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A Layer Hidden
Moving to another planet should be easy, right? For Bree, she believed this to be true. But when something sinister wakes aboard her spacecraft, Bree and her family discover that surviving passage through space will be anything but easy.
A Layer Hidden is a short story with a hint of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
A Layer Hidden is a short story with a hint of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
- GenresHorrorScience Fiction
22 pages, ebook
First published January 24, 2020
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Candace Robinson
61 books1,112 followersI spend my days consumed by words and hoping to one day find my own DeLorean time machine. My life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with my husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 2, 2020
A Layer Hidden is a science-fiction short story by Candace Robinson. I've read several of the author's full length novels and other short stories, so this was a must-read when I saw it being launched this week. If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable, and scary read, this is it.
Imagine the future when the Earth is overpopulated and people struggle to survive. Then winning the lottery where you can move to a newly inhabited planet in the galaxy. Bree, her husband, and her daughter are aboard the ship to take them there when something very odd happens. Only Bree can't believe what's going on around her. Green goo. Scary aliens. Hope. Fear. So much packed into such a short tale.
But it clearly shows why Robinson is a must-read author. Her strength lies in her character development and story creation. If they weren't spot-on, I might not run to her works, as it's not a regular genre for me... but she's that good! I automatically invest in what she's created because it crosses a number of genres and keeps me glued to the pages or screen.
A big recommendation from me...
Imagine the future when the Earth is overpopulated and people struggle to survive. Then winning the lottery where you can move to a newly inhabited planet in the galaxy. Bree, her husband, and her daughter are aboard the ship to take them there when something very odd happens. Only Bree can't believe what's going on around her. Green goo. Scary aliens. Hope. Fear. So much packed into such a short tale.
But it clearly shows why Robinson is a must-read author. Her strength lies in her character development and story creation. If they weren't spot-on, I might not run to her works, as it's not a regular genre for me... but she's that good! I automatically invest in what she's created because it crosses a number of genres and keeps me glued to the pages or screen.
A big recommendation from me...
January 20, 2020
You thought moving to a new house was trying? Bree and her small family were on their way to another planet, but when something sinister reveals itself onboard their spaceship, the move took on a whole new meaning…terror.
Not sure how Candace Robinson does it, but she can have my hair standing on end in only a few pages. A LAYER HIDDEN may be short on words, but trust me, the atmosphere, the events that start out innocently enough and the surprise aboard the ship….gave me shivers.
Another hidden gem that is perfect as a quick break from your Earthly duties and probably safer than a midnight snack. I love this author's style!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Candace Robinson. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: January 24, 2020
Publisher: Candace Robinson
Genre: Horror
Print Length: 22 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Not sure how Candace Robinson does it, but she can have my hair standing on end in only a few pages. A LAYER HIDDEN may be short on words, but trust me, the atmosphere, the events that start out innocently enough and the surprise aboard the ship….gave me shivers.
Another hidden gem that is perfect as a quick break from your Earthly duties and probably safer than a midnight snack. I love this author's style!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Candace Robinson. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: January 24, 2020
Publisher: Candace Robinson
Genre: Horror
Print Length: 22 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 11, 2020
This is a short horror story I wrote that also has some family elements with a little Invasion of the Body Snatchers!
December 13, 2019
This is a creepy, twilight zone-ish type of story. I loved it!! One minute your reading this sweet little SciFi-ish story and then, whoa, it gets creeeepy!!
Robinson did a great job on this. The way she fed this story out to us little by little, it is pure genius! It’s a lot of fun (in a creepy way) and really sticks with you. This is definitely one of those stories you will never forget!!
Robinson did a great job on this. The way she fed this story out to us little by little, it is pure genius! It’s a lot of fun (in a creepy way) and really sticks with you. This is definitely one of those stories you will never forget!!
November 17, 2019
Loved it. Perfect for the sci-fi lovers!
November 18, 2019
A LAYER HIDDEN is fun in a sci-fi, horror kind of way. The story will make you sweat and the ending will shock you to no end. Read it!
January 16, 2020
I’ve repeatedly said I’m not the biggest lover of short stories, but I’m starting to believe it’s because I’ve been reading the wrong ones. Although I much prefer a tome, when done right short stories are a great way to pass a short amount of time. With Candace Robinson, I’m of the belief the short stories will always deliver.
It takes great talent to write an entire story in a word count that would only be an introduction for me, and I envy Candace Robinson’s ability to tell so much in so few words. No word is wasted, everything is important, ensuring the story packs a punch.
I could share details, explain what is to be found in this story, but you’ll do much better to read the story than my review. Just know, A Layer Hidden is one of my favourite short stories. It’s difficult to find a short story I love, even harder to earn a spot on my favourites list, but A Layer Hidden managed it with ease.
A little bit of science-fiction, a little bit of horror, and a whole lot of addiction makes this the perfect quick read. If Candace Robinson was to ever use this as the start of a longer story, I’d be all over it.
It takes great talent to write an entire story in a word count that would only be an introduction for me, and I envy Candace Robinson’s ability to tell so much in so few words. No word is wasted, everything is important, ensuring the story packs a punch.
I could share details, explain what is to be found in this story, but you’ll do much better to read the story than my review. Just know, A Layer Hidden is one of my favourite short stories. It’s difficult to find a short story I love, even harder to earn a spot on my favourites list, but A Layer Hidden managed it with ease.
A little bit of science-fiction, a little bit of horror, and a whole lot of addiction makes this the perfect quick read. If Candace Robinson was to ever use this as the start of a longer story, I’d be all over it.
January 17, 2020
As short stories go, this one grabs you by the throat and rattles your brain with suspense and terror.
We find a couple who has won a lottery to leave a dying earth for a new planet that will host humans. But something happens mid- flight which upsets the peace.
One hell of a ride! Shocking ending.
We find a couple who has won a lottery to leave a dying earth for a new planet that will host humans. But something happens mid- flight which upsets the peace.
One hell of a ride! Shocking ending.
November 16, 2019
There is genius in the way this short story is layered out and fed to the reader, bit by creepy bit. Even scarier because of the vivid descriptions! If your aim is to creep yourself out, then give this one a shot. I’m not a horror reader in general but I totally dug it!
January 12, 2020
Candace is one of my favourite authors and this short story is no exception to her great writing skills! Definitely pick it up if your a fan of sci-fi and horror blended masterfully together, you will not be disappointed!!
November 16, 2019
If you like space, and horror then you would love A Layer Hidden. Everyone should give this story a read. It is very creepy, and one of the greatest stories. You won't even want to stop reading it.
November 18, 2019
Space + horror is one of the only ways I enjoy scifi! I loved this creepy little tale. Very reminiscent of old school b scifi horror movies that I used to love.
November 19, 2019
Quick and enjoyable read. Robinson paints some awesomely eerie parent-child moments in her alien take-over story. Fresh and unnerving take on the trope. Definitely worth checking out!
January 26, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Candace Robinson, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
Content Warning: Gore, Death
Bree is traveling to a new planet with her husband and daughter. The Earth has been exhausted and over-polluted, no longer suitable to sustain human life. Stuck in a confined space for a while will naturally make one restless. This is exactly why Bree has a hard time sleeping at night.
It's the middle of the night one night, when Bree finds herself unable to sleep. She ends up heading to the lounge to get herself a snack and some water for her husband and daughter. When she arrives, no one is around. She doesn't find this odd at first. However, one by one, the lights go out, and plunges her in darkness. Deciding to head back to her room, Bree encounters a terrifying spectacle, that will eventually become her worst nightmare.
A Layer Hidden is a very short story. In all of it's twenty-two pages, the author manages to create a convincing atmosphere. The setting is the most ominous and creepy attribute about this read. The isolation, and lack of human presence immediately makes a setting worrisome, in my opinion. When the culprits showed up on the scene, I wasn't sold by their presence. The ending is very abrupt, and didn't have the flare that the rest of the story held. It may have just been me, but the ending was predictable, but also, didn't make a whole lot of sense.
I'm not naturally a horror reader, so I may not be the best reference when it comes to a review. However, I think this was a decent read for the setting alone!
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Minimal.
Violence: Moderate - Gore.
My Rating: ★★★
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Content Warning: Gore, Death
Bree is traveling to a new planet with her husband and daughter. The Earth has been exhausted and over-polluted, no longer suitable to sustain human life. Stuck in a confined space for a while will naturally make one restless. This is exactly why Bree has a hard time sleeping at night.
It's the middle of the night one night, when Bree finds herself unable to sleep. She ends up heading to the lounge to get herself a snack and some water for her husband and daughter. When she arrives, no one is around. She doesn't find this odd at first. However, one by one, the lights go out, and plunges her in darkness. Deciding to head back to her room, Bree encounters a terrifying spectacle, that will eventually become her worst nightmare.
A Layer Hidden is a very short story. In all of it's twenty-two pages, the author manages to create a convincing atmosphere. The setting is the most ominous and creepy attribute about this read. The isolation, and lack of human presence immediately makes a setting worrisome, in my opinion. When the culprits showed up on the scene, I wasn't sold by their presence. The ending is very abrupt, and didn't have the flare that the rest of the story held. It may have just been me, but the ending was predictable, but also, didn't make a whole lot of sense.
I'm not naturally a horror reader, so I may not be the best reference when it comes to a review. However, I think this was a decent read for the setting alone!
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Minimal.
Violence: Moderate - Gore.
My Rating: ★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
March 27, 2022
The good thing about short stories is they get right to the point and this book delivers that but in a way that flows beautifully. You find yourself devouring the pages not sure whats going to happen next. I found my jaw dropping several times and my head was left reeling at the end. The author shows her talent of getting you sucked in and needing more in such a small amount of pages. She worked depth, character, and suspense into a perfect little package that anyone will be wanting to unwrap.
November 17, 2019
I read A Layer Hidden as part of a box set, and it was definitely one of my favorites. This is a good creepy short story and a lot of fun to read.
January 19, 2020
Read my full review here: https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/20...
Opinions: 'A Layer Hidden' is exhilarating, even more so than Robinson's other works! I am impressed that she stepped outside the box with this one and threw a bit of edge in there. What a ride! This story goes every which way, and I love it. Despite it being a very short story, readers are able to pick up on the characters and the world they live in through actions, thoughts, and dialogue. The climactic ending, despite the dominating shock-factor, gives readers something to think about as well. Normally, short stories don't do it for me, but I consider 'A Layer Hidden' a huge success!
Is This Book For Me? Sometimes, it's difficult to make up our minds on whether to read a book or not. Here are a few notes regarding whether you should or shouldn't read A Layer Hidden!
Should: If you're looking for a ramped-up version of Robinson's other works!
Shouldn't: If you want a long, sophisticated, intricate novel.
Should: If you want an intense, twisting, gasp-worthy read!
Shouldn't: If you want emotional, cuddly romance.
Should: If you're looking for a fun, thought-provoking quick read!
Opinions: 'A Layer Hidden' is exhilarating, even more so than Robinson's other works! I am impressed that she stepped outside the box with this one and threw a bit of edge in there. What a ride! This story goes every which way, and I love it. Despite it being a very short story, readers are able to pick up on the characters and the world they live in through actions, thoughts, and dialogue. The climactic ending, despite the dominating shock-factor, gives readers something to think about as well. Normally, short stories don't do it for me, but I consider 'A Layer Hidden' a huge success!
Is This Book For Me? Sometimes, it's difficult to make up our minds on whether to read a book or not. Here are a few notes regarding whether you should or shouldn't read A Layer Hidden!
Should: If you're looking for a ramped-up version of Robinson's other works!
Shouldn't: If you want a long, sophisticated, intricate novel.
Should: If you want an intense, twisting, gasp-worthy read!
Shouldn't: If you want emotional, cuddly romance.
Should: If you're looking for a fun, thought-provoking quick read!
April 20, 2020
This is another great creation from the endless imagination of Candace Robinson. This short horror story is faced paced and full of suspense. It is the kind of story you read and want to tell a friend about. If you are a fan of the Twilight zone, a good horror or even sci-fi story you really need to read this one.
November 16, 2019
Horror works the best when it stabs you in the heart. A Layer Hidden forces you into a nightmare, and it does it so quickly that the emotional punch it hits you with lingers. It's a quick bite of space horror in the vein of tragic tales like Dead Space, and I adored it!
January 12, 2020
A Sci-Fi/Horror short that packs a punch to leave you reeling! Don’t miss this creepy gem of a story!💚
January 31, 2020
A quick little creepy read... Don't read it before bedtime! You will want to barricade yourself in your bedroom!! 🤣
April 5, 2020
Candace Robinson has given us a short story that is truly a sci-fi nightmare. If you enjoy science fiction you should definitely check it out.
August 9, 2023
A gruesome science fiction horror story with an adorable family on a spaceship to another planet. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen in this fast-paced tale, but I was not expecting that twist! One of my favorite tales!
September 4, 2021
Lizard: 1⋆.
Wombat: 1⋆.
Overall: 1⋆.
Wombat: 1⋆.
Overall: 1⋆.
Read
March 29, 2020I’m a big fan of short reads, and have been indulging in them a bit more often lately. I picked this one up last night expecting an awesome ride, but what I got blew me completely away!! Especially since the characters Will and Bree come from another of Candace’s books, one that I absolutely loved, so to have them thrown into the horrible nightmare that is body snatchers on a spaceship really threw me for a loop!
I wasn’t expecting the outcome at all, not in the slightest.
What starts out as a lovely family moment showing the world just how much love Bree and Will have for one another, along with their daughter Kattie. They’ll do anything for eachother, including the escape from a crumbling Earth. While on their way to a place more pure and safe for their Kattie, Bree wakes in the night to a frisky sleeping Will. She stops his shenanigans before it gets out of hand and wakes Kattie, and then goes in search of food and water from the main hall since they’re up. It’s odd, the way the lights are flickering pared with the silence of the ship… Then WHAM! Candace drops the reader right into a suspenseful, and twisty ride. Splitting skin, creepy alien kids with super strength, bloody gore and heinous death.
Don’t let the size of this book fool you, it’s packing a punch! 5 stars! Excellent read!! Kudos Candace, you remain in my top favorite independent authors, you’re an amazing writer!
I wasn’t expecting the outcome at all, not in the slightest.
What starts out as a lovely family moment showing the world just how much love Bree and Will have for one another, along with their daughter Kattie. They’ll do anything for eachother, including the escape from a crumbling Earth. While on their way to a place more pure and safe for their Kattie, Bree wakes in the night to a frisky sleeping Will. She stops his shenanigans before it gets out of hand and wakes Kattie, and then goes in search of food and water from the main hall since they’re up. It’s odd, the way the lights are flickering pared with the silence of the ship… Then WHAM! Candace drops the reader right into a suspenseful, and twisty ride. Splitting skin, creepy alien kids with super strength, bloody gore and heinous death.
Don’t let the size of this book fool you, it’s packing a punch! 5 stars! Excellent read!! Kudos Candace, you remain in my top favorite independent authors, you’re an amazing writer!
June 10, 2020
“A Layer Hidden” is a space-horror, short story written by Candace Robinson and published as an E-book on Amazon’s Kindle. The short story concerns Bree, as she travels with her husband Will, and young daughter Kattie from an overcrowded Earth new a new planet called Sorsa to start a new life. The story unfolds in the course of a late night onboard a passenger spaceship as everyone else is asleep and Bree leaves her family’s small, cramped compartment to get water and snacks from the ship’s lounge. However, events quickly unfold as the ship’s lighting becomes erratic, and alien possessed babies/children make their presence known.
The story is a quick romp and breezy, but suspenseful read. It mixes elements of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Village of the Damned along with the Dead Space video game. “A Layer Hidden” is bloody, but not gory, and much like the movie Aliens, contains quite a bit of subtext on the role of motherhood as Bree wants to safe guard her child, who has a history of seizures, against the oppressive universe at large: from a failing, overcrowded Earth, to the birds and bees talk (Bree has to fight off advances of her amorous husband), to evil alien baby-children monster things. However the ending of “A Layer Hidden” ends on realistic note: one can’t 100% protect their children from the world (or, in this case, the universe).
The story is a quick romp and breezy, but suspenseful read. It mixes elements of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Village of the Damned along with the Dead Space video game. “A Layer Hidden” is bloody, but not gory, and much like the movie Aliens, contains quite a bit of subtext on the role of motherhood as Bree wants to safe guard her child, who has a history of seizures, against the oppressive universe at large: from a failing, overcrowded Earth, to the birds and bees talk (Bree has to fight off advances of her amorous husband), to evil alien baby-children monster things. However the ending of “A Layer Hidden” ends on realistic note: one can’t 100% protect their children from the world (or, in this case, the universe).
July 26, 2023
Interesting short story! Bree, her husband, and her young daughter are on a space ship to a new planet; things don’t exactly turn out how Bree thought when things begin to go wrong. Love the sci-fi vibe! I’m actually glad this was a short read because that ending wasn’t my favorite. An entertaining read though!
January 25, 2020
Well, this was scary.
Bree is awakened in the middle of the night. She goes up cheeks up on her 10-year-old daughter and gets out of the room to get some water. t They are all fitted in the small room, flying to the ney planet to start over.
She notices strange things in the common rooms but doesn’t put much weight on it. Like flickering of the lights and absence of people. Until it’s too late to do anything.
It’s one of the scariest stories I’ve read in a long time and it’s only 22 pages. 😱Masterfully written, intensity slowly building, till the gory end. I would love to read more!
Also, it’s not the best ides to read in the middle of the night. :) I was jumpy for a week after reading it. :)
Highly recommend it!
received from author
Bree is awakened in the middle of the night. She goes up cheeks up on her 10-year-old daughter and gets out of the room to get some water. t They are all fitted in the small room, flying to the ney planet to start over.
She notices strange things in the common rooms but doesn’t put much weight on it. Like flickering of the lights and absence of people. Until it’s too late to do anything.
It’s one of the scariest stories I’ve read in a long time and it’s only 22 pages. 😱Masterfully written, intensity slowly building, till the gory end. I would love to read more!
Also, it’s not the best ides to read in the middle of the night. :) I was jumpy for a week after reading it. :)
Highly recommend it!
received from author
January 25, 2020
I was given this arc from the author in return my honest review and thoughts.
I enjoyed this book. Now this the first space/ horror book that I have read. Not that I don’t enjoy those kinds of books. Just have found one that interest me. Until I got the opportunity to read this one. I loved it and that ending had me like I need the next book. And hoping that there is a next one/ follow up. I think what got into this story that is short read and it was action packed. If your looking for a space/horror and creepy things taking over bodies book I recommend this book.
I enjoyed this book. Now this the first space/ horror book that I have read. Not that I don’t enjoy those kinds of books. Just have found one that interest me. Until I got the opportunity to read this one. I loved it and that ending had me like I need the next book. And hoping that there is a next one/ follow up. I think what got into this story that is short read and it was action packed. If your looking for a space/horror and creepy things taking over bodies book I recommend this book.
April 25, 2020
This is the second book I’ve read by Candace and it was great! I bought it when it was released and just now read it so I forgot what it was about and didn’t realize it was a short story. It definitely could have been a full novel and I would for sure have read it. Even though it’s short there’s action and you wanna know what’s happening. I enjoyed this take on the female character not many are portrayed this way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews