Surprise Endings

Introduction to Isolation
by Claus Holm
51 pages
$.99 Kindle version

Introduction to Isolation is a collection of four short stories with the common theme of being stuck somewhere. Perfect for readers that have less than an hour of free time.

Remember how boring it was to be stuck in a classroom all day? Imagine being held prisoner by soldiers, afraid to leave your desk. Afraid to fly? Some people have the same fears, but different reasons. What exactly inspires an author? Do you really want to know? If you were stuck on an alien planet, would you ask for help, or try to find fuel by yourself? Horror, sci-fi and general strangeness are all within these pages.

I enjoyed all four stories. The writing style of Claus Holm reminds me of Twilight Zone: you don't know where you're going until you get there...and every end is a surprise. My favorite is the last story, The Pilot. I had my suspicions about the direction of the story, but the ending was still a horrific surprise.

You don't have to be a fan of any particular sub-genre to appreciate the entertainment value of these four stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

John Connor Interview

No, nothing to do with Cyberdyne. (Did you know there really is a robotics company called Cyberdyne?!) This John Connor is a horror/sci-fi author that I recently discovered during one of my breaks from the undead. He's written an entertaining horror anthology filled with twenty-two fantastic tales.

Some of the stories are merely entertaining, some are utterly terrifying, but they are all well-written and completely captivating. I love the variety of the stories - not only is each plot unique, but the settings, POV, etc. are also unique to each story. I wanted to know more about the man behind the stories, so I asked Connor a few questions in the Lair:




Q. Have you always aspired to be a writer, or is this a recent development?

Well, I suppose that I've been writing for a long time, but I've only considered myself to be 'a writer' for the last decade or so.  I spent my career with the provincial press, which always leads people to the conclusion that I was a  journalist when in fact I was a member of the commercial staff and wasn't required to write a word as a part of my employment.  But opportunities came along from time to time and I made contributions to our various publications.  However, it wasn't until I found myself in early retirement that the time to write seriously became available.

Q. What genre are you most comfortable with and why?

I began reading science fiction as a child when I discovered Kemlo, the creation of the author E C Elliot, and was hooked.  Kemlo lived on a space station and owned his own space scooter - what nine year old wouldn't be captivated?  After that I read everything I could get my hands on, which in the UK in the mid fifties, wasn't a lot.  After I'd exhausted the supply of H G Wells and Jules Verne in my local library I had to look elsewhere for writers and that, with a few exceptions, meant the USA.  In my teens I was a huge fan of Ray Bradbury.  I loved both his sci fi and the poetry of the tales in The October Country and Dandelion Wine. I rediscovered his short stories just a while ago and they're still magical.  At home, John Wyndham was an influence (both he and H G Wells were former pupils of the school I attended).  The Day of the Triffids; The Midwich Cuckoos and The Kraken Wakes were all part of my reading experience.  In fact, I have to admit, my interests have been pretty single track when it comes to genre preference and I must have consumed just about all there's was from Aldiss to Zelazny as a young man.  No wonder then that sci fi is where I feel happiest.

Q. How does Whines and Spirits compare with your other anthologies?

In view of the above you'll see that Whines and Spirits is a little outside my usual area of interest as an author.  It came about as a result of one of those opportunities I spoke about earlier.  I received a commission to write a regular column for a young readers feature in one of our newspapers and that meant a ghost story was required each Halloween and New Year.  Over the years I compiled quite a collection and more  recently I sat down and rewrote many of them for an adult audience.  That's how the title came about.  It's the result of a commercial imperative I suppose. 

Style wise it's not a million miles from my other works, Fifty Percent of Infinity and Short Circuits, which are both collections of short sci fi stories.


Q. Who or what influences your writing? Do you follow the same process each time, or do you approach each story differently?

What influences my writing?  Well all of the above and everything else in my life - just like any writer I guess.

I look for a new idea, or more usually, since new ideas are hard to come by, a new slant on a familiar theme and I start writing.  The 'voice ' is the important thing.  The tone, the style; something that catches the nature of, and enhances, the narrative.  That just comes naturally.  I don't give it a lot of thought.  There are alternative possibilities of course and the one you choose - if you do choose - can make the difference between a story that sounds credible and one that's appears contrived and false.  With the voice comes the story.

Q. How do you think genres such as horror and science fiction have changed since the 1980s? Do you think readers have also changed? If so, how?

As to horror I can't offer an opinion but with regard to science fiction, yes there have been changes.  Genre style is an evolving condition adapting to social mores and preferences.  Twenty first century sci fi has been hijacked somewhat by the movie industry and expectations from readers new to the genre are sometimes for similarly grandiose concepts.  But there are still plenty of people out there writing high quality sci fi for discerning fans. Take a look at Gardner Dozois' annual Year's Best.  The near future is often more intriguing than the death of the universe and the day after tomorrow is changing all the time, as a result of what's happening today.

Q. Do you think there is a difference between US readers and UK readers, besides location? Do you think authors need to take culture into consideration when writing for different audiences?

Oh yes, I'm sure there is.  We may, in many respects, share the same culture but there is a wide divergence in social mores and, I suspect, a very different national consciousness. At a basic level there's much that divides us too. I'm reading Stephen King's 11-22-63 right now and  - apart from that date, which would read 22-11-63 over here - there are frequent references to sport, politics and even retail businesses (!) which leave me baffled.  Do I think King should publish a UK friendly version of his story? No, certainly not.  It's those touches of Americana that are an added attraction for a British audience and place the story right where it belongs.

Q. What else would you like readers to know about your work?

If there is anything to discover, I'd like the readers to do that for themselves. If you're a horror aficionado then Whines and Spirits may seem pretty tame to you; no blood and guts, no slavering monsters from the nether reaches of hell. Just, I hope, quietly chilling tales and lots of story lines to make you think.  Friends tell me that's a fault.  There are enough ideas in that collection to write three or four novels, they say, why don't you expand the plots a little and stretch things out?  But that's not what I'm about.  You'll find this with Fifty Percent of Infinity and Short Circuits too, if you're kind enough to give them a go.  Ideas sparking into life and racing to a conclusion, or at least part way to a conclusion, because I like to leave the reader room to think on...

I definitely recommend Whines and Spirits to my fellow horror fans...sometimes it's nice to go back to the basics that first attracted us to the genre.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Writers: Don't Be Discouraged

Everybody seems to have their own idea of how their writing career will begin...and it rarely ever happens the way anyone plans. Maybe you've been rejected a bunch of times, maybe you were accepted for an anthology but didn't actually get paid, or maybe you lucked out from the beginning but your career isn't taking off the way you expected. The process is complicated and, often, discouraging.

Here are a few tips that might help you deal with the ups and downs:

Whether you’re asking someone to comment on a work-in-progress, review a completed book, or consider your work for publication, there are usually guidelines in place, so research the situation is first. For instance, ask what the estimated turn-around is…if it’s longer than you care to wait, you might want to consider other options. Please keep in mind how ridiculous-busy many publishers, editors, etc. are...it's not that they don't make time to read your submissions, they may simply haven't had a chance. A lot of people in the writing profession are leading double lives (by that I mean working more than one job or handling numerous personal responsibilities), and there are only so many hours in the day…especially during the holidays.

When you do get a response, and it’s not what you were hoping for, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL. I don't care what anyone says; NO ONE starts out as earth-shattering...even when it comes to writing reviews. For example, the difference in my reviews written two years ago, compared to the last six months, is terrible...and I still have a long way to go. Maybe you need a bit more editing, maybe you weren’t what they were interested in at that particular time, or maybe you’ll get a completely different reaction from elsewhere (i.e. find a better fit). What you don’t want to do is start talking trash because you’ll probably just end up giving yourself a bad reputation; you never know where your referrals may come from. Someone may not like your work, but maybe they know someone who would.

Above all, be patient. Even when an author's work is fast-tracked & contracted, it still can take forever for things to happen. Some of the most well-established authors have to wait months at times now and then.

Last, but not least, keep writing. Even if you want to be a novelist, it won’t hurt to start small: blogs, magazines, anthologies. Instead of trying to jam “the book” down everyone’s throat, give them a taste of your writing – a reason to come around and read your big novel (that you’ve undoubtedly spent countless hours perfecting).

Please don't get discouraged!!

As always,
AstraDaemon

A Lost Daughter of China

The Year She Left Us
by Kathryn Ma
352 pages
$10.99 Kindle version

This novel is centered around a young girl named Ari, adopted from China by a single Chinese-American woman, Charlie. Even though Ari is at the heart of the story, it doesn't take long to realize that all three generations of the Kong women, including Aunt Les and Ari's grandmother, are doing some serious soul-searching. Ari is struggling with abandonment issues and longing for a father figure, Charlie is struggling with being a single mother, Les is trying to balance a career and love life, and the grandmother has been keeping a dark secret for years.

 

I enjoyed reading the story, but it was almost like watching a car accident happen in slow motion. I found all four women to be very self-centered, even though Ari's mother, aunt and grandmother keep emphasizing the importance of family. I never sensed any real happiness within the Kong family and no one gets the happy ending they're longing for. So why read such a depressing story?

 

It's a gritty eye-opener, displaying the cultural differences, not only between China and the U.S., but also between the Chinese-Americans in Chinatown, the Chinese-Americans trying to be as "American" as possible, the white families that adopted Chinese daughters, and, of course, Ari and her Chinese-American family. Ari's self-destructive path is the prefect tool to highlight all the racial politics, both at home and abroad.

 

Ma's debut novel is a well-written social commentary that I think will interest readers who enjoy novels with cultural emphasis.

 

As always,

AstraDaemon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who In The Hell Is Amy Cross?! [Interview]

Before February of this year, I had never heard of Amy Cross. I found her by accident during one of my searches for something new to read. (I was also looking to take a break from the zombie genre.) The first story of hers that I stumbled upon was 3AM.

3AM is so much more than a ghost story with haunted train tracks. First of all, I kept checking my clock to make sure it wasn't 3am. It also didn't help that I could hear the night train passing through my part of town. I was sincerely frightened, and I think other horror fans will feel similar chills. Cross uses classical elements of horror, such as mystery and suspense, and mixes them with not only paranormal situations, but also terrifying events that happen in real life (ex: serial killer). All of the characters interested me, not just the main characters - not something that usually happens when I read horror. The prologue immediately hooks readers (and scared the crap out of me), and, last but not least, the ending is excellent.

WARD Z: REVELATIONS is every camper's worse case scenario. At a UK camp for teens with terminal cancer, four girls are forced to fight for what little life they have left. They soon realize that no one can be trusted as they uncover a plot by an invading species to take over the world. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is nothing compared to this nightmare created by Amy Cross. (You do not need to read Ward Z for Revelation to make sense, but I recommend adding it to your Amy Cross reading list.)

TENDERLING  is not only a damn terrifying nightmare, but also a great piece of fiction in general. You don't even have to be a horror fan in order to appreciate the entertainment value of Tenderling. The epilogue ROCKED! I want to contact my friends in the film industry and make this into a movie!

THE GIRL CLAY was one hell of a demonic tale. I love all the elements at work in this story: horror, mystery, suspense and drama. The horror ranges from real-life issues to the supernatural. There is mystery surrounding Clay - her past, the present and, of course, the demonic entity hunting and tormenting her. The two storylines, set ten years apart, are the perfect way to build suspense throughout the novel, until readers are finally shown all the connections. Last but not least, the drama surrounding the girl Clay, specifically the detachment she maintains with everyone around her. Her non-relationship with Aaron is one of the most heart-wrenching part of the story in my opinion. Amy Cross is such an incredible writer, she is able to create an intense level of intimacy between Clay and Aaron in just a few short scenes.

THE SCREAM is a great short story, if you don't have time for a full-length novel. As soon as I began reading, the scream had me hooked. Cross does an excellent job of describing what the town is experiencing...I felt their desperation. Some readers may find the ending frustrated. Having read The Girl Clay, I felt that I had a special insight into the mystery. The novel is NOT related to the short story, but...remember how Stephen King hid easter eggs from his stories in his other stories? I recognized a name in The Scream from The Girl Clay. That was good enough for me

As far as I'm concerned, Amy Cross writes horror the way it should be written. She is a prolific horror author, possibly the best I've come across since the 80s, so I asked her for an interview, and she was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions...

---

Q: Do you consider yourself a horror author, or do you avoid labels that limit you to one genre?

A: I try to pay attention to the labels without letting them limit me. I don't take a very analytical approach to that side of things, I just trust my instincts and hope that I won't stray too far off course.

I love writing horror, but occasionally I like to try something a little different. Sometimes that works, e.g. with The Girl Who Never Came Back, and sometimes it doesn't, e.g. with The Return. I'm working on something now that's firmly in the fantasy genre, it might even have a few dragons. But horror seems to be my thing, and I'm not complaining.

Q: You have a plethora of short stories and novels. What is your writing schedule like? What’s a typical day for you?

A: I have a real-life job that takes up a few days each week. On those days, I usually write from about 7pm to midnight. On days when I don't have to do the other job, I start at 8am, take a break from midday to 2pm, and then work again until 5pm. So that's between five and seven hours a day. I really enjoy writing, so I usually only have a few days each year where I don't do any at all. It's pretty intense, though, and if someone knocks on the door when I'm in the middle of something, they can usually tell I've been writing because I'm almost in a daze!

When I'm not writing, I'm usually out with the dog, or cooking. Sometimes I even crawl out into sunlight and see other people. I recently moved, so I think that was enough disruption for now.

Q: How do you feel about the controversy over self-publishing? Do you think authors should try to submit to a publisher first?

A: I think authors should do whatever suits them best. Self-publishing suits me, because I can work fast and I get to decide what book to write next. There are advantages and disadvantages to any approach, and I think the key thing is to be flexible.

For example, I doubt any sane publisher would ever have thought that Dead Souls is a good idea, since it's basically a commitment to release a fifty-page episode every week. It took me a while to decide I was ready to commit to that. A publisher would probably want the whole thing written a year in advance, and they'd probably want me to commit to one particular genre with the series, which would be tricky. So far it's a melodramatic horror romance soap thriller with occasional hints of erotica. I'm not sure how I'd have explained that to a publisher at the start.

Then again, I've never worked with a publisher, so if a good one came along, I think I'd have to give it a try.

Q: What kind of fan base do you have? Have they shown a preference for particular titles?

A: I don't really know! I've never tried to analyze it. I was lucky that the first books I released, the Dark Season trilogy, did quite well, and then so did Asylum. I just write the books that I want to write, and I make sure to label and describe them accurately so that people know what they're getting with each one.

Q: Your genre range and writing style remind me of Stephen King from the 70s and 80s. Do you think you will ever be as well-known? What goal do you have for your writing career?

A: I'm a big fan of Stephen King, although I've by no means read all his work. I used to read James Herbert quite a lot, too.

I tend to binge read certain authors, going through all their work without a break. I did that with Graham Greene, and John Steinbeck, and William Faulkner, J.D. Salinger, people who aren't really known for writing horror, but whose books often have individual moments of horror.

My goal is just to keep writing. I don't expect to ever be as well-known as any of those people I just mentioned. I like my little schedule (as described above) and I wouldn't really want anything to disrupt it.

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If you haven't read anything by Amy Cross, you are missing out on some excellent fiction. So what are you waiting for? Start reading her stories - the diversity alone will send your imagination into a state of horrified bliss.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Saturday Shorts With Joshua Scribner

I have recently become a fan of Joshua Scribner's short stories and flash fiction. I love his style: he dives right into the dark, lures readers in with well-crafted suspense, and leaves us gasping with unexpected endings. Here are some recommendations:

100 is a story about changes. Scribner has a real talent for writing stories with surprising twists, and 100 is no exception.

Bad Marriages is an entertaining flash fiction story about an unhappy husband, but I wish it had been longer...maybe with multiple victims, all connected in their personal lives. I love the killer in this one...completely caught me off guard.

In New World Justice, an unusual society has risen. I certainly was not expecting the supernatural angle, and I definitely haven't read anything like this, but it is more bizarro fiction than horror.

Very Short Very Wicked is only a few pages, but still an incredible flash fiction collection with some variety. The first one is my favorite!

Sometimes curiosity can be both good and bad. Come Out is only a few pages, but it is full of surprises. Just when I thought I couldn't be caught off guard, along comes Scribner.

What's Right In Front Of You is Scribner's best story to date. I read the story's description beforehand, and I was still thoroughly surprised throughout the story. Ignorance is not bliss, it's just sad. There is a level of human darkness within these pages which is far more terrifying than the undead or other supernatural creatures. Scribner delivers a mystery so thick with suspense, readers will be gasping out loud.

These stories are just a fraction of Scribner's work. He has written dozens of short stories, anthologies and novels. Horror fans short on time should definitely check out Scribner's list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

3 1/2 Years Later...

Against The Light
by Dave Duncan
495 pages
$4.99 Kindle version

I can't believe I actually put off reading this book for over three years! When I first put it on my reading list, I did so because I was looking to read more fantasy books at the time. However, I was under the impression that this novel had a heavy religious theme, and that's a theme (much like politics) that I try to avoid, even in literature.

The book description emphasizes the turmoil between followers of the Light, and worshippers of Mother Earth, mentioning missionaries, priests, heresy and treason. What it doesn't mention is the family drama that is the true heart of the story. And, while the details of the Mother's children definitely brings the fantasy element front and center, the medieval setting has some elements of historical fiction.

Three siblings (Maddy, Bram and Rollo) are separated at the beginning of the story by circumstances arising from the conflicts between the two religions of their country. Thus, three separate storylines emerge, one following each of the Woodbridge children. From time to time, the POVs of other characters are included, depending on their proximity and/or relationship to the Woodbridge trio.

I think Maddy's storyline is the most interesting because her character appears to go through the most physical and emotional changes. Bram's experiences are also very extreme, but he maintains his childhood innocence longer than his brother and sister. While Rollo is a main character, and a key plot device, I don't think he has to face as many personal challenges as his two younger siblings.

The character development is amazing. Duncan doesn't describe his characters as much as he allows readers to share in their experiences, creating a bond between the audience and the Woodbridge children. The use of dramatic irony also built the suspense far higher than I would have expected for a novel based in this genre.

The ending did leave me wondering if this was to be continued in a series; it works as a stand-alone, but I wouldn't mind reading another story set in the opposing country.

If you've ever read anything by Fred Saberhagen, you might enjoy Dave Duncan.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Know Thy Enemy: Aliens

Alien Invasion Owners' Resistance Manual: Know your enemy (all extraterrestrial lifeforms) - The Complete Guide to surviving the Alien Apocalypse (Owners' Workshop Manual)
by Sean T. Page
128 pages

This manual will appeal to a wide variety of readers: science fiction fans, gamers, those interested in the subject of alens, and, of course, those at high risk for abduction, as well as ages 13 and up. The format is well-organized and easy to comprehend, which is not surprising considering that survival manuals are the author's specialty.

Sean T Page puts a tremendous amount of research into his writing, including his personal expertise from his military background and world travels. I have been reading his books for years, and I've never been disappointed.

Now, Page is a British author and his books have a strong UK flavor, but even US readers can put these manuals to good use. ;)

I also recommend, Zombie Survival Manual: From the dawn of time onwards (all variations), for the zombie fans on your gift list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Throwback Thursday: Chasing Nightmares

Chasing Nightmares
by Adam Millard
292 pages
$.99 Kindle version

Adam Millard has dug into the dark and devilish corners of his mind to provide readers with a buffet of frightening delights that will thrill and traumatize any horror fan.

COFFEE, DEATH, TEA Don't order beer at a coffee shop at ten in the morning. Brilliant start to the collection.

YOU'VE CHANGED, VERONICA LEIGH Truly frightening - Alfred Hitchcock would have loved this one.

DOPPLEGANGER One of my favorites - I had no idea where Millard was going with this, but I enjoyed the ending.

SCREEN 5 A vampire story; different for this particular subgenre.

THE CAGED DOLL I read this in another collection, and it never ceases to impress me. Great hook...even better twist!

FLORENCE'S DIARY Another story that I've read before; POV told through child's diary.

I DREAM OF DJINNY This one actually made me sad!

SHORT LIFE OF SOLITUDE More like flash fiction, but the darkest piece in the collection.

KEEPING UP WITH THE SUTTONS Dramatic and suspenseful.

CARNY Another favorite. Everything about it was completely unexpected.

THE WITCHING-WELL HAG Great finish to a spectacular collection.

I don't think I've enjoyed an author's collection since I read Stephen King's Skeleton Crew.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Spiders Just Got Worse

I enjoyed Inside the Mirrors by Jason Davis, so I was looking forward to another novel by the author. What I found was a new series about invisible spiders. Davis maintains his classic style of horror (mystery & suspense, etc.), which works really well with supernatural spiders, but I thought he spent too much time describing the sensations of the spiders invading the unsuspecting victims in Book 1. After so many people become infected, it became a bit redundant. I also felt a disconnect with the characters - I didn't care who lived or died, at all. Despite my criticisms, I do find the series very entertaining & thoroughly creepy.

Having one's body invaded/infected by invisible spiders would be bad enough, but Davis steps up the fear factor by using the spiders to cause an undead outbreak. However, the "zombie" element played a small role in the storyline, and the real scene stealer was the SPIDER POV!! I was bit surprised that Davis would include the POV of these tiny creatures, but he managed to pull it off without being too over-the-top.



There is more action and more horror in the sequel than in the first book. Book 1 relied heavily on suspense, functioning as the setup for the series. Book 2 provides all the terrifying details of the nightmare once known as Hammond. The town has been quarantined, but how can the military hope to contain invisible spiders? The aggressiveness of the infected is also making it impossible for the trapped survivors to find sanctuary. The biggest problem continues to be the actual source of the spiders. Perhaps Book 3 will reveal more about the dark man who reeks of death.

Jason Davis has successfully taken a common phobia and turned it into an apocalyptic tsunami of pain, suffering and death. If you are hoping for a happy ending, don't.

Watch out for the spiders...

As always,
AstraDaemon

Thank A Soldier, Read A Book

At Hell's Gates: Volume One
326 pages
$2.99 Kindle version

Regardless of which horror sub-genre you prefer, Volume One of At Hell's Gates will amaze and frighten you. Best of all, all proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a non-profit organization that serves wounded soldiers and their families - the ones who have truly been to Hell's gates.

As soon as I saw the authors' names, I had high expectations for this anthology, and this collection of hellish tales exceeded those expectations. Inside you will find shocking and terrifying stories from some of the best horror writers in the genre.

This particular volume leans more towards the zombie subgenre, but there is a lot of diversity between the pages, proving that there is more to horror than violence and gore. Zombiephiles will LOVE the new twists with the undead, and horror fans in general will enjoy the variety.

Future volumes will feature different themes.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Mental Wellness: Inspiration From The Authors We Love

Mental Wellness: Real Stories From Survivors
Edited by Deb Damone
136 pages
$2.99 Kindle version

This book is NOT an easy read. With the first story, I thought, "Wow. At least I never went through something like that," but the next few stories had me in tears. Not necessarily sad tears, or tears of pity, but almost from relief...I thought, "There are people who have had similar experiences and understand...and they were able to put all their thoughts and feelings into words." By the end of the book, I felt strangely refreshed. The stories were very cathartic, to say the least.

Without going into detail, dysfunction and abuse was a part of my life for many years, brought into my life by other people. As I grew up, I went from "Why me?" and "What did I do to make these people treat me like this?" to deciding, "I will not be defined by the actions of others. I will be defined by my own actions." I'm sharing this because I want people to know that I had very personal reasons for wanting to read this collection.

There is also the fact that I'm familiar with a lot of the authors in this book. I don't necessarily know them personally, but I've crossed paths with them on a regular basis in the literary community. It was surreal to see these people...these people who I have always held in high esteem based on the quality of their work...sharing very personal experiences from the darkest parts of their lives, in hopes of...well, in hope of giving hope.

So, what if you have been fortunate enough to live a truly blessed life? This will give you some insight on what it's like to struggle with inner demons...especially the demons that society doesn't recognize as being as serious as physical illnesses. You'll appreciate the lengths many people go to in order to give the appearance of being "normal."

I am convinced that these stories will replace fear and uncertainty with optimism and determination for many readers.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Into The Deadland, One Last Time...

Deadland Rising
by Rachel Aukes
274 pages
$2.99 Kindle Version

The first book in this trilogy by Rachel Aukes, 100 Days In Deadland, is one of the best zombie novels I read back in 2013. Zombies have always been more than flesh-eating monsters, representing issues within society. Aukes takes the zombie metaphor even further by creating a cultural link between classical literature and mainstream horror. While I expected something like Valley of the Dead (Paffenroth), surprisingly Aukes’ creation is more like Down The Road (Ibarra), with relentless action and gritty emotion. The 34 chapters reflect the 34 cantos of Inferno, as well as Easter eggs placed throughout the book for literary buffs.

The series' main character, Cash (real name Mia), is a refreshing female lead, with thoughts and reactions which seem so much more genuine than most characters in zombie fiction, especially when it comes to female characters. She doesn’t start out as badass, but, rather, she has to work hard on a daily basis to become physically and mentally tough enough to survive the undead outbreak in her area. Her metamorphosis doesn’t happen without some setbacks, either. I also appreciate the realistic nature of her interactions with the other characters, particularly Clutch (the truck driver who gives her refuge) and Jase (a young man who is neighbors with Clutch). There is an underlying rawness about her at all times which rises to the surface as the story progresses, making me feel for her character, even when she isn’t blatantly suffering.

Deadland’s Harvest is the second book. Aukes doesn't use any over-the-top theatrics to include several characters from the first book. Also based on Dante’s Inferno, the author describes the seven levels of hell through the experiences of Cash. The sequel begins right where the first book ends. Clutch manages to survive as well, but he has a severe spinal injury. As if the survivors of Camp Fox didn’t have enough work recovering from the recent Dog attack, there are now several large herds merging into one, and heading for the camp. Cash and the others are forced to find a new home on the river, but once again they find themselves facing more than one threat to their survival.

I loved the growth of the characters from the beginning of the outbreak to the second point in the storyline, but I was getting frustrated with the lack of development in Cash’s relationship with Clutch. After everything they’ve faced, I couldn't believe they were still struggling to admit their feelings to one another…and to themselves.

Deadland Rising, Book 3 of the Deadland Saga, is a slightly disappointing ending to the trilogy. I don't feel the readers were ever given the chance to get to know the main characters on a more personal level after the second book. Granted, the Deadlands series is told from Cash's POV, but even her character didn't continue developing on a deeper level, despite everything she goes through in this series.

The relationship between Cash and Clutch doesn't really progress much further than it did in Deadland's Harvest, which is another let-down. As a matter of fact, they appear to be two of the most emotionally reserved characters in the trilogy. Their relationship seems largely based on convenience, rather than any true romantic feelings.

Up until the third book, I thought Aukes was doing a great job creating unusual situations for the characters to deal with, but Book 3 falls into the stereotypical undead storyline. However, many of her other fans disagree - they think Deadland Rising is the best of the three.

For me, the biggest disappointment is the ending: a nice little wrap-up touching base with the remaining survivors. Now, I do realize the timeline for the trilogy takes place over a year (which isn't long in zombie sagas), so I wasn't expecting drastic changes with the characters, but they don't seem to do a whole lot of emotional growth, which is hard to imagine after the various losses they suffer through.

Despite the genre being overwhelmed by an ever-growing number of zombie stories, authors like Aukes manage to keep zombiephiles entertained by building on the foundations of quality horror & suspense, rather than throwing together a bunch of gore & violence and calling it a story. It’s been very entertaining to see how the author continues her interpretation of Dante’s work. Using classic literature to provide the backbone to this undead series has provided a depth not normally found within the horror genre. Aukes has proven beyond a doubt that there is still life in the undead genre.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Life of Catherine de Valois

The Queen's Lover
by Vanora Bennett
590 pages
$6.49 Kindle version

After reading Vanora Bennett's Figures in Silk, I looked forward to reading another novel by the same author. I noticed right away her style of writing had changed slightly. The book told the story of Catherine de Valois (mother of Henry VI), from the time she was a young girl to the coronation of her son, in multiple points-of-view...sometimes it was Catherine's thoughts; sometimes Christine's, Owain, Henry V, and a few others. The POVs change frequently within the same chapters, but they are easy to keep track of. The novel itself is divided into separate books, which allows the narration to suddenly jump in time, location and tone. I don't think it makes any difference to the storyline, but it adds depth to the various characters.

I found the description of Catherine's childhood to be extremely disturbing. I can't imagine royal children starving, or being so severely neglected. Christine was such a big part of Catherine's life, and a great influence on Owain, yet the mention of her death is not what I was expecting for a character of that importance. There are other odd moments in the book; for instance, Dame Butler is emphasized as a beloved servant, but then she makes a snotty remark about young Harry acting like a baby. The abuse Warwick was able to get away with is also very upsetting. I don't understand why someone would be allowed to beat a future King in such a way. I can't believe after Catherine's own miserable childhood, she would let anything bad happen to her own son. It's no wonder King Henry VI was known to go mad as an adult.

I love Part Seven with Jehanne of Arc. It helped me figure out where I was on the timeline...it is very difficult to remember what the date is at any point in the novel. However, by that point in the book, I was under the impression Catherine is more concerned with her love affair with Owain than the well-being of her son, Harry. If I was supposed to think she is a strong female, I never did. I can't summon up respect for someone so selfish, and Catherine always seems incapable of helping herself -- even towards the end of the novel. The Cardinal is actually more of a favorite.

Overall, the story is entertaining, but the Historical Postscript left out the detail of Catherine's death. After reading a novel based on her life, it would have been nice to know how she died. I think I prefer the writing style of Figures in Silk, but I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in historical fiction from this time period.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Let's Explore Time Travel...

Times of Trouble Anthology
edited by Lane Adamson
345 pages
$5.99 Kindle version

While I appreciate a good science fiction story every now and then, I'm not really a fan of the genre...and I'm even less of a fan of the sub-genre of time travel. So, imagine my absolute SHOCK that, not only did I enjoy this anthology, I had nightmares and weeks of extremely vivid dreams because of this particular story collection. That has NEVER happened before...not for so long, with such intensity. I give full credit to the authors - I would call them highly imaginative, but that would be an understatement.

HIROSHIMA SUNFLOWERS by Stephen Gaskell has an emotional depth that I would never expect in this genre.

PREVIOUS by David Gullen gave me mixed feelings: in the beginning, I hated the characters, hated the sterile environment of the future, but, towards the end, I loved the characters and their interaction with the past.

THE SCAVENGER by Michael C. Lea is a great interaction of multiple time-travelers...the disruptive timelines, the squid...outstanding imagery - hell, even We Will Rock You was a small detail that made a huge impression. Definitely one of my favorites.

LITTLE GIRL LOST by Jeff Drake is a mix of Hellraiser and Lovecraft.

A TORNADO IN TIME by Craig DiLouie has a great explanation of time travel consequences; one of the best stories in the anthology.

LET ME TAKE YOU THERE by Rakie Keig is a touching love story. Absolutely a five star story!

TO RUN INDEFINITELY by Brian P. Easton is another story that stands out. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspective of the character, Oris.

THE GRANDFATHER CLAUSE by Jason S. Hornsby is depressing beyond words.

TEMPUS FUGITIVE by Rob Pegler and Thom Brannan is a story of exploitation.

MANDATORY WAITING PERIOD by Aaron Polson is one hell of a family feud!!

SCREWING CHRISTA by Wayne Helge is one of the most twisted stories in the collection, and also one of the best.

FORGETTING by Frank Farrar focuses more on our perception of the past.

DECOHERENCE by Mark Harding is another favorite...I loved all the storylines!

HOUNDED by Joshua Reynolds is a dark and twisted mindscrew.

THE TRANSCENDENTAL MAN by Timothy Martinez has an ending that I found to be quite pleasing.

RABID SEASON by Matthew Baugh is freaking HILARIOUS!!

MULLIGAN by Peter Clines is simply BRILLIANT and sure to be a favorite with all readers.

FACES OF NEFERTITI by Ruth Nestvold is another five star story that I would like to see turned into a full-length novel.

BIODEGRADABLE by Gregory L. Norris truly stood out from all the others in the collection.

THE TIME TRAVELER'S LATE WIFE by Stan Timmons is a ZOMBIE story!!

A HATFUL OF YESTERDAY by Lane Adamson has a confusing ending that I'm still trying to work out...

AMONG FLOWERS AND BONES by Frank Summers is a quiet ending to the anthology.

Honestly, you don't even have to be a fan of science fiction to appreciate the creativity that went into each and every one of these stories. It's a fantastic mix of authors, and will most likely be my top pick of anthologies for 2015.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Spring Break Gone Wrong

Mules: A Novel
by Jarred Martin
309 pages
$.99 Kindle Version

Mules by Jarred Martin is a story that doesn't need supernatural monsters to frighten you. Instead, readers are pulled into a landscape filled with serial killers, armed robbers, and many other characters with dark secrets. When two young college girls are abducted, their spring break plans become a thing of the past. One girl is forced across the US border from Mexico, with drugs surgically implanted in her body. She soon realizes that her traumatic childhood just might be the key to saving herself and her friend.

This is an excellent novel, but it is one of the most violent, graphic stories I have ever read. Just about every type of violence you can imagine takes place at least once. Some scenes are so detailed, it is hard to stomach. None of it is gratuitous - the point is to show readers how desperate people are to get the things they want...and Martin gets his point across very well.

This is not just a story about drugs, violence and corruption, but also a story of young woman coming to terms with the way she was raised. The flashbacks and inner dialogue are outstanding, and help bring the emotional turmoil front and center.

I would not classify this as horror. Rather, I would call it a suspenseful thriller with lots of drama. I am very impressed with the author, and I think you will be too.

As always,
AstraDaemon