BEST FICTION OF 2021 | End of Year Review | AstraDaemon

I decided to do something a little different with my end-of-year list, and categorize my favorite stories by theme. Four really stood out this past year, with most authors using houses, deaths, kids, or creatures. From there, I chose five titles for each theme, ranging from flash fiction to full-length novels. These are the ones which stayed with me, even though I read nearly 400 this year...

I present the BEST FICTION OF 2021 from the Lair, inlcuding horror, science fiction and supernatural suspense:

HOUSE THEME

THE HOUSE WHERE SHE DIED by Amy Cross is a very unique haunted house story with the narrator being the house itself. (novel)

HOUSE WITH ONE HUNDRED DOORS: AND OTHER DARK TALES by Travis Brown includes several house-themed horrors, but the one which gave me nightmares is THE WHISTLER. (anthology)

THE DOLLHOUSE by Bradley Poage tells the twisted tale of a house within a house. (short story)

THESE GHOSTS BLEED by Christy Aldridge is far more horrific than the revenge haunting of a dead wife.

BELOW DECK: HELL OR HIGH WATER by Matt Shaw technically takes place on a yacht, but is now home to a very depraved crew with a rather sick business venture. (novella)

DEATH THEME

A HOSTILE TAKEOVER by Christopher Motz first appears to be following the same formula as the movie, The Belko Experiment, but don't be fooled...this is far more brutal and sinister. (novel)

JUDGE DEE AND THE THREE DEATHS OF COUNT WERDENFELS by Lavie Tidhar centers on the vampire who serves as judge, jury, and executioner to make sure others of his kind are following their laws. (short story)

NAKED IN MY BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES and FOLLOW THE CROWS by Joshua Scribner are both told through the POVs of predators, with a supernatural element. (flash fiction)

THE REFLECTION by Dan DeLuise is my favorite of the Five-Minute Fright series. (flash fiction)

TOMB OF THE GODS by Brian Moreland is a terrifying mix of mythology, religion, horror and science fiction. (novel)

KIDS THEME

AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER by Jeff Strand is a coming of age story, under the most gruesome circumstances, and then some. (novel)

SCARY MOVIES by Stories From The Attic will definitely appeal to 80s horror movie fans. (short story)

HIDE AND SEEKER by Daka Hermon is a YA horror fiction novel centered on a group of friends who are marked by a demonic entity called the Seeker, after they break the rules of the game, Hide and Seek. (novel)

LORD OF PLAYGROUNDS by Brett O'Reilly is essentially cult versus cult, scam artists versus true believers. (novella)

OF MEN AND MONSTERS by Tom Deady follows a boy escaping an abusive father with his older brother and mother..he discovers his new sea pet is a vicious creature and finds out he's not the only one with a monster in his house. (novella)

CREATURE THEME

WITH TEETH by Brian Keene also includes two short stories, The Last Supper and Down Under. All three are great vampire stories. (novella)

TRAPPED by Armand Rosamilia centers on characters from his previous five Severed Press stories (OGROMNY, THE BEAST, FROZEN IN ICE, THE SEA WAS ANGRY and ABANDONED) snowed in at the same airport during a massive blizzard. (novella)

THE THING THAT CALLS by J.J. Mott is a collection of a dozen short stories by the author. My favorite is LITTLE ONES, and the specific reason this anthology made my list. (anthology)

THINGS UNDONE by Travis Liebert is a collection of 18 frightening tales, full of Lovecraftian nightmares. (anthology)

SEVERED by Joshua Marsella is an action-packed battle with an ancient demon in the jungle of Vietnam. (novella)

HONORABLE MENTION

THE NIGHT AIR by Kiran Revi is quite excellent...I'd love to see this one become a horror film. Revi has essentially mixed themes from the Twilight Zone's episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" and the movie Escape Room, but added a terrifying element of demonic hell.

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Perhaps these themes could be called the four horseman of 2021?

Annnywaaay...if you've never read any of these authors, you now have a list of great starting points.

As always,

AstraDaemon

What If... | Science Fiction Review

ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT INDIAN by Stephen Graham Jones is an entertaining science fiction story about a giant Native American dragged off the coast of Siberia to the United States. I love how all the Natives were rallying around him, but I also found the fearful comments guessing at his reaction to America some fantastic food-for-thought. the ending is mind-blowing.

This short includes a preview of THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS. I'm recommending this to everyone.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Action-Packed Prequel | Horror Review

SEVERED by Joshua Marsella is far more action-packed than SCRATCHES. This novella explains what happens to George Hanscott in the Vietnam War to twist him into the monster who torments his daughter and grandson. After reading this prequel, the first book seems more like an interlude in Hanscott's life story. The author absolutely needs to write a third book, perhaps with his former teammate paying a visit to the hometown of the former Seargent.

Even if you weren't a big fan of SCRATCHES, I'm highly recommending this story, which is far more terrifying in every way.

As always,

AstraDaemon

New Blip On My Radar | Horror Review

SCRATCHES by Joshua Marsella centers on a young boy and his mother who have inherited a house from her estranged father. The boy is a fan of horror comics, and has a difficult time convincing his mom he's not imagining the creepy events occuring in the basement.

The story is well-written, and the big revelation is absolutely horrific, but the ending comes too fast for me. I'd love to see Marsella do more with these characters in a sequel, but, for now, I'll be reading the prequel SEVERED.

I'm also looking forward to his novel HUNGER FOR DEATH.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Vampire vs. Santa | Short Story Review

THE CHRISTMAS VAMPIRE by Dead Shearer is not nearly as entertaining as THE CHRISTMAS WEREWOLF, which really disppointed me. The narrator is a dull character. The best part is the scene with the character wearing Spiderman pajamas.

I'm still going to read more of this author's work, and hope I might see more of Shearer's dark humor.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Lycan vs. Santa | Horror Story Review

THE CHRISTMAS WEREWOLF by Dean Shearer is full of dark humor. A lot of people are going to be able to relate to the main character, even if he is a werewolf. Hard enough to keep your composure around Karens at the holiday, even more difficult if you're a monster.

The story takes one hell of a twist when Santa shows up. I absolutely love the action scenes, especially the one on the hills. Very cheeky, and an fantastic story for horror fans of all ages, especially the little ones who are showing interest in the genre.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Haunted by the Past | Flash Fiction Review

SNOWMAN by Peter Hough is more suspense than horror. An old man has nightmares about a snowman, and the reason is revealed by a ghost from his past. Some character development would've made this more interesting.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Yawn | Short Story Review

A MIDWINTER SACRIFICE by J.F. Penn is a supernatural short with a touch of folklore, heavy in descriptions and light in action. I was nearly halfway through the story before anything really happened.

A young man tries to make money playing folk songs on his guitar, but street thugs take all his earnings, after beating him. He's told he can do something about it by visitng a local sacred site, but he puts his trust in the wrong person yet again.

Predictable and incredibly slow-paced.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Santa's Toy | Horror Review

WORKING FOR THE FAT MAN by C. Dennis Moore has an extreme horror story ending, so prepare yourself. This story was published in 2012, but didn't receive the attention it deserves. I've read plenty of evil Santa tales, but this one is truly sick.

Narrated by one of the workshop elves, he reveals his attempt at removing the Fat Man from power ten years prior. The elf admits he doesn't know who Santa made a deal with, or what the details involve. He only knows that every year, the Fat Man kidnaps a naughty kid, takes the child into a private room, and doesn't come out until the screaming stops. The child is never seen again.

As I said previously, the ending is extreme.

There are also several other flash fiction pieces included...

WINTER'S REIGN: personified seasons

THE LAUGHING PICTURE: a touch of Dorian Gray

GHOSTWRITING: bait and switch

PATCHES: a dark twist on Frankenstein's monster

HIGH!: unwanted rapture

None of the flash fiction pieces come even close to the depraved horror of the main story, but I'm recommending this one to all horror readers anyway.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Bloody Cold | Short Story Review

FROZEN SOULS by D.J. Montano offers a backstory for the infamous Jack Frost. Oliver has some truly noble moments in his battle with Jack. However, reading about children freezing to death is a poor choice I made. Depressing is an understatment.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Cookies Won't Save You | Horror Review

SLAY BELLS by Stephanie Ayers is a collection of holiday-themed short stories and flash fiction...

SHAKE: a cursed snow globe which can only be safely shaken on Christmas Eve

A SNOW DAY EVERY DAY: a girl's Christmas wish

THE CHRISTMAS BOX: a dybbuk situation but with clowns

THE NAUGHTY LIST: one of the more extreme horror shorts in the collection

A BLOODY GOOD MEAL: if vampires celebrated the holidays

A DOLL FOR CHRISTMAS: kids just know

BELSNICKEL BEFORE CHRISTMAS: break a promise, break your back

Overall, entertaining in a dark way horror fans will appreciate.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Poor Choice | Short Story Review

THE OWL by J.J. Egosi is a weird little piece about a young person, with some unusual training, eager to see a castle in the sky. His desperation leads him to act against his conscience, and he pays a steep price for his poor choices. Interesting, but rushed. Might do better as a longer story.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Sloppy Prequel | Short Story Review

A VISIT TO THE HOUSE ON TERMINAL HILL by Elizabeth Knox is a prequel to the novel MORTAL FIRE, a detail I somehow missed when I read the description for this story. In any case, the writing of this short is sloppy. I did enjoy the suspense, but the ending discussion between Cyrus and Ghislain ruined the rest for me.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Discovering the Self | Short Story Review

HOMECOMING by Susan Palwick is a captivating story about a girl who refuses to conform to social norms of the time. She disguises herself as a young man and joins a ship crew with her friend, discovering her disguise is merely her true self being allowed out. She's not the only one who lives unconventionally on the ship.

While there is a lot of emphasis on secrets and revelations about the crew, the bit of folklore hits just right, with the supernatural element complimenting the personal drama.

I don't know anything about the author...I don't know if she any agenda, other than entertaining readers with a sea adventure...but I feel this tale was ahead of its time, written in 2013. I highly recommend this one!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Secret Space Adventure | Science Fiction Review

ROCKET SHIP TO HELL by Jeffrey Ford is a story within a story, and a fantastic mix of science fiction and horror. I would love to see this made into a film. I've read a couple of other stories by this author, but this short is my favorite Ford creation.

I highly recommend this one to all readers, even if this isn't your usual genre preference.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Bringing Work Home | Short Story Review

COLD BREATH by JT Lawrence is a perfectly executed short horror story. The author drops a significant detail here and there, but not so obvious as to give away what's really going on, while the narrator presses on with his POV.

Too difficult to discuss this one without giving away any spoilers, but I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy spine-chilling suspense.

I've read over a dozen stories by Lawrence, and COLD BREATH is my absolute favorite, although STAY THE NIGHT is a close second.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Family Time | Horror Review

IN THE TALL GRASS by Stephen King and Joe Hill is a mix of horror, science fiction and supernatural suspense. There's a moment where I had a flashback to The Tommyknockers. The grass field itself made me think of the fairy circles which trap unsuspecting travelers. While the setup is a bit slow, establishing the bond between brother and sister emphasizes their fear of being separated.

The story is intense, and has a few scenes which might qualify this novella as extreme horror. I don't think this tale measures up to 1980s Stephen King stories (I have no point of reference for Joe Hill's work), but I'm recommending it anyway.

If you enjoy this, you should also check out MILE 81.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Vampire Vengeance | Warhammer Review

THE WOLF AND THE RAT by C.L. Werner is a short packed with more than one twist. After the Necroquake event, Radukar the Wolf turned against the nobility of Mournhold, and the city was renamed as Ulfenkarn, the Wolf's Feast. Kritza the Rat Prince, who attempted to undermine his former master once before, now possesses the hide of the last Vyrkos Blood-king, thinking he will be able to use the pelt to lure Radukar into a fatal trap.

The Wolf, however, is three steps ahead of his enemies, and those who joined Kritza soon realize they backed the wrong vampire.

While readers who are familiar with Warhammer: Age of Sigmar will appreciate this tale the most, you don't have to know anything about Warhammer to appreciate this story of betrayal and revenge.

There is also a preview of CURSED CITY by Werner included.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Cheeky Creature Feature | Horror Novella Review

BUNNY KONG by Matt Shaw is a cheeky creature feature based on a story told to the author as a child, with characters loosely based on Shaw's family. This novella is mostly character-driven, with good, clean terror, and a touch of dark humor. Proof of the author's talent for conjuring a captivating story from the most basic horror ingredients, without involving any bodily fluids besides blood.

This is one of Shaw's books I can recommend to all readers, unless you have leporiphobia...

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 7 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: A SONG FOR ADELARD by Julio Miranda doesn't seem like a complete story at all...more like walking into a theater and realizing your in the wrong area.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 6 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: ONE EAR'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR TONIGHT by Julio Miranda is quite the wild ride. I couldn't predict where the story would go, if my life depended on it. Definitely my favorite short by this author.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 5 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: JERKIN' ON THE METRO by Julio Miranda is a brief trip filled with extreme horror in the form of masochistic erotica. I'm left with several questions.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 4 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: SATAN'S CONTEMPLATIONS by Julio Miranda is intriguing. About a third of the way through, I caught on to what the author had done, and I went back to the beginning to see how I had missed the Easter egg, so to speak. Love the ending.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 3 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: THE ONE IN A MILLION ITEM by Julio Miranda has a lot of unusual elements. Dystopian wouldn't even begin to describe the world the shop exists within. I only wish more would have been revealed about the item.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 2 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: THE BRAIN EATER by Julio Miranda is narrated by a hired professional, hunting his quarry among the nightlife. Very descriptive, but too short to develop much suspense.

As always,

AstraDaemon

One Minute Review 1 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review

HORROR YOU CRAVE: HACK THEM AND YOU DIE by Julio Miranda reveals the consequences of tampering with a high-tech security system. Brutal ending.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Plague Bloom Book Two | New Apocalypse Series [Review]

We have finally done it. After twenty agonizing years, we have finally reached the lands promised to us by our great god.

But we are not the only ones meant to be here.

The sweeping valley—known to us as the Promised Lands, but to others as the Dudak Wastes—is home to not one, and not two, but three different peoples, all of whom have been struggling to coexist since the plague bloom’s beginning. The first of these people, the Kakadar of the Low Wastes, are quick to offer us refuge within their lands, under the condition that we obey their laws, maintain order, and never, ever, go beyond where the red flowers grow.

It is only when the Bone People appear that a grim declaration is made.

Their living god—who dwells within the mountains to the valley’s east—is watching, and will do anything to drive us away. Even if it means bringing the plague to the Wastes.

A WICKED WIND by Kody Boye is the second book in the Plague Bloom series, and full of revelations about the Promised Lands. Obviously, discovering there are multiple communities is a shock to the Kirans, but the history between the different groups is particularly disturbing. This story arc is another great example of Boye's skill with character development. Even if you skipped the Prequel and Book 1, you would still have a good idea what everyone has been through based on their current thoughts and feelings.

I do have one issue with this installment: I can't understand, for the life of me, why Bryce doesn't demand more information about the horn. I sincerely hope readers will find out what is so special about the freaking relic.

Once again, Boye offers some resolution with the ending, but, of course, the hardships the Kirans must face are far from over. I'm looking forward to the third book, and I recommend this series to all readers (especially if you happen to be a fan of Fred Saberhagen).

As always,

AstraDaemon

AstraDaemon

Plague Bloom Book One | New Apocalypse Series [Review]

My name is Bryce Song, and for my entire life, I have lived in the shadow of a deadly Bloom that not only kills, but raises the dead. Since the plague’s beginning, my people have journeyed toward our God’s Promised Lands atop the backs of the Guardians. I have always wondered if we would reach our destination and felt helpless against the seemingly insurmountable odds.

A great valley, filled with its Fallen peoples and their undead protector, separates us from our salvation. The only chance of killing our monstrous enemy is to find a weapon, once wielded by our God. During the long journey, our heroes have been slain, and few are willing to embark on a quest to retrieve the holy relic.

There’s no question what I must do. I must journey to the last resting place of our God, and reclaim the weapon that will save my people from certain destruction.

A DEADLY BLOOM by Kody Boye is the first book in the Plague Bloom series (although there is a prequel). While there is a lot to take in, the storyline is easy to follow. Bryce's people, the Kirans, are finally nearing the Promised Lands, but they have three major problems to solve first: find the holy weapon of their goddess, fight through a sea of Fallen, and defeat the undead Guardian.

The situation becomes more complicated, as the Kirans and the Elves don't see eye to eye on how the weapon should be used, if it is recovered. Bryce's people have lived in relative peace for nearly twenty years and do not have enough warriors to face the Fallen, so they need help from the Elves. However, the two races, with their Earthwalkers and Sky Whales, might not be enough to destroy a Guardian infected by the Bloom.

I want to emphasize, I appreciate the way the author completed this story arc, instead of leaving readers with an abrupt cliff-hanger. Of course, the future of Bryce's people is still unknown, but I'm glad all the major issues were addressed, for better or worse. When Ziara's form was revealed towards the end, I nearly lost my mind over the implied history of Boye's Bloom world. Last but not least, I love how the author uses Bryce to connect the two races and offer insight into the personalities of the various characters. I was hoping for a romantic relationship to form between a Kiran and one of the Elves, but no such luck.

I can't wait to read the second book, and I highly recommend this series!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Plague Bloom Prequel | New Apocalypse Series [Review]

In this prequel to Kody Boye's Plague Bloom Series, discover what happens when the undead take to the air, and attack a small settlement questing toward the Promised Lands.

SMOKE AND BONE by Kody Boye great flash fiction introduction to Bryce and her post-apocalyptic world. The survivors of a global plague are traveling to the promised land on the back of an Earthwalker. While attending a prayer service, the settlement is attacked by flying death predators. Most people outside of the temple are killed.

The creatures alone are enough to make me want to read this series, but I'm intrigued by the idea of a plague originating from flower pollen. Boye has fashioned elements of fantasy, horror and science fiction into a terrifying new world, and I can't wait to experience Bryce's struggle to save her community.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Twisted and Constricted | Horror Review

FABULOUS BEASTS by Priya Sharma switches back and forth in time, between a woman living the good life with her significant other and past memories of her highly dysfunctional family. What begins as a strange arrangement, turns extremely sinister after her uncle is released from prison. Although there are no graphic details, the story contains incest and rape.

The darkest family secret caught me off guard...I had to reread one scene to make sure I didn't misunderstand. This is far better than the common werewolf theme. I think this story would make a great horror film.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Demonic Muse | Horror Review

OTHER PLACES by Joshua Scribner is captivating, with a hell of a twist at the end. The author introduces such an interesting element of cosmic horror, I would love to read more about the entity and its places.

As always,

AstraDaemon