Australian horror | Musings of the Monster Librarian

Book Review: The Crying Forest by Venero Armanno

The Crying Forest by Venero Armanno

IFWG Publishing Australia, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781925956559

Available: Paperback, Kindle

Paul Munro and his young daughter Lía move from Hong Kong into a large country house in Australia. It becomes clear early on that Lía is more than what she appears. She sees things and has a power that others want to harvest for themselves. Agata Rosso, an ancient Italian witch, is one such individual. She used to hold so much power, but that power, and her youth, are long gone for her and her ailing husband, Giancarlo. Another party interested in restoring his vitality and power is the lecherous and wealthy Karl Haberman. After Agata Rossa endears herself to Karl by way of offering him something of a youth elixir, presented to him by a mutual acquaintance, Donatello Zappavigna. The old wretch and the aged witch join forces to track down the rich source of power in their midst.

Venero Armanno’s folk horror combines a good mystery, interesting characters, and both inhuman and very human monsters. I found myself unable to put the book down, while at the same time needing to take breaks to properly digest the chapters. Most of the characters are multifaceted, especially Donatello. I could go from having immense sympathy for him in one chapter, and absolutely hating him in the next. I liked discovering more about Lía as the story progressed, including details about her previous schooling and why she had to leave the hallowed halls of that school. She’s full of mystery and surprises, and a strength that shines through even from the first pages. I would recommend this for adult readers who enjoy folk horror works.

There is a content warning that needs to be addressed. Karl Haberman has certain sexual appetites that are disturbing. When Agata Rossa tells him what kind of person he needs to look for to pinpoint their target, it is revealed Karl has a liking for young girls.

Contains: blood, sex, pedophilia

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Book Review: A Feast of Sorrows: Stories by Angela Slatter

A Feast of Sorrows: Stories by Angela Slatter

Prime Books, 2016

ISBN: 9781607014744

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

Australian author and World Fantasy and British Fantasy award winner Angela Slatter’s A Feast of Sorrows is her first U.S. collection and contains fourteen dark fairy tales. This collection includes stories full of strong girls and women, fairy tale retellings, and Gothic themes. Her stories are a blend of horror and fantasy, and it is hard to pick a favourite out of this collection.

In “Light as Mist, Heavy as Hope,” a maiden leaves her home after her father strikes a bargain with a member of royalty whose coffers are drying up quickly. The lovely maiden, whose mother is long dead, is rumored to be able to spin straw into gold, but her mother is the key to her salvation. “Bluebeard’s Daughter” melds the traditional Bluebeard story with Snow White and Hansel and Gretel. “Sourdough” gives us the tale of Emmaline, who bakes pieces of art for a living. She and her mother are called upon by to compete with another bakery in town to supply a wedding with baked goods. The groom, Peregrine, is smitten with Emmaline and they begin a clandestine affair. Peregrine’s fiancé, who garnered the nickname the fox bride, is not pleased and makes her stance on their relationship known. In “The Jacaranda Wife,” an estate owner finds a mysterious woman sleeping under the jacaranda tree on his property. They eventually wed, but he becomes jealous of the grove she spends so much time in and has all of the lovely trees cut down. She’s in agony without the trees, and eventually returns home after the housekeeper leads her to the lone jacaranda tree that the master missed. A coffin maker, haunted by the ghost of her father, takes on a job to bury a widow’s husband in “The Coffin-Maker’s Daughter.” She is in love with the young widow, and thinks the feelings are mutual. They are not, but the coffin maker ensures their ties will be difficult to undo.

Slatter’s storytelling is fascinating and gripping. From the first tale to the last, I couldn’t put this book down. It becomes clear throughout that all of the stories take place in the same universe, as we see familiar characters or settings make an appearance in other tales. Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker