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Horror Novel

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Horror Fuel

Serial Box Presents Justin C. Key’s ‘Spider King’ Audiobook

In Spider King, Darnell is trying to focus on the future. He’s been in and out of jail before, and this time, he doesn’t want to waste a second of his freedom. Adjusting to life beyond the walls of his prison cell is full of aches and pains, such as making amends to his wife, Ashleigh; connecting with Kaylee, the daughter who barely remembers him; and getting a steady job that keeps their finances afloat. And then there are the scars forming all over Darnell’s body, ever since his release. Because Darnell did more than earn his freedom— he bargained for it, by agreeing to participate in an experimental injection that, unbeknownst to him, has caused mutant spiders to grow beneath the surface of his skin. They want their freedom, too. Terrified by his body’s transformation—and determined to keep it a secret— Darnell struggles to control the cluster of spiders. But when his daughter becomes exposed to the truth, Darnell will

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Feb 19, 2021
Horror Fuel

Antony J. Stanton’s ‘Once Bitten, Twice Die’ Is A Perfect Blend Of Horror Species – Book Review

Plot This had potential to be a very confusing and unconnected book. There is a lot going on with a lot of characters and a lot of back stories. However, author Antony J. Stanton has it so well organized, so well written that it all fits perfectly together in a plausible, entertaining and fictionally-realistic way. Even the way that vampires, zombies and humans are all intertwined makes sense within Stanton’s world. We have a bevy of apocalyptic stories, zombie stories, and vampire stories, but this one is a plot full of depth, action and exceptional gore. Characters There are a lot of characters in his book. Luckily, Stanton recognizes that and gives a great glossary of characters in the beginning of the novel. His section entitled The Players organizes everyone in a tangible way that really benefits the readers of his novel. Having mentioned the number of characters, it becomes even more impressive that they are all deep, full of

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 15, 2021
Horror Fuel

‘Crimes And Passion’ Is A Sexy Thriller That Will Keep You Guessing Until The Last Page – Book Review

Characters When I read the summary blurb about Crimes and Passion by Jeffrey S. Stephens I expected a Basic Instinct-type femme fatale (which isn’t a bad thing) but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Stephens characters are as unique as they are deep. They are well developed, realistic, and extremely dynamic. Detective Walker is a fantastic character who can be added to the long ancestry of fictional, determined, flawed detectives. Plot In depth, twisted, sexy, and keeps you guessing. There are red herrings all over the place and Stephens is in full control of our suspicions and emotions as we read. This is an exceptionally winding plot that has many stories all tied together by Stevens’ skill as an author. Personally, I don’t know how he not only kept everything straight, but presented it a way that makes sense to the reader, keeps everyone guessing, and increases the intrigue as the plot moves forward. Writing Keeps all the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 10, 2021
Horror Fuel

‘Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women’ Is A Book For Everyone

Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women is a perfectly mixed recipe of cultural expectations, racial stereotypes, gender roles, and their own versions of terror. The mix of everything in this collection of short stories almost creates a genre all to itself in the best of ways. First of all, the title…this title is not “Loud Women” or “Women Speaking Out.” Using the word “Unquiet” fully emphasizes the breaking from the norm that these authors and their stories show. I struggled with how to review this book, to be honest. It feel like it covers so many things and with so many different authors…whatever you are looking for in this book, you will find it. It is a beautiful collection of Asian women authors who have gathered their stories together to celebrate, critique, honor and share their cultures, trials and successes through mythology, traditions and horror. Editors Lee Murray (interviewed here) and Geneve Flynn have truly struck gold with this collection.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 8, 2021
Horror Fuel

Red Cape Publishing Release ‘The Vegas Rift’ by David F. Gray on Audible

Red Cape Publishing are proud to announce the release of The Vegas Rift by David F. Gray on Audible, narrated by Michael Brusasco. Blending science-fiction, fantasy, and cosmic horror, The Vegas Rift is a story of epic proportions. From David F. Gray, author of Gamble’s Run, comes The Vegas Rift – An epic blend of science fiction, fantasy, and cosmic horror. When Sam Carr becomes separated from his younger brother Doug during a trip to Las Vegas, he finds himself drawn into a world of unimaginable horrors. Through The Vegas Rift, Sam is taken to The Paradise, a sinister, Vegas-style hotel harboring dark secrets. Who is really running things behind the scenes? Will Sam reach Doug before it’s too late? Will they ever return to the world they left behind? Amazon Review – The Vegas Rift is my first exposure to David F Gray’s work and it will definitely not be my last. This superb blend of sci-fi, fantasy and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 6, 2021
Horror Fuel

Paul C. Williams Creates A Dark World Worth Exploring in ‘The Shadow Of Hades’ – Book Review

The Shadow of Hades by Paul C. Williams is a very interesting and dark book. Four stories, intertwined, but not in obvious ways (think Trick R’ Treat style story-weaving). Williams took on a huge challenge with this book and really showed his ability as a writer by creating a novel with such depth and strength. I love that he didn’t fall prey to having to have each page so action-packed that people mistake adrenaline for a good plot. The plot is exceptionally strong and draws the reader in if you’re willing to put in the work Williams demands (and deserves) as a reader. Characters The characters in this book are deep and diverse. I felt very attached emotionally to the majority of them and with the style of Williams’ writing, there was time and space to really learn about the character…but also wanting more. I wanted more because I cared about their story, I cared about who they were and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Nov 18, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘Perish’ Is A Perfect Sequel: Book Review

If you read my review of L.C. Barlow’s Pivot, you know how much I loved the story of Jack Harper. Raised in a cult, destroyed the cult leader and the adventure had just started! I will try and avoid major spoilers from Pivot, but just in case, I do suggest you read the book before reading this review. Characters Jack is still the same person in this book, only with more depth. She finds herself in a world without the comfort of her familiar life. Although she knows the cult she left was evil and absolutely destructive to her, she finds herself lost I the real world and struggling to know what to do. I was extremely happy that Barlow wrote Jack with this struggle in Perish because, regardless of the horrors of her life before, it was still the life she know and change, especially drastic change is always a challenge. She still finds herself tied to Cyrus and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 1, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘Seeds Of The Dead’ Is A Gory Ride Of Horror And Action: Book Review

Seeds of the Dead, the novel by Andy Kumpon and Gary Malick is an absolutely entertaining ride into horror, gore and everything we love about horror. With chemically-created, slime-spewing zombies running around gorging themselves on human flesh and an evil corporation as the puppet master, this is a story that has no down time. It is a wonderful, in-your-face novel that you won’t be able to put down. Characters One of the things I loved in Kumpon and Malick’s novel is the diversity of characters. Characters of different ideologies, ages, experiences, and depth were all represented equally well. Yes, there were main characters who had bigger roles, but there were no characters who were written weakly or with less care, regardless of how big of a role they played. Each character felt like they could be a real person with a whole lifetime of experiences behind them. The non-human characters I this book were just as impressive. The zombies were

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 29, 2020
Horror Fuel

L.C. Barlow’s ‘Pivot’ Is A Must Read! (Book Review)

Jack Harper, the girl raised in a cult, the assassin, the hero, the miracle worker, the drug addict…she is introduced to the world by L.C. Barlow in the novel Pivot. I very specifically say that she was “introduced to the world” and not “she was created” because I was absolutely drawn to this character..as a human. Her emotions were real and desperate. Her growth and changes and development were real and believable. I will get to the specifics of the book next, but to have the depth and power of this book in only 224 pages is remarkable. Characters The characters in this book is where it really shines. Not that it is lacking in other areas, but the characters are a standout for me. Cyrus, the cult leader, is as villainous and evil as any character I have come across. But more than that, he is believable! This chameleon of a man manipulates those around him with such ease

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 19, 2020

More from Horror Novel

Horror Fuel

Serial Box Presents Justin C. Key’s ‘Spider King’ Audiobook

In Spider King, Darnell is trying to focus on the future. He’s been in and out of jail before, and this time, he doesn’t want to waste a second of his freedom. Adjusting to life beyond the walls of his prison cell is full of aches and pains, such as making amends to his wife, Ashleigh; connecting with Kaylee, the daughter who barely remembers him; and getting a steady job that keeps their finances afloat. And then there are the scars forming all over Darnell’s body, ever since his release. Because Darnell did more than earn his freedom— he bargained for it, by agreeing to participate in an experimental injection that, unbeknownst to him, has caused mutant spiders to grow beneath the surface of his skin. They want their freedom, too. Terrified by his body’s transformation—and determined to keep it a secret— Darnell struggles to control the cluster of spiders. But when his daughter becomes exposed to the truth, Darnell will

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Feb 19, 2021
Horror Fuel

Antony J. Stanton’s ‘Once Bitten, Twice Die’ Is A Perfect Blend Of Horror Species – Book Review

Plot This had potential to be a very confusing and unconnected book. There is a lot going on with a lot of characters and a lot of back stories. However, author Antony J. Stanton has it so well organized, so well written that it all fits perfectly together in a plausible, entertaining and fictionally-realistic way. Even the way that vampires, zombies and humans are all intertwined makes sense within Stanton’s world. We have a bevy of apocalyptic stories, zombie stories, and vampire stories, but this one is a plot full of depth, action and exceptional gore. Characters There are a lot of characters in his book. Luckily, Stanton recognizes that and gives a great glossary of characters in the beginning of the novel. His section entitled The Players organizes everyone in a tangible way that really benefits the readers of his novel. Having mentioned the number of characters, it becomes even more impressive that they are all deep, full of

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 15, 2021
Horror Fuel

‘Crimes And Passion’ Is A Sexy Thriller That Will Keep You Guessing Until The Last Page – Book Review

Characters When I read the summary blurb about Crimes and Passion by Jeffrey S. Stephens I expected a Basic Instinct-type femme fatale (which isn’t a bad thing) but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Stephens characters are as unique as they are deep. They are well developed, realistic, and extremely dynamic. Detective Walker is a fantastic character who can be added to the long ancestry of fictional, determined, flawed detectives. Plot In depth, twisted, sexy, and keeps you guessing. There are red herrings all over the place and Stephens is in full control of our suspicions and emotions as we read. This is an exceptionally winding plot that has many stories all tied together by Stevens’ skill as an author. Personally, I don’t know how he not only kept everything straight, but presented it a way that makes sense to the reader, keeps everyone guessing, and increases the intrigue as the plot moves forward. Writing Keeps all the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 10, 2021
Horror Fuel

‘Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women’ Is A Book For Everyone

Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women is a perfectly mixed recipe of cultural expectations, racial stereotypes, gender roles, and their own versions of terror. The mix of everything in this collection of short stories almost creates a genre all to itself in the best of ways. First of all, the title…this title is not “Loud Women” or “Women Speaking Out.” Using the word “Unquiet” fully emphasizes the breaking from the norm that these authors and their stories show. I struggled with how to review this book, to be honest. It feel like it covers so many things and with so many different authors…whatever you are looking for in this book, you will find it. It is a beautiful collection of Asian women authors who have gathered their stories together to celebrate, critique, honor and share their cultures, trials and successes through mythology, traditions and horror. Editors Lee Murray (interviewed here) and Geneve Flynn have truly struck gold with this collection.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 8, 2021
Horror Fuel

Red Cape Publishing Release ‘The Vegas Rift’ by David F. Gray on Audible

Red Cape Publishing are proud to announce the release of The Vegas Rift by David F. Gray on Audible, narrated by Michael Brusasco. Blending science-fiction, fantasy, and cosmic horror, The Vegas Rift is a story of epic proportions. From David F. Gray, author of Gamble’s Run, comes The Vegas Rift – An epic blend of science fiction, fantasy, and cosmic horror. When Sam Carr becomes separated from his younger brother Doug during a trip to Las Vegas, he finds himself drawn into a world of unimaginable horrors. Through The Vegas Rift, Sam is taken to The Paradise, a sinister, Vegas-style hotel harboring dark secrets. Who is really running things behind the scenes? Will Sam reach Doug before it’s too late? Will they ever return to the world they left behind? Amazon Review – The Vegas Rift is my first exposure to David F Gray’s work and it will definitely not be my last. This superb blend of sci-fi, fantasy and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 6, 2021
Horror Fuel

Paul C. Williams Creates A Dark World Worth Exploring in ‘The Shadow Of Hades’ – Book Review

The Shadow of Hades by Paul C. Williams is a very interesting and dark book. Four stories, intertwined, but not in obvious ways (think Trick R’ Treat style story-weaving). Williams took on a huge challenge with this book and really showed his ability as a writer by creating a novel with such depth and strength. I love that he didn’t fall prey to having to have each page so action-packed that people mistake adrenaline for a good plot. The plot is exceptionally strong and draws the reader in if you’re willing to put in the work Williams demands (and deserves) as a reader. Characters The characters in this book are deep and diverse. I felt very attached emotionally to the majority of them and with the style of Williams’ writing, there was time and space to really learn about the character…but also wanting more. I wanted more because I cared about their story, I cared about who they were and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Nov 18, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘Perish’ Is A Perfect Sequel: Book Review

If you read my review of L.C. Barlow’s Pivot, you know how much I loved the story of Jack Harper. Raised in a cult, destroyed the cult leader and the adventure had just started! I will try and avoid major spoilers from Pivot, but just in case, I do suggest you read the book before reading this review. Characters Jack is still the same person in this book, only with more depth. She finds herself in a world without the comfort of her familiar life. Although she knows the cult she left was evil and absolutely destructive to her, she finds herself lost I the real world and struggling to know what to do. I was extremely happy that Barlow wrote Jack with this struggle in Perish because, regardless of the horrors of her life before, it was still the life she know and change, especially drastic change is always a challenge. She still finds herself tied to Cyrus and

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 1, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘Seeds Of The Dead’ Is A Gory Ride Of Horror And Action: Book Review

Seeds of the Dead, the novel by Andy Kumpon and Gary Malick is an absolutely entertaining ride into horror, gore and everything we love about horror. With chemically-created, slime-spewing zombies running around gorging themselves on human flesh and an evil corporation as the puppet master, this is a story that has no down time. It is a wonderful, in-your-face novel that you won’t be able to put down. Characters One of the things I loved in Kumpon and Malick’s novel is the diversity of characters. Characters of different ideologies, ages, experiences, and depth were all represented equally well. Yes, there were main characters who had bigger roles, but there were no characters who were written weakly or with less care, regardless of how big of a role they played. Each character felt like they could be a real person with a whole lifetime of experiences behind them. The non-human characters I this book were just as impressive. The zombies were

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 29, 2020
Horror Fuel

L.C. Barlow’s ‘Pivot’ Is A Must Read! (Book Review)

Jack Harper, the girl raised in a cult, the assassin, the hero, the miracle worker, the drug addict…she is introduced to the world by L.C. Barlow in the novel Pivot. I very specifically say that she was “introduced to the world” and not “she was created” because I was absolutely drawn to this character..as a human. Her emotions were real and desperate. Her growth and changes and development were real and believable. I will get to the specifics of the book next, but to have the depth and power of this book in only 224 pages is remarkable. Characters The characters in this book is where it really shines. Not that it is lacking in other areas, but the characters are a standout for me. Cyrus, the cult leader, is as villainous and evil as any character I have come across. But more than that, he is believable! This chameleon of a man manipulates those around him with such ease

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 19, 2020
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