Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 31

Book Review for The Rage that Follows by Nathaniel Badertscher

The Rage that Follows, by Nathaniel Badertscher, is a psychological horror detailing the disturbing massacre that blossomed from ignorance.

Joren lived a quiet life with his family. One night, he witnesses a nightmare in which a strange, burnt lady was about to steal his brother, Pedr, away. Soon afterwards, the Order of the Knights of Carthannas come to make sure they are alright, a courtesy from the village nearby. The knights stay for the night, telling joyful stories of their adventures. However, the mirth doesn’t last long when Pedr disappears, saying “She needs me! She needs me!”  Blood and nightmares mix with what once was a happy home, as the knights attempt to investigate the young boy’s disappearance. This dark, twisted tale brings back age old horrors hidden beneath rays of daylight, and that sometimes, heroes can’t save anyone from the monsters watching in the dark.

Joren was an innocent child, playing pretend with his siblings and dreaming of becoming a knight, hoping to be the hero everyone respected. My heart went out for him when he realized his heroes weren’t as they appeared. But even so, it was just the beginning of his tragedy, and soon, he’s forced to accept the cruelties lingering near. I couldn’t help but admire him though, that despite everything that’s happened, he still wants to make sure they’re alright. They are his family after all. He’s so different from Captain Thorne, who, even though he is young and inexperienced, doesn’t seem as heroic. His pride doesn’t get his team, who should be a family to him, anywhere, and it hinders them more than helps. Each of the knights carry their own burdens, but at the very least they know what they’re dealing with. It made it even more horrific to see them degraded into little more than slaves for the creature they serve. I had to reread that sorrow over and over again, just to make sure I could actually believe the words right in front of me.

What’s more, the atmosphere was reminiscent of the Gothic horrors that I love so much. Badertscher sets up the story in the perfect setting; the isolated feeling, the mysterious shadow watching over the family, and even the forests hiding the monsters lurking near. It’s something like this that scared me, more so than the actual monster itself. The fact that Joren’s parents didn’t believe him about the dream really drives home the feeling that he’s alone in all of this. If not for the knights who came to help, the family would’ve died long ago, and Joren’s terror would’ve been dragged out.

The story, characters, and the setting complimented one another well. From the parallels between Joren and Thorne, as well as how the characters portrayed, to the atmosphere the story was in, I couldn’t help but compare this book to the movie, The Witch. Even in the ending there was no reprieve, and held no sanctity for anyone, with the ghosts of the knights and the family haunting the survivors. Were they all just empty sacrifices? I’ve absolutely no idea. Thus, I would give this book a rating of a 4.9 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of The Rosegiver by Sandy Benitez, and The Witches of Ravencrest by Cross and Thorne.

Book Review for A Hell for All Seasons by Emiliya Ahmadova

A Hell for All Seasons, by Emiliya Ahmadova, is a collection of horrific tales about the people who managed to escape damnation.

From accidentally bartering your soul to a demon, to breaking up marriages if only for the sake of your vanity, to even being bullied in class, these short stories are rife with meticulous detail and imagery. There is a frightening satisfaction in reading these stories; a majority of the characters endeavor to clean up their sins, either through a simple prayer, or running from the ghost chasing you, Ahmadova intertwines frightening monsters with a simple, yet complex narrative that reminds readers the morals humanity tends to leave behind and, eventually, forget.

While I enjoyed the stories in this collection, one that resonated with me the most was Revenge, a story about a young girl who was bullied at her school because her mother had, albeit unknowingly, embarrassed her. The way Katrina handled the predicament was wonderful, so very reminiscence of Stephen King’s Carrie, alongside the many articles of what happens when prey is cornered. Personally, I wanted Lisa and those other kids to suffer, but alas, Katrina is kinder than I am. Repetitive themes of damnation and redemption also found throughout these stories, which help cultivate a sort of religious feel to them. It can be a bit overbearing at times, and a little more than predictable, but they were enjoyable nonetheless.

Damnation and redemption were prominent concepts in the book. Each of the seven deadly sins were represented in these stories. Some used their vices to hurt their loved ones, others complete strangers. Either way, Ahmadova teaches the age old lesson that Hell is a real place, and that those who are deluded by their arrogance, or lust, or avarice, or greed will be sentenced there. For those of us who have attended church, it’s the same Sunday school sermon we hear every time. But this time however, that lesson takes on a very real nightmare, one that mercilessly destroys us without a care.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.2 out of 5 stars. Each character faced some sort of vice, with the stories an embodiment of the seven deadly sins. While the theme of damnation could be a bit repetitive at times, it was still incredibly well done. I would thus recommend this book to those who enjoy Raven’s Peak by Lincoln Cole and Fallen Men by Brian O’ Hare.

Book Review for A Taste From The Wine Of Cognition, by Alex Gage

A Taste From The Wine Of Cognition, by Alex Gage is a collection of poetry about humanity’s various expressions and oddities, and how these oddities can culminate into something wonderful, as well as tragic.

The poems contain various metaphors that may seem a bit humorous at first. However, as the reader continues to delve into their phrases, they realize that there is a deep, mindful darkness within each word. From the religious imagery of Electric Elegy, to the comforting phrases in The best is yet to come, each poem challenges the reader to pick up the detail that many others may miss. Like the clarity drinking wine, or any alcoholic beverage may give someone, this poetry collection offers a similar, addictive quality to it, one readers will thoroughly enjoy.

One of the poems that I absolutely enjoyed in this collection was one that told the story of a soprano who was killed by her lover. However, even when dying, she still kept singing, as if clinging to her life, even though she knew her death was drawing near. And finally, when she did die, I couldn’t help but imagine the echoes of a dark silence, the reverberations of that desperation still haunting the air. Just like with this poem, the collection emanates a sort of morbid resonance between us and our environment. Even so, there is a shimmer of hope at the end, a sort of prayer that we say in order to keep these nightmares away.

Overall, I enjoyed this collection. Though brief in its essence, it conveys a meaning that transcends length. Gage offers words that forces the reader to stop and think, to try and figure out the meaning for themselves. While it may be hard to understand, the collection was enjoyable nonetheless. As such, I would rate this book a 3.9 out of 5, and would recommend it to fans of Emily Dickinson, as well as poetry lovers in general.

Why Beliefs Matter

Whenever I think of beliefs, I think of religion. It’s a bit close-minded, I’ll admit, but there are other concepts that come to mind. Believing in religion, believing in friends and family, and even believing in yourself and the things that you do; it’s something that everyone does, though some of us, and even me, may say otherwise.

To me, personally, religion and spirituality are things that are near and dear to me. But it wasn’t always like that. Back then, I grew up in a place of worship, and I was more than skeptical. More often than not I went because of my parents, and I stayed because of my former best friend. Bust as I got older, as I began learning more about the world, I slowly to realize just how important it was for me to have faith in something, whether that be in God, my loved ones, or even the hobbies I do. It helped me put the world into perspective, and gave me a way to frame my own view on the world.

Despite what many of us may think, beliefs are important, and are often a way that can help us shape our viewpoints. Whether we’re atheist or Christian, agnostic or Pagan, it’s important for us to cultivate those beliefs. After all, having these beliefs helps us both mentally and emotionally and below are a few reasons why.

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1. Gives us a support system

Having these beliefs let’s us engage with others who have the same beliefs as we do. We get to build up communities with those who have the same beliefs we do. It makes it easy for us to care about one another, regardless of race or past prejudices. In fact, many support groups have arisen from the same beliefs, and it isn’t that uncommon for people to come together during a time of persecution. While the individuals that comprise a particular belief system may vary, you come together and simply share your ideas among like-minded individuals. It’s a rather reassuring feeling.

 

2. Helps us become passionate about things we care about

When we have a particular belief, we tend to empathize and support our own beliefs more than others. And while we do respect other beliefs,we still become more passionate about our beliefs than others. Through these passions, we leave our own negativity at the door. We forget ourselves and our problems, as we immerse ourselves in our beliefs. It doesn’t just help ourselves; in fact, there are a variety of beliefs that promote the well-being of humanity. For example, many Christian churches have taken to helping the poor and other marginalized groups, despite what other branches may say. Islamic Help is a Muslim organization that offers relief to people in need. Through these deep desires to promote our own ideas, we’re able to provide many benefits in our communities.

 

3. Offers new perspectives for other people to explore

We know that many people have different beliefs. By having those beliefs, we’re able to talk about our beliefs in a way that’s respectful. Whether that be through social media such as Facebook and Twitter, or even face-to-face, by providing a rich discussion, we are exposed to other beliefs that may not necessarily be the same as ours. We learn how to respect other people’s cultures, opinions, and past, and view them in a way that helps and tear down walls and build bridges that connects people.

 

Conclusion

Of course, with head beliefs there exists the reality that people may instead tear down others. We may end up not listening to people. We may end up causing more harm than good with our beliefs. We may even turn to more extreme methods to shut people down, especially those who disagree with us. Even so, beliefs have helped us form communities, and shape society in a way that helps promote discussion and growth, both as individuals and as humanity in general.

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-Featured image by congerdesign

Encouragements

There are time when it may be hard to move on with our lives, when we just want to curl up and sleep for a while, just until the world gets better again.

Even so, keep moving forward. Take a deep breath, look at the world with a long, hard stare, and laugh right in its face. And when you do, turn away, be proud of yourself, and go with your head held high.

 

 

Book Review for The Haunting of Meredith by Sandy Hiss

The Haunting of Meredith, by Sandy Hiss, is a beautifully tragic story about remembering your loved ones.

Meredith is a young woman who, in order to stave off her loneliness, watches people from afar. One day, she meets a strange old woman named Helen. At first, Meredith refuses to have anything to do with her. But as time passes, she slowly begins to realize that Helen is more than who she seems and finally realizes just how important Helen is to her. However, there is something more sinister lurking in the shadows, a monster that was born from the depths of abandonment.

I fell in love with Meredith the moment Hiss first introduced her. Initially, she seemed pitiful, as if she was nothing more than shadow, watching people go by on their business. Then she sees Helen, and suddenly she becomes human. I was wary of Helen, as well as the strange occurrences around her. I was also more than a little cautious of Helen whenever the two met. Still, I enjoyed the relationship between the two, the bittersweet tone carefully interwoven with the plot.

The concept of remembering loved ones was also well done. The woman who had a stroller with only a baby doll inside; Helen’s granddaughter forgetting her, and even Meredith’s loneliness; each aspect of the book contributes to the importance of caring for your friends and family, even when they’re far away. Granted, scaring them into submission may not be the best way to go about it, but it’s necessary nonetheless.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. Hiss effectively conveyed the dark elegance of the memories of the dead, as well as the bittersweet reminder of the thoughts of the forgotten. The dead, after all, have nothing left to lose. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of The Rosegiver, by Sandy Benitez, Autumn Chills, and Love, Death, and Other Lies, by Jerome Sparks.

Book Review for Death Wind by Travis Heermann and Jim Pinto

Death Wind, by Travis Heermann and Jim Pinto, is a horrifying novel about a powerful hatred that will gleefully destroy whatever you hold dear.

The book is separated into three parts. The first part introduces Charles Zimmerman, a doctor who recently lost his two daughters to a deadly disease. Meanwhile, Oliver McCoy had just survived a strange attack, in which his friend decided to slaughter his comrades. In the second part, a supernatural pandemic has spread throughout the lands, carelessly decimating whomever comes into contact with it. This pandemic has been given the name of a malevolent spirit that takes over weak humans, and intensifies their hate until they are only shadows of what they once were. In the third and final part, Charles must face this evil, in spite of the disgusting tension between the settlers and the natives. In a thrilling novel that details the grotesque threads humans have woven into history, Heerman and Pinto skillfully illustrate what happens when hatred goes unchecked.

I loved Charles, because he was a realistic character I could relate to. I commiserated with him when he lost his daughters, as well as his failing marriage. Though he tries to be a good doctor, he can’t seem to grasp his own inability to understand either community, and only seems to start grasping things only after everything is destroyed. Then there’s Little Elk, who had to rely on the settlers to try and find the missing children. Like Charles, she tries to find a balance between her life with the settlers and her native one. She grew up attending a Christian school, but she ultimately decided to follow the ways of her ancestors. She tries to be the voice of reason, but, much to my dismay, she ended up being consumed by that malevolent spirit.

Blinding hatred was an overarching theme of the book. From the Black Wind, a wind that preys on the weaknesses of men, to the seething rage between the settlers and the natives, to even the bitterness of a once joyful family, both authors already foster the environments for such a demonic entity to take over. The aftermath of the Battle of Wounded Knee, as well as the haunting attributes of the Ghost Dance, also contributed to the fostering of this spirit. This detail was well-executed in the book, and one that I found the most enjoyable.

From the rotating points-of-views between the two sides, to the dark entity lurking between the them, this book is a demented work of literary art that shows what happens when humanity succumbs to its vices. What’s more, the book lends itself to history, all the while presenting itself in the most gruesome way possible. Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the supernatural genre in general.

Book Review for Feast by Thomas S. Flowers

Feast, by Thomas S. Flowers, is a horrific tragedy centering around the mutilation of a young boy, with bloody nightmares caressing a guise of endless wealth and fortune.

Titus Fleming, the owner of Big Butts Bar-B-Que, has recently lost his son in a terrible murder suicide, a son who was also the heir to his restaurant. In order to prevent losing the family business, he decides to arrange a marriage for his transgender son, Lavinia, to Anna, the daughter of greedy woman named Tamora. However, when Lavinia turns up beaten, raped, and mutilated, Titus grieves for the loss of his son, and decides that no matter what, he will have revenge on Lavinia’s assailants. Flowers outdoes himself with meticulously gory details, as he shows what happens when hatred goes unchecked.

I loved the twisted devotion Titus shows Lavinia, however terrible a road it led him. Their relationship reminded me of a promise parents would make to their children, that no matter what they would do anything for them, even murder if they had too. It was the abomination of that love that took the physical form of a bloody feast, one that every bystander had taken part of, directly or indirectly. And while there was one redeeming quality both Tamora and her own sons had, in the end they fell to their own arrogance.

I also enjoyed a dark nostalgia with each word I read. From Titus’s murderous butcher shop, so very reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, to the beautiful Lavinia, who shared his namesake with the equally tragic character from Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, the book was like a morbid reminder of the wonderful works of art that had detailed the destruction of lives, literally and metaphorically. Even the age old fairytale, The Juniper Tree, made an appearance here, and it was something I am deeply indebted to Flowers to. Not only does he illustrate the various aspects of these tales through the book, but he also creates a unique storyline that pertains to our culture today. Homophobia, transgender issues, infidelity, corruption; it’s like a macabre kaleidoscope that draws readers in, only beginning to scratch the surface of what it means to truly be insane.

Overall, I would give this book a 4.2 out of 5 stars. The characters were a bit too neat in my opinion, but I loved seeing them and their demons. I also enjoyed the terrifying elements Flowers had incorporated in the book. Though it was tragic, it was beautiful nonetheless. Thus, I would recommend this book to fans of the horror genre in general.

Book Review for Beauty by Peter Linely

Beauty, by Peter Liney, is a twisted narrative about a society where beauty is valued, so much so its inhabitants would do anything to claim it.

One evening, Huey Glaister invites a few of his employees to his house for a special surprise. Initially, Perry is skeptical, believing it to be yet another symptom of his boss’s vanity. However, when Huey reveals this surprise to be a beautiful woman named Gloria, immediately Perry, as well as his colleagues, become obsessed with her. But when mysterious men begin to target him, and Glaister ends up dead, Perry is overtaken by the need to keep Gloria safe, as he ignores a society that has begun to develop the same obsession for her.

I loved how the characters revolved around Gloria. It wasn’t about her personality, or her intelligence, or patience; in fact the only thing they ever seemed to talk about was her beauty. I loved how Perry and the others tripped over themselves to meet Gloria, and how Glaister bought her with a blatant disregard of the fact that she was married. I also enjoyed how Perry did everything he could for Gloria, not only by abandoning his colleagues but also his life as well. He couldn’t understand why Gloria wanted to go outside, especially when he knew it wasn’t safe. He couldn’t understand why she still considered herself a prisoner, even when he didn’t consider her as such. He couldn’t comprehend her, and it was only when she starts living with him does he see her as a human being, rather than an object to be praised. But even then, the characters were still disturbing; the husband who claimed to possess her, and the people who adored her. It was as if she were a perfect, porcelain doll that children could gaze at, but not touch.

Liney shows just how determined these people are. In a culture where everyone had everything they wanted except natural beauty was interesting to say the least. I couldn’t help but be horrified by how far people would go to make absolute beauty theirs, even if it meant trampling on others to do so. How far would the elites go to get what they want, especially if they’ve fallen in love with a woman who considers them little more than a nuisance? Did anyone take into account Gloria’s wishes? Did they treat her anything else as more than a pawn? Was she just a slave to their fantasies? These questions are ones I have an absolute answer to, but I’d rather leave it up to the reader to decide.

Liney weaves together a nightmarish definition for obsession’s true nature. From the siren-like way Gloria’s beauty twists the characters, to the insanity of the people who claim to love her; it’s this very aspect that reveals their inner insanity. Thus, I would give this book a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the game, Little Nightmares and Mad Father.

Book Review for Xenon Phobia by Sterling Emmal

Xenon Phobia, by Sterling Emmal, is a dark, twisted horror about clinging to the deepest depths of your hatred, even if it means giving into the demons surrounding you.

Xenon is a doctor who managed to become the executioner for California after finding out her sister had been assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. When Xenon is murdered by a mysterious man named Damien, she is bound by her need for vengeance. From killing the people who once loved her, to confronting a past she is just beginning to understand, she starts to slip further and further into madness, until finally, only darkness remains.

I’m a future medical student, so when I read this book I was chilled to the core. Xenon had an irrefutable sense of morality that can only be described as eerie. She carries this role on in the afterlife, all the while becoming the monster she swore she’d bring justice. Then there’s Damien, the man who managed to bind Xenon to his fate. I particularly liked his character, because in a way, I do believe he felt something for Xenon, however twisted his motives may be. And finally, there was Xenon’s mother, a weakling who couldn’t even protect her own family. She didn’t fight for her husband when he died, and she didn’t fight for her daughter, even though he was the one who caused the death of her unborn niece. And by the time she realized, it was too late, and all she can do now is mourn. Even after I’ve finished this book, I couldn’t bring myself to forgive her for everything she didn’t do; in fact, it was because of her non action that the entire plot began.

One of the things Emmal did incredibly well was just how far Xenon would go to obtain her revenge. From contemplating on killing her sister, to carving up her own corpse, I realized that from the moment she was revived, she had the potential to become a dark, horrific entity that solely existed to bring pain to others. Her character only served to make the end more satisfying. The fact that she took Damien’s place in the shadows, hungering for someone else to spill her hatred to, to be consumed by the same revenge she fell prey to, was haunting. She even wrote a little message to the reader at the end, lulling her future students to her like moths to a flame.

Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 3.8 out of 4 stars. While I would have loved the psychological details to be more fleshed out, as well as her mother’s reactions to everything that’s happened, this book was an enjoyable read. How the characters interacted with each other, as well as the beautifully tragic fate that awaited Xenon, was wonderful. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Beasts of Babylon by E.A. Copen, and The Killing Cure by C.S. Kendall.