Canni by Daniel O'Connor

 Canni by Daniel O’ Connor

I have read many zombie books and this one is definitely different from the others. While most zombie books dwell heavily on the anger and destruction of civilization, Canni puts emphasis on the humanity of mankind. 

Rob and Cash, with their friend Teresa, are on their way to Las Vegas for a needed vacation and marriage ceremony. Along the way, a lethal airborne virus is released over America. People start to show aggressive behaviors and turn on their friends and family. Rob, Cash, and Teresa, meet lots of people on the road to their vacation, and end up getting stuck in Las Vegas and meet more people. Everyone has a role to play during the escalation of the virus. 

Daniel O’Connor brings to us the compassion that is often left out in zombie books. O’Connor easily gives us the history of our main characters while also keeping the flow of the story. At times, it might seem that a lot of the information about the scene or the commentary that a person has, is too much. But I found this to be beneficial to the story, to bring us the brotherly love that is missing in zombie books. This isn’t to say there is no gore or anxious plot twists, there is plenty of that too. All I am saying is you will be reading about ALL sides of morality. 

I was also able to make some extra notes on how to survive an apocalypse. One thing I never thought to have on hand at the end of the world, is a spare tire!

Slaves to Gravity by Wesley Southard and Somer Canon

 What would you do if you had a deep dark secret that you didn’t know was inside you? What if your friends and family had secrets, too? 

Authors Wesley Southard and Somer Canon have come up with a story of deceit and trickery. When you think you can predict what will happen, an unexpected twist is thrown in. I did not see this story starting and ending the way it did.

Charlie Snyder has an accident that makes her unable to walk ever again. Before long, she comes from being dependent on others to a young woman that kicks ass. She picks up some side-kicks along the way when she realizes there are others just like her. 

Even though it is a novella, I can see how having a part two to the story could turn this into a novel. There is a conclusion to the story, but we are left with what the future holds for Charlie. 

I am excited to read more from both of these authors. Their imagination is extraordinary and I’m anxious to see what else they have ready for me.

Intercepts by T. J. Paynr

This is quite a story. It is a roller coaster of emotions. 

Joe’s ex-wife has committed suicide. Leaving their daughter without a mom. Riley heads to her dad's house to deal with the after effects of her mom’s death. 

From the sadness of losing her mom, Riley starts to hallucinate and fears her mental state is deteriorating. Joe tries everything he can to help Riley while also dealing with a death at his workplace.

Without giving too much away, the rest of the story is full of unexpected twists that I never saw coming. The ending of this story was a perfect conclusion.

The Ghost Tracks by Celso Hurtado

 

The Ghost Tracks is a fun and fast story. It is about a young man and his best friend having to make hard decisions and live with the consequences. 

Seventeen year old Erasmo and his friend Rat, decide to start a small business helping others with supernatural experiences. They put together a little ad online and immediately receive feedback asking for their help. While helping individuals with their situations, Erasmo and Rat get more than they bargained for and begin to learn more about themselves in the process..

While the story has the supernatural vibes to it, there is very little horror. There is gore, but not overly explicit. There is language and intense violence, but not so much to cause me to cringe.

The story does not end with a cliffhanger, but there are some unanswered questions at the end. I don’t know if there will be a second book to address them, but if there is, I am definitely reading it. 

I also want to mention that the author, Celso Hurtado, has an elegant way with words. There are many good quotes to save from this book. My favorite; “But his bed felt like a tar pit, its viscous tendrils insistently pulling him back down, until his body was right back where it started.” That’s how I feel after I stay up past my bedtime reading and have to get up early the next day. 

Overall 4 out of 5 stars. For a quick, fun and introduction to mild horror/suspense, this is a book to choose.