Halloween Reading: Wolf Week | Werewolf For Kids | AstraDaemon

CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF by Stephen King is better known by some as Silver Bullet, but there is a huge difference between the movie and the novella, and I encourage horror fans to read the written story.

However, while this is not a terrible werewolf tale, this is not an example of King's best work -- not even close. If you're expecting something on the level of The Mist or The Raft, you'll be disappointed. This is more YA fiction than anything...King-lite for kids.

I recommend The Sun Dog for a more frightening canine.

As always,

AstraDaemon

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

King's Kids

CHILDREN OF THE CORN by Stephen King is one I have no memory of reading before now. I didn't think much of the movie, so I never bothered with the story. I couldn't understand what people found so frightening about this short, and I still don't.

While a boy with a slit throat in the road is terribly disturbing, and a deserted town is creepy, there's just not much more to this story than the husband and wife fighting with each other. I don't even care what happens to them.

Instead, I recommend MILE 81, written by King within this decade and borrowing some themes from his older stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

A New Metal Monster

MILE 81 by Stephen King is a novella I haven't read before, and I must admit, I have been reluctant to read anything King has written after THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON. I am so glad I gave this story a chance because this is one of my new King favorites.

King appears to have channeled several of his older stories for this one: Christine, Trucks and The Raft. Even with all the horror elements, this is more or less Pete Simmons' coming-of-age story. All he wants is a cool adventure to share with his older brother and his bicycle gang, but he soon finds himself in a supernatural battle for survival.

The author torments readers further by including a horse as well as three children...kids and a defenseless animal? Nothing scares the crap out of me more than placing innocent lives within the grasp of a monster. I really wish King would stick with this style of storytelling.

As much as I enjoy the rest area nightmare, my favorite King story is still THE EYES OF THE DRAGON, and I highly recommend both to all readers.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Move Aside, Cujo

THE SUN DOG by Stephen King (originally published in FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT) has all the elements which made me fall in love with the horror genre as a kid, as well as make me a fan of the author's older work: a supernatural entity, terrifying suspense, and characters trapped in a deadly situation.

In this case, King offers up a demonic Polaroid camera featuring a malevolent dog, given to a kid who begins dreaming of the world within the photos, while a rotten old man complicates everything with his greed. Luckily (and contrary to most horror scenarios), Kevin's dad believes what his son tells him, and endeavors to help him rectify the nightmare brought about by the cursed birthday gift.

Not only did I read this story in one sitting, but my teen tried to talk to me at one point, causing me to jump about a foot off the couch because King's story had me so wound up. The ending is what you would expect from the legend, and I recommend this one to all horror fans.

However, after reading this one, I'd ask you to check out all the great indie authors featured here at the Lair...the might not have King's notoriety, but many of them could give the old master a run for his money.

As always,
AstraDaemon