scary books

Unmasked (Book Review)

July 2, 2017 By Horror Palace 1 Comment

Unmasked is a short horror/thriller novel by R. Saint Claire, an author with some good skills to share. It’s a combination of melodrama and colorful characters that will keep you reading till the end. Although I wouldn’t categorize it under the “heavy gore” section, it’s got enough chilling moments to maintain the excitement.

Karla is a famous pop star with more than just a few skeletons in the closet. At the age of 50, she still looks like a young woman in her prime, and there seems no end to all her riches. While everyone believes her good looks come from a special plastic surgeon, her siblings are going to discover the truth after all these years.

The star organizes a special “retreat” for all her estranged brothers and sisters at an old camping ground where their parents died. However, they only find out that they’ll be staying there after Karla makes her first stunning appearance on their first night. She offers her brothers and sisters a million dollars each if they can handle the intense therapy she has in store for them. Little do they know what is really waiting.

I’m going to start this review with the entertainment value of the book because it’s the element that stood out the most for me. It’s well thought out, it’s smoothly executed, and it doesn’t drag on to a point where you feel it’s maybe a little too long. The story really is a neat little package filled with all the entertainment value a horror/thriller book lover can hope for.

What I particularly liked was the way Saint Claire handled the group settings so-to-speak. Not once did I feel confused between all the character dialogue. She easily moves from one character to the next, maintaining the integrity and authenticity of their characteristics. From this perspective alone I loved this book.

Given the length of the book, you should expect a fairly quick pace. A lot happens in one page and Saint Claire is heavily focused on keeping a good momentum, which is fitting for the type of plot she chose. It’s familiar in all the right ways, especially if you’re thinking about the Hollywood approach, but it brings its own unique attributes to the table. These attributes you’ll discover while reading because I don’t want to spoil anything.

As an author, Saint Claire shows a lot of promise and talent. She knows what she’s doing and how to captivate her audience. It might not be the most original plot in the world, but she makes it interesting in her own way. Or for the lack of a better description, she makes it worth the while to go through some of the clichés again.

If there’s a line between commercial and cult horror, I’d say Unmasked falls into the former. As mentioned earlier, Saint Claire is heavily invested in her characters, and she does it at the cost of going full-on gore. There’s a big audience for this specific horror novel and I don’t think Saint Claire will have any problems collecting fans.

Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.

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The Contained: Book 2 of the Necropolis Trilogy (Book Review)

July 2, 2017 By Horror Palace 1 Comment

I had the pleasure of reading the first installment of the Necropolis Trilogy, and now I get to review the second one, namely The Contained. Sean Deville is at it again, bringing his very technical zombie story into its second phase. His web of characters continues to spread and a few more surprises are waiting if you loved Cobra Z. And once again, Deville doesn’t slack on his precise style of storytelling.

The Contained picks up where the virus outbreak continues to destroy the United Kingdom. The country is literally being quarantined from the rest of the world, and the American government is being warned that martial law might become a necessary option if the problem can’t be contained. Within a few days of the virus spreading, everyone knew things would never be the same again.

At the helm of the problem are several characters, situated in different challenging positions. Some of them are familiar, like Major David Croft, and others are new, like Rachel, a flesh-eating monster with more than just feasting on the brain. And as the UK crumbles, these civilians, government officials, and military agents try to survive the onslaught.

In the first review, I did of the trilogy, I noted that Deville is very proficient with his writing skills. I had no doubt that he would use the same quality with the second book, and I was right on the money. This is not the type of story you’ll find under the easy reading section because it pleads for all your attention. Given that there are many characters to follow, and the plot is thick with political and military detail, you want to switch off the phone if you plan on reading this one.

This part of the trilogy doesn’t really speak to a central character as much as it focuses on the fight to survive. In fact, it felt a little more technical than Cobra Z. While Deville has no problem selling his characters and all their twitches, it seemed like he leaned more towards exploring the realistic consequences of an outbreak. I would’ve liked to connect more with the characters, but the complexity of the plot makes a little difficult at times.

Nevertheless, Deville is stunningly creative while maintaining his urge to keep things simple. He switches between perspectives quite well, especially when entering the mind of an infected, and he doesn’t make his job easier with all the complexities surrounding the virus outbreak. He covers all the details and lays down a very convincing plot.

In terms of style, Deville prefers a sophisticated and professional approach. When you read his book you’ll know a lot of effort went into making a solid story with more than enough action. He’s spot on with the gory details, the cast of characters are diverse, and you don’t really know what’s coming next.

I’d recommend The Contained to readers who love making their brain work while they read. When you finish that last page it will probably feel like you ran a marathon, because it’s just that intense once you get into it.

Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.

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Also by Sean Deville:

Cobra Z

Don’t Fear the Reaper Part 3 (Book Review)

July 2, 2017 By Horror Palace 1 Comment

This is it. This is Lex Sinclair’s final book for the “Don’t Fear the Reaper” trilogy, and it’s everything I thought it’d be…and then some. Sinclair puts his distinct skill and style to the test when he offers you an ending you won’t quickly forget, to a trilogy you probably won’t want to put down. This particular book contains the big showdown to what I can only refer to as a very intense ride.

The last book starts with Sapphire, Jane and Natalie, and the aftermath they face. They are emotionally broken, tired and hungry. But their journey only gets more dangerous and more complicated. After losing too many people already, they might have to say another permanent goodbye. Although still incredibly confused, and not yet as ready as he wants to be in terms of accepting his responsibility, young Sapphire steps up to save those he holds dear.

His enemy is the same entity who was introduced within the first pages of the first book, namely the Reaper. His elite squad of demons has failed to get close to Sapphire, but he’s not about to give up. At the same time, the reincarnated devil child is getting more powerful, and preparing for the fight that will decide the fate of the human race.

Wow! I’m going to say that again…wow! In all seriousness, I was expecting Sinclair to make the ending epic, and it was nothing short of spellbinding. Everything came together to finish one of the best horror trilogies I’ve read in the last year. So, with the goose bumps out of the way, let’s get into the details.

With the third segment in the series, I’m reminded of how Sinclair loves to linger on the scenery. Prepping the stage and setting the perfect atmosphere before introducing the characters is a powerful style he has adopted, and for many modern writers, it’s a difficult discipline to master. Having the patience to really draw the reader into this fictional world where the Reaper is running rampant requires more than just a lust for writing. In Sinclair’s case, it’s as much hard work as it is a natural talent, not a combination that’s seen very often.

Sinclair maintained the authenticity of his characters, and they felt familiar from the start. He also maintained the quality of his writing, and dare I say, he saved the best for last? With the last book in a trilogy, there’s always an expectancy for more emotion, action and character development, because this is the moment where everything plays out. Sinclair has nailed the last touch to the trilogy. The pacing changes at the right moments, and there’s even some romance involved. But mostly, Sinclair did what he does best, which is to tell a very dark story very convincingly.

I’ve recommended his first two books, and I’m doing the same for the third. Sinclair has an old-school style he takes a lot of pride in, and for fans who love that classic element – this book is for you. For those who’ve already taken it upon themselves to read the first two books, you are going to love what Sinclair cooked up for the ending.

Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.

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Also by Lex Sinclair:

Don’t Fear The Reaper Part 1

Thorazine Dreams (Book Review)

March 12, 2017 By Horror Palace Leave a Comment

The author, Vic Kerry, has compiled a list of horror short stories entitled, Thorazine Dreams. And frankly speaking, I don’t know how to introduce this collection, because they caught me totally off-guard. I quickly found myself enthralled inside Kerry’s fictional world, and after each story, I couldn’t wait to start the next one. With a very good eye for detail, which I’ll get into a little later, and a great writing style, Kerry digs into the strangest places in order to bring out something completely original. To top it off, the collection was edited by Matthew Weber, a personal favorite author of mine.

I couldn’t find a specific theme on which the collection was based. In fact, if I had to find a relation between the stories, it would be what I call a “Lovecraft” connection. Each story is so completely diverse and different from the next, but at the same time, you can link them to a single author with a definitive execution. For example, the collection includes werewolves, zombies, aliens and even mutating insects.

Unfortunately, I can’t give a slight overview of all the stories, but the introductory story should be a good indicator. It starts with a new medical resident who encounters a man believing he’s a werewolf. After doing several tests and unknowingly running out of time, the new doctor doesn’t heed the warnings of the psycho, which leads to a whole new strange beginning. From there you’ll get to meet a strange couple who lives in a zombie infested suburbia and after that, an arrogant cat that has the power to steal your breath.

The first word that comes to mind when I think about Thorazine Dreams is “originality”. In a popular genre such as horror, it’s incredibly difficult to maintain an original quality, especially with short story collections. And with Kerry, the collection remained consistent. The stories didn’t get predictable or less interesting as it continued. Instead, it just got better and more exciting.

To get back to the “eye for detail” I mentioned earlier, Kerry implements the language of his characters perfectly. They have colorful and plot-building personalities, which also makes them so much more interesting. And then there’s the clinical language in between, or more specifically, the technical details. All readers will appreciate the research and effort Kerry went through to bring the cast members to life.

However, readers shouldn’t be expecting full-on gore. While there are many sections that are unnerving and downright disgusting, Kerry’s focus is not on exploiting blood. I felt the focus was more about creating a balance between telling an entertaining story and adding some great thrills. There’s no overkill, but just enough violence and torture to leave you feeling mentally freaked.

I would really recommend Thorazine Dreams for all lovers of horror. Kerry is more than able to keep the reader’s attention, and his writing skills are brilliant while always ending with some kind of bending twist.

Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.

Also by Vic Kerry and Mathew Weber: Double Barrel

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Don’t Fear The Reaper Part 2 (Book Review)

March 11, 2017 By Horror Palace Leave a Comment

Lex Sinclair’s nightmare continues with Don’t Fear the Reaper Part 2. It picks up where the first book ended, and you can be sure that you’ll be getting that distinct Sinclair style with it. This is a man who will stay true to his precise way of writing, and he’s not showing any signs of losing his touch. Thus, he sets the stage for another dark ride.

Sapphire, a young boy who only knows an overly-protected life, is on the run. He is running from the Grim Reaper with the help of ex-reverent Perkins, the guardian who has managed to keep him safe – until now. Unable to understand his true purpose of saving mankind, especially in the aftermath of the apocalypse, he begins to rebel. And it might not be such a bad thing if Death wasn’t chasing them.

On the other end of the spectrum is another young boy, Elias. Gradually he changes into a monster his parents can’t recognize, and the nastier he becomes, the more powerful he gets. He is also part of the bigger picture regarding the shift of dangerous power. Humanity has already experienced a great ordeal. Can it withstand a bigger one?

After finishing the first book I was very anxious to see what Sinclair would dig up for the sequel. I loved the plot the first time round, so I had my expectations with the follow-up story. I can honestly say that Sinclair stayed true to form and delivered a solid story. The quality of the writing is very old-school and particular, characteristics I’ve noticed in all of Sinclair’s books I’ve read so far, and the plot never fails to keep you interested. But I’ve also noticed a little more character building as supposed to plot development. Sinclair was very focused on establishing Sapphire’s torment regarding his predestined path, and how he handles it.

When it came to the pacing, I was a little surprised. This time round it felt like Sinclair wanted to speed things up a bit and break away from the way he usually approaches it. Of course, there are the detailed scenery and the convincing characters, but Sinclair is also more aware of stopping at crucial moments and cutting to a new scene.

I’ve probably said this before, but I regard Sinclair as a writer who takes his art very seriously. He’s patient, articulate, and he connects with his audience. And with this particular book, he’s exploring his options and getting a feel for growing his fan base.

For those who haven’t read any of Sinclair’s books yet, you can look forward to some interesting images that will haunt you before you go to sleep. But he’s not so much hardcore as he is descriptive. Sinclair can make a moderate amount of violence work in his favor because he knows how to sell the “thrill” element.

I’d definitely recommend Don’t Fear the Reaper Part 2, along with every one of Sinclair’s work to readers who love the intimate details. If you’ve got the time to really get lost in a story, this is a book you should definitely devour. In fact, anybody who appreciates a good horror story will enjoy it!

Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.

More Horror Book Reviews

Also by Lex Sinclair:

Don’t Fear The Reaper Part 1