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Review of Peaflower

Cover of Peaflower

Peaflower by Jessica Tanner is one of the novellas in a series of retellings of fairy tales. This time, it’s The Princess and the Pea, or is it? This offering not only retells The Princess and the Pea in a new and refreshing way, but incorporates other fairy tales into its narrative.

Princess Marion Thornhill is on her way to seek help for her kingdom. Her land, Brecker, is being invaded by another kingdom. She is betrothed to a prince in a neighboring realm and hopes to use her influence to have them ally with Brecker. Right from the start, Marion’s efforts are thwarted, and she’s left to fend for herself in the middle of a forest. Fortunately for Marion, she’s not entirely alone as she has a friendly rat named Cleevey McCleverson who is willing to help. Prince Rupert Erlandson, the brother prince to Marion’s betrothed, comes to Marion’s rescue and takes her back to his summer castle. With a daunting prince and a kind princess united, who could stand against them? Events aren’t happily-ever-after yet for Rupert is cursed and Marion is nearly blind. How will they save Becker?

While Peaflower is a novella, it packs in enough plot for a full-length novel. I appreciated the short chapters that simultaneously advances the story along and switches point-of-view. Humor, romance, adversity, all the elements of a good fairy tale are here. And as I hinted at the beginning, the story has elements of other fairytales. I counted at least three others, but there may be more.

Each chapter shifts between one of three narrators: Marion, Cleevey, or Rupert. Rather than distracting, the change-up provides a different take on the narrative. Marion may seem too traditional for this day and age, but her sight disability renders her reliant on others. Rupert has a curse that keeps him from acting on instincts. And Cleevey has both size and language challenges that prevent him from connecting the two lovers. The tale twists and turns in unexpected ways, incorporating other fantasy themes. While The Princess and The Pea plays only a small part in the plot, Peaflower tells its own story of a grand new adventure.

A worthy addition to your collection, Peaflower is for all readers who love a wonderful, clean retelling of a fairy tale. Such a delight to read, I’ll be looking at the others in the Garden series.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQXHRPQR

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Review of The Edge of a Knife

Cover of The Edge of a Knife

In the introduction to Beka Gremikova’s The Edge of a Knife  and other Stories, the author states the stories presented within this collection are more on the darker side. They also reflect the triumph one has after walking on the edge of a knife. With this in mind, I gave each story a “sharpness” rating. This is different from “edgy” or “dark.” Knives hurt, so the rating is based on the question “does the story leave a slicing impression, or did it slide off like a butter knife?” I also rated it on my preference for the story. Keep in mind that I may have really enjoyed an offering, but it also must be “cutting,” the promise of the anthology.

All speculative genres are represented across the nine stories. Some are lengthy, shorter novellas than short stories. I enjoyed all the stories, on a scale from 1 – 10, all stories received a 6 or higher on the “enjoyment” scale. Six received an 8 or better. That’s an unusually strong set.

But there’s also the sharpness to consider!

My top four starts with the title story, “The Edge of a Knife.” This story explores a sea creature’s world with rules that expand upon what you may know. A retelling of a famous fairy tale, it takes a much darker turn than the original (and the original isn’t all sunshine and flowers either). The story exemplifies one of the purest forms of love—namely, sacrifice—and just how far a family will go to allow a loved one to heal and flourish.

The next highest is “Once Upon a Pumpkin,” the final tale of the collection. For this one, the darkness is not as sharp as the other three, but the story is so cleverly conceived that it makes the pages fly. I refuse to give the plot away except to say it starts with a couple waiting to catch two pumpkin thieves. From there, Gremikova flushes out three characters, their motivations, and their struggles. Meanwhile, the reader delights in seeing familiar tropes in new ways. This is a real gem.

“Golden Child” is the next story. Again, a familiar tale is cast into a unique setting and leads to an ending that classic tragedies would love. What happens when a ruler who can make gold through his touch meets an enemy whose touch turns to silver? The story is grippingly crafted and ends like a knife to the gut. Fitting for this anthology.

My favorite story is “Every Bone in the Body.” A retelling of a famous play, it follows that play’s plot closely. Yet, using science fiction and examining motives of how people think today twists it to give it a fresh take. The moral of this story proves we, as a society, haven’t come very far. This story is like watching a tragedy unfold and you, the reader, have nothing you can do to stop it. A treasure and highlight of the collection.

Again, I enjoyed the other five, but chose four for this review. You may find shapeshifting foxes (and a character as clever as one) or haunted spaceships more to your liking. I’m sure, though, you will enjoy all tales included within, and I look forward to another collection by this author.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ6Y6XFT

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Review The Sun Down Motel

Cover The Sun Down Motel

Simone St. James’ novel of murdered girls and cheap motels, The Sun Down Motel, is both a crime and a speculative thriller, similar to The Lovely Bones. The book is told from two perspectives across two time periods. In 1982, Vivian Delaney, or Viv, leaves home to make it big in New York City. She ends up in Fell, New York at the Sun Down Motel, a dive on the edge of town. Running low on money, she accepts a job as a night clerk and disappears in three months. Meanwhile, in 2017, Viv’s niece Carly Kirk, fascinated by Viv’s vanishing act, decides to travel to Fell to investigate Viv’s disappearance. Because other women were murdered in Fell, Carly assumes her aunt is dead. The town hardly looked into Viv’s case, so Carly is on a mission to solve it once and for all. Ironically, she decides to follow in her aunt’s footsteps and take a position at The Sun Down Motel as the night clerk.

This summary barely scratches the surface of what happens to Viv and Carly at the hotel and the vast, supporting characters included in their adventures. This book came as a recommendation of thrillers with unique settings, and the same article promised that the Sun Down was a captivating place to read about. The article was right. Author St. James’ scenes at the motel are effective, creepy, and the highlight of the book. The Sun Down sets apart this book from the standard investigating-a-crime or investigating-the-missing storyline.

Other narrative choices that work for The Sun Down Motel are the Viv chapters are written in third person while Cary is first person. This cues the reader to keep the narrative threads apart. Subplots abound, some are important and others, less so (similar to Hitchcock’s Rear Window.) Both Viv and Carly share a restlessness about their future, avoiding a traditional and safe path to success. Carly, however, has more of a goal in mind—in particular, solving Viv’s murder.

The Sun Down is an eerie place, and scenes in the dead of night really come alive on the page. Furthermore, some of the best scenes happen early in the novel. This is a great read for a dark night in autumn, when the novel is set. With two narratives, the reader is treated to two climaxes. This could have been a double treat, but Carly’s moment is circumvented and seems forced. In fact, after reading the end, one has to wonder if this was originally only Viv’s story and St. James added Carly later. The Viv ending is spectacular whereas Carly’s ending with its resolution of a flat antagonist off-page doesn’t provide the same kick.

Overall, Carly’s ending is a minor point. The rest of the novel sparks with thriller energy and an “I’m onto you” vibe. Go ahead and check into the The Sun Down Motel. They’ll leave a light on for you…for a while.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1K42R2

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Recommendation of Once Bitten

Once Bitten is an anthology centering on the character of Dracula. Full disclosure that I was included in this anthology, so this is more of a reflection on the other stories than a typical review.

The editors challenged the authors to be creative when writing their short stories. No retellings of Dracula, no same-old vampire tropes, no fan fiction of copyrighted material. The response was amazing. Nearly every speculative fiction genre was covered in addition to horror: science-fiction, western, historical, comedy, action-thriller, and fantasy. Dracula / vampires could be good or bad, living now or some other time, a humorous victim or a dispenser of terror. The settings vary from North America to a different planet.

Are you seeking romance and less horror? “Love Sucks” will do the trick. Or a twisty tale of a vampire coming back to life? “Fit to Kill” will scratch that itch. For those who like to read about vampires but less about the gore that accompanies them, try “The Pale New Kid” and “Children of the Night, Singing Sweetly.” Perhaps you like action. You’ll find it in old boarding schools (“Secrets in the Shadows”) or out of this galaxy (“Eyes Full of Stars”). You may be in the mood for the misadventures of a bloodsucker in “There Goes the Neighborhood,” laughing at the vampire’s expense. The last four stories fit more squarely in the horror genre. “Blood on the Throne” is historical horror fiction centering on the rise of Dracula along with another powerful figure in the past. “Screeched” continues the strange occurrences in Sardis County as well as deepening the relationship between two of its residents. “Substitutions,” with its unique voice, is truly frightening as the reader is ahead of the characters, watching the results without being able to warn them. And “Moonmist Eve,” builds an eerie world of human slaves to vicious vampires, bordering (but not crossing into) the territory of grimdark.

Once Bitten has something for every vampire lover whether you favor Dracula, Barnaby, Edward, or Grandpa Munster.

Note: The graphic below was created by Jessica Tanner. The sentence is the first line of my offering.

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Thrillers that deserve a film

Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 isn’t getting great reviews, unfortunately. The book has been highly recommended to me, so I won’t be watching until I read it. The Ware adaption makes me pause, however, I still have recommendations to the streaming services to produce other thrillers. Quite frankly, those of us reading Mystery, Suspense, and Horror know that the movie industry is missing the boat with some gems. The following is my list.

The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

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One-sentence Plot (almost impossible to summarize in one sentence): A man has multiple attempts to solve a murder before he is “reset” to the start of the day. I’m floored Hollywood hasn’t made a movie about this yet. Mysterious mansion, impossible murder, and time loops. This is a modern classic. How? Why?

The Three Coffins by John Dickson Carr

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One-sentence Plot: A professor greets a man entering his room, locks the door, and is murdered, but no murderer is found when the door is opened. And that is the first of two impossible murders that occur in this novel. From modern to golden age classic. All the Agatha Christie movies, and no love for John Dickson Carr (who Dame Christie praised). If you’re unfamiliar, he was an American who wrote during Agatha Christie’s period. This is his “Orient Express.”

One by One by Ruth Ware

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One-sentence Plot: A company takes a sabbatical in a ski lodge where somone starts killing them. Perhaps Hollywood chose the wrong Ware movie to adapt? The creepy vibe of And Then There were None meets the modern age with a thrilling climax.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

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One-sentence Plot: A woman makes arrangements for her funeral and is found murdered that very day. They make so many Anthony Horowitz adaptions, why the first of this fantastic series where Anthony himself is a main character. Think “Scream” but as a mystery. The meta along with a solid whodunnit.

A Night in Lonesome October by Roger Zelzany

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One-sentence Plot: Told from the POV of a dog, a man and many other famous characters are after a “treasure” in the month of October. More of a horror comedy, I suppose, but on everyone’s top ten list. It has mystery elements. Could be a Halloween classic if done right.

I would buy access to the streaming service if any one of these were made.

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Review Lover’s Leap

Cover of Lover’s Leap

This debut novel by Rikki Goodwin features few characters, an atmospheric setting, and enough haunted house techniques to rattle a ouija board. Hazel and her boyfriend Dimitri are invited for a weekend to a bed and breakfast by their friends Finn and Lucy. Finn and Lucy are checking out the cheap B&B to determine if they want to buy it, and Finn wants to employ Hazel and Dimitri to help run it. The weekend is a perfect opportunity to break free of their jobs and their routine, until they arrive and meet the owners.

The owners are expecting one couple, not two, and Hazel and Dimitri’s presence appears to annoy them. Soon, all is forgiven and the foursome are allowed to spend the weekend in the mammoth lodge themselves. The B&B is rumored to be haunted. Never mind what is lurking in mirrors, or mysterious doors in dark hallways. As the unnatural occurrences become more visible and alarming, the Hazel and her friends must contend with giving up their dream future or becoming haunted forever.

Lovers’ Leap starts with a gripping opening chapter. The narrative follows the tangled pasts of Hazel and Finn, once lovers, before they split and became friends. As the unsettling events increase in the house, the couples turn to each other. Will their relationships and friendships survive? Or will the house consume them all?

The creepiness factor is dialed up in this delightful novel. While this is her first book, Rikki Goodwin writes like an author who has plenty of experience keeping readers awake at night. Her characters have murky motivations and pasts, and the backstory adds a nice ectoplasmic layer to the haunting tale. Ghost story aficionados will revel in the spectral scenes, and those who want a bit more than ghosts will be in for a treat as well. Though the third act becomes heavy in exposition, the climax powers through to a satisfying ending and epilogue.

Haunts of tortured souls and tortured memories abound in Lovers’ Leap. Do yourself a favor and check into a B&B yourself with this book under your arm.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ9MXGDD

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Review of The October Society Season 3

Cover The October Society 3

The October Society concludes in this trilogy of spooky campfire tales (are there any other kinds of spooky tales?) told by mysterious children. All the books in this series are styled after a television show, complete with commercial interruptions. Each child tells a scary story to the others. In the first two, the purpose behind this October gathering was kept from the reader. Instead, the reader is treated to criticisms and observations about the tellers. All is revealed in this, the last entry of the trilogy.

The first book received high marks from me, mostly due to the stories and the intertwining vignettes with the children. This all came together in a true eerie fashion. The second offering suffered the fate of most “middles.” The stories weren’t as inspired this time around, and what was happening to the children—their leader goes missing—was the best part of the collection. Unfortunately, it’s only a small portion of the book, and worse, it ends on a cliffhanger. Onward to book three.

Book three starts where book two ends, resolving the cliffhanger but not answering all its questions. The stories and interstitials guide the narrative to slowly unveil what is happening to the October Society. The scenes between the stories are, as in the second book, more intriguing than the stories the children tell. Again, the stories the children tell are a large portion of the book; therefore, they must be fascinating, no matter how interesting the main narrative.

The stories are improved in this go-around. The originals in the first book were best, but some thrillers are presented in this third go-around. “The Boardwalk Banshee,” “Their Hungry Stare,” and “The Boy that Dared the Dark” are the highlights, for certain. Ironically, one segment is the start of a scary tale told by the most unlikely member of all. This brief, unfinished vignette was perhaps my favorite of the book.

October Society 3 focuses more on origins, characters, and our fascination with the dark and the light. True to movie form, the book brings everything to a cinematic conclusion. Less horror, more thrilling, but engaging nevertheless. Christopher Robertson has landed the plane successfully, and deserves the cheers from his passengers.

Overall, the book is recommended. As for the series, read one or all three, don’t stop at October Society Two. Even if, like me, you aren’t thrilled with the middle offering, consider it a part one to the third book.

The trilogy is more of a Halloween treat than a trick.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH6N2W35

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Review of Cage the Wolf

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Stefanie Gilmour’s Cage the Wolf is the second in the Alex Steward series of a young woman dealing with the duality of lycanthropy. In this world, the transformation isn’t automatic or strictly based on a moon phase. The afflicted person has some measure of control, even more with practice. Alex is early in the process of unifying with her inner wolf at the start of the novel.

After vanquishing a sinister league in the Midwestern town of Hopewell, Alex is getting along with her new werewolf pack as well as her witch and human friends. She has a new boyfriend, so life is looking up. Yet, she still has reservations about a secret governing body (called The Council) aware of the witches and werewolves in the town. They are charged with keeping the supernatural creatures hidden.

The second offering in this series starts with a new human member joining the Council’s normies (humans) and supernaturals (werewolves and witches). This newbie wants to invite a werewolf hunter into town after the lycanthropic pack is unfairly accused of crimes. Alex must prove the hunter is a murderer to sway the Council’s vote. All the while, she must keep her nature secret from her best normie friend, Anne. Hiding the truth from Anne is hard considering they’re investigating the same murder for different reasons.

Cage the Wolf hits the right notes for a second book in a sequence. The plot progresses story lines started in the first book, and a new threat keeps the reader’s interest and investment in the characters. The werewolf pack trusts her with missions now that Alex is more in control of her nature. Alex is more purposeful and confident in this offering.

In the last book, best friend Emma played a major role in the plot. She plays a far lesser role than Alex’s other friend, Anne, who is getting close to her secrets. Certainly, Alex is hanging around Trish and Nate (her werewolf pack) more, much to Anne’s chagrin. And then there’s Ben, the boyfriend. The relationship becomes complicated when Ben’s sister Joan arrives. Joan upsets the equilibrium of the already complicated girlfriend/boyfriend dynamic. Joan’s presence also reveals insights into Ben’s past. In addition to the familiar characters from the prior book, the reader meets other supernaturals—a definite highlight.

Cage the Wolf continues more werewolf adventures for Alex and her friends. The book is both a second in a series and a superior standalone novel. The reader is treated to suspenseful action, mysterious pasts, and an expanding world. Cage the Wolf is another standout novel in this superior urban fantasy series.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQF9VB5D

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Review of Legend Has It

Cover of Legend Has It

We’ve all heard the legends of the extreme-horror ten-level house, if you make it to the end, you’ll receive a cash bonus. When we look for such a house, we find it’s an urban legend. Legend Has It by D. J. Slater is a horror novel that explores the age-old question of what if the legend was real.

Seth McCartney and his best friend Peyton Fischer have explored haunted houses for years. They started in grade school and now are in their early twenties. Seth feels let down when Peyton admits that he’s outgrown the thrill of their October ritual. Seth’s loath to walk away from his past. A short time later, Seth and Peyton learn their friend Marcus has found an extreme haunted house in the Wisconsin wilderness. They recruit three more friends—Dante, Angie, and Jessica to accompany them for one final thrill. They arrive at an abandoned, haunted house with no one else around. The attractions greeter appears suddenly, accepts no money, and warns them they won’t survive. He leads them to the back entrance, and they descend four levels to a horrifying, and deadly, experience.

Legend Has It has an intriguing hook as this local legend had persisted for decades. Movies like Hell House LLC and Haunt riff on the same theme. This novel has a meta-moment before they enter where the six visitors discuss what makes for a frightening experience. Seth proposes a slow build up, disarming the audience when the thrills come. This novel follows that blueprint.

It takes a few chapters but then it becomes clear to the group that their lives are in danger, and the panic sets in. The “house” increases its punishments as the six proceed upward. Author Slater uses many haunted attraction tricks but then twists them toward a deadlier outcome. The house not only has savage denizens, but murderous traps as well.

The highlight of Legend Has It includes the creative themes of each level. Again, the settings rely on horror tropes of a darkened hallway with chains, stone passageway, or a rundown hotel interior. What is unique is how they twist to become an element of horror. Curved mirrors, two-image pictures, exhibits behind glass transform into the reader’s nightmares. The scenes are effective and chilling.

The characters serve their purpose with Seth being the most fleshed-out. While they contain a typical cast—the horror aficionado,  the athlete, the love interest—they each have a moment where they show their mettle. As the novel progresses, the reader roots for them.

Superb setting descriptions, realistic dialog, and entertaining puzzles round off this exciting offering.  A few minor drawbacks include the choice of omniscient point-of-view, a handful of technical issues, and a misdirection that is used twice. However, the strength of the rest of the narrative overshadows any of these quibbles.

Legend Has It is for readers who love horror novels, creepy creations, and interesting traps. For fans of urban legends that come to life, especially haunted houses, it’s highly recommended.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH8R3BWX

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Follow the Rules, then Don’t

Nearly every new fiction writer has a writing hook, something about the way they tell this story that will draw the reader in. In this blog, instead of focusing on plot or characters, let’s examine the way the words unravel to the reader. Some of these writing styles are creatively designed and were part of the original conception of the manuscript. The author believes the world is going to be agog when they read their work.

Writing advice

And then, the author reads about common writing mistakes and finds their wonderfully conceived idea on the list. Perhaps it’s the use of multiple first-person point-of-views, a non-linear narrative, a prologue/epilogue, and the list goes on. The gut reaction is that your story is different, your style doesn’t need to adhere to these rules. Who are these so-called experts to tell you about rules? You are an artist.

The sad truth is, if you’re starting off, you should follow the rules. This may mean a rewrite, unfortunately, and (what you first perceive as) a dimming of the initial story’s spark. For the sake of your story, you should at least give following writing guidelines consideration. Spend some time with the advice, write a few chapters without your gimmick. See what unfolds.

But why? If you are learning the craft, you must become proficient in it before taking on an unconventional style. The rules aren’t there to limit you; they exist to guide you. An agent or publisher is interested in your style, especially if you use the rules to better your plot, characters, or themes. Your writing style is the selling point. Too often, an unconventional choice will distract your agent, publisher, or reader and leave them rejecting your work.

“But,” you say, “I know of many stories with these ‘writing mistakes,’ and they are successful.” True, but do you think this was the author’s first attempt? I’ll admit in rare cases, they work. Stuart Turton’s Evelyn Hardcastle comes to mind. However, most authors have a series of published credentials before they try a writing maneuver that flaunts the rules. For example, both authors of This is How you Lose the Time War, an epistolary novel, have many novels to their credit. The novel’s unique style wasn’t their first rodeo.

If the story cannot be written in a conventional way, then go for it. It’s always better to write the story than not. But, be conscientious that you’re at a disadvantage from the start. Make the decision purposefully, not as a reaction.

After you gain experience and skill, play with the rules if you want. A novel that flaunts the rules is usually a delightful read.