A scary journey to the horror underworld
598549
In the Prologue, the reader is exposed to a picture of acute fear: someone running to escape horror and death.  The novel then reverts to almost two days earlier.  The story begins to unfold, drawing the reader willingly toward the Catacombs.  From the Prologue, the reader wonders what monstrosities inhabit the underearth.  Parts of the novel are edge of your seat action and suspense, but the story is more than that.  There are insights into human nature. We see it in the contrasting personalities of the explorers and in the contrast between evil that becomes pervasive and accepted as normal in the Catacombs and the un-evil and at times good within the explorers.  The characters are colorful, engaging, and believable with contrasting personalities that adds interest.  The writing is polished -- descriptive narrative that pulls the reader along.  Reviewed by the author of The Children's Story, About Good and Evil.
2458616
"Waiting For Harvey" is a very dark paranormal story that is as psychologically terrifying as it is traditionally spooky. Definitely not your typical haunted-house tale. Ghostly Gothic horror is my favorite genre, but I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" this novel only because it is so very dark and twisted. The plot is engrossing; the characters are well-written. The only reason I give it 4 out of 5 stars is because I finished it almost in a depression. Though satisfying, the ending isn't a "happily-ever-after."

If Gothic horror (or ghost stories/haunted house tales) is a preferred genre for you, I do recommend picking up "Waiting For Harvey."  I will certainly look for more books by Lydia North. Just be prepared to completely understand Stockholm Syndrome once finished.
2013456
Our world is a scary place. In Benjamin Percys latest thriller, The Dark Net, were constantlyoverwhelminglyreminded of that. Set in present day Portland, the disturbing novel explores the dangers which lurk in the furthest, darkest, and most criminal corners of the Web.

Following the fascinating stories of a hacker, a journalist, a former child evangelist, and a twelve-year-old blind girl who has just been given the ability to see through an experimental technology, were introduced to a gripping, often frightening mystery which brings their story arcs together in unexpected ways.

Percys skill as a novelist shines throughout The Dark Net. Each of his quirky, yet believable, characters are given interesting backgrounds and compelling motivations. The story is fast-paced, action-packed, andat more junctures than I could countintense to a delightfully uncomfortable degree. Percy, who writes for the comic books Green Arrow and Teen Titans by DC Comics and James Bond by Dynamite Entertainment, is no stranger to ambitious, world-shattering narratives, and The Dark Net definitely delivers. The threats the characters face as they unravel the mystery pose incredible dangers to themselves, the city of Portland, and our nation.

While there is much to fear in The Dark Net, Percys unveiling of the reality we actually live in might keep his readers up the most. He paints a nightmarish picture of the internets many real vulnerabilities. Personal information. Physical infrastructure. Percy writes of the deep web where anythingdrugs, weapons, even peopleare bought and sold. We live in a terrifying world of infinite information and opportunities for those with the necessary skills and malicious appetites.

But The Dark Net doesnt stop there.

Percy slowly folds into the mix elements of the supernatural. This weaving of the real dangers we face and those beyond comprehension make for a unique and often unexpected journey. For those hoping to read a tense techno-thriller, youll find such terror in The Dark Net. The sole caution I offer: if you're looking for a story exclusively grounded in reality, Percys fantastical flourishes might lose you. But if you enjoy tales of the paranormal, or are simply open to them, The Dark Net should provide multi-layered, delicious horror you won't want to put down.
989584
good horror with visceral descriptions, bogged down somewhat by clich characters and predictable outcomes. still, it's the journey through blood, guts, acid spewing, fire breathing monsters and fearless warriors that's well worth the read.
159303
Joan De La Haye's "Shadows" is the stuff that nightmares are made of. This novella is filled with evil, terror, and torment, and I found it overall to be a mesmerizing read. This is the story of one woman's struggle with madness, another woman's retribution, and a whole lot of dysfunctional family dynamics.

I've found that covers don't always accurately reflect the contents of the book. Not so in this case; this one is spot on. Meet Jack, Sarah's tormenter. Not very pretty, is he?  He is the kind of villain that horror movies are written about, and he is especially frightening the first couple of times he appears in this story. The second time he comes to call on Sarah, he appears in a manner that made my stomach lurch and my heart stutter. He is Freddy Kreuger meets The Grudge and proof that things do indeed go bump in the night.

Yet for all Jack's delight in pain and anguish and his truly ill intentions, I found myself warming up to him as the story progressed. As the truth about Jack is revealed, I began to wonder if perhaps he is not the real villain here. There is no doubt that he is responsible for the death of Sarah's father, but perhaps the true evil in this story comes from more human sources. In fact, once we learn Jack's true nature, he becomes much less threatening. Whether or not this was Ms. De La Haye's intention, I found myself liking the horrible fellow somewhat at the end.

While this is a wonderfully creepy story, it took me a little longer to settle into it than I expected. I was slightly distracted in the beginning by way the narrative jumps from character to character, but it didn't take long until I was so involved in the story that it would have taken a crowbar to pry me away from it.

The fact that the characters live in gated communities in Shadows made me curious about Johannesburg, South Africa. A brief tour of the internet suggests that this is one of the more dangerous cities in the world, and the story seems to back this up when it says "Nobody took a dark alley in Jo'burg. It would be suicide." This slightly sinister air felt very appropriate to the story, and it assists in keeping the tension very high.

If you are prone to nightmares or worry about what might be lurking beneath your bed, you may not want to read "Shadows" just before bedtime. It can be disturbing and downright gruesome at times, so don't be surprised if you need to leave the nightlight on for a couple of nights after you finish. However, if you are a fan of horror, enjoy the thrill of a shock, and never met a demon you didn't like, then I suggest you dive right on in. This one's for you!
629744
I've seen the name Kevin Lucia dance through my feed on quite a few occasions, so it was with mild interest I heard about the release of his new collection of stories through Brian Keene's The Horror Show podcast and decided to give it a shot.

And I'm glad I did.

Lucia here collects four novella length tales that are presented via a wrap-around tale much like the quality anthology movies of old. All the stories take place in and around Lucia's small town creation of Clifton Heights. Though the wrap-around only really provides the context and can't be considered a story in its own right, it does seem to have allusions to early works by Lucia - though I will have to check that out when I inevitably go on the hunt for his back catalogue. And hunt I shall, because this is a quality collection of tales: Three of which I found to very good to excellent, with just the one falling into the category of average.

Commencing with SUFFER THE CHILDREN COME UNTO ME, Through a Mirror, Darkly sets itself as a slow-burn of a horror collection that eschews blood and gore for slight chills down the spine. That sensibility remains through Lucia's second tale, YELLOW CAB, which for mine was the most disturbing of the lot - a dark, unsettling read that implies a great deal before finally spelling out the central mystery and allowing the full consequences of that to take root in the reader's mind. The third tale, ADMIT ONE, was my least favourite, but served to further cement the link between the stories being the mythical city of Carcosa. This one was a little long and too light on the horror to really be effective for me. But Lucia more than made up for it with his final tale, AND I WATERED IT, WITH TEARS. This was a very effective chiller that was probably the most familiar of the tales, but only until the real pathos underlying the events comes to light.

If Through a Mirror, Darkly is any indication, Lucia is an quality new writer who excels playing in the sandbox left behind by some of the grand masters of horror, Charles L Grant included. His prose is top notch, his characterisations the core of his work, and his horror is of the most disquieting kind. I very much look forward to reading more of his work and would strongly recommend fans of more subtle horror do the same.

4 Mysteriously Appearing Journals for Through a Mirror, Darkly.
927520
A global epidemic has nightmarish consequences.
A sleeping virus (SB-16) has affected 80% of the worlds population, turning humans comatose and pet dogs into rabid zombies that exist only to tear people limb from limb.
Calloway Foster has a decision to make, torn between concentrating on keeping his family safe, or recklessly searching for his twin brother.
Not for the faint-hearted, the story is fast-paced and a veritable gore-fest from the outset. Author Ellie Douglas doesnt stint on the bone-crunching, flesh-ripping imagery and the carnage she creates is off the scale! The streets are littered with dead dogs and mutilated human corpses; cities are in the grip of anarchy and lynch mobs become the new order.
But, despite introducing us to this hellish Armageddon, Douglas also writes with a mischievousness that I found appealing. It was impossible not to root for the main protagonists as they battled through the havoc, their playful banter the perfect foil to the jeopardy surrounding them.
The book is left open-ended, amping up the anticipation in readiness for the sequel, which promises to be every bit as bloodthirsty!
367309
Like the great Christopher Lee satanic films from the 70's, DEAD SOULS brings horror back to it's essential roots with hidden codes from the bible, elaborate occult rituals, evil possessions, and calculated suspense that evolves into brutally shocking violence.  The first two thirds might feel a bit slow, but the payoff of the last third is well worth it.  There were a few plot points that I questioned, but it's so much fun that I just ran with it and you'll be glad you did too.  DEAD SOULS is Laimo's best work, second only to his DEEP IN THE DARKNESS - which is a must read for any horror fan.
3560684
This book is what I would coin Literary Horror, meaning the words and descriptions are lush and detailed. Make no mistake though: while the writing is beautiful, the journey the reader takes will evoke chills.

While "Flowers for Evelene" is no doubt full of horror, it is first and foremost about a journey we all make. The story centers around Doug, a struggling author and depressed introvert who battles with his demons (both literal and mental) in a vicious struggle for survival. He, like so many of us, must overcome his past and learn to let go of the guilt and hurt devouring him if he is to have any chance of living at all.

I found myself riveted once Evelene made her appearance and her intentions known. She is a chilling entity, and her desires are as wicked as they are malicious. As Doug gives in, what ensues left me breathless and glued to the screen. There are some very graphic and intense sexual encounters in this book chalk to the brim with all sorts of horrific things. While that may be a deterrent for some readers, it's a selling point for others. (Different strokes...)

What I liked most about this book was how open to interpretation it is. The reader can perceive Doug's demons however they wish. It is his journey and the struggle to find himself, embrace the past, and overcome all of the obstacles in his way that lend this book an honest depth beyond what so many people have come to expect from the genre.

I really enjoyed Mr. Pinto's work and am definitely looking forward to reading his next endeavor!
2546244
I was leary to read this book based on the synopsis, fearing that it might be a cheesy, childish attempt to lump together fairy tales in a modern setting.  In truth, this book is a wicked work of art that would make the Brothers Grimm shivver with fear.

Early on in this novel, it becomes apparent that Gates took painstaking care to create a novel that operates on many levels.  He crafts in Elenore Grimm a villian who is rumored to be a descendant of the Grimm brothers from whom the story takes it's name.  As such, she's always been gifted with the storytelling creativity that her ancestors were known for.  A former crematoritum operator who seeks eternal life through the dark arts, Elenore possesses a paranormal abilty referred to as "The Machine", which she uses to read the minds of others, toying with their perceptions and bending their wills to do her bidding.  The hallucinations of the victims take the form of viciously distorted fairy tales.

Consider yourself warned.  This is not a novel for the squeamish or faint of heart.  This is extreme horror at it's most intense.  The pages are splattered full of canibalism, torture, and darker things than most minds could imagine.  At the same time, Gates has created a world full of characters who you will feel as if you know, which makes their demise all the more frightening.

Amusingly, each chapter of this book begins with a quote from a fairy tale, which manages to sum up that chapter's contents in some way, shape or form - an effort that must have taken much of the writers time, but adds an excellent touch.

This novel may have elements that are familiar to fans of Stephen King, but will definitely appeal to afficcionados of more extreme writers such as Edward Lee or Jack Ketchum.  My guarantee is that once you finish this novel, you'll want to start immediately on the sequel, Grimm Reapings, and will then begin to beg for the rumored third book.
1532528
This book is so scary that I recommend reading it in broad daylight, with all the lights on. Maybe it's because I read more police procedurals than thrillers, but this is one scary book, and by the end of it, my heart was thumping away. At first, you think it's a typical serial killer story, of which there are far too many on the market. But the twists to it are really blood-curdling. There is, at first glance, the usual partnered cops hot on the trail and the likely suspect. But pay attention - no one is exactly what you thought, and the ending...well, I'd stay out of basements, if I were you. I'm not giving any other details because this book is a visceral thrill. It's a short novel, which can be read in one sitting. But keep those lights on!
3162280
This is a true crime, and the people depicted are really creepy.  These are the people that you've always known existed on the fringe but were afraid to examine.  Well here they are to truly creep you out. These are the people of nightmares, at least in my life.  It's a well-written story of a search for love that reaches into the deepest, darkest caverns of human experience.  I felt my stomach rebel several times as I read, but was determined to face the fear.  This is a true story of real horror that takes depravity to its extreme limit.  Fasten your seat belt, and bring your teddy bear.
1811746
This is a horror like no other I have read. I am used to the blood and guts (and I love it) but this book surrounds you in a mystery that makes you want to turn the page. I can only imagine the dark place the author had to go to in her mind to be able to write such a book, but I am so glad she did
1507232
I'm generally  not into fantasy, horror, or the paranormal, so to admit that this book grabbed me by the hair and wouldn't let go is quite a compliment! The prologue gives a hint of what is to come; otherwise, the terrifying revelations creep up slowly. I can only compare this book to my all-time favorite spine chiller, Rosemary's Baby, because much of the terror is psychological. The setting is firmly anchored in the reality of the Pennsylvania coal mining wastelands where huge black slag heaps are still smoking and burning, buildings suddenly sink down into the mine-riddled earth, and the dark caves left by the coal mining industry make a perfect underground cathedral for DANU'S CHILDREN. The characters spring to life, a lovely priestess who was "saved" by a mysterious god of the underworld, the reporter who comes for his cousin's funeral and stays partly because he's falling in love,and partly to investigate the corrupt developers who are destroying what is left of the land, those dedicated to preserving it, and the worshipers of an ancient god of the earth--but is it a benevolent deity or one of Satan's minions? You won't be able to put this book down!
180254
"One if By Heaven, Two if By Hell" is a dark, twisted story about Ethan Reyes, a bartender in Boston with a unique ability. Voices that echo in his head are the thoughts and prayers of the individuals around him--an uncontrollable haunting that can only be silenced by his excessive alcoholic addiction. The story follows him as he learns the truth about his power to read minds, as he fights to defend his loved ones against an even darker entity, identified only as Gottfried, who has abilites far beyond what Ethan can manage.

The book is well written, and Rick Maydak does an amazing job creating intense imagery of the horrifying occurrences brought on by the "toad" that lurks in the shadows. His writing style easily flows from descriptions of the environment to Ethan's thoughts.

Maintaining that "One if By Heaven" is a horror story, Maydak's work is liberal with the use of gore and vulgarity, so it's geared more toward a mature audience. And I'll be frank about the profanity, it was enough to steer me away from reading at first, but the story itself kept me interested. Once I started reading it, and got to know the characters, the reading flowed well.

Over all, "One if By Heaven, Two if By Hell" was a good read, which I'd recommend to adults who enjoy this style of horror, and those who like to read into the "forbidden" secrets of angels and demons.
4897435
Inside The Mirrors by Jason R. Davis reminded me of classic horror: scary without excessive gore. This story crawls into your head, and makes you leave the light on after you're done reading. The plot centers on Rob Alleto, a Chicago cop who believes that moving to a small town would lead to a safer environment for himself and his family. Before long, he discovers that there are things far worse than street criminals, when an evil spirit attempts to possess Rob's neighbors through their mirrors.

This is the first novel written by Jason R. Davis, the Director of the Chicago Horror Film Festival. The book is self-published, and has typos throughout the book. But, they don't disrupt the flow of the story, and I only mention the raw editing because I know how much the internet trolls love to rip on new authors over issues that have nothing to do with the plot.

The prologue grabbed my attention immediately, with a man unexpectedly falling off a silo, but my interest began to fade with the drawn out raid on a meth lab. However, quickly after the raid, the story picked up the pace with Rob in the hospital, thinking about his upcoming move to a small town, where he will work as a deputy.

The following chapter switched POV to two boys, Aaron and Josh, daring to venture into an abandoned house where a family murder took place. Only someone like Davis, with his great knowledge of horror, could write with that kind of terrifying suspense...one of those scenarios where you're screaming at the characters, "don't go into the house!"

The next jump in POV is to a hobo, Coolidge, who sees a grotesque dead man appear out of nowhere, telling the transient to go home. The dead man continues to stalk and torment Coolidge, until the hobo ends up in the same small town that Rob has moved to, which is the point when the various POVs begin to converge in the town of Standard.

Once all the major characters are in place, Davis takes his readers on thrill ride through hell in the disguise of small town drama. The harder Rob tries to make sense of everything, the faster his life falls apart around him. Lots of people die, and a major sacrifice is needed to stop the Winago from overwhelming the entire town. When you're done reading this book, you won't want to linger in front of your mirror(s).
88555
This book wrenched me out of my reading comfort zone and took me on a journey that was wonderfully horrific. The cover art is darkly beautiful. The main character is immediately compelling. The reader is powered through the heroine's trials because of the author's deft writing. The description is crisp and precise and the entire book reads like a movie. The movie industry would be wise to jump on this novel. The horror is served up with  healthy doses of symbolism, archetypes and mind bending imagery. Neil Gaiman may want to watch out!

Some of the imagery will haunt me for all of my days but that is great writing. If I survive the apocalypse I want to be with these indomitable women and I want to have a crow friend named Blix. These characters don't just go into the belly of the beast but into the regurgitated bowels of the beast. It's a wild ride. I loved the not so subtle damnation of organized religion and the deeply evil power of corruption. And I want to read more. I am eagerly awaiting the next book... or movie. Kudos Scott Hale!