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Review: August’s Eyes by Glenn Rolfe
As a firm favorite author, Glenn Rolfe, I was over the moon to be reviewing his new release, August’s Eyes. Dreams that bleed into reality? Reminiscent of Nightmare on Elm Street…yes, please! John has a great life. Fulfilling career, beautiful wife, a roof over their head. The only thing that is missing from their life is a baby. Sarah longs to complete their family but John feels settled with how they are now. They’ve tried before and he can’t bear to see that hurt etched upon his wife’s face again. Things begin to change for John when he starts having disturbing dreams. There seems to be no rhyme or reason…
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The Devil’s Mistress by David Barclay | Book Review
The Devil’s Mistress is superiorly dark and lyrical. It transcends from bleak to a darker shade of grey. The witch trials have always been an interesting but upsetting period of history for me. It’s an enjoyable read but also is a keen investigation into the human condition. This story looks to examine the depth of the human mind. Barclay tackles themes of misogyny, sexism, and turning the idea of what a witch should be on its head. When tackling such a trope, the author has to create protagonists that we want to root for, Barclay has done this with consummate skill. The Devil’s Mistress takes place in Virginia in the…
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Warding by Kev Harrison | Book Review
Kev Harrison proves he can put his magic to anything, whether that’s writing about European Folklore or in the case of Warding, a story of supernatural proportions. As always with Harrison’s work I was intrigued by the premise but let me tell you – nothing prepared me for the intensity and claustrophobia that would have me enthralled. He is the master of uneasiness and reading Warding was no different. It’s a novelette but incredibly fast paced with a small bunch of characters that are instantly relatable with values and working moral compasses. Warding has done the impossible. How on earth can you pack in bucket loads of emotion, heart and…
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The Echoed Realm by A.J. Vrana | Book Review
The Echoed Realm…a masterpiece that reminded me absolutely of a love affair between the horror movie Insidious and The Mist. Miya’s back and I’ve fallen in love with these characters even more, didn’t think that was possible but that is the magic being summoned by the incredibly talented Vrana. If you haven’t read The Hollow Gods…rectify that immediately, its ethereal, haunting and the narrative is as likely to leave a hole in you as the devastating plot. Writers who leave you staring into the void with anguish and joy at the ending is something to cherish and Vrana is no exception. The Echoed Realm takes place three years after catastrophic…
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Shelter for The Damned by Mike Thorn | Book Review
Shelter for the Damned spins a tale of teenage rage and angst mirrored with the events occurring in the shack. Set the scene…A shack in the middle of a field, it has an exorable pull to the protagonist, Mark. It almost calls to him like a voice in the wind, a siren call. Thorn has a cutthroat ability to reel you in, a writing style so sharp and penetrating that it threatens to tear you open, layer by layer. It is a brutal examination of the emotions and turmoil that teenagers battle with. Shelter for the Damned felt like the lovechild of Barker and King. I’m not a huge fan…
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Banished by Lou Yardley | Review
Banished is the newest offering from one of my favourite indie authors, Lou Yardley. She teaches us that deception is a fruit best left well alone. Every village has its secrets and Elkbury is no exception, the residents will find this out the hard way. Wren, Hedwin and the villagers will come to regret no questioning everything. On the outside it seems they all have the perfect life – a safe village to live out their lives, no death and disease, all thanks to a secret ceremony called The Banishment. You know what they say about illusions, they are there to be shattered. The Banishment ceremony should ensure that murder…
