Mothman Emerged

Azure House #1

by Gina Ranalli

Something is amiss in the small town of Lockwood, Washington. Something terrifying has been emerging from the surrounding woods in the dead of night: unspeakable creatures with glowing eyes and razor-sharp talons, swooping down upon unsuspecting citizens on silent black wings. When the first call comes in, Sheriff Steven Collie scoffs, but soon he and his officers have run-ins of their own, ones that no known science can explain. He quickly becomes a believer of the impossible and when a clandestine branch of the FBI arrives in town to investigate the strange happenings and grotesque deaths, all of Lockwood is under siege and praying for daybreak.

Genres: Horror

158 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Gina Ranalli is the author of several novels, including Mothman Emerged, Rumors of My Death, Praise the Dead, House of Fallen Trees, Suicide Girls in the Afterlife, Chemical Gardens, Wall of Kiss, and Mother Puncher. Her collection, 13 Thorns (with Gus Fink) won the Wonderland Book Award for Best Story Collection of 2007. Her short stories have appeared in numerous publications including Bits of the Dead, The Beast Within, Horror Library Volume 3, and Dead Science, among others.

Gina lives in Washington state where she is working on her next novel. You can communicate with her online at www.ginaranalli.com and on twitter at http://twitter.com/GinaRanalli

Reviews

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago a friend asked me which author I'd like to trade brains with for a day. My response was automatic: Gina Ranalli. Besides being the reigning queen of strange horror (you can also call if bizarro horror if you want), Ranalli consistently delivers top-notch fiction that's unlike anything else out there. With every new book, she brings to the table something fresh and exciting. When I heard about Mothman Emerged: A Cryptozoological Thriller, my excitement was immediate: a superb author whose work I enjoy had tackled the Mothman! As fan of cryptozoology and Ranalli's work, I had to get my hands on it. I'm glad I did.

You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed several of Gina Ranalli's bizarro titles, I've yet to see one of her more traditional horror stories that worked for me. Mothman Emerged started out well enough, but within a few chapters, I felt less interested in the characters or the monsters.

I suppose the biggest problem is, the writing doesn't feel all that believable. There's a scene where two cops are discussing an eyewitness account of a dark flying creature with glowing eyes, and one of the cops thinks after this discussion that he "just hopes it doesn't turn out to be some kids with fireworks." It's a conclusion that makes absolutely no sense given the direction of the conversation. But that's the way all of the conversations and conclusions feel to me. It's like the writer is struggling to go anywhere with the idea, and none of the characters stand out enough to make me want to know more about them.

I've tried many times over the last few months to stick with this book, but I don't feel invested enough to want to finish it. I give Mothman Emerged two stars, and I'd suggest it to fans of old movie creature features.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending sucked

The only way I can describe my feelings towards this book is to imagine waiting for Xmas and when it comes you get nothing. I will be reading the next part because it has to be better. Wish me luck.

[Crash · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending blew!

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really good. Great cryptozoological horror. Recommend!