Nick Kolakowski's Blog - Posts Tagged "sci-fi"
Some Good Early Reviews of 'Lockdown'
So Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic has been receiving some very solid reviews. Check 'em out!
Washington Independent Review of Books:
"Some readers might be put off by the idea of reading stories that seem taken directly from today’s news. It begs the question: Is it too soon to be writing about the lockdown, the virus, the ways they’re affecting lives on a daily basis, and how society may evolve afterward?
"Despite that sentiment, or maybe because of it, the featured authors went to great lengths to ensure that quality narratives are contained herein. It is worth reading and savoring these stories and — why not? — even fearing the possibility that some of them might come true."
Criminal Element:
"What I enjoyed most was the different takes on the pandemic. I appreciate authors dealing with pain through the lens of storytelling. There is something for every reader, south-western meth, semi-comedic NYC jailbreaks, dystopian horror, and even a bit of hope. The variety is remarkable.
"This is a fun read for a noble cause. A stellar group of authors came together, did a great thing, and put out a solid (if fishy) volume. You should buy a copy. You will enjoy it."
Book Reporter:
"The plots are ingenious, carefully constructed and extraordinarily attention-grabbing. A man so loves his sick wife that he will murder to save her; characters struggle through their own personal versions of a living hell in hopes of finding safety, only to ultimately find tragedy and destruction; lovers end up despising each other, and murder soon ensues; a man risks his life for an opportunity to view some powerful pornography; humans-turned-zombies attack and eat the flesh of their innocent uninfected victims.
"The editors wisely finish the collection with two stories that feature escapes to fantasy lands of beauty and love, though both, of course, also offer up gory diseases, horror and death. In these two pieces --- and only in these two --- can we vaguely glimpse glimmers of hope. I highly recommend LOCKDOWN for those with strong stomachs and an appreciation for imaginative literature. But if you usually read primarily for escape from your daily troubles, run away."
Sci-Fi and Scary:
"In 'Lockdown,' 19 of today’s finest suspense, horror, and crime writers explore how humanity reacts to the ultimate pandemic. From New York City to the Mexican border, from the Deep South to the misty shores of Seattle, their characters are fighting for survival against incredible odds. An anthology for our time, showing how the worst crises can lead to the best of us."
BOLO Books:
"In this anthology, a collection of excellent authors have written stories that highlight the challenges of lockdown during a major world pandemic. While not specifically about the Covid-19 pandemic, these tales will feel authentic to everyone as we all now understand what it means to face one of our most formidable enemies – an uncontrolled virus."
Washington Independent Review of Books:
"Some readers might be put off by the idea of reading stories that seem taken directly from today’s news. It begs the question: Is it too soon to be writing about the lockdown, the virus, the ways they’re affecting lives on a daily basis, and how society may evolve afterward?
"Despite that sentiment, or maybe because of it, the featured authors went to great lengths to ensure that quality narratives are contained herein. It is worth reading and savoring these stories and — why not? — even fearing the possibility that some of them might come true."
Criminal Element:
"What I enjoyed most was the different takes on the pandemic. I appreciate authors dealing with pain through the lens of storytelling. There is something for every reader, south-western meth, semi-comedic NYC jailbreaks, dystopian horror, and even a bit of hope. The variety is remarkable.
"This is a fun read for a noble cause. A stellar group of authors came together, did a great thing, and put out a solid (if fishy) volume. You should buy a copy. You will enjoy it."
Book Reporter:
"The plots are ingenious, carefully constructed and extraordinarily attention-grabbing. A man so loves his sick wife that he will murder to save her; characters struggle through their own personal versions of a living hell in hopes of finding safety, only to ultimately find tragedy and destruction; lovers end up despising each other, and murder soon ensues; a man risks his life for an opportunity to view some powerful pornography; humans-turned-zombies attack and eat the flesh of their innocent uninfected victims.
"The editors wisely finish the collection with two stories that feature escapes to fantasy lands of beauty and love, though both, of course, also offer up gory diseases, horror and death. In these two pieces --- and only in these two --- can we vaguely glimpse glimmers of hope. I highly recommend LOCKDOWN for those with strong stomachs and an appreciation for imaginative literature. But if you usually read primarily for escape from your daily troubles, run away."
Sci-Fi and Scary:
"In 'Lockdown,' 19 of today’s finest suspense, horror, and crime writers explore how humanity reacts to the ultimate pandemic. From New York City to the Mexican border, from the Deep South to the misty shores of Seattle, their characters are fighting for survival against incredible odds. An anthology for our time, showing how the worst crises can lead to the best of us."
BOLO Books:
"In this anthology, a collection of excellent authors have written stories that highlight the challenges of lockdown during a major world pandemic. While not specifically about the Covid-19 pandemic, these tales will feel authentic to everyone as we all now understand what it means to face one of our most formidable enemies – an uncontrolled virus."
'Absolute Unit' Is Out!
"Absolute Unit," my latest (and first!) noir-horror-comedy, came out last week from Crystal Lake Publishing! This book, written during the pandemic, is very close to my heart (and my liver, and my stomach, and my spleen). It's available on Amazon (Kindle and paperback) but wider distribution via other portals, bookstores, libraries, and audiobook is imminent. Nonetheless, if you're an Amazon user, I'd be in your debt if you'd order it from them -- early sales always help a lot of things.
Here's the plot: "Absolute Unit" is a dark carnival ride through the underside of the American Dream, where hustlers and parasites fight to survive against gun-toting furries, sarcastic drug kingpins, old ladies who are startlingly good with knives, and angry ex-girlfriends. It’s a hardboiled slice of modern American horror that asks the deepest question of all: Is the human race worth saving?
Bill is a nobody, a health inspector who’s not above taking a few dollars to overlook a restaurant’s mouse problem, and hated by nearly everyone except his long-suffering girlfriend. His nephew, Trent, isn’t much better: sexually and morally confused, he’s probably the worst teenage con artist on the East Coast. But today, these two losers are going to become the most important people in the world.
That’s because Bill and Trent harbor a sentient parasite with a sarcastic sense of humor and a ravenous appetite. As the parasite figures out how to control its new human hosts, the focus of its desires grows from delicious cheeseburgers and beer to something much darker and more dangerous.
We also have some neat-o blurbs rolling in (and many more to come):
"[This] bizarro crime horror story is a friggin' blast, packed chock full of comedy, outrageousness, and violence."—Michael Patrick Hicks, author of "The Resurrectionists"
"...takes the basic concept of a thriller, dials up the body horror, and puts a blackly comedic twist on the whole thing, the end result being uniquely entertaining and gleefully bonkers."— Richard Martin, Horror Oasis
"Action-packed, gory, and hilarious. I loved it!"—Michelle Garza
"Absolute Unit is a kick in the groin to all those who hold "traditional values" dear. It is the American nightmare made flesh with all the hidden seediness and sordid behavior of a rotten and decayed culture placed front and center for your reading pleasure. It's a nasty, dirty read, and I couldn't put it down."—Rex Hurst, author of "What Hell May Come"
Here's the plot: "Absolute Unit" is a dark carnival ride through the underside of the American Dream, where hustlers and parasites fight to survive against gun-toting furries, sarcastic drug kingpins, old ladies who are startlingly good with knives, and angry ex-girlfriends. It’s a hardboiled slice of modern American horror that asks the deepest question of all: Is the human race worth saving?
Bill is a nobody, a health inspector who’s not above taking a few dollars to overlook a restaurant’s mouse problem, and hated by nearly everyone except his long-suffering girlfriend. His nephew, Trent, isn’t much better: sexually and morally confused, he’s probably the worst teenage con artist on the East Coast. But today, these two losers are going to become the most important people in the world.
That’s because Bill and Trent harbor a sentient parasite with a sarcastic sense of humor and a ravenous appetite. As the parasite figures out how to control its new human hosts, the focus of its desires grows from delicious cheeseburgers and beer to something much darker and more dangerous.
We also have some neat-o blurbs rolling in (and many more to come):
"[This] bizarro crime horror story is a friggin' blast, packed chock full of comedy, outrageousness, and violence."—Michael Patrick Hicks, author of "The Resurrectionists"
"...takes the basic concept of a thriller, dials up the body horror, and puts a blackly comedic twist on the whole thing, the end result being uniquely entertaining and gleefully bonkers."— Richard Martin, Horror Oasis
"Action-packed, gory, and hilarious. I loved it!"—Michelle Garza
"Absolute Unit is a kick in the groin to all those who hold "traditional values" dear. It is the American nightmare made flesh with all the hidden seediness and sordid behavior of a rotten and decayed culture placed front and center for your reading pleasure. It's a nasty, dirty read, and I couldn't put it down."—Rex Hurst, author of "What Hell May Come"
'Absolute Unit' is on Sale!
Hey all!
"Absolute Unit," my heartwarming tale of a boy and his sentient, sarcastic, world-conquering parasite, is on sale on Kindle today for a mere $0.99! If you haven't picked up this horror-comedy yet, things get... weird. Splattery. And maybe life-affirming?
Here's what some fine folks and publications have said about "Absolute Unit" so far:
"[This] bizarro crime horror story is a friggin' blast, packed chock full of comedy, outrageousness, and violence."—Michael Patrick Hicks, author of The Resurrectionists
"...takes the basic concept of a thriller, dials up the body horror, and puts a blackly comedic twist on the whole thing, the end result being uniquely entertaining and gleefully bonkers."— Richard Martin, Horror Oasis
"Action-packed, gory, and hilarious. I loved it!"—Michelle Garza
"Absolute Unit is a kick in the groin to all those who hold "traditional values" dear. It is the American nightmare made flesh with all the hidden seediness and sordid behavior of a rotten and decayed culture placed front and center for your reading pleasure. It's a nasty, dirty read, and I couldn't put it down."—Rex Hurst, author of What Hell May Come
"The best parts of this book are the action sequences and the sharp wit laced throughout. Bill is not a great person and hearing from the perspective of the sentient parasite within him is truly unique. Once Trent gets involved, the story pivots and, while we still hear from the parasite, it is nice to have the added POV. 'Absolute Unit' speeds along and readers will be pleased with the entertainment factor."—Tracy Robinson, HorrorDNA
"With a plot like a hot-wired hot rod whose brakes have just failed, Absolute Unit will worm its way into your central nervous system just as effectively as its parasitic narrator, and the results will be equally catastrophic. High tension, humorous horror with a gloriously high body count." - Jasper Bark, author of Run to Ground
"Absolute Unit," my heartwarming tale of a boy and his sentient, sarcastic, world-conquering parasite, is on sale on Kindle today for a mere $0.99! If you haven't picked up this horror-comedy yet, things get... weird. Splattery. And maybe life-affirming?
Here's what some fine folks and publications have said about "Absolute Unit" so far:
"[This] bizarro crime horror story is a friggin' blast, packed chock full of comedy, outrageousness, and violence."—Michael Patrick Hicks, author of The Resurrectionists
"...takes the basic concept of a thriller, dials up the body horror, and puts a blackly comedic twist on the whole thing, the end result being uniquely entertaining and gleefully bonkers."— Richard Martin, Horror Oasis
"Action-packed, gory, and hilarious. I loved it!"—Michelle Garza
"Absolute Unit is a kick in the groin to all those who hold "traditional values" dear. It is the American nightmare made flesh with all the hidden seediness and sordid behavior of a rotten and decayed culture placed front and center for your reading pleasure. It's a nasty, dirty read, and I couldn't put it down."—Rex Hurst, author of What Hell May Come
"The best parts of this book are the action sequences and the sharp wit laced throughout. Bill is not a great person and hearing from the perspective of the sentient parasite within him is truly unique. Once Trent gets involved, the story pivots and, while we still hear from the parasite, it is nice to have the added POV. 'Absolute Unit' speeds along and readers will be pleased with the entertainment factor."—Tracy Robinson, HorrorDNA
"With a plot like a hot-wired hot rod whose brakes have just failed, Absolute Unit will worm its way into your central nervous system just as effectively as its parasitic narrator, and the results will be equally catastrophic. High tension, humorous horror with a gloriously high body count." - Jasper Bark, author of Run to Ground
