TOP 2020 FICTION | AstraDaemon

The pandemic lockdowns gave me the perfect excuse to avoid other people and read hundreds of stories (780 Kindle titles, not counting paperbacks). I must say this year also brought out the best of many authors...I had a difficult time choosing which stories would make my Top Fiction list. I decided to include several categories, so I could include more variety.

In no particular order, I give you my TOP 2020 FICTION recommendations:

SHORT STORIES

SLEEPING BEAUTI by D.B. Green and A.K. Stein is a mix of science fiction, fantasy and horror, and more plausible than the backstory of the Matrix movies.

FEAR INCORPORATED by Hervey Copeland is a combination of The Belko Experiment, Escape Room and The Condemned, written with the flair of Stephen King and the intensity of Tom Clancy.

ELFRIC by S.O. Bailey is a mix fantasy and suspense to teach compassion for others, especially those who have suffered great loss.

BEST DAY OF SUMMER: THE KEEPER by Clark Roberts is an extremely terrifying short story, especially if you're a parent.

WAIT FOR NIGHT by Stephen Graham Jones is a fantastic twist on a popular legend.

NOVELS

THE GHOSTS OF DAVID BROOK by Amy Cross is a fantastic ghost story.

HORRORFROST by Edward Newton involves an unseen force hunting during a whiteout.

THE MONSTERS WITHIN by Kody Boye is a coming-of-age story with a Donnie Darko twist in a Dreamscape setting. 

SETH by Christy Aldridge introduces readers to an evil entity who wears a paper bag on his head.

THE CHILDREN OF RED PEAK by Craig DiLouie is an explanation of how the unraveling of the world can begin with just a small group of people.

NOVELLAS

TRANSFER by Terry M. West is frightening...The Slender Man and Sinister mixed together to form one hell of a creepypasta.

MELT by Christopher Motz is a mix of sci-fi and horror, and so much better than any version of The Blob movies.

ONE FOR THE ROAD by Wesley Southard is one of the few stories I've read which lives up to all the accolades. This really is a mix of Silent Hill, Jacob's Ladder and Lost Highway.

THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR by James Loscombe is the darkest story I've read by this author, thus far.

PIRANHA by Eric S. Brown is very much like a SyFy movie, but with the savage brutality the author regularly unleashes on his fans...not your daddy's piranha.

ANTHOLOGIES

NO REST by Joslyn Chase is a collection of fourteen short stories, ranging from crime drama to mystery-suspense, featuring the best and worst of human nature.

THE OCEAN OF SKY by John A Connor is a collection of twenty-three short stories and flash fiction pieces mixing sci-fi, horror and suspense.

LEADERS OF THE PACK is a fantastic collection of werewolf stories from twelve authors, such as Jeff Strand and Ray Garton.

BOOK SERIES

ROADS LESS TRAVELED is a five-book series by C. Dulaney. A young woman named Kasey actually has a "Z-plan" in place before the zombie outbreak in the story. While traveling, Kasey and her friends make some startling discoveries about the undead. The story arc is amazing and unlike any other end-of-the-world scenario I've ever read, but the evolution of the characters is what really stands out. Dulaney digs into her creations, tears them into pieces and scatters their remains across each novel.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

PAN by Christopher Ruz is a dark version of the Peter Pan story, mixing folklore and mythology from more than one source. I absolutely love all the sinister secrets revealed through the POV of a Lost Boy named Jimmy. Once the narrator's identity is revealed, this short story became one of my all-time favorites.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY by Naomi Kritzer is a flash fiction fantasy story, and I am BEGGING the author to write more. I love this story. I love all the details, the suspense, but the ending is too abrupt...the interaction is too fleeting.

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There you have it...my list of must-read stories from 2020. Please share this list to give these authors the recognition they deserve. I sincerely hope 2021 is better for everyone. Stay safe and keep reading!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Last INTERVIEW of 2020 | AstraDaemon

Author Christy Aldridge is another discovery I made through Instagram. Someone shared a photo of her novel SETH, and the description really grabbed my attention. (You can read my review here.) Basically, Seth is an evil POS who makes Damian and the Corn kids look tame by comparison.

I couldn't wait to bring Aldridge into the Lair...

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Where did the idea for Seth come from?

I know a lot of people get ideas from random places, but Seth’s entire storyline and character spawned from an art piece by Stefan Koidl. He’s one of my favorite artists, and the picture he drew had a child in front of a church with a paper bag over his head and crows circling overhead. I couldn’t get my mind off of it, wondering what was going on behind that paper bag, and thus, Seth was born.

Do you consider yourself a horror author or do you let your stories decide the genre?

I think I definitely try to let the stories determine. I honestly don’t like the labels. I’m just me, writing books that I love and want to read. I’m not a horror writer. I’m not a female horror writer. I’m just Christy and I happen to write books, and I think, that alone, is pretty cool.

Who or what influences your writing, and how would you describe your storytelling style?

I know the standard answer to this question is usually to list off a couple of writers that really inspired you, but the more I think about it and grow in my craft, the more I realize that isn’t the case for me. My surroundings tend to influence me a lot. I live in the backwoods of Alabama and that definitely seeps it’s way into everything I write.

However, the people I know, and the ones I don’t, seem to make the biggest difference for me. My family, my boyfriend, my cats even. And I think they also help determined my style a long time ago. Character driven, real people often dealing with the demons inside themselves more often than the supernatural ones causing chaos. I like books about people. I like writing books about people.

Are you working on any new projects? What can readers expect from you in 2021?

Always, it seems. Only this year, I’m also working on some non-writing related ones. I’m planning to bring back my YouTube channel, as well as start a podcast. I’m really excited about that, but I’m very excited about the novel I’ll be releasing this year. I think it’s just the dark and disturbing thing we all need after the last year. So definitely stay tuned for that announcement as well.

Where can fans follow you on social media?

I’m on most of the platforms, even if I rarely use them.

Twitter: ChristyA_horror
Instagram: christy_aldridge
Youtube and Facebook: Christy Aldridge

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If you haven't added SETH to your reading list yet, I strongly recommend it.

As always,

AstraDaemon

When Evil Moves In | AstraDaemon

In the winter of 1966, a small southern town becomes entangled in a horror they never anticipated. With birds attacking the townfolk, the people only have one person to turn to; a five year old boy who proclaims to be prophet. He makes his claims of being sent by God to rid them of their sins. Everyone is falling for this little boy and his judgments.

But one boy knows differently. He's seen what this little boy is doing and he's determined to stop him. He's determined to make sure no one else knows the pain he's known.

As things begin to grow colder and the little boy's influence only grows stronger, everyone begins to wonder:

Who is Seth?

SETH by Christy Aldridge isn't a horror novel...this is a horror experience. Imagine getting caught in a bear trap: as you slowly bleed out, a predator comes along and begins tearing pieces away from you. You know you're going to die, but you don't know what's going to kill you first. This is pretty much the situation the narrator finds himself in...trapped, with his life slipping away, while having his family and friends torn from him.

Seth is one of the creepiest kids ever featured in the genre. As soon as he shows up with a freaking paper bag on his head, I knew someone should've taken a tire iron to the kid, ASAP. Unfortunately, even fictional characters are as reluctant to off a child, as we are in real life. Also difficult to fight such a devious enemy, when you have a murder of crows -- well, MURDERING people and attempting to steal their souls.

Throw in a zealous bible-thumper, small town culture, and teenagers, and you have the perfect recipe for a last stand in a demonic battle. Winner takes all. In the end, Aldridge doesn't release you from the trap or the predator, but shoves a paper bag down your throat as you try to take your last breath.

Highly recommending this one.

As always,

AstraDaemon

MORE, PLEASE!!! | AstraDaemon

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY by Naomi Kritzer is a flash fiction fantasy story, and I am BEGGING the author to write more. I love this story. I love all the details, the suspense, but the ending is too abrupt...the interaction is too fleeting.

Definitely making my Top 2020 list. Recommended to everyone who loves books, as well as sharing them.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Folklore, Drama and Horror

THE NIGHT SUN by Zin E. Rocklyn is a thrilling blend of family drama and Native folklore, with a beautiful, yet violent, ending. The Amazon description does nothing to convey the mysticism and suspense carefully woven throughout this short story.

I highly recommend this one to all readers, not just horror fans. I've never heard of Rocklyn, but her version of a legendary creature is making my Top 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Speed Demon

FIRE TIRES by Clark Roberts is one of my favorite stories by this author. The storyline is somewhat predictable, but the horror is still gut-wrenching. Kind of a mix of two Twilight Zone episodes: IT'S A GOOD LIFE and STOPOVER IN A QUIET TOWN.

However, this short also includes the sinister darkness I've come to expect from Roberts whenever he includes children among his characters. I hope the author continues with stories like this one. I also recommend BEST DAY OF SUMMER.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Final Phase

END OF THE ROAD by C. Dulaney is supposed to be the final book in the Roads Less Traveled series, and I'm sincerely hoping I can convince the author to write one more full-length novel. (There is also the possibility fans may be able to read some short stories set in the RLT world.) There is a form of conclusion in this novel, which amounts to the main characters learning to accept the new world order. However, readers are never offered a POV from Isabel or Sam, both supporting characters with extremely significant roles in the series, who could possibly offer a true completion to this apocalyptic saga.

Compared to the previous four books, many more lives are lost in some of the most devastating battle scenes ever written, while the few survivors left have formed a new family of sorts. The characters have learned to put quality of life over quantity of life span, but Kasey's group are making a living doing some truly dark deeds in exchange for supplies, becoming anti-heroes in the process. Essentially, they get their hands very dirty, so everyone else can pretend they're still "good" people.

Brad's group can barely keep their heads above the blood pooling around them. Wherever they go, people are slaughtered, and they feel responsible for the body count. After suffering an agonizing humiliation at the hands of deviant bandits, the tiny group of PSIs decide to seek out Kasey's group to join forces, but it's too little, far too late.

The story arc is amazing and unlike any other end-of-the-world scenario I've ever read, but the evolution of the characters is what really stands out. So often, I read apocalypse series where the survivors remain basically the same, no matter what they go through, which is BS, even in the horror genre. Dulaney digs into her creations, tears them into pieces and scatters their remains across each novel, much like her "terminators," resulting in an absolute genocide of epic proportions.

I encourage fans of the series to show their support for Roads Less Traveled by leaving reviews. As for those who haven't yet begun this series, I highly recommend you join the rest of us in Dulaney's apocalypse.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Van of Death

BEST DAY OF SUMMER: THE KEEPER by Clark Roberts is an extremely terrifying short story, especially if you're a parent. I couldn't stop screaming in my head, as Ollie struggled with his over-whelming fear. The author took stranger-danger to an insane level, and the ending has left me numb.

I'm definitely adding this one to my TOP 2020 list. I also recommend AN INCIDENT AT SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL by Roberts.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Supernatural Thriller

THE MONSTERS WITHIN by Kody Boye is a coming-of-age story with a Donnie Darko twist in a Dreamscape setting. Dean flees his hellish life to carve out a new future, only to find himself doing battle with his boyfriend’s demons. While struggling with trauma from his past, Dean discovers Brad’s suffering stems from a hereditary curse, binding both young men to an ancient entity, The Watcher.

Dean must risk his own sanity in order to free them both, or he will lose everything to the darkness. As he journeys into world filled with fear and death, he wonders if he has enough faith to triumph.

Boye carefully blends romance, mental illness and the supernatural to create a sinister mystery-thriller, which begs the question: what would you be willing to do to save a loved one?

This novel will definitely be on my Top 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Reality vs. Fantasy

IN THE FOG by John Meany is a crime drama/murder mystery. The plot is spectacular: a man suffering from dementia and alcoholism witnesses a murder, and no one believes him.

Frank and Dora Parker go fishing in their boat and a thick fog rolls down around them. On the lake shore, a woman walks out of the forest, holding a knife, followed by a man dragging what appears to be a dead body. Only Frank sees any of it - his wife claims to see nothing. Frank thinks he's witnessed a murder, but everyone else thinks Frank needs to stop drinking so much.

The characters are well-developed, and the family dynamics really propel the storyline. Not a lot of action, but the personal interactions are impressive. Better than any of the crap that Stephen King has written lately. Definitely making my Top 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

No Rest For The Wicked

NO REST by Joslyn Chase is a collection of fourteen short stories, with author notes for each one. Unfortunately, the notes are placed before each short, so I skipped them altogether, not wanting to risk having the stories ruined for me. (I read the notes after I finished all of the shorts.)

I've never read anything by Chase before, so I had no idea what to expect, but I was not disappointed. The author is a great storyteller. Ranging from crime drama to mystery-suspense, these shorts feature the best and worst of human nature.

This anthology is making my TOP 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Make This A Mini-Series!!

Mike Huddersfield is working for Fear Incorporated, a highly secretive organisation that sends its employees on missions to hotspots all over the world. Each mission is filmed and the footage is shown to the organisations’ members for their pleasure. It’s an extremely dangerous job, and a lot of the employees don’t make it back home. Those who do however are rewarded handsomely.

Mike has just been given his latest assignment. He’s to spend seven days on North Sentinel Island, home to one of the last uncontacted tribes in the world. The members of the tribe are highly aggressive, and any intruder who is caught setting foot on their island is killed. Mike however is confident that he can survive.

FEAR INCORPORATED by Hervey Copeland is a fantastic suspense-thriller, and I sincerely hope the author considers turning this into a mini-series about the various jobs Mike has performed over the years. The character proves to be the perfect narrator for this story, the kind of guy you would listen to, if you ever met him in person.

The best way I can describe this: imagine a combination of The Belko Experiment, Escape Room and The Condemned, written with the flair of Stephen King and the intensity of Tom Clancy. Definitely making my Top 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Motz Nailed It

MELT by Christopher Motz is a mix of sci-fi and horror, and so much better than any version of The Blob movies. Imagine if John Carpenter and H.P. Lovecraft made a film together, and you'll have a pretty good idea what kind of epic nightmare the author has unleashed upon the residents of Ditchburn.

Greg is a fantastic character. If you weren't Greg at some point in your life, you knew someone just like him. As a result, his POV reveals a more personal level to this creature feature. The ending is unpredictable, kind of like falling down a rough hillside and hoping you survive the fall.

As is, I'm fine with this novella as a stand-alone, but I wouldn't say no to a sequel. I hope we see more work from Motz in 2020.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Reinventing A Lie

SINS OF THE CHILD by Shannon Heuston landed on my TBR list because of a random recommendation from some stranger on social media. I wanted a break from my usual horror, but I still require a healthy dose of suspense from my fiction. This novel delivered that and more! Told in both past and present, the author weaves family drama with a tragic crime to create a mind-blowing mystery-thriller.

When Polly receives multiple anonymous notes suggesting she's hiding a past sin, she fears losing her family and career. She also fears for her life, but decides to search out her stalker. After a few days of digging into the past, she realizes she's not the only one with a secret.

I've never heard of this author before, but she is an amazing storyteller! Even though this story was published in August 2019, I'm adding this book to my TOP 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Screamer

TRANSFER by Terry M. West is frightening...The Slender Man and Sinister mixed together to form one hell of a creepypasta...think curses which are passed along to people who should know better. When a strange video clip keeps showing up in their files, Howie and Nick should've shown more caution, but their fascination with the sick images soon becomes a deadly addiction.

This is the best West story I've read so far (another favorite is PUT ON A HAPPY FACE), and, even though it was released in December 2019, I'm putting this novella on my Top 2020 list.

Green used to be my favorite color, but I'm not so sure now...

As always,
AstraDaemon

What You Can't See Will Kill You

HORRORFROST by Edward Newton is definitely making my TOP 2020 list! A blizzard falls upon a resort town, some unseen force is tearing apart the buildings, and an unknown predator is hunting everyone in the neverending whiteness...not to mention the plummeting temperature. Even if they escape the monster, they will likely freeze to death, unless they can get off the mountain.

Some of the survivors look to their phones for answers. Online conspiracy theories suggest something from another world is feeding upon them. Not knowing anything specific, while random characters disappear into the air at every attack, Newton keeps his readers captive with a crippling fear. As the suspense increases with every failed attempt at escape, survival seems unlikely for anyone.

I used to fear the fog after reading The Mist by Stephen King. Now I fear the whiteouts...

As always,
AstraDaemon

Supernatural Mystery-Thriller

THE GHOSTS OF DAVID BROOK by Amy Cross is a fantastic ghost story. First of all, you have the urban legend of Catherine Bannister who takes one victim, every year on the same date. Then the author mixes it up with stories of the poor souls murdered by the hate-filled ghost. The switching POV makes it difficult to tell who is alive and who is dead, but this serves to increase the suspense.

Last but not least, you have the backstory of Catherine and the revelations made by two of her victims. I never knew what to expect, and the ending is completely awesome. Even though David is at the center of everything, Kaylee is my favorite character.

This would make a great horror film.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Nightmare Or Dream?

SLEEPING BEAUTI by D.B. Green and A.K. Stein is a mix of science fiction, fantasy and horror, and more plausible than the backstory of the Matrix movies.

The coma is an excellent touch. I can't comment any further without risking spoilers, but the description doesn't do SLEEPING BEAUTI justice. I wouldn't call this a retelling at all. Green and Stein have created a very frightening dystopian future.

I recommend this short story to all readers.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sunday With Scribner: Killer Crap

INTESTINAL FORTITUDE by Joshua Scribner is centered on someone who has spent his life being attacked, blacking out, and waking up to his assailants being killed, over and over. At the onset of each attack, he suffers severe abdominal pain, and when he wakes up, he finds he has crapped his pants.

As an adult, one of his attacks is finally caught on a security camera, and he discovers what has been happening after he blacks out. Scribner delivers one hell of an ending. I highly recommend this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon