Arboreatum

by Evans Light

Horror on the lonesome plains!

When a band of westward pioneers - lost, starving, and desperate - stumbles upon an unlikely oasis in the middle of a barren prairie, Micah wonders if his family has finally caught a lucky break...or does this new Garden of Eden hide a forgotten terror behind a veil of earthly delights?

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Novella, Supernatural, Thriller, Short Stories

86 pages, ebook

First published January 18, 2013

About the author

Evans Light is author of Screamscapes: Tales of Terror, the upcoming I Am Halloween, and more. He is editor of Doorbells at Dusk and the ongoing In Darkness, Delight horror anthology series, and is co-creator of Bad Apples: Halloween Horrors and Dead Roses: Five Dark Tales of Twisted Love.



Evans lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by thousands of vintage horror paperbacks.

Author links:

Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/EvansLight-AmazonUS

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEvansLight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvansLightAu...

Corpus Press: https://www.corpuspress.com/authors/e...

Reviews

[Lynne King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had to bring this review out again for Halloween as this author currently has another book out. I think that Evans needs far more exposure and today seems right to me. So also check out Candie Apple: A Halloween Tale

Firstly, can you imagine not eating for several days and then being persuaded to eat clay just to give you bulk and volume? Secondly, can you also imagine being in a wagon train when suddenly a religious fanatic called Lemuel has a “revelation” and wants everyone to leave the established trail? Evidently Lemuel used to be normal but his “creeping mental shift had blossomed into a full-blown messianic delusion. No surprise there. He was always rambling about finding the Garden of Eden and other such nonsense.”

As soon as I read this, I became apprehensive. I’m not really into horror but I trusted Melki’s review. I hate it when I get frightened and I don’t want to turn the page, however, this happened rather frequently in this very unusual book.

The wagon train continues on its way without listening to family man Lemuel and he persuades his good friend Samuel (strange rhyming of names here) and all of his family to follow his “revelation”. God indeed was telling his to do this and yes, they do indeed find the Promised Land. For after travelling in the “wilderness”, this magical place dramatically appears like a mirage on a ridge in the distance. Four individuals are standing there and Lemuel has his gun ready. No spoiler here.

A verdant-looking valley, with enormous trees and three houses could be seen. This was heaven for teenager Micah, Samuel’s son and also Anna, Lemuel’s daughter. They find everything is provided for them: food, water, comfort, a fully stocked smokehouse. As soon as I saw the large apple trees with their fruit, well the story then gets well and truly underway.

This is a very fast moving, beautifully described book but it is still horror and you, the reader, will get a really good taste of it. The word is “gripping” here.

I wouldn’t have missed this book for the world and I recommend it for all ages.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year eighteen thirty-nine hadn't been a good one so far, and he hoped it wouldn't end up being the one carved on his headstone.

Led by a religious zealot, two families on the brink of starvation travel across endless plains, headed to some vague promised land in the West. Miraculously, they come upon a lush paradise, a veritable oasis in the midst of the dry and dusty prarie. In a green and shady grove, there are houses, still filled with the belongings of the previous tenants. Their crazed leader becomes convinced that God has led them to the site of the original Garden of Eden.

He proclaims,
"We've checked the houses and they are vacant, every one. There's no death, no disease, no sign that anyone has lived here for a very long time; yet both dwellings are furnished and tidy, the pantry fully stocked with provisions and seed, the trees above us burdened with fruit - it's as though the Lord God himself came down from heaven and prepared this garden especially for our families' blessing."

But in this paradise, bodies don't stay buried and the trees are laden with strange fruit. This vision of Eden quickly becomes Hell on earth when it's time to reap a bitter harvest.

As this well-written story races to a horrific conclusion, it's virtually impossible to stop reading. This one will stay with me for a while, and I'll certainly think twice before heading to one of those "pick your own apples" farms next fall.

[Evans Light]

THIS IS NOT A REVIEW.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/ARBOREATUM-eboo...

AUTHOR NOTES:

This novella, ARBOREATUM, had been simmering since the summer of 2008, when I awoke at dawn one morning from an incredibly lucid dream. I ran to my desk to jot out a five page outline of the story before it slipped from my mind.

I shouldn't have worried. Bits and pieces of this strange tale had been bubbling up for the last three or four years - a bit here, a bit there - and I happily added each new piece to the tale as it came to me. I just hoped I would recognize when it was finished.

Over time this novella (that I originally envisioned as a 20-30 page short story) continued to grow, until the revelations about it finally stopped coming and I knew at long last it was time to polish it up and release it into the wild.

This is one of those stories that came to me from some unknown place that exists apart from conscious thought (Dark Curtains is another). The setting and the themes are definitely not ones that I would have purposely written.

I look forward to sitting down and reading it with fresh eyes in a couple of years, when I'm gotten some distance between me and the words. I'm sure I'll be asking myself, "Where the hell did this come from?"

(I secretly like to imagine that this story is true, but don't tell anyone I said that, okay?)

I hope you enjoy it!

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short novella that packed a punch.

A religious fanatic and his small group of followers move out west in the 1800's. On the verge of starving, they discover a small garden of Eden, guarded by two native Americans. To find out what happened from there, you'll have to read it. I will say that I will never look at my apple tree in the same way again. Recommended to fans of horrific short fiction!

[Kaisersoze · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what's even better than having an independent author on your Goodreads friends list and conversing with him in an affable manner about books that you share a common interest in? Reading the writing of said independent author and realising not only is he capable of an affable conversation about books that you share a common interest in, but that he can also write an exceptional horror story.

Such is the case with Evans Light and his novella Arboreatum.

Filled with creepy imagery and sporting a fantastic underlying concept, Arboreatum is an original and darkly fun take on two families' trek across the plains of the wild west, and the horrors they discover when they stumble across a veritable oasis in the middle of nowhere. Told from the perspective of the eldest son on the journey, Light's prose is impressively rich and mesmerising. Furthermore, I challenge anyone to honestly say they saw where this was going by the end of the first chapter.

It's tough to come up with a complaint, but in the interests of a balanced review, I didn't quite buy what took place in the final chapter and believe Arboreatum would have been an even stronger story had it ended a few pages earlier.

That opinion aside, this is classy entry into the realm of unpredictable horror. And rest assured, you'll be certain to steer clear of deals that seem to be too good to be true by the time you finish this novella.

4 Overly Juicy and Appetising Apples for Arboreatum.

[Adam Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
Evans has truly impressed me with this one.
Arboreatum is so intriguing and well written.
There was a very smooth flow to the writing. I would consider this to be a perfect horror story.
I was fortunate enough to read it before he published it and
I really got a kick out of it.
Pretty much anyone who reads this novella will be left satisfied yet eager for the next book he releases.
Well done, Evans. I love it! I hope that I can one day
startle and mesmerize even a fraction as much as you do with this
creepy tale.

[Reeda Booke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several short stories by this author and have been quite impressed. This short, creepy novella did not disappoint. Great story! Recommended.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read--Still one of my favorites of Evans--along with CRAWLSPACE.....

[Jason Parent · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's that old joke? What's worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm. Well, after reading Arboreateum, I can safely imagine something for worse than finding any segmentation or denomination of worms in an apple. In fact, I'm not picking any produce off the ground ever again.

I had previously read The Corpus Corruptum, which gave me a taste for Mr. Light's work (that collection of short stories being co-authored with Adams Light). The stories were unique, imaginative and intriguing. After reading Arboreatum, however, I can safely say Evans Light has a new fan.

If I could compare this short novel (novella? I don't know - wasn't exactly counting words) to anything, it would be The Oregon Trail (Commodore 64 version) meets certain large characters from Lord of the Rings (vagueness to prevent spoiler) meets good old-fashioned, evil mo-fo creature story. But forget all that, because this story is 100% original and a whole lot of fun. It's horror for horror fans, so if your favorite book is A Tale of Two Cities, this might not be for you. But if you like, say, Stephen King's "The Mist," this may be right for you. Its got a lot more balls than Dickens. Get it? Balls? Dickens? Is this thing on?

Ehem... anyway... it is well known (by me) that I like stories that haven't been done before. Though there is a reference to Roanoke (which, in horror, has been wiped out for all sorts of reasons, including those ever-so-prevalent vampires), but it is minor AND serves to elevate the story. Mr. Light is not afraid to tackle taboo subjects, maybe even create a little controversy and make those ancient evils, well, ancient and evil. There is no filler in this story - just a fast pace tale bound to keep you reading to its last word.

Two words: Five Stars. How 'bout them apples?

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Arboreatum follows a two-family group of migrants who decided to break up with their larger group days before. Led my a religious zealot who will make your blood boil with his logic, lost, starving, they come upon a beautiful green valley full of apple trees and empty houses just waiting to be used. Of course the leader of their little group decides that it is the sign that he it is the sign that he was right.
It is fast-paced and well written.
I wonder why could Micah eat an apple the first time. It's hardly about his age because they weren't fussy when he got old.

[Robby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novella. From the get go I felt like there was an emotional connection with Micah and his ongoing tale. A rapid read just because you can't stop until the end; (or is it)? Thanks, Evans. It's reading like this that makes me happy I finally broke down and purchased a kindle. Definitely will be checking on your additional and future works. Recommended for anyone looking for something maybe a little different and at the same time a dang good story.

[Janie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fast paced story that never ceases in action. Very well written, unpredictable tale that sucks you in pretty much from the start. But beware, if you don't like unhappy endings you may be disappointed.

[John Wiltshire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had better marketing and premise than execution. The writing was okay, but the plot really didn't deliver. It just was horrific.

Correction: I meant to write wasn't horrific. I guess I ought to expand that assessment a little. I'm reading Conn Iggulden's Stormbird, the first of his War of the Roses series. His description of the true, historical death of a Jewish citizen of France in 1410 is way more horrific than anything in Arboreatum. Trust me. History is great.

[Mollydee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was AMAZING!

I am still shaking my head.

Described as "Horror on the lonesome plains!" at Audibles.com, we find a story of a few pioneer families headed out west in the 1800s. It is a story about these families who, under the guidance of one of the male main characters, are supposedly on a Godly mission. Or at least the main character believed everything he had come to believe is what God intended for the lot of them. But after nothing to eat for days, nowhere to stay or call home, and no other human beings in site, the wagons of the families come up to a warning spot if you will. I do not want to give away what happens but the warning is ignored.

It is after this that the families find just within eyesight away, a lush and plentiful land down in a valley. The one man is more than ever totally convinced that they have all found the Garden of Eden and were meant to be here and were indeed blessed.

The son, Mecah, of one family and the daughter of the other, one night, decided to meet up after all the families young and old alike, had gone to sleep and it was dark. They decided to meet in the smokehouse for a little original sin. But before they could even get started, they heard noises and saw figures moving in the dark that made them check out what was going on.

What came next was unspeakable.

And the only witness left was dealt the task of trying to explain it to the rest of the families who had been asleep, which was an exercise in futility until the evil manifested itself again for all to see this time.

This was surely no Garden of Eden they had come upon.

I thought the story started not slow but very unlike the author's usual work. But the imagery was fabulous. The symbols were there for you to figure out, but they was clear and definite foreshadowing. And the horror of what happens was unlike anything I could ever imagine. Which is what I have come to except and love from Evans Light.

I was lucky enough to receive a message from The Evans Brothers Q & A Group today that if I went to Audibles.com with the provided code, and was among one of the first 10 to join and use the code, I would get a free copy of this book. The run time was 1 hour and 40 minutes. It went by fast because it was so amazing.

Definitely worth the read OR the listen!

The only problem I did have was the narrator. I wanted a little more from him. Other than that, more horror in its finest form from a future mainstay and master in the world of the horror genre, Evans Light.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ArborEATum by Evans Light
5 stars

When I grow up I want to learn to write poetic description like Author Evans Light. This is an electrifying and vibrantly vivid tale of Wild West horror. Religiosity becomes psychosis on a long journey West across the plains, putting families in jeopardy, and crossing boundaries that should never have been crossed. Abuse of power is abuse no matter who wields that tool, and Lemuel—self-appointed “Messiah,” propounder of religious visions—leads a small group of pioneers (his family plus his best friend’s family) into what may be a literal new Garden of Eden—or it may be a nightmare beyond recall or escape.

The escalation of tension, so gentle and subtle, is exquisite. The readers keep pondering, “Is too good to be true, true, or a façade?” Scarcely two days into the “new Garden” everybody and everything begins to change; a wise person would probably “run for the hills,” but it’s unfortunately true that humans like to take the path of least resistance and usually manage to fall for a con, whether it’s a manmade trap or one of preternatural design.

Now the question of horror: this is one terrifying book! By the time I had reached midpoint, I had developed permanent chills, not just up and down my spine, but all over. “ArborEATum” carries that implacable juggernaut style of horror that for me is the best horror there is—the utterly inescapable, back to the wall, no way out, give up and take it kind of horror. No escape—and the reasoning behind it, Mr. Light’s particular spin on the mythology and religion: oh, my! I don’t know how I am going to sleep tonight. I’ve always loved trees and wished to live surrounded by them, but now? Not so.

I reviewed a complimentary copy kindly provided by the author.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt is edible - I can't imagine being so hungry that I would scoop up clay and eat it like it was ice cream. This is an excellent way to begin this story and really grabs the readers attention. It is an interesting choice of setting, 1800's heading west across the prairie in a wagon train, so not what I expect from Evans.

Micah, is an interesting young man, while young he seems to have a firm grasp on the situation and understands the predicament he and his family are in. Lemuel is an odd one, you get that from the beginning, the man is definitely a few fries short of a happy meal. There is not a lot of character development in this story, this would normally irritate me, but this story doesn't need it, as the story to me isn't really about the characters.

I don't want to say to much more about this, because I don't want to give anything away. I will say that it is a quick and very enjoyable read. Evans has written a remarkable short story that unbelievably combines wagon train, horror, religious symbolism, and religious zealously/fanaticism into one masterpiece of a story.

[Rocio Voncina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titulo: Arboreatum
Autor: Evans Light
Año publicado: 2016
Motivo de lectura: Maraton en la cripta
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Puntuacion: 5/5


"Cro At Oan.." susurran los indios con miedo, no hay manera de que las palabras puedan explicar el infierno en la tierra.
Si, yo tratando de ser muy spooky en la reseña, lo logre? Nah! ya lo se! jajaja.



Que puedo decir de "Arboreatum"? Lo ame desde la primera palabra hasta el fin. Horror botanico puro, y lo que mas me gusta es que involucra manzanas (nunca habia leido un libro de terror sobre manzanas), es una fruta que no me gusta y no como, lo cual, despues de haber leido este libro, mi sexto sentido es acertado! :)



Dos familias van en un viaje, cuatro adultos y mas de una docena de niños, llevan dias sin comer, y la situacion ya es desesperante. A esto hay que sumarle que uno de los hombres (Lemuel) se cree el mesias, el elegido de Dios para caminar entre los mortales, se tiene tanta fe en si mismo que haria lo que sea para siempre estar a cargo de las situaciones. El otro hombre es Samuel, un hombre por demas sumiso (lo cual hace que la combinacion entre Lemuel y Samuel beneficie por demas al primer hombre). Las mujeres (Sarah y Rachel), practicamente no tienen un desarrollo importante en la historia, pero puedo entenderlo desde el punto en que la historia esta situada en el 1800, y en ese marco historico no habia demasiado espacio para las mujeres.



Pero nuestro gran protagonista es Micah, un adolescente de 15 años, quien es el que tiene mas sentido comun que todos los adultos juntos, pero que no dudan tratarlo como un niño por su edad.
A mitad del libro es donde se abre el infierno en la tierra, estos viajantes llegan a lo que parece ser el jardin del eden, con arboles llenos de manzanas tan perfectas que si uno tiene hambre, no dudaria en comer. Pero a que precio? Que estarias dispuesto a dar para calmar tu hambre?



Es mi primera experiencia con el autor, la pluma de Evans Light es ligera, macabra, y muy detallista (sin excesos), Evans es una experiencia sensorial, leerlo es experimentar con los cinco sentidos.
El terror siempre estuvo presente, aun desde principio, como si fuera la calma antes de la tormenta, para luego sentir una incomodidad de que algo pronto ocurrira, de saborear esa certeza que lo macabro esta a la vuelta de la esquina, en forma comestible, jugoza.
La prosa es agil, no hay palabras rebuscadas, y algo que me gusta mucho es que el formato de la historia se adapta a alguien de 15 años como para alguien de 30 años (no importa tu edad, si sos fan del terror, vas a disfrutar mucho esta historia).
Evans no deja cabo sueltos, es efectivo, contundente, tetrico, lugubre, y por sobre todas las cosas, admiro su capacidad para describir tan bien las sensaciones.
Sin dudas, me encantaria leer mas cossas del autor.
Y algo que siempre digo, jamas subestimemos el poder de la naturaleza..

[Grammar*Kitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arboreatum - well, what can I say? First off - the title - Oh-so-clever. Wonderful, in fact. Kudos and claps for that alone!

The story. Not a lot of characterisation, but this was excusible in the fact that not a lot was actually needed. Sometimes it's just not necessary to understand the hows and whys of the people, and this was one of those times: the people were there to support the 'big bad', as it were.

The big bad? Well, cross the first evil with 'when nature goes bad' and you'll get... this. Trees, no lest. TREES. I can't say I'll be climbing trees again, and I may or may not have been put off apples for the forseeable future.

I really enjoyed this - a mix of godliness and sin, lustful children and pious - bordering on over-zealous - adults. History and horror. A strange and eclectic mix that just seems to work extraordinarily well. I'm glad to see something of more length from Evans Light, and I'm glad that his writing skill and storytelling abilities translate into longer works. I'll be looking forward to the next step - hopefully a whole novel!

[Jeff French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being a pioneer and heading into America's unclaimed west. You've separated from the main group and are weak, hot and exhausted. You haven't eaten for days and the kids have resorted to eating mud to dull the hunger sensation. Every day you wonder if it will be your last. Then you see a lush valley filled with grass, lakes, fruit bearing trees and even houses ready to be occupied. Sound too good to be true? It is.
Light is firing on all cylinders with Arboreatum. First he has great characters; there's Lemuel the pious, self-righteous, hypocritical jerk you just love to hate, Samuel who is too weak to stand up to Lemuel, Micah the teen-aged boy controlled by hormones and Anna who is not quite what she appears to be. The story is interesting and the threat to the pioneers is pretty original. This is a short novella, but Light makes every word count. It has a great ending as well. Excellent reading!

[Brenda Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I'm 2 for 3 with this author - and even the one I didn't care for much had a good storyline. I really enjoyed this story a lot, though.

Micah and his family are heading west when one of the men, who fancies himself quite a leader, decides he knows the way better than the rest. Unfortunately for Micah, his father is a friend with this man, and so his family joins.

It's a quick read, but it certainly held my attention. I look forward to more stories by this author.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abboreatum starts off as a tale of two families traveling westward during the 1800's and the hardships they are facing, primarily near starvation. It appears their prayers have been answered but everything is not as it seems. This is a completely original story and really grabs you right from the start. It has some very compelling characters and is very well written. I could have read another 200 pages of this story.

[Adam Vanzant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is so creative and fast moving. There is no loss of detail, I almost felt as though I were watching a movie. This has everything, a sense of despair, a love story, action; it was really quite a pleasing experience and you will be pleasantly surprised by the end.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Evans choice for the cover of his book. And the title. Oh, so true.

Many of the families refuse to follow Lemuel’s delusional demands about leaving the established route and taking the wagon train off to find the Garden of Eden.

The mad man sets off, taking Micah and his family with him.

Now all appears hopeless. They are lost on the prairie, there is little water, and no food. Looks like they will perish here and become a part of the sifting dust.

Finally, when the sun is at its zenith, they see something shimmering in the distance. As the ground starts to slope upward they can see hazy figures standing in the glare of the sun. As they approach, the figures become clear. It’s an old indian and three younger braves.

Beyond them is what looks like Eden. A lush valley with a sparkling lake, real houses, and huge trees.

The indians confuse them. Should they just go around them?

Micah’s father and Lemuel talk with the indians and harsh words are exchanged. The older indian refuses them entry to the valley. Lemuel loses all traces of sanity and murders all four of them. They quickly bury the bodies and descend into Eden.

Then things get really bizarre. Of course they do. This is a horror story, after all.

What would Eden be without a snake in the grass or a bad apple or two?

These poor folks. They are under the thumb of a man who believes murder is okay if it gets you into Eden.

I just knew things were going to get bad.

I didn’t think I could be surprised by horror anymore. I’ve read so much of it. But I did get a surprise with ArborEATum. I got more than one and shivered in delight.

Another great read from Evans Light.

5 Stars for giving me the jitters.

[Todd Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nature gone bad novella set in the 1800s came as a recommendation by a Goodreads friend and the author's brother, Adam Light. Character Micah witnesses the father of a girl he is fawning over murder a couple Indians in a heavily wooded area. The trees witness the carnage along with young Micah and thus the Rush song, "The Trees" kept playing repeatedly in my head. There's trouble in the forest...

(Sidenote: does the author like Rush?)

The writing is good and there is a good effort with characterization and detail, at least with the main character and his love interest. Less so, however, with the father of the girl. I wanted to learn a bit more behind his motivations. I like the historical west setting and the ending wraps up the established plot points. I enjoy the creative title, as well. Thank you again for the recommendation, Adam. This one was a good fit for me and would be for those who enjoy dark fiction novellas set in the pioneer era. I would read more work by this author. 4 stars. 919 of 989 Kindle locations (story ends at 92%, with last 8% sharing blurbs for other works by the author and his brother).

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes much sacrifice ... As I carefully read into this story, I was startled by the name "Lemuel". Oh no, I thought - as in 'Laman and Lemuel' - or was he a biblical king.

In Mr. Light's horror novella, Lemuel is the religious leader of a small group, two pioneer families basically, that travel into a perilous uninhabitable wilderness in the year 1839 because this is what a delusional, power-crazed Lemuel feels Heavenly Father is commanding them to do.

Sure enough, further into the story, Hyrum Smith is mentioned. And probably few readers will be aware of the sprinkle of Mormonism the author has added.

They are on the brink of starvation when they come upon an oasis, an apple orchard replete with furnished houses, stocked to the brim, their owners disappeared.

Mr. Light's imagery is vivid and amazing. Micah, the main character, is pleasant and kind. I agree with other reviewers, I would like to read more about him, his adventures after he struggles with the creature and before he confronts it again. Great storytelling! Rich in character development and plot twists. A beautiful end.

[Nev Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A band of pioneers head west in 1839 moving to a new "promised land" that their zealot leader is convinced awaits them. At the edge of death from starvation the small wagon trail eventually reaches what seems to be a new Garden Of Eden. 2 unusually large apple trees in a lush garden complete with 2 empty houses and enough provisions to last a year.

Their leader is convinced it is a sign from God but young Micha is not so sure. Before he can learn to explain some weird happenings he is distracted by the charms of Anna. Their distractions mean they are ill prepared for the reawakening of a long dormant evil that will punish anyone that cannot resist the temptation.

I'm slowing coming to the conclusion that Evans Light is somewhat of a master at short stories. This is (in my opinion) a modern day twist on the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It's beautiful. The writing is almost poetic in its description of the surroundings, the characters and the plot. The tension and horror builds and builds to a climax that is both horrifying and unexpected. Another story that looks under the skin of the human being again and our faults.

5 stars again Mr Light.

[Kit★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story. I especially enjoyed the western frontier sort of setting. The character of Lemuel was very easy to imagine, and to dislike. I liked Micah and the others, and was hoping for things to turn out good for them. Once the bad stuff started happening, though, it was on. The pace was fast, the gore wasn't held back, and nor was it overdone. I quite liked it. Of course, I was a little sad by the loss of some of the characters, but it was well done. I also liked the explanation of what the trees were, how it linked to legends of the past. I also enjoyed how it ended, with Micah returning to the area after years had gone by. This was an entertaining story, and I liked how it was a bit longer than the others I've read by this author. Looking forward to more!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure how to review this novella without giving away plot elements. But I will do my best. First and foremost, “Arboreatum” is a well-crafted tale of horror. Author Evans Light uses historical elements to craft a clever story of religious fervor. Using Native American lore, ancient mythologies, and Biblical symbolism, Light has written a story you will not soon forget. The plot elements are complex with deep symbolic meaning, but the story is simply entertaining. You may come away wondering (like I did) just what is ancient myth and what is history.

[Marilou Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This short story was not what I was expecting it to be.
A group of people heading out west, with a dwindling food and water supply and little hope of survival, stumble upon an oasis of sorts. Only in their worse nightmares could they have imagined what would soon happen.
Evans is a master storyteller, with great descriptive writing. I will definitely be checking out his other works and look forward to his first full length novel.