Long-Winded | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

UNSEEN by Mitchell Crowe reminds me of the movie Fallen, but from a clinical POV. The narrator takes forever to get to the heart of the story. Seems like the author attempted to write in the style of Lovecraft, but lacked the depth.

This is the worst Crowe story I've read yet. The only one I can recommend is EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Plague of 1348

PLAGUED by Rebecca R. Pierce is a flash fiction piece centered on a young woman caring for her mother during the Plague as everyone dies around them. This serves well as the intro of a fictional character in a historical time period, but does not hold up well as a short story.

While well-written, there doesn't seem to be a point, other than getting readers interested and then leaving them wanting to know more about the young woman's fate.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Only Skin Deep

THE GIRL WITHOUT A FACE by Rebecca R. Pierce left me with mixed feelings. First of all, I love the fairytale elements of the story, which is the reason I'm a fan of Pierce's stories. Veila's inner thoughts about her relationships with those around her kept me interested, especially with the introduction of her new friend, and, of course, the fae twists throughout the story.

Unfortunately, while this began as a coming-of-age-story, it ended as a love story, and I would have preferred one or the other. Either have Veila find her own way out of the curse, or spend more time on the romance, perhaps revealing more about her mysterious suitor. Seems almost sad Veila would be so desperate for someone to love her, she would accept a stranger without a backstory.

Normally, I would never get so hung up on the details of a short tale, but I've come to expect far more from the author. Strangely enough, I think the missing horror element Pierce usually mixes in would have given the story more depth.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Neverending Death

SHAMBLES by Rebecca R. Pierce manages to stand out from the plethora of undead stories. I'm impressed with the Pierce's post-apocalypse. This is not simply a story about a thinking zombie. Within a few pages, the author paints a portrait of a damned society crumbling into Hell, frighteningly believable too.

While this is not the kind of story I've come to expect from this author, Pierce still delivers a powerful message...food for thought.

As always,
AstraDaemon

I'm Afraid of Models Now

MODEL TOWN by Rebecca R. Pierce is absolutely frightening! I have a feeling my night terrors are going to have images from this story for the next few weeks or so. I chose this story, thinking it might be something like Small World by Tabitha King or Stop Over In A Quiet Town (Twilight Zone), but Pierce has created something far more sinister.

The author has mixed folklore, mystery and horror to create a dark twist on an old, but well-known legend. The ending is like a roller coaster, with one surprise after another. Pierce will leave readers wrecked with this -- one of her very best short stories!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Hardcore Karma

THE VAULT by Rebecca R. Pierce centers on a sick depraved man named Brent, who has spent his entire life as a POS, hurting others in unspeakable ways. After violating the trust of someone unforgiving and determined to exact revenge, Brent is forced to learn the lasting consequences of his choices.

However, Brent has no remorse and must learn the hard way. Unfortunately, when a man claiming to be the Devil shows up, Brent makes no effort to change his attitude. The author delivers a very brutal form of karma, which Brent absolutely earned.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tale of the Haunted Monastery

THE ROAD TO KYOTO by Rebecca R. Pierce follows four samurai with four sisters forced into an abandoned monastery by an unexpected snowstorm. As soon as they enter, it becomes obvious there are spirits within, but they do not know if they have been welcomed or trapped.

Pierce has created a thrilling mix of folklore, horror, mystery, and romance. I love the story, but the POV switches between all eight characters are not marked at all. While I was able to follow the changes, some readers might struggle a bit with the storyline.

I want to recommend this tale to readers ages 14 and up, but some of the violence is graphic and sexual in nature. However, the content isn't as bad as what one might find in some TV shows or movies, or even the nightly news. Just consider yourselves warned, and proceed with caution.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Slaughter Sisters

Unseen by Rebecca R. Pierce is far better than I ever would have expected...the story's description doesn't do it justice. The wagon train with a family of pioneers is the perfect setting for what is to unfold. Pierce blends folklore and suspense into a brutal and devastating coming of age confrontation for 16 year old Charlotte. While sympathetic to what her sister endured, I'm not entirely convinced of Rachel's role as a victim. Sometimes monsters create new monsters.

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The very first fiction books I read on my own were anthologies of folklore and mythology stories. I noticed right away, the pretty creatures were usually the most dangerous. While those stories were, and still are, labeled fantasy, the myths and legends were often filled with horror and tragedy. Moving on to horror from fantasy, with a stopover in science fiction, made sense to me.

As a result, I love authors who find ways to take the old world folklore and mix them with the new world horror. Unseen is a great example of ageless fiction: a story that could easily be told at a campfire in the Old West or at a slumber party in 2018 and equally frighten both audiences.

As always,
AstraDaemon