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Forbidden Fruit
A pair of big game hunters on an unsanctioned hunt through an African reserve learn too late the importance of following their guide’s directions.
A short story.
(Collected in Her Heart Beats for Ancient Beasts)
A short story.
(Collected in Her Heart Beats for Ancient Beasts)
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2017
2 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Demmer
85 books502 followersCalvin 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.
You can find him online at calvindemmer.com or sign up for his newsletter to stay up to date with his latest projects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 10, 2021
The title sounded quite promising, but the story itself wasn't that strong. Three poachers are caught somewhere in a different time in Africa. One after the other gets shot. Will the narrator and main character survive? What is going on here? The story started interesting and uncanny but soon meandered along. The author has come up with far better stories than this. Maybe recommended when you're looking for a mild sci-fi orientated horror read.
August 10, 2019
Don't eat the fruit!
A good quick read about a poaching trip gone wrong. I liked the setting at the end and peeks into that place and how the surrounding people dealt with it.
A good quick read about a poaching trip gone wrong. I liked the setting at the end and peeks into that place and how the surrounding people dealt with it.
January 5, 2024
A 20 page short story about karma. It was too short to get emotionally involved.
April 30, 2021
This was an ok for being so short not sure I really got it to be honest.
September 20, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
I’ve been singing Demmer’s praises ever since I read ‘The Sea Was a Fair Master’ last year. He has a gift for short stories that’s really unique. Taking a few pages of space but filling it with novel lengths of story and feelings.
In his latest short story, Demmer has visited a plotline that I haven’t read very often – poachers.
We follow two big game hunters, on a trip to illegal kill Rhino. They’ve hired the area’s best guide, one who has a mythical history to him.
As things ramp up and the story takes off, Demmer makes use of the idea that the hunters should’ve listened to the one from that land.
As with any short story – it really is difficult to say very much without giving away the entire thing. I will say I loved the pacing, the characters were fun and as the story plays out you want to devour everything that comes with the twist. I’d love to see this part of the story expanded upon, or revisited in the future.
As it is now, Demmer has crafted such a solid short story that there simply aren’t any cracks. His previous short that I read ‘The Town That Feared Dusk,’ as well as his Halloween release ‘Trick or Death,’ had a few stunted parts that I found lacking a bit of detail, that doesn’t happen here at all.
Demmer delivers with an outstanding premise that sucked me in immediately and followed it up with an implemented middle and ending that was truly satisfying.
Demmer really needs to be high on your list of “Must Read” authors and he’s one of the few authors out there that’ll make me drop what I’m doing and read it ASAP.
I’ve been singing Demmer’s praises ever since I read ‘The Sea Was a Fair Master’ last year. He has a gift for short stories that’s really unique. Taking a few pages of space but filling it with novel lengths of story and feelings.
In his latest short story, Demmer has visited a plotline that I haven’t read very often – poachers.
We follow two big game hunters, on a trip to illegal kill Rhino. They’ve hired the area’s best guide, one who has a mythical history to him.
As things ramp up and the story takes off, Demmer makes use of the idea that the hunters should’ve listened to the one from that land.
As with any short story – it really is difficult to say very much without giving away the entire thing. I will say I loved the pacing, the characters were fun and as the story plays out you want to devour everything that comes with the twist. I’d love to see this part of the story expanded upon, or revisited in the future.
As it is now, Demmer has crafted such a solid short story that there simply aren’t any cracks. His previous short that I read ‘The Town That Feared Dusk,’ as well as his Halloween release ‘Trick or Death,’ had a few stunted parts that I found lacking a bit of detail, that doesn’t happen here at all.
Demmer delivers with an outstanding premise that sucked me in immediately and followed it up with an implemented middle and ending that was truly satisfying.
Demmer really needs to be high on your list of “Must Read” authors and he’s one of the few authors out there that’ll make me drop what I’m doing and read it ASAP.
June 28, 2019
For me it’s hard to review a flash fiction/short story such as this without spoiling it for readers! If you are a fan of Mr. Demmer than you are aware of his methods! Another great story set in Africa involving a modern problem with the poachers encountering an old realm while trekking through the plains! Yes, there is forbidden fruit involved! Another amazing read from Calvin Demmer!
January 27, 2023
This was my second short story from Demmer, and I just loved it! The suspense packed into these few pages was amazing and the creep factor was pretty high for me! Great writing once again from Demmer with vivid descriptions, making this a very visceral read! You can almost feel the fear emanating from the characters! You should give this story a try - you won’t be disappointed!
October 1, 2019
Haunting
This short story is a very unique, supernatural tale of the consequences of illegal hunts...and not listening to your guide. With just a touch of a supernatural element, this take is elevated to the next step of a thriller to something a bit darker. It is chilling and a bit eerie. A very good read.
This short story is a very unique, supernatural tale of the consequences of illegal hunts...and not listening to your guide. With just a touch of a supernatural element, this take is elevated to the next step of a thriller to something a bit darker. It is chilling and a bit eerie. A very good read.
August 8, 2019
Another exquisite short story from Calvin Demmer! A fast-paced, creepy twist on the biblical tale of the lure of eating the “forbidden fruit”.
May 20, 2023
Very interesting story!
September 20, 2023
Enjoyable, quick ride through the grasslands of Southern Africa with a couple of not so likeable characters. A little weird in the best way.
February 22, 2021
Simple and unassuming.
Sources for all 4-5-star praising reviews is quite visible for anyone who stay enough long on this site.
Sources for all 4-5-star praising reviews is quite visible for anyone who stay enough long on this site.
September 20, 2023
Fun!
This was a fun, quick-paced read. I only wish it was a bit longer with more explanation, but then again, maybe it’s more fun this way?
This was a fun, quick-paced read. I only wish it was a bit longer with more explanation, but then again, maybe it’s more fun this way?
July 12, 2019
This is a quick short story from Demmer. I recently signed up for his newsletter and this was one of three stories sent for doing so.
The title of this does a decent job of giving the reader an idea of what's to come; forbidden fruit tales are as old as, well, Adam and Eve. I like Demmer's exploration of this. The characters are developed as much as needed for a story of this length and the action moves well.
I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of the stories soon!
The title of this does a decent job of giving the reader an idea of what's to come; forbidden fruit tales are as old as, well, Adam and Eve. I like Demmer's exploration of this. The characters are developed as much as needed for a story of this length and the action moves well.
I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of the stories soon!
September 24, 2023
For only 20 pages it was a good quick read. It would have been better if it was a bit longer and more descriptive though. A bit more background would have been good too.
January 9, 2021
3.5 stars.
A cautionary tale with an unusual setting, this solid little short story explores what happens when two big game hunters bite off more than they can chew...
Delivering a satisfying half hour read I'll be looking out for more of this author's work.
A cautionary tale with an unusual setting, this solid little short story explores what happens when two big game hunters bite off more than they can chew...
Delivering a satisfying half hour read I'll be looking out for more of this author's work.
June 26, 2019
Fast paced, full of wonderfully weird fiction & creative world building.
July 5, 2019
Demmer delivers in this creepy, easy-to-devour read, filled with atmosphere and suspense...
March 6, 2021
Interesting
Quick, interesting short story. I enjoyed kind of reminded me of a twilight zone episode. I liked it quite a bit.
Quick, interesting short story. I enjoyed kind of reminded me of a twilight zone episode. I liked it quite a bit.
November 9, 2023
I have yet to read a book from this author that I didn't enjoy. That's really all you need to know. Read everything he writes. The end.
October 15, 2023
3.75 to 4 stars!!!!!
March 27, 2017
Calvin Demmer sets up a world within a world. An interesting parallel between the poachers disregard for the environment and the strange disturbance they stumble upon. Was a fast paced read with plenty of weird fiction elements to sink one's imagination into.
June 7, 2023
Todd Watson and his helper, Dan Matthews, are in Southern Africa. With the assistance of local guide Bongani, the men have come to hunt rhinoceroses.
While Bongani ensures that their perimeter is clear, Todd and Dan relax and set up camp for the night.
We learn that the men have poached in Asia before, and this isn’t their first time in Africa, either.
When Bongani returns, he has bad news—the park rangers have located the band of plunderers.
Their ensuing flight from justice leads the men to encounter inexplicable sights and sounds, including a beautiful tree with enticing purple fruits that hang from its branches.
Using an ominous tone throughout, this story is creepy and spooky—with a cool ending.
While Bongani ensures that their perimeter is clear, Todd and Dan relax and set up camp for the night.
We learn that the men have poached in Asia before, and this isn’t their first time in Africa, either.
When Bongani returns, he has bad news—the park rangers have located the band of plunderers.
Their ensuing flight from justice leads the men to encounter inexplicable sights and sounds, including a beautiful tree with enticing purple fruits that hang from its branches.
Using an ominous tone throughout, this story is creepy and spooky—with a cool ending.
September 20, 2023
3.5***
This short story was recommended to me on goodreads, and I have to say I am impressed! Coming in just at 20 pages, it was really a great story, telling the tale of two poachers who sneak onto a game reserve in Africa with their guide. It soon becomes apparent that the deadly and dangerous animals that prowl the savanna and the game wardens hot on their heels are the least of their worries.
This short story was recommended to me on goodreads, and I have to say I am impressed! Coming in just at 20 pages, it was really a great story, telling the tale of two poachers who sneak onto a game reserve in Africa with their guide. It soon becomes apparent that the deadly and dangerous animals that prowl the savanna and the game wardens hot on their heels are the least of their worries.
September 22, 2023
Well... it sounded like a good premise, but as short as it was, it didn't really live up to that. Had it been longer, with more background and descriptive writing, it could have been much better. Basically, 2 friends and a guide are trying to poach in Africa, and then poof. One at a time, VERY quickly they all meet their demise.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.
February 15, 2023
Poachers get what they deserve in this short, but somehow still boring story.
September 21, 2023
I enjoyed this one
September 27, 2023
This was ok, nothing special. I was kind of bored to be honest.
October 3, 2023
This was aight but it was far too short for me to totally have understood what actually happened. Not strong enough in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews