Fantasy, Folklore & Fate

THE FOREST by Julia Blake centers on the villagers of Wyckenwode and the Forest, filled with secrets which have affected the lives of every generation. Lords go missing, and when the White Hind is seen, three village deaths follow. Everything is tied together by love and jealousy, murder and suicide, and, of course, an ancient magic.

This generation, cousins Sally and Jack, and their friend Reuben, form the tragic triangle, but they refuse to let a curse decide their fates. Armed with clues from stories passed down by their elders, the three try to survive the evil which has fallen upon them. Time is running out as they struggle to make sense of the words given to the village from the Green Man through a young girl driven mad by her experience in the Forest.

Blake has skillfully woven folklore, suspense, drama and romance together to create a detailed coming-of-age tapestry. I haven't been this moved by a fantasy novel since the last time I read Ursula K LeGuin. I never knew what to expect, especially with Sally, and the ending left me breathless. Blake deftly ties up the various storylines with a rather intricate finale, spanning yet another generation beyond the main characters, while remaining firmly rooted to the Forest.

I discovered this novel through Instagram of all places, knowing nothing about Julia Blake or her writing style, but I will definitely be reading more of her stories in the coming months.

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

A Romance Story (I know, I'm just as surprised.)

Returning home from a disastrous ski trip, Jake is quick to trace Mel's hand in the welcoming touches scattered throughout his apartment. But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?

Love Blind by Angie Thompson is a love story, but not one of those mushy, over-the-top and unrealistic stories. Not to mention, this story is told from the guy's POV. Jake's epiphany about his ex-girlfriend, Danna, and Mel, the girl who has always been there for him, is something I think a lot of people will relate to.

We've all had the bad relationship we didn't know was bad until we got free of it, and it's easier to see others in a different light when we're not suffering from tunnel vision. Sometimes you just have to get out of your own way. Luckily for Jake, a skiing accident gave him a clear view of the women in his life.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Profound Love In Literature

Suddenly, Love
by Aharon Applefeld
240 pages
$12.99 Kindle version

Suddenly, Love by Aharon Appelfeld is a very intimate accounting of the love that develops between an elderly man and his much younger caretaker. There is almost no physical contact of any kind between the two characters and limited conversation, and, yet, what is left unspoken speaks volumes. Although it is a work of fiction, the historical elements add a depth to the characters which brings the two to life on a very personal level.

I'm truly surprised by how captivated I was by this unusual relationship. I don't have a specific reason for choosing this story to read, other than wanting to read something that stands out from the typical mainstream romance novels. The setting is mostly contained to Ernst's apartment and the narration tends to favor Irena's POV. However, as Ernst share his writing with Irena, the literature within the literature is deeply moving...a profound sharing of souls.

As always,
AstraDaemon