Healy Is My Nemesis

There's a new show on TV. There are more talents than just singing and dancing. Talents of the flesh, talents of death and dying.

The Dead Show by R.P. Healy is a mix of Halloween 3: Season of the Witch, Into The Mouth of Madness, and A Serbian Film, which is a slight step up from Healy's story, Backwood Babies. However, don't expect to find any quality writing. I imagine Healy either writes while high on meth or worshipping Cthulhu, or some such mess.

I have to admit there is some potential buried under all the sickness, but Healy really needs to invest in a professional editor.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Reflection and Regret

As a thirty-eight-year-old woman, Ellie still struggles with her past.

Returning to her childhood home for her abusive mother's funeral, she discovers an even deeper emotional scar that has nothing to do with her reason for being there.

Failing to make that one decisive choice during her formative teenage years continues to haunt her. The pain, once buried, returns to the surface with a flood of emotions that threatens to drown her.

Through a reflection on the past and a timely meeting with an old friend, Ellie discovers what it really means to come home.

Homecoming by Dave Cenker is a tear-jerker. While Ellie's flashbacks provide insight into her nature, Dillon remains a fragment of her life, rather than a person with his own thoughts and feelings. I would have preferred a bit more closure towards the end...perhaps Ellie and Mrs. Darby could have formed a new mother-daughter connection to help each other through their grief.

As always,
AstraDaemon

He Said, She Said

Whose body lands up being unzipped by fish on the ocean floor?

Court, Marry, Kill by JT Lawrence is a story about an abusive relationship, told from alternating POVs between the abuser and the victim. It is fascinating to see how differently the two characters view all their interactions. It is also upsetting to see how Curtis is able to get away with isolating and hurting Monica. The ending reminded me of the movie Enough.

As always,
AstraDaemon

When The Advert Is Longer Than The Story

What do we expect of our heroes? What do we do with them when they’re finished serving us?

Invader Space by Bill Housley is a tiny glimpse into a decision to wipe out another species for their planet. I wish the author would have elaborated more on the species faced with genocide, rather than tag on a lengthy advertisement for a novella.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Translation Issue

A morning incident changed the lives of the siblings. A very ghostly moment with thrills arrives in Sam's family and all he knew about his only sister's peeping habit, that morning.

My Peeping Sister by Bhaskar Medhi is a difficult read because the story appears to a be poorly translated English. I also don't understand why such a short story is in need of multiple chapters. I think this could have been a compelling family drama with a paranormal aspect, if the author hired a professional editor to fix the issues. I sincerely hope Medhi will consider revising this story.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Personal Hell

A horror story set in Lancaster, England where the shadows are alive and no light can survive.

Darkness at Dawn by Tommye Turner is a short story full of terrifying surprises. The story reminds me of a mix of Hellraiser and Jacob's Ladder. Turner is obviously no stranger to the classic elements of horror. With a little more character development and one or two flashbacks, I thin the author could turn this into a novella.

I'd love to read the story through Meg's POV, just to see how the Darkness affects others.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Karma Goes All The Way Around

On his graduation night something terrible happened to Ray Barber. Twenty years later he has returned to his home town of Haven Hills with only one thing on his mind.
Revenge.

Blades of Ray by Peter Mckeirnon is a visceral novelette. Raymond's calm demeanor is the perfect contrast for his swift and brutal interactions with the bullies from his childhood. He experiences flashbacks between his dirty deeds, revealing Raymond's traumatic past. Ironically, as he crosses paths with each of his targets, it appears Life has already dished out punishments to Raymond's tormentors. However, it seems Raymond would prefer them dead.

The ending is a little too nice and neat, but at least there are no loose ends. I would have preferred more drama than bad memories and Raymond's kills...still a good story. (I also thought the title is a clever play on words.)

As always,
AstraDaemon