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Book Review: Sheila: Baby’s First Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Sheila: Baby’s First Zombie Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Bad Day Books, 2014

ISBN- 13:978-1-62827-962-7

Available: Paperback

 

In a genre that seems like its brain must be, by now, completely dead, Brian Malbon has figured out how to keep it not just alive, but interesting. He presents readers with an understated page-turner, using common zombie tropes to his advantage by making several quirky references to film and other well-known works. The massive quantity of existing zombie literature frees Malbon from having to provide detailed backstory; he simply picks up the common thread and continues to his tale. Zombie fiction lovers looking for a gore-filled tale of monster mayhem will want to look elsewhere; this is a human story.

 

Set in Toronto, characters enter at a steady pace, weaving in and out of the threads of micro-plots; the apocalypse creates fast friends, and this is what keeps Sheila from being ordinary. The main story is about Wendell, an antihero who, having lost his pregnant wife to zombies, is placed in charge of an infant, Sheila. The baby gives Wendell a reason to live, and the situation provides a great platform for Malbon’s humor and obvious sensitivity. The solution to their isolation is a hook-up with a band of young teens. This gives Wendell a realistic chance to grow, and prove his courage and survival skills, despite constant, palpable self-doubt.

 

Sheila is a true crossover, (adult/young adult), and it’s an enjoyable break from the gore and other adult-only content of many horror works. Malbon’s style is quick and vibrant, and he has an interesting timing mechanism; there are several suspenseful cliffhangers, and he got me every time. He’s clearly setting up for a series, and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.   Recommended for 13 and up

 

Contains: light profanity

 

Reviewed by Sheila Shedd

 

Posted on January 26, 2015 by , 2 comments

Book Review: The Halloween Children by Brian James Freeman and Norman Prentiss

The Halloween children

The Halloween Children  by Brian James Freeman & Norman Prentiss

Earthling Publications, 2014

Available: Limited edition hardcover, lettered traycased hardcover.

          Note: You must order directly from Earthling Publications here.

 

Earthling Publications’ Halloween books are something that no reader of horror fiction, or any genre of fiction, should ever miss, and The Halloween Children is no exception; Freeman and Prentiss  have produced another book that has been knocked out of the park.   This is a disturbing, claustrophobic, enjoyable read that encompasses everything Halloween should be.

This is an everyman’s horror story: the best, most relatable kind, that holds family close to its dark heart. Harris, the handyman for the Stillbrook apartment complex, narrates the events through diary entries.  Harris lives with his wife, Lynn, his son, Matt, and his daughter, Amber.  From the opening diary entries, we learn that Harris’s and Lynn’s marriage is about as frayed as possible, without blood being spilled (for the moment).  Lynn is paranoid about her husband’s work around the complex, assuming the worst. She also believes  something is seriously wrong with their son. Parents can have favorites, and this usually leads to hurt, deceit, and psychological wounds that have far-reaching effects. In this case, mother sides with daughter, and father with son.  Neither parent, however, is aware of what their children are doing, or planning. Then the owner/manager of the complex decides that Halloween should be canceled this year. No party will take place, no decorations will adorn the buildings and grounds. When the children hear about the holiday cancellation,  the slow-motion disintegration of the family, community, and soul is already underway.

Parallels may be drawn to The Shining, but The Halloween Children is utterly original and deserves to be given applause on its own merits. Freeman and Prentiss are talented, far more than has been recognized by the masses.  The storytelling here is near flawless, as is the writing– always a challenge in a collaboration.  If this is what they are capable of as a team, I hope that more writing from both will be on the way soon.  The characters make the story, and it’s actually more frightening than seeing the Torrance family torn apart, because it draws in neighbors, friends, or maybe something much closer.  While The Halloween Children can be read in one sitting, take some time and enjoy it, allowing its effects to take hold.  A perfect tale for any holiday. Well, any holiday that includes a fragmented, fragile family. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by David Simms

Posted on January 25, 2015 by , Reply

10 Horror Books You’ve Never Read?

Photo credit: Publisher’s Weekly/Kevin Kelly

 

Nick Cutter, author of The Troop (reviewed here) and, most recently, The Deep, compiled a list for Booklist titled  “10 Horror Books You’ve Never Read”. It’s kind of a fun list because he left off some of the books that typically appear on “Best Of” lists, but it’s kinda hard for me to believe that the average horror reader isn’t familiar with the majority of them.  Cutter notes that his taste in horror is on the “visceral” side, and certainly a number of the authors on his list don’t stint on the gore and violence. Still, it’s an interesting list, and it’s easy to see that Cutter definitely is an enthusiastic fan of horror fiction.  Here’s a  link to the list.

So, what do you think? Is there anything you’d add?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by , Reply
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