Home » Posts tagged "weird fiction" (Page 5)

Book Review: Hekla’s Children by James Brogden

Hekla’s Children by James Brogden
Titan Books, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1785654381
Available: Paperback, mass market paperback, Kindle edition

Hekla’s Children landed on this reviewer’s desk with the invitation to give it a whirl. Whirl it did, and the wild ride became one of the best surprises in recent memory. James Brogden has published three other books, but this hopefully will be his breakout effort.
Some will call this urban fantasy, others weird, while most will simply enjoy the story that has a bit of everything.

Nathan Brookes leads a group of students into an English park only to have them disappear when he abandons his post for a few minutes. One of the girls reappears the following day, damaged and unable to remember what happened during her absence. Ten years later, the nightmare begins again when an ancient warrior is dug up by archaeologist Tara Doumani, who wishes to preserve her find. However, the warrior is alive in another world, the one that the children crossed over to a decade ago, and he is desperately attempting the keep the afaugh (an evil creature hell bent on crossing over into our world) at bay.

Nathan and Tara embark on a journey to discover what happened to the kids, where the warrior came from and what he still wants– and how to keep evil on the other side of the bridge. What ensues is a tale heavy on horror and weird mythology that feels completely organic and satisfying. Brodgen’s writing is what makes this novel move. He imbues the fantasy world with a strong sense of reality that comes across as utterly natural. His characters carry with them wounds that define them and their role in this story, and break through any tired tropes.  Recommended for readers of urban fantasy, weird fiction, Tim Lebbon, and Christopher Golden.

Reviewed by Dave Simms

 

 

Posted on July 12, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: The Fisherman by John Langan

The Fisherman by John Langan

Word Horde Books, 2016

ISBN-13: 978-1939905215

Availability: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

Imagine, if you will, a dark tale co-written by Peter Straub and Thomas Ligotti, filtered through the whimsical sensibilities of Neil Gaiman, and spoken to a friend over beers at a campfire. If that description conjures up something tantalizing to you, John Langan’s The Fisherman might just be what you’re looking for this year. Intriguing and unique, it almost begs to be read on the porch, with feet up and a drink in hand..

 

The Fisherman is a novel about a pair of widowers attempting to find purpose in their lives. Both suffer from guilt and damaged psyches after the deaths of their wives, and each seeks a way to get back on track.

 

The pair begin fishing, a peaceful, solitary sport that allows plenty of time for introspection and bonding between them. One suggests an ideal spot– Dutchman’s Creek– a place not found on any map, and rife with local legend.  The men discover the complex story through the owner of a diner.

 

At the creek, they discover Der Fisher, also known as The Fisherman. He offers redemption to both men, but at a price. What ensues is a conflict between wits, souls, and cosmic forces, that will shake the reader free of any preconceived notion of what to expect.

 

The Fisherman is meant to be experienced as a journey, like a raft ride down a mysterious river. The story is deeply layered, and Langan keeps readers engaged while skillfully leading them through labyrinthine passages. Langan’s smart, smooth tale-spinning succeeds on all levels, and will likely find audiences in places reaching far beyond the horror crowd. Highly recommended

 

Reviewed by David Simms

 


Posted on September 13, 2016 by , Reply

Book Review: Borderlands 6 edited by Thomas and Olivia Monteleone

Borderlands 6: The Anthology of Imaginative Fiction, edited by Thomas and Olivia Monteleone

Samhain Press, 2016

ISBN-13: 978-1619234987

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

In 1989, Thomas Monteleone, already a stellar author in several genres, decided to publish an anthology series that bucked the trends. He compiled a collection of unique stories that stretched the parameters of horror and weird fiction. There are no tired tropes or recycled plots here. Monteleone was interested in publishing great stories, not just big names, and many of the best tales came from the minds of previously unknown writers, many of whom became rising stars. After a 12 year hiatus, Borderlands 6 follows suit, and succeeds just as well as the previous five volumes. Some stories will leave readers with a sense of wonder, and others with the best sort of unsettling feeling.

There are some big names: Jack Ketchum, David Morrell, Steve Rasnic Tem, Gary Braunbeck, and new sensation Paul Tremblay all make an appearance, as does John McIlveen, whose novel Hannawhere was a Stoker nominee this year. Braunbeck’s satiric take on “mart-type-box stores” is chilling in its pure weirdness. However, the success of the Borderlands anthologies comes from sharing hidden gems, and this volume is no different. Many of the best stories are by relative newcomers. “Cocoa”, by Bob Pastorella, is the oddest tale here, and lingers in the memory; “The Dress”, by Peter Salomon, is similar in its strangeness, and has a twist that is both organic and perfect; “The Palace Garbage Man”, by Bradley Mitchell Zerbe, feels both medieval and modern in its unique take on evil; and “In God’s Image”, by Sean B. Davis, a story that feels like a warped episode of The Twilight Zone hung around in this reviewer’s darkened imagination for days.

Olivia and Tom have done a fine job here in continuing the Borderlands legacy. Highly recommended for all fans of short fiction looking for something new and different.

Reader’s advisory note: This anthology may be a good way to introduce new authors to horror readers looking for a change.

Reviewed by David Simms


Posted on July 22, 2016 by , Reply
First « 34567 » Last