My review of THE PLASM, by William Meikle. A really great story which is both creepy and fun! Recommended reading...

Excellent cover art by Wayne Miller

I finished reading William Meikle's The Plasm last night, and whoo boy! What a fun ride! Mind you, my idea of fun can sometimes be a bit odd. That said, this piece of cosmic horror set in the depths of space hits on all cylinders. Which it should, as the author only has 128 pages to work with. Available from Dark Regions Press, this short release does not disappoint in any way. I can't say that I've read everything by the author, but what I have read has never failed to engage me and The Plasm continues this trend. This is a rather rousing tale of horror which could be effective in any era, but William chooses to set his latest story in the far future and it's absolutely ace! Let me get to the review, where I can explain why you must have this in your collection... First up, my synopsis.

At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Steve and Sam, who are both business partners and lovers. Steve is the level-headed workhorse of the two, while Sam is more prone to taking big risks and gambling that the rewards are worth it. These two opposites make a good team and manage to shore up each other's personal flaws. They are a team of spatial contractors, and handle everything from deep-space salvage to asteroid mining. Currently engaged in the latter endeavor, they complete their business and begin heading back to port. While in-transit their ship is rendered inoperative, and dead in the water (so to speak) they rush to pin-point what went wrong. Sam quickly fills her partner in on the bad news; their main drive has blown out, and they're stuck for the foreseeable future. Moreover, seconds before the main drive went out she had heard a proximity warning and the object has been identified as...

The starship Vordlak, which disappeared while on her maiden voyage! Sam is thinking only of the fortune and fame that they will get from finding the long lost ship, and she is blind to anything else. Steve isn't nearly as enthusiastic, and is worried more about the whole 'adrift in space' situation that they happen to be in. However, he ends up giving in to his partner and they begin to explore the Vordlak. The problem is that there isn't any evidence of what caused the ship to go missing, in fact, everything seems to be running normally. Except for the fact that there are no crew on board the Vordlak, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Until you add in that the ship is still fully powered, and that there really are a great many things missing. Such as the supplies needed for a long voyage; or the fact that the automated helpers that would be needed on a ship of this size are also mysteriously missing. After Sam pulls up the ship's logs, they begin to realize exactly what is powering the 'revolutionary' star drive of the Vordlak... and it's something that shouldn't exist in this universe.  It seems NASA (and the military group that funds them) have veered quite off the beaten path to 'discover' their new power source.

Meanwhile, on Mars, Corporal Jake Royle is reporting for duty at his post. Said post being a highly classified military storage depot. Things begin on a bad note, when he is ordered to escort two 'suits' down into the catacombs. After they find the items they are looking for, they try to blow them up. Which turns out to be an extremely BAD idea... Instead they manage to unleash something from outside into our universe... Which Jake tries to run from, but in the end, there is no escaping the thing that is that has seeped into our reality. The two narratives eventually come together and the main question is, how will they all survive? All I can say is, 'Tekili Li!' Followed by 'Dhumna Ort!' Quoth the raven, 'You'll have to read the book.'

William Meikle always delivers an outstanding story, and The Plasm is no exception. The feeling of dread is palpable throughout this tale, and as the story moves along it becomes absolutely claustrophobic. Even after the characters discover the source of the otherworldly occurrences, they are given no respite. There is no apparent course of action to follow, no way to contain this incursion. To put it bluntly, they're screwed. Even when the shadowy forces that caused all of this step in, their efforts actually make everything worse. They are hemmed in on all sides, and no one is coming to save them... so they decide to do it themselves (along with one 'expert' on the matter who seems much braver, and smarter, than those who employ him).

William's writing flows from page to page seamlessly, and he handily executes the changes between the various narratives. As I read through, I was on edge and wondering what the endgame would be. I really couldn't put The Plasm down, and the pages just slipped by, one after another. I found myself identifying with the characters, and sharing in their frustrations and setbacks throughout. The way that the author melds so many different genres together is greatly appreciated. William rendered the story marvelously, with plenty of flair and a unique vision. The overall story was engaging, the characters were painted well, and the ending was a thing of beauty. This is an example of a highly professional storyteller and talented wordsmith, doing what he does. Which happens to be telling an extremely engaging story, and absolutely nailing it! I can imagine William as a traveling storyteller and bard, way back in history. Moving from campfire to common house, and on to the courts of kings. Always welcomed, always appreciated, always rewarded. What more can I say? Take a look at The Plasm, and enjoy! While you're at it, take a look at his stories in general. Believe me, you won't be disappointed...

Well then, I guess that's that, another great story that I had a lot of fun reading and reviewing. Here's the publisher's website. Stop by and take a look around. There are a lot of great stories waiting for you. Here's the Amazon page for the book. Lastly, here's the author's Amazon page. He's got a number of really great books available, so why don't you swing by and take a look around? I guess that's all from my end. As usual, have fun and happy reading!

My review of GHOST HEART, by Weston Ochse and Yvonne Navarro. An excellent entry in the YA genre, I really enjoyed this modern fantasy tale.

Striking cover art by Vincent Chong

There's a number of really good authors working in the YA (Young Adult) genre, and some great stories being told. Of course, YA is a rather sweeping tag, that encompasses a great number of different types of story; thriller, mystery, adventure, sci-fi, and others. The best stories share an ability to transcend the YA label, and have a universal appeal, easily enjoyed by both adults and younger readers. In my mind, Ghost Heart, by the husband and wife team of Weston Ochse and Yvonne Navarro, is one of those stories. Available from Dark Regions Press, this 167 page modern fantasy release was enjoyable from beginning to end, and I had a great deal of fun reading it. The story is extremely engaging, and once started, I had a hard time putting it down. This is my first encounter with both Weston and Yvonne's writing, but after reading such a high quality story, I'll be seeking out more entries from both authors. Here's a synopsis of this modern day fairy tale, and then I'll give you my thoughts on what I enjoyed about the release....





Matt Cady seems like a perfectly normal young man, at first glance. He lives in Rapid City, at the foot of the Black Hills mountain range, where things have always seemed exceedingly simple. He likes playing Cowboys and Indians with his dog Kubla (short for Kubla Khan, natch). He has two imaginary friends named Jacket and Raisin, and he loves his best friend Regina Running Deer, who's a bit older than him. And he, of definitely loves his Mother and Father most of all. Look a little closer, however, and you'll get a bit of a surprise. Jacket and Raisin (short for Raisin Cain, which had me smiling when I read the name) aren't imaginary at all, they're Guardian Spirits, invisible to all but their wards, and to other supernatural creatures. Jacket is still hale and hearty, but Raisin is getting a bit fuzzy around the edges. You see, Guardian Spirits only last as long as their ward believes in them, and Regina is Raisin's ward. Now that she is getting older, she has cast aside what she views as childish beliefs, and unfortunately for Raisin, he's one of those beliefs. Which is why he is slowly fading into away... Matt's belief in the old biker called Jacket is still strong, and thus Jacket is still strongly tied to the world, and Matt. He's quite unhappy to see his old friend Raisin fading, and knows that, inevitably, he will share the same fate in the near future. One of the main things that has led Regina to cast off her childhood memories is her parents recent divorce. Her father is moving away and she feels that he has forgotten about her, and moved on with his new life. Matt's parents have recently separated, and he is deathly afraid that the same thing will happen with his family. So when Regina decides to run away on her old army bike, Matt hatches a desperate plan. If he disappears with her, surely his mom and dad will join together in searching for him, and everything will go back to normal. Forcing his way into the adventure over Regina and Jacket's protests (by threatening to tell on Regina), they set off towards Sturgis, where Regina means to join up with her cousin, and travel the States, with her rock star cousin. After reaching their destination, the true adventure really begins. There are beings out in the world of the Black Hills that Matt has no inkling of, that he will soon encounter... such as trolls, witches, spirits, and something that is darker and more murderous than them all. Will Matt's plan succeed? Which of the group will make it to the end of the line? You'll have to read the story, as I'm keeping mum on the subject...




I have a great love of good fiction, regardless of genre, whether it's marketed towards younger readers or adults. Ghost Heart falls squarely into this category, and I'm giving you notice that this is a story that transcends into the realm of myth. It's the type of tale that people like you and me have been sharing since the beginning of time, through our artwork, through the oral tradition, and through the written word. This is a classic take on both the coming of age tale, and the hero's journey. Anyone that feels a little leery about picking this up, since you're an adult, and this has a YA label on it, stop. Really, please stop... There are a great many outstanding works waiting for you in this genre, if you can get past the label, and this is definitely one of them. Weston and Yvonne have really created something that will draw you in, and totally satisfy, if you just take that step, and start READING! They take a classic type of story, add their own personality and unique viewpoint to it, and you're left with a story that you'll come away from with a huge grin on your face... and possibly a tear or two. The story effortlessly carries you along the trail, and before you know it, you're done, and wondering where the time has gone... And wanting MORE. The writing flows along like a river, the characters are engaging, and the adventure itself is absolutely mighty... What more do you want? This comes with my highest recommendations, and anyone who loves a well told tale should seek this out, and get to reading. Enjoy the journey!


Here's the Dark Regions site. Here's the Amazon page for Ghost Heart. Here's Weston's site. Here's Yvonne's blog. Get out there, start exploring, and read something new! If you like a story, let the authors know, leave a review, and promote reading in general. With that, I'll sign off... Happy reading, all!

My review of Deep Like the River by Tim Waggoner. A surreal and enthralling novella...

Back in 2011, I came across Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner, thanks to the recommendations on my Amazon account. I read the synopsis, and since it sounded like something right down my alley, I picked it up. After finishing the novel (which I highly enjoyed, along with the other two entries in the series), Tim had a brand new fan. I've picked up a number of collections featuring short stories by him, but Deep Like the River (published by Dark Regions Press) is the first long form work (in this case, a novella) I've read by him since the Nekropolis series. This is also my first review on one of his works, and I must say that his latest release is a doozy. One of the things I've learned about Tim is that his writing style is not set in stone, he adapts from story to story, character to character. The only constant is the sheer quality of his tales. Deep Like the River is no exception to this rule, and I had quite a journey reading through it. In my opinion, he's outdone himself with this release. Poignant, surreal, and gripping, this is the type of story I absolutely live for. Now that I'm done gushing (for now), let's get to the review. First, a synopsis, like usual, and then my thoughts on this really great story. Read on, if you will...




In Deep Like the River, we are introduced to two sisters, Alie and Carin. Alie has recently lost her baby girl, and her husband has left her after the tragedy. On what would have been her daughter's first birthday, Alie's older sister Carin has organized a canoeing trip, hoping to take Alie's mind off the tragedy. The day is interrupted when they find an abandoned baby girl, left on the river's shore. The parents are nowhere to be found, and the two sisters decide to take her with them to safety. Alie dubs the baby Trouble (after the heading on her Onesie, which reads "Here Comes Trouble!"), and they move on down the river. The little girl's new moniker seems to be prophetic, as the ensuing journey becomes more and more dangerous. The two sisters are left to question the very reality of the situation, and if Trouble is at all what she seems to be. As their journey becomes more surreal by the minute, the reader is left to wonder whether any of them will get out alive...




Deep Like the River is a rather brilliant story. Alie and Carin's tragic history is emotionally gripping, and creates a bond between the characters and the reader that is unshakable throughout. Alie's deep attachment to Trouble is clearly evident, and in the end, there is quite a good reason (beyond the obvious one) for this. Even after discovering what actually happened to her daughter, all I felt was sadness and compassion. When it comes down to it, the story is about second chances and redemption. Carin's love and compassion for her sister is also a huge element in the plot. Basically all they ever had as children were each other, and it was because of one another that they managed to survive their childhood abuse. As I've said above, the story has a distinct dreamlike feel to it, and is very surreal. There are no outright answers given to whether this is really happening, or for that matter, on what plane of existence it's taking place. Tim leaves all of this up to interpretation, so there will be many different views on what is actually taking place. All I can add to this, is that many of the threats to the trio are fears that are drawn from their own minds, so take that as you will. When you finally see the main architect (or is he/it?) behind their troubles, you probably be saying a mental "AHA!" to yourself. Many questions still remain after the ending, however, and I appreciate this greatly. I'll be thinking about the details of this story for a long time to come, and will no doubt revisit it multiple times to see if I can glean some kind of new insight that I had previously missed... In closing, I have to say that this subtle, unique horror novella is one of the best of the genre that I have read in recent memory. Tim is overflowing with talent, and has many different sights to show you. You should really take a look at what he has to offer, you wont be disappointed...


Here's a link to the publisher's site. They've got a lot of great authors working with them, so take a look around. Here's Tim's Amazon page. Lastly, here's Tim's home page, where you can catch up with what he's been up to. Happy reading, and exploring my friends!

Review of Ramsey Campbell's HOLES FOR FACES.

Well, I've been a bit under the weather, which is why I haven't posted anything lately. I have been reading though, and I'm feeling a bit better, so here's a review of Ramsey Campbell's Holes For Faces. For those of you not familiar with Mr. Campbell's work, he is one of the grandmasters of horror fiction. With everything from classic horror stories to delving into the Cthulhu Mythos, his stories are walks through madness. This excellent collection presents a mix of previously published short stories and tales presented here for the first time. They deal with ordinary people in seemingly ordinary situations, that slowly become off-kilter. I'll be focusing on my three favorites, and with that, here's the review.



First off is "Peep", in which we find the unnamed protagonist watching his grandchildren play. Slowly he begins to realize that they are playing a game from far back in his past, that they have no business knowing of. When he asks who taught them the game, they simply reply "The old woman". Knowing that said old woman is long dead, he begins to question the reality around him. As his dread begins to build, odd sightings feed his growing fear. Are these just hallucinations? Is he going mad? Or has something come back, out of the past, to fulfill a promise made long ago? An excellent story, very much a slow burn. The protagonist, and the reader, question everything that is going on, and answers are lacking for all. The pressure steadily builds, and when the explosion comes, it is almost a relief. Masterful storytelling, to say the least.



Next up we have the titular story, "Holes For Faces". Charlie and his parents are on vacation in Naples. There is a sense of tension present from the beginning of the story, which is multiplied when the family visits the catacombs. There are hints in the conversation, directly preceding the trip, that point to something bad lurking in the wings. After witnessing the headless dead, down in the dark, and hearing a rather thoughtless comment, a seed is planted in Charlie's mind. From that point onward, he is aware of things lurking just out of sight, trying to get in. Is this just a case of paranoia, or is there something really trying to get at Charlie? No definite answer is given, and the reality of things are left up to the individual reader to decide for themselves. You are left with a real feeling for Charlie, and his one sided battle with things that no one else are able to see. An extremely haunting story.



Last up is "Chucky Comes to Liverpool", and yes, we are talking about the killer doll from the movies. Robbie is a fairly average teenage boy, who's mother spends most of her free time crusading against "Video Nasties". Here's a link with background if you've never heard of a "video nasty". This, of course, is how the character of Chucky comes into play. Robbie's mom is currently campaigning against the Child's Play movies, and Robbie becomes drawn to the movie. Add a friend who scores weed for himself and Robbie, and has access to the movie, and the ball starts rolling. Top that off with an urban legend that whoever watches the movie becomes a puppet of Chucky, (or, alternately brings him into our reality) and you have the beginning of another good story. Once the boys watch the video, terrible things start to happen. Is Chucky on the prowl? Has one of the boys been taken over? Or, is it all a terrible coincidence? Once again we have an instance of a seed being planted. Did the idea of the urban legend create a self-fulfilling prophecy, or is there a darker presence manipulating events? Another topflight trip through madness.



Well, there it is. While these are my favorite stories, all included in this excellent collection are well worth reading. Most deal with the same theme of a rather dodgy reality, or at least the character's sense of such. The author leaves this, for the most part, up to the reader's interpretation. I'd just like to say that Ramsey Campbell is one of the main reasons why I became interested in horror, and why I still enjoy it. Holes For Faces is highly recommended, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here's a link to the publisher, Dark Regions Press. Pop over and take a gander. They've got a lot of good releases by top authors to be had. Here's the Amazon page for Holes For Faces. Finally, here's the wikipedia page for Ramsey, if you want to know more about him. Happy reading, all!

My review of Joe McKinney's "Crooked House".

Meet Robert Bell, a normal guy. He has a loving wife named Sarah, and a young step-daughter named Angela. Sure he's got problems, but he's dealing with them. He's a family man... Look a little deeper, and the chinks in his armor start to show. Drowning in bills; increasingly more erratic. An emotional outburst has gotten him fired from his teaching position, and still he tries to keep everything pent up inside. Imagine the pressure he must feel, and don't you think he might just need one last push, before it all comes boiling out? This is the man we are introduced to in Joe McKinney's "Crooked House", a man on the verge of breakdown, who is lying to himself about the state he is in. Robert is on the verge of going under, when an old mentor swoops in, offering not only a job teaching, but a house free and clear. Upon inspecting the property, Robert is definitely struck with a feeling of uneasiness, but allows himself to be won over by his friend. This is the lifeline he needed, after all, yes? Returning home in high spirits he is confused about his wife's negativity towards the situation. Then the two are hit with the news that Sarah's ex is trying to take away their daughter. All of these ups and downs and they haven't even moved into the house yet. Plus, there is the curious attitude that Sarah has to Robert's mentor, Thom Horner. By attitude I mean outright contempt. After moving in, and having ever increasing episodes of paranormal incidents, Robert begins to research the past history of Crook House, and of it's previous owner, James Crook. He gradually puts together the pieces of the horrid events that brought the Crook family low. Unfortunately, the past seems to be repeating itself, and Robert, Sarah, and Angela are caught in the middle. Will they manage to survive? I'm not telling, but here's my thoughts on the story. The fact that the author has the narrative switch from Robert to Sarah is a very good move. You get to compare their viewpoints and make up your own mind on the truth of things, and watch events fall apart. In my opinion, while the story is nominally about a haunted house setting, I think that the two big themes are about the pressures cast on everyday people, and about the past not remaining buried. Both Robert's and Sarah's past actions not only come back to haunt them, but also keep them stuck in the present situation that is pulling them apart. For that matter, past events and actions of the previous occupants of 'Crooked House' are what came to curse the property. Not to worry though, horror fans. There is plenty of scares in store for you with this read. The story is definitely a page turner, and the author's depiction of a family beset by forces mundane and supernatural rings true. I'd been curious about this book for awhile, and I'm glad I took the opportunity to read it. A very good release from Joe McKinney and Dark Regions Press.

Crooked House on Amazon      Dark Regions Press site