Post-Apocalypse Chameleon

Advances in nanotechnology and medical 3-D printing have revolutionized healthcare worldwide, particularly organ transplantation. Until an experimental product line accidentally winds up in the global marketplace. Until people’s organs begin killing them...then bringing them back.

Pockets of humanity fight to subsist in skeletal cities and apocalyptic wastelands. The walking dead are a part of a daily fight for survival and many of the living have gone mad.

Andre and Claire are part of a group struggling to rebuild America’s infrastructure. In their way stand not only the hungry dead, but a conspiracy of various factions determined to retain what power they have. In a saga blending intrigue and deception with survival horror, the last good men and women combat their own extinction.

THE STRANGE DEAD by David Dunwoody is a great story, but it's part of a series, which, had I known, I wouldn't have read it. This novel was published in 2016, and it's not looking like the sequel will ever be written. As if that isn't bad enough, the story ends with one hell of a cliffhanger.

At first, I didn't think the nano-zombies were very original, but the twist with Claire and her secret is genius! The shocker concerning Andre caught me completely off guard...I didn't realize how significant his character truly is. The mystery surrounding the shrike is somewhat irritating, but adds to the overall intensity of Claire's situation. Eli is a real bastard, and, as crazy as the Maestro is, Eli seems far more unstable.

I'd love to see what results Tavia achieves with her confession to her father, the general, but I'd settle for any kind of closure. I hope Dunwoody will release a follow-up someday soon!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Split Into Something Else

A dual novella featuring ORPHEUS AND THE PEARL by Kim Paffenroth and NEVERMORE by David Dunwoody. Double the terror, double the fun!


ORPHEUS AND THE PEARL
In 1920 Massachusetts, Dr. Catherine MacGuire is mysteriously called to the home of the famous Dr. Wallston, to assist with some medical emergency that defies even his skill. The life-threatening problems she finds there have less to do with broken bodies than with warped souls, and it will take all of her skill as a healer to fix them.

NEVERMORE Malcolm Witt died in his sleep at 11:07 PM. Four minutes later his body rose and walked from the room. Malcolm watched it happen.

And so begins 24 hours of a life-after-death struggle to save his friends, forgive his love, and put himself to rest - body and soul.

ORPHEUS AND THE PEARL by Kim Paffenroth is a pleasant reminder of the psychological element the author brings to his horror stories. If I didn't know any better, I would think Paffenroth channeled both Freud (1919 essay, The Uncanny) and Jung (archetypes) while constructing his characters and their dilemma. Even Dr. MacGuire's reference to Greek tragedies struck a chord (Aristotle's Catharsis). You don't have to be familiar with any of these literary references to appreciate the anticipation of something tragic happening before the end of the story. However, Paffenroth delivers the most terrifying blow in the form a light whisper. Pay attention to the tiny details.

NEVERMORE by David Dunwoody is one of the best damn zombie stories I've ever read, and, yet, Dunwoody has created something much more than an undead tale. The author takes common motivators such as love, betrayal and revenge, mixes them with the supernatural and the result is a thriller worthy of the big screen.

Both stories are examples of the familiar becoming unfamiliar -- the heart of true horror, but the two are nothing alike. Paffenroth and Dunwoody use a similar element to show how human behavior can be predictable and unpredictable at the same time, while remaining original in their storytelling.

An excellent pairing!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Dunwoody Raises Hell

Talent, once a man who made a deal with the Devil, escaped his fate and evaded Hell for thousands of years, until the day he let his guard down while searching for a dimensional door. At first glance, it seems this is just another story about a guy who regrets selling his soul, but that is only one tiny part of the story. I have been a fan of Dunwoody for years, and I think this is his best work yet. He's written a very complex novel about redemption and revenge, without overwhelming readers, and the characters are anything but typical, displaying the best and worst of human nature. Quite frankly, this is the best description of Hell that I've ever read.

When Talent is captured, I felt his pain as I read the detailed description of his mental and physical suffering. But Talent is only one piece of Dunwoody's carefully crafted puzzle. Chith is the first "ego," Talent is the second and the third is the elusive Sephus. Hallows is the Chief Inspector in Hell, Els is an angel, also Hell's High Court Chief Vicar. Lace is a werewolf - one of Hell's enforcers. Last but not least, Sue Christmas is the object of the Devil's unwanted affection, a.k.a. Suicide (aptly named as the story reveals). The way the characters interact with each other is the most compelling element of the story, but there is so much more to entertain and enthrall readers.

Satan is plotting his biggest move yet, God is missing and the Egos uncover several other secrets that have them questioning not only their own lives but also the purpose of mankind. The ending is somewhat anti-climactic...wrapped up too neatly considering the tsunami of drama and continuous battles between Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.

Despite my reservations about the ending, Dunwoody continues to show his expertise as a horror author, using suspense to send his readers in to an absolute frenzy, much like the characters in his book. Well done.

As always,
AstraDaemon