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The Butcher by Laura Kat Young
The Butcher Book Review
4.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads and NetGalley
Young presents readers with a world where questioning authority has deadly results. Lady Mae is set to inherit her mother's job as the town Butcher. The Butcher is required to settle atonements. When a citizen breaks the law, they are sentenced to a certain number of atonements. Each atonement equates to a body part being chopped off by the Butcher. As Lady Mae's time to take over grows closer, she is challenged to question the way the government is run. She is faced with a challenge. Should she follow the law of follow her conscious?
This stunning cast of characters reaches out of the page and captures the emotions of the reader. Lady Mae's mother Winona shows a deep devotion to her daughter, and their bond holds fast in a world that hates them. This mother-daughter relationship shows a tenderness in a world of harsh consequences. As the plot unravels, the characters are faced with moral dilemmas that test their bravery. Each y-in the road build tension and sucks the reader deeper into this tense and compelling premise. Some readers may even become teary eyed; the connection Young develops between reader and story is that strong. This dystopian emotional horror is perfect for those looking for a unique premise with heartfelt characters and high tension.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Beyond the Creek by Nico Bell
When Alex Foster accepted the caregiver position with the eccentric Nox family, she was issued a single rule. Don’t wander past the creek. Alex isn’t interested in exploring the Nox’s vast wooded property. After escaping an abusive past, her sole focus is building a safe future for herself and her unborn baby. Except, a series of chilling events threatens her happily-ever-after. Now, she must fight to survive an ancient evil before all hope is lost.
There’s something beyond the creek, and it’s hungry.
BEYOND THE CREEK is a southern creature horror.
ASIN : B09S8H27NS
Publisher : D&T Publishing LLC (February 9, 2022)
Publication date : February 9, 2022
Language : English
Print length : 127 pages
The Dead Inside: A Horror Anthology Book Review
THE DEAD INSIDE: A HORROR ANTHOLOGY EDITED BY LAUREL HIGHTOWER AND SANDRA RUTTAN
4.5 stars
COVER ART BY GEMMA AMOR
THE DEAD INSIDE is a dramatic thirty piece collection of short stories and poetry delving into the topic of identity horror. The plots explore what happens when identity is denied, forgotten, repressed, or suppressed whether through society, culture, or family. There’s an inclusive range of characters and a wide array of heartbreaking lessons to be learned. Readers will easily find stories that speak to their own internal and external experiences mirrored by these dynamic characters.
Highwater and Ruttan do a fantastic job of compiling a steady mix between stories and poetry. The collection starts off with a bang, immediately capturing reader’s attention with “From Within” by S.H. Cooper. This body horror short story focuses on an overlooked woman trying to rise the corporate ladder. From there, the collection continues in a steady ebb and flow of themes, characters, and premises that will connect with readers from various cultures and backgrounds.
Each story has a stand out moment, and while many selections will stick with readers long after the final word has been read, there are a few that rise above:
Similar in theme to “From Within,” “Evil Inc. (Or How to Succeed in Business without Really Dying)” by Robert Stahl) delves into the horrors of evil corporations that work their employees to the bone, asking readers, “How far would you go to succeed?” Some stories have a more lyrical tone such as “Subsidence” by Sarah Jackson where the protagonist discovers a crack “not a scar, just a pale slit, like a paper cut” along the collarbone. The poem entitled “Black Like That” by R.J. Joseph is an exquisitely crafted raw look at racism:
“we know your blackity black
but don’t be black like that
dark skin and thick, dark lips
bubble butt rounded with hips…”
“Ending is the Only Beginning” by Ali Seay is a chilling look at motherhood, depression, and substance abuse, while “The Daughter She Wanted” by Jaecyn Boné is less a horror story and more a powerful dramatic piece about family, self-love, and acceptance. Finally, the book ends on a fitting note of death as a young man finds himself on an unusual job interview in “An Evaluation” by Scott J. Moses.
While a few of the stories were a bit slow in pacing, the majority sunk their claws deep within, not letting go of the reader until the final moments. Transphobia, homophobia, racism, suicide, and child death are just some of the sensitive topics that are written about. Check out the content warnings at the back of the book for further information. For those who enjoy Carmen Mario Machado, Thomas Ligotti, or Rachel Yoder, this collection is a perfect fit!
Lullabies for Suffering : Tales of Addiction Horror #BookReview
Title: Lullabies for Suffering: Tales of Addiction
Authors: Gabino Iglesias, Kealan Patrick Burke, Caroline Kepnes, Mark Matthews, John FD Taff, Mercedes M. Yardley
Wicked Run Press, 2020
5 Stars
My emotions are exposed and raw, my stomach tangled, my shoulders sagged. This open-veined collection tore me up.
When Lullabies for Suffering began circulating social media, I knew I wanted to review it and my expectations were high. I hoped for a hauntingly gritty, yet delicate portrayal of various addictions, not just alcohol and drugs. I hoped for stories that illuminated without romanticizing. I wanted to experience the disease fester in the character’s minds while longing for a happy ending.
I wanted to read this and feel addiction.
I got what I wanted.
Six unique short stories make up this collection, and each one left a mark. While alcohol and drugs are prevalent, the anthology includes some lesser represented addictions such as pain, people and even hope. When combined, Lullabies for Suffering becomes a dramatic and intense array for tales that burrow under the skin. Each time I finished a story, I thought ‘That’s my favorite. No story can top it,’ and then the next one did just that. Each writer exhibited a thoroughness and compassionate understanding of the subject matter, weaving together reality and fiction in such a way that addiction gets a worthy platform in which to enlighten readers about the true nature of the disease. I’m grateful that nothing was held back, that the characters contained realism both in action and dialogue, and that the lure of drugs/alcohol was presented in such a way that didn’t glamorize the topic.
But let’s not forget this is a horror collection. If you’re after blood, you’ll get it. Eerie tension? Yup, you can check that box. What about mysterious creatures? Sure thing. There’s plenty of dark elements to keep you glued to the pages.
Usually when I review a collection, I single out a few stories, but I’d rather not do that for Lullabies for Suffering. Each one created a captivating story world that sucked me in and led me on a dark and twisted ride. There wasn’t one that shined over the other. They all lit up the pages.
But it wasn’t just curiosity that led me to request this book. I’ve had my own struggles, faced my own demons, and been tortured by my own mind. I dream of writing my own story one day, but I’m not ready, and that’s okay. It was important to me, as someone who lived with heavy darkness shadowing her every move, to read this and tell the world whether the authors got it right. Rest assured, they did, and in doing so, gave a powerful voice to the victims of addiction, no matter what that addiction may be.
5 stars.
Interview with Horror Writer V. Castro #Interview
Interview with V. Castro
V. Castro is a Mexican American horror author originally from San Antonio, Texas. She is a book and movie reviewer for Scifiandscary.com.
V, thank you for agreeing to talk to me today!! I love the review that you recently did for Sci/Fi and Scary!
Thank you! I absolutely love writing film reviews. I am that annoying person screaming at the TV when someone does something stupid. Have people in horror films never seen a horror film?!
When did you first start writing Horror?
I was just a girl. Once I picked up Scary Stories To Tell in The Dark, I was hooked. I’ve always wanted to write but never felt encouraged enough, so I stopped. It was during a very difficult time emotionally that I decided to just go for it. I needed to stop hiding.
You currently live in England do you see a difference in British horror to American horror?
I don’t feel there is a huge difference because the core of horror transcends borders. As humans we all fear the same things to a certain degree. Hate, pain, death, anxiety, The Other all live within our minds and take shape as different things across cultures. Fear is fear.
What writing advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t compare and just go for it! Don’t let fear and self-doubt determine your life choices. Although, I still tell this to myself every day.
There is a trend for authors to provide a playlist for their latest books. If you had a play list for Maria the Wanted what would it be?
My book references music throughout! Music is part of the tale! I’ve included music to give the reader a feel for the scene and the character’s personalities. Here are a few.
Opening terror scene: Devil Inside by Inxs
Como La Flor- Selena
Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
White Wedding- Billie Idol
When Doves Cry- Prince
Freebird -Lynyrd Skynyrd
Muevete- DLG
Black Gold of The Sun-Rotary Connection
Blue In Green- Miles Davis
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood- Nina Simone
Bound To The Floor- Local H
Hold On We’re Going Home- Drake
Bring My Family Back- Faithless
I Put A Spell On You- Nina Simone
Head Like A Hole- Nine Inch Nails
You Do Something To Me- Paul Weller
Just The Way You Are- Billy Joel
Do you find being a reviewer more difficult than being an author?
Yes. I don’t want to not like something someone has created, especially if they are indie. It takes guts to put yourself out there. If you are a person of color, it’s even more difficult.
Obviously, I would like people to enjoy my writing, however, I do it for myself. I feel compelled to create characters and stories that reflect where I come from and who I am. Even if only one Latina reads my books and feels empowered in some way, I know I’ve done my job.
What is a trope that you read that makes your cringe? If so, how would you change the trope?
I’m really open minded unless it lacks any sort of diversity. Then I’m just, “What the fuck is this?”
As a latinx writer do you feel that this is a demographic that hasn’t been tapped as of yet?
YES! There are nearly 60 MILLION LATINX folks in the US. We are almost 18% percent of the population. As a Mexican American I grew up with all kinds of stories of the supernatural. Nothing seemed out of the realm of possibility, I guess that is why I was always so fascinated with horror.
I’ve written short stories based on legends from Texas. My current book, Maria The Wanted, uses many aspects of my culture to address social injustice, current events, identity and hope- with vampires. I also have an erotic vampire novella based on a very controversial figure in Mexican history, La Malinche.
Writing isn’t an issue, it’s getting the word out there that there are Latinx authors kicking ass in the industry. I will be starting my own book review website later in the year to focus on marginalized writers.
What are your top five horror books?
Salem’s Lot- Stephen King
The Hellbound Heart- Clive Barker
Carrion Comfort- Dan Simmons
Dracula- Bram Stoker
The Between- Tananarive Due (this just knocked another out of my top 5)
What books are currently on your night stand?
Loteria – Cina Pelayo
Becoming- Michelle Obama
Are there any up and coming women of horror that we need to keep an eye out for?
I will say ALL OF THEM. I think any woman that is willing to put herself out there deserves a chance for her voice to be heard. The din of this male dominated genre is loud, ingrained and needs a bit of upset. I don’t dislike the men that are writing horror, but I do feel we need to do more to support women. This is my passion.
Thank you so much for joining me!
If you’re interested to learn more about V Castro, please check out her social media and wesbite:
You can also find more information about here books on Goodreads.