Not What You Might Think | AstraDaemon

Dr. Leia Carpenter arrives aboard Sonar Platform 1 as the biggest storm of the season is closing in on the top secret research facility. Her job to confirm or debunk the results of the experiments being conducted there quickly becomes a desperate battle for survival. Carpenter finds herself pitted against not only the raging storm and enemy agents but against a prehistoric creature that should not exist- a giant Megalodon with an equally large appetite and a burning desire for vengeance against those who have held it captive.

MEGALODON by Eric S. Brown is a novella centered on a military experiment involving the prehistoric sea creature. While somewhat similar to the movie Deep Blue Sea, the author takes this into a different direction with the naval warfare aspect. I thought this would be predictable, but Brown managed to surprise me several times.

I'm used to reading the author's Bigfoot stories, but I enjoyed his take on sharks much more. I'm looking forward to reading more of Brown's sea creature features. I also recommend Brown's PIRANHA, which features a mutation of the legendary killers.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Truth Hurts | AstraDaemon

MEDUSA: A TALE OF UNNATURAL TERROR by Tony Richards is a flash fiction piece which begins as a crime drama, narrated by a reporter who notices a disturbing pattern of missing bodies. While investigating, he crosses path with a sea creature he is unable to identify, so enlists the help of a friend with knowledge of marine biology.

In her excitement, the scientist makes a critical mistake, and when the reporter finally discovers the reason for the missing drowning victims, the horrific knowledge breaks him.

I love the concept, but I think the creature in this story deserves a full-length novel, not just a few pages.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Strangely, Absurdly | AstraDaemon

SHARDS by Ian Rogers jumps back and forth in time, piecing together a horrible experience resulting in the death of a friend. Unfortunately, the surviving friends never truly recover, and the ending suggests this is a type of curse. Basically, Evil Dead mixed with the Grudge. However, Rogers maintains his talent for twisting common supernatural elements into something uniquely terrifying.

I must admit, I still prefer Rogers' GO FISH, about a psychic team battling a strange creature's ghost.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Ultraviolence | AstraDaemon

KELSEY'S PLAYGROUND: THE STORY OF A SADISTIC KILLER by K.B. Knight is an excellent crime thriller, with such brutal violence, this novel should come with multiple trigger warnings. This story is so radially different from the author's GREENWOOD series, I wasn't mentally prepared for the savage perversion of Kelsey Masters' murder spree.

Knight drags his readers into the dark alley of Kelsey's life, guts them with the jagged edges of her teen years, and performs unspeakable horrors with his characters from one page to the next, as he reveals the sickness within Ms. Masters. Kelsey maneuvers through her life like a psycho playing chess with body parts for board pieces.

The worst part is finding myself on Team Kelsey. She's kind of a female Dexter, living as a corrections officer while victimizing the prisoners, her co-workers, and anyone unfortunate enough to cross her path. Unlike Dexter, her motives are selfish. Don't even get me started on her blackouts. The ending left me screaming for more.

I sincerely hope Knight writes another PLAYGROUND novel soon.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Soaked to the Skull | AstraDaemon

BLACKOUT by J.P. Bloodcraft is told through the POV of a husband who gets so insanely drunk, he has completely lost his grasp of reality. While somewhat predictable, there is just enough suspense to keep readers wondering what exactly happened. However, this is mostly just a tragic story, and not really frightening in any way.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Pandemic Casualty | AstraDaemon

THE QUEEN by Joshua Scribner is the most ridiculous flash fiction I've ever read from this author. Pretty much a lousy sex scene, no attempt at being erotic, and lacking everything I've ever enjoyed by Scribner's writing style. The pandemic must've wrecked him.

Do yourselves a favor, and skip this one. Read FALLING FROM THE SKY by Scribner instead.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Honeymoon Cut Short | AstraDaemon

THE GROVE by Travis Liebert is a flash fiction piece about a couple who find themselves stranded in the middle of the Black Forest and soon discover they are not alone. Eric suspects something is stalking them, but Amanda refuses to consider anything out of the ordinary. The ending is gruesome.

Liebert can always be counted on for a good creature feature...this one is like a mix of Hellraiser and Lord of the Rings.

As always,

AstraDaemon