Contained in
this volume is a compilation of brilliantly developed ideas, each one unique in
itself and in its genre. The writer, with the solemnity of her efficient words,
took me on a bumpy, intriguing ride through the long dark route of the material
and immaterial divisions of horror, junctioned by depraved serial killers,
zombies, otherworldly monstrosities, witchery and truly sick endeavors
unexpected of the conception of the most seemingly innocent of minds. Verily,
it’s a tome of twisted stories. From a bog that vomits soggy specters to a
conference of murderers to a startling tower clock whose interval timing
unleashes hideous, ravenous creatures to misunderstood witchcraft, this
compendium holds something for every fan of dark fiction.
It helps
that Chantal’s description, her scene-to-word representation is totally vivid
and unrestrained, uninhibited. She lays it down as it is; stomaching it is up
to you. If it’s rape or child molestation, it is, with all its morbid
description; all of the gory stuff are clearly depicted in its terrible,
repulsive glory. It left me wondering sometimes whether she didn’t go over the
top, whether she didn’t enjoy writing the despicable stuff a little bit too
much.
As a whole,
the book is a proud representation of the theme. I went in seeking what it told
me I would get and I finished satiated. You get your time’s, and more than your
money’s, worth if you’re seeking spine-tingling, blood-curdling enjoyment.
The
individual stories are mostly well-detailed, expressed, with reader-friendly
grammar. The pace, however, was slow at times, moderate other times; but, for
me, it was all well and good. I would’ve reviewed each story based on their
individual level of twistedness but I’m lazy, plus there’s this hindering
constraint of word count. But if I want to go by this, then fifteen stories
certainly made well above the cut, with no fewer than nine of them being
terrific and perfect in their plotting (I
have especial love for The Widow, WHEN
THE BELL TOLLS, Victims of Evolution, Jade and Your Familiar Smile). Five others however left me desiring more
from them, falling short of my expectation. Not that they weren’t good stories.
In fact they were, but in the setting of the collection, they weren’t “twisted” enough, or didn’t have
sufficient meat for sumptuous consumption (I specifically disliked When The Heavens Cried Gold (this one I
believe did the originality of this splendid collection a tiny measure of
disservice) and Hungering Depths).
Great,
eye-catching cover too, but I’m one who tends to look beyond covers.
So, if
you’re considering owning a copy, here’s my advice: Stop considering. Order one
now. Let Chantal pick at your brain and tell you, in hoary whispers, the deep,
dark secrets of a perverted mind!
I’ve rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Here's the link on Amazon
