Forget Adventure, Choose Your Own Death

FINAL SKY by Elias Witherow is unlike anything I've ever read before, even the author's previous work. The concept of a world held by a chain over a void is mind-boggling, not to mention the explosive Rockflesh disease which releases poisonous gas. I have no idea how the author creates such a complex dystopian fantasy with so much brutal detail, and I'm not sure I want to know. Witherow's imagination is quite frightening at times, and this story is no exception.

The action scenes are both thrilling and terrifying, but there is one scene in particular which requires a strong stomach. When Liam and Desmond finally meet, prepare yourself for a horror which makes Game of Thrones look tame. As if surviving Desmond's cruelty isn't enough of a challenge, Liam loses what is left of his mind when he discovers what is on the other end of The Chain. Witherow surpasses Lovecraft with the Old Horns.

If you are looking for something more earth-bound, I recommend THE THIRD PARENT, which used to be my favorite story by Witherow, until I read this novel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Into The Abyss

RETURN TO THE BLACK FARM by Elias Witherow is more character driven than the first book. Nick is threatened by one of the powers-that-be to put things right at The Farm, so he must take his life a second time. Many characters from Nick's previous visit to The Farm cross paths with him again, and no one seems happy to see him. Many want him dead. Essentially, everything which draws breath wants to make Nick suffer and die.

In order to complete his task, and save his loved ones, Nick must join forces with Danny. The enigmatic Suicidal coordinator proves to be a much more complex personality, and I would love a third installment focused solely on The Pig's spokesman. I'd like to think Danny is the key to reforming The Black Farm for Suicidals, as well as the Pig Born.

For some reason, the ending didn't surprise me. I'm good with the way Nick's storyline worked out, but I really don't want the series to end with him. Danny deserves his own book, after everything he went through with Nick.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Kill Or Be Killed...Or Eaten

THE BLACK FARM by Elias Witherow has all the great elements of horror: psychological, gore-filled, cannibalistic, supernatural, monstrous...all oozing with suspense. I've enjoyed everything the author has written, and I was sure Tommy Taffy would be his most terrifying legacy, but Witherow has stared into the abyss, fashioned it into The Pig and given readers a fresh new Hell to fear.

In this creation, Suicidals go to The Barn and must decide if they will Feed The Pig or attempt to survive the abominations populating The Farm. Unlike the others before him, Nick refuses to accept his situation and battles to find Jess, his lost love. The inner voice taunting and tormenting him is almost as entertaining as the agonizing misery he must endure on the island of the damned.

While I am very impressed with the variety of monsters Witherow has released upon his readers in this novel, my favorite part is Nick screwing around with a new arrival. (Do yourself a favor and read The Worst Kind of Monsters, if you haven't already.) I can't wait to read the sequel!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Witherow Frightens Me

THE WORST KIND OF MONSTERS by Elias Witherow is a collection of some very sick and twisted horror stories. Even though I've read some of them previously on the Thought Catalog website, this anthology remains extremely disturbing. Many of the stories are a mix of scifi and horror. All of them are absolutely brutal:

THE TALL DOG -- family drama with demonic entity
THE HOUSE IN THE FIELD -- the most terrifying, imho, and told from a child's POV
EMPIRE SNUFF -- think Hostel mixed with Dark Web
THE GOAT ROOM -- a cult story
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH DAD -- makes Lovecraft look tame
FEED THE PIG -- short story from THE BLACK FARM world
TEN DAYS, TEN PILLS -- something very believable and has probably happened in real life
RED WEST -- more weird than scary
BLACKOUT -- reminded me of the HED PE song, The Meadow
WHERE IS MY SON? -- life in Hell
TEXTS FROM MY BROTHER -- stay away from ropes in the woods
SHIMMER -- connected to the previous story
CHROME SUNSET -- otherworldly invaders
MY FATHER, MY MONSTER -- heartbreaking family drama centered on alcoholism
BEHIND HELL -- better than the movie Stay Alive
HORSE/8MIN -- flash fiction DVD warning
DEEP, DEEP DOWN -- when you look into the abyss...
WHEN HELL COMES KNOCKING -- you are not obligated to open your door at 3AM
THE WORST KIND OF MONSTERS -- the most graphically violent story of all

If you do not read horror on a regular basis...if you are not used to graphic horror, do NOT read this anthology. I'm not trying to use reverse psychology to get people to read these stories, I am legitimately warning readers: if you are a tourist in the horror genre, stay the hell away from this one.

Witherow's imagination gives my imagination nightmares.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Lone And Level Sands Stretch Far Away

A decade ago, twenty-six Towers of unknown origin rocketed into the Earth, destroying almost everything in an event known as “The Impact.” Most of the remaining population slowly began to change, their minds altered to conform to the will of strange creatures that stood atop the mysterious structures. Humanity began to turn on itself and these brain-washed individuals became known as Red Eyes. Now, ten years later, Sam, Alex, and Luna trek across a ruined world, searching for a man they believe is responsible for it all - a man named Empire, a man no one can seem to kill. But time is running out. The Towers are stirring once more. What is their purpose? Where did they come from? Who is Empire? And what is the Last Tower?

THE LAST TOWER by Elias Witherow is, interestingly enough, a family drama set in a sci-fi post-apocalypse with some serious cosmic horror scattered across the pages from beginning to end. I can't help but notice Witherow always builds his stories on the cornerstone of a relationship element. In this case, two brothers, one attempting to destroy the world, the other fighting to save mankind, with a childhood friend standing in the middle. Somehow the destruction of civilization doesn't seem as tragic as otherworldly gargoyles spoiling the bond between the three young men.

The imagery is filled with abominations I hope never to see in my nightmares. While there are plenty of action scenes -- some filled to capacity with ungodly brutality, the story is an emotional crucible in a mind-shattering hell. I felt as if I were in Tower 15, about to have my soul ripped out of me. Witherow delivers the ending like a dirt shower after your broken body has been tossed into a grave.

Consider yourself warned.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Family Feud to the Death

Driven home by grief, Cole returns to his family after being away for five years. He soon discovers that his brother, Joe, is locked in a bitter feud with a family who wants everything he's built for himself.

As things begin to escalate and tempers start to flare, Cole finds himself pulled into a world of violence, hatred, and unchecked rage.

There are no heroes. There are no villains. There is only the worst in us.

The Worst In Us by Elias Witherow (read 2017 interview with the author here at the Lair) is a brutal family drama, with the push-down-the-stairs delivery the author is best known for. Witherow carefully lays out each step, with individual challenges and success of one family contrasted with the downward spiral of another, only to hurt readers with one impact after another, as the quest for revenge escalates between the two groups of brothers.

The author does an excellent job of balancing savagery with suspense while revealing just how far all the characters are willing to go to punish one another. There are many horrific scenes in this novel, but Witherow shows decorum and does not use the violence as a plot device. There is some misdirection here and there, enhancing the shock value when the truth behind the feud is finally revealed.

Proceed with caution, Witherow spares no one...

As always,
AstraDaemon