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.

---

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

Bad Service | Short Story Review

SELFIES by Lavie Tidhar is very disappointing after reading the Judge Dee series. Trying to navigate the storyline felt like sorting through puzzle pieces. I didn't feel anything while reading this...no suspense, no terror. The concept is already a bit overdone in the sub-genre.

I recommend Tidhar's DRAGONKIN instead.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Familiar Fable | Short Story Review

THE MAIDEN THIEF by Melissa Marr gave me déjà vu. I felt as if I had read this story before, but I knew I hadn't. I didn't realize this was a re-telling of the French folk story Bluebeard, until I read some of the other reviews.

While the original tale is quite gruesome, this version is more psychological. Verena also makes for a better protagonist. Even though I recognized elements of Perrault's creation in Marr's work, I think the author did a good job reconstructing this legend into a short centered on female empowerment.

I enjoyed this much more than OF ROSES AND KINGS. I wish the author would return to this writing style.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Conformity Bites | Short Story Review

Vlad has grown distant from his wife. His son has trouble at school. And he has to keep his sharp teeth hidden.

A KISS WITH TEETH by Max Gladstone is a pretty realistic take on how a vampire is likely to be living in this time period...no glamour, no glitter and no gore.

I love how he met his wife, and I adore how he parents his son. The ending is absolutely perfect.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Down to the Bone | Horror Review

THESE DEATHLESS BONES by Cassandra Khaw is a dark blend of horror and suspense. I had no idea what to expect from this story, and I'm happy to say I've never read anything like it. Both characters evoked strong emotions...I wanted to drop kick the Prince across the room and cheer for the stepmother.

I'd love another story from the narrator. Highly recommend!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Mr. Underhill | Dark Fantasy Review

FINNEGAN'S FIELD by Angela Slatter is a mix of horror and dark fantasy centered on the return of a young girl who had been missing for three years. Her mother is convinced the child is not hers. A couple months later, Anne discovers what her not-daughter has been doing during the girl's sleep-walking episodes, and decides to investigate further.

At first, I thought this would be a changeling story, but there is so much more to this. I absolutely love the way the story is presented, with all the suspects lined up, and the strange behavior of Mrs. Flynn. The connection between the old generations in Ireland and the new generations in Australia is heart-breaking, as folklore tends to be.

I highly recommend this one to all readers, even if you are not usually a fan of this sub-genre.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Villain Origin Story | Extreme Horror Review

After a terrible family tragedy, what seems like a peaceful Thanksgiving meal turns into a meal of horror.

Angie has hit the breaking point with her family. That doesn't deter her from wanting to spend a holiday with her family.

The guests soon find out that Angie didn't invite them out of kindness.

This is a bloody horror story. There are scenes of extreme violence. Not for children.

This story is based on fiction. If this is anything like your family holidays, I apologize.

AN EXTREME TURKEY DINNER by Sea Caumissar is brutal and full of graphic violence. As horrific as Angie's behavior is, when her reason for her plan is finally fully revealed, all I could think is, "Larry got off waaay too lightly."

This story is not for weak stomachs or people who are sentimental about the holidays. This could possibly be a villain origin story...but not necessarily for Angie.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Spiteful Ex | Short Story Review

Dino is a documentary filmmaker, haunted by the ghost of his ex-girlfriend who was killed in a car crash while with another man. As Dino shoots his latest documentary on the vandalism occurring in the woods of his hometown, he tries to move on from her unexpected death. But when his life starts to look up, the ghost encroaches on his property. The focus of the film begins to blur as the lens of the camera shifts onto Dino, the director succumbing to his ghostly obsession.

REVERSE DOCUMENTARY by Marisela Navarro is one of the most vexing stories I've ever read. I think I've been on Reddit too much because I wanted Dino to confront the ghost about the guy in the car. I don't think I've ever disliked a ghost so much before now. The ending is like salt in the wound.

In other words, I love the writing. Anytime I get this worked up about characters, it's a sure sign the story-telling is awesome. This is one of the reasons I love reading: to feel all kinds of emotions.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Something in the Air | Horror Review

OF A MAD BRAIN by Scott Donnelly mixes both psychological and visceral horror to create a family drama within a somewhat gothic setting. I didn't really like any of the characters...they weren't interesting to me in any way and I didn't care what happened to any of them. The ending had a Human Centipede vibe, so there's that.

While well-written, this novella lacks the shock and awe of Donnelly's previous work, although this simply may not be my cup of poisoned tea. If you like movies such as American Psycho, this might appeal to you.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Lost My Appetite | Book Review

HUNGRY HILL by K.J. Sargeant didn't impress me. The POV jumps around so much, I had a difficult time getting into the story (I still can't make sense out of the beginning). Also, I know a lot of UK authors, as well as family from the Edinburgh region, and I don't know anyone who talks like that, except Americans pretending to be from the UK. Could use the help of an editor.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Gates of Hell | Horror Review

In 1935, British archaeologists vanished inside an Egyptian cave. A year later, one man returned covered in mysterious scars.

Egyptologist Imogen Riley desperately wants to know what happened to the ill-fated expedition led by her grandfather. On a quest for answers, she joins a team of archeologists and soldiers in Egypt. Inside a mountain tomb, they’ve found a technologically advanced relic and a maze of tunnels. Dr. Nathan Trummel believes this tomb leads to the most guarded secrets of the pharaohs. When the explorers venture deep into the caves, they discover a hidden world of wonder and terror.

TOMB OF THE GODS by Brian Moreland is my new favorite by this author. The story is a terrifying mix of mythology, religion, horror and science fiction. All of the characters have dark backstories which come into play as the group attempts to retrace Harlan's steps, using his journal as a guide. The variety of creatures is impressive. I love every aspect of this story, particularly the imagery towards the end.

I highly recommend this story to all readers who enjoy action-thrillers such as Stargate and Anaconda.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Not Much Horror | Book Review

AMAZON HORROR CRUISE by Eric S. Brown is a horror novella sprinkled with mythology, but surprisingly few monsters. The way Captain Eli carries on, I expected far more problems for the crew along the river journey. The actions scenes are thrilling, but not as many I expected from the author.

Compared to Brown's previous work, this one seemed a little on the bland side. I recommend PRIMAL FORCE for a better jungle nightmare.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Annnd They're Gone! | Horror Review

BETWEEN DEAD TREES by Matt Shaw functions as a stand-alone, but readers will appreciate the characters and events more if they read INTO THE WOODS first.

I love the way the author divided up the story...increased the suspense tenfold. Once again, Shaw takes the time to give readers a reason to care about the characters before he yeets them off into hell.

I hope there's a third one because I'd really like to know the name of the entity.

As always,

AstraDaemon

No One Gets Delivered | Horror Review

INTO THE WOODS by Matt Shaw is a great example of how the author connects readers to his characters, so they experience the terror rather than simply reading about the pain and suffering. Many extreme horror authors just slap gore and violence on the pages and call it a story, but Shaw puts real effort into humanizing the inhuman acts.

As always,

AstraDaemon

If Disney Remade Phantasm | Suspense Review

BABY TEETH by Daniel Polansky is kind of like Phantasm, if Disney made their own version. A boy helps a stranger hunt down a vampire killing his peers. You never see the monster, never see what it does to the victims. Hercules remains a mystery, and Graham returns to his unremarkable life. Not really horror, not even a coming-of-age story.

However, the story is well-written, and held my interest from beginning to end, so I'm recommending this to readers who enjoy suspense without gore and violence.

As always,

AstraDaemon 

All Things Serve The Tower | Horror Review

UR by Stephen King seemed rather dry at first, with Wesley coming off as a literary snob with lousy social skills. He discovers the unusual features of his pink Kindle, and yet fails to fully appreciate what he possesses. Luckily, he shares his new device with two others, if only to figure out if he's lost his mind or not.

Once the three begin investigating the UR within the Kindle together, the story becomes quite alarming. The descriptions of the characters' shocked reactions are anxiety-inducing. While I suspected where Wesley would go with his experimenting, the details are the gut-wrenching torments which Stephen King uses to lure readers into the horror genre, enslaving us to our masochistic cravings for more.

If you're already a Stephen King fan, you're going to lose your mind over the ending.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Jewish Golem | Horror Review

ANNA'S SISTER by Amy Cross surprised me with a bit of Jewish folklore in the form of a golem. The author also mixes in various occult practices not normally found together in the same storyline. While I appreciate not knowing how this novella would end, the setup took far too long for my liking, and the character interactions weren't very lively (no pun intended).

This story isn't nearly as entertaining as the author's previous work, but I love the change up from all the ghost stories. If you're looking for something different from Cross, give this a try.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Liebert's Darkest Work | Horror Review

THINGS UNKNOWN by Travis Liebert is another collection of stories belonging to The Shattered God Mythos. These stories are far darker than the ones found in THINGS UNDONE. The first story just about wrecked me, especially as a parent. Casual readers of the horror genre might not have the stomach for many of these stories...consider that a content warning.

Many of these stories have connections to previous shorts released by the author. I strongly recommend reading ALL of Liebert's previous shorts in order to appreciate the characters and their motives in these stories.

With all that said, I highly recommend this to all horror fans.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Ghost Depot | Supernatural Review

SCARE AT THE SQUARE by Scott Donnelly gave me the sense of watching a docudrama on the History Channel late at night. Not so much a story about a person or a group of people, but more of a timeline for horrible and supernatural events because of an abandoned train station.

While Donnelly's short held my interest from beginning to end, this isn't nearly as ghastly and thrilling as his pervious work. THE WHOOL is still my favorite by this author.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Water of the Womb | Horror Review

FLOWERS FOR THE SEA by Zin E. Rocklyn is a dark fantasy novella full of powerful imagery, with elements of Lovecraftian horror and mythology.

The author has a quite a talent for creating a strong female character with a rich ancestral history full of mysticism.

If you'd like a taste of Rocklyn's writing style before you decide on this one, I highly recommend THE NIGHT SUN.

As always,

AstraDaemon