Rehab in Hell | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

After the death of his father, Robby Boulder found himself in the throes of addiction. Then, one morning, he woke up to a figure in his room, a figure that claimed a week in the woods would set him straight. But, once Robby and his fellow teen addicts hit the trail, the promise of salvation turns to a lie. Although Robby began his journey trying to better his life, the mission changes after one fateful night — make it out alive.

OUTWARD by Dan DeLuise is the second installment in The Witching Hour series, and it doesn't require a stretch of the imagination to believe something like this could take place in the States (I don't know if this happens in other countries). Building on a frightening reality, and incorporating a familiar horror theme, the author has created a terrifying form of rehab.

Not only do I recommend this series, but I also recommend DeLuise's collection FIVE MINUTE FRIGHTS.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Trust No One | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

On an October evening in 2002, Abby Fletcher went missing. Everyone in town joined the search to find her, but it was useless. The only clue was her bike, found in a roadside ditch. Slowly, people forgot about the case, but Charlie Roland never did. After 17 years of false leads and conspiracy theories, Charlie never gave up. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Charlie discovered something on his way to work. Abby, perfectly preserved, was standing at the end of his driveway. In a tale of nostalgia, delusion, and abandoned houses, “The Girl Who Reappeared” is a new, horrific twist on the time travel story.

THE GIRL WHO REAPPEARED by Dan DeLuise is the first book in The Witching Hour series. I'm not necessarily a fan of time travel stories, so I'm glad I gave this one a chance. I felt sorry for Charlie, thinking of how much he must be traumatized by Abby's disappearance. However, when he finds her standing by the mailbox, I began to wonder just how much Charlie's mental health had degraded.

I thought I knew what was going, but I underestimated the situation. DeLuise has created quite a horrific tragedy, and I can't wait to read the second installment.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Confusing Crap

THE WITCHING HOUR by D.G. McIntosh is a confusing piece of crap. The narration keeps changing between third and first person. Reads like a rough draft, but doesn't have an ending.

No connection between the old man's death and the three murder victims. No explanation for anything. I'll be damned if I know what the purpose of the story is supposed to be, but it's certainly not a horror story in any sense of the word.

Junk like this is why indie authors get such a bad reputation.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Cellars Should Be For Wine Only

Some houses should be left alone.


In 1972, twenty-five people were brutally murdered in one of the bloodiest massacres in Texas history. The mystery of who committed the killings remains unsolved.

Over forty years later, Sarah Donovan is dating an exciting man, Dean Stratton. Sarah's scared of just about everything--heights, tight places, the dark--but today she must confront all her fears, as she joins Dean and another couple on an exploring adventure. The old abandoned Blevins House, the scene of the gruesome massacre, is rumored to be haunted.

The two couples are about to discover the mysterious house has been waiting all these years, craving fresh prey. And down in the cellar they will encounter a monstrous creature that hungers for more than just human flesh.

The Witching House by Brian Moreland begins with a short story prequel, The Girl From The Blood Coven, which reveals details about the night of the Blevins House massacre. This served as the perfect set-up for the novella.

From the moment the four friends set out on their road trip to the haunted house, I found myself screaming in my head. The characters bring several unpredictable elements into the story: Otis has blood ties to the house, Dean withholds information from his three companions, and Sarah mentions her own ties to witchcraft.

The flashbacks are well-placed...enough to horrify readers with each revelation about the nature of the massacre, without ruining the terrifying battle for survival. Not knowing if any of the characters had a chance in hell filled me with dread. The ending had several surprising turn of events, but left one loose end. Sequel, perhaps?

As always,
AstraDaemon