Well, well well. Once in a while you pick a book, and it has the ability to knock you straight on your arse! That is exactly what A Song for The End dWell, well well. Once in a while you pick a book, and it has the ability to knock you straight on your arse! That is exactly what A Song for The End did to me. Kit Power’s writing has the uncanny ability to create a scene and torch it into your memory. Everything was vivid and pulsating and undeniably gritty and dark.
A Song for the end introduces us to Bill Cutter. A man that seems to be just going from one bad decision to another. Aged thirty-five and still only a supply teacher, he’s not exactly in a happy relationship and the one thing that gives him joy is the music he makes with his friends. They’ve just penned and recorded their latest song and wait for it…it’s only gone viral, what’s the catch you say? Well, the listener will be compelled to tell the truth in any situation or risk having their brain explode and drown them in a torrent of blood.
The beginning of the book is a complete knock out. The subsequent words and chapters told me everything I needed to know about the author. He likes it screwed up and dodging the proverbial bullet. His ability to transport me a dangerous and almost dystopian place and wanting to cover my eyes in case of accidental consumption of a song that will probably kill me. I was swimming against the tide, but it had other ideas.
One song and the blood flew. By this point that author and A Song for the End had me addicted. His laser precise writing style. It only took mere moments for me to be invested in this story until its conclusion. I believe this story has two sides; on one hand we have the struggle of a man that wants more from everything, nothing seems to give him that spark anymore. His song goes viral and suddenly it lets him hope that there is an escape, a way out. He is the epitome of the human condition, are we ever genuinely happy with our lot? On the other hand, we have the turning of the tide and Bill doing what is right. It was admirable to see how he made the switch from being a bit of a selfish guy into doing something for the greater good.
A Song for the End is with one stroke puts Kit Power in there with some of the greats Kealan Patrick Burke and other masters of the genre. Its eerie and unforgettable. This deserves more recognition. ...more
Secret Santa was a mixed bag. A run of bad luck has hit Lussi Myer. She’s behind in her share of the rent, she’s lost her beloved editor role in a pubSecret Santa was a mixed bag. A run of bad luck has hit Lussi Myer. She’s behind in her share of the rent, she’s lost her beloved editor role in a publishing house and she needs to find something fast! As you delve into this kind of dark comedy horror you realise that a lot of things aren’t as they seem. She lands the position of Senior Editor in the prominent publishing house of Blackwood-Patterson. Well, of course there is the small matter of her interview going horrendously and the boss taking a heart attack right in front of her. When she arrives at the hospital to visit him, she overhears his son on the phone confirming that Mr Blackwood is dead. She ends up getting the role by basically playing on the financial concerns of Mr Blackwood junior.
Despite the terrible circumstances of her gaining employment at the firm, Lussi is incredibly happy. She can make plans to pay her half the rent and just be comfortable. Quickly the events that are taking place in Secret Santa are quite frankly odd. There’s comments that no-one ever leaves their job, but the secretary that had been there for what seems like an eternity left the day after Mr Blackwood’s death. There is a strange atmosphere between the already ordained employees and Lussi, they almost seem numb behind the eyes, and then of course, there is what occurs at the secret Santa exchange.
Lussi has been given a gift even though she had just started her role and hadn’t been given a name to buy for. It appears someone is pranking her. She was given the mysterious doll that was in Mr Blackwood’s office on the day of his heart attack. Lussi being fully aware of these dolls as her grandmother owned one, knows that they can be used to ward off evil spirits. Its an odd gift to receive but she accepts none the less. Still the odd behaviours and events continue. A missing Stollen cake, a broken shin on the intern and the heart attack of the boss.
Secret Santa was a solid read, but I think the authors brand of comedy was lost on me. I know where he was trying to take it, but he shot way past it in my opinion. The eighties references were pretty cool, and I did get “The Southern Book Clubs Guide To Slaying Vampires” but I enjoyed that one better. The book was relatively short but did take me a while to get through because I just couldn’t completely gel with it. ...more
If you haven’t added Maggie’s Grave to you TBR, then why the hell not? This is in my opinion the best example of a witchy folk tale horror out there. If you haven’t added Maggie’s Grave to you TBR, then why the hell not? This is in my opinion the best example of a witchy folk tale horror out there. It brings it all to the table, Sodergren slaps it all down, liquified organs and all. The first couple of chapters are usually enough to decide whether a book is going to be for you…the author nailed it in one. I had a keen sense of foreboding, that small time village feel, residents knowing everything about you, talking about you, judging you. Sodergren nails it.
The shades of darkness is quite literally written on the wall.
Beth was one of those characters you just loved to hate. I’m not saying she was all bad, far from it. I could completely relate to her. Like her I have lived in a small highland village and it can be claustrophobic. Everyone seems to know your business before you do. It seems like many of the residents have no ambition to live anywhere else. That was never me, like Beth I wanted out. Beth epitomises the human condition. She gets carried away with bad thoughts and feelings even though she tries to batter them down. First impressions? I thought she treated everyone around her horribly – Alice and Grady especially. Even if I couldn’t understand why she did a thing, I could at least understand the thought behind it.
Maggie’s grave is bloody cinematic. A group of teenagers decide one night (I mean are they fucking crazy?) to trek up the mountain to visit Maggie’s cottage and grave. She was killed as a witch in 1657 and the tale of how she was buried is horrific. One of the teenagers is onto a promise and he’d literally do anything to have sex with this fresh American girl. The following scenes had me both gasping in shock but laughing at just how outrageous the scene must have looked in Beth’s eyes. (I have a sick sense of humour).
Maggie’s grave scared the living crap out of me. Little do the teens know the importance behind Maggie coming back. Just why is she stalking them? Disclaimer: I was seriously shocked behind her resurrection. This story would be amazing as a movie – Shudder you better be listening!
Maggie’s Grave is a tailspin of emotions. Once Sodergren hits the accelerator he doesn’t pause for breath. He cranks the tension and gore to breaking point. ...more
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