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The Horribles
Since witnessing the brutal death of his parents, Sheldon Delaney swore to never step foot outside again. The Horribles are out there. They’re everywhere, threatening the residents of Poe’s Creek. Sheldon’s life changes again when a savage motorcycle gang parades through town with a deafening roar, leather, chrome, and evil. They’re here for the children. Nothing will get in their way. The Horribles have arrived for real this time and for Sheldon to do anything about it, he has to confront every fear he’s ever had or risk being choked by his poisonous memories.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2010
5 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Lambert
14 books24 followersAll work and no play makes Nate a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nate a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nate a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nate a dull bog
All work and no play makes Nate a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nate a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nate a dull bog
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 2, 2011
Dammit, I've tried to write this review three times now, and something keeps interrupting, so I'm going to speed review this sucker before we get an earthquake or something...
OK, so Sheldon is an agoraphobe - he's afraid to go outside because of what he thinks is out there, which are these Horrible little dudes that he saw kill his parents at a young age. (Sheldon was at the young age, not his parents... that could have been explained better... Oh well! No Time! Onward!) I personally don't have phobias and struggle to even fathom what it would be like to be so scared of something that affects every aspect of your existence, but Lambert does a crack up job of getting me in Sheldon's head and making me feel as nervous and uncomfortable as Sheldon does anytime someone comes to his front door.
This is what makes this book a success and a good read. (Ha! Goodread! Look at me being clever! Yay clever me!) Sheldon is a good protagonist who I care about, so when a parade of these Horrible little bastards come motoring into town on their hogs and the body count shoots up, I'm rooting for Sheldon and his buddy Evan all the way. The Horribles are a unique "monster" that plays on the Terminator idea of bad machines with human tissue, and the only critique I have is that we never really find out exactly where they came from or why they're here, being all Horrible and shit. This could have easily gone on another 124 pages.
So, good book, I suggest you check it out, and it's a good price for the Kindle if you have one of those doo-dads. Read it, dog.
There, made it through. And just in time, too - the kids are waking up. Here comes that earthquake...
OK, so Sheldon is an agoraphobe - he's afraid to go outside because of what he thinks is out there, which are these Horrible little dudes that he saw kill his parents at a young age. (Sheldon was at the young age, not his parents... that could have been explained better... Oh well! No Time! Onward!) I personally don't have phobias and struggle to even fathom what it would be like to be so scared of something that affects every aspect of your existence, but Lambert does a crack up job of getting me in Sheldon's head and making me feel as nervous and uncomfortable as Sheldon does anytime someone comes to his front door.
This is what makes this book a success and a good read. (Ha! Goodread! Look at me being clever! Yay clever me!) Sheldon is a good protagonist who I care about, so when a parade of these Horrible little bastards come motoring into town on their hogs and the body count shoots up, I'm rooting for Sheldon and his buddy Evan all the way. The Horribles are a unique "monster" that plays on the Terminator idea of bad machines with human tissue, and the only critique I have is that we never really find out exactly where they came from or why they're here, being all Horrible and shit. This could have easily gone on another 124 pages.
So, good book, I suggest you check it out, and it's a good price for the Kindle if you have one of those doo-dads. Read it, dog.
There, made it through. And just in time, too - the kids are waking up. Here comes that earthquake...
May 9, 2011
"I'll never leave again. No go outside. Never again. Never leave. No more. It's safe in here. Outside is bad. Is Wicked. Evil. The Horribles."
That's the thoughts of the main protagonist in this story of survival against odds of mayhem where a horror comes to town this guy has problems of his own as it is already, things are going to get worser. Will he prevail?
It was a good page-turner a not too short and not too long story.
"There were no oil-slick tentacles slapping against the upholstery, no metal clockwork crammed into neurotic tissue, no jagged teeth and, more importantly, no sign of an animated, combustion engine living inside a human host."
Or was there?
That's the thoughts of the main protagonist in this story of survival against odds of mayhem where a horror comes to town this guy has problems of his own as it is already, things are going to get worser. Will he prevail?
It was a good page-turner a not too short and not too long story.
"There were no oil-slick tentacles slapping against the upholstery, no metal clockwork crammed into neurotic tissue, no jagged teeth and, more importantly, no sign of an animated, combustion engine living inside a human host."
Or was there?
November 2, 2010
Engine-powered zombie freaks! Need I say more?
April 6, 2012
It's ok, but I would recommend it only if you have nothing better to read. I like the eerie mood, reminding me of the Phantasm movies, but there are flaws in narration and plot. Remember the golden rule: "Show, don't tell"? Well, there's too much "telling" and not enough "showing". We spend too much time in the charaters' heads and not enough time seeing them actually react. It's a bit absurd, but judging by the pacing and focus of the book, meeting a possible murderer and witnessing slaughter of a whole town is less thrilling than riding your dad's motorbike. Well, I've never seen a mass murder scene, but I imagine it beats the fuck out of my daily ride home. At least story-wise.
December 4, 2010
All the Grindhouse Press books have amazing covers. I think this one is the best yet. Great story, great characters, great ending. I really, really liked the ending. Fast paced without being brainless. Very easy to shut off the critic and just enjoy.
I read this on my iPod, and will likely reread it once I get a print copy.
I read this on my iPod, and will likely reread it once I get a print copy.
March 23, 2012
I found this book to be enjoyable, yet very odd. It opens with Sheldon witnessing his parents death by an odd creature. This leads him to be a severe agoraphobic, consistently worrying about the "Horribles" that lurk outside, waiting to kill him has they did to his parents. He must not let the creatures in the house, and a strict routine will make sure he is safe.
The only person that seems to understand him is a deaf boy that delivers his groceries. Evan has his own struggles as a deaf kid, and finds solace in Sheldon's home from the kids that make fun of his disability. Although Sheldon loves his comfort, when a flier comes around for a parade, he convinces Evan to go and be a kid.
Then it takes a turn for the worst, and Sheldon is faced in an all out war against these odd creatures while dealing with his agoraphobia. He has to face the demons from both outside and in. Will Sheldon be able to get over the past and fight?
This book is indeed unique. I quite honestly fluctuated between: liking it, being confused by it, finding the Horribles to be very weird antagonists, and yet I could not put the book down. I kept wondering if this was Sheldon's psychosis in overdrive.
I give this three stars because it was an enjoyable read, and I grew a connection with Sheldon and Evan. However, I think too much "strange" can spoil a good plot, and although very descriptive, I found the descriptions of the Horribles to be a bit repetitive with each battle. Also, where did the Horribles come from? How did the machines come alive?
I would recommend to those that:
1. Love free Kindle books that are short reads
2. Like stories dealing with creatures (and don't mind not knowing how they came about or why they exist)
3. Enjoy protagonists with mental issues.
The only person that seems to understand him is a deaf boy that delivers his groceries. Evan has his own struggles as a deaf kid, and finds solace in Sheldon's home from the kids that make fun of his disability. Although Sheldon loves his comfort, when a flier comes around for a parade, he convinces Evan to go and be a kid.
Then it takes a turn for the worst, and Sheldon is faced in an all out war against these odd creatures while dealing with his agoraphobia. He has to face the demons from both outside and in. Will Sheldon be able to get over the past and fight?
This book is indeed unique. I quite honestly fluctuated between: liking it, being confused by it, finding the Horribles to be very weird antagonists, and yet I could not put the book down. I kept wondering if this was Sheldon's psychosis in overdrive.
I give this three stars because it was an enjoyable read, and I grew a connection with Sheldon and Evan. However, I think too much "strange" can spoil a good plot, and although very descriptive, I found the descriptions of the Horribles to be a bit repetitive with each battle. Also, where did the Horribles come from? How did the machines come alive?
I would recommend to those that:
1. Love free Kindle books that are short reads
2. Like stories dealing with creatures (and don't mind not knowing how they came about or why they exist)
3. Enjoy protagonists with mental issues.
September 13, 2011
I loved this book, the opening scenes where Sheldon loses his parents to what he later calls a Horrible are graphic yet touching in his responses and the way he deals with the events in his young mind. As Sheldon grows up, refusing to leave his home and the (imagined?) ghosts of his parents events take a turn for the worst as a motorcycle parade unlike any other travels through the town, bringing death and destruction with them. We travel with Sheldon as he finally leaves home to save his only friend and take on the Horribles.
Lambert has a superb knack for balancing the blood and gore with a brilliant story and well developed characters and as we progress with Sheldon we feel his every doubt, moment of terror and periods of absolute elation. The insights provided by Evan's (Sheldon's young friend) are a fabulous addition to the work and add a certain depth to the story and Sheldon's character that may otherwise have been lacking.
This is a superb read that crams a big story and characters into a small book, a must must read.
Lambert has a superb knack for balancing the blood and gore with a brilliant story and well developed characters and as we progress with Sheldon we feel his every doubt, moment of terror and periods of absolute elation. The insights provided by Evan's (Sheldon's young friend) are a fabulous addition to the work and add a certain depth to the story and Sheldon's character that may otherwise have been lacking.
This is a superb read that crams a big story and characters into a small book, a must must read.
October 10, 2011
When Sheldon Delaney was a child, he found the bodies of his slaughtered parents. Now he is agoraphobic and has cut himself off from the rest of the world, with the exception of a young deaf boy named Evan. When a strange parade comes to town, Sheldon is forced to face his fears to save his only friend.
This is a terrific novella that is captivating and horrifying. This story explores the grip of fear and what it takes to overcome it. It's also about a beautiful friendship between two unlikely people who find solace in each others differences from the world around them.
This story is graphically violent and suspenseful. From the heartbreaking first chapter to its satisfying conclusion, "The Horribles" is a fantastic reading experience.
This is a terrific novella that is captivating and horrifying. This story explores the grip of fear and what it takes to overcome it. It's also about a beautiful friendship between two unlikely people who find solace in each others differences from the world around them.
This story is graphically violent and suspenseful. From the heartbreaking first chapter to its satisfying conclusion, "The Horribles" is a fantastic reading experience.
March 2, 2012
Sheldon is a broken man, having witnessed the brutel murder of his mother and father when he was 8 years old. As an adult, he is unable to leave his house, and seems to be paranoid and delusional. When I started this small book, I thought it would be about Sheldon's fragile state, and what happens to him. In one way it is, but it changed (surprisingly, for me) into something else. I won't reveal what happens (it would be a HUGE spoiler), but I will say that Sheldon ends up a happy man. (Caution: this book does rate high on the goryness scale.)
January 12, 2011
This was a bit of a departure from my usual reading material so I wasn't sure what to expect. The characters were well thought out and very convincing. The storyline kept up the pace and there were some twists that I didn't really expect. It's a fairly short story which in some ways was good as the you didn't get the chance to be sidetracked from the plot but I was also left at then end wishing there had been a bit more. Overall and enjoyable read with believable characters.
June 4, 2012
This book takes the reader down a road of paranoia, fear, horrible imaginative monsters and a mans struggle to overcome his debilitating fears. This quick read is filled to the brim with action and I finished it one sitting because the plot was pretty unique and I wanted to see what the author imagined up next.
February 16, 2011
I read this gruesome little tale in a day. If you like your stories twisted this ones for you.
October 31, 2010
I won a copy of this through First Reads. I'll read and review it when I get it
June 23, 2012
Comparable to early Stephen King. A good read for a summer afternoon!
December 22, 2012
A story filled with the horrors of the unknown. Follow Sheldon as he battles the demons within and an evil that will kill everyone.
May 9, 2015
What happens when the "parade" comes to town. The adults won't like it. When there insides crawl outta of their ears and mouth.
Sheldon the agoraphobic is the towns only hope can he over come his fear and put a dead end to the road the parade is traveling on.
This is horror at its best. Lambert gives you blood, gore and a great plot. Kinda reminded me of " The Landgoliers are gonna get you" Beware The Horribles are watching you!
2 lik
Sheldon the agoraphobic is the towns only hope can he over come his fear and put a dead end to the road the parade is traveling on.
This is horror at its best. Lambert gives you blood, gore and a great plot. Kinda reminded me of " The Landgoliers are gonna get you" Beware The Horribles are watching you!
2 lik
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews