Made for TV | Novel Review | AstraDaemon

OUR LITTLE SECRET by Kiersten Modglin deserves to be made into a mini-series. Not unlike a soap opera, a secluded neighborhood is about to explode with all the dirty laundry the residents have been trying to hide. A missing husband, a dead wife, an affair, and teenagers sneaking around while their parents try to stop an investigation. With judgment, suspicion and scandalous behavior increasing with every passing day, individuals must decide who they are loyal to and who they will sacrifice. The ending is a kick to the head.

If you enjoy stories such as EYES ON YOU (Kate White) or A LINE OF BLOOD (Ben McPherson), then you definitely need to read this one!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Come Hell or High Water | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

HORRORICANE by Edward Newton (Grinning Skull Press) is the second installment in the Tempests of Terror series. However, this book and HORRORFROST function quite well as stand-alones, even though they take place simultaneously in two different US states.

While the residents of Montana are dealing with a monster in a blizzard, Florida survivors are attempting to escape from a hurricane with its own elemental Kaiju. The assortment of characters create several layers to the story, and, although the first few chapters are spent setting up the various POVs and backstories, the brutal action is nonstop once it kicks off.

I was so impressed with the first installment, I placed HORRORFROST on my Top 2020 list. With that in mind, HORRORICANE is much more thrilling. Newton has raised the bar yet again, and I'm looking forward to finding out what has been happening in California. Not only is the Tempests of Terror series making my Best of 2022 list, I am recommending this one to all fiction fans.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Ugh, Another Series | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

THE FIRST ORDER by Amy Cross takes place in 1956. A young nun names June is sent to a Swiss Castle to assist another nun and a priest while they conduct secret experiments. Eventually she discovers a prisoner who begs to be set free. June finds herself torn between what she has been taught and what she has seen with her own eyes, and she begins to doubt her faith.

The nun and the priest remind me of the sick, twisted characters found in The Pillars of the Earth. June's lack of conviction in anything is annoying. I wish more background had been revealed about the prisoner. However, despite my frustrations, I remained captivated with the story.

I thought this was a stand-alone, and the ending appeared to tie everything up, but there will be a sequel in this new series, The Chronicles of Sister June. I'm not intrigued by June enough to continue with the second installment.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Pass On This | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

HER NAME WAS AMBER by Matt Shaw begins with a note about domestic violence, which serves as an appropriate content warning. Seems ridiculous some readers need to be reminded this is a work of fiction and the characters are a creation of the author, not a reflection, but...at least they were warned.

While I'm not crazy about the back and forth on the timeline, Shaw does label the transitions, edging his readers on with his teasing writing style. Unfortunately, there's zero character development, which is something I look forward to with this author. Not sure what I expected him to do with the narrator, but the "nice guy" revenge persona is just a disgusting as Amber and her BS.

Shaw is usually much more creative than this...instead of this story, I recommend FROM THE FLAMES or BELOW DECK.

As always,

AstraDaemon

BEST FICTION OF 2021 | End of Year Review | AstraDaemon

I decided to do something a little different with my end-of-year list, and categorize my favorite stories by theme. Four really stood out this past year, with most authors using houses, deaths, kids, or creatures. From there, I chose five titles for each theme, ranging from flash fiction to full-length novels. These are the ones which stayed with me, even though I read nearly 400 this year...

I present the BEST FICTION OF 2021 from the Lair, inlcuding horror, science fiction and supernatural suspense:

HOUSE THEME

THE HOUSE WHERE SHE DIED by Amy Cross is a very unique haunted house story with the narrator being the house itself. (novel)

HOUSE WITH ONE HUNDRED DOORS: AND OTHER DARK TALES by Travis Brown includes several house-themed horrors, but the one which gave me nightmares is THE WHISTLER. (anthology)

THE DOLLHOUSE by Bradley Poage tells the twisted tale of a house within a house. (short story)

THESE GHOSTS BLEED by Christy Aldridge is far more horrific than the revenge haunting of a dead wife.

BELOW DECK: HELL OR HIGH WATER by Matt Shaw technically takes place on a yacht, but is now home to a very depraved crew with a rather sick business venture. (novella)

DEATH THEME

A HOSTILE TAKEOVER by Christopher Motz first appears to be following the same formula as the movie, The Belko Experiment, but don't be fooled...this is far more brutal and sinister. (novel)

JUDGE DEE AND THE THREE DEATHS OF COUNT WERDENFELS by Lavie Tidhar centers on the vampire who serves as judge, jury, and executioner to make sure others of his kind are following their laws. (short story)

NAKED IN MY BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES and FOLLOW THE CROWS by Joshua Scribner are both told through the POVs of predators, with a supernatural element. (flash fiction)

THE REFLECTION by Dan DeLuise is my favorite of the Five-Minute Fright series. (flash fiction)

TOMB OF THE GODS by Brian Moreland is a terrifying mix of mythology, religion, horror and science fiction. (novel)

KIDS THEME

AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER by Jeff Strand is a coming of age story, under the most gruesome circumstances, and then some. (novel)

SCARY MOVIES by Stories From The Attic will definitely appeal to 80s horror movie fans. (short story)

HIDE AND SEEKER by Daka Hermon is a YA horror fiction novel centered on a group of friends who are marked by a demonic entity called the Seeker, after they break the rules of the game, Hide and Seek. (novel)

LORD OF PLAYGROUNDS by Brett O'Reilly is essentially cult versus cult, scam artists versus true believers. (novella)

OF MEN AND MONSTERS by Tom Deady follows a boy escaping an abusive father with his older brother and mother..he discovers his new sea pet is a vicious creature and finds out he's not the only one with a monster in his house. (novella)

CREATURE THEME

WITH TEETH by Brian Keene also includes two short stories, The Last Supper and Down Under. All three are great vampire stories. (novella)

TRAPPED by Armand Rosamilia centers on characters from his previous five Severed Press stories (OGROMNY, THE BEAST, FROZEN IN ICE, THE SEA WAS ANGRY and ABANDONED) snowed in at the same airport during a massive blizzard. (novella)

THE THING THAT CALLS by J.J. Mott is a collection of a dozen short stories by the author. My favorite is LITTLE ONES, and the specific reason this anthology made my list. (anthology)

THINGS UNDONE by Travis Liebert is a collection of 18 frightening tales, full of Lovecraftian nightmares. (anthology)

SEVERED by Joshua Marsella is an action-packed battle with an ancient demon in the jungle of Vietnam. (novella)

HONORABLE MENTION

THE NIGHT AIR by Kiran Revi is quite excellent...I'd love to see this one become a horror film. Revi has essentially mixed themes from the Twilight Zone's episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" and the movie Escape Room, but added a terrifying element of demonic hell.

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Perhaps these themes could be called the four horseman of 2021?

Annnywaaay...if you've never read any of these authors, you now have a list of great starting points.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Tied Up, Tied Down | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

THE HAUNTING OF MATTHEW THORNE by Amy Cross plays the long-game with readers...for most of the book, this appears to be just another great ghost story from the author. Plenty of action, drama and suspense among the characters, with Stella and Gary under constant threat by a drug lord, and Matthew's mansion apparently haunted.

When the sinister reveal finally occurs towards the end, the twist is drawn out through more than one POV, and I couldn't have guessed any part of it. However, much like Matthew, I went mad trying to figure out the last third of the "knot."

This is one of my new favorites from Cross, and I highly recommend this story to horror fans looking for a change from the usual haunted tales.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Real Talk | Book Review | AstraDaemon

THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS by Stephen Graham Jones is a slow read. This is the first story by this author I didn't enjoy much. While I love the idea of an elk spirit looking for vengeance, and I appreciate the struggles of Native Americans (Blackfeet) both on and off the reservation, the writing style is very different from other books by Jones. The alternating POV seems disjointed more often than not, but I think the bigger issue is cultural.

I lived in a small town in South Dakota with a reservation on either side of us, and at least half the students, if not more, were Sioux. (Many of the other small towns had even more Native students than we did.) My family includes Yankton Sioux (by marriage), and my Sioux friends often shared their experiences growing up Native in the Dakotas with racism, alcoholism, and many other issues. Despite my own interactions with their culture/heritage, I think I'm too white to really appreciate this book.

I've always enjoyed novels with cultural themes, especially the ones which highlight personal struggles within a particular society...and, while I know people who can relate to these characters, I can't. I'm no stranger to the slang, which some readers complain about, but I'm never going to know what it is to feel too Native to fit in with whites, and yet feel a disconnect to the traditional ways of my own tribe. I can remember a friend studying his own Native language in college because he was denied the opportunity in his younger years...but, remembering someone else's pain and living it are not even close to being the same.

Even though I don't think this a horror novel as much as a family drama, with some coming-of-age moments, I am still recommending this. I think we need to make an effort to listen to the voices of authors from different cultures, even if we don't understand.

I also recommend WAIT FOR THE NIGHT and THE NIGHT CYCLIST for more terrifying horror pieces by SGJ.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Docufiction | AstraDaemon

DEVOLUTION by Max Brooks is a docufictional novel told through a series of journal entries and interviews, not unlike World War Z. When a small community is cut off from the rest of the world by a volcanic eruption, they soon find themselves at war with another group of survivors.

Strangely enough, I was more concerned with the relationsips within Greenloop than the outside threat. Not sure if the pandemic has made me more sensitive to the cooperation between others, or the lack thereof, but Kate and her group seemed doomed as soon as the lack of emergency backup plans became obvious.

Brooks has not lost his touch for constructing a terrifying alternate reality. However, I think the most frightening aspect for many horror fans will be how relatable many of the scenes are. By the time the cryptids enter the story, there will be no escape for the characters or the readers.

As always,

AstraDaemon

P.S. If Brooks agrees to make this a movie, let's hope the film actually follows the book.

Throwback Thursday: Brom | AstraDaemon

The acclaimed artist Brom brilliantly displays his multiple extraordinary talents in The Child Thief—a spellbinding re-imagining of the beloved Peter Pan story that carries readers through the perilous mist separating our world from the realm of Faerie...Brom takes a classic children’s tale and turns it inside-out, painting a Neverland that...is darker, richer, more complex than innocent world J.M. Barrie originally conceived. An ingeniously executed literary feat, illustrated with Brom’s sumptuous artwork, The Child Thief is contemporary fantasy at its finest—casting Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, even Captain Hook and his crew in a breathtaking new light.

THE CHILD THIEF by Brom explores the darker perspectives of the tale that Disney turned into a "happy fairytale." Peter lures runaways - usually kids who have already been through hell (abuse, rape, etc) - by offering them sanctuary away from the grown-ups that have hurt them...but he doesn't tell them about the dangers of the Mist, or the war he is waging for his Lady (Brom's version of the Lady of the Lake). He promises them a new family, but he doesn't discuss how brutal their new life will be, or how many lost children have died before them.

If I didn't know any better, I would think that the "pirates" are supposed to be the lost colonists of Roanoke. In any case, they are New World colonists who were trapped on Avalon by the Mist. During their time on the island, they have been twisted both physically and mentally, so that there's barely any humanity left among the Flesh-Eaters.

Even the fairies associated with Peter are not creatures of light and joy, but mean-spirited pixies that torment anyone who lets his or her guard down. For example, Peter's Devils have to sleep in cages to protect themselves at night from the pixies.

It's tempting to think of Peter and the inhabitants of the island as evil tricksters, but when we catch glimpses of Peter's past, such as his separation from his mother, you soon realize that nothing is as simple as good or bad.

Most of the story is told through the experiences of Nick, a kid who thinks he has no choice but to follow Peter into the Mist. However, the longer he stays in Avalon, the more Nick wonders if his previous life was as bad as he thought. I recommend The Child Thief to anyone who likes a dark fantasy.

As always,

AstraDaemon

The Puzzle Piece | AstraDaemon

HIDE AND SEEKER by Daka Hermon is a YA horror fiction novel centered on a group of friends who are marked by a demonic entity called the Seeker, after they break the rules of the game, Hide and Seek. In an effort to save themselves from being trapped in the Nowhere realm with their worst fears, they track down someone who was once a prisoner of the Seeker for seven years. When they realize how they were found by the evil monster, the strength of their friendships is put to the test.

The author has taken the fear factor of horror to a new level without graphic violence or exploitation of characters. The captured children are tormented by the physical manifestation of their worst fears, but they quickly learn how to fight back. Justin and Duke form an alliance, giving hope to everyone trapped with them.

This is so much more than a coming-of-age story. Hermon has taken basic elements of childhood mixed with the supernatural to explore the concepts of family, loyalty and acceptance. Not only do I recommend this to all readers, but I'm adding this novel to my Best Fiction 2021 list.

As always,

AstraDaemon

The Gray Boy | AstraDaemon

WHISPER DOWN THE LANE by Clay McLeod Chapman is told through two different POVs, one taking place in 2013, the other set in 1983. Richard's life begins to unravel after finding a ritualistic killing on school property. Sean's life explodes after confessing to being victimized in a satanic ritual. When the two storylines begin to merge, the result is absolutely devastating.

This crime-thriller illustrates the consequences of exploiting people's fears through deception and manipulation. McLeod effortlessly blends a horrifying secret of one man's past with the psychological terror of a little boy, adding a layer of small-town paranoia to create a sensational tragedy involving several families. Both Sean and Richard could have avoided their fates, if they had simply been honest...but sometimes doing the right thing seems damn near impossible.

While this is not the horror novel I expected, if you enjoy stories such as THE CHILDREN OF RED PEAK (Craig DiLouie) or UNPAVED SURFACES (Joseph Souza), I think you will enjoy this one as well.

As always,

AstraDaemon

LGBTQ+ in Horror [INTERVIEW] | AstraDaemon

The other week I read a horror novel which takes place at a Pride festival, with LGBTQ+ characters leading the story...something not often seen. The fright formula is still a familiar one, but with a perspective which invites readers to get out of their heads and into someone else's. I asked Brady Phoenix to spend some time in the Lair and discuss his efforts to expand the genre...

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How did you become interested in a genre which doesn’t have many LGBTQ+ main characters? Are you deliberately encouraging a change or simply creating characters and storylines you can relate to?

What draws me towards the horror genre are the qualities of the main character/final girl. The grit and determination when faced with adversity that draws me into the genre, which is something that members of the LGBTQ+ community can relate to. Any queer person has faced some type of challenge where their willingness to thrive gets challenged. I love even in horror movies that there are these extremes of character archetypes (geek, jock, fool, leader, promiscuous, etc.) that are spun uniquely in different ways to entertain the viewer, which I want to challenge adding LGBTQ+ ingredients to the recipe. There is also a quality within horror that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is a campy quality that brings you out of the “spook factor” that I enjoy and try to bring into my work. Plus, queer people deserved to get scared too!

The fact that there aren't a vast number of LGBTQ+ characters in horror fiction is something that gets concerning. In a lot of stories, it just feels like at times that there is no acknowledgement of the existence of queer people. If you look in everyday life, you don’t just see straight, cis, white people. There are more people than just them, and I am trying to encourage readers to look beyond the scope of what they think they see in everyday life and put themselves in the mindset of somebody who isn't the same as who they see themselves as or the people they are used to in their everyday lives. My hope is that people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ can look at the qualities of the characters I create and see a similarity or two that they can relate to, lessening this visible divide between the two groups so that they can treat us with the decency and dignities that we all deserve just like everybody else.

In addition, the characters that do include LGBT+ characters are often perceived as an exaggeration or a caricature, or they are killed off early as the “token character”. There are not many direct influences that the younger queer generation can relate to, so it has been a motivation for me to create these stories that have characters that aren’t viewed as just “gay characters”, which can easily end up placing them into a certain box and should instead be viewed as a “character, who happens to be gay”.

My stories are not necessarily made for myself to relate to, since these characters experience events or encounters that are based on what I’ve lived through and witnessed. I want younger people like me that can look beyond the premise of a masked serial killer and see the similarities and struggles that these people have and relate to them, not feeling like they are not alone and their struggle will end. It won’t be easy, but it will end.

Do you have a specific audience in mind, or are you writing for all horror fans?

I’m writing for new adults as my main target audience, since the moments were inspired by my twenties, but it isn’t exclusive to them since horror is for everybody. I also try to keep a balance to entertain the LGBTQ+ audience while provoking the minds of the straight audiences. My goal is to take the qualities that we all love in 80s and 90s slasher movies and give the reader the experience of watching a movie, just adding a little more diversity. LGBTQ+ audiences will appreciate that they are finally being included in a genre that is loved and underrepresented. And my hope is that anybody who isn’t a part of our community will be entertained by a fresh, new-ish take on the genre that they love.

It is a challenging task to balance. I don’t want to lose my mission to inspire a younger LGBTQ+ generation to feel inspired by my group of “Final girls and boys”. I also don’t want to go too much to the point where non-community members feel like “I am shoving our agenda down their throat.” (side note: I hate it when people say that! They have been shoving their agenda down our throat for decades!). I just hate the fact that there has been an non-inclusive divide in many aspects of society where we just aren’t looked at as normal as they see themselves. And its even worse for queer people of color! I don’t want to turn off the straight audience by overdoing it and crossing over their society built standards.

How do you feel about novels being lumped together under LGBTQ+ instead of simply being placed among their corresponding genres? Do you think it does more harm than good as far as normalizing fiction with LGBTQ+ characters?

This is a double-edged sword. There is a benefit to placing novels in an LGBTQ+ category so that members of our community don’t have to sift through a list of books in hopes that they find what they are looking for, if they desire a good queer read. On the flip side, its divisive and non-members have a list that they can filter out because they don’t want anything to do with queer people or their struggles reflected in literature. It is doing more harm especially now that the divide has gotten worse between the two extremes.

Luckily, there is a middle ground where there are people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ who have an open mind to give our stories a try without any preconceived judgments or assumptions. Those people are to be recognized and thanked as those numbers continue to grow as the years pass. The LGBTQ+ community needs to keep remaining patient as we have been for many years, and the middle (ally) community needs to keep advocating for us in all aspects. I’m not saying they have to march/rally. They just need to advocate in the face of indifference and educate in the sight of ignorance. I have faith that this will get better and easier for queer books, and I will do everything in my writing career to make stories that will help transition those minds.

Which authors have influenced and/or inspired you and what is it you enjoy about their stories?

I have to of course recognize Stephen King for being a huge pioneer for the horror community. His stories are so out there and they make your spine tingle! I appreciate Clive Barker for doing the same thing! R.L. Stein gave me nightmares as a kid, so I appreciate them as a core foundation for my love of horror and LGBTQ+ stories.

I also love Riley Sager, for the reason that his books are what got my passion for reading and writing stronger. His work gives me the experience of watching a horror movie without turning the television on. I stopped writing for 15 years and gave up on the idea that I could make writing as a career. It was his books that made me passionate for the horror/suspense genre. I owe so much to him!

What are your plans for 2021? Any more titles being released this year?

My goals for 2021 is to keep being safe and healthy both in body and mind. I hope to do my part to keep spreading my message of love and acceptance and bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ people and non members, and also encouraging any person who is outside of the societal norm to express themselves creatively so that their perspective is heard. I want to keep expanding my author platform to as many readers as I can, and even connect with them. I am also in the process of writing my second novel of this series which I hope to release this fall! I won’t spoil anything at this moment, but I am very excited to keep going with what was just a ‘bucket list’ item, and making it bigger than I ever dreamt of it to become!

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Thanks to Phoenix for stopping by!

If you haven't read CARDINAL RULES yet, I highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of 80s slasher movies.

As always,

AstraDaemon

What About The CAT?! | AstraDaemon

HOW I ENDED MY MARRIAGE by Victor Vilestone is a flash fiction story about a husband who has a very literal interpretation of his marriage vow. I enjoy how the author shoves the ugliness of people into the reader's face, but I think Vilestone's characters deserve more pages. (I also want to know what the narrator did with his cat.)

For a longer story, I recommend his novella THE JINXED JUNIPER TREE.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Familiar Formula | AstraDaemon

CARDINAL RULES by Brady Phoenix is reminiscent of an 80s slasher film, with the killer wanting revenge for some perceived wrong-doing. However, I would describe this novel more as a crime-thriller, with intense relationship drama playing out in two different timelines. The mystery surrounding the Cardinal killer kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I think many horror fans would enjoy this story.

Unfortunately, I think some are going to pass this up just because the characters are LGBTQ+, which is ridiculous. First of all, this is not erotica, nor are there any overtly sexual scenes, so no one can use that as an excuse to skip this one. Second, this is basically the same formula as most thrillers: a bunch of young people (which includes several typical characters such as the nice guy and the major AH) are trying to have a good time, but someone is killing them off. Last but not least, the characters are dealing with personal issues that many of us could relate to, such as friends who don't get along with each other, domestic abuse and personal tragedies.

With all that said, I would have preferred more action scenes and a little less dialogue...I will admit I was expecting a more brutal horror plot. However, I'm still recommending this book because I like seeing more variety in the groups of people portrayed in fiction, whether it's horror or other genres.

As always,

AstraDaemon

NOT Stolen!! | AstraDaemon

THE HOUSE ON FISHER STREET by Amy Cross is an original suspense-thriller. Now, as a general rule, I don't usually concern myself with other reviewers, but I need to address something I read in the Amazon review section. Someone stated this novella is a rip-off of the movie Don't Breathe, and went so far as to say the plot is the exact same. THIS IS A HUGE LIE!!

I have watched the movie several times, and read this book completely from beginning to end. The only similar element is three people breaking into a place, which is a common trope in the horror genre. Nothing else is the same. The characters are different. The setting is different. There are several twists in the book which are not in the movie, and there are twists in the movie which are not in this book. Either the other reviewer didn't read the book past the first chapter, or the person is deliberately slandering Amy Cross. Now on to a TRUTHFUL review...

Three young people attempt to break into a huge house surrounded by more than one security measure. They find what they think is a flaw in the design, and use this flaw to gain access into the house. Soon, they realize they misjudged the situation. The owner is not as predictable as they thought, and there is an unusual reason he lives there. The ending has more than one surprise, and the epilogue is the icing on the cake.

With that said, as much as I enjoyed this story, this is not as frightening as many other books by Cross. She spent too much time on the trio plotting the heist, and not enough time on the action within the house, particularly the scenes in the basement. The potential to be truly horrifying wasn't well-met. Cross should've have given the owner a better backstory. To be fair, I expected something supernatural to be revealed.

This is one of those rare occasions I'm recommending the book, even though it's not one of my favorites by Cross, because I'm disgusted by the false review. There are authors and Hollywood writers who plagiarize each other, but this is simply not the case here.

Visceral Violence | AstraDaemon

HOBBOMOCK by Ryan C. Thomas is extremely well-written horror. Everything from the setup with the prologue and the character relationships to the graphic action scenes and the backstory folklore increases the terror in this gut-ripping demonic siege.

Four friends plan a fun overnight when they find out they have a place to themselves in the woods, but their plans are brutally eviscerated by what appears to be a psychotic old lady. The group of teens soon realize they are dealing with a supernatural force and have no idea how to defend themselves. Eventually the author reveals how past events tie into the current bloodbath, offering a sliver of hope.

If this were ever made into a movie, I believe the Hobbomock could become the next iconic monster.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Can You Believe An Alcoholic? | AstraDaemon

TRILL by Amy Cross is another great ghost story by the author which doesn't follow the typical haunted house scenario. Jessica has a lot of emotional baggage to unpack, and her love of wine does not help. I love how she gets so drunk, she's not even aware of the paranormal events happening around her.

Once she sobers up and realizes exactly what has been taking place, some of the details are absolutely shocking. The ending is so wild, Cross left me wondering if maybe Jessica is simply schizophrenic.

I also recommend THE HOUSE WHERE SHE DIED by Amy Cross, which tells a ghost story from the house's POV.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Poisoned | AstraDaemon

THE OMEN TREE by Fredrick Niles centers on a town with a serial killer, demonic entities, and a secret society. The main characters are three middle school students who realize there is something very wrong with their town, but none of the adults will listen to them. Even after a young lady goes missing, most folk continuing living in denial about the severity of the situation. Thank goodness for the school librarian, and the power of books.

I couldn't figure out how everything fit together, until Ian, Ella and Ben make a horrifying discovery in the woods. Even then, I had no idea where the rest of the story would take me. The epilogue is terrifying, and makes me think we might see a sequel. If I'm wrong, this novel still works as a stand-alone. However, I predict Ben becomes a Harbinger, Ella becomes a librarian, and Ian becomes the Sheriff. For a twist, Claire could be the next one to carve skin-stars.

I've read a couple of short stories by Niles, but this is definitely his best work.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Severe Consequences | AstraDaemon

THE JINXED JUNIPER TREE by Victor Vilestone has made me completely paranoid about planting my garden this year, without consulting some tinkers first. Pete ignores a warning about planting his juniper tree on the night of the full moon, ignores it, and his life falls apart within a week. When he finally accepts this is more than just bad luck, he discovers the way to break the curse is horrifically morbid.

I enjoy Vilestone's stories, but this is another one which makes think the author isn't pushing himself enough. The disgusting scene with Pete and Sally seems like a missed opportunity to introduce yet another curse. After all, he was supposed to follow the instructions exactly, and, well, he decided to get a little freaky for a few moments.

Some readers might be tempted to write off the author as predictable, but I feel this is the year Vilestone is going to catch us all off guard.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Nothing Left to Lose | AstraDaemon

AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER by Jeff Strand is my new favorite novel by this author. This is a coming of age story, under the most gruesome circumstances, and then some. When Curtis confronts his friend's kidnapper, he soon finds himself in a horrific situation with no way out. I appreciate the agony and anxiety which plagues Curtis because the story seems more believable with a kid screwing up left and right, as well as being terrorized by a sadistic psychopath.

I need this to be made into a film, if for no other reason than the alliances Curtis makes during his tortured silence. I'm good with the teens deciding they've had enough of kids getting murdered. I don't think it requires a stretch of the imagination to accept a group of young people rallying around one another during such a tragic time in their lives.

This is a thrilling crime drama with a shocking ending, and fans are going to love it. I also recommend Strand's FAINT OF HEART, a terrifying thriller about a woman searching for her husband.

As always,

AstraDaemon