*[Review] The Ruins by Scott B. Smith

Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine. Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there.

Cover and Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 509 pages (paperback)

Available Formats: Print/E-book/Audiobook

Source: Book I Own

Publication Date: July 31st 2007 by Vintage (first published 2006)

Rating:

I love horror.

I love horror movies and I love horror novels. I love the feeling of reading and getting the heebie jeebies. Love it. So, after having The Ruins on my bookshelf since 2010. I have moved twice since I bought this, lived in three different homes but never read it until last week. 

Maybe my reluctance to read it was due to the fact that I still haven't seen the movie, or maybe it was a feeling that this book just wasn't going to live up to the hype that kept it neatly sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. 

When I started reading it, I had picked it up on a whim looking for a fast and easy scary read. Unfortunately, while I found it to be a fast and easy read it wasn't scary and wasn't very well written. I didn't care for how the story was told in alternating points of view (which I usually love) but found the way the author chose to switch between characters rather too quickly.

The characters weren't the greatest. They were a group of young twenty somethings that were vacationing in Mexico and decided to help a stranger find his brother in the jungle, among some Mayan ruins. We all know that these things never end well, but I was hoping to be at least slightly sympathetic to at least one character. This wasn't to be the case however, and I found them all to be very one dimensional, whiny, annoying and downright unlikable. For me, it seemed as though the author tried to make them to intellectual, too young, too sympathetic that it went the other way for me. They were all very childish and I didn't mind when some met their ends.

Now, I knew that I probably wasn't going to be reading an amazing book with great characters but I at least wanted to be scared. Unfortunately, this book was boring. There was absolutely nothing scary, spooky or remotely fear inducing in the entire book. The whole being trapped in Mayan ruins wasn't even part of the actual story other than, they arrived at the ruins. They were there for a couple days, some folks died. Seriously, the ruins were never even a main focal point of the story. Even the entity that haunted the ruins for lack of a better term wasn't even written well. It was just simply preposterous that the thing killing everyone was just so poorly written, that it was laughable. It just made no sense to me and I found it ridiculous. 

I really did try to like The Ruins, I really did. I wanted to enjoy it but it was honestly one of the most boring books I've ever read. Yes, I was able to read it in one sitting but that's because I had nothing else to do and it was just so easy and bland the pages slipped by. It felt like the author took a bunch of outtakes from previous works and through so much at the wall hoping things would stick, and in the end this didn't work for me at all. The poor characterization, forced dialogue and awkward internal monologues from the character amid an underused plot and basically useless setting wound up in this being a dud for me. That being said though I do want to watch the movie just to see how it compares.

If you're looking for a fun horror novel, this isn't one I would recommend and why I gave it one star.

[Review]* Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Summary:

Aging death-metal rock legend Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals...a used hangman's noose...a snuff film. But nothing he possesses is as unique or as dreadful as his latest purchase off the Internet: a one-of-a-kind curiosity that arrives at his door in a black heart-shaped box...a musty dead man's suit still inhabited by the spirit of its late owner. And now everywhere Judas Coyne goes, the old man is there—watching, waiting, dangling a razor blade on a chain from his bony hand.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 366 pages (Paperback)

Available Formats: Print/E-Book/E-Audiobook/Audiobook (CD)

Source: Book I Own

Publication Date:  March 25th 2008 by Harper (first published 2007)

Heart-Shaped Box started off very strongly, Joe Hill definitely nailed the creepy chilling aspect of the book. I mean I started this early one morning (4 a.m.) and within a few pages I was struck with the heebie jeebies which persisted until I was 100 page in and decided to call it a night and I did go to bed with an eerie feeling and I felt right at home with that feeling since it reminded me of when I read his YA series. Heart-Shaped Box started off on such a strong note that I was disappointed when I continued reading it that it actually started to lose steam about halfway through.

Gone were the heebie jeebies for the most part and the book just seemed to sort of hit a wall. It slowly began to feel forced as if the author was trying to force the adrenaline filled scenes on me but they just seemed to go from being scenes I was being shown by the author to him telling me the scenes. They lost some of their substance. Things began to feel forced and the character seemed to lose some of their depths as well and became increasingly repetitive and annoying the closer the book came to the end.

I thought Jude was a perfectly flawed character at first and I suppose he's still a good character overall but he just started to irritate me.. He was brash and rude, self centered and self pitying but I really did like him as a character because his personality really fit that whole has been rock star life style all that was fine, but it seemed like too much time was spent focusing on his flaws and less time on the story of the ghost he bought online and how he was going to solve this major problem in his life. I wish he'd been a little more rounded as a character and that he'd been less in his own head and I would have liked more dialogue between him and his girlfriend, Marybeth a.k.a. Georgia.

Marybeth was a good character and i wish she'd been flushed out more. She played a big role in the story and I kind of feel like she was under utilized as a character especially since she was key to helping Jude solve the problem of his murdering ghost that's haunting them. She was brash but in a way that I liked and she had non of Jude's selfishness. I thought she was the real star of the book.

The idea of Jude buying a ghost online was a unique twist to the run of the mill ghost haunting, horror stories out there and i found it refreshing. I also found the mystery behind why he was sent the ghost (SPOILER ALERT (It wasn't by accident)) really interesting because just when I thought I knew why, the story took a delightfully dark twist and surprised me. Craddock (the ghost) was very well written and while I found the parts that were narrated by Jude to slowly lose steam I felt that the actual action sequences when they weren't interrupted by Jude's often annoying thoughts to be great and terrifically spooky and violent and full of bad language.

All in all the writing was quite good. The characters were good, and the scary bits were really well written. There was a true chill in the air while I read this even when I felt that the book was starting to lag. It still kept me reading and I'm glad I finally knocked this one off my TBR list. I thought it was a fresh take on a ghost based horror novel and I did like a bit of the mystery aspect that was woven into it as well. It was flawed however and it just seemed a little too convoluted. Some parts dragged and others weren't fleshed out enough. But over all the chills and thrills were there and it was a good read. Not great but good. I enjoyed it but it's not one I'm going to revisit.

I'd recommend this to those who are already fans of Joe Hill who haven't read this one yet or those that are looking to try him out. While this is my least favourite of his books that I've read, I will be reading him again and look forward to doing it soon. I'd advise going into this one with an open mind and just expecting a good read and not to set the bar to high or low.

LIKED IT!

★★★

To "Like" Joe on Facebook CLICK HERE

To "Follow" Joe on Twitter CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Joe on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Joe's Website CLICK HERE 

To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Kobo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

 

Summary:

 

An ancient predator has been reborn in the caves beneath Crater Lake…and it’s hungry.

Ex-cop Henry Shore has been Chief Park Ranger at Crater Lake National Park for eight years and he likes his park and his life the way it’s been. Safe. Tranquil. Predictable. But he’s about to be tested in so many ways. First the earthquakes begin…people begin to go missing…then there’s some mysterious water creature that’s taken up residence in the caves below Crater Lake and it’s not only growing in size, it’s aggressive and cunning…and very hungry.
And it’s decided it likes human beings. To eat.
And it can come up onto land.
So Henry, with the help of his wife, Ann; a young paleontologist named Justin; and a band of brave men must not only protect his park and his people from the monster but somehow find where it lives and destroy it…before it can kill again.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 316 pages (E-book)

Source: Won

Available Formats: E-book

Publication Date: August 29th 2012 by Amazon Kindle Direct

 

Killing, dinosaurs and a whole lot of action. That's how I can best describe Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith. When I won this one a couple of months ago in a giveaway I knew I'd end up really enjoying it and I really did.

 

You've probably already realized that I'm rather taken with the use of monsters, dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts in novels but if not let me tell you this. I love it! However, for me the story has to be just right and I've gotta hand it to the author of this one. She did it right!

 

Right from the first page I was swept up into the story and found myself reading late into the night because I was so anxious to see what would happen next and even though it meant feeling like a zombie the next morning I don't regret it at all.

 

What I liked most about Dinosaur Lake was the way that the author built the story up. Rather than reading as though it were a B rated movie with a transparent plot and one dimensional characters, Kathryn built up the actual story and her characters were very well developed and read like your every day regular people.

 

The fact that the book didn't start off with killing and an appearance of the dinosaur made me even more intrigued by the story because I was hoping that the author wasn't going to have the dinosaur appear at the end and not be a major focal point of the story but I'm happy to say this wasn't the case. I think the way she wrote in the dinosaur was genius and I loved the action in the novel and thought the plot was very well though out and I enjoyed all of it and was pleased to see a dinosaur horror novel done with a plot full of twists and turns and some frightening moments.

 

Overall, Dinosaur Lake was a really good read and I'm glad I read it when I did. It was awesome to see a woman writing a book like this because often the dinosaurs in novels theme is usually very male dominated. I liked the way the story built up and loved being swept up in the novel and feeling as though I were in the story especially in the scenes where the dinosaur appeared.

 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a book with monsters or dinosaurs in it with lots of action and adventure. If you, like I had an obsession with dinosaurs as a kid I highly advise checking this one out. It was a fun read and the writing was superb! My only hope is that the author returns with another dinosaur themed horror novel but even if she doesn't I'm looking forward to reading her other books.

 

 

Really Liked It!
★★★★

 

 To "Like" Kathryn on Facebook CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Kathryn on Goodreads CLICK HERE

 To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child

 

 

Summary:

 

A breathtaking discovery at the top of the world . . .
A terrifying collision between modern science and Native American legend . . .
An electrifying new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lincoln Child.

Two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle lies Alaska’s Federal Wildlife Zone, one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth. But for paleoecologist Evan Marshall and a small group of fellow scientists, an expedition to the Zone represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study the effects of global warming.

Everything about the expedition changes, however, with an astonishing find. On a routine exploration of a glacial ice cave, the group discovers an enormous ancient animal, encased in solid ice. The media conglomerate sponsoring their research immediately intervenes and arranges the ultimate spectacle—the creature will be cut from the ice, thawed, and revealed live on television. Despite dire warnings from the local Native American village, and the scientific concerns of Marshall and his team, the “docudrama” plows ahead . . . until the scientists make one more horrifying discovery. The beast is no regular specimen—it may be an ancient killing machine. And they may be premature in believing it dead.

In this riveting new thriller, Lincoln Child weaves together a stunning Arctic landscape, a terrifying mythic creature, and a pervasive mood of chaos—and fear. With Terminal Freeze, Child demonstrates why he has become a major bestselling author, and why his novels electrify and enthrall so many.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 320 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: February 24th 2009 by Doubleday

 

A couple days ago I finally was in the mood to give this book a try. I'm a big fan of the Pendergast series that Lincoln Child co-authors with Douglas Preston and I've been curious to see how his standalone novels that he writes alone would turn out to be and I knew when I read the summary of this one that it would be a good place to start.

 

Terminal Freeze turned out to be a very quick read which I wasn't expecting at all. I was expecting it to be written at the same pace as the above mentioned series he co-authors but that was not the case at all with this one. Don't get me wrong, just because it was a quick read  doesn't mean that it wasn't a good read because it was.

 

The novel centers around a scientific expedition to the remotest of places in the arctic. While on the expedition the main character Marshall's team makes a remarkable discovery that puts everyones  lives in danger. Not heeding the warning by the leader of the local Tunit tribe people begin to die, but no one knows what is killing the victims except the local tribesman.

 

I'm always a sucker for thriller novels that take place in remote places and you have to admit the Arctic is pretty darned remote so it makes a thriller novel that much more chilling (pun intended) for it to take place there. I liked that the novel took place at a remote military installation because for me I like my thriller novels that have "mysterious" creatures to have lots of fire power. 

 

There was a hell of a lot of action in this novel and I enjoyed the blood and gore of it as well as the legend and mystery behind the creature, however the creature could have been written about in a more detailed manner and I did find that the story glazed over a lot about the creatures mannerisms and that the creature didn't make a real appearance (where it was described while making a kill) until rather late in the novel for my tastes.

 

I also think that while Marshall was a likable character that he along with the others were rather one dimensional, they had very little depth and I wish that more of Marshall's past had been explained and that we had gotten to know him and the other characters more.

 

Despite my issues with the lack of detailing in the creature as well as the one dimensional characters the action in the novel made it entirely worth the read. It was fast past and adrenalin filled and I had no idea who would be the next one killed so it kept me guessing.  

 

Overall, it was a fun read, it kept me interested and I enjoyed it. I would recommend this one to thriller fans with a hint of horror and mysterious beasts as well or if you just want a quick read that will have you at the edge of your seats. I can't wait to read my next Lincoln Child novel and I'm really glad that I have another one in transit from the library.
 

  Liked it!
★ ★ ★ 1/2

To become a "Fan" of Lincoln Child on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Lincoln Child's Website CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Kobo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 



Progeny by Patrick C. Greene

 

Summary:

 

Owen Sterling is a reclusive author living in a secluded house deep in the woods. When he welcomes his son Chuck for a summer visit, the eleven-year-old suspects something is not right at his father's home. His worries mount when he witnesses a confrontation between his father and some local hunters. Zane Carver is the local gun-shop owner who confronts the author over Owen's refusal to let anyone on his land for hunting or camping. He defies the recluse, taking a hunting party onto Owen's property. Soon, Zane and his buddies discover the writer's secret . . . a deadly secret; a creature whose infinite rage they have unwittingly ignited . . . that is now hunting them.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 230 pages (E-book)

Source: Kindle Freebie

Publication Date: October 20th 2012 by Hobbes End Publishing, LLC

 

 A couple weeks back when Mr. Turning the Pages went to a friend's house one evening I commandeered his iPad and set about reading Progeny one of the Kindle freebies that I had downloaded for Mr. Turning the Pages to read. After looking the book up on Goodreads I couldn't start reading the book fast enough.

 

It's no secret at all that I enjoy a good monster novel especially when the monster happens to be Big Foot. Honestly how can anyone not love a horror novel featuring one of the most iconic monsters in the world? Not me! I always love any novel with Big Foot and Progeny by Patrick C. Greene was no exception.

 

I was immediately drawn into the novel. It was set mostly in the outskirts of a small rural town in the middle of no where the setting was ideal for the type of novel this turned out to be. The story centers around a small but well rounded cast of characters. There's Owen the writer, his son, his love interest, as well as Zane Carver, his teenage son as well as Zane's hunting buddies and of course a family of Big Foot.

 

The novel centers around Zane who wants to make his son more manly and wants to piss off Owen who owns the land that the local Native American Tribe allowed him to purchase by hunting on the prime wilderness zone out of season. The two have had numerous confrontations about the subject of hunting but Owen holds fast. He's seen what is out there in the woods behind his home and he knows that they deserve protection.

 

Things seem to be going well until shortly after Owen's son Chuck comes for a visit when stuff between Zane and his son hits the proverbial fan accelerating both families towards a dangerous confrontation. Zane breaks the law along with his reluctant son and eager cronies steal on to Owens land and meet the creature no one knew existed.

 

A series of violent event follow for both human a Big Foot alike accelerating a confrontation between the two different yet similar species. The way Patrick wrote about the hunting scenes reminded me of how me of the typical arrogant small town hunters that we've all met or seen in movies. I thought that the way he created them and the tension between the hunters and Owen was great. In fact I thought all the characters were pretty well developed. True I would have liked to know more about them but the way they fit into the story is the reason why I thought they were so good.

 

I enjoyed the plot, while it may not be very unique on it's own it is unique in the way that the author told the story. The author's voice is what I feel made the book most enjoyable to me. There was a lot of action, violence, gore and a great storyline between the covers of this novel and I thought it was a wonderfully fun yet spooky read. The way that the author depicted the Big Foot species as being very human like was an added bonus that I could really appreciate. The pacing of the novel was great, it was neither to fast nor to slow it was just right. It was exactly the type of novel I needed to read at the time and it was a quick entertaining one at that. I think I managed to finish this one in just over two hours which I wish could have lasted longer because I enjoyed it so much.

 

Overall, I have to say that the author did a great job creating a spooky, action filled adrenaline rushing Big Foot novel and I can't wait to see more by him. My hope is he writes more books like this because I think that he did a great job. I would recommend this novel to anyone look for a quick spooky read with Big Foot as the star.

 

Really Liked it!
★ ★ ★ ★

To "Like" Patrick on Facebook CLICK HERE

To "Follow" Bryan on Twitter CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Bryan on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Bryan's Website CLICK HERE

To purchase Progeny via Amazon CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Thaw by Bryan Dunn

 

Summary:

 

"Thaw is an action-packed, heart-pumping thrill ride that keeps readers on the edge of their seats."—Will Plyler, Mania.com

Arctic bush pilot Harry McNills is minding his own business and dreaming of retiring to the Caribbean—when two scientists from Cryolabs Corporation charter his plane for a scientific expedition. The beautiful young biologist Amy Tyler and her boss, the avaricious Hayden Lockwood, want to explore for freeze-tolerant organisms. Harry gets more than he bargained for when he falls for Amy and discovers an ancient terror entombed in an iceberg. A Navy team is assembled to exhume the remarkable find. But before the job is completed, something goes horribly wrong…and Harry and Amy find themselves trapped in a desperate struggle for survival.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 240 pages

Source: Kindle Freebie

Publication Date: January 19th 2007 by Xlibris Corporation

 

I had Thaw sitting there taking up space on my Kindle for several months before I got to read it back in August. August can you believe I'm only just getting around to writing my review now? Thankfully I was gifted with a superb memoir for books so I'm able to retain a lot of what I've read for a long time.

 

When I did sit down to read Thaw I had no idea what to expect I just wanted to read a story about a creature trapped in the ice thawing out and wreaking havoc on as many people as it possible could. What can I say I absolutely love horror novels like this and often the cheesier they are the better it is for me.

 

Anyways, I went into reading the book with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. I loved the writing style and the characters even though it can be said that the book is pretty high up there on the cheese factor with the dialogue included in that I still had a lot of fun reading it.

 

The book was an action filled and a times a little spooky. But, mostly it was a fun read that held my interest because believe it or not there is talent required to pen these novels despite there being a lot of "cheese" in it. If a book can entertain me then I am more than willing to give it a fair rating.

 

I liked the way the author created his story line. Henry the Arctic Pilot was the usual rough and tumble character who teams up with Amy a biologist who is way out of his league and there are sexual overtures in the book but those were expected. Plus there was A LOT of killing and I loved it. What can I say with an older brother blood and gore was what I grew up on on so for me that added a lot to the story.

 

While the book may not win any awards for being the greatest piece of literature it was a well written and  entertaining read and my only true complaints about the book was that I wish the book didn't jump back and forth so often from the POV's of Amy and Henry and that there had been a little more action with the creature. I would have loved to have had the creatures description elaborated on. I did like the cliffhanger ending an I wish the author would write a second novel with the creature just to round it all off.

 

Overall, it was an entertaining read that I would recommend to people looking for a quick action packed read with lots of blood and gore. If you're a fan of monster novels I highly suggest checking this one out. I have another of the authors books sitting unread on my kindle and I can't wait to finally get to it. For me Bryan Dunn is an author I think I'll be watching and he definitely has a fan over here at Turning the Pages.

 

Really Liked it!
★ ★ ★ ★

 

To "Like" Bryan on Facebook CLICK HERE

To "Follow" Bryan on Twitter CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Bryan on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Bryan's Website CLICK HERE

To purchase Thaw via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase Thaw via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

The Hoard by Alan Ryker

 

Summary:

 

A new breed…a new evil…

Hidden deep beneath its landfill lair of trash and filth, a strange new organism has come to life. When an accidental fire drives it out, the mysterious creature escapes across the drought-blasted Kansas prairie and finds the home of elderly hoarder Anna Grish. In desperate need of shelter, it burrows in, concealed amidst the squalor and mess.

When Adult Protective Services force Anna to vacate her junk-riddled home, she moves in with her son and his family. But there is something wrong with Anna, something more than her declining mental condition and severe hoarding disorder. Something sinister has taken hold of her, and it’s not only getting stronger, it’s spreading.

Amidst the wide-open Kansas plains, with endless blue sky above and flat, open vista stretching from one horizon to the next, there is nowhere to hide from…THE HOARD.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 216 pages

Source: NetGalley ARC

Expected Publication Date: November 27th 2012 by DarkFuse     

 

 In September I had the opportunity to be granted an e-ARC of this book from the publisher the day after I featured it on my Waiting on Wednesday #29 post much to my surprise that is because I only requested it the day before I got it.

 

Needless to say I started the book the evening I got it. Just look at the cover doesn't the cover scream spooky read to you? The cover is actually one of my favourite things about the book. It really sets the tone for the book and I think it's the perfect representation for the book.

 

The beginning of the book was a little weird and a little confusing because we started off seeing the world not through the eyes of person but through the eyes of a rat. It was interesting though and the fact that the rat some how made it into the the home of the hoarder Anna before the parasite that was controlling the rat transfered from the rat to one of Anna's cats then to Anna.

 

Basically the book is about parasites that spawn and take over hosts. They work their way into our bodies and then they take over the minds and bodies of their unsuspecting and frightened hosts with the single urge to take over.

 

I was so engrossed in reading this book that I was able to finish reading it in one night. I loved the creepiness. Nothing creeps me out more than parasitic creatures taking over people. Needless to say I was hooked.

 

The writing was great even though there could have been a little more depth to the characters the plot turned out really well. I was actually really impressed with how much I enjoyed the novel because it was very different than what I had been expecting.

 

This was the first time I'd  read a book where the main character was a hoarder and let me just say this. I WILL NEVER BE ONE!... Okay I might be a book hoarder in the future but I will not be a garbage and useless things hoarder. I thought the use of hoarding in the story was really unique and I doubt that the plot would have been as good with out it since it was such a major part of the story with the elderly Anna, her son Pete and his family.

 

When people started  going missing and dying that's when I really got into the book. What can I say? I have 2 older brothers and an older sister and lets just say I grew up in a home where nothing was censored really so I love all the death, destruction and gore the book had in it. Plus there were a lot of twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing as to what the overall outcome would be.

 

Overall I would say this is a solid novel. It was enjoyable and one I would recommend to people who like horror novels. In fact I'm going to have to let Mr. Turning the Pages have a go at this one because I think it's the perfect read for people who also want a shorter horror read. I can't wait to read more by Alan Ryker and I hope I can read another of his books in the near future.

 

* I received a free copy of this book from the published via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and I was not compensated in any way.

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

To "Follow" Alan on Twitter CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Alan on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Alan's Website CLICK HERE

To purchase The Hoard via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase The Hoard via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*[Blog Tour Review] Swamp Monster Massacre by Hunter Shae

 

 

Summary:

 

The swamp belongs to them. Humans are only prey.

Deep in the overgrown swamps of Florida, where humans rarely dare to enter, lives a race of creatures long thought to be only the stuff of legend. They walk upright but are stronger, taller and more brutal than any man. And when a small boat of tourists, held captive by a fleeing criminal, accidentally kills one of the swamp dwellers’ young, the creatures are filled with a terrifyingly human emotion—a merciless lust for vengeance that will paint the trees red with blood.

Summary & Photo provided by Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Length: 139 pages

Source: Review Copy

Publication Date: October 2nd 2012 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.     

 

My oh my did I enjoy myself when I read this book! I mean really this book has Kimberly written all over it. Swamp monsters, death, and horror! This is definitely the kind of book I enjoy reading. It was the perfect book to read since this month is October and Halloween is just around the corner.

 

The book itself isn't all that long but that doesn't mean that the book is any less substantial for that reason in fact for me it was much more like reading a full length novel because of how much I enjoyed it.

 

There was so much this novella length book has to offer. There is crime, blood, gore and all the sorts of things you would associate with monsters. I for one really enjoyed the setting for the book it was actually one of my favourite parts of the writing.

 

When I finally sat down to read Swamp Monster Massacre I couldn't have picked a better night since I decided to read it on a really stormy night and my night table light was actually flickering which added a lot to the whole spooky ambiance of the novel.

 

At first I was a little confused as to what was going on but once I got may 5 percent in the story itself began pick up and gosh was I hooked on the intense and spooky nature of the novella. I loved the characters but I really loved the swamp monsters or Big Foot if you'd prefer to call them. If you've followed my blog for long enough you'll know I have a soft spot for books where there are monsters, dinosaurs or prehistoric beasts and this one truly filled the monster bill.

 

If you're looking for a really spooky read but may or may not have the time to read a full length novel than I highly recommend this especially if you love horror novels and horror novels with monsters. For me this novella has me hooked on Hunter's  writing and I can't wait to read more by him. I'm hoping he keeps writing more and more things like Swamp Monster Massacre because if he does I can guarantee that he'll have a fan for a long time to come.

 

*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.

Loved It!
★ ★ ★★★

 

To "Like" Hunter on Facebook CLICK HERE

To "Follow" Hunter on Twitter CLICK HERE

To become a "Fan" of Hunter on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To Subscribe to Hunter's Youtube channel CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

*[Blog Tour Review] Hellfire and Damnation II by Connie Corcoran Wilson

 

 

Summary:

 

 

Hellfire & Damnation II is the sequel to the well-received award-winning short story collection Hellfire & Damnation (www.HellfireAndDamnationTheBook.com) (E-Lit award, Silver Feather award). The first collection contained 15 short stories that described the sins punished at each of the 9 Circles of Hell within Dante’s Inferno. With that framing device and an Introduction by William F. Nolan (Logan’s Run), the 2011 visit to Hell was 47,000 words that critics called “blazingly original.”
The sequel, Hellfire & Damnation II, is slightly longer, at 53,000 words, containing 11 short stories that, once again, address the sins punished at each of the 9 Circles of Hell. Plus, this time, there is an illustration for each story and a From the Author section, which describes the inspiration for each story. [There are no recurring characters, however, so no need to have read the first book in order to plunge into the second.]
As 5-time Stoker(R) winner Gary Braunbeck said: “I really don’t know how she managed to do it, but Wilson surpasses her previous Hellfire & Damnation collection with this sequel. Her writing is stronger, streamlined, and often lyrical, despite the nastiness her words describe. This is another impressive collection of tales from a writer I could very well learn to hate if she gets much better. Seriously, Connie, can’t you write just one stinker so the rest of us will feel a little bit better?”
Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 168 pages
Source: Review Copy
Cover Art By: Vincent Chong
Publication Date: August 1st 2012 by Merry Blacksmith Press

I loved this book! Seriously I have never ever read anything like it before and I doubt I'll every read anything like this again except for when I read the first collection. When I recieved the host invite for this one from my favourite tour company this was pretty far out of the norm of the type of book I normally read. I mean if you ask anyone who has followed my blog long enough I don't really care for short stories all that much. They just genedrally aren't my cup of tea.

However, when I read some reviews of what readers were saying about the previous volume Connie wrote I have to admit what people were saying had me hooked so I signed up for the blog tour for Hellfire & Damnation II right away.

There was a darness to the writing that I just loved. I think the writing is what really got me hooked too the stories. While they were all differen't the way Connie wrote the storie really showcased her unique voice as an author and I could tell how much work she put into each and everyone one of the 11 short stories in this volume.

Even though the short stories were on the darker side there was a somewhat poetic nature to the writing that also seemed to lighten the stories up as well if that makes any sense. This book is definetly more for those who like darker reads that give you chills and make your heart pound a little faster.

Like I said in the beginning this book is out of the normal range of books I read but I enjoyed it a lot. It was the perfect book for me to read at the time and I really do recommend this one to fans of the horror genre and fans who like the macabre. Each story in the compilation is unique and has it's own identity. I thoroughly enjoyed each story and can't wait to read the first volume by this author.

*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

To become a "Fan" of Connie on Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit Connie's Website CLICK HERE

To Visit Connie's Blog CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE