Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 30

Book Review for You Only Get One Shot by Kevin J. Kennedy and J.C. Michael

You Only Get One Shot, by Kevin J. Kennedy and J.C. Michael, is a horrific account involving four unfortunate authors who were subjected to a competition to see who can write the best story, all the while determining who lives and who dies.

The book begins with a mysterious woman, who is enraged by these authors that, she believed, drove her friend to suicide. She sends out four emails, saying that if they do not write and post their stories at the time of the deadline, they will die. Each writer comes up with their own specific story. And yet only one will make it out alive. In these terrifying story, Kennedy and Michael show just what happens when you push someone too far, and how, in the end, you always pay for your transgressions, whether you know them or not.

Personally, after I read this book, I was terrified. I kept checking my emails, because as a book reviewer, I’m supposed to critique people’s stories. However, when I read each of their works, I was afraid to like any of them. I thought Fiona’s story was good, but as the stories kept piling in, I thought to myself, I like all of them, but I don’t want any of the authors to die. Maybe Drexl, but that’s beside the point. I was honestly afraid to see what this woman would do to them. Still, I can’t help but feel that her retribution is a bit misplaced. Did she read her friend’s story? Or is she just completely psychotic? Albeit a bit annoying, she added to the book’s morbid charm.

When it came down to it, I thought Simon’s story, The Summoned, was the best, but that’s just me. Then of course, The Wrong Girl, Rezerection, and Feral all had their strong points too. It was then I paid attention to the writers behind the story. Diane’s apathetic attitude and Drexl’s sadistic nature already had me thinking that they should die first. Fiona was protective of her friends, and Simon was humble, so I rooted for them. But it’s this very mindset that chilled me. It was as if the author somehow knew that the reader might not want any of them to die based on their stories, so they created a system where they were still going to judge these authors anyways, regardless of how good the writing was. The ending was thus appropriate as it was bittersweet.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.6 out of 5 stars. The mysterious woman was as haunting as she was insane, and though she was a bit annoying, her blatant targeting of innocents was frightening. The system of judgement the authors wove into the story was also wonderful, so much so I had a hard time believing I was trying to determine which person should die. Because of this, I would recommend this book to fans of Feast by Thomas Flowers and The Die-Fi Experiment, by M.R. Tapia.

Book Review for Don’t Wake Me Up by M.E. Rhines

Don’t Wake Me Up, by M.E. Rhines, is a paranormal young adult novel about a young woman who managed to find the strength to move on.

Colleen is a talented astral projector who had been in an abusive relationship with her quarterback boyfriend, Jimmy. After helping her high school teacher find peace, as well as comfort her daughter, she meets a ghost, a boy her age by the name of Daemon. Initially intrigued, she slowly begins to fall in love with him, until finally she realizes she can’t let go of him, no matter how painful it is. In this extraordinary novel, Rhines describes the pain of falling in love, and the sorrow of growing up within the confines of domestic abuse.

I loved reading about Colleen in the story. Despite everything that’s happened, she still chooses to help the people stuck in the afterlife, and while she herself is hurting, she doesn’t want to be put down by what happened between her and Jimmy. Yes, I was annoyed by her stubborness, but eventually, she managed to let him go. In fact, it’d gotten to the point where she even cut out poisonous friends for her life, knowing full well that they weren’t good for her. Loyalty, after all, is something that kept her grounded throughout the story. What’s more, I liked Daemon and Colleen together. They were good for one another, and though I couldn’t help but wonder if she was really able to let him go in the end, she did, and I admit, I feel proud of her.

Even so, throughout the story, I kept finding the concept of love acting like a drug. From Colleen’s abusive relationship with Jimmy, to her constant need to help Daemon, I couldn’t help but feel that she’s drowning in a substance that she believes will make her feel better. Little does she know however, that she’s only using it to stave off the pain, to, in a sense, numb herself from whatever it going on. Her entire situation reminds me of one of my favorite songs, “Lithium”, by Evanescence. She can’t let either one go fully, and it isn’t until she realizes how badly addicted she is to them that she knows she has to let them go. It was painful to read, but it was essential nonetheless.

Rhines cultivates a story filled with hope, frustration, and finally, peace. From Jimmy’s irrational anger, to Eva’s loyalty, to even Daemon’s genuine care, Colleen was a character that was influenced by everyone around her. Not only this, but Rhines takes a realistic approach on how to fall out of love, despite knowing how harsh it can be. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Monsters I Have Known by Jess Hartley and The Angel of a Madman by Ricky Dragoni.

Book Review for The Die-Fi Experiment by M.R. Tapia

The Die-Fi experiment, by M.R. Tapia, is a nightmarish story that depicts the animalistic cruelties human will put each other through, if only for the sake of saving their loved ones.

The story begins when Maria and her husband wake up in a sadistic game show, where contestants brutally murder each other in order to survive. As her husband reminisces on their lives together, the two go through terrifying trials for the vain promise of seeing the other again. Eventually, her husband decides that Maria’s life is the only thing that mattered at that point, and resolves to do whatever it takes to secure her freedom. However, despite his best efforts, he can only watch as the woman he loved fall into the river of gore near him.

I loved how Tapia portrayed the husband’s character. I didn’t see a name for him, nor did I see anything significant in his life outside his love for Maria; in my eyes, he was just Maria’s husband. This disturbing quality truly does fit his choice when he decides to try and save his wife, as well as his devastation when he realizes what he must do to survive. It was as if I was watching a twisted version of Romeo, trying to live out his love for Juliet, no matter what the cost.

The age-old adage, “Just because on the Internet, doesn’t mean it’s true,” kept haunting me with every little word I read. Tapia reminded me of the eerie lesson that when we’re away from the world and on our computer, we’re free to do whatever we want; as long as no one we know catches wind of our actions, everything’s fine. The rules of decency don’t apply in the gameshow, and it goes to show how truly isolated Maria and her husband are, that it really is them against the world. This was even shown by the terrifying #happyhoneymoonmarie#.

I loved this story. The details were chilling to the core, and Tapia’s masterful telling of the love between Maria and her husband was wonderful. Because of this, I wold rate this book 4.8 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy the movie Silence of the Lambs and the Amnesia video game series.

Book Review for Love, Death, and Other Lies, by Jerome Sparks

Love, Death, and Other Lies, by Jerome Sparks, is a dark, gothic horror about tearing apart your loved ones for your own selfish whims, all for the sake of maintaining a fairytale that has long since withered away.

Abby is a young woman who has sacrificed herself over and over again for her spoiled older sister, Liv. In Abby’s eyes, Liv has everything, from a loving husband, to a wonderful daughter, to a wealthy lifestyle, to even the love of their own parents. One night, however, after a bloody confrontation between Abby and Conner, Abby slowly descends a chasm filled with blood and sorrow. Soon, Abby finds herself clinging to her bittersweet memories, as Liv tries to find her way out of a demonic deal she made. As the story continues, the two sisters realize that sometimes, fairytales were never meant to be, and that there are no such things as happily ever after.

I loved the contrasts Sparks made between Abby and Liv. While Liv really did have everything her naive heart desired, Abby had to live in the relative silence of the real world. While Liv was spoiled sweet in the beginning, in the end, she really was only living for herself, so much so she was willing to sacrifice her daughter, just so she wouldn’t have to die. Abby, on the other had, has led a hard life. She was blamed for the things that her sister caused, lost a full scholarship that would’ve guaranteed her future, and maimed both herself and someone else in a drunk driving incident. But despite that, she managed to find some solace in her life. She’s a kind woman who gives selflessly, even when the world seemed to be out to get her. It’s the reason why I feel their endings were appropriate, to be honest.

What’s more, I loved Tegan. She was always a bit normal, and personally, she reminded me of my father. She was brilliant, and though I could see a lot of problems with the fact that she can communicate with the dead, she was a key figure in redeeming Abby and condemning Liv. I cheered when she stood up for herself at school, and grimaced when Liv scolded her for it. Conner had wanted a boy, and Liv thought what would’ve happened if Tegan had just died. Everyone in school, aside from the teachers, believed she was strange. It appears that she really was only loved by Abby.

This leads me to one of the themes in the book, that real love can conquer even the most darkest of situations. Over and over again Abby has had to overcome obstacles in her life. But even then she still made something of herself. In a way, she sees this in Tegan who, because of her unique abilities, may have to share the same struggles as well. It may not be to Abby’s extent, but it carried the same principles nonetheless. She wasn’t like Liv or Conner, who just had things handed down to them, all the while dutifully following societal expectations. I loved how Sparks utilized their common similarities, and produced a relationship that was so endearing in the book. It’s through this relationship that Abby managed to come back for Tegan, and shows that love doesn’t fade, even in death.

Despite this, the book does have some detractions. There were times when words were capitalized when they weren’t supposed to be. There were also indention and spavin errors. The transitions between interludes could also be clearer.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book, and would give it an overall rating of a 4.5 out of 5 stars. The character parallels were extraordinary, and the way Spark built the plot around the characters was wonderful. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie, and V.C. Andrews’s Petals in the Wind.

Book Review for Phantom Poetry by Kayla Lowe

Phantom Poetry, by Kayla Lowe, is a dark book of poetry inspired by The Phantom of the Opera that describes the sorrow, and obsession revolving around the desire, which manifested within a macabre love triangle.

The book is separated into three parts. The first part, Thoughts of Summertime, describes the innocence of two young children, both of whom are infatuated with each other. The second part, Soul Singing, illustrates the growth and maturity those children grew into, alongside the complications they must face as they learn how to live in the real world. The final part, In the Bleak Midwinter, is the culmination of a twisted love that had long since turned into an obsession, as well as the turbulent emotions of a woman caught in the middle. In this collection, Lowe analyzes the feelings driving an infamous love triangle, all of which end in bittersweet tragedy.

I enjoyed The Phantom of the Opera. Like other great classics, the unanswered questions of “What if?” and “What were they thinking?” keep surrounding these characters, as readers endeavor to understand the complexities of what it means to love someone. You have Christine, who feels trapped by her angel of music, all the while anchored by her feelings for Raoul. You have Raoul, who develops an unhealthy obsession for Christine, as well as a fascination with a figure lurking in the shadows. Then you have the Phantom himself, who watches his love from afar desperately endeavoring to hold her attention with his voice and feelings.

The poetry book follows these characters in chronological order, documenting their feelings in a way that seems systematic at first. However, as you go deeper and deeper into the book, you realize there is more to this love triangle. The poems are done in a way that, while may seem simplistic, hides both love and lust within the words. I was thoroughly impressed with Christine’s ‘Angel of Music’, and how Lowe meticulously carries the idea throughout the poem. While I did feel the end was a little unsatisfied, I was nevertheless impressed.

This collection reflects Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom well. While the poems can be repetitive at times, it was nonetheless a good book for those enchanted by love’s shadow, as well as its light. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who are fans of the original work.

Book Review for 51 Sleepess Nights by Tobias Wade

51 Sleepless Nights, by Tobias Wade, is an anthology of horror that delves into the terrifying realms of the abnormal, all the while tearing away the certainty of a perfect society.

Each story carries its own disturbing narrative and twists. From murdering people and harvesting their organs, to taking control of the wicked with an army of spiders, to even casting away an unwanted son to another dimension, each story has a dark lesson in them. Never taking a life for granted, no matter how twisted, was one of the many themes found in this collection that would haunt even the darkest corners of your memories.

The characters were all frightening in their own way. Some had abandoned reality for the sake of living a dream, while others allowed fellow humans to suffer, just because it felt right. Either way, it was these characters that kept me wanting more. For instance, there was one story where a mother had refused to abort her child, no matter what anyone said. At first, I was happy that she would get her precious baby. However, when I realized that the baby was stillborn, and she casually mentioned sewing its eyes shut, it was more than enough for me to hesitate for a moment. Through this anthology, Wade showed that monsters really did lurk around every corner, whether it be in another dimension, or in our own, demented minds. These characters have fallen through cracks of society. They’ve gone so far they don’t know how to get back, and that terrifies me.

Overall, I would give this book a rating of a 4.8 out of 5 stars. The characters, narrative, and seemingly uncompleted endings made me want more. I also enjoyed how Wade played with the perceptions of normalcy, leaving a dark, foreboding feeling with each story I read. Thus, I would recommend this book to fans of the Gothic genre, horror, and psychological thriller.

Book Review for Dead Seasons by R.M James

Dead Seasons, by R.M. James, is about dancing off the edge of madness, all the while slipping further and further into the realms of the undead.

Separated into four parts, each part is named after the seasons. Spring introduces four friends, Phillip, Ela, Aspen, and Nicole, all of whom are driving to a wedding when they get into an unfortunate car crash that leaves them stranded. Summer details their nightmarish experiences in a mansion where lustful demons take the friends over. Autumn realizes the bloodshed of the cruel, sadistic game they’re trapped in. At last, Winter illustrates the rules of the game, as well as the price the players need to win, as they try not to lose themselves to the insanity surrounding them.

It was interesting to see James personify each season. Weldon was arguably the most sane, as well as the most moral. He did everything he could to keep his player safe, and as such, I admire him. Not only that, but his appearance was an ominous warning that the game has begun. Julie was summer, and represented the youth in a person’s life, full of love and passion. Hunter was a bit hellish, and reminded me of someone struggling to cling to the old joys of life. I also enjoyed his haunting air. Finally, Gabriel was winter. It made sense, considering his wisdom, as well as the fact that he helped Ela reach the end of the game. It was the end of one life, and the beginning of another. I found these characters to be a bit confusing at times, but it was interesting nonetheless. I was saddened by the fact that Ela had to leave her friends to survive, but nonetheless, she had to move on. She didn’t belong there.

I loved the inverted theme of death. As I’ve said before, each player represented a season. From the innocence of spring, to the cruel decadence of winter, and finally, there’s death. To be able to move on without any regret or remorse is a far off dream most ghosts would have, I imagine. Even when Ela moved on from that horrific place, I couldn’t help but feel there was something off about it, like she truly had died. The relationship between Gabriel and Ela perfectly manifested this theme, and is something I applaud James for.

At first, I thought this book a bit similar to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but when I realized that there was more to it than killing, I couldn’t put it down. It was beautiful in its own way, and played on death in a very interesting way. The symbolism and the use of the seasons was also wonderful. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy the games Silent Hill and Little Nightmares. 

Book Review for Edging by Michael Schutz

Edging, by Michael Schutz, is an illusory horror that decimates sweet dreams adults used to try to believe in.

Trish is a young woman who feels trapped in a loveless marriage. Miss Parker is an elementary school teacher who can’t stand her students, specifically a pair of twins who keep to themselves. Josh is a gay high school student who struggles with a one-sided relationship. Although they all live separate lives, they use the drug, Intenze, which produces a powerful hallucination that allows them to live their fears. But as they confront these fears, a mysterious figure waits in the background, feasting on these fears with a cannibalistic passion.

I loved reading about each character. While I couldn’t really sympathize with some of them, such as Trish or Miss Parker, I did enjoy reading about Rick and Josh. But despite my preferences, each character had a struggle they could have conquered, conflicts they could have solved if not for that drug, which brings out people’s demons and literally scares them to death. However they got the drug, in the end they are still affected. The style reminded me of Maberry’s Dead of Night series. The infection spreads so easily, so much so they degraded an entire town in a matter of hours. The same can be said for Intenze, but instead of a plague, it’s a set of pills that have degraded the town’s sanity. My most favorite part was reading about those creepy twins, Tim and Tammy. They care about their parents and each other, even though they were considered by almost everyone. It was them that the Boogeyman seemed to value the most, because children’s fears were usually the most potent. Despite me cheering them in, it was still disturbing how they dealt with the situation.

This concept is what leads my fascination with the mysterious figure. It feeds off everyone’s fears, so much so that Schutz even described it as “The Boogeyman.” It was frightening to me, how accurate this was. I loved how gluttonous it seems, devouring its victims with a frightening efficiency. It was this thing that drove people to commit such heinous acts against their loved ones, as well as complete strangers. It was so interesting to read about this creature, watching it control everyone from the shadows, like a dark puppet master pulling the chains of his puppets.

It brings me to the idea of fear throughout the book. The Boogeyman was right about one thing; fear is the most purest of human emotions. It’s what drives us either to survive or to cower in fear. It’s also the thing that the horror genre has utilized for centuries. It’s a marvelous thing that can entertain us, scare us, or drive us into the deepest pits of despair.

Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Fear is a huge part of this book, revolving around both its characters and its plot. Each aspect was frightening in its own way, even without The Boogeyman watching them. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of the Insidious film series, alongside any psychologist looking for a good scare.

Book Review for Beasts of Babylon by E.A. Copen

Beasts of Babylon, by E.A. Copen, is a Western Horror about a woman attaining her revenge while her humanity erodes from within.

Anastasia Thorne is a ghoul searching for the monsters who killed both her and her son, Micah. Her husband, Christian Thorne, is the sheriff of Babylon, a town that has come to fear Anastasia because of her inhuman qualities. After saving a man from being executed, she enlists his help to hunt down these monsters in exchange for assisting him and his gang in a robbery. After they succeed, they make their way into the mountains. Soon, Anastasia, Christian, and the gang become stranded, and are forced to survive through a terrifying night. It’s a race against time to see who survives, when Anastasia learns just how much blood will be on her hands, if only for the sake of a hollow vengeance.

Ana and Christian captured my heart from the moment I read about them. Along with Micah, they were a wonderful family, and its those memories I tried clinging to while practically seeing their experiences on the mountain. It shows that even when he forsook his wife as she returned from the dead, Christian still cared about her, albeit reluctantly. It’s why the ending was so tragic for both of them. I didn’t particularly feel mournful about Jesse and Tommy, mostly because of their racial slurs, but their ends were poetic as well. They cared for each other, and to some extent, the other survivors, so much so that Jesse put aside his differences to try to help Christian, despite the fact the sheriff would slow him down. It makes his end just as sorrowful as Ana and Christian’s, if not more so.

Personally, this Western reminded me of the Witch Trials in Salem. Loved ones betray loved ones because they thought they were doing what was right. Fear and paranoia gripped them, just as it gripped Babylon’s residents. The somewhat awkward bonding between Christian and Jesse, as well as the creatures that were tormented before finally succumbing to the monsters within; it’s a dark reflection of humanity’s own plagues. Just as Jesse, Tommy, Ana, Christian, and his subordinates stranded on the mountain, trying to survive these monsters, so do these monsters endeavor to live off their own, bloody desires. In these aspects, the beasts and humans of Babylon are one in the same.

Overall, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars. I loved the characterization, as well as the themes of survival surrounding the story. The Western horror also shrouds the fears that the isolated setting creates, reminiscent of stories that tend to trap readers in its malevolent words and psychological hell. The gory details are an added bonus. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Thatcher’s Tree by James Shipway.

Book Review for The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts by J.H. Moncrieff

The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts, by J.H. Moncrieff, is a deranged horror about being trapped in a world where the dead are insane, and the living are merely empty shadows of the past.

Kate Carrlsson is a medium who helps others deal with the undead, friendly or otherwise. When she meets a woman named Vittoria Walkins and her young, possessed daughter Lily, things begin to take a dark turn. In order to save Lily from the ghost of a demented doctor who believes she is ill, Kate most go to Poveglia, an Italian isle whose inhabitants once suffered from the Black Plague. Lily, meanwhile, finds herself in a place of darkness and sorrow, with only her fears to keep her company. In a race against time, the two must find each other, all the while endeavoring to fight off the monsters hidden within this nightmarish adventure.

I loved reading about the Doctor of Death himself. He truly does believe he is helping his patients, despite what others may say. He is caring, so much so he refused to leave a girl who was mutilated by cannibals all by her lonesome. He may be malicious at times, and even downright mental, but he does have a good heart. Nevertheless, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and he proved that much when he tried using Lily for his revenge. Then there is Lily, the girl whom Doctor Death had whisked away to “heal.” She is struggling with her own mind, to separate herself from the Doctor and from Alessandra. I can’t begin to imagine the trauma she’ll go through. Still, she’s brave to say the least. She’s also very mature for her age, and her perseverance probably was the reason why she managed to get back home.

The setting of the story was also exceptional. The isolated loneliness of Poveglia was beautifully haunting. Despite the doctor’s intentions, because of his dark agenda, the cannibals, and even the ghosts, it’s a miracle Lily managed to survive as long as she had. To be honest, I’m more than likely to die from the moment I’ve stepped on that damnable island. The ghosts were also terrifying, despite what the other characters may say; the concept that any entity could kidnap you from your own home when you dabble in the spirit world is more than terrifying. It’s a common theme used in horror, and one that I love dearly.

Needless to say, I did have a problem with Kate. In my opinion, she was too bland for my tastes, even though she’s one of the protagonists. But despite this, I liked this book, and would give it an overall rating of a 3.6 out of 5 stars. The characters, alongside the gloomy, solitary atmosphere made for a chilling tale. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Love, Death, and Other Lies by Jerome Sparks, and The Feral Sentence by C.G. Julien.