’

You do not leap into the action of this story. Much like ‘Fear,’ Kelly takes his time setting things up. We get the family from Ireland who moves into the small town, they are now the new owner’s of the funeral home. We get the suddenly widowed gun shop owner, we get the horror nerd, the jock who has it all, only to lose it all, and on every single page, we smell what the streets and shops smell like, hear the tinkle of bells as doors open and close, see the friendly baker come out to sweep off the front step. Over and over, Kelly demonstrates why he’s a master storyteller and as the book progresses, this all works to the advantage of the reader.

When characters begin to be plucked off, you are devastated. When something chases someone, you can see where they are running, know why it’s a bad idea, know that it’s going to be ending in viscera and ripping and shredding.

The werewolf action within is top notch. With each incident that arrives, the pace is fantastic and the descriptions are second to none.

I really loved how Kelly laid this one out, the story crackles with small town energy and the reality that this group of unlikely survivors need to do whatever it takes to survive.

What I didn’t like: Completely minor, and I think it comes with the time period this was originally written in, but I’ve never been a huge fan of the random hobo/hitch-hiker passing through a random town who just happens to have a connection/knowledge about the beasts/events happening. In this case, it was used well, but it’s still something I’m just not a big fan of.

Why you should buy this: Kelly is a phenomenal writer and ‘Undertaker’s Moon’ has to be acknowledged as one of the best pieces of Lycanthrope fiction out there. Brimming with emotion, depth and flawed but likeable characters, this has every thing that fans of dark fiction would want and more.

Outstanding.

5/5

Book Review: Juice Like Wounds (Wayward Children #4.5) by Seanan McGuire

Title: Juice Like Wounds (Wayward Children #4.5)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Release date: July 13th, 2020

‘They could have gone back then, could have started their stew and set out again by daylight, but they were children in the clutches of a quest.’

Well, would you look at this?!

This morning I posted my review for ‘In an Absent Dream,’ which is Book 4 in the Wayward Children Series. Turns out, there’s a Book 4.5 available, and the bonus – it’s available as free read on the Tor website!

This one is about 35 pages and fills in a story from ‘In an Absent Dream.’ It’s funny, because in Book 4, McGuire mentions the events with the Wasp Queen and how Mockery doesn’t return, but with Book 4.5 we get to learn the events.

What I liked: The story shares how Lundy, Moon and Mockery decide they want to go on an adventure, they want to slay a monster. Three go into the woods. Only one returns.

It’s a brisk read, filled with tension and ultimately heartache and it does a great job of showcasing just how strong of a friendship those three had. It also works to show how the Archivist is seen an this omnipotent figure within the Goblin Market. You do of course learn more about that in ‘In an Absent Dream,’ but the story really hammers home a few key elements that were loosely presented within Book 4.

I really loved how this read affirmed Lundy’s desire to live by the rules and more specifically, how Lundy feels the ‘fair value’ aspect deep in their bones. McGuire has really crafted three amazing characters here and it’ll have you bawling when only two return, the third slung over a shoulder.

What I didn’t like: This is going to sound super lame, but I wish this was a full release in the series. I think there were a number of areas that could’ve been expanded, especially what Lundy was learning within the Archivist’s books.

Why you should buy this: Well, in this case, you don’t have to buy it, it’s free! So, more accurately, why should you read this? Well, if you’ve read the first four books and plan on reading the fifth, this will be a nice fill-in story that’ll enrich that experience you had the last time you opened a door and stepped through.

5/5

You can read Juice Like Wounds here;

https://www.tor.com/2020/07/13/juice-like-wounds-seanan-mcguire/