“No one lives forever, but we all die trying.”
-Ivan Karhoff
Dark Quotes by HorrorPalace.com are the darkest, insightful, sometimes evil and often terrifying quotes you can find. Sure to take you into the darkness. More Dark Quotes.
Wolves of the Land (Book Review)
Wolves of the Land is a short, dark fantasy story and it was written by Donchatz. While combining a very controversial time in history with a very popular supernatural element, the author creates a fast-paced adventure that will keep readers turning the pages. Donchatz uses a rather classic style of writing, which fits nicely with the plot, and there is a constant urgency lingering in the background – all the makings of a good story.
Augustus Rourke is an American soldier in occupied Europe during the 2 World War. His country has yet to join the fight, but he’s already out there sabotaging German train stations. He gets cornered by a mysterious woman called Annia Bouve and while escaping his latest tilt at what seemed like a windmill, they become acquainted quite quickly.
Rourke is under the impression that he’s only facing the wrath of the German army. He doesn’t anticipate that a force much greater than the Nazis is working in the background. As his mission takes incredible twists and turns he is warned about his new found romance, but he doesn’t have the time to linger. Every second counts and the enemy is getting restless. In fact, Rourke has no idea what’s in store for him.
From the very beginning of the book I started feeling something familiar. The tone, the wording, and even the setting had a distinct old-school signature. Maybe it’s the drama around every situation, or maybe it’s the hero of the story with a classic image, it’s hard to pin-point where the magic truly lies. There’s a mixture of genres and they are being interpreted through a 1950’s voice, this much is certain.
Donchatz writes with a slight over-the-top edge and it works well for empowering a short novel. The overall pace is quick and a lot has to happen, which gives the author less time for character development. But Donchatz handles the balance perfectly, allowing enough space for thrills, action, and some romance. Everything starts early on and it keeps running straight till the end.
However, it would be hard to place this particular story under the “pure horror” section. It features such an array of inspirations that it broadens the spectrum for other genres too, and Donchatz made some good choices. Werewolves wanting to kill Hitler, experiments that aren’t voluntary, these are great ideas and the overall plot flows smoothly.
Then comes the writing style, which is a pleasant surprise, along with the dialogue. It’s the one thing you don’t really notice from the start, but after a few pages it hits you…you went back in time. The conversations have a lot of wit and cool come-backs, creating that 50’s atmosphere, and the authenticity is spot-on.
But in the end it’s not going to satisfy the horror fans looking for detailed decapitations. This is not a story of blood and guts, despite all the firefights. Instead, it’s a thrill ride that focuses on the adventure and adding something different to something so well-known. Readers who are looking for a little bit of everything, this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
Refuge – Upcoming Horror Movie
Refuge is a postapocalyptic thriller from Passerby Films. Refuge was enthusiastically received by audiences last year at multiple festivals around the world, including fan favorites Toronto After Dark, ScreamFest and won Best Director for Andrew Robertson in Sydney at Australia’s Fantastic Planet.
Refuge has been compared to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, as the austere setting and large cast of villains are reminiscent of the world that film inhabits. Director Robertson says of the post-apocalyptic universe: “I wanted to focus on a family living in isolation..to portray the quiet fear that would become the default if we all went into hiding 
after a big societal breakdown. I expect life would become a slow burn, interrupted with bursts of fear and violence.”
Refuge’s distributor, Gravitas Ventures, says of Refuge: “Gravitas is excited to be collaborating with the bold and innovative filmmakers behind Refuge and bring these new voices in horror to 100 million homes across North America.”
SYNOPSIS: Refuge chronicles the struggles of a family trying to survive in the wake of a deadly and mysterious catastrophic event that has brought America to its knees. Despite their efforts to remain hidden from the pervasive marauders and dangers that surround them, the family is ultimately discovered and forced to fight for survival. But, fighting back has its consequences.
On February 16th, 2016, the film will be available through VOD on: iTunes, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Vudu, XBOX live and Playstation Network.
Shadow Menagerie (Book Review)
Shadow Menagerie is the second book by Michael Ayoob, following his highly praised detective thriller In Search of Mercy. But this time around Ayoob explores something much darker than just a missing person. The world stops turning inside a small town as history begins to haunt certain residents and the secrets they’ve been keeping. With clear direction and blood on his mind, Ayoob establishes a scenario where nobody walks away from the consequences of their actions.
Burdock Downs has always been a town with a dark history thanks to the corruption from those in power. But the ordeal begins with 17 year old Maura and her horrific experience after slipping out of her grandmother’s house shortly after her mother’s death. From there the wheel is set to turn in ways nobody can anticipate.
Twenty five years later the story continues with a little girl called Regina and her dad, Shelton. After being abandoned, Shelton took her in as his own daughter. Unfortunately she has to cope with fierce visions. While Regina tries to make sense of her curse a new developer called Lonnie Waters makes his way into town, giving the impression that he wants to bring Downs back to its former glory. Little do the corrupt mayor, police chief and pastor know that his intentions are far from good. The stories tie in as Regina uses Waters to rid herself of her visions.
My impression of the book is that Ayoob is very creative, given his sources of inspiration. Without giving away the points of climax, Ayoob used elements that are very popular within the horror genre, for example, Regina and her visions. Another popular approach has to be the seemingly innocent characters and their thirst for blood. It’s obvious that he wasn’t trying to be “out of the box” original. Instead, he re-invented familiar aspects and combined them in a very smart way.
Ayoob should also be credited for the different dimensions he brought to the overall plot. While it took me some time to figure out where Waters came from and what drove him to do what he did, I was surprised that I didn’t realize it sooner. The author definitely has a great skill for keeping your attention where he wants it to be. Even though it might not be morally right, I found myself liking Waters and his way of handling things.
From the mindset of a teenage girl to the doubts of a small town football hero who came back to continue his father’s legacy, Ayoob creates very believable and unique characters. They are authentic in their ways and he manages to keep them convincing right through till the end. There is a very surprising twist after all is said and done, which is also where the author’s creativity really stands out.
Don’t expect too much detail in terms of horrific deaths and brutal slayings, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be unnerved several times. Ayoob has a great style of writing and his imagination supports it, so get ready for a quality tale of horror. The majority fans of this genre will definitely be glad they read it.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
Also by Michael Ayoob:
The Survivalist
The Survivalist
It has been described by many as ‘a future cult classic’ and post –apocalyptic thriller’. The upcoming horror movie-The Survivalist offers a cock-tail of eye-opening lessons about the treachery, human emotions and the intrinsic desire to survive. The Survivalist will be released on February 12, 2016 in the UK and Norway.
The lone survivalist, Martin McCann, is intensely struggling in a post-apocalyptic world to succumbing to starvation. He strives by hook and crook to make the ends meet. The Survivalist lives by his wits in a very in a self-reliant manner and he opts to hide out in a cabin deep in the countryside. He abides carefully to his routines and takes all precaution to be alert always. One day two starving women, a mother and her daughter, approached him begging to have a share for his farm crops.
In the kill-or –be –killed environment where starvation is widespread and strangers motives not always known. One day a starving woman (Olwen Fouere) together with her teenage daughter (Mia Goth) discover refuge deep in the forest, mother and her daughter, approached him begging to have a share for his farm crops. His loneliness blinds him of any suspicion and closes a deal with them in exchange for board and bed. In an attempt to co-exist in the lone wilderness, a hazardous relationship started to take root, however, after some time more hostile guests streamed in disrupting their serene, quiet but uneasy existence.
The survivalist fascinates and shocks at the same time from the beginning to the end. It has been shot exquisitely using highly effective graphic and sound design. It has minimal art and music but it makes a huge cinematic impression which in turn enhances the horror movie experience. It is gruesomely candid in the entire scene with features that will make the viewers to recoil in revulsion on occasions.
The film’s setting of lush and wild countryside is a sharp contrast to the gritty and dark story that is being played out. The sense of isolation that is ongoing on the scene makes it feel real and practical.it has been shot and framed masterfully, there is overriding atmosphere of both mistrust and paranoia that have been enhanced by perfect timing and clever imagery. Spiced up with understated dialogue and skillful subtle acting McCann, Fouere and Goth have proven to equally compelling on the screen.
The only setback of the film is the inadequacy of concrete details of the individual history of the characters which makes their true feelings and intentions occasionally left unclear. Fortunately, lack of their individual information doesn’t lessen the intensity or the depth of their roles, in fact it serves arouse curiosity and interest at times.
For parental guide it features bouts of frightening and intense scenes of activities such as violence, gore, profanity alcohol, smoking and drugs. It also has explicit sex and nudity scenes including one distressful scene of an attempted abortion. The survivalist might not auger very well with everyone, but it is genuinely provoking and will leave you awestruck for horror movie enthusiasts .The film runs for about 104 minutes (1 hr. 44 min).
Upcoming Releases:
UK 12 February 2016
Norway 12 February 2016