Michael Noe's Blog, page 8
July 18, 2017
The Lake - Richard Laymon 3/5 stars&n...
The Lake - Richard Laymon 3/5 stars
The Lake was released after Richard Laymon’s untimely death, but is it really as bad as everyone says it is? This may be a trunk novel, but it’s actually not that bad. There are three major storylines, and one isn’t even introduced until the half way point of the novel. It seems as if Laymon was tinkering with the formula a little, and trying out a new way to tell a story without the usual amount of gore. At times, The Lake comes off as creepy at best, but the usual gore we’ve come to expect from Laymon is almost gone. Also, because this is a novel Laymon probably didn’t want released, there’s some issues. Storylines suddenly appear, but make no sense. They add nothing to the novel as a whole. If Laymon had lived, what would The Lake have eventually come to be? What storylines would have been cut, or even expanded upon? Was this a new direction his work may have gone in?
As it is, The Lake is an enjoyable read, with some issues. The main characters are ditzy and seem to act irrationally at times. This is a flaw that Laymon would have probably rectified in the final drafts of the novel. I almost didn’t like these women, but in the end, I admired their strength and even their courage. He puts these women through hell, and their actions while unrealistic, kind of make sense. You also have side characters that appear and add layers to the story. While it moves a bit slowly, there’s enough here in the multiple story lines to keep you engaged. It’s the what if that makes this so good. How is this all going to come together? That is where he begins to tie all the plots together, but with somewhat lackluster results.
As a trunk novel, it’s really not as bad as some would have you believe. There’s some scenes that will have squeamish people flipping pages, but I enjoyed it. I liked how layered the story was, and even as the ending came together, I was surprised because I didn’t see it coming. Laymon hid his villain in plain sight and I found the ending shocking, but at the same time a little lackluster. I think if he’d pulled this together and worked on it I think we may have gotten a stronger conclusion. It’s clearly doesn't rank with his classic novels, but The Lake is a decent read meant for fans, not a starting point for people looking into his work. As a fan, I still think it's a read just to see why this gets so much hate. Everyone has such differing oppions about it, you should just read it for yourself and gather your own opinions
The Lake was released after Richard Laymon’s untimely death, but is it really as bad as everyone says it is? This may be a trunk novel, but it’s actually not that bad. There are three major storylines, and one isn’t even introduced until the half way point of the novel. It seems as if Laymon was tinkering with the formula a little, and trying out a new way to tell a story without the usual amount of gore. At times, The Lake comes off as creepy at best, but the usual gore we’ve come to expect from Laymon is almost gone. Also, because this is a novel Laymon probably didn’t want released, there’s some issues. Storylines suddenly appear, but make no sense. They add nothing to the novel as a whole. If Laymon had lived, what would The Lake have eventually come to be? What storylines would have been cut, or even expanded upon? Was this a new direction his work may have gone in?
As it is, The Lake is an enjoyable read, with some issues. The main characters are ditzy and seem to act irrationally at times. This is a flaw that Laymon would have probably rectified in the final drafts of the novel. I almost didn’t like these women, but in the end, I admired their strength and even their courage. He puts these women through hell, and their actions while unrealistic, kind of make sense. You also have side characters that appear and add layers to the story. While it moves a bit slowly, there’s enough here in the multiple story lines to keep you engaged. It’s the what if that makes this so good. How is this all going to come together? That is where he begins to tie all the plots together, but with somewhat lackluster results.
As a trunk novel, it’s really not as bad as some would have you believe. There’s some scenes that will have squeamish people flipping pages, but I enjoyed it. I liked how layered the story was, and even as the ending came together, I was surprised because I didn’t see it coming. Laymon hid his villain in plain sight and I found the ending shocking, but at the same time a little lackluster. I think if he’d pulled this together and worked on it I think we may have gotten a stronger conclusion. It’s clearly doesn't rank with his classic novels, but The Lake is a decent read meant for fans, not a starting point for people looking into his work. As a fan, I still think it's a read just to see why this gets so much hate. Everyone has such differing oppions about it, you should just read it for yourself and gather your own opinions
July 13, 2017
The Lies She Told - Cate Holahan 5/5 &...
The Lies She Told - Cate Holahan 5/5
I recieved a copy of Lies from Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review
Lies She Told is the kind of book you start reading, but can't put down. The story is told from two perspectives, and I know it sounds confusing, but Cate does a great job at keeping things simple. You have the perspective of a character in a new novel, and the author herself who is going through her own personal crisis. As the novel progresses, things begin to spiral out of control, and fact blurs into fiction. Cate unravels the suspense slowly, just enough to tease you and then you're hit with an ending that I never saw coming. Liza is a character you can get behind, her story is interesting but not as interesting as the character she's creating. The action moves slolwy, but not too slow to bore you. It's a pace that adds depth to the story. You become interested in the characters, and want to know what the link is. A great suspense novel is a combination of great writing, and great characters, and Lies has that in spades.
At its core, Lies is a story about escape, and how things always aren't what they appear. Liza is an interesting character with secrets of her own. When the novel begins to mirror her own life, you see the cracks begin to form and this is where the novel becomes interesting. The subject of Nick's murder becomes the driving force of the last half of the book and this is when Cate really begins to shine. In a novel like this, it's easy to get plots entangles, or confuse your audience. That never happens. Instead, it becomes a perfect suspense thriller. You're engaged in the story, you can't put it down until it's all over. When it comes to great suspense thrillers this is one that deserves to be mentioned. It takes a few risks and succeedes. It's not your normal run of the mill story, nor does it follow the formula of most cookie cutter fiction novels. It's the kind of novel that gets an author noticed and I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from Cate Holahan
I recieved a copy of Lies from Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review
Lies She Told is the kind of book you start reading, but can't put down. The story is told from two perspectives, and I know it sounds confusing, but Cate does a great job at keeping things simple. You have the perspective of a character in a new novel, and the author herself who is going through her own personal crisis. As the novel progresses, things begin to spiral out of control, and fact blurs into fiction. Cate unravels the suspense slowly, just enough to tease you and then you're hit with an ending that I never saw coming. Liza is a character you can get behind, her story is interesting but not as interesting as the character she's creating. The action moves slolwy, but not too slow to bore you. It's a pace that adds depth to the story. You become interested in the characters, and want to know what the link is. A great suspense novel is a combination of great writing, and great characters, and Lies has that in spades.
At its core, Lies is a story about escape, and how things always aren't what they appear. Liza is an interesting character with secrets of her own. When the novel begins to mirror her own life, you see the cracks begin to form and this is where the novel becomes interesting. The subject of Nick's murder becomes the driving force of the last half of the book and this is when Cate really begins to shine. In a novel like this, it's easy to get plots entangles, or confuse your audience. That never happens. Instead, it becomes a perfect suspense thriller. You're engaged in the story, you can't put it down until it's all over. When it comes to great suspense thrillers this is one that deserves to be mentioned. It takes a few risks and succeedes. It's not your normal run of the mill story, nor does it follow the formula of most cookie cutter fiction novels. It's the kind of novel that gets an author noticed and I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from Cate Holahan
July 12, 2017
Dead 'Til Dawn - Gerald Dean Rice 5/5 stars &...
Dead 'Til Dawn - Gerald Dean Rice 5/5 stars
I recieved Dead in exchange for an honest review
When I recieved this my first thought was of course; "Not another zombie novel!" Then, I began to read it, and I began to laugh at the plight of Gary and Jim. Gary is the kind of guy we all know. He has good intentions, but somehow he screws everything up. They take a pill that turns them into zombies for three days, but that's not the entire story. There's a cult called the Ascension after them and want the pill that they took. If you want to call Dead 'Til Dawn something, it would be a buddy comedy. These are two guys stuck in a situation that just keeps getting worse. Is it implausible? Of course it is, but it's a fun book that you can't help but laugh at. There is one plot line that doesn't fit but it doesn't detract from the story at all. Once you see it, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Gerald is a talented writer, and he has a knack for witty dialouge, and he's created two characters you can't help but like. Gary and Jim are the main characters, so if you didn't like them, the story wouldn't work. There's just enough of a straightman in Jim to balance out Gary, and it works beautifully. You can see Gary's influence over this guy, and you almost feel bad for him. Gary never grew up while Jim has, but they have a chemistry together that adds a lot to the story. The story itself is interesting, and moves at a pretty steady clip. There's a great deal of humor here, and a little horror thrown in just to keep things interesting. The main question is, what's going to happen to these guys once the pill wears off.
There are a lot of weird elements that keep the novel going. You have the Ascension and their quest to get the Bloom. Gary and Jim trying to survive, and keep from being captured, but it all leads to a satisying conclusion. There are bits here and there that have nothing at all to do with the over all plot, but it's still a solid read. It was a lot of fun, and proves that you can play with the zombie genre and create something unique. Dead 'Til Dawn is an ambitious novel and it works based on the characters, and the solid writing. If you want to read a novel that's entertaining and different, this is one you'll have a good time with.
I recieved Dead in exchange for an honest review
When I recieved this my first thought was of course; "Not another zombie novel!" Then, I began to read it, and I began to laugh at the plight of Gary and Jim. Gary is the kind of guy we all know. He has good intentions, but somehow he screws everything up. They take a pill that turns them into zombies for three days, but that's not the entire story. There's a cult called the Ascension after them and want the pill that they took. If you want to call Dead 'Til Dawn something, it would be a buddy comedy. These are two guys stuck in a situation that just keeps getting worse. Is it implausible? Of course it is, but it's a fun book that you can't help but laugh at. There is one plot line that doesn't fit but it doesn't detract from the story at all. Once you see it, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Gerald is a talented writer, and he has a knack for witty dialouge, and he's created two characters you can't help but like. Gary and Jim are the main characters, so if you didn't like them, the story wouldn't work. There's just enough of a straightman in Jim to balance out Gary, and it works beautifully. You can see Gary's influence over this guy, and you almost feel bad for him. Gary never grew up while Jim has, but they have a chemistry together that adds a lot to the story. The story itself is interesting, and moves at a pretty steady clip. There's a great deal of humor here, and a little horror thrown in just to keep things interesting. The main question is, what's going to happen to these guys once the pill wears off.
There are a lot of weird elements that keep the novel going. You have the Ascension and their quest to get the Bloom. Gary and Jim trying to survive, and keep from being captured, but it all leads to a satisying conclusion. There are bits here and there that have nothing at all to do with the over all plot, but it's still a solid read. It was a lot of fun, and proves that you can play with the zombie genre and create something unique. Dead 'Til Dawn is an ambitious novel and it works based on the characters, and the solid writing. If you want to read a novel that's entertaining and different, this is one you'll have a good time with.
July 7, 2017
One Pefect Lie - Lisa Scottoline 5/5 &n...
One Pefect Lie - Lisa Scottoline 5/5
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is actually based on the UK edition of One Perfect Lie, but no matter where you live, nothing about this edition is any different from the US version aside from the cover. I actually prefer the Headline cover over the US cover. Not that it matters, right? Who cares about the cover? You want a review that tells you my opinion about the book, not the cover. As I began reading it, I found that I couldn't stop. This was pure crack in Kindle form. I would read it before I went to bed, and no matter what I said, I was like a junkie. I didn't really read it, I devoured it. I love books like these. They feature more twists and turns than a country road, and keep you guessing the entire time. One Perfect Lie is a well written novel that keeps you hooked from the opening paragraph.
There's nothing wrong with an entertaining book, and what's great about Lie, is the characters. They compliment the story well, and you can guess all day about where the novel's going, but you really have no idea. Scottoline is a talented writer that allows the story to shift and twist while keeping the pace going full throttle. There's bits and pieces of side plots that hold it all togther.Even when it feels like a dead end, it's not. Everything connects to a satisfying conclusion. If I had to describe this book, it would be flawless. This is a writer that knows how to hook a reader, and keep them hooked until the end. Not a page is wasted on unnecessary events. When you read suspense thrillers, they all feel the same, or follow the same patterns. One Perfect Lie doesn't, nor does it feel like your typical mainstream fiction ball of fluff. This to me was a perfect novel that has a bit of everything. A strong plot, well developed characters, and most of all, originality.
As I move away from horror, I keep stumbling onto great books like this one. To say it's the perfect beach novel is doing Lie a terrible injustice. This a book you want to read when you want a great book. Pure and simple. This is one you simply don't start reading. You end up devouring it in two days and promising yourself one more chapter, and then I'll go to sleep. No, you end up staying up until one or two in the morning, read a few chapters before you get ready for work, and then repeat the entire process the next day. It's an addiction you have to feed, but when the book's finished, you feel a bit sad because the ride's over. I have a feeling this is going to be on a lot of best of lists at the end of the year.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is actually based on the UK edition of One Perfect Lie, but no matter where you live, nothing about this edition is any different from the US version aside from the cover. I actually prefer the Headline cover over the US cover. Not that it matters, right? Who cares about the cover? You want a review that tells you my opinion about the book, not the cover. As I began reading it, I found that I couldn't stop. This was pure crack in Kindle form. I would read it before I went to bed, and no matter what I said, I was like a junkie. I didn't really read it, I devoured it. I love books like these. They feature more twists and turns than a country road, and keep you guessing the entire time. One Perfect Lie is a well written novel that keeps you hooked from the opening paragraph.
There's nothing wrong with an entertaining book, and what's great about Lie, is the characters. They compliment the story well, and you can guess all day about where the novel's going, but you really have no idea. Scottoline is a talented writer that allows the story to shift and twist while keeping the pace going full throttle. There's bits and pieces of side plots that hold it all togther.Even when it feels like a dead end, it's not. Everything connects to a satisfying conclusion. If I had to describe this book, it would be flawless. This is a writer that knows how to hook a reader, and keep them hooked until the end. Not a page is wasted on unnecessary events. When you read suspense thrillers, they all feel the same, or follow the same patterns. One Perfect Lie doesn't, nor does it feel like your typical mainstream fiction ball of fluff. This to me was a perfect novel that has a bit of everything. A strong plot, well developed characters, and most of all, originality.
As I move away from horror, I keep stumbling onto great books like this one. To say it's the perfect beach novel is doing Lie a terrible injustice. This a book you want to read when you want a great book. Pure and simple. This is one you simply don't start reading. You end up devouring it in two days and promising yourself one more chapter, and then I'll go to sleep. No, you end up staying up until one or two in the morning, read a few chapters before you get ready for work, and then repeat the entire process the next day. It's an addiction you have to feed, but when the book's finished, you feel a bit sad because the ride's over. I have a feeling this is going to be on a lot of best of lists at the end of the year.
July 6, 2017
Dark Screams Volume 7 I ...
Dark Screams Volume 7
I received a copy of Dark Screams in exchange for an honest review
I'm not going to lie. I'm a huge fan of this series, and everytime I see there's a new one I get a little excited. Each volume of Screams is good. Of course after volume 6 I was worried that it wouldn't be as good, but I was wrong. Volume 7 may not have the same big names, but it keeps the series going in an interesting direction. The editors have once again picked stories that resonate with you and remind you that sometimes, horror doesn't have to be all blood and guts to make an impact. As a kid I loved atmopheric horror. It was the unknown that was the most terrifying.
Volume 7 is a solid entry to the series that gives you another six stories featuring some really talented writers that I plan on looking up once I get all my reviews done. With such a short selection the beauty here is there's no filler. Each story is solid, but of course, there would be some who would nitpick and say: "This isn't really horror." It is, it's just not what you expect horror to be. The closest you get to brutal, mind numbing horror, and I would also go as far as saying it's the best story here. The thing I love about this series is that they're short, but packed full of talent. For what you pay, you truly do get your moneys worth. Hydra has truly built a solid franchise with here, and now that I'm finished I can't wait to see what they do in Volume 8.
I received a copy of Dark Screams in exchange for an honest review
I'm not going to lie. I'm a huge fan of this series, and everytime I see there's a new one I get a little excited. Each volume of Screams is good. Of course after volume 6 I was worried that it wouldn't be as good, but I was wrong. Volume 7 may not have the same big names, but it keeps the series going in an interesting direction. The editors have once again picked stories that resonate with you and remind you that sometimes, horror doesn't have to be all blood and guts to make an impact. As a kid I loved atmopheric horror. It was the unknown that was the most terrifying.
Volume 7 is a solid entry to the series that gives you another six stories featuring some really talented writers that I plan on looking up once I get all my reviews done. With such a short selection the beauty here is there's no filler. Each story is solid, but of course, there would be some who would nitpick and say: "This isn't really horror." It is, it's just not what you expect horror to be. The closest you get to brutal, mind numbing horror, and I would also go as far as saying it's the best story here. The thing I love about this series is that they're short, but packed full of talent. For what you pay, you truly do get your moneys worth. Hydra has truly built a solid franchise with here, and now that I'm finished I can't wait to see what they do in Volume 8.
July 5, 2017
Zombies Vs. Robots - Joe Cautilli, Marsha Cautilli 3/5 st...
Zombies Vs. Robots - Joe Cautilli, Marsha Cautilli 3/5 stars
I received a copy of Zombies Vs. Robots in exchange for an honest review and I'm actually kind of torn with this one. If you've read my reviews you know how I feel about this genre. You know I'm always looking for something new, something that takes the genre to new levels, and adds something fresh and unique. In a sense Z V R did that, but what weighed it down for me were the over drawn ideas as the survivors had for their actual survival. It goes into a lot of detail here about everything, and I really didn't care. It weighed the book down, made me feel as if I were suddenly reading a surival manual. I realize this is a zombie novel, and these people need to create a sustainable environment, but holy crap on a cracker! I do like the idea though. Once we find them in their new sustainable habitiat, the action sort of picks up, but it falls into familiar territory. We know what happens and the robots don't get a lot of time in the book. They do see some action but it's the typical stuff we expect to see.
There are a few interesting ideas here which do elevate the novel a bit. Crazed religious fanatics were an interesting aspect, and I hope that in the next book of the series we see more of them. The authors dabble in a variety of different genres which I found courageous. Z V R is as much a cautionary tale as it is straight up zombie novel. Something like this could happen, and it adds an undercurrent of fear to it. Fans of the genre will enjoy this a great deal because it feels exactly the way it's supposed to. You get a few surprises that will no doubt suck you in and make you cheer your head off as the survivors take out zombies, and the Army of God. Me, I just wasn't all that into it. The characters felt like an afterthought and the real story wasn't actually about them, but how they planned on surviving. I didn't care about them, and in a novel like this you need characters that you like, or can even relate too. The idea is great, but it just didn't work for me. I think most of that had to do with the genre in general. I get that these novels have to follow a pattern but when I saw the description I was hoping for something a bit different.
As a reviewer I could tell you to avoid this book at all costs, but that's not fair to the people who wrote it. If you're a fan of the genre, you're going to enjoy it. Be warned, the first half does move slow, but once the world falls apart, you'll get exactly what you came for. What this isn't for is just horror fans who dislike the zombie genre. You'll feel exactly the way I did, or you'll end up leaving a one star review which it doesn't really deserve. It follows the usual formula these books always follows except with robots thrown in. There's nothing here for people who don't like zombies, or survival horror. I think it does deserve three stars and that's because it's not a terrible book. I just crave something unique in my horror. I want to see something I've never seen. There was a lot of hope that this would be one of those books, but it's not. Joe, and Marsha are decent writers, and they know how to tell a story, Sometimes, they go a little overboard with details, but all writers do that. It's clearly not a bad thing. Just beware of what you're getting into.
July 2, 2017
The Demon Inside - M.L. Sparrow 3/5 stars &n...
The Demon Inside - M.L. Sparrow 3/5 stars
I received Demon in exchange for an honest review and I almost stopped reading it. The romance in the first half didn't interest me and seemed to clash with what I thought the book was about. I kept going and then the world went sideways and suddenly Sparrow was able to shift into horror mode. The initial storm, and its after affects were well written and designed to shock you. You feel as if you're a part of the story. As the novel wore on it shifted into the mode we've all come to expect from books like these. These are the survivors, this is their story. It's a novel geared toward the young adult audience, and it shows. Trust me, it's not a bad thing, but for me, I expected more horror, more violence. What I got was something you might expect from this type of story. A lot of action from the views of characters who are still struggling to find their place in this new world.
You would think I hated this novel, but I think it's a solid read, and there's plenty of curveballs thrown to keep it interesting. The problem is I've read this type of story before, I was hoping for something different. Sparrow is a decent writer, and her writing style is what kept me reading. She knows how to hook an audience, and Demon is saved because of it. I may not have liked parts of this book, but overall it's certainly worth checking out. She wants us to care for these characters, you want to see them survive. As a writer, you want your readers to connect with your characters, to care what happens to them. Sparrow has certainly done that. While there are parts of the novel that follow the rules, there's a lot here that saves it from being just another end of the world, we are going to survive type of book.
For fans of this genre this is certainly a must read. Sparrow has written a story that combines a lot of different elements to get the story entertaining and interesting. My issues are my own and have nothing with Sparrow at all. I've read books like these and this is one definately a solid one. She throws a few curveballs that keep it interesting, it doesn't feel like your normal, run of the mill young adult novel. Sparrow took risks, and I applaud her for that. I like writers who try and do something different. Most don't succeede, and for the most part, Sparrow succeedes.
I received Demon in exchange for an honest review and I almost stopped reading it. The romance in the first half didn't interest me and seemed to clash with what I thought the book was about. I kept going and then the world went sideways and suddenly Sparrow was able to shift into horror mode. The initial storm, and its after affects were well written and designed to shock you. You feel as if you're a part of the story. As the novel wore on it shifted into the mode we've all come to expect from books like these. These are the survivors, this is their story. It's a novel geared toward the young adult audience, and it shows. Trust me, it's not a bad thing, but for me, I expected more horror, more violence. What I got was something you might expect from this type of story. A lot of action from the views of characters who are still struggling to find their place in this new world.
You would think I hated this novel, but I think it's a solid read, and there's plenty of curveballs thrown to keep it interesting. The problem is I've read this type of story before, I was hoping for something different. Sparrow is a decent writer, and her writing style is what kept me reading. She knows how to hook an audience, and Demon is saved because of it. I may not have liked parts of this book, but overall it's certainly worth checking out. She wants us to care for these characters, you want to see them survive. As a writer, you want your readers to connect with your characters, to care what happens to them. Sparrow has certainly done that. While there are parts of the novel that follow the rules, there's a lot here that saves it from being just another end of the world, we are going to survive type of book.
For fans of this genre this is certainly a must read. Sparrow has written a story that combines a lot of different elements to get the story entertaining and interesting. My issues are my own and have nothing with Sparrow at all. I've read books like these and this is one definately a solid one. She throws a few curveballs that keep it interesting, it doesn't feel like your normal, run of the mill young adult novel. Sparrow took risks, and I applaud her for that. I like writers who try and do something different. Most don't succeede, and for the most part, Sparrow succeedes.
June 27, 2017
Is Winona Ryder Still Dating That Dude From Soul Asylum A...
Is Winona Ryder Still Dating That Dude From Soul Asylum And Other Lurid Tales Of Terror And Doom - Douglas Hackel - 5/5 stars
As you read Hackel's latest short story collection you'll start to wonder if the guy is totally insane. It makes sense as you read stories about puppets who create mass graves for chicken nuggets, a man with Meatface disease, and other tales that aren't exactly horror unless you happen to be the character in the story. Hackel has a knack for writing weird, absurb fiction that makes you giggle despite the fact that most of these stories don't make any sense. This is a guy who happens to piece together stories with reckless abandon, but where do these ideas come from? Seriously? Is the guy drunk when he writes? The thing is, that's what makes these so good. These are stories that defy logic, and chuck all the rules of literature out the window. To review each and every story here would take way too much effort, and I don't want to bore you. The beauty of this collection is getting sucked into Hackel's vortex of insanity. Once you start start reading this collection you can't stop.
When I look back at what got me into bizarro fiction, it was books just like this. It's weird, absurb, and yes, even surreal, You don't need vagina monsters to create bizarro. You just need random ideas that are funny as hell, or cringeworthy. That's exactly what this is. It's a collection of stories that may not make sense in the normal world of fiction, but Hackle doesn't write normal fiction. I don't think it's possible. What Hackle does is make us question his sanity. What is his obsession with dried white dog turds and the movie Krull? Is Wynonna Ryder Still Dating That Dude From Soul Asylum reminds us of how great bizarro fiction was. As a whole this is a collection that seems weird on the surface, but then you look at it deeper and realize there's something else going on. This is a guy who's probably insane, and drunk. What kind of voices does he hear as he's writing? I bet he's listening to Ratt's Round And Round on repeat and then later, making tiny coffins for chicken nuggets.
Heres' the deal. If you like you're fiction weird plus totally insane, this is one you have to read, It's a great collection of stories from the mind of someone who should seek therapy. It's a book you should read, and read often. There's no filler in this one. Each story is just as messed up as the last one, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The only sad part for me was when it was all over, but I do have Tear Clown Junkies so I'll read that again and all will be right in the universe. Thank you Mr. Hackle for being your weird self.
As you read Hackel's latest short story collection you'll start to wonder if the guy is totally insane. It makes sense as you read stories about puppets who create mass graves for chicken nuggets, a man with Meatface disease, and other tales that aren't exactly horror unless you happen to be the character in the story. Hackel has a knack for writing weird, absurb fiction that makes you giggle despite the fact that most of these stories don't make any sense. This is a guy who happens to piece together stories with reckless abandon, but where do these ideas come from? Seriously? Is the guy drunk when he writes? The thing is, that's what makes these so good. These are stories that defy logic, and chuck all the rules of literature out the window. To review each and every story here would take way too much effort, and I don't want to bore you. The beauty of this collection is getting sucked into Hackel's vortex of insanity. Once you start start reading this collection you can't stop.
When I look back at what got me into bizarro fiction, it was books just like this. It's weird, absurb, and yes, even surreal, You don't need vagina monsters to create bizarro. You just need random ideas that are funny as hell, or cringeworthy. That's exactly what this is. It's a collection of stories that may not make sense in the normal world of fiction, but Hackle doesn't write normal fiction. I don't think it's possible. What Hackle does is make us question his sanity. What is his obsession with dried white dog turds and the movie Krull? Is Wynonna Ryder Still Dating That Dude From Soul Asylum reminds us of how great bizarro fiction was. As a whole this is a collection that seems weird on the surface, but then you look at it deeper and realize there's something else going on. This is a guy who's probably insane, and drunk. What kind of voices does he hear as he's writing? I bet he's listening to Ratt's Round And Round on repeat and then later, making tiny coffins for chicken nuggets.
Heres' the deal. If you like you're fiction weird plus totally insane, this is one you have to read, It's a great collection of stories from the mind of someone who should seek therapy. It's a book you should read, and read often. There's no filler in this one. Each story is just as messed up as the last one, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The only sad part for me was when it was all over, but I do have Tear Clown Junkies so I'll read that again and all will be right in the universe. Thank you Mr. Hackle for being your weird self.
June 23, 2017
Carrie - Stephen King 5/5 stars ...
Carrie - Stephen King 5/5 stars
Stephen King was called the master of modern horror for a reason. His first published novel is a classic that shows us the dark side of human nature, and holds up extremely well forty three years later. Carrie is a short read, but one that packs one hell of a punch. No one could have suspected that he would be such an influntial writer, but reading Carrie you can see it. There's something about Carrie that makes it unique. It's all in the way the story is told. While most authors are content to tell the story in one style, he chooses to give us different angles to draw us deeper into the story. What seperates King is that in Carrie, the horror isn't based on a monster, but a character who has a special ability that begins to appear after her first period.
The strength in Carrie is in fact Carrie herself. You can't help but feel for her and the ridicule she's subjected to by her peers, and the over bearing religious beliefs of her mother. It's these two factors that form the back bone of the novel. King weaves these two elements together seamlessly, and what I have always loved about this novel is how he's able to make you feel as if you're a part of the story. You're able to feel as if you know Carrie because as kids, we all knew someone like her. As the novel progresses we see how one act of kindness can go terribly wrong. King wants us to feel Carrie's pain, he wants us to identify with her. Instead of being just another horror novel it becomes something else. Something much darker, and terrifying.
As far as debuts go, this one is perfect. King's style does shift a little over the course of his career, but in Carrie you see a writer finding his footing, but he's still a great story teller. The early novels were always well written, and gave us something different. Carrie is no exception. This just happens to be the beginning of his career, and what a beginning it was. This is a perfect horror novel that shows us that we don't need monsters, or demons to make a story scary. A bullied girl with telekinesis exacts her revenge, but there's much more to the story. King's early work was a huge influence on me, and it's still just as amazing as I remember it. While he may not be as good as he used to be, you can see glimpses of his greatness here in Carrie. Stephen King truly was the master of modern horror and Carrie proves it.
Stephen King was called the master of modern horror for a reason. His first published novel is a classic that shows us the dark side of human nature, and holds up extremely well forty three years later. Carrie is a short read, but one that packs one hell of a punch. No one could have suspected that he would be such an influntial writer, but reading Carrie you can see it. There's something about Carrie that makes it unique. It's all in the way the story is told. While most authors are content to tell the story in one style, he chooses to give us different angles to draw us deeper into the story. What seperates King is that in Carrie, the horror isn't based on a monster, but a character who has a special ability that begins to appear after her first period.
The strength in Carrie is in fact Carrie herself. You can't help but feel for her and the ridicule she's subjected to by her peers, and the over bearing religious beliefs of her mother. It's these two factors that form the back bone of the novel. King weaves these two elements together seamlessly, and what I have always loved about this novel is how he's able to make you feel as if you're a part of the story. You're able to feel as if you know Carrie because as kids, we all knew someone like her. As the novel progresses we see how one act of kindness can go terribly wrong. King wants us to feel Carrie's pain, he wants us to identify with her. Instead of being just another horror novel it becomes something else. Something much darker, and terrifying.
As far as debuts go, this one is perfect. King's style does shift a little over the course of his career, but in Carrie you see a writer finding his footing, but he's still a great story teller. The early novels were always well written, and gave us something different. Carrie is no exception. This just happens to be the beginning of his career, and what a beginning it was. This is a perfect horror novel that shows us that we don't need monsters, or demons to make a story scary. A bullied girl with telekinesis exacts her revenge, but there's much more to the story. King's early work was a huge influence on me, and it's still just as amazing as I remember it. While he may not be as good as he used to be, you can see glimpses of his greatness here in Carrie. Stephen King truly was the master of modern horror and Carrie proves it.
June 11, 2017
Dead Certain - Adam Mitzner 5/5 stars ...
Dead Certain - Adam Mitzner 5/5 stars
I got this on the Kindle first looks program, and I'm glad I didn't follow any of the reviews of this. If I had, I would've missed out on a pretty decent thriller. There needs to be a disclaimer about Ella, this has nothing at all to do with her double life, and it's only mentioned once in the book and it's a moment that makes no sense, but then later it does. The main thing to remember here, is it's a novel that really fits into the current trend of fiction. There's a dark undercurrent running just below the surface, and what I liked most was just how effective Mitzner was able to keep the momentum of the story going while keeping me guessing as to who was responsible for Charlotte's dissappearance. I love books that are layered with different angles. As a reader, I like it when an author attempts to try something different and succeedes.
Dead Certain seems like a simple novel, but everyone here has a secret, that's the main theme of the book. Charlotte is having an affair with three men, and one of those men has done something horrible. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Mitzner is a decent story teller who knows how to keep you engaged. He effectively places Charlotte's unfinished manuscript in as a plot device and it's an effective bit of story telling that adds to the mystery, The main question here, is what happened to Charlotte? The characters here are merely there to keep the story moving, and sometimes, you really don't get to know them enough to care about them, but that's the point. It's the story itself that captured my attention. That's what's important.
The only complaint I have is the ending. It felt rushed, and I wish the viewpoint of the guy responsible for Charlotte's disappearance came sooner. He added a dark, twisted arc to the story and I loved every second of it. There's a lot here that could have made the story more powerful, and yes even darker. Aside from that, I found Dead Certain to be a decent thriller, and exactly the type of book I enjoy. When it comes to fiction I always find myself drawn to the darker stuff that adds elements to make it interesting, and fresh. This is one of those books you simply don't read, you devour it.
I got this on the Kindle first looks program, and I'm glad I didn't follow any of the reviews of this. If I had, I would've missed out on a pretty decent thriller. There needs to be a disclaimer about Ella, this has nothing at all to do with her double life, and it's only mentioned once in the book and it's a moment that makes no sense, but then later it does. The main thing to remember here, is it's a novel that really fits into the current trend of fiction. There's a dark undercurrent running just below the surface, and what I liked most was just how effective Mitzner was able to keep the momentum of the story going while keeping me guessing as to who was responsible for Charlotte's dissappearance. I love books that are layered with different angles. As a reader, I like it when an author attempts to try something different and succeedes.
Dead Certain seems like a simple novel, but everyone here has a secret, that's the main theme of the book. Charlotte is having an affair with three men, and one of those men has done something horrible. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Mitzner is a decent story teller who knows how to keep you engaged. He effectively places Charlotte's unfinished manuscript in as a plot device and it's an effective bit of story telling that adds to the mystery, The main question here, is what happened to Charlotte? The characters here are merely there to keep the story moving, and sometimes, you really don't get to know them enough to care about them, but that's the point. It's the story itself that captured my attention. That's what's important.
The only complaint I have is the ending. It felt rushed, and I wish the viewpoint of the guy responsible for Charlotte's disappearance came sooner. He added a dark, twisted arc to the story and I loved every second of it. There's a lot here that could have made the story more powerful, and yes even darker. Aside from that, I found Dead Certain to be a decent thriller, and exactly the type of book I enjoy. When it comes to fiction I always find myself drawn to the darker stuff that adds elements to make it interesting, and fresh. This is one of those books you simply don't read, you devour it.
