Independence Denied

Dark Celebrations #12

by Calvin Demmer

With Independence Day near, Brad Marshall is expecting another routine day at his job as a research assistant. Then he sees a peculiar creature on one of the screens at work. While the rest of the world focuses on a sudden rash of devastating natural disasters, Brad is transfixed by the image he’s seen. He refuses to give up until he knows what it is. The answer he finds, however, will change the world forever.

A short story.
(Collected in Dark Celebrations)

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

24 pages, ebook

First published July 1, 2017

About the author

Calvin Demmer is a South African author of horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, and crime. His books include the flash fiction collection The Sea Was a Fair Master and the short story collections Dark Celebrations, Her Heart Beats for Ancient Beasts, Through the Ravenous Night We Ride, Duel the Darkness for Nightmare Rule, and The Town That Feared Dusk. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe.

You can find him online at calvindemmer.com or sign up for his newsletter to stay up to date with his latest projects.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brad is working as a scientist in a laboratory. On observing a shark with a camera he sees a mysterious humanlike octopus thing in the sea. What is going on here? Why are earthquakes and tsunamis occur all over the world? One day he receives a mysterious letter inviting him to visit a warehouse. There he will know the truth. No, these weren't ordinary celebrations. They were something else. Fascinating extremely eerie read I absolutely liked. Highly recommended!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Independence Day, fireworks, barbecues, a celebration of America’s independence as a nation, right? Leave it to Calvin Demmer to add a little darkness to a day meant to bolster the spirits of a nation who fought hard for this day so long ago, proving that just maybe we should treasure each holiday, because who knows when it will be the last under his dark and twisted little pen?

INDEPENDENCE DENIED is a wrap for Mr. Demmer’s Dark Celebrations series of short tales that leaves no celebration unscathed and what better way than to go out with a major bang than to rain on those awe-inspiring fireworks? For Brad Marshall, it was work as usual until the underwater camera he was monitoring gave him a glimpse into a mystery beyond imagining as the rest of the world faces one disaster after another. Suffice it to say, Calvin Demmer has deftly given me the creeps in just a few short pages, once again, forcing me to stay up past midnight just to make sure July 5th comes on schedule with no surprises! I'm pretty sure I'm glad he doesn't know when my birthday is, too!

I received this copy from Calvin Demmer in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Dark Celebrations - Book 12
Publication Date: July 1, 2017
Publisher: Calvin Demmer
Genre: Horror | Dark Fiction
Print Length: 24 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kayla crosbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell yeah this one rules

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this story in the collection 'Dark Celebrations' and while it was the final story in the collection, it was one of the major highlights.
This thing was just a masterclass on growing tension and magician style slight-of-hand.
We start out with a routine scientist checking on the data related to Great White Sharks. I was beside myself with excitement that this was possible a Go Pro based story and this guy was going to see some really cool stuff in the depths, but what Demmer unleashes from that point was amazing.
I've frequently praised Demmer's ability to write an entire novel's worth of story and character development in a hand full of pages and he delivered that once again here.
The climax of this story was just magnificent. Stunning in it's delivery and when we get 'there' boy is it amazing.

[Sydney’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for sure! Such a a good concept to the end of the world. Great short story.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

SQUID CULT

How very Lovecraft of you Calvin Demmer :)

This notion is only heightened by the fact that I recently read The Call of Cthulhu so the idea was still fresh in my mind.

This type of "group think" is very common throughout history and on the forefront of some very relevant political scenes playing out worldwide.

Back on topic though... the SQUID CULT.

This was a great ending for the whole series within the Dark Celebrations collection, very 2012 crossed with Cthulhu crossed with Independence Day.

It is true that all the previous stories are mentioned/tied together with the cult - although I believe that a few paragraphs or even pages more would have been appreciated to apply more depth to the story overall.

They are those who hear the whispers from the deep, and who prophesize the end is nigh - hear the whispers too and you might survive.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independence Denied is another enjoyable short story from Calvin Demmer, one that is best enjoyed if you have read the other Dark Celebrations stories. Although Independence Denied works perfectly fine as a standalone story, certain elements will be best enjoyed if you have read the other stories.

As always, this one started quickly and kept moving throughout. I would not label this my favourite of the Dark Celebrations stories, but it certainly ended things in a great way. It’s something much larger, something dramatic, and it ends things well.

All in all, a great end to the Dark Celebrations stories.

[Cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice little Lovecraftian tale

Cool short story, nice writing, just not super unique; although I’ve played lots of Lovecraft games so that dims the experience a bit. For a short story, it’s cool!

[Theresa Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demmer is a talented storyteller. All of his tales can be devoured in one sitting--it's over before you know it, which makes it easy to binge-read his work. This one really packs a punch, especially since he includes a bit of social commentary, something he doesn't do that often. Set in Florida (oddly, where I currently live, which made this so much more fun), we see the world through Brad's eyes--a world gone mad with a sudden wave of natural disasters and a creature that looms off the coast somewhere, one that Brad isn't convinced is real. Climate change run amock, an average Joe gone whacko, a secret society of power-crazed scientists, or a monster with an agenda? You'll have to read to find out! The ending may surprise you...

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly formed slice of horror! 2nd story by this author and its brilliant!

[Zoë Damacela · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a giant squid lover I loved this one

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Celebrations is a series I've really enjoyed reading and can't wait to see Calvin Demmer's future projects. Independence Denied is the darkest tale of them all in this series. We're introduced to Brad Marshall, just another regular guy looking forward to celebrating Independence Day.

But suddenly all hell breaks loose, there's multiple reports of earthquakes, tsunami's striking all four corners of the world. Brad Marshall just wants to bury his head in the sand than watch of the devastating news reports. Instead he focuses on work, on helping his boss, Professor Masterson studying shark behaviour, but that doesn't help matters.

He uncovers a vital piece of information which sheds light on recent events. How can he use it? Who can he trust?

[S.E. Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the latest and last short story in Demmer's Dark Celebrations series, there is an interesting parallel between Independence Day and the monster story that this book is. Of course, there is a list of seemingly never-ending geo-political threats to our existence: war, nuclear disasters, infectious disease, and terrorism, to name a few, which loom over us although we are able to compartmentalize our anxiety and rationalize that someone else is 'taking care' of it. But what if no one is? What happens if the event is imminent? Wrapped up in his job, finances, and otherwise banal existence, does Brad take the signs and warnings of the end of the world seriously? Would we?

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great Lovecraftian tale beginning with a bunch of natural disasters worldwide.  Imagine waking up one day, and everything around you is going to hell. And nobody but a select few people know what's going on. And none of these people are your close family memebers, so do you trust them or do you do your best to take off in your car to make sure your loved ones are okay?

I don’t want to give too much away, but it was another interesting story within the Dark Celebrations collection.

Thanks to Calvin for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review :)

[Sunshine Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great last addition to the Dark Celebrations. I've enjoyed every single one, and this one didn't disappoint at all. The set-up is fast in this one as the action takes over pretty quickly, and poor Brad gets caught up in something you certainly wouldn't expect on an average 4th of July.
I loved how subtly this felt like a modern Lovecraft story. The description of the Cthulhu-esque god/monster is quick but leaves a solid picture in your mind. The ending was horrific and perfect.

[Sheilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning of this story, but was not so sure about the ending. I needed more content to make it sustainable for me. Overall, a bit anti-climatic feeling. I think my biggest critique is a need to feel more. Perhaps more showing of the emotions would elicit this for me. Still though, I like the uniqueness of each of Demmer's stories — none two are the same. For a collection of short stories by the same author, he has maintained an individuality for each story that is commendable.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story is a quick but not very original read, revolving around a lab technician who unwittingly discovers the return of a malignant being to the world. The being is not named, but is very obviously Cthulhu based on its description and the cover. The story will keep your attention, but is basically just a Lovecraft pastiche, and not an especially interesting one. Most damningly, the protagonist is unconscious during what should be the most interesting part of the story.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

truly a short story

I liked how the story began. a graduate student working for his professor and seeing an odd creature in the computer screen.
the pace of the story kept me interested. but , I believe that the ending was rushed. I expected more from this story. it has potential to be much better.

[M.R. Tapia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin Demmer brings the Dark Celebrations series to a close with a BANG! Independence Denied comes of as if H.P. Lovecraft would have written the book of Revelations! Another great read from Demmer that I highly recommend!

[Darren Dilnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb cosmic horror short

Calvin Demmer really is a superb writer. Independence Denied is an excellent Lovecraftian style horror short, which tells of the destructive arrival of the super star of the Cthulhu Mythos.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot left unanswered, obviously, but it's still a really solid read. Creepy atmosphere, cult vibes, and the end of the world. What more could I ask for in a short story?

[DecayingPumpkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

95

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not it

This had the potential to be something great. Natural disasters are scary in itself. But this fell flat in what it was. Writing was good, story not so much.

[Valérie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great story but the ending was a major let down.

[Faith Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal ending to these short stories

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been enjoying holiday-themed stories for some time, mainly because I enjoy reading by theme. This is a short story from the Dark Celebrations series.

As Independence Day approaches, Brad Marshall anticipates a typical day at his research assistant job. However, he spots an unusual creature on one of the workplace monitors. While the world is preoccupied with a series of catastrophic natural disasters, Brad is captivated by the image he has seen. He is determined to uncover its identity, and the truth he discovers will alter the course of history.

The story took an unexpected turn. I was dissatisfied with the ending due to the lack of a definitive resolution or monster reveal. The protagonist seems to stumble into the scenario without much at stake. His character is not well-defined, presenting him as merely someone who appears concerned. The absence of a rationale for the events' timing makes it difficult to invest.

There's a hint of tension and a touch of mystery as he and others are guided to a specific location, though it's not particularly intense.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. It's a short story, but I still felt some details were lacking. Leaves you on a cliffhanger for you to fill in the ending.

Giant monster. End of the world.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please read the Kittens review on Instagram.
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