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Book Review: Out of Water by Sarah Read

Out of Water by Sarah Read

Trepidatio Press, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1950305056

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

There are a handful of authors who have emerged in the past year or two that have made a splash in the world of horror. Thankfully, many of them have been recognized either by review sites such as this one or through awards. I was handed The Bone Weaver’s Orchard last year and was impressed with the writing. Sarah Read immediately established herself in the top tier of new writers that would soon make waves in publishing. That novel overflowed with style and character that lent a “classic” tone to the story that felt both natural and fresh.

When Out of Water arrived from the always quality Trepidatio Press, I waited until I had time to enjoy these stories. That old cliche rang true once again: good things do come to those who have to wait for ideal times for great stories in the middle of chaotic lives!

Instead of hitting on every story here, I’ll focus on a few that resonated with me long afterwards or jarred me with an emotion right away. There were plenty.

“Endoskeletal” is a perfect representation of the modern horror story. Archaeology in the genre is always a treat. What begins as something that seems typical goes sideways pretty quickly, with a character who sticks with the reader in a memorable, claustrophobic tale.

“Making Monsters” grips the reader by the throat. Read examines the inner workings of its disturbing lead character, while making the story enteraining just as much as it is bleak.

“In Tongues”- just read it. Weird religious tales written well have a tendency to burrow under the skin, and the author nails it here.

Finally, “Underwater Thing” feels a bit Lovecraftian, yet wholly original as well. The father-daughter dynamic is painful but full of suspense. It’s probably the highlight of the collection.

Other stories hit on different cylinders, with topics that are wide-ranging but have a common thread. There’s a sense that mood will determine which story could be a favorite for that particular day which, for me, is a strong sign of a stellar collection. The writing is  detailed, but not flowery. Read imbues each story with just enough imagery for the reader to conjure the visions to bring each to life.

It’s easy to see why this book was shortlisted for the Bram Stoker Awards. Recommended.

 

Reviewed by David Simms

 

Editor’s note: Out of Water was nominated to the final ballot of the 2019 Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a Fiction Collection.

 

Posted on April 18, 2020 by , Reply

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: Hellbender by Josh Craven

Hellbender by Josh Craven

Raygun Books, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781951494018

Available:  Paperback

It is the summer of 1946. Veterans are returning from the War. Bobby Graywood loves baseball, his job as batboy for the local team the Green Sox, and Addie Vogel, even though she doesn’t know it. He’s an ordinary, awkward teenager, other than his Affliction. Whenever he makes skin-to-skin contact with anyone, he experiences their memories, past or future. As a result, he wears his gloves as often as he can to avoid touching anyone. One fateful day, the new pastor in town, Newton Hellbender, asks that he helps with the laying on of hands, complete with speaking in tongues. He requests that Bobby remove his gloves to better aid in the blessing. He does so reluctantly, and accidentally makes contact with an elderly woman whose memory reveals Hellbender’s true nature. Suffice it to say he is not the Servant of the Lord he purports to be. There is plenty of voodoo, small town politics, intrigue, and baseball games that drive this story to its end.

I do need to make potential readers aware of sensitive topics that require a content warning. This also requires a spoiler warning, as some of this will give key parts of the plot away. Randall Goode, Hellbender’s assistant, is a child molester. We see this through Bobby’s Affliction, which is disturbing on multiple levels. Bobby experiences all of the things in his visions as the person he touches. In one case, he is inside Randall’s mind as he is violating a young boy. I very nearly stopped reading at this point. I had to put it away for a few days before I could pick it up again. Later, Bobby almost falls victim to this abhorrent character. Racism is another sensitive topic regarding Jubal Moss, a Cajun veteran who makes the Green Sox roster. Jubal speaks with a Louisiana Creole dialect, and faces bigots on and off the baseball team. I became frustrated when he, the central Black character, is killed by Hellbender. Another victim of rape in the story is Bobby’s unrequited love, Addie. We do not see her rape occur, but it is implied.

All that being said, it is not a bad story. It is fast-paced, and there is so much going on that keeps the reader interested. However, be warned if you pick this up.

Contains: body horror, child molestation, racial slurs, racism, rape

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on November 17, 2019 by , Reply
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