THE CLOUD IS ARMAGEDDON, STEAMROLLING THE WORLD AT A WALKING PACE.
Day 0. From the wreckage of a research facility in Switzerland, a plume of toxic smoke and ash pours into the sky, forming an impenetrable cloud that is slowly smothering the world in darkness. As Europe disappears beneath the Cloud, a squad of United States marines are sent on a desperate mission to find out what went wrong, and how to undo it before it’s too late. Venturing into a cold, dark world, the marines must travel deep under the Cloud, with no comms, no backup, and no idea of what they will face.
Day 89. Half a world away, the Cloud has reached the East Coast of the US. With nowhere to run and no hope of survival, the American people have descended into madness, turning on themselves and each other. From the sidelines, an old Tennessee sheriff watches as his country unravels. But he can’t bring himself to take the easy way out. Quitting isn’t in his DNA. So when one of his deputies asks him to help protect her family, he leads them west, chasing a miracle—a rumor of an old nuclear bunker that just may be their only hope for survival. Because if the Cloud doesn’t kill them, what’s hiding in the dark will.
In his thrilling debut novel MONSTRE, author Duncan Swan crafts a relentless, terrifying, genre-bending tale of courage, desperation, and redemption that shows just how fragile our civilization is, and how far we will go to survive.
Tom is struggling to keep his head above water! He’s on the verge of losing everything, his wife, his home, his whole life but Tom’s passion and love won’t let him give up just yet, he’s taking on a huge opportunity career wise.
This journey along one of the most secluded highways may be out of his comfort zone, he may not be prepared for what he’s about to face but it’s make or break for Tom! After a crazy accident, Tom finds himself roaming the terrifying Alaskan wilderness looking for his best friend, Presley, a five year old German Shepherd.
I love psychological horrors, they are some of my all time favourite reads and diving into Dalton Highway I had no idea what to expect, but I was in for a real treat!
Freddie has created this mind bending masterpiece! The characters are so relatable, his writing is smooth and descriptive yet the twists and turns create for an exciting, disorientated read.
From the very first sentence I was absolutely committed, better yet obsessed with finding out how the story ends. I don’t know if I have ever read a book that had so many potential outcomes.
I recently heard a friend of mine use the term “an unreliable narrator” this term explains Tom’s character perfectly and not in a bad way by any means. This character will leave you constantly thinking, doubting your own thoughts and conclusions.
Tom has taken the leap, was not prepared for what was to come, is now faced with some of the most terrifying moments of his life. Is there truly something aside from the Alaskan wildlife ready to attack or is Tom fighting his own inner demons.
Definitely one to pick up! I highly recommend!
Thank you so much Freddie for sending me a copy to read and review! I am officially a fan of your work and look forward to more from you in the future.
Genre: Adult | Fiction | Dark | Horror | Short Stories |Poetry
3 out of 5 stars!
Halloween Season contains 13 short stories and a couple dark poetry pieces.
The cover is so awesome but don’t be fooled! This cover screams Halloween but as the synopsis suggests there are a couple stories wrapped around a specific winter Holiday that comes in close behind Halloween.
Although this collection reads true to form on what the synopsis suggests. Sadly I personally didn’t enjoy this as much as I had wanted.
Some of the stories were a bit mind bending or tricky at times but none of them were overly chilling. However there were a couple stories that stood out for me more than others; In The Family, The House That Couldn’t Clean Itself and Toy Makers Joy.
A warning poetry piece comes in before the last two stories in this collection and this is where I thought here we go! this is it! Lucy has been holding back on us, it’s all going to go down now.. but it didn’t. I was missing the wow factor.
I guess what I am trying to say is although Lucy’s writing is good, the stories were interesting and it was a decent collection in a whole, it was missing something for me and I wasn’t feeling the Halloween goodness throughout.
Thank you so much Raw Dog Screaming Press, Lucy A. Snyder and Erin Al-Mehairi for making sure I received a review copy.
It’s hard to review a collection of short stories without giving to many details away but man this collection by Syon was great!
Each and every one of these 5 stories were so different from the next and well written! Syon’s writing was detailed, smooth and had the perfect balance between storyline and character details.
Buried with the Night are those fast paced, mind bending, tricky stories that end off with a huge cliff hanger. Leaving you wanting more not only from those stories themselves but from Syon in general.
Although I can’t go into to much detail for each individual story. I can say I do believe my favorite was Curtis, which also happened to be the very first story in this collection. It was my perfect kind of messed up minds! (to read anyhow). I was instantly consumed after reading Curtis and looked forward to the rest!
I would highly recommend this collection and I can’t thank Syon enough for sending me a copy to read and review. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future!
First and foremost Todd’s writing is impeccable, truly a talented writer. Not only does Devil’s Creek story run smoothly but it is incredible detailed. I’m talking about the type of detail you can smell, taste and touch with your own mind. Now, that may not always be the best when reading a horror novel since some scenes can get a bit gory but when an author can be so descriptive that it pulls me in and completely immersing me into the story, that’s when they have my attention! This being said as much as I was living for Todd’s writing style there was some things about the story I didn’t enjoy as much. Let’s start off with my pros and I will move into my cons while doing my best to hold off from any spoilers.
The story started off with an exciting, fast pace scene immersing you into Jacob, all of his evil and the torcher he was putting his 6 children through. Right than I thought I am in for a total treat! This lasted a chapter or two and the story there after slowed right down while jumping ahead in time where the “Stauford Six” are now adults. I didn’t mind this at first I thought this was the perfect time to really dive into the characters, get to know the history of what happened and to see the trauma affect the past had on each of the six children individually. I also enjoyed getting to see the family dynamics, how a couple of them had moved on to bigger better things while some of them were holding onto the past really not making anything of themselves and surprisingly a couple of them even stood out as outcasts from their very own brothers and sisters. This showed so true to life how each personal will be affected so extremely different after a life altering event.
This is where the story started to let me down. I don’t mind a slow burn read, especially when it is packed full of so much detailed goodness like this but I do enjoy some good pick up scenes to help break up the slower parts. This was not the case for Devil’s Creek, the slow pacing kept on and just when it felt like it was going to pick up, it slowed right back down. Of course I was willing to push on because Devil’s Creek has been so raved about in the community I follow through all bookish platforms. I felt there was definitely going to be a huge wow factor coming. In the end the wow factor didn’t hit for me. What I’m trying to say is you have a good idea based on the synopsis alone that the “Stauford Six” (all children of Jacob Masters) went through a lot of agony and torture with their father, coming out of it truly damaged. As a reader you are prepared for what you may hear from that side of the story based on the synopsis alone. What I was not prepared for when the evil returned to the story was it honestly was not going to be scary at all and more sexually suggestive, gross with all ages and not just subject to the main characters or a handful of people but the whole town was effected by this possession. Although to be honest, I think it was more the age thing that got me. I just wanted more scary and gruesome from the read, not as much gross.
Although there are parts of this story I didn’t enjoy as much. It was written really well and I know a lot of people loved every corner of this read. Of course I would say if the synopsis intrigues you and you have seen all of the other amazing, raving reviews out there that it is definitely worth picking up. As mentioned above, Todd’s writing is freaking amazing and I will be looking into more of his work and keeping an eye out for what he releases in the future.
Jon seems like a simple character but the further into the story you go you find out just how complex he is!
When the Sky Goes Dark starts off as a slow burn, getting to know your main character and what he’s all about but it’s not long and before you know it all chaos breaks loose. People are dropping left and right but the most terrifying thing happens when the sky goes dark!
Honestly and I say this will 100 positivity! The moment I jumped into this read I felt it read like a B-rated horror film…. and I was ALL for it! So much going on, mayhem everywhere, people going bonkers but yet Oliver snuck in the perfect amount of humour! As the story went on we didn’t completely lose the B-rated vibes but it shifted into more of a deeper, heartfelt story when Jon was searching for his loved ones and fellow survivors while feeling all the pain and suffering. People fighting to survive, doing anything they needed to do, even finding themselves doing things they could never see themselves doing… all in order to live through another night.
Jon has to learn how to survive keeping himself and hopefully those around him safe. Jumping into this role that’s not his usual self, you get to see his quirks and true personality traits shine though. As I mentioned he became a very complex character and where he may have been very predictable at time, others you had absolutely no idea where he was going to go with it!
Jon’s journeys and the people he comes across only become more intense and it’s almost as if he starts to loose his own sanity.
I highly recommend this read if you are into those end of the world, apocalyptic type reads. I can’t thank Oliver enough for sending me a copy to read and review. I look forward to more of his work in the future.
I enjoy Urban Legends! I find it fascinating to hear stories from all around the world, unique to that culture. Dimas did a great job sharing these stories with the world.
Who’s There is something I would call comfy, cozy horror.
I didn’t find these stories to be overwhelmingly terrifying, you know those reads that leave you crawling in your skin, keep you up at night and looking over your shoulder every where you go? I found these horror tales to be gentle yet very enjoyable and easily consumed . Perfect for a horror newbie, someone looking to dip their toes into the dark fiction world or someone looking to learn more about dark tales from around the world, such as myself.
Although these stories are not overly terrifying they will twist and play with your mind, keeping you on your toes.
Dimas Rio did provide me with an e-copy to read and review, however when I saw it was on audio-book I wanted to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised with the audio version. The narrator did a great job of bringing the eerie feels of the stories together.
My question to you is …. Who’s There? Are you gutsy enough to find out?
Thank you so much Dimas for sending me an e-copy to read and review. I am intrigued and look forward to more of your work.
Black toxic smoke consuming the world one country at a time!
Evil lurking in the dark!
There’s no where to run, no where to hide…..
Monstre is truly the end of the world.
Duncan’s debut novel Monstre: Volume One was unbelievable! I am completely invested in this world and can’t wait for volume two.
I thoroughly enjoyed the format of Monstre. Jumping back and forth between day 0 when everything went down at the research facility to the future. Watching as people lose their minds doing absolutely anything they can to survive but honestly they have no idea what they will be truly facing when the smoke hits. Monstre is also told from multiple perspectives which only gives more depth to an already amazing read.
Dark, gruesome and incredibly detailed! I have read a lot of grim stories but the emotions, feelings and connections between the characters is what made this story much more gut-wrenching. The recognition, seeing your family, friends, neighbours people you cared for ripped apart or mangled so bad almost to the point where they blended in with earth itself! This is where the story will consume you.
I am absolutely impressed with Duncan’s talented story telling. There was not a single moment where I found myself bored while reading Monstre and just when the story starts to slow and you are ready to take that deep breath between the hard moments your beloved characters are blind sided with another horrid, life changing event.
Monstre will devour your mind and soul.
I was completely absorbed from the very first sentence. Not to mention Duncan keeps you questioning what these Monstre’s are in the dark and where they come from. Hoping to get more answers by the end… but do you?
One of my all time favourite reads of 2020 and I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much to Duncan for sending me a copy to read and review.
Sophia has clearly suffered a traumatic event, her behaviour shows it. Trying to pull herself together through the nightmares while a dark male figure with a blurry face follows her around. She’s doing the exact opposite! Sophia is hiding more and more, running from those around who love her.
Arti has written an enthralling psychological thriller with The Colours of Denial. Arti’s writing is absolutely stunning, so detailed. While reading you can’t only picture the scenes in your mind but you can almost smell the scents as well. My one very minor flaw was the story jumps back and forth between different time settings and I found the transitions to be a bit choppy and confusing. This was a read that I needed minimal interruptions throughout or I would find myself having to go back to see what I missed or where I got lost. Although, the quick transitions and jumping all over the place went really well with Sophia, the character herself. Her mind was all over the place, playing tricks on her, absolutely scrambled. So Arti’s wiring style along with these scenes made you feel as if you were in Sophia’s head and experiencing this confusion yourself. This is why I say it was only a minor flaw for me in the story as it all comes together and puts you in the shoes of the character.
The ending of this story will surprise you. I had my predictions, I was bouncing back and forth between two of them but had no clue which way it would go or if I was even correct until the very end. Arti will also have you wondering who this dark male figure is following Sophia around until the very end. The suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat needing to know, wanting those answers.
I will be honest while I started reading The Colours of Denial I thought I was going to be giving this read a solid 4 out of 5 stars but with the ending and the Arti’s incredible writing style in the end it was an honest 5 out of 5 stars.
A brilliant psychological thriller!
I look forward to what Arti releases in the future!
Publisher: Independently published (March 12 2020)
What a STRIKING read!…(see what I did there?)…But honestly Striker X is such a colorful, vivid, exciting, yet dangerous world.
Vex is such a powerful, dominate character! Driven to be so much more than his father ever was or believed him to be. He has his guard up, thick skin protecting him from emotions of those around him. Vex is here to do his job and nothing more. However as the story goes on you see Vex grow emotionally is so many ways.
Vex’s day to day work as a Striker in the Interplanetary Galactic Force is dangerous enough hunting and killing these unimaginable beasts but he’s not worried. Vex knows his strength and ranking is well suited and deserved, yet he is completely blind to the corruption happening close to home. Although I don’t know who should be worried more… Vex is truly an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. One heck of an incredible character!
Negus’s world building is so imaginative. The creatures, sights, scents, right down to the almost daily oxygen level checks with Vex’s navigator is so intricately placed to devour the reader into another world.
I would love to see this duology adapted not only into film but a video game as well. This would be absolutely insane and it needs to happen!
I was so lucky to be able to review Striker X by listening to the audio book and let me tell you the story itself is already an impact, let alone an audio-book put together as well as this. The narrator did such a fantastic job, the sound effects and added music was not over powering nor did it take away from the story telling itself.
This is defiantly a read for sci-fi, video game lovers. Thank you so much Negus for sending me a copy to read and review. I look forward to Striker Y.
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