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The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories by C. M. Forest

 The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories by C. M. Forest

C. M. Forest is one of my favorite authors I have found. His debut novel, Infested, turned this author into an auto-buy for all his magnificent books and stories. This collection, however, is a fantastic assortment of stories which shines his ability to pull you in and keep you devouring them all. I’m going to break down the stories to show you the range in which he writes.

Home - A quick, dark poem about what a home sees and feels. At just 21 lines, the poem gives the aura of a bleak, yet happy, home. The ups and downs of life, absorbed into the walls of the home. 

What The Storm Brought In - When a storm washes up an unexpected guest onto a secluded beach, the effects of this guest are unexpected. This is a unique story with a completely unpredictable ending. This little doozy of a story has the same vibe as his novella We All Fall Before the Harvest (which I HIGHLY recommend). 

Born Of Death - A cable guy is on a mission to find where some stolen service is coming from. Let me just say, this isn’t what you think. He ends up finding way more than he thought he would! The imagination to come up with all the different twists this story takes; I have to wonder what it is like living in Forest’s head. 

On A Dark Road - A woman gives birth. I won’t say more than that. A very short and messed up story. 

Glass Weavers - Cosmic horror. Jonah is on a ship and has a particular routine he follows, until one day, one little issue causes a massive wave of oh-shits. 

Hunger - You start this story with Gordan visiting a location where Maddie disappeared. You’ll never guess where she ended up.

Playground - Have you ever been to one of fast-food restaurants that has those indoor playgrounds for the little kids? If you have… be prepared. If you have not… you will soon find out that perhaps you shouldn’t. A weird story.

Reggie VS. The Moths - The best line from this little short story, “fudge nuggets and fries!” Reggie is just a little ol’ man doing his simple little ol’ job. He doesn’t need all this extra stress and goes to great lengths to fix this issue. 

Gone - Travis has a business meeting at a hotel, but he can’t find anyone. He starts looking around and the oddity of the surrounding silence  is nerve-wracking. I really enjoyed this story. 

The House In the Ground - The plot twist in this one will really throw you for a loop! William is running away and finds a house… in the ground. 

Time To Make Donuts - Not gonna lie, I craved donuts when I read the title. After reading the story, I changed my mind so fast. A weird alternate-reality type of story. 

We Called It Mother - Okay, WTH?? A group of teenagers are on a bus heading for summer camp when they get into an accident. You want to know how to turn a life-altering, teenager survival horror story into just a few pages? Read this one and find out. The connection of calling this thing ‘Mother’ is way out there.

Blood and Snow - A husband and wife are on the way to a cabin in the middle of winter when the husband stumbles upon a nasty creature. Revenge story… sweet and epic.

Transmissions -  I absolutely gravitate towards epistolary stories and this one delivers. Another cosmic horror story. Bleak, lonely, devastatingly horrific. 

The Roots Run Deep - I think this is a sad story. Julie is taking her sister's ashes to the ocean. 

I am not at all surprised that I loved all of these stories. Forest’s ability to put together such an array of short stories that touch on just about every sub-genre in horror, is quite impressive. From eco-horror to cosmic-horror, there is something for everyone in this collection. Also, the way he writes with just fluid smoothness, makes him one of the best authors to read. Forest is certainly a writer to look for. He is definitely going to be writing some top-notch stories. 

You can find many more stories in numerous anthologies. His website, ChristianLaforet.com, can direct you to those books.

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.