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25 Gates of Hell by Brian Keene |Review
25 Gates of Hell is perpetually locked in the darkness. It is a frank and conclusive investigation of how dark humanity can be. 25 stories from 25 writers, each one steeping into the fires of hell unsure of whether they could escape again. As the title suggests, each story is focussed on the opening of hells gates and the implications upon mankind. Each one is gritty, dark as hell and it kept my black heart beating for a little while longer. 25 Gates of Hell reminded me just why I love Horror short stories. They are quick to the point, devastating to the point of despair and they can display…
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Monster Double Feature| Review
You know that feeling when an author just has a massively high standard right from the off? Ah you do, excellent…you will bear with me while I go off on a tangent about the sheer quality of writing and scare tactics employed from Mark Cassell. I will need to read more of his work sharpish to gauge just how high his bar of excellence stretches to. Whilst reading Monster Double Feature I got an insight into just how far Cassell is willing to go. The research and passion for his stories is obvious right from the kick-off. Each story delivered a swift kick to the genitals, but while wearing steel…
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A Song For The End by Kit Power | Review
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 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…
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The Balance by Kev Harrison | Review
The Balance epitomises everything that I love about folktale horror. It’s a story of balance, order, the coming full circle. There’s secrets at every corner, an unknown set of scales allowing harmony and control. What happens when humanity grasps for more control, more power? Will that balance tip and allow everything to come crashing all down? Time doesn’t exist whilst reading this book. Yes, you can hear it whittling down, each tick getting louder and louder until it beats furiously in your brain, making the tension all that more palpable. The balance is a work of art. This book crept up on me and felt like a sledgehammer on the…
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The Lament of the Silver Badger by Oli Jacobs | Review
The Lament of the Silver Badger is a collection of horror short stories by Oli Jacobs. Once again, the author has knocked it out of the mother-fucking park! I’ve read more than a few short story collections of late and can hand on heart say that this is the best one I’ve read to date. Let me just clarify my feelings and thoughts during my read of this awesome collection. WHAT THE HELL? WHAT DID I JUST READ? IT’S COMING, ITS TOTALLY COMING NO WAY… THAT CAN’T BE THE END!! THIS IS AWESOME These were my thoughts while reading Oli Jacob’s highly imaginative short story collection. You know you’ve found…
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The Station 17 Chronicles by Oli Jacobs | Review
Another year is drawing a close and whilst the times we are living in Is unknown and uncertain, one thing has become abundantly clear; we can rely on books to get us through. 2020 has brought me some new authors, especially ones that publish independently. The Station 17 Chronicles is the second book I have read and reviewed by Oli Jacobs and I’m stunned once again by his sharp wit, well-structured prose, and fantastical storylines. He has become a must-read author and I will go on to read his back catalogue. He was able to shock me and make my head implode with his stonker novel, Wilthaven. The Station 17…
