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Book Review: Walker’s Vale by John J. Zelenski

Walker’s  Vale, by John J. Zelenski

Peasantry Press, 2017 (original publication 2012 by Tate Publishing & Enterprises)

ISBN: 978-1-988276-19-9

Availability: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

Walker’s Vale is a quick, 120 page religious horror novella that is a good story, and the first faith-based horror I have encountered. Zelenski’s use of religious faith in this story is not only unusual, it allows him to take the story in directions that most authors won’t try, and it allows for some unique character development.  Couple this with an entertaining plot containing demons, angels and a few nice corkscrew twists in the plot, and you have a winner.

James Cooper, his wife Maria and his autistic, mute daughter Maria have left the frustrations of city living behind to set up in the tiny township of Walker’s Vale, in the boonies of Pennsylvania.  James’s frustrations are twofold: he is unsatisfied with their lives, and he’s lost his faith in God (he’s at the stage of  “if there is one, how can so many bad things happen?”).  Odd things start happening quickly, and they are familiar elements to the horror genre: an eclectic, possibly nutty old preacher (who reminded me of Kane from Poltergeist II),  strange figures appearing in the basement, midnight ceremonies… all tried and true ways to scare people, effective when used correctly, and Zelenski uses them well.   The faith aspect adds a new dimension to what might otherwise seem like a standard story, and sets it apart from other books.

Occasional characters do appear in the story that might seem like they don’t belong, but when you add in the fact that Heaven and Hell are players in this story, it makes sense.  The religious influence on the story allows the author to turn the unbelievable into the believable for the characters, if they allow themselves to trust their own beliefs.  It also makes for a very good climax to the story, with the forces of good and evil slugging it out over the fate of one child, who may be important to the future fate of the world.  The epilogue does a nice job tying up all the story ends, and will leave the reader with a case of the warm fuzzies.  Walker’s Vale is a enjoyable romp through the world of good and evil, and certainly worth the time to read it, due to its short length.  Here’s hoping for more adventures from the town of Walker’s Vale; the backstory of the town would make for some good books in the future.  Recommended.

 

Contains: mild violence

 

Reviewed by Murray Samuelson

 

 

 

 

Posted on March 17, 2020 by , Reply

Book Review: The Festering Ones by S.H. Cooper

The Festering Ones by S. H. Cooper

Independently published

ISBN-13: 978-1693388583

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

The Festering Ones by S. H. Cooper is a horror novella featuring an avenging heroine, straightforward action, and plenty of gore. In this story, parallel realities exist alongside, but mostly separate from ours. One of them, however, is inhabited by hideous monsters that can invade our world by dreams, illusions and possession of our bodies. Human cults strive to open doorways for the monsters, who will destroy all normal life if they gain control.

On a hunting trip in Pennsylvania, a young girl, Faith, sees her father ambushed and killed by a spider-armed, Woken Daughter of the monster Gorrorum, but no one believes her story. Years later, she discovers more disappearances in the mountain town, and uncovers a local cult. On the trail of another cult in Florida, she teams up with Janice, who is seeking her kidnapped boy, and Sasha, who is searching for her missing sister. The women fight factotums of a rival monster. Faith and Sasha return to the mountain to avenge their loved ones, but they meet more than the Woken Daughters in the tunnels and cavern of the mountain.

Cooper’s writing is simple and direct. The plot is straightforward. Although her characters are not complex, the female heroines are determined and strong.

 

Contains: violence, gore

 

Robert D. Yee

Posted on October 29, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

Tor.com, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1250225689

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook

 

Elendhaven is a decaying city on the edge of the far north, rife with poverty, crime, violence, and despair, surrounded with dark waters poisoned with magic. It is here that, abandoned and nameless, Johann acquired his name and vocation as a criminal and murderer, and learned he was invulnerable– not quite human. Tall, skeletal, and pale, Johann somehow escapes the notice of the people around him– until it’s too late. Johann has been stalking fussy, nonthreatening Florian Leickenbloom, the last member of one of the great houses of Elendhaven, after his family all died from a mysterious plague. He suspects Florian is a sorcerer, and convinces Florian to hire him. On the pretense of bringing Elendhaven prosperity once again, Florian has been undermining any chances developers and businessmen offer to the city in an attempt to destroy what is left of the city. Johann is the Monster of Elendhaven, but while Florian, with his devious plans and black sorcery, may not look the part, he is equally monstrous.

Imagine the worst, most impoverished parts of Dickens’ London, populated with vengeful mages with black sorcery, and deathless, monstrous killers from myth, and pour a dark wash over it all, and you will have a pretty good picture of Elendhaven. Imagine a monster, in thrall to a sorcerer, seeking agency to pursue its desires, but thwarted again and again in the face of Florian’s need for vengeance for his sister. Johann has flashes of humor and empathy that provide occasional light moments, and there are a few moments of sadness and regret on Florian’s part. But none of it, nor the twisted love and desire that underlie the story redeem either character.

Giesbrecht’s worldbuilding is  vivid and fascinating, and I would love to see further exploration of it either in additional novellas or a longer book. My hat is off to her for creating a powerfully descriptive, memorable and fascinating story around two completely irredemable characters who somehow manage to connect with both each other and the reader. It’s a book the reader won’t soon forget.

Posted on October 16, 2019 by , Reply
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