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Book Review: Demon Freaks by J.R.R.R. Hardison

Demon Freaks by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison

Fiery Seas Publishing, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-1-946143-16-7

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

Jim Hardison’s Demon Freaks pits high schoolers on the eve of their SAT exams against wicked would-be wizards and monsters, with the fate of the world at stake.  The story is written with irony and humor from the viewpoint of teenagers.  The protagonists are members of an ad hoc school band, including twin boys who don’t look or think alike.  The drummer, who is the low-achieving son of a high-achieving family, is the comic foil. The female member is a “brain” who is happiest taking a shower.

The night before the SAT, the band members plan to meet to jam and cram, but are caught in the middle of a deadly rivalry between two groups of elderly, evil golfers, the Servants of Darkness and the Golfers’ Association.   The Servants of Darkness are led by the teens’ sarcastic, vindictive English teacher, while the Golfers follow his power-hungry brother, who looks like a twisted Santa Claus.  Both groups want to possess a magical dagger that traps souls, communicates telepathically with its victims, and can control their minds. Think of the Ring of Power in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

Each group plans to use the dagger for a human sacrifice, in order to open the gates to Hell and release a powerful demon that they hope will help them dominate the world.  Two of the teens are captured, possibly to be the human sacrifices.  The rest of their friends, along with commandos from a clandestine division of the McDonald’s Corporation called McODD (McDonald’s Occult Dangers Division) fight the Servants, the Golfers and Teethheads (scaly, fish-headed monsters with hundreds of teeth) in tunnels and chambers under the golf course.

The story is told in an engaging, fast-paced, tongue–in-cheek style.  The teenagers are quirky, but discover hidden talents that help them outwit the adults.  The adults are caricatures of hubris and greed.  The plot will appeal to children and teenagers.  The monsters are scary, but not frightening.  The violence and gore are mild.  The author has written another novel, an epic fantasy Fish Wielder. Recommended.

 

Contains: Not applicable.

 

Reviewed by Robert D. Yee

Posted on September 1, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Oni Press, 2016

ISBN: 9781620102893

Available: Kindle edition and comiXology ebook, print

Graveyard Quest follows, well, the Gravedigger, who keeps the bones of his dead mother in a cabinet, and talks to them every moment he can. He is tormented by the ghost of his dead father, the previous Gravedigger, who is frustrated with his son’s inability to get over his mother’s death. One morning, the Gravedigger wakes to find his mother’s bones missing. He ventures to the underworld to try to reclaim them. Along the way, he encounters an unusually helpful mole, a town of worms, and a team of ghost bandits, among others. The Gravedigger’s father follows him, demanding he turn back and do his job, as the bodies are piling up in the graveyard back home.

Will the Gravedigger help the government break into Hell? Will he reclaim the bones of his dead mother? Will his father ever be happy with him? Why is this mole always helping him? And what’s the deal with the ghost bandits wanting to break into Heaven? All of these questions are answered within the pages of this graphic novel, which is hilarious, heart wrenching, and full of adventure. While the language may not be suitable for some children, it may be enjoyable for some young adults, depending on their reading taste. I would be fine with my oldest nephew, who is also a horror fan, reading this.  The artwork is simple, but pretty great. I think my favorite panels involve the worm community. The “reverend” worm is fantastic. Recommended for those who like a little humor in their graphic novels.

Note: Graveyard Quest began as a story arc on Green’s web comic, Gunshow.

Contains: some strong language

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Posted on September 15, 2016 by , Reply

Book Review: Flaws and Claws by Edward J. Russell

Flaws and Claws by Edward J. Russell

CreateSpace, 2012

ISBN-13: 978-1478218685

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

Flaws and Claws is a self-published collection of humor and horror, consisting of three short stories and a novella. “Green Peppers”starts this work off with a humorous look at the start of a new job. Just before his first day on the job begins, he accidentally eats green peppers on a breakfast burrito. Unfortunately, green peppers give him gas– clear the room kind of gas.  It is a long, slow ride up 38 floors in a crowded elevator.

“Not So Dearly Departed”, the second story, tells the tale of Clancy Fillenbaum as he buries his aunt, who raised him after his parents were killed in a car accident. She was an abusive bully who always had a plan in place to keep him under her thumb, and left him feeling inadequate in every way. He is glad to be rid of her. Freedom at last! Unfortunately for Clancy his aunt’s plans are not over yet.

“Opening Day” is the third short story,and follows the adventures of a group of hunters as they go on an annual hunting trip: a week of hanging out with the boys and hunting deer. With tree stands in place, bright orange vests on, and shotguns locked and loaded, they head out into the wilderness. Suddenly a dark blur of fur and teeth slams into them, taking them unawares. One of the hunters is bitten and carried off. The hunters have become the prey.

Milton Dixon Has A Bad Day is the novella in this collection. Milton Dixon is a published freelance news columnist with multiple credits to his name. Times are tough, and Milton finds himself covering a county fair in rural Hilltower, Kentucky. As the fair is finally coming to a close, Milton plans to interview the sheriff and leave, but the sheriff is late. The sheriff’s deputy informs Milton that there has been an outbreak of sorts: people are going crazy and biting each other. Rather than turning in a dull account of a county fair, Milton is reporting on a zombie attack!

This was a lot of fun to read! “Green Peppers” and Milton Dixon Has A Bad Day were hilarious! “Not So Dearly Departed” and “Opening Day” were good scary stories. All of the works established their settings well using descriptions that told enough without going overboard. The pacing throughout was good and flowed quickly. The characters were well defined and it was easy to follow their voices. The plot in each story was good and I had no trouble following the unfolding tales. The only real complaint I have is that there were a lot of typographical errors of various types. If the editing had corrected these issues then I would have given a higher rating. That being said this was a very entertaining read. I have not read any of this author’s work in the past. Recommended for adult readers.

Contains: Graphic gore, sexual situations, swearing

Reviewed by Aaron Fletcher

Posted on January 21, 2016 by , Reply
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