Category Archives: Book Reviews

Books I come across that I find I have an opinion about.

Brian Lumley’s Titus Crow–A Review

Posted on by Shanna Wynne

So I have yet to think of a catchy title for my book reviews. (Suggestions are always welcome!) Until then, we’re going to stick with the simple fare. Here is a plain ol’ review of Brian Lumley’s book, Titus Crow: The Burrowers Beneath / The Transition of Titus Crow.

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First, I absolutely adore the works of Brian Lumley. When I was 13(ish), my stepfather introduced me to the Necroscope, and I was forever in love.

Brian Lumley - Necroscope

Pictured: True Love

Lumley has an amazing writing style, and one day I will have to pour my thoughts about him (and others) into a blog all his own. Suffice it to say, he’s a fantastic writer and his approach his all his own.

In terms of the book at hand, Lumley takes on the Old Ones, fathered by H. P. Lovecraft. The style in which both The Burrowers Beneath and The Transition of Titus Crow are written is very reminiscent of Lovecraft. While the vocabulary is updated (but mind you, it’s still dated by our 2011 standards considering both were originally written prior to 1975) from the words used by Lovecraft and crew, the Titus Crow books are permeated by the atmosphere and power locked within the pages of such masterpieces as The Shadow Over Innsmouth and The Call of Cthulhu.

The title character, Titus Crow, is completely Lumley’s creation. Unlike many of the fragile-minded protagonists in Lovecraft’s work, usually left doddering as insanity soaked them through, Lumley’s characters are made of sterner stuff. Lumley is quoted as saying:

I have trouble relating to people who faint at the hint of a bad smell. A meep or glibber doesn’t cut it with me. (I love meeps and glibbers, don’t get me wrong, but I go looking for what made them!) That’s the main difference between my stories…and HPL’s. My guys fight back. Also, they like to have a laugh along the way.

I can’t help but relate to this thinking. I know as much as I enjoy Lovecraft’s work, I still feel a little letdown that humanity isn’t able to put up a better fight.

But that’s not what’s going to happen in this book! Not with a main character who looks like this –>

TheCompleatCrow

That is one awesome moustache and beard combination. One that will defeat Cthulhu!

I will be honest, though. I read the book last August, so it has been a while. That said, a lot has stuck with me. Crow has some amazing adventures in Transition, including encounters with the Hounds of Tyndalos, travels to new worlds and dimensions, spending an exorbitant amount of time lost among the space time continuum and more.

The Burrower’s Beneath, quite frankly, was amazing. Fraught with tension, and of the can’t-be-put-down-all-night quality that can be so hard to find in books today, The Burrower’s Beneath is not only readable despite its dated language, but enjoyable beyond measure.

Also, there was one bit that prompted me to actually write a note for my own devices. While I’m certain I’ve seen this method used before, it never quite set off the flash bulb in my brain enough for what it does to sink in. Here, within the delicate folds of Titus Crow, I had an Eureka Moment.

gregory-house-600

Pictured: Eureka – House Style

Whether to save room for stories in the future, while tantalizing readers today, or whatever his reasons, there are a few sections of Transition that are elliptical’d. Quite a bit. Leaving delicious bits exposed for the reader’s taste buds, while hiding the juicier heft to our imagination. I must say that while it left me a little frustrated and wanting to know more, I found it overall a wonderful way of teasing me to the point of … extreme satisfaction … but not quite getting me there in the end. Which leaves the rest of the novel to satisfy my hungry demands.

Titus Crow does just that. Overall, if you’re a fan of Lovecraft, it is extremely like you’ll enjoy this book, among Lumley’s many other takes on the Cthulu Mythos. If you’re not a fan of Lovecraft, reading this will make you one, or at the least curious enough to seek out the original.

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Head on over to Amazon and pick up Titus Crow today!

Dark Delicacies I & II

Posted on by Shanna Wynne
Dark Delicacies

Dark Delicacies

First let me say that I wish I could visit the bookstore this antho was spawned in. Located in Burbank, California, Dark Delicacies is the only horror-themed bookstore in the U.S. The store was founded by Del Howison and his wife, Sue, in December 1994. And I really really wish I could visit. Maybe one day.

That said, the first in the anthology series, “Dark Delicacies,” is a doozy. Edited by Del and Jeff Gelb, editor of other great antho series such as “Hot Blood” and “Flesh and Blood,” this book definitely packs a punch. It features an array of authors, such as Clive Barker, Ray Bradbury, Ramsey Campbell, Brian Lumley, Whitley Strieber, F. Paul Wilson, and many more. The stories range from humorous to downright terrifying. The one I remember most is a story by Rick Pickman, “Dark Delicacies of the Dead.” This is Pickman’s first piece of published fiction and it’s hilarious. Crazy, outlandish and a shining example that not every story needs to be serious. Sometimes it’s just about the entertainment.

Another story I enjoyed was Steve Niles, “All My Bloody Things: A Cal McDonald Crime Story.” It features some great characterization, an ‘out there’kind of plot and the ending is… well.. out there.

But it’s been a while since I’ve read this edition so I really can’t get go in-depth about any of the stories. Just that I enjoyed them and other horror writers/readers should consider picking it up.

Next on the list:

Fear

Dark Delicacies II: Fear

Because I enjoyed the first in this series, I asked for the second as a gift for my 24th birthday. (If you missed out on the gift giving, you could send something my way–go to my wishlist on Amazon. I know, I’m shameless…) And I really appreciate it. (Thanks Tiffany! *sister in law*)

DD2 shares only one author with DD1 (Steve Niles, with “The Y Incision: A Cal McDonald Crime Story,” which was another riveting tale). The rest are new to the series, such as Max Brooks, John Farris, Joe R. Lansdale, Glen Hirshberg and many more.

Since I just finished this one, I can offer a little more in reviews.

The book opens with Barbara Hambly‘s tale, “Sunrise on Running Water.” It makes no bones about it’s protagonist, an Aristocrat vampire named Napier, also referred to as Lord Sandridge. He is fleeing the watchful, revengeful eye of Alexandra Paxton, the sister of a prior victim. Napier/Sandridge is crossing the ocean in the early 20th century, eager to leave behind his old life. And his enemies. I rather enjoyed the way Hambly was straightforward about the protagonist, his abilities and his limitations. The action in the tale is well paced and believable. Her writing is strong and concise, which is something I prefer in my reading material. She includes a nice twist at the end, giving the reader a chance to wonder.

Another tale that’s worth the read is Peter Atkins‘s, “Stacy and her Idiot.” I was surprised by the strong characterization and ultimately, the outlandish way it ended. It’s rare to read a story that includes a strange, unexplained subplot that makes almost no sense, but you still leave the tale fulfilled. Curiosity unsatisfied, sure, but it’s not necessary. Sometimes that’s what makes a story great and it certainly gives this tale more than just your average flare.

Harry Shannon has a story in the book as well, entitled “A Host of Shadows.” One of my favorites, it leads the reader down a twisting tale of medical terror, then reveals itself to be something else entirely. It does so with humility and a care to the reader, using no tricks or magic-hat illusions to connive the reader. Shannon gives you a dish of pudding, reveals it to be congealed blood–and you still keep eating.

John Farris’s story, “First Born,” is just great. Another of those “curiosity unsatisfied” stories that you still find entertaining.

So pick up both these books, be entertained and if you’re in the Burbank area, stop by Dark Delicacies and give my love to Del Howison. Tell him to keep ‘em coming.

Fran Friel’s “Mama’s Boy and Other Dark Tales”

Posted on by Shanna Wynne

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book since I first heard about its conception. Months ago Fran let everyone (possibly the whole world) know about the anthology she and Apex Digest editor Jason Sizemore were creating. And here it is in all it’s splendor…

The glossy cover of Frans book, resting atop my laptop.

The glossy cover of Fran's book, resting atop my laptop.

Notice I already had a bookmark in it.

I received it Monday, although I didn’t check the mail until after midnight so it was really Tuesday. And I just about screamed in joy when I saw the little key in my box that meant I had a package in the big boxes. I knew exactly what it meant.

I ripped the package opened and drooled over the book before I even left mail room (as I think of it). Cradling it gently in my arms, I hurried home.

Now, I could continue for pages about how I just stared at it, still in complete disbelief that I actually know someone who’s published a book. Not just that self-published, check me out kind of published. A for real, approached by an editor published. And I know her! I’ve been talking with Fran online (although I look forward to the day I get to cross paths with her at a convention.. somewhere…eventually) for a year now and she’s a wonderful person. Sweet as honey, gentle as a bunny. (Hey, that rhymed!) And so humble. I tell this woman that she’s an inspiration to me and what does she say?

Shanna – You’re one very talented lady. Inspiring you is an honor and something akin to inspiring an already blazing sun to a lasting supernova.

Poetic, humble and most especially, flattering.

See what I mean about the sweet as honey bit?

Once I got over the delectable joy of knowing and being friends with someone with their own book, I dived in head first. Or nose first, really, since it went right between the pages and my hubby had to pry the book away from my grasping fingers.

The first tale in this collection is called “Beach of Dreams.” It was born in a flash fiction office at Zoetrope Virtual Studio where horror writers meet in friendly competition. Fran has a talent for painting scenery with words. Her vivid imaginary world comes to startling life on the page and you’re sucked in, unable to set the book down for fear it would disappear. The story begins in a crazy frenzy, thrusting you into a strange culture and an even stranger occurrence. Filled with terrifying tense and painful moments, it comes to a heart-rending conclusion. Then you truly understand the meaning behind the title.

That story is followed by a tale I was around to witness the birth of last year. It’s a short diddy entitled “Gravy Pursuits.” And if I remember correct, she won the flash fiction contest that week for her satisfying tale. She gets the point of the story across with out a single horrible image and in such a sweet, kind way that the conclusion will make you put the book down, look at it and then ponder how a nice lady like Fran can write something like that.

Eleven other stories entice and delight you on your trip through Fran’s fiction. She takes you back to her favorite town, Eastville, Virginia, several times–through a pirate’s tale, a mysterious contract and finally you arrive at the supreme destination. The title novella that started the whole darn thing: “Mama’s Boy.”

In 2006, this novella was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. The Stoker Award is the highest achievement a horror writer can achieve (realistically speaking; not many tales of horror are going to be winning the Pulitzer prize…for now). It has before been bestowed upon well known authors as Clive Barker, Jack Ketchum, Stephen King, Bentley Little, Richard Matheson and Peter Straub. While she didn’t win, she was one of the final five selected for the Long Fiction category. It’s an amazing achievement and she deserves every accolade thrown at her. (So throw some more!)

When I first “met” Fran last year and learned this awe-inspiring fact about her, I was gnawing at the bit to read “Mama’s Boy.” Even though it had been made into a stand alone book by Insidious Publications, I was unable to secure a copy. It had already sold out.

Then fortune shined down on me.

And to my utter delight, I can honestly say “Mama’s Boy” was everything I thought it would be and more. It will work your nerves in an awful way that, as others have said before, will make you want to scrub down in a hot shower when you finish reading. But in a completely good, dirty kind of way. She paces the story so well, giving you just enough information to keep you hooked–but not enough for you to predict the ending. You might think you have the whole thing figured out, but you probably won’t have it all figured out. (Unless you’re gifted with that kind of ability, then you might. But I guarantee you’ll still enjoy reading it.)

“Mama’s Boy and Other Dark Tales” is a collection of stories that will stay with you for years to come. (I’m sure not going to forget it for a while. A long while.) So stop by Apex Book Company and pick it up now.

To learn more about Fran, visit her internet Lair at www.franfriel.com.