Horror World Book Reviews
January, 2007

SHADOW REGIONS by César Puch
Review by Joe Kroeger

I must begin this review by saying that I am also, like César Puch states in his introduction, a huge fan of the TV shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “Tales From The Darkside” that thrived in the 80’s. I really loved how those shows were all about the story, using well-developed plotlines to deliver psychological fear instead of going for shocking or visceral horror. Sitting down with Shadow Regions was like being a kid again; losing myself in the superb storytelling and surprising twists that come together to create a truly enjoyable reading experience.

In Shadow Regions, César Puch successfully gathers together 20 short stories from a variety of authors who bravely stood up to the challenge to craft a well-written story that can stand on plot alone to deliver imaginative psychological horror. Whether written by a seasoned author or a fresh voice in the horror field, these stories are bristling with originality and rich writing that creates an anthology that is an absolute pleasure from start to finish.

Setting the pace for the entire anthology, Shadow Regions opens with the brilliant writing of Gary A. Braunbeck weaving a tense and gripping tale that tests the limits of reality. In You Must Remember This, Braunbeck opens the story with a husband and wife sitting down to watch home movies recently transferred to DVD. However, when the movies paint a different picture than the actual memories, reality skews out of control resulting in a dark disturbing tale. Despite the confusing ending, this story perfectly sets the mood for the tales to follow.

In The Painfully Slow Seduction Of Aldus Lamb , Christopher Hawkins tells the story of a woman desperate to receive the love of someone who fails to share her feelings. Using supernatural means, she attempts to win his love with disastrous results. Even with the predictability of this story, the ending is so emotionally written that you still have this one in your memory long after finishing it. Bonnie Mercure weaves a rich atmospheric tale of the fine line between sanity and insanity with Teapot In The Well. Her dark view of real life is perfectly blended with the magical feel of a richly told fairy tale to create a smoothly flowing story.

In Passage, Brian Rappatta’s rich writing tells an extremely touching and emotional story about a Father’s battle with alcoholism for the sake of his estranged son. Even with the supernatural elements, this story succeeds at giving your heartstrings a good tug. The Curse by Barton Paul Levenson is another story that, through supernatural in nature, relies on human emotion to deliver a powerful tale of anger and forgiveness. When Armand du Plessis accidentally runs down the husband of a witch, the woman he loves must find a way to lift the curse.

A few of the stories I came across were flawless examples of the classic “Twilight Zone” tale, perfectly capturing the feel of this anthology. Lost And Found by Trent Roman, a story where two kids discover and lost and found box with very little limitation, takes a classic tale and updates it with a fresh imaginative idea. John Mantooth’s story, Careless Acts Of Devastation, imaginatively shows how selfish acts can have farther-reaching effects that can possible be imagined. Called On Account by Mark Rigney contains such a twist that even the most seasoned reader will not see it coming.

Rich with atmosphere that practically oozed from the page, Three Days by William D. Carl tells the story of a man’s neighbor who enlists his help with a three day ritual during the hottest days of the summer. Even though Three Days feels like your run-of-the-mill “Creature Feature” story, Williams D. Carl’s enriched atmospheric writing and the natural feel of the first-person narrative made this story a powerful read.

What I love most about delving into an anthology is the chance of running across an author that I have never read before but take exceptional enjoyment in their writing. This happened with Casting Stones by Erik Tomblin, the story I felt was the strongest of the collection. Tomblin’s story centers on a man who, going through some personal struggles, discovers his neighbor’s uncanny ability of “knowing things”. With smooth writing and an expertly fleshed-out plot, Erik Tomblin creates a story in which even the slightest detail contains a deeper mean by the beautifully conceived ending. This story sent me out hunting for more writing from this great writer.

Shadow Regions is a brilliantly thought-out and expertly conceived anthology that delivers on every story; even the weaker entries were strong enough in plot or writing that my attention was held until the final tale. The only thing missing from Shadow Regions was opening and closing segues from Rod Serling. This anthology comes with my highest recommendation and a hope for future anthologies from the brilliance of César Puch.

Cavern Press

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GHOUL by Brian Keene
Review by Joe Kroeger

In the short time he has been publishing horror fiction, Brian Keene has been hailed as “a true master of the horror genre” and “the next Stephen King”. Bursting on the scene with an originality and flair, it seemed that Keene was responsible for breathing new life into the zombie story for a vast number of hungry readers in the horror genre. With each novel, he has gained a more secure foothold within the writing community, always proving himself deserved of a place within the genre. However, I truly believe that with the publication of his newest novel, Ghoul, Brian Keene has finally cemented himself in as a leader of not only the horror genre but as a true literary artisan.

With Ghoul, Brian Keene has written a true horror tale, reminiscent of the Saturday afternoon “Creature Feature”, that comes alive with terror, action and a healthy sprinkling of gore. As three children prepare for a summer vacation filled with fun and innocence, an ancient evil has been awoken within the underbelly of their small town cemetery. As the horror unfolds, each of the children must find the strength within themselves to not only save their own lives but the fate of the entire town. The novel culminates in a suspense filled series of events that will have your white knuckles gripping the book until the final page is turned.

Setting his story within the summer of 84’, Brian Keene has successfully created a richly detailed nostalgic tale that is sure to bring this novel to life in the minds of a vast number of readers. Generously enhancing the story with specific references from Saturday morning cartoons to comic book heroes of that time period, I found myself immersed within the story at such a level that I was practically contributing my own personal memories to the novel.

As if all of this is not enough, I found the true genius of this novel not within the flesh-eating monster tormenting the small town but with the human monsters that Keene expertly places within this picturesque community. Keene shows his readers that there are human monsters that are vastly more horrific and blood-thirsty than the one haunting the cemetery. The human side of this novel chilled my blood and filled me with a sick dread more than the imaginative creation of Keene’s ever could. This is where I believe that Keene expertly mimics the ageless masters of the genre by showing his readers a chilling view of the true face of horror.

Ghoul , by Brian Keene, is one of those richly developed and highly entertaining novels that I cannot recommend enough. If you pass up this novel then you will miss out on one of the best works of fiction that the horror genre has to offer. This book is “Old School Horror” and is sure to be forever embraced as the best novel of Brian Keene’s already illustrious career.

Leisure Books

* * * * *

THE BELOVED By J.F. Gonzalez
Review by Steven E. Wedel

I wasn’t sure what to expect from J.F. Gonzalez’s novel The Beloved when I found it in my mailbox. I’ve met Gonzalez and he seems to be a pretty nice guy, but I wasn’t familiar with his work. I’d heard he was a young master of the extreme, so I suspected I was in for a lot of gore held together by a thin plot.

That isn’t the case. The Beloved takes its time building the tension. There isn’t much gore. What you get instead are totally believable situations and realistic character responses to them.

The novel focuses on the family of Ronnie Baker as he introduces a new girlfriend, Diana Marshfield, into his life, affecting his young daughter Mary as well as the rest of his family. Soon, Ronnie deteriorates mentally and physically. His helpless family at first believes he has relapsed into drug use, then begin to suspect something just isn’t right about Diana, who appears more vivacious as Ronnie falls apart.

They’re right about that. Diana is a succubus, and once she finishes with Ronnie she goes after the much stronger life force of little Mary as the family races to protect the child.

The Beloved isn’t a perfect novel. There are many passages of introspective exposition that slowed things down; often the points of these interludes get repeated in later pages, too. The children don’t come off as completely believable in their dialogue, and at some points I found myself confused on who was who because many of the characters had similar voices. And names. In one instance, a character named Don is having a conversation with another named Donald.

However, The Beloved is a fine piece of writing by a new voice in the genre. The suspense truly mounts to a surprising and very satisfying conclusion that doesn’t disappoint the patient reader.

I found this to be an atypical Leisure Books novel in that there was not an overtly weird event or frantic action sequence in every chapter. While those can be fun, it isn’t very realistic to have them happening all the time. Instead, Gonzalez unravels the tale at a completely believable pace, using both subtlety and shock in masterful strokes. This is a novel you do not want to miss.

Leisure Books

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THE SPACES BETWEEN THE LINES by Peter Crowther
Review by Joe Kroeger

Once again, Peter Crowther gathers an outstanding group of stories together to create a collection that far exceeds the expectations of even his most discerning fan. Crowther follows up The Longest Single Note and Songs Of Leaving with the exemplary short story collection, The Spaces Between The Lines. Delving deep into his rich imagination, Peter Crowther displays some of the finest pieces of horror fiction that prove he has not lost his edge.

Centered within his mainstay of horror fiction, The Spaces Between The Lines collects 12 previously published stories into one convenient collection. Granted, you may come across a story that you have read before, but to consume this collection as a whole, enjoying the complete palette of finely crafted tales, is well worth the price. Whether a collaboration with James Lovegrove or Simon Conway or Crowther’s own imaginative creation, each story stands on its own merit as a great work of fiction.

To choose favorites within this collection is a very difficult task for each story shines with an originality and magic that stand out and beg to be heard. He expertly chills your blood with stories like The Last Vampire, which not only weaves one of the most original vampire stories I’ve read, but also portrays a haunting vision of life in a Post Apocalyptic world. Crowther sprinkles a little magic with the beautifully written story, Conundrums To Guess, which shows the reader an atmospheric yet horrific vision of the secrets behind the world of Alice In Wonderland and the author who discovered the doorway.

Crowther (collaborating with James Lovegrove) even succeeds beautifully in tugging at your heart strings with the emotion and despair of the story Even Beggars Would Ride, which tells a heartbreaking tale of an imprisoned girl that yearns for freedom no matter how horrible the cost. And you will also come across stories like We’re All Bozos On This Bus and Dark Times that are one hundred percent Peter Crowther horror fiction at its finest.

However, the stories that make this book a truly spectacular reading experience are the two that act as bookends for the collection. Stand-By and The Spaces Between The Lines are works of fiction that showcase an author who is truly at the top of his game. In Stand-By, a man’s grief for his wife is so strong that it compels him to desperately find a way to bring her back to him. In succeeding, he realizes that some things are better left the way they were; not to mention what she brings back over with her. The Spaces Between The Lines starts out with a man trying to save his wife’s life by using a magical roll of tape that halts the progression of time. As the story continues, Crowther slowly reveals to the reader that something lives “between the spaces” that is not too keen on having guests.

I highly recommend The Spaces Between The Lines for anybody who has enjoyed Peter Crowther in the past or somebody looking for a writer with a fresh voice and rich descriptive prose that jumps from the page. From start to finish, this collection truly captures the best of an author in the midst of a grand career.

Subterranean Press

* * * * *

A GHOST STORY by Keith Latch
Review by Joe Kroeger

Keith Latch, a refreshing new voice in the horror genre, has appeared on the scene with an exciting new take on the traditional ghost story. More mainstream than gothic, A Ghost Story takes the usual spectral tale and infuses it with an action packed plotline that has its share of chilling moments. A Ghost Story is an exemplary first novel from an author who is sure to have a grand future in the horror field.

At the center of A Ghost Story is eight-year-old Delaney who is the obsession of her Grandfather, Dexter Scruggs. An extraordinarily evil man, Dexter is someone who always gets what he wants no matter the cost, and his sights are set on getting his Granddaughter back. A rich cast a characters, including the ghost of a teenager, joins Delaney in her battle to stop this evil individual who is willing to kill to get her back or make sure no one else can have her either.

Reminiscent of Stephen King’s novel, Bag Of Bones, Keith Latch takes his novel a step beyond the gothic ghost stories of the past and adds a rich sense of magic and heart-stopping action to his creation. Everything from the rich imagery flowing beautifully throughout the prose to the living, breathing characters that seemed to leap from the page, A Ghost Story is exceptionally readable novel.

My only complaint lies within the fact that the novel, which had me hooked from the beginning, transforms from a chilling ghost story to a suspenseful thriller. Please don’t get me wrong. Even with the direction that this book led me, I was still riveted to my couch enjoying every last page. Its just that the opening sequences so expertly sets the mood for a richly atmospheric ghost story that I wished the supernatural aspect had taken a more centralized role. However, Keith Latch does successfully paint a horrific picture of how truly monstrous one person can be.

The superb writing and expert pacing of this debut novel makes this a must read from an exciting new talent in the horror industry. If you are in the mood to lose yourself within a great story that flows perfectly from start to finish than I highly recommend getting a copy of A Ghost Story by Keith Latch.

Booklocker

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A SOUL IN A BOTTLE By Tim Powers
Review by W.D. Gagliani

The novels of Tim Powers are legendary – fantasy presented as "secret history" so convincingly they are known to send people to the library to read up on the facts presented, in order to spot the connections the author makes so fancifully on paper. You can't tackle a Powers work without directing new readers to (at the very least): "The Anubis Gates," "The Drawing of the Dark," "On Stranger Tides," "The Stress of Her Regard," "Last Call," "Expiration Date," "Earthquake Weather," and "Declare." Assuming most readers in our field are well-acquainted with Powers the novelist, it should be noted that he is also a superb short story writer. "A Soul in a Bottle" is a prime example of his skill, presented here as a stand-alone book by the always dependable Subterranean Press, illustrated by J.K. Potter.

The short stories of Tim Powers often involve nostalgia and deep regret, elements also portrayed by his novel protagonists, but magnified until they become the story's lasting emotions. There's a wistful sadness in these poetic yet seemingly simple stories that stays with you long after the initial reading. In "A Soul in a Bottle," we meet George Sydney, a man whose life seems to consist of dealing in used books (bought in second-hand stores and sold on the Internet) and getting drunk enough to fall asleep. One day while placing three pennies in Jean Harlow's Chinese Theater cement slab, he meets a lovely young girl and inexplicably feels sad yet ecstatically in love. He doesn't state this, but after her disappearance he continually returns to the scene, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. He's soon rewarded but, of course, she's not a typical friend, and Sydney isn't phased by her true nature. He finds a book of poetry in which the ending of a poem is different from every other copy – can the young woman be the author, who was murdered by her sister decades earlier?

Before long she presents Sydney with a true dilemma. But what she asks of him, a favor weighed down by much that remains unspoken, will most likely cause harm to someone innocent.

Both ensnared by this phantom, and also strangely resigned to do what he knows is right, Sydney faces his destiny.

Asking questions of philosophy and ethics and morality between the lines is a typical Powers ploy, taking the themes in his work to a level well beyond the action. "A Soul in a Bottle" is a ghost story in which the inherent weakness of a lonely man faced with the possibility of finding a loving companion is a metaphor for his already lost struggle with alcoholism. Quietly powerful, always literate and sedate, yet full of tension and spiritual suspense, this novella's themes reverberate after further thought. Like a parable, the story invites our own comparison – what would I do? – without ever attempting to preach or moralize. The fantastic element is like the gossamer touch of a ghostly scent from the past, equally enticing and disturbing without the grimness of the visceral. There is a form of spiritual horror exhibited here, but its personal nature inspires an introspection fantasy stories or novellas rarely achieve within their readers. You will never be disappointed in a Tim Powers short story, but you will always wish it were longer.

Subterranean Press

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BROTHER ODD By Dean Koontz
Reviewed by Randy Chandler

Following hard on the heels of Odd Thomas and Forever Odd, Dean Koontz’s most popular character returns for another dark adventure in Brother Odd, and the third time is the charm. That character of course is Odd Thomas, a young fry cook by trade, who sees dead people, though they can’t talk to him.

Oddie has repaired to a mountain monastery in hopes of dealing with the tragic loss of his soul-mate Stormy, but he finds there will be no peace for him there when the bodachs show up. These are otherworldly shadows only Odd can see. They show up in advance of violent death, usually on a large scale. “A single death does not draw them, or two deaths, or even three. They prefer operatic violence, and for them the performance is not over when the fat lady sings, but only when she is torn to pieces.”

The bodachs hover in increasing numbers over children in the residential hospital wing of the monastery compound, and Odd knows he hasn’t much time to find a way to forestall the coming horror. Given the nature of Odd’s gift, this is no easy task. As one of the nuns puts it: “You know just enough so that, morally, you’ve got to act…but not enough to be certain exactly what to do.” And therein lies the suspenseful fun for the reader. Oddie must, in effect, solve a crime that hasn’t yet happened.

Without giving away too much, suffice it to say that Brother Odd is a pared-down and poetic reimagining of Mary Shelley’s most famous creation. Koontz’s writing has never been stronger, nor his voice more engaging. Dean’s dog Trixie said in a recent e-mail that Brother Odd is the fastest-selling yet of her master’s books, so I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Odd Thomas.

Random House

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AEGRI SOMNIA edited by Jason Sizemore & Gill Ainsworth
Reviewed by Joe Kroeger

Jason Sizemore and Gill Ainsworth successfully posed a premise to twelve of the Apex featured writers and created an anthology that collects those richly imaginative and high entertaining stories together. Aegri Somnia, the Apex Featured Writer Anthology, is a smooth flowing collection of stories that stay true to the horror and imagery that you would expect from Sizemore and Ainsworth’s horrific conception.

The translation of Aegri Somnia literally means "a sick man's dreams”. Using this idea as a starting point, each author created a tale well worthy to grace the pages of this dark and imaginative anthology. Each story shines with an originality that embraces the ideal that is expected from an anthology of this caliber, and leaves the reader with its nightmare imagery stuck in their head long after you have moved on to the next tale. Even through a few of the stories stood out from the rest as exceptional works, this anthology as a whole exceeded every preconceived expectation I had prior to turning the first page.

Aegri Somnia starts the anthology out on all cylinders with one of the stories that stood out in my mind. YY by Jennifer Pelland is a story of grief and science gone wrong as a father mourns a child not even born and the lengths he goes to recreate what he never had. Working on all emotions, this story carries a punch that that will have you pausing to catch your breath before moving to the next story.

If I had to pick one story as the one that rose above the rest as a great piece of writing, Heal Thyself by Scott Nicholson is the story that makes this anthology worth the price. Telling a tale of past lives and the pain that is transferred throughout time, Scott Nicholson crafts a story about a man revisiting his past lives in an attempt to mend his soul, and the event that echoes through to the present day. With an impressive twist at the end, this story is a perfect fit in an anthology that rises above the rest.

In All Becomes As Wormwood, Angeline Hawkes revisits the nightmare landscape of the sight of the Chernobyl accident and gives a frightening glimpse of the local residents and their plans for mankind. Perfectly capturing the atmosphere and power that this area holds in the minds of everyone even today, Hawkes writes a story that is sure to live on even beyond the pages of this anthology.

Every story in this anthology stands out as a great work of fiction that each author had poured his or her blood, sweat and tears into its creation. With the outstanding line-up of rich atmospheric tales, Aegri Somnia is an anthology that is sure to capture each and every reader long after the final page is turned. I highly recommend picking up a copy of Aegri Somnia and losing yourself within the nightmares contained within each well imagined page.

Apex Digest

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HALLOW'S EVE by Al Sarrantonio
Review by Steven Middaugh

I've heard a lot of things about Orangefield and Al Sarrantonio; I'm very curious and decided to pay that place a visit. And you know what? I'm glad I went there. However, if Orangefield is real, reality-wise I don't think it would be wise to go there. Not during the month of October anyway and things couldn't get any worse during Halloween.  What with the so-called "Sam" sightings and all?

When Corrie Phaeder decides to return to Orangefield against his better judgment he knew what to expect; strange things and stranger deaths occur during the month of October.  What throws him off track is the Jack O' Lantern man seen flitting around in shadows of the cornfield and elsewhere.  It seems he is something of a messenger by the name of John who comes to prepare him.  Detective Grant has his share of "weird shit" as he called it.  He is far from pleased to hear Phaeder has come back to town.  He is suspects that Phaeder murdered his mother yet his mentor, Riley Gates, tells him otherwise.  Things get interesting depending when Samhain or Sam for short, shows up    All hell breaks loose on Halloween and the protagonists are finally forced to confront the real nightmare.

Hallow's Eve is well written and a fast read.  A rollercoaster ride if you will; and this one doesn't come with seat belts.  It's a lot of fun.  I'm looking forward to the next visit to Orangefield.

Leisure Books

* * * * *

HORRORWEEN by Al Sarrantonio
Review by Steven Middaugh

Now, we return to Orangefield.  Not in a sequel, mind you, but a prequel.  This time it's an episodic novel with three episodes that lead up to the final climax in Halloween.  It's slightly different from the previous one, Hallow's Eve.  "Eve" borders more into the fantastic whereas "Horrorween" delves into the psychological.

We find out a little bit more about Kealan, the author of "Sam Hain & The Halloween That Never Was", mentioned only briefly in the previous novel.  Kealan is getting a mite too antsy for his wife's liking what with the writer's block and all.  Not to mention hornets that keep popping up in certain intervals in his own house, even in his den where he works.  His wife disappears a day after a little spat and an attempt at reconciliation; he is shocked to learn of her true fate.

Next one up is the Pumpkin Boy.  It's real enough in Orangefield.  Every night, a child sees Pumpkin Boy walking by like he's got fits and starts.  The child would then sneak out of his house just to follow the furtive form, only to later regret it.  Well, you know the old saying, "Curiosity kills a cat."

The finale is where weird things start to develop and then build up to a dark climax.  Not without some nudging from our favorite boogie guy, Samhain or Sam to his friends, if he has any.

These stories are, well written, fast paced, with three dimensional characters,and very dark cycle of stories around the town of Orangefield.  Two thumbs up.  Way up.

Leisure Books

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