To Build a Fire by Jack London

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Frightening.

You wouldn’t expect a short story thriller about man versus nature to be scary, yet Jack London implemented the fear factor perfectly. I’m impressed with the vivid descriptions and imagery that Jack London could show in this tale. It felt like I was in the Yukon with the man and wolf-dog. Expertly written and memorable. I feel inspired!

I highly recommend To Build a Fire and would re-read it. My reading engagement was high throughout the story, and I’m shocked I didn’t read this sooner. The foreshadowing is superb. I am interested in reading more novels by Jack London.

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Shadows and Whispers by Michael Jess Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This collection is excellent.

A Forest Haunt:

It is a unique story about a man who wishes to live a secluded life but is bombarded with unfortunate circumstances and paranoia. The ending is wild, but it makes sense after thinking about it. 5 stars.

Famished:

I like the name of this story, and it fits the overall theme. My reading engagement was high throughout it, and the ending made me think. 5 stars.

Illusive:

This is another interesting short story about the unexpected occurring and what an opportunist does for freedom. A creature feature. 4 stars.

A Slave to Love:

This is a unique spin on a horror short based on Valentine’s Day. It reminded me of the TV series Dexter. This horror tale hits hard, and the length is perfect. Michael Jess Alexander should make shorter tales like this one. 5 stars.

On the Edge of Oblivion:

Michael Jess Alexander switches it up by alternating POVs involving the supernatural, dark fantasy, and mystery. 4 stars.

Chiornamas = disability
Zatol = to bother
Chianudor = flatulent

Michael Jess Alexander is an expert at crafting horror shorts and flash fiction. In this order, my favorite tales were A Slave to Love, Famished, and A Forest Haunt. Another notable aspect of this collection that I admire is that it is a clean read. I wish other horror writers would do the same.

Please give me more seasonal horror shorts featuring Valentine’s Day and Christmas! 🙂

I received a free book copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.



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The Visitor by Sergio Gomez

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s better than I expected.

Pros:

1. The book cover is noticeable.
2. It’s novella-length.
3. It’s well written.
4. The cuss words are not overbearing.

Cons:

1. I won’t re-read this.

I don’t understand nor agree with the bad ratings.

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Little Red: The Third Story in the Happily Ever After Series by K.G. Sander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a remake of a classic.

Pros:

1. The book cover is fantastic.
2. The storyline is original and spectacular.
3. My reading engagement was high throughout this book.
4. I enjoyed the poems.
5. K.G. Sander is an excellent writer.
6. It’s short.
7. I would re-read this.

Cons:

1. I noticed a few typos.

I enjoyed this short story and recommend it to horror and dark fantasy fans.

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The Legend of Whispering Pines Inn: A Ghostly Thriller Short Story by Dita Dow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed it.

Pros:

1. It’s short.
2. Dita Dow is an exceptional writer.
3. My reading engagement was high.
4. I would re-read this.
5. It’s a clean read.

Cons:

1. The ending left more to be desired.

Another stellar work by Dita Dow. I just wish it was it was novelette length.

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Ushers: A Short Story by Joe Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It’s a good read.

Pros:

1. A wild ending.
2. The book cover is noticeable.
3. It’s a short story.
4. The writing is solid.
5. I would re-read it.
6. My reading engagement was high.
7. There is one laugh-out-loud moment.

Cons:

1. I noticed minor editing errors.
2. A little profanity and blaspheming, but not enough to hamper my reading experience.

I enjoyed this book.

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Carnival of the Dead: Two Paths, One Nightmare: Dual Ending Horror Short Story by Dita Dow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Excellent.

Pros:

1. Unexpected ending and twists.
2. Dita Dow is a fabulous writer.
3. It’s a short story.
4. Dita Dow edited this book.
5. Despite being a short story, I was content with it.

Cons:

1. None that I can think of.

Dita Dow did a fantastic job with this book. I highly recommend it if you’re into short stories and twists.

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Lavender by Eric Williford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Lavender could have been better.

Pros:
1. It’s short.
2. The psychological horror is present.
3. Clean.
4. The book cover caught my attention.
5. I like how the blurb is short and sweet.
6. I enjoyed Lavender and would re-read it.
7. This story required me to go back to learn more about the main character at the end of the book.

Cons:
1. Lavender would have benefited from being longer. Eric Williford should rewrite this into a novelette or novella, but it can still be a standalone. Even then, novelettes and novellas are still considered short stories.
2. While the word “lavender” was often in italics in this book (because the main character was thinking of it), it sometimes did not have a period after it.
3. The ending was fake to me. This ties in with the main character’s run-in with the cashier.
4. This story would benefit from more character development.
5. The setting of Lavender should be crafted more.
6. I can’t help but want more from this story.

This horror tale can be improved.



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Flesh Eaters Ate My Neighbors by Brian Berry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Unique.

Pros:
1. The book cover is fantastic.
2. It’s edited.
3. I can tell that Brian G. Berry had fun creating this book.
4. A couple of laugh-out-loud moments.
5. There were little illustrations that added to the fun.
6. A sequel is in the making.
7. Private Sanders and Heather.

Cons:
1. I won’t re-read this book.
2. Profanity and blaspheming.
3. Some funny parts were unrealistic.
4. The storyline for Cats is better than this one.
5. The explanation behind all the monsters appearing wasn’t enough for me.
6. Although this is a horror book, I did not find it scary.
7. Zak.



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The Town That Cried Werewolf: Second Edition by Danny Dantas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Excellent storyline.

Pros:
1. The second edition’s book cover is fantastic. The black, hairy werewolf in the center, roaring against the red backdrop, is attention-grabbing, and I’ve wanted to read this book for a while because of it.
2. The story revolves around a town, creating a range of suspects. The storyline is outstanding.
3. I enjoyed how Danny Dantas kept me guessing who the killer was until the end. This added to the suspense and gave me time to figure out whodunit. After figuring out who the killer was before they were revealed, I felt I had accomplished something spectacular.
4. I enjoyed this novella’s blend of horror, mystery, thrill, and suspense.
5. The epilogue was a pleasant touch.
6. The alternating POVs increased my reading engagement.
7. I would re-read this story.

Cons:
1. The Town That Cried Werewolf would benefit from improved character development.
2. I noticed two errors while reading this novella (one of them was capitalization).
3. Profanity and blaspheming.

I recommend The Town That Cried Werewolf to mystery and horror lovers. Danny Dantas’s debut is marvelous, and I would read more of his stories.



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The Cat from Hell by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fantastic short horror story featuring a cat.

Pros:
1. Creepy.
2. Original.
3. Shocking.
4. Well written.
5. Great storyline.
6. It’s a quick read.
7. Vivid descriptions.
8. I would re-read this story.
9. It’s a prior work made by Stephen King.
10. Cats, like rats, fit the horror genre well.

Cons:
1. I wish there was a sequel. This horror tale reminded me of Macabre Cats by E.P. King.
2. The book cover could be better.



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Cats by Brian G Berry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Well written.

Pros:
1. Fantastic book cover.
2. Expertly written.
3. Highly imaginative.
4. I like how Brian G. Berry used the weather to add to the horror.

Cons:
1. Profanity and blaspheming.
2. This book would benefit from keener editing.
3. Cats needs to be proofread.
4. The ending is partially unrealistic. I do not want to spoil it for other readers.
5. I won’t re-read this book.
6. I don’t like Eddie.

This book is worth a read if you’re into cats and horror.



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