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Tatterdemon Trilogy #1-3
The Tatterdemon Omnibus
Grab all three volumes of the spine-chilling TATTERDEMON trilogy, now available in one single money-saving volume.
In 1691 the town of Crossfall taught the witch Thessaly how to die. They beat her, they shot her, they hung her - but nothing worked. When they finally tried to bury her alive Thessaly set the field against them. The first man died as a gust of wind harrowed the meat from his bones. A root,flung like a dirty javelin, cut a second man down. Many more deaths followed. The Preacher Fell impaled the witch upon her very own broom but she dragged him down into the field to wait for three more centuries.
Three hundred years later Maddy Harker will murder her bullying husband Vic. She will bury him in the field as she buried her abusive father years before that. The very same field where the revenant spirit of Thessaly Cross lies waiting.
In three days Vic will rise again - a thing of dirt, bone and hatred.
Men will call him the Tatterdemon.
And hell - and Thessaly - will follow
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STEVE VERNON
"The genre needs new blood and Steve Vernon is quite a transfusion." –Edward Lee, author of FLESH GOTHIC and CITY INFERNAL
"If Harlan Ellison, Richard Matheson and Robert Bloch had a three-way sex romp in a hot tub, and then a team of scientists came in and filtered out the water and mixed the leftover DNA into a test tube, the resulting genetic experiment would most likely grow up into Steve Vernon." - Bookgasm
"Steve Vernon is something of an anomaly in the world of horror literature. He's one of the freshest new voices in the genre although his career has spanned twenty years. Writing with a rare swagger and confidence, Steve Vernon can lead his readers through an entire gamut of emotions from outright fear and repulsion to pity and laughter." - Cemetery Dance
"Armed with a bizarre sense of humor, a huge amount of originality, a flair for taking risks and a strong grasp of characterization - Steve's got the chops for sure." - Dark Discoveries
"Steve Vernon was born to write. He's the real deal and we're lucky to have him." - Richard Chizmar
My Mom thinks I'm pretty cool, too.
In 1691 the town of Crossfall taught the witch Thessaly how to die. They beat her, they shot her, they hung her - but nothing worked. When they finally tried to bury her alive Thessaly set the field against them. The first man died as a gust of wind harrowed the meat from his bones. A root,flung like a dirty javelin, cut a second man down. Many more deaths followed. The Preacher Fell impaled the witch upon her very own broom but she dragged him down into the field to wait for three more centuries.
Three hundred years later Maddy Harker will murder her bullying husband Vic. She will bury him in the field as she buried her abusive father years before that. The very same field where the revenant spirit of Thessaly Cross lies waiting.
In three days Vic will rise again - a thing of dirt, bone and hatred.
Men will call him the Tatterdemon.
And hell - and Thessaly - will follow
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STEVE VERNON
"The genre needs new blood and Steve Vernon is quite a transfusion." –Edward Lee, author of FLESH GOTHIC and CITY INFERNAL
"If Harlan Ellison, Richard Matheson and Robert Bloch had a three-way sex romp in a hot tub, and then a team of scientists came in and filtered out the water and mixed the leftover DNA into a test tube, the resulting genetic experiment would most likely grow up into Steve Vernon." - Bookgasm
"Steve Vernon is something of an anomaly in the world of horror literature. He's one of the freshest new voices in the genre although his career has spanned twenty years. Writing with a rare swagger and confidence, Steve Vernon can lead his readers through an entire gamut of emotions from outright fear and repulsion to pity and laughter." - Cemetery Dance
"Armed with a bizarre sense of humor, a huge amount of originality, a flair for taking risks and a strong grasp of characterization - Steve's got the chops for sure." - Dark Discoveries
"Steve Vernon was born to write. He's the real deal and we're lucky to have him." - Richard Chizmar
My Mom thinks I'm pretty cool, too.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2012
7 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Steve Vernon
248 books205 followersHi! I'm Steve Vernon and I'd love to scare you. Along the way I'll entertain you. I guarantee a giggle as well.
If I listed all of the books I've written I'd bore you - and I am allergic to boring.
Instead, let me recommend one single book of mine.
Pick up SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME for an example of true Steve Vernon storytelling. It's hockey and vampires for folks who love hockey and vampires - and for folks who don't!
For more up-to-date info please follow my blog at:
http://stevevernonstoryteller.wordpre...
And follow me at Twitter:
@StephenVernon
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
If I listed all of the books I've written I'd bore you - and I am allergic to boring.
Instead, let me recommend one single book of mine.
Pick up SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME for an example of true Steve Vernon storytelling. It's hockey and vampires for folks who love hockey and vampires - and for folks who don't!
For more up-to-date info please follow my blog at:
http://stevevernonstoryteller.wordpre...
And follow me at Twitter:
@StephenVernon
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 21, 2022
The wind grew gray with dust, straw and flesh. The earth opened in great cratered swallowing mouths. The townsfolk all died screaming. Only Fell remained. He stared at the carnage, as helpless as a snared rabbit. “Witches sow, Fell. Witches sow and men must reap.”
A cheesy, funny, gory and entertaining read with strong 80s b-horror movies vibes, but the awesome opening scene in the prologue, with the witch Thessaly being dragged down into the field with Father Fell to wait three centuries for her vengeance, it made me chuckle because it reminded me a lot the one from The Monster Squad (1987) comedy flick.
Mind you, Helliard didn’t shoot nobody he knew. That would leave way too much motive hanging out there in the wind for some lawman to catch hold, like the tail of a kite. No sir, the only people Helliard shot were strangers he met on the road. He buried them deep in the woods a mile out past the town. Yes sir, Helliard was a real bad fucker.
Just add a little bit of splatterpunk/extreme horror as cherry on cake, and you have here a nearly perfect halloween tale expecting to be read.
It was Saturday morning. The sun was crawling from beneath the distant hills. She didn’t know it, but she would sleep until Sunday. Behind her, forgotten in the field, the dirt and straw gave way. The root poked out like a blind worm. It twisted this way and that. Then the root bent like a thirsty leech and sucked at the clots of blood still soaking, deep into the dirt.
Not bad at all if you are in the right mood to read it, just beware: the trigger warning list is very long, so this cheap omnibus collecting the whole Tatterdemon trilogy is not going to be many people’s favorite cup of tea.
“I already told you. We need to get to a church.” “Old or new?” “Older is better. There’s power in tradition.” “They closed it down.” Wendy Joe said. “Closed what down?” “The church. They closed it down.” “Closed a church? What the hell will they do next? Baptise Satan?” “The reverend hung himself.” “Well no blessed wonder he hung himself,” Momma Clavis said. “They closed his church.”
So, if you are not offended by lots of profanity, black humor, sexual assaults, rapes, bloody gory deaths, and sometimes horny zombie scarecrow demons rampaging around, just spend 0.99 cents to get this ebook for your kindle and enjoy the ride.
“Ding dong, the witch is dead.” the Tatterdemon rumbled in Vic’s voice. He was ready to play. “No more boss, no more woman to listen to. I got the power now.” “I’ll show you power,” Maddy screamed.
A funny and entertaining gritty read.
June 8, 2020
3.5 Stars
Well that was a pretty darn disturbing book. As someone who is always looking for dark horror books, this one delivered. I personally love reading about demons and these ones were really, really evil.
I am tempted to call Steve Vernon the "Canadian Stephen King". In so many ways, his style felt incredibly reminiscent of the stories from "the King of Horror". Like King's novels, this one was very character focused, capturing the obscurities of small town life and providing backstories of the various characters.
Of the characters, I found Maddy to be the most compelling perspective. Unfortunately, I was never quite as invested in the other townspeople. I personally would have preferred a shorter, more streamlined narrative, but I (not surprisingly) have the exact same criticism of King's work.
Readers should be aware that this novel is incredibly crude and vulgar. The characters were all quite unlikeable and, often, downright vile. I need to give huge content warnings for domestic abuse and sexual violence including on-page rape. I can handle a lot of offensive subject matter in my horror stories, but I felt that the sexual violence was not sensitively handled in this one. It's so common in horror stories to have horrific moments arise from violence against women (or the threat of violence) and I am just personally tired of seeing that the trope.
Needless to say, this story was intense and pretty darn scary at times. With the dead rising as demonic scarecrows, there were some incredibly creepy scenes throughout this novel. Despite being set around Easter, this book has a lot of spooky, witchy fall vibes which would make it an excellent Halloween read.
I would recommend this novel to fans of classic horror stories in the vein of Stephen King. Just be prepared for rather dark and disturbing tale.
Disclaimer: I received an audio review copy from the author.
Well that was a pretty darn disturbing book. As someone who is always looking for dark horror books, this one delivered. I personally love reading about demons and these ones were really, really evil.
I am tempted to call Steve Vernon the "Canadian Stephen King". In so many ways, his style felt incredibly reminiscent of the stories from "the King of Horror". Like King's novels, this one was very character focused, capturing the obscurities of small town life and providing backstories of the various characters.
Of the characters, I found Maddy to be the most compelling perspective. Unfortunately, I was never quite as invested in the other townspeople. I personally would have preferred a shorter, more streamlined narrative, but I (not surprisingly) have the exact same criticism of King's work.
Readers should be aware that this novel is incredibly crude and vulgar. The characters were all quite unlikeable and, often, downright vile. I need to give huge content warnings for domestic abuse and sexual violence including on-page rape. I can handle a lot of offensive subject matter in my horror stories, but I felt that the sexual violence was not sensitively handled in this one. It's so common in horror stories to have horrific moments arise from violence against women (or the threat of violence) and I am just personally tired of seeing that the trope.
Needless to say, this story was intense and pretty darn scary at times. With the dead rising as demonic scarecrows, there were some incredibly creepy scenes throughout this novel. Despite being set around Easter, this book has a lot of spooky, witchy fall vibes which would make it an excellent Halloween read.
I would recommend this novel to fans of classic horror stories in the vein of Stephen King. Just be prepared for rather dark and disturbing tale.
Disclaimer: I received an audio review copy from the author.
June 30, 2012
This is the story of an ancient evil. Three hundred years previously Thessaly Cross was condemned to death for being a witch. Despite many attempts to kill her, she remained alive. Eventually Preacher Fell decided to bury her alive. Then she set the field on the townspeople, many were killed that day and in desperation the Preacher impaled himself on her broomstick and she pulled him down into the soil with her. Fast forward three hundred years and Maddy Harker is fed up of being constantly abused by her husband Vic, so she murders him with a frying pan. She buries him in the field where Thessaly's remains lay. Three days later he comes back, a monster born of hatred, soil and bone. Now the town is in trouble as Vic proclaims himself the Straw King, the Tatterdemon, commanding an army of zombie scarecrows. Thus begins the ancient battle of evil versus good, and all the while Thessaly is plotting and waiting....
I am a little worried about this review. Not because I hated the book, far from it, I loved it. I am worried anything I say will not do it justice! To me reading it felt like a classic Stephen King (think The Stand) with some vintage Richard Laymon thrown in. I was gripped from page one. The battle of good against evil is a timeless one but the idea of zombie scarecrows was both different and brilliant. It was tense in places, gory in others but it also had a lot of tongue in cheek humour thrown in. Some scenes really cracked me up. I have read Steve's work before and he never fails to disappoint, this being no exception. Trust me when I say this is a this is out of the ball park and a home run!
I am a little worried about this review. Not because I hated the book, far from it, I loved it. I am worried anything I say will not do it justice! To me reading it felt like a classic Stephen King (think The Stand) with some vintage Richard Laymon thrown in. I was gripped from page one. The battle of good against evil is a timeless one but the idea of zombie scarecrows was both different and brilliant. It was tense in places, gory in others but it also had a lot of tongue in cheek humour thrown in. Some scenes really cracked me up. I have read Steve's work before and he never fails to disappoint, this being no exception. Trust me when I say this is a this is out of the ball park and a home run!
December 6, 2012
I bought this almost solely on the review posted at http://thehorrorbooth.com/2012/09/04/... . The cover art, the blurb, and the review all convinced me, plus I had already read one of Mr. Vernon's novels and know how good is his writing. [http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...]
Review of Tatterdemon by Steve Vernon
5 stars
A graphic, gory, violent-ridden horror novel, “Tatterdemon” stood my hair on end. Wildly creative, with a good premise, the story is stomach-churning but I consider it worth the read. A subtle trace of wry humour kept me chuckling in the midst of the terrors, sorely needed because these entities are pretty near implacable. Certainly the title character-who was no great shakes when alive-is similar to a Juggernaut. Think you know scarecrows? Think again: fields aren’t just for sowing crops. Sometimes they’re for harvesting scarecrow entities from the corpses of anything: human, animal, what have you-throw it into the mix (into the soil) and it comes back ambulatory and deadly.
Set in Nova Scotia, “Tatterdemon” is the story of the community of Crossfall and its environs, a fated locale if I ever read of one (think Roanoke Island, with killings instead of disappearances). All I know is, I never want to live there!
Review of Tatterdemon by Steve Vernon
5 stars
A graphic, gory, violent-ridden horror novel, “Tatterdemon” stood my hair on end. Wildly creative, with a good premise, the story is stomach-churning but I consider it worth the read. A subtle trace of wry humour kept me chuckling in the midst of the terrors, sorely needed because these entities are pretty near implacable. Certainly the title character-who was no great shakes when alive-is similar to a Juggernaut. Think you know scarecrows? Think again: fields aren’t just for sowing crops. Sometimes they’re for harvesting scarecrow entities from the corpses of anything: human, animal, what have you-throw it into the mix (into the soil) and it comes back ambulatory and deadly.
Set in Nova Scotia, “Tatterdemon” is the story of the community of Crossfall and its environs, a fated locale if I ever read of one (think Roanoke Island, with killings instead of disappearances). All I know is, I never want to live there!
October 15, 2020
For those looking for a witchy horror story with gore and cheese look no further!
The story opens with the scene of the witch and aka broom woman Thessaly Cross being buried alive by the men of the town Crossfall in the year 1691 after trying everything they could to kill her. What they didn’t know is she would be resurrected in the current day by wielding her power through Vic, the abusive husband of Mandy whom she ends up murdering after a heated argument between them and buried in the field only to have him rise from the dead as the Tatterdemon.
Vernon is such an entertaining author and honestly hooked me from start to finish. For me it was the perfect balance of gore and cheese and although I wasn’t scared throughout the book (never have been scared reading a book though) there were many moments throughout where I shuddered and was glad I didn’t have a sensitive stomach.
There are three parts/books - Revenant, Resurrection and Requiem but they blended together seamlessly for me.
Some trigger warnings: rape/sexual assault, animal deaths, abuse and lots of gore. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who can’t read through the above. But if you are able to sit through those things the narrative is entertaining and horrific.
I would love to see this turned into a movie. I feel it would translate really well and would be very entertaining.
The story opens with the scene of the witch and aka broom woman Thessaly Cross being buried alive by the men of the town Crossfall in the year 1691 after trying everything they could to kill her. What they didn’t know is she would be resurrected in the current day by wielding her power through Vic, the abusive husband of Mandy whom she ends up murdering after a heated argument between them and buried in the field only to have him rise from the dead as the Tatterdemon.
Vernon is such an entertaining author and honestly hooked me from start to finish. For me it was the perfect balance of gore and cheese and although I wasn’t scared throughout the book (never have been scared reading a book though) there were many moments throughout where I shuddered and was glad I didn’t have a sensitive stomach.
There are three parts/books - Revenant, Resurrection and Requiem but they blended together seamlessly for me.
Some trigger warnings: rape/sexual assault, animal deaths, abuse and lots of gore. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who can’t read through the above. But if you are able to sit through those things the narrative is entertaining and horrific.
I would love to see this turned into a movie. I feel it would translate really well and would be very entertaining.
May 8, 2018
What, exactly, is happening in Crossfall?
The execution of a witch, 300 years earlier, by a local Minister - is beginning to be reborn....and with her, the rise of an ancient evil, tied to the earth and fields...
Why are Scarecrows coming to life? And what do they hope to accomplish with their un-life?
Read and find out....
I had no problem with the violence and language in this book....enjoyed reading every second of it. Take a chance - spend $.99 cents...what's that in Canadian $$$....LOL.
Jeff McIntosh
The execution of a witch, 300 years earlier, by a local Minister - is beginning to be reborn....and with her, the rise of an ancient evil, tied to the earth and fields...
Why are Scarecrows coming to life? And what do they hope to accomplish with their un-life?
Read and find out....
I had no problem with the violence and language in this book....enjoyed reading every second of it. Take a chance - spend $.99 cents...what's that in Canadian $$$....LOL.
Jeff McIntosh
Read
August 14, 2017I got 42% of the way through and just couldn't do any more. It's just not my kind of book. It's one of those gratuitous violence/swearing/sex books and I just don't have time for these. I know it's right up someone's alley and that's awesome. If you want a mindless read with a lot of action and violence, messed up sex junk (think: incest and rape), and characters that are really more caricature than character, this books is just for you.
June 30, 2012
Welcome to Crossfall, where 300 years of festering hatred has just boiled over. Nearly everyone in this book has a nasty little secret that they are waiting to share with you, so come on in. The characters are dark, gritty, and in your face. Everything a horror lover could ask for, be it voodoo,murder, or bodies in the freezer are neatly wrapped for you in this well told tale.
June 1, 2015
A fair amount of editing is still needed, but overall the book paints a decent picture of the kind of '80s horror that I grew up loving.
October 31, 2013
Steve Vernon's 'Tatterdemon' is a horror like no other! It is more than appropriate to read at this time of year during the harvest and Halloween season! Highly recommended for adults only due to its violent, gory and horrific theme, Tatterdemon is full of terrifying tales as well as being one complete horrifying nightmare based in the small town of Crossfall. The town's people have all been cursed by Thessaly Cross, a witch, 300 years previous and now after a wife-beating husband is killed by his wife he returns from being buried in his field as a zombie scarecrow – the Tatterdemon! Many of the local folk begin to take their personal matters into their own hands and face the ones they feel ridiculed or belittled by. As each person is killed the Tatterdemon is able to have them buried and then begins to raise the dead for more mayhem and to destroy the town of Crossfall for good!
The prologue introduces the reader to Thessaly Cross, a witch who has been condemned by the townsfolk and is being buried alive, after many various methods of trying to kill her has failed. She accuses them of trying to take her land and as she is being buried she ensures that she leaves the people of Crossfall with a curse for their descendants to encounter some 300 years later. We then fast forward to the present where Maddy Harker has had enough of her violent and abusive husband and kills him spontaneously with a frying pan after he comes home late complaining about his dinner or lack of it. Maddy then buries her husband, Vic, in the very same field that Thessaly Cross had been buried in all of those years before. Only for Vic to be raised from the dead as a demon of the witch, the Tatterdemon, a somewhat strange and scary vision of a scarecrow mixed together with mud, straw and of course Vic.
From the very beginning the reader is introduced to the atmosphere of Tatterdemon. It is dark and horrific, tense and terrifying with a great deal of violence and gore. Tatterdemon is certainly not for the young reader or those faint of heart, however it provides a story complete with action and evil depths that provides readers of the horror genre something profound to become gripped with instantaneously. It is a nail-biting and under-the covers type of read and works brilliantly late at night with the lights dimmed! Steve Vernon also shares his sense of humour which really relieves the tension and calms the blood in between the most tense scenes before it begins to boil with adrenalin again for more fear.
One of my favourite aspects of Tatterdemon are the characters. Many of them seem to be going through their own personal ordeals, however they are familiar with each other and as their paths cross their own troubles do too. From the victim of an abusive husband, Maddy, to the grieving husband of a suicide victim (who just so happens to keep his wife's body in his freezer at home – and that is the Chief of Police for you), you can already begin to imagine what life might be like in Crossfall. From the creepy peeking mailman to the reclusive circus freak living reclusively in a trailer and to many, many more wonderful and weird characters. Tatterdemon in many respects is a fascinating read from the vivid imagination of Steve Vernon. If this genre is for you, Tatterdemon will tick all of the boxes that intrigues you and draws you in to this surreality.
Within each chapter the reader visits the different characters of Crossfall. And even though they have their own story to tell they are not too dissimilar from each other. The chapters themselves are broken down into smaller sections so that the reader can discover which character is doing what. In this way there is no waiting pages or whole chapters to find out what your favourite character is up to. The chapters have been put together cleverly and carefully in this manner. I also found this method to be faster to read and keep up with the story, especially with Vernon's style of writing that is direct and easy to follow, allowing for plenty of momentum and horror to build up!
To make Tatterdemon the perfect horror story Steve Vernon hasn't missed a thing from this genre. Tatterdemon holds it all, from witches, ghosts, zombies and killer scarecrows and complete with resurrections, spells and voodoo. There is no shortage of crime with murders and suicides taking place regularly. Yes, Tatterdemon is very disturbing but for all of the right reasons in this fantastic fun and gruesome horror!
Tatterdemon was provided by the author, Steve Vernon, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.
The prologue introduces the reader to Thessaly Cross, a witch who has been condemned by the townsfolk and is being buried alive, after many various methods of trying to kill her has failed. She accuses them of trying to take her land and as she is being buried she ensures that she leaves the people of Crossfall with a curse for their descendants to encounter some 300 years later. We then fast forward to the present where Maddy Harker has had enough of her violent and abusive husband and kills him spontaneously with a frying pan after he comes home late complaining about his dinner or lack of it. Maddy then buries her husband, Vic, in the very same field that Thessaly Cross had been buried in all of those years before. Only for Vic to be raised from the dead as a demon of the witch, the Tatterdemon, a somewhat strange and scary vision of a scarecrow mixed together with mud, straw and of course Vic.
From the very beginning the reader is introduced to the atmosphere of Tatterdemon. It is dark and horrific, tense and terrifying with a great deal of violence and gore. Tatterdemon is certainly not for the young reader or those faint of heart, however it provides a story complete with action and evil depths that provides readers of the horror genre something profound to become gripped with instantaneously. It is a nail-biting and under-the covers type of read and works brilliantly late at night with the lights dimmed! Steve Vernon also shares his sense of humour which really relieves the tension and calms the blood in between the most tense scenes before it begins to boil with adrenalin again for more fear.
One of my favourite aspects of Tatterdemon are the characters. Many of them seem to be going through their own personal ordeals, however they are familiar with each other and as their paths cross their own troubles do too. From the victim of an abusive husband, Maddy, to the grieving husband of a suicide victim (who just so happens to keep his wife's body in his freezer at home – and that is the Chief of Police for you), you can already begin to imagine what life might be like in Crossfall. From the creepy peeking mailman to the reclusive circus freak living reclusively in a trailer and to many, many more wonderful and weird characters. Tatterdemon in many respects is a fascinating read from the vivid imagination of Steve Vernon. If this genre is for you, Tatterdemon will tick all of the boxes that intrigues you and draws you in to this surreality.
Within each chapter the reader visits the different characters of Crossfall. And even though they have their own story to tell they are not too dissimilar from each other. The chapters themselves are broken down into smaller sections so that the reader can discover which character is doing what. In this way there is no waiting pages or whole chapters to find out what your favourite character is up to. The chapters have been put together cleverly and carefully in this manner. I also found this method to be faster to read and keep up with the story, especially with Vernon's style of writing that is direct and easy to follow, allowing for plenty of momentum and horror to build up!
To make Tatterdemon the perfect horror story Steve Vernon hasn't missed a thing from this genre. Tatterdemon holds it all, from witches, ghosts, zombies and killer scarecrows and complete with resurrections, spells and voodoo. There is no shortage of crime with murders and suicides taking place regularly. Yes, Tatterdemon is very disturbing but for all of the right reasons in this fantastic fun and gruesome horror!
Tatterdemon was provided by the author, Steve Vernon, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.
September 4, 2012
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover – is an old saying everyone has heard time and time again. The first time I saw author Steve Vernon promote this book, I was immediately drawn to the cover. That – combined with an interesting synopsis- was the perfect combination to reel me in as a reader. So in this case, the cover with the menacing Scarecrow got me.
This is a story where the past makes its presence felt in the present. The accidental or not so accidental re-awakening of an old evil. In this case, an old, evil witch named Thessaly Cross, who was buried alive 300 years ago, after many failed attempts by the people in the town of Crossfall to kill her after having condemmed her. A Preacher at the time, sacrificed himself in order to bury her, but that incident so long ago would come back to haunt this town.
We are introduced to several characters in present-day Crossfall, including Maddy Harker – a woman that had it with being in an abusive marriage and ends up killing her hubby Vic with one of the most devastating weapons ever conceived…a frying pan. She buries the bastard in the same field where the witch Thesally Cross had been buried three centuries ago. Three days later, Vic returns from the field – looking like a Scarecrow from Hell, filled with an unbelievable rage, evil and a thirst for death and power. He becomes the self-proclaimed “Straw King” and TATTERDEMON. Vic goes on to commit some atrocious acts that lead to him quickly building an army of undead Scarecrows, ready to take over an entire town.
Vernon does a terrific job at intertwining all of the different characters into the story, with many interesting sub-plots along the way. The violence and gore is well-written and suits the story well and is not done for shock value alone. I’ve read much sicker material before, but Vernon’s great way with words made it all seem more real to me as the reader than some of the more overt extreme stuff out there. There is also a good amount of dry-humour trinkled throughout but never to the point where it takes away from the sheer terror going on in the story. I also appreciated some of the Canadian references Vernon put in there even though I am not from that particular part of Canada.
The final few chapters involve some of the better written action and dialogue between characters that I have read in some time. The climax moves at a blistering and entertaining pace with a satisfying ending.
This was the second Steve Vernon book I’ve read, although it is also the first full length story. I have been very entertained by his work so far and look forward to reading and reviewing some more of his stuff. I really hope someone out there reads this and wants to turn it into a horror flick – it certainly has the stuff I would consider necessary for an enjoyable horror flick.
www.thehorrorbooth.com
-JP Thorn
This is a story where the past makes its presence felt in the present. The accidental or not so accidental re-awakening of an old evil. In this case, an old, evil witch named Thessaly Cross, who was buried alive 300 years ago, after many failed attempts by the people in the town of Crossfall to kill her after having condemmed her. A Preacher at the time, sacrificed himself in order to bury her, but that incident so long ago would come back to haunt this town.
We are introduced to several characters in present-day Crossfall, including Maddy Harker – a woman that had it with being in an abusive marriage and ends up killing her hubby Vic with one of the most devastating weapons ever conceived…a frying pan. She buries the bastard in the same field where the witch Thesally Cross had been buried three centuries ago. Three days later, Vic returns from the field – looking like a Scarecrow from Hell, filled with an unbelievable rage, evil and a thirst for death and power. He becomes the self-proclaimed “Straw King” and TATTERDEMON. Vic goes on to commit some atrocious acts that lead to him quickly building an army of undead Scarecrows, ready to take over an entire town.
Vernon does a terrific job at intertwining all of the different characters into the story, with many interesting sub-plots along the way. The violence and gore is well-written and suits the story well and is not done for shock value alone. I’ve read much sicker material before, but Vernon’s great way with words made it all seem more real to me as the reader than some of the more overt extreme stuff out there. There is also a good amount of dry-humour trinkled throughout but never to the point where it takes away from the sheer terror going on in the story. I also appreciated some of the Canadian references Vernon put in there even though I am not from that particular part of Canada.
The final few chapters involve some of the better written action and dialogue between characters that I have read in some time. The climax moves at a blistering and entertaining pace with a satisfying ending.
This was the second Steve Vernon book I’ve read, although it is also the first full length story. I have been very entertained by his work so far and look forward to reading and reviewing some more of his stuff. I really hope someone out there reads this and wants to turn it into a horror flick – it certainly has the stuff I would consider necessary for an enjoyable horror flick.
www.thehorrorbooth.com
-JP Thorn
November 5, 2014
This book didn't scare the crap out of me. There are things in it that are scary but I'm somewhat numb to the graphic violence. I don't want to give spoilers but Maddy, and her back-story that slowly unfolds over the course of the book, oh my goddess - terrifying! I'm an infertile woman who plans to adopt and that story line feeds on a fear that I will get a little girl with a similar back ground. But, at the same time, that idea reaffirms why there's a need for infertile women like me - because there are kids like Maddy who need. I wound up with a melancholic hope rather than being afraid and this is 100% my bias. I point it out to illustrate Mr. Vernon's ability to pluck an emotional chord, which is something I've experienced with many of his other works.
Then, there's the humor. I did LMAO frequently. The belladonna twist - that still tickles me and I finished the book a couple days ago. The humor, and the manipulation of the scarecrow symbol, made me think about that movie Pumpkinhead. You know that scene when you can see Pumpkinhead's tennis shoes? This story has intentional tennis shoes popping out all over the place, especially for people familiar with witchcraft and hoodoo or the horror genre.
Then, there's the humor. I did LMAO frequently. The belladonna twist - that still tickles me and I finished the book a couple days ago. The humor, and the manipulation of the scarecrow symbol, made me think about that movie Pumpkinhead. You know that scene when you can see Pumpkinhead's tennis shoes? This story has intentional tennis shoes popping out all over the place, especially for people familiar with witchcraft and hoodoo or the horror genre.
November 21, 2013
The first half of this book was fantastic. The dialogue and narrative sparkles with wit and humour, reminiscent of Joe R. Lansdale. This was easily a 5 star book until the half way mark was passed. Unfortunately, the second half of the story quickly deteriorates into fairly mundane horror/action set pieces and the funny dialogue starts to get annoying as the realisation dawns that literally every character in the book is possessed of an unending list of one liners and witty responses.
There are also editorial issues. The worst of which is that one scene is played out twice, as if the author rewrote the scene and then forgot to remove the original draft. This happens at 49-50% on the Kindle where Marvin the mailman goes to see Maddy then a few pages later he arrives again.
This is the second Vernon book I have read recently and both had the same issues. Amazing first half, lacklustre second half.
There are also editorial issues. The worst of which is that one scene is played out twice, as if the author rewrote the scene and then forgot to remove the original draft. This happens at 49-50% on the Kindle where Marvin the mailman goes to see Maddy then a few pages later he arrives again.
This is the second Vernon book I have read recently and both had the same issues. Amazing first half, lacklustre second half.
November 20, 2015
Okay - so I wrote this - so I am NOT going to add a star rating.
I won't even jump up and down and brag about it.
I will tell you one thing and one thing only.
If this book does not scare the blue screaming poop out of you then you had better find yourself a truckload of laxatives.
I am talking heavy-duty bran and buckets of prune juice.
That is all.
Pick up a copy today.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
I won't even jump up and down and brag about it.
I will tell you one thing and one thing only.
If this book does not scare the blue screaming poop out of you then you had better find yourself a truckload of laxatives.
I am talking heavy-duty bran and buckets of prune juice.
That is all.
Pick up a copy today.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
October 29, 2020
This book was a hot mess. All the characters are horrid, new characters are being introduced halfway through the book, there is gore for the sake of it and let’s not forget every offensive sexual act that has ever been depicted in a book is penned here. The book has potential to be a really good story but doesn’t make it. Excellent concept;dismal execution
September 15, 2017
I should start off by saying that I’m not much of a “horror guy”, the biggest scare I’m used too is the price of gasoline before a three-day weekend, but decided to give it a try. I should also mention that I read it as an ebook, which was a first for me, since I prefer to hold a “real” book.
Set within rural Nova Scotia, the story revolves around a witch that was murdered, and 300 years later, the evil within her soul flows through the town of Crossfall and affects many of its citizens with fatal and graphic results. Speaking of violence, the whole book is “splattered” with dismemberment, gunshots, brutality, and rape so it might not be for younger readers.
While the descriptive violence and swearing is common within the story, it’s well written and services to continue the story. More than once, I found myself chuckling over a particularity witty “one-liner”, or sarcastic bit of dialogue. I suspect Mr. Vernon has a “dry” sense of humour, I hope to share a drink with him someday and test that out.
If I’m to say anything negative about the story is that it didn’t read like rural Nova Scotia to me. It reminded me more of a prairie town, almost the set of “The Dukes of Hazard”, but that didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment.
In closing, if you’re looking for the PERFECT harvest time read, and with Halloween only a month away who isn’t, I suggest you grab yourself “The Tatterdemon”. I truly feel that this will be a story I come back too in future years when I want to read a tale of good vs. evil with, clever writing and buckets of blood!
My review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Set within rural Nova Scotia, the story revolves around a witch that was murdered, and 300 years later, the evil within her soul flows through the town of Crossfall and affects many of its citizens with fatal and graphic results. Speaking of violence, the whole book is “splattered” with dismemberment, gunshots, brutality, and rape so it might not be for younger readers.
While the descriptive violence and swearing is common within the story, it’s well written and services to continue the story. More than once, I found myself chuckling over a particularity witty “one-liner”, or sarcastic bit of dialogue. I suspect Mr. Vernon has a “dry” sense of humour, I hope to share a drink with him someday and test that out.
If I’m to say anything negative about the story is that it didn’t read like rural Nova Scotia to me. It reminded me more of a prairie town, almost the set of “The Dukes of Hazard”, but that didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment.
In closing, if you’re looking for the PERFECT harvest time read, and with Halloween only a month away who isn’t, I suggest you grab yourself “The Tatterdemon”. I truly feel that this will be a story I come back too in future years when I want to read a tale of good vs. evil with, clever writing and buckets of blood!
My review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
June 6, 2023
This was a VERY interesting book.
I really enjoy books with short chapters as well as books that jump from one point of view to the other.
I can honestly say I never knew what was going to happen next in this book, and for how many characters introduced I never felt like I was lost, it was very easy to follow.
I was expecting some sort of old timey period piece about a witches curse and was INCREDIBLY surprised that this was absolutely in no way that.
I haven’t read anything like this and I completely enjoyed every second of it.
I really enjoy books with short chapters as well as books that jump from one point of view to the other.
I can honestly say I never knew what was going to happen next in this book, and for how many characters introduced I never felt like I was lost, it was very easy to follow.
I was expecting some sort of old timey period piece about a witches curse and was INCREDIBLY surprised that this was absolutely in no way that.
I haven’t read anything like this and I completely enjoyed every second of it.
readers-advisory
January 3, 2024Comp to Stephen King.
August 15, 2014
From the Description:
In 1691 the town of Crossfall taught the witch Thessaly how to die. They beat her, they shot her, they hung her - but nothing worked. When they finally tried to bury her alive Thessaly set the field against them. The first man died as a gust of wind harrowed the meat from his bones. A root,flung like a dirty javelin, cut a second man down. Many more deaths followed. The Preacher Fell impaled the witch upon her very own broom but she dragged him down into the field to wait for three more centuries.
Three hundred years later Maddy Harker will murder her bullying husband Vic. She will bury him in the field as she buried her abusive father years before that. The very same field where the revenant spirit of Thessaly Cross lies waiting.
In three days Vic will rise again - a thing of dirt, bone and hatred.
Men will call him the Tatterdemon.
And hell - and Thessaly - will follow.
PRAISE FOR STEVE VERNON:
"This genre needs new blood and Steve Vernon is quite a transfusion." - Ed Lee
"Steve Vernon was born to write. He's the real deal and we're lucky to have him." - Richard Chizmar
"Armed with a bizarre sense of humor, a huge amount of originality, a flair for taking risks and a strong grasp of characterization - Steve's got the
chops for sure." - Dark Discoveries
"This book is EVIL!" - Keith Blackwood
I can sum up this book in two hilarious words for you: Redneck Zombies. Now let that marinate for a few seconds. What does it bring to mind?? Whatever it is it won't be as funny and perverse as the thrill ride that is Tatterdemon. Full of funny characters and fun this book had me laughing out loud one minute and groaning with the ickiness of it the next. I guarantee this is the only book I've ever read that has one of the main characters praying to Lorena Bobbitt the patron saint of castrations. Steve Vernon is a great writer and I recommend you grab one of his books quickly! A fast paced perverse thrill ride that well deserves the 4.5 stars.
In 1691 the town of Crossfall taught the witch Thessaly how to die. They beat her, they shot her, they hung her - but nothing worked. When they finally tried to bury her alive Thessaly set the field against them. The first man died as a gust of wind harrowed the meat from his bones. A root,flung like a dirty javelin, cut a second man down. Many more deaths followed. The Preacher Fell impaled the witch upon her very own broom but she dragged him down into the field to wait for three more centuries.
Three hundred years later Maddy Harker will murder her bullying husband Vic. She will bury him in the field as she buried her abusive father years before that. The very same field where the revenant spirit of Thessaly Cross lies waiting.
In three days Vic will rise again - a thing of dirt, bone and hatred.
Men will call him the Tatterdemon.
And hell - and Thessaly - will follow.
PRAISE FOR STEVE VERNON:
"This genre needs new blood and Steve Vernon is quite a transfusion." - Ed Lee
"Steve Vernon was born to write. He's the real deal and we're lucky to have him." - Richard Chizmar
"Armed with a bizarre sense of humor, a huge amount of originality, a flair for taking risks and a strong grasp of characterization - Steve's got the
chops for sure." - Dark Discoveries
"This book is EVIL!" - Keith Blackwood
I can sum up this book in two hilarious words for you: Redneck Zombies. Now let that marinate for a few seconds. What does it bring to mind?? Whatever it is it won't be as funny and perverse as the thrill ride that is Tatterdemon. Full of funny characters and fun this book had me laughing out loud one minute and groaning with the ickiness of it the next. I guarantee this is the only book I've ever read that has one of the main characters praying to Lorena Bobbitt the patron saint of castrations. Steve Vernon is a great writer and I recommend you grab one of his books quickly! A fast paced perverse thrill ride that well deserves the 4.5 stars.
March 8, 2015
Graphic 18 on up.
I heard that is was a great book and it would be right up my alley.
As soon as I started reading I was impressed, the momentum picked up the author was very descriptive I was like damn this is going to be an amazing book.
Then I was thrown a whole lot of characters. Now normally three or four different characters I have no problem with. But there were more than that and even though it all flowed together eventually at times I just seemed to be like okay wait what character are we dealing with now.
The story starts of with a witch and a preacher. And of course this witch has cursed the descendants of this preacher. As time has gone on there seems to be a curse on the small town of Crossfall and it all starts with one character and his actions.
Then we fast forward to Maddy. She is a wife to Vic who is very abusive and this time she has had enough of his mess. She ends up killing him and burying him in the field that the witch and preacher man lay along with the broom. And once Vic is buried he comes up from the ground known as Tatterdemon.
We have Wendy, the sheriff, deputy Earl, the mailman and the so called circus freak. They each have their own personal drama and skeleton's in their closet and it all comes together nicely as the story picks up and progresses. We watch how they all come back to life because of the Tatterdemon and their secrets slowly start coming to out.
The past has to come to the future to end the rein of terror that is being caused but will it stop?
The author did a great job with the graphic portions of the story and I found myself getting the shivers and going OMG what is going to happen next.
If you are looking for good horror, zombies then I suggest you get this book.
The issues I had with the book is one grammar. There was one or two spots that had the wrong type of grammar used.
Second the author used the wrong character name a couple of times.
I heard that is was a great book and it would be right up my alley.
As soon as I started reading I was impressed, the momentum picked up the author was very descriptive I was like damn this is going to be an amazing book.
Then I was thrown a whole lot of characters. Now normally three or four different characters I have no problem with. But there were more than that and even though it all flowed together eventually at times I just seemed to be like okay wait what character are we dealing with now.
The story starts of with a witch and a preacher. And of course this witch has cursed the descendants of this preacher. As time has gone on there seems to be a curse on the small town of Crossfall and it all starts with one character and his actions.
Then we fast forward to Maddy. She is a wife to Vic who is very abusive and this time she has had enough of his mess. She ends up killing him and burying him in the field that the witch and preacher man lay along with the broom. And once Vic is buried he comes up from the ground known as Tatterdemon.
We have Wendy, the sheriff, deputy Earl, the mailman and the so called circus freak. They each have their own personal drama and skeleton's in their closet and it all comes together nicely as the story picks up and progresses. We watch how they all come back to life because of the Tatterdemon and their secrets slowly start coming to out.
The past has to come to the future to end the rein of terror that is being caused but will it stop?
The author did a great job with the graphic portions of the story and I found myself getting the shivers and going OMG what is going to happen next.
If you are looking for good horror, zombies then I suggest you get this book.
The issues I had with the book is one grammar. There was one or two spots that had the wrong type of grammar used.
Second the author used the wrong character name a couple of times.
July 20, 2013
I couldn't read this book late at night!
This book kicks off with a horrific bang and fills your imagination with scenes of madness and gore. It begins with a witch, who, due to her treatment by the townsfolk of Crossfall, curses all their descendants to suffer in nasty ways. They bury her in a field after several attempts to kill her, but this witch just won't die. A few hundred years later we are introduced to these 'descendants' and all their juicy little secrets.
There is not a single person in Cressfall who I consider entirely sane. There are murdered wife-battering husbands, dead bodies in freezers, voodoo love spells, circus freaks and a perverted mailman. Everything is going on in this small town and I pretty much loved almost all the characters.
Steve Vernon writes in a similar style to what I have seen in Stephen King novels. He tells the story from a dozen POVs, each with their own style of talking, their own naughty secret and their own personalities. All these stories begin to blend, starting a sequence of events that triggers the curse and wakes the witch. An unsuspecting Maddy, who has lived through years of torment and pain at the hands of her husband, Vic, comes to the end of her tether and hits him and buries him in the same field as the Witch. He comes back to life as the Tatterdemon, a servant of the witch, and hopes to build himself a terrifying undead army. And that isn't all....the dead are coming back to haunt the people of Crossfall!
I really liked this book. The characters were well developed, the story is fun and scary and gory. Somewhere in the middle I did become a little desensitized to the gore, but towards the third part I quickly became freaked out again. I will look forward to reading more by this Author.
This book kicks off with a horrific bang and fills your imagination with scenes of madness and gore. It begins with a witch, who, due to her treatment by the townsfolk of Crossfall, curses all their descendants to suffer in nasty ways. They bury her in a field after several attempts to kill her, but this witch just won't die. A few hundred years later we are introduced to these 'descendants' and all their juicy little secrets.
There is not a single person in Cressfall who I consider entirely sane. There are murdered wife-battering husbands, dead bodies in freezers, voodoo love spells, circus freaks and a perverted mailman. Everything is going on in this small town and I pretty much loved almost all the characters.
Steve Vernon writes in a similar style to what I have seen in Stephen King novels. He tells the story from a dozen POVs, each with their own style of talking, their own naughty secret and their own personalities. All these stories begin to blend, starting a sequence of events that triggers the curse and wakes the witch. An unsuspecting Maddy, who has lived through years of torment and pain at the hands of her husband, Vic, comes to the end of her tether and hits him and buries him in the same field as the Witch. He comes back to life as the Tatterdemon, a servant of the witch, and hopes to build himself a terrifying undead army. And that isn't all....the dead are coming back to haunt the people of Crossfall!
I really liked this book. The characters were well developed, the story is fun and scary and gory. Somewhere in the middle I did become a little desensitized to the gore, but towards the third part I quickly became freaked out again. I will look forward to reading more by this Author.
July 30, 2013
Tatterdemon begins in 1861 as Preacher Fell is locked in mortal combat with a powerful witch Thessaly which leaves both of them dragged down in to the cold earth but not before Thessaly has laid a powerful curse upon the town of Crossfall. Flash forward 300 years where Maddy Harker murders her abusive husband Vic and buries him in the very same field, though you can’t keep a bad man down.
The evil lying in the soil is a palpable force of dread which appears to have seeped into the unfortunate souls who inhabit Crossfall. The story is populated by a diverse cast of characters each of whom holds within them sinister twisted desires and secrets. All of the people of Crossfall harbour a skeleton in the closet of indeed a body in the freezer and not one of them appears to be completely sane but this is nothing compared to the madness that follows.
Three days later Vic rises again as a terrifying revenant and all hell breaks loose in a delirious maelstrom of slaughter and chaos. The body count rises quickly and the dead walk again as a malevolent and implacable undead army which falls upon the town and carnage ensues.
Vernon weaves a wonderfully gripping tale told in his inimitably lyrical style and suffused throughout with a wicked sense of black humor. Tatterdemon is told by a master of his craft, the novel progresses rapidly and it is a real page turner which I found difficult to put down. Hold on tight because this is a fabulous dark hayride which leaves you breathless and in wonder at Vernon’s marvellous and mercurial imagination. I highly recommend this novel as it is a terrific barnstorming read that evokes some of the great horror fiction of the 80’s and 90’s.
The evil lying in the soil is a palpable force of dread which appears to have seeped into the unfortunate souls who inhabit Crossfall. The story is populated by a diverse cast of characters each of whom holds within them sinister twisted desires and secrets. All of the people of Crossfall harbour a skeleton in the closet of indeed a body in the freezer and not one of them appears to be completely sane but this is nothing compared to the madness that follows.
Three days later Vic rises again as a terrifying revenant and all hell breaks loose in a delirious maelstrom of slaughter and chaos. The body count rises quickly and the dead walk again as a malevolent and implacable undead army which falls upon the town and carnage ensues.
Vernon weaves a wonderfully gripping tale told in his inimitably lyrical style and suffused throughout with a wicked sense of black humor. Tatterdemon is told by a master of his craft, the novel progresses rapidly and it is a real page turner which I found difficult to put down. Hold on tight because this is a fabulous dark hayride which leaves you breathless and in wonder at Vernon’s marvellous and mercurial imagination. I highly recommend this novel as it is a terrific barnstorming read that evokes some of the great horror fiction of the 80’s and 90’s.
March 6, 2015
Book 1:
This is a quick read, I think the page count is off slightly if it's for book 1 only. It contains quite a few different characters, all of which have different horrors going on in their life. Part of me was entertained by all the different characters and story lines, and part of me is wondering how and when they will connect. Overall entertaining and interesting read. Can't wait to read parts 2 and 3.
Book 2:
This series does need to be read in order. In book one we follow quite a few different characters, this book picks up where book one left off. The characters lives are starting to blend together, making it seem more cohesive, each one has different haunts that pull you into the story line. I am quite fascinated by this authors work. In the first book the characters aren't really tied together so you are left wondering how he is going to pull off this story line, but it is coming together quite nicely. If you are a horror fan this is definitely for you!!
Book 3:
This series does need to be read in order for complete understanding. The first book seemed like a lot of characters that did not blend completely. In book 2 the characters lives started mixing together and we gained complete comprehension of the story line. In book three we are blown out of the water by a fast paced, unique horror story. I think it is fantastic how the author used the characters to raise the bar on the horror level. Planting! I mean genius. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This is a quick read, I think the page count is off slightly if it's for book 1 only. It contains quite a few different characters, all of which have different horrors going on in their life. Part of me was entertained by all the different characters and story lines, and part of me is wondering how and when they will connect. Overall entertaining and interesting read. Can't wait to read parts 2 and 3.
Book 2:
This series does need to be read in order. In book one we follow quite a few different characters, this book picks up where book one left off. The characters lives are starting to blend together, making it seem more cohesive, each one has different haunts that pull you into the story line. I am quite fascinated by this authors work. In the first book the characters aren't really tied together so you are left wondering how he is going to pull off this story line, but it is coming together quite nicely. If you are a horror fan this is definitely for you!!
Book 3:
This series does need to be read in order for complete understanding. The first book seemed like a lot of characters that did not blend completely. In book 2 the characters lives started mixing together and we gained complete comprehension of the story line. In book three we are blown out of the water by a fast paced, unique horror story. I think it is fantastic how the author used the characters to raise the bar on the horror level. Planting! I mean genius. Can't wait to read more from this author.
March 8, 2015
Omnibus
This book is not for the faint of heart. Explicit language, overly descriptive murder scenes etc is rife.
That said. The premise of the nook is not unique what is unique is the authors voice.
This, although a horror is also a satire on the human condition and the authors voice in how he brings some very unlikely dead and alive characters to life is absolutely amazing. Not a long book but I own the omnibus so I am delighted to get straight on to reading book two.
If you are at all squeamish then I say - stay away. If not this man has talent. Explore it.
Honestly this book needs a few pause breaks. I left the omnibus to read books in-between since the book itself got to be a bit too much.
The graphic nature. Small but consistent editing issues and some character names getting confused were still not enough to change my mind....this man can write but I honestly would advise the author to work in lighter, less satirical common every day scenes since this pace got too be too much for me and I am thinking the same would be true for other readers as well.
WaAr
This book is not for the faint of heart. Explicit language, overly descriptive murder scenes etc is rife.
That said. The premise of the nook is not unique what is unique is the authors voice.
This, although a horror is also a satire on the human condition and the authors voice in how he brings some very unlikely dead and alive characters to life is absolutely amazing. Not a long book but I own the omnibus so I am delighted to get straight on to reading book two.
If you are at all squeamish then I say - stay away. If not this man has talent. Explore it.
Honestly this book needs a few pause breaks. I left the omnibus to read books in-between since the book itself got to be a bit too much.
The graphic nature. Small but consistent editing issues and some character names getting confused were still not enough to change my mind....this man can write but I honestly would advise the author to work in lighter, less satirical common every day scenes since this pace got too be too much for me and I am thinking the same would be true for other readers as well.
WaAr
July 1, 2013
After reading this book, I find I have an intense dislike of scarecrows ... actually I think I just may be terrified of them! There is something creepy about a manlike bag of straw that is hung up on a post silently watching over a field. I think a mark of a good author is when they can take an object that has long helped man with keeping crops safe from birds and turn said object into a horrifying walking and talking demon and make it believable. I know I will never look at a scarecrow the same way again! I found this story hard to put down, even when life got in the way, I was impatient to get back to it. The characters came across as real and flawed just like you and I but at the same time, they surprised me with their reactions to situations that they were thrown into - their actions weren't predictable which made for interesting storylines.
I really enjoyed this book and I am so happy I don't live in the country where there are huge fields watched over by scarecrows!
I really enjoyed this book and I am so happy I don't live in the country where there are huge fields watched over by scarecrows!
April 20, 2015
Vernon is concise when painting a vivid picture for the imagination, especially for action scenes.
This is a novella with a lot of swearing, violence, horrific detail and likeable characters taking one hell of a beating and putting up a fight throughout.
It's an imaginative rollercoaster with cliffhangers at every turn. I had a "That's it? What happened to..." moment by the end of Revenant. I had to know what happened to Maddy, Wilfred, Earl and Wendy Joe. So I immediately went back and bought the other two (got the first one on Kobo). Then kicked myself for not just buying the omnibus.
It's about the re-awakening of a curse that consumes the town of Crossfall which is not unlike any other small town in North America. It's based in eastern Canada which, to me, makes it unique in the horror genre.
This is a novella with a lot of swearing, violence, horrific detail and likeable characters taking one hell of a beating and putting up a fight throughout.
It's an imaginative rollercoaster with cliffhangers at every turn. I had a "That's it? What happened to..." moment by the end of Revenant. I had to know what happened to Maddy, Wilfred, Earl and Wendy Joe. So I immediately went back and bought the other two (got the first one on Kobo). Then kicked myself for not just buying the omnibus.
It's about the re-awakening of a curse that consumes the town of Crossfall which is not unlike any other small town in North America. It's based in eastern Canada which, to me, makes it unique in the horror genre.
September 9, 2013
Back in 1691 the citizens of Crossfalls tried to kill a witch. They shot her, they hung her and they buried her alive. When they buried her in the field men started dying. The witch had place a curse on the citizens ancestors. Almost three hundred years later the witches curse would take effect. Maddy Harker would kill her husband Vic. Vic liked to abuse Maddy for no good reason at all. One day Maddy said I have had enough of this! She picked up an iron skillet and smacked Vic on the side of his head and killed him. Maddy had to get rid of Vic body. She dragged his body up to the field and buried him. This also happened to be the same field that the witch was buried in. Strange things began to happen in the town of Crossfalls. Crossfalls was becoming a ghost town and there were very few humans left to save it.
July 2, 2014
What starts out as a very cool premise full of interesting (and often twisted) characters turns into a tale of underdeveloped ones. The idea of the witch soon dissolves into a repetitive tedium and the author's style relies too heavily upon a gross abundance of allusions, similes, & metaphors that cannot be ignored.
In this age, with the rampant necessity of self publishing, there was a blatant need of editing that seemed overlooked. Errors of grammar/punctuation/spelling were continual--not all to be blamed on the author--but on the process of self publishing. Be this as it may, the errors were enough to distract me from the story & reminded me that I was indeed reading (instead of allowing me to remain lost in the author's storytelling).
I will give Vernon another try because he has some true storytelling potential.
In this age, with the rampant necessity of self publishing, there was a blatant need of editing that seemed overlooked. Errors of grammar/punctuation/spelling were continual--not all to be blamed on the author--but on the process of self publishing. Be this as it may, the errors were enough to distract me from the story & reminded me that I was indeed reading (instead of allowing me to remain lost in the author's storytelling).
I will give Vernon another try because he has some true storytelling potential.
February 13, 2016
The Tatterdemon Omnibus :# Books 1 - 2 - 3 Trilogy)
This is the best of the year for me. My first book by this author...won't be the last , hopefully ! This book is EXCELLENT.. I t opens with a BANG! Then it only get BETTER.. The story tells of an old town that is slowly dying. The people live their lives , barely getting by. The land around them having been cursed by a witch long , long ago it s finally waking , up growing stronger, It ready to take back the souls and lives of the living and the dead. NOBODY WILL DIE EASILY...BUT THEN ..THEY COME BACK ! They are controlled by the EVIL..AND IT IS HUNGRY. YOU WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE BY THIS AUTHOR , As AM ! I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. ENJOY....
This is the best of the year for me. My first book by this author...won't be the last , hopefully ! This book is EXCELLENT.. I t opens with a BANG! Then it only get BETTER.. The story tells of an old town that is slowly dying. The people live their lives , barely getting by. The land around them having been cursed by a witch long , long ago it s finally waking , up growing stronger, It ready to take back the souls and lives of the living and the dead. NOBODY WILL DIE EASILY...BUT THEN ..THEY COME BACK ! They are controlled by the EVIL..AND IT IS HUNGRY. YOU WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE BY THIS AUTHOR , As AM ! I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. ENJOY....
November 5, 2018
So, I thoroughly recommended this book to anyone who loves 80's slasher movies, for one. for two, I would recommend to anyone who loves B movies and visceral horror. seriously this was an AWESOME trilogy, as I am a diehard fan of Children of the Corn and Friday the Thirteenth, not that this story even tangentially touches on any of those plots. But, if you are a fan of that genre, you will LOVE this! Seriously, Hollywood should take notice, since slasher films are trending, and we are seeing yet ANOTHER incarnation of Halloween. HERE is a new trope, ripe for exploitation!
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