Vengeance Week | Boy's Best Friend | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

ACTS OF REVENGE by James Loscombe is one of the most disturbing stories I've ever read. The trope of a kid bullied at school is pretty common, and I wasn't surprised when his beloved pet began whispering diabolical ideas into his ear. The ending, however, absolutely wrecked me.

If you enjoy this dark tale, I also recommend THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR by Loscombe.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Some Neighbors Suck | AstraDaemon

THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR by James Loscombe is the darkest story I've read by this author, thus far. I didn't expect anything so horrific, but there is one scene in particular which just about broke me. There is nothing sweet or seductive about the vampires in this story.

While there isn't much character development, the suspense is great and the action is intense. This novella works well as a stand-alone, but I wouldn't say no to another story with Haywood.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Halloween Reading: Undead Week | Difficult Decisions | AstraDaemon

LEFT BEHIND by James Loscombe is a short story about a woman who is separated from her husband and daughters during an escape attempt. Her husband is the one who always told her one to do to survive, but now she must make decisions for herself.

First, she chooses to sacrifice her safety to make sure her husband and daughters are saved. Then she must decide whether or not she still wants to live. Last but not least, Samantha must decide if she can trust any of the other survivors she crosses paths with.

Not much zombie action, but filled with suspense and drama.

I also recommend BEACHES, another end of the world story by Loscombe.

As always,

AstraDaemon

P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway for this week's autographed book series.

Powerful Thoughts | AstraDaemon

DOUBLE FEATURE by James Loscombe is a fantastic two-for-one:

MIND READER is told through the POV of a teacher who can read thoughts, and realizes something bad is going to happen among her students.

ALIEN VIRUS is another story about the power of minds, but not as entertaining as the first one.

In any case, the first story is an excellent reason to pick up this title.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sci-Fi Nightmare

He came to the city for a better life. His parents came to find out what happened to him.

Harlan Potts has the answers but do they want to hear them? Harlan knows that what he has to tell them may break their hearts but they have paid him to do a job and he is a man of his word. No matter what the cost, he intends to tell them the truth.

THE FORGOTTEN by James Loscombe takes place in a dystopian future, in which people use cranial implants to connect to The Network. A young man leaves his off-the-grid commune to live in the tech-driven city. When he goes missing, Harlan is hired by the parents, who want to know what happened to their adult son. What the private investigator finds instead is the victim of a virus.

The POV switches between a Network feed, a handwritten journal, news bulletins, and Harlan's meeting with his clients. The similarities between Loscombe's sci-fi creation, and our current reality make this short story quite frightening.

I also recommend Loscombe's short story, VISITORS.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Watch Your Step

VISITORS by James Loscombe is noting like what I expected...definitely a roller coaster ride: twist after twist. I couldn't have predicted this ending, if my life depended on it. I highly recommend this mix of crime drama and horror.

One of my favorite Loscombe stories!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Fantasy & Suspense

SON OF THE SEA by James Loscombe begins with a young man shipwrecked and confused. As soon as Tiboth attempts to "reach out" with his mind, the author had me hooked.

With a mix of fantasy and suspense, Loscombe has created a fable of sorts about developing empathy for others. While I enjoyed this tale, I'm vexed by the ending. I want to know more about the calling.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Darla Deserves Better

Walter is suspended from boarding school and sent home early. He feels little remorse for what he did and is just looking forward to the summer holidays starting so he can see his friends again. But it turns out they aren't allowed to see him because he's a "bad influence". He tries to occupy himself but that just leads to more trouble.

Worried that he is lonely, his parents bring home a dog, Darla, and tell him that it's his responsibility to look after her. He doesn't even like stupid dogs, but apparently it will benefit him somehow. As boredom leads to frustration he finds himself taking it out on all the wrong people and if he doesn't pull himself together he will find that some victims bite back.

No animals were harmed in the writing of the story, but if you find scenes of cruelty to dogs distress you this probably isn't the story you.

PAYBACK by James Loscombe really pisses me off. Walter is a POS who beats his dog to death, which upset me, but I accepted it as a necessary evil to propel the story. Unfortunately, the little bastard gets away with killing the dog and doesn't learn a damn thing, so now I'm wondering what was the bloody point. Not to mention, readers are never told why he is suspended from school.

Also, the whole thing with Mary seems completely out of place. The confession from his parents doesn't seem to add much substance to the story. Would have been something if Mary had been revealed as his biological mother, but readers are left with a crap ending instead.

I can't help but wonder wtf Loscombe was thinking when he wrote this mess.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Cost of Survival

SNOWBOUND by James Loscombe is a devastating short story about a man who survives a deadly pandemic, but everyone else around him has died. After being alone for so long, he begins to question his sanity, especially after he finds fresh footprints in the snow.

As he follows the tracks, his reflections on the outbreak reveal several dark moments in his past, as well as his decisions which continue to haunt him. Now he must choose whether or not to take a life.

I've read three Loscombe stories, and this one is my current favorite.

As always,
AstraDaemon

This Made Me Cry

BEACHES by James Loscombe is one of the most emotional end-of-the-world stories I've ever read. Essentially, a young man travels for six months to find out what happened to his family, after a virus wipes out most of the world's population. (No zombies, no warfare, just a swift death.) The only ones left are the ones fortunate enough to have a natural immunity.

He's been haunted by nightmares because he didn't search for his family sooner. Instead, he helped build a community of survivors. Finally admitting to himself, his need for closure, he sets out for his parents' home. He thinks he knows what he's going to find, but he couldn't be more wrong.

Very well-written drama.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Underground City of Demonic Shadows

ELDER ONES by James Loscombe comes across as an introduction to either a full-length novel or a possible series. I would read either one, if the author wished to expand upon this premise. I found the underground city with seals to be fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Not only does the author's writing style seem reminiscent of Lovecraft, but Loscombe takes some of mankind's most primitive fears and twists them into a modern cosmic nightmare. I really think this piece by Loscombe is too good to leave as a single short story, but I'm still recommending this to horror fans.

As always,
AstraDaemon