Review of End Times at Ridgemont High by Ian Welke
Ian Welke’s short stories have appeared in KZine, Big Pulp, Zombie Jesus and Other True Stories, and the American Nightmare anthology amongst others. His first novel, The Whisperer in Dissonance, was published by Omnium Gatherum Media in 2014. Before writing full time, Ian was lucky enough to work at Blizzard Entertainment and at Runic Games. These days, when he’s not at his desk writing, Ian enjoys a variety of games. His favorites tend to be elaborate board games with many pieces and rules to confuse, though he’s happiest going mad with his characters in the Call of Cthulhu RPG.
Surf’s up, dudes! This quirky sci-fi send-up of Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a winner.
The characters in this novel are based loosely on the movie (hence the name), but that’s where the similarities end. In this well-written story that’s partly coming-of-age and horror mashup, the kids must get to the bottom of mysterious forces threatening the small coastal town of Ridgemont, and the tale spins out expertly in the hands of the author.
Evelyn MacIntire and her teenage friends risk discovery by hooded cult members as they try to solve the mystery before it’s too late, taking over everyone in Ridgemont — including Evelyn’s parents, the school’s principal, and the members of the sinister Esoteric Order of Dagon, a new church in the community.
The school stoner, Dean Bolek, is increasingly troubled by visions of jelly-like waves and menacing sea creatures the size of a barn. Chris Patkany, and his friend Mike watch helplessly as some strange force fries a full-blown Orca whale at Marine World, where they work.
Before all this started, Evelyn’s biggest worry was that she wouldn’t lose her virginity until she was in her twenties, when she could escape the strict scrutiny of her parents. Now, she and her friends must struggle just to survive as seemingly everyone in the small town but these four succumb to the threat.
The author has penned a fast-paced novel that keeps the reader’s interest up as pieces of the puzzle fall into place and the kids fight not just for their lives, but for the good of all mankind.
There are some good turns of phrase, many of them threatening and cinematic:
“One (creature) smears into black smoke and whistles around in the air above the seat, and reforms into a person-shaped field.”
“There’s a buzz in the air like water on an electrical line, but there’s no electric line to explain the hum.”
“She has the demeanor of a pissed-off lion, just looking for a gazelle to take it all out on.”
End Times at Ridgemont High is first-rate horror masquerading as a YA thriller. It’s rich and satisfying, right up to its surprise ending. You won’t be disappointed.
I give this piece of outstanding fiction five stars.
