The Candles Are Burning

Into Shadow #6

by Veronica G. Henry

Amid the modern trappings of 1950s Savannah, an ancient evil threatens a young widow and her daughter in this chilling short story by award-winning author Veronica G. Henry.

When her husband dies unexpectedly, Maggie Royal is struck with sinister visions that foretell danger for her and for her five-year-old daughter. Her mother and grandmother were said to have “the sight,” but it was never like this. With no one alive to turn to, Maggie must move quickly to uncover the meaning of her visions before her candle is snuffed out.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Horror, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Historical

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

Veronica G. Henry is the author of Bacchanal, The Quarter Storm, and The Foreign Exchange in the Mambo Reina series.

Her work has debuted at #1 on multiple Amazon bestseller charts, was chosen as an editors’ pick for Best African American Fantasy, and shortlisted for the Manly Wade Wellman Award.

She is a Viable Paradise alum and a member of SFWA and MWA. Her stories have appeared, or are forthcoming, in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and FIYAH Literary Magazine.

Reviews

[carol. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick little ghost story set in mid-20th century, deep South. The atmosphere was well developed, cultural context felt real, characters felt dimensional enough for a short, but it never gelled into a horror; a little too close to the grossness of real life over the uncanny, I think. On the scale of horror, I'd rate it Supernatural (the tv series) at worst.

[Berengaria · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star

shortish review for busy readers:
Worst Amazon Original Stories I've read yet.

Amateurish, rushed writing reminiscent of a short "notes" draft for a novel. Superficial characterisation. Laughable interactions and dialogue. Low tangible atmosphere. Absurd plot. Even more absurd reveal.

Starts with a death scene so ridiculous and badly done, I was sure it was a dream sequence. But no, it was real...and the story just went "south" (haha) from there.

A word about the "spooky"candles: what's used as a major plot point is the most basic of candle magic. Candle magic is one of the most basic of all witchcraft practices. It's common knowledge among even slightly practising communities, and a certain black-robed character would certainly have known that.

One thing I will give this story -- the ghostly apparitions are decently done. That's the only thing that earns this story its 1 star. The rest, pure tree murder.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian on film festival hiatus) Teder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Fear the Reaper
Review of the Amazon Original Kindle eBook (November 15, 2022) released simultaneously with the Audible Original audiobook (November 15, 2022)

“She has the forbidden knowledge.”

In mid 20th century Savannah, Georgia, a woman with a single child loses her husband in an accident. She is reduced in circumstances to living in a deserted shack on her church congregation's property, working as a cleaner and crafting candles as a sideline to make ends meet. But, the tragedy has provoked her family's dangerous hereditary gift of "the second sight". This puts her in peril from forces beyond this world.

I thought the sweep and imagination of this one was terrific and it takes you to unexpected places about which it would be a spoiler to disclose anything further. A very entertaining horror fantasy read!

American Veronica G. Henry is a fantasy, horror and mystery writer who has published several novels and short stories. Her most popular novel is Bacchanal (2021).

The Candles Are Burning is the sixth of seven Amazon Original Kindle eBooks/Audible Audio audiobooks released on November 15, 2022 as part of the Into Shadow Collection of short stories where "Some truths are carefully concealed; others merely forgotten. In this spellbinding collection, seven acclaimed fantasy authors create characters who venture into the depths where others fear to tread. But when forbidden knowledge is the ultimate power, how far can they go before the darkness consumes them?"

Soundtrack
Could not resist going back to listen to Blue Öyster Cult's (Don't Fear) the Reaper (1976) which you can listen to on YouTube here or on Spotify here.

Bonus Track
(Don't Fear) The Reaper is the music track used in the hilarious and iconic "More Cowbell" skit performed by actor Christopher Walken and the SNL cast on Saturday Night Live on April 8, 2000 which you can see on Vimeo here. Christopher Walken was regularly the butt of "more cowbell?" jokes by fans and enthusiasts for years afterwards.

Trivia and Link
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Kindle short stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setting was the best part. The rest? Meh.

[Elita ₊✩ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion but I actually liked this. I never knew where the plot was going to go and I liked all the misdirections & the big plot twist. The main character was also likable and easy to root for. The writing was solid. My favorite book in this short story collection after The Six Deaths of the Saint.

[Fiona Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story - but much like the other reviews I've read, I felt the ending let it down a bit. Expanded into a longer story, with more time to spend wrapping it up, I think that what made this special could really shine.

Second to last in the Into Shadow collection - overall it's been up and down, but the ups are really up!

[h o l l i s · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was mostly failed by the ending, I think. An extra ten pages to flesh things out, instead of rushing through the big reveal (which, to be honest, I don't think things really work in a way that makes a whole lot of sense..), not to mention maybe beefing up the final few pages to flesh out why this was an acceptable bargain, would've done this a lot of good.

The setting may have been the most interesting part and the writing wasn't bad. But some bits felt a little rougher than others and this could've maybe been more successful with a little more care (in the sense that it felt a bit like a draft) and explanation.

---

This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

If you’re looking for a historic gothic vibe with a special twist revolving around the grim reaper then this short short might whet your appetite.

However, for me I needed more than what the abrupt ending gave me.

[Chantaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but...? I have no idea what I was supposed to get out of that ending.

[Mary_ame · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I enjoyed gothic vibes, but the ending was lacking.

[bri]

fun fact about me: The Penitent Magdalen by Georges de la Tour is one of my all-time favorite paintings, and YES I WILL READ A BOOK BASED ON ITS COVER JUST FOR FEATURING THIS PAINTING (also it sounds amazing)

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all impressed.

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this novella and, honestly, found myself not that interested in either the story or the characters. Also, it felt like it ended just when the story started getting interesting. The narrator, Kristyl Dawn Tift, did a fine job. Hopefully, other works by Veronica G. Henry will work better for me.

[rain]

one of the more engaging stories in the collection!!! it has an interesting take on the personification of death. i just wish there was more to the ending, though. but i really liked the overall story and the grit of the main character.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, especially the setting (Savannah, GA in the 1950s) but the ending didn't compute for me. I wasn't exactly sure what the main character had agreed to.

[3.5 stars]

[S.A Reidman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Southern Gothicism - rooted in hoodoo and debt in physical.and otherworldly forms. It's everything I wanted but didn't know I wanted. Watch me go "quick as a jitterbug" to add a bunch of Southern gothic horror to my October tbr.

It has also made me rather curious about African American Hoodoo and actually the entire diaspora's connection to hoodo/vodou etc. That's another book I need to be on the lookout for.

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Is this what they call rootwork? Or is it more like the devil at the crossroads? What really makes this so eerily beautiful in its haunting is that it's not some horror - its a slow burn into hell or a version of it without ever setting foot outside Savannah. In a word - claustrophobic.

Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Maybe they would have all been better off in thr north. Although I highly doubt it. Once "The Sight" made itself known, Maggie's life shifted into a perpetual path of tragedy.

Jackson and his "benefactor" are quietly terrifying.

Death/Reaper - solid personification.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene: :
The phantom funeral procession.😬
She raced outside, screaming, “Leave us alone!”

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “There is something about this city, more abominations like her here than anywhere else. All I ask is that you use what I have given you to point me to them. If you cannot do that, you are of no use to me.” (the horror of being in an other things' crosshairs)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts :
■ Candles

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked most about this story was Maggie Royal's journey from pragmatic, competent, grounded wife and mother to a widow plagued by dreams, visions and a growing sense of dread who has to find the courage to embrace things she'd rather not believe in to protect herself and her daughter. It felt both inevitable and credible.

The setting for the story, in Savannah in the 1950s, was well enough described to give the story texture and to create the context for Maggie Royal's choices.

Maggie's visions were filled with menace which was added to by the strange behaviour of the town's funeral director.

I struggled to believe in or be afraid of the Big Bad that Maggie had to face, so the story lost some of its impact. I did believe in Maggie and how she thought and behaved.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶😎🎵😋🔔

This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book six of seven

Her husband has died and she is having strange feelings which lead to a discovery that is unbelievable.

I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of fantasy world 🌎 novels 🤔 😎. 2024 👒😆

[corks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. This was my favorite out of the 7 books so far!
Oh my.
I want more! ASAP!!!!
Seriously this wasn’t enough, I need an entire novel at this point. 😭😭😭 whaaaaat

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: 2.5 out of 5.

I was less than trilled with this story. It was well written, but it lacked something that would have kept me engaged.

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good for the first 20 pages or so. Story of a woman exploring grief and paranoia following the tragic passing of her husband... But the twist and the ending was pretty lackluster and the direction the story takes just did not work for me.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really interesting story from this collection! I really enjoyed the narrative style in this. I think it would benefit from being more fleshed out (but maybe that’s just me being greedy for more).

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5/5 Stars

[Alba | Almíbar Aches · Rating 2 out of 5]

???
i don't even know how i'm supposed to rate this. it was so meh

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh - surprise! This is the best so far of the Into Shadows instalments, and I really didn't expect it to be. It's all in the atmosphere.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death reaper and ghost funerelas and magic candels? this was really intriguing, and the main character's was admirable and quick on her feet, which I liked considering the horrors she went through

[Grapie Deltaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1950s Savannah, a young widow struggles with dark visions threatening the safety of her and her daughter shortly after the death of her husband.

Death’s role in this story is a fascinating one as we watch our main character attempt to make sense of her gift and struggle to cope with the loss her great love.

It’s a story that could’ve very easily fall flat if we didn’t have the experience of this particular main character with her deeply compelling nature and admirable persistence.

And the audiobook narrator is absolutely fantastic.

CW: on-page death of loved one, grief, anti-black racism + segregation, kidnapping + imprisonment

[Maja · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just okay. To me, it reads more like the outline for a longer novel than like a short story in its own right. I might have enjoyed the novel, but in this format the writing ends up feeling a little disjointed.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the writing in this quite confusing, and so it took me a while to get into the story, which is not ideal for a short story lol. Nevertheless, the prose was beautiful and there were some good ideas and a great gothic vibe.