Macimanito Môswa [Short Story Review]

Genre - Horror
Year Published - 2016
Length - 12 (digital) pages
Written by Ryan Toxopeus

Rating: 4 Skulls

Plot Summary:
Hannah, a suburbanite mother of two, runs afoul of a demon-possessed moose on her drive through the wilds of Northwestern Ontario.

Review:
This story is very well written. Toxopeus provides great attention to detail and does a superb job of getting the reader to feel (the main character) Hannah's tension, etc.

My biggest issue is, as with a lot of super-shorts stories, it just ended so abruptly - way too short! Unless that is Toxopeus' intention... leaving the reader wanting more.

If you are up for a super quick read, this one is a good choice.

Jason

Tijuana Donkey Showdown Release Date

Mark your calendars!
Adam Howe's eagerly awaited sequel to 'Damn Dirty Apes' (from last year's 'Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet' collection) is due to be released on December 9th! WaHoo!!!!!

This is one you do not want to miss!
If you have yet to read 'Damn Dirty Apes' now is the perfect time. . .

Jason

Newly Discovered Author ~ Michael Bolan

Mr. Bolan  reached out to me, letting me know that he is preparing to launch the 3rd book in his current series.

He writes Historical Fiction with a strong Fantasy element.

'The Devil's Bible' series is an adventure set in the mid-17th century in Central Europe, with a dash of weirdness derived from the religious and superstitious beliefs of the time.

'The Sons of Brabant' - Book 1 in the series - is currently free on Kindle. (link below)

I have already downloaded it, so expect a future review. (In the meantime, why not grab it, while it's Free, and read it for yourself. You may even get to it before I do.)

Jason

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SWWIWPI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477394476&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40&keywords=Michael+Bolan&dpPl=1&dpID=51Cvey3gK2L&ref=plSrch

ZOO, ZOO 2, and ZOO Season One

Once again, I am having issues posting the cover art. :(

Zoo is written by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. It is a quick, enjoyable read with a very well thought out premise behind why animals are suddenly attacking humans. However, if you want to read a book about animals rising up against humans, then I suggest that you read Iain Rob Wright's 'Animal Kingdom', which I found to be even more enjoyable.

I enjoyed Zoo enough that I wanted to read its sequel. Zoo 2 is written by James Patterson and Max DiLallo. This book made me wonder how much James Patterson was actually involved in the writing of this story. This book felt extremely rushed and wasn't near as good as the first book, which was disappointing.

The reason behind me reading the above books is that there is a television show based upon them (the first book anyway), and I prefer to read the source material first, if at all possible. Big mistake in this case! The show is nothing like the books! They changed the characters, added new ones (which isn't that big of a deal), went with a completely different premise behind it all... UGH! 

Disclaimer: Generally, I finish a season before reviewing it, but in this case I have only watched the first four episodes (the 1st disc). I am so perturbed right now that I am not sure if I am even going to finish the season. I just do not understand why they would differ, so much(!), from the source material.

If you have seen the show, and it gets better, please let me know.

Jason

The Ultimate Guide to Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse

Rather than just leaving an average book review, I am attaching the link, below, so that you can just buy this book directly. (Pay no mind to the cover or the  bad font - this book could end up saving your life!)

Written by F. Kim O'Neill (not much is known about him, although he must have an impressive background) this book covers everything that you can think of, and I mean EVERYTHING!

In this book you will learn about the different classifications of zombies (the viral, the supernatural, and the voodoo types). You will learn their strengths and their weaknesses. You will also learn several combat strategies, with many fighting tactics and techniques.

If that isn't enough, you will be taught proven survival methods, such as finding food, water, and shelter, and many, many other skills.

This book is completely engrossing and really should be required reading!

Rating: 5 Skulls!

For those of you who may have already read Max Brooks' 'Zombie Survival Guide', you may be asking yourself if you really need to read this book as well, and the answer is an emphatic YES! You will learn far more in this book and feel much more confident in your ability to survive any type of apocalypse (not just zombie).

Also, if you are a fan of David McIntee's 'We Will Destroy Your Planet. . .', then you will definitely want to read this book as well.

Before I log off and start preparing myself a zombie bug-out bag, I just want to reiterate that this book may one day save your life!

Jason

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00YWCOIE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1476963668&sr=8-4π=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=The+Ultimate+Guide+to+Surviving+a+Zombie+Apocalypse&dpPl=1&dpID=51ekegyFMdL&ref=plSrch

Bane County: Forgotten Moon [Book Review]

Arrrrgghh!! For whatever reason, my Blogger App is not allowing me to post the cover art for this book, and that's too bad, as it is a great cover! 😕

Oh well. Here is my review:

Genre - Horror/Werewolf
Year Published - 2016
Length - 315 (digital) pages
Written by J. R. Rice

Rating: 5 Skulls

Plot Summary:
The large river-island of Bane County has a troubled past; but some histories are eagerly forgotten, especially those written in blood.

Nestled into the foothills of the National Wildlife Refuge, the small rural town of Silver Canyon seems idyllic to most; but a long-slumbering evil is about to reawaken.

Seventeen-year-old Bryce McNeel is your average teenage boy, living on a cattle ranch with his grandparents. Well, average genius, but he prefers to keep that fact to himself, no one likes a know-it-all.

When Bryce learns of a series of grisly deaths and mutilations that occurred decades earlier, his curiosity gets the better of him. Together with his cousin, Jackson, Bryce sets out to learn more about the macabre event; but as they delve deeper into the history and legends of Bane County, the two boys are horrified by what they find.

Unfortunately, history has a way of repeating itself.

As friends and neighbors begin to go missing, or worse, they find themselves embroiled in a battle for their young lives.

Review:
If you are looking for a new, fresh book to read this Halloween, look no further!

If I were to list my top three werewolf novels, they would be 'Autobiography of a Werewolf Hunter',  'High Moor', and this one, 'Bane County'.

What I am about to tell you is a slight *spoiler alert*, so you may want to skip the next paragraph...

One of the things that I really like about Rice's werewolf is that it is simply a beast/monster (with a very "Laymonesque" feel to it) as opposed to a man that changes into a wolf.

*safe to resume*
If you are a fan of movies and music from the 80's & 90's, there is a deluge of musical references (such as Metallica's 'Of Wolf and Man'!) and movie quotes, which just added themselves, perfectly, into the story.

This book moves along at a brisk pace, and then ramps itself up once Deputy Bennett begins hunting the beast.

You can tell that a lot of research went into this book, as the science behind the beast, etc, is very well thought out.

This book has great mass-market appeal. It is not just for fans of horror or werewolves. If you grew up reading Hardy Boys, or enjoy mysteries, then you will definitely enjoy this book as well, and the good news is that this is Book 1! (Book 2: Returning Moon is coming, hopefully soon!)

Jason

Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs [Book Review]

Genre - Horror/Short Stories
Year Published - 2016
Length - 115 (digital) pages
Written by Israel Finn

Rating: 5+ Skulls

Plot Summary:
Ten Tales of Horror from the mind of Israel Finn:

A man who is faced with the prospect of losing the most important thing in his life— his son— but instead loses his mind. And then finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare with no way out.

A frustrated man who curses life for having the audacity to pass him by, but discovers how it feels to be truly forsaken when the universe chooses to teach him a horrible lesson.

A man who must decide between vengeance and forgiveness in a world turned upside down by war and famine.

A milquetoast trapped in a loveless marriage and a thankless job, who isn't even allowed the small luxury of suffering in peace when he comes down with a terrible case of the flu. The result is something straight out of a nightmare delirium.

A man who is living with a very odd houseguest, a visitor who has no concept of war.

A boy who lives in constant terror of someone who is supposed to love and protect him, but who has betrayed that trust. A horror story that examines the real-life beasts who walk among us every day.

...and more.

Review:
This is probably the greatest collection of short horror stories that I have yet read!

Here is a brief breakdown of each of the ten stories:

Story #1 - 'Stranded' - a story about a man caught in a bizarre time-loop, with a terrific climax! 5 Skulls

Story #2 - 'No Such Things As Monsters' - this is my second favorite story in this collection. Truly horrifying! 5 Skulls

Story #3 - 'Sick Day' - this one ended too soon! (warning: this one will make you gag!) 5 Skulls

Story #4 - 'The Messenger' - my least favorite in this collection, however it is still a solid story! 3 Skulls

Story #5 - 'Deadfall Lane' - this one is, by far, my favorite in this collection! 5 Skulls

Story #6 - 'Water and War' - a thought-provoking story about an alien. 4 Skulls

Story #7 - 'Stones' - another story that makes you think! 4 Skulls

Story #8 - 'Deathbed' - a very well-written story about a father and son. 3 Skulls

Story #9 - 'To Catch a Fly' - a story about a convict. 4 Skulls

Story #10 - 'Ugly' - an absolutely brilliant twist-ending in this one! 5 Skulls

So there you have the ten tales within this collection. I didn't even mention the incredible Foreward (which immediately grabs you!)

Israel Finn writes with spectacularly, vivid clarity. His stories suck you in and are totally immersive! He has a talent, in spades, for great storytelling! I am definitely looking forward to reading a novel by Finn!

Jason