Nightmare from World’s End, by Robert J. Stava, is a horror novel featuring a very intriguing type of evil entity. In a very relaxed style, Stava builds this particular story on familiar terrain, namely his Wyvern Falls. Wyvern Falls is a little village where a series of Stava’s books originate. Nightmare From World’s End is the latest in what is known as Hudson Horror Novels.
I have not yet had the pleasure of reading previous stories that unfolded in this rather strange town, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying his latest installment. He’s got a good feel for his audience and how to keep the story flowing without unnecessary hitches.
Three boys are out exploring the wreckage left by Hurricane Cassandra. As they explore they come across a very large crate, which is also the last thing they see before suffering an awful fate. While more disappearances occur, leaving the police stumped as to who the culprit might be, Dr. Sarah Ramhorne makes a very interesting discovery regarding sea monsters that used to inhabit the area.
The one friend Ramhorne makes is private detective John Easton, although Easton is romantically smitten by the doctor upon seeing her for the first time. Her straightforward attitude wins him over instantly, and he finds any excuse to spend time with her. But their romance gets put on hold as the supposedly mythical sea monster makes more daring appearances, forcing the police to use all the help they can get.
I wouldn’t put this book in the extreme horror section, because it has so much going for it. Yes, the sections where characters are squished so hard their eyes bulge out are very well done, and could possibly ruin a good night’s sleep for some readers. But I doubt the point of the book is to scare as much as it is to entertain and let his readers indulge themselves in the story.
Firstly, the tone is very laid back and reader friendly. Stava connects quickly and doesn’t have a problem maintaining this connection. Secondly, the characters are very colorful and the chemistry between them brings up a feeling of familiarity. Thirdly, there is always some drama waiting in the background. So, Stava has a good balance between horror, a little bit of romance and even some humor. In fact, the introduction does add a little playfulness to the rest of the story.
I want to say the pacing of the book is relatively quick, but it takes a few pages to get into the thick of things. Apart from a small encounter at the beginning, Stava patiently introduces the cast. Given that the characters are somewhat melancholy and likeable, it’s not at all strange that he chose this route. However, the horror aspect is easily forgotten in the early pages, which brings me back to my initial point – the book wasn’t meant to give you nightmares.
Hardcore horror fans might find the book on the light side, but readers looking for an entertaining read that will make you check the bathtub twice before getting in, I definitely recommend it. Even though it’s not a groundbreaking plot, Stava did a great job of keeping it together and making it his own.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
Robert J. Stava is a writer who now lives in the lower Hudson Valley just north of NYC, apparently, not far from that half-imaginary village he sets so many of his stories in, Wyvern Falls. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Robert had a successful career in advertising (Y&R, J Walter Thompson), 3d graphics and performed for 8 years on the NY Music scene with his band, ‘The Jag’. These days he focuses on local legends and history of the Hudson Valley.
His first novel “At Van Eyckmann’s Request” was published in 2012. He is also the author of the novels “By Summer’s Last Twilight’ and “The Feast of Saint Ann” which has found its way into the hands of such eminent authors as T.C. Boyle and Ann Rice and has also been previewed by acclaimed novelist & screenwriter Michael Marshall Smith who commented: “I loved it…as if I was being pulled into a Ray Bradbury or something like BOY’S LIFE.”. His novella “The Devil’s Engine” was published by Muzzleland Press in 2015 and his short stories have appeared in various anthologies including “Kill for Copy” (Dark Chapter Press) & “Legends of Sleepy Hollow” (Nielsen Press). His fourth novel, “Nightmare From World’s End” was published by Severed Press in 2016.
He is also author and designer of “Combat Recon: 5th Air Force Images from the SW Pacific 1943-45” (Schiffer Publishing, 2007), a historical account based on his great uncle’s service as a combat photographer during WWII.
He has also been called by writer Hunter Shea ‘The King of Hudson Horror’.
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