The Deading by Nicholas Belardes

 This is genuinely a wonderful story. The Deading is one of the best pieces of literary horror I have read. It guides you through so many emotions and inner demons of all the characters. From the young to the old, The Deading highlights the differences of what age and time can do to change the strengths and compassion of an individual. While priorities are always different when we grow older, the basic need to survive and to be loved… never changes. Belardes reminds us that even though we have faults, we are each unique and have the capabilities to survive difficulties and come out stronger and better. 

This is a strong character-driven narrative with some ornithology, creature features, and suspense. Under the watchful eye of the government, a small sea-side town tries to survive an infliction upon them. The people are changing. The once quiet and calm town has become a ruthless and dangerous community. The anxiety and stress of living in this changed town takes a toll on so many.

This is not a story to read quickly. It is best to take your time and enjoy the words. You can look up some of the birds talked about, giving an extra visual picture to the scenes. It will be easy to become attached to the main characters. Belardes makes sure we understand the person and their actions. 

If you enjoy a deep story with lots of twists and turns and if you are patient for amazing twists all throughout the story, then this book is for you. I highly recommend slowly devouring every morsel of this amazing story. 

Deviants and Decadents by Lisa Vasquez

 

How about some sultry horror stories and poetry?

Deviants and Decadents is a fantastic anthology of poetry and short stories. Lisa Vasquez shares some poetry and short stories. Additionally, Jae Mazer, Dicey Grenor, and Megan Stockton have a short story in this anthology.

The poetry is absolutely enthralling.

The stories are dark, captivating, and sometimes relatable.

The artwork, though, is truly something to see. Seriously, look at that cover. And there is more in the book.

I am going to need a physical copy of this to put on my bookshelf. You need to check this one out.

How The Skin Sheds by Chad Lutzke

 What a crazy story! I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was excellent!

Garrett is on a mission to seek revenge for the murder of his sister and help heal his niece’s broken body. They travel together with Garrett’s best friend, hunting down the evil man that did this.

As they travel the country following clues and a path of destruction, all three members of this revenge group learn a few lessons along the way.

I am a bit disappointed in the ending, though. It was so fast and quick and it left me with some questions. The story’s pacing was great, and it builds up to what could be an epic ending, only to reach this crescendo and then the lights go out.

I would still recommend this story. Lutzke did well with character development. I grew to like all three main characters and was hopeful they would get the revenge they sought.

Lutzke is a very talented writer with many more books to read. I'm absolutely adding some more. 

The Devil's Promise by Celso Hurtado

 The Devil’s Promise: An Erasmo Cruz Novel  by Celso Hurtado

 The Devil’s Promise is book two of this series. Book one is called Ghost Tracks. 

When I found out Celso Hurtado released book two in the Erasmo Cruz series, I was so eager and I let him know I wanted to read this. 

Erasmo Cruz is a kid that is missing something in his life. He has a sordid past and the emotional scars to show it. He is looking for a connection with anyone, or anything, to feel the acceptance and love he so desires. 

He is also a survivor of a supernatural attack in his past. He has the physical scars to prove that. After this assault, he takes it upon himself to help anyone that feels they are a victim of any supernatural events. It doesn’t matter how small or huge the problem is, he just wants to help.

But in The Devil’s Promise, Erasmo is introduced to many characters who are working against him and working with him. He accepts a case that is not at all what it seems. With curses, witchcraft, sacrifices, and tears aplenty, Erasmo must overcome one of the most difficult decisions of his life. 

What makes a story great is the emotional connection and the visual experience you can get from it. The details can help you get lost in a new world unlike any you have known.

I enjoy deep character building. I like to know the main characters’ ambitions, pet peeves, and inner demons they may have. It gives a deep connection with the story that I gravitate toward. Sometimes, when I am lucky, they become a friend that I want to see succeed.

World building is also a huge part of a remarkable story. I want the scenery… gore and all. The scenery always sets a mood or a tone.

 Hurtado has accomplished this with the Erasmo Cruz series. 

Celso Hortado is most definitely one of my newest favorite authors. His attention to the details, the characters’ needs and moods, and the world that he has built for Erasmo, is exemplary. There is a reason his first novel in this series, Ghost Tracks, won the International Latino Book Awards. He is that good at writing a gripping and fabulous story.

Hound

 

This is one of the best graphic novels I have read in years. It is up there with Junji Ito, but this story is unlike Ito's work. It will invoke in you some strong emotions that will linger, just the way a graphic novel should. 

This magnificent book offers the visceral and raw emotions of Private Barrow as he joins a group of men on the western front during World War I. He shares with us his inner demons and the battles not only in the trenches, but what he experiences internally. Will he always do the right thing? Can he, in the midst of blood and death, chose to remain collected and separate logic from insanity?

"My road has lots its sun and its moon."

The artwork is magnificent as well. It has a dark atmosphere with pops of different shades of red to enhance your experience with the blood and death on the battle fields. If you look closely at the panels (the individual boxes of artwork) you will find the many different faces of fear and pain. 

I highly recommend giving this a read, but take your time. Enjoy the artwork and feel the words. You will most definitely come away with a new sense of what war is like. 

Gollitok by Andrew Najberg

This story is amazing!! This is what literary horror looks like. The story draws you in and does not let go until the very last word is written.

Gollitok is an old prison ground on an isolated island. The government sends Varka to join a crew of people to determine what happened to the prisoners, the guards, and the warden. As soon as Varka sets foot on a small boat to take him and his colleague to the island, everything begins to go wrong. Between personal vendettas and unknown ‘things’ prowling the island – there is no telling what Gollitok’s history has to tell them. There are so many questions and so much fear for three, high adrenaline packed days. Just when one question is answered, dozens more come up. Is it supernatural? Is it humans doing barbaric misdeeds? Are the ghosts of the island’s past unsettled?

Andrew Najberg is an excellent writer, in my opinion. His ability to grip the reader by the eyeballs and grab hold of your emotions with what seems very little effort on his part is truly a gift. He weaves a story rife with history while also moving through current events as we follow the group of researchers. There is no break in dates in the book… it just comes together with perfect unity.

For an immersive, intense, and devouring tale… read Gollitok. You can not go wrong in choosing Andrew Najberg. Now to read the rest of his writing. Yes, he is that good at storytelling.

Dead Girls and Dead Things edited by RJ Roles

 

Here is an anthology of stories by some of Books of Horror’s fabulous women. Each story carries the distinct, amazing voices of these women. There is no way anyone can pick a favorite in this book. Below, I share the synopsis of each story.

One For Sorrow by AJ Mullican. A young lady crosses paths with a crow. A dark and twisted story. A fantastic story to lead us into this anthology. 

The Watcher by Angelique Jordanna. Aja has a stalker who is looking after her. I haven’t read many Jordanna stories, but this one seems different from what I have read. I absolutely think this story is so unique and amazing. 

Admission by Rayne Havok. Avery wants to go to this club and is going to do whatever it takes. Havok always brings her best to her writing. Freaking loved this one!

Living in Sin by Nat Whiston. A woman is grieving her husband’s death. I was blown away by this story. So many twists and turns and the ending was so unexpected.

Stay Awhile by Donna Latham. Lilly has a fascination with death. By now, Latham has put herself on my favorite author’s list. Great writing and storytelling. You never know what to expect from Latham.

In Her Reflection by Tara Losacano. Chelsea has lived a hard life and just wants a break from it all. Wow, this story was unexpected! Totally jaw-dropping.

The Doll’s Revenge by Peggi Boone. James, newly single, is having a hard go of life lately. A fun and quick story, a kind of palette cleanser story. 

Shuffler by Regina Watts. Opal is a young lady trying to survive day-to-day life. I really liked this story, but the ending!!! Ugh… 

Modern Relationships by Natasha Sinclair and Ruthann Jagge. Two women battle over what each other wants and deserves. These two authors are amazing with imagination and expressive writing.

Don’t Look In The Box by Allisha McAdoo. Maria is having a really bad run of luck lately. A dark, twisted, fantastic story to keep your heart rate up!

Good Eatin’ by Judith Sonnet. Ryann is a homeless man that spends the night in the woods. If you’ve read Sonnet, you know it’s a rough story. Highly emotional writing that puts you in the story and gives you everything you need to feel the darkness. Fantastic story.

The Cavity Wall by Michelle von Eschen. A married couple are in mourning and rely heavily on each other for support. A completely unexpected, warped story. I’d love to know how Eschen came up with this story. 

I think every story in this book is a hit. Amazing stories by very talented female authors. RJ knows how to find the stories that give a wide range of emotions. Every single story ranges from dreadful to happiness. It is like RJ makes a list of emotions and checks off each one as he finds the story to fill that feeling. You need this book!!