Abiding Evil by Alison Buck

"A sleeping menace is roused deep in the darkness of the forest. For decades it grows, biding its time, reaching out to tug at the ordinary lives of those living beyond the shadow of the trees. Their children begin to disappear. Unaware and unsuspecting of the danger, a group of families, friends for many years, journey to a newly opened hotel. It stands alone in a clearing a mile or more within the forest boundary. For some this will be their last reunion."

Book Description

I will tell you right from the start that this is one of the finest horror novels I have ever read. There is no doubt in my mind that Alison Buck is one of the best writers of horror around today. Abiding Evil left me hanging on the edge of my chair so many times that the next time I read one of her books I may strap myself into my seat. The story drew me in from the first page and never released its grip. Even hours after putting down my Kindle I found this story playing on my mind.

The tale is told in two parts, the first of which takes us quickly through a number of years and acts as a lunch pad for the main meat of the novel. The background narrative is detailed and fully believable while at the same time setting a chill in your soul. This chilled spot only grows as the story progresses. The second part of the tale fills out with multiple characters all of whom feel as natural as the people you meet every day. You can identify with most people in the book, including the not so nice ones. Everyone’s back story and personality are fully formed and developed. Their interactions are credible and plausible, giving you the feeling that you really know their characters. The plot develops a web of suspense and tension that builds into an explosive ending.

The villain in Abiding Evil is one that will give any parent nightmares for years to come and is as memorable as all the great monsters of modern horror. Alison Buck has created an evil that just cries out for a sequel and her unlikely heroes capture your heart from the start. Everyone within that book has been fashioned with such care and attention that you quickly become emotionally involved with the storyline.

The quality of writing within this book is as good as it gets. The pacing of the plot is perfect and carries you through the story at just the right speed. I found myself hitting every major emotion there is with this book. The locations are depicted with such meticulous detail and sense of atmosphere that I feel that I was there during the horrid events of the story.

In short I could find nothing lacking in this book. I don’t know why Alison Buck’s name is not better known. If this book is anything to go by she is easily as good as Stephen King or Dean Koontz. I don’t think I can recommend this book enough. If you enjoy horror with a real fear-provoking storyline then read Abiding Evil and then recommend it to all your friends. If there was ever an author that deserved to be seen on the shelves of all the high street bookstores then it’s Alison Buck.  I enjoyed it so much that I am giving it a full 5 Stars.

Reviewed by Darkiss

The Last Pendragon: A Story of Dark Age Wales by Sarah Woodbury

 

Book Description :
He is a King, a warrior, the last hope of his people - and the chosen one of the Sidhe....

Set in 7th century Wales, the Last Pendragon is the story of Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon (Cade), heir to the throne of Arthur, and his love Rhiann, the daughter of the man who killed Cade's father and usurped his throne.

Born to rule, yet without a kingdom, Cade must grasp the reins of his own destiny to become both Christian King and pagan hero. And Rhiann must decide how much she is willing to risk to follow her heart.


Sarah Woodbury weaves a tale of Myth and Magic in "The Last Pendragon: A Story of Dark Age Wales." The author brings together the Arthurian and Welsh myths, while adding her own style to this story. As a lover of historical fiction and fantasy genres, I quickly found myself immersed into the story that contains a bit of both. We see Cade the last of the Pendragon line trying to take hold of his destiny as King. The theme is non traditional and sets it self apart from most Arthurian legends and stories.


The plot is well written and moves at a pleasant pace, while bringing together a core group of characters. With the threat of the sidhe, demons, hell hounds and the Welsh Gods who try and control the outcome at every turn, the characters are tested.  I found myself getting caught up in the feelings of brotherhood, loyalty, friendship and the longing of love, all while facing the knowledge that they might not make it in the end. I could not put this book down and read every chance I had, even losing sleep to finish the story.


The amount of historical research that went into this book was evident throughout the story. The author's knowledge of life during dark age Wales and the history of Wales gave believability to this story. I found myself once again on the Isle of Anglesey, seeing it from a different perspective all while reliving my own journey through the rugged country side of Wales. 


All in all this was a great story to read. I felt my love for the Arthurian era come alive again. I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to venture out of the norm when it comes to the tales of King Arthur and his descendants. I for one am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.  This book is worthy of 4.5 Stars! 
                                          

Other books by Sarah Woodbury :


                        
  




















Reviewed by Witchofthemists

What Darkiss does when he is not reviewing

Hi readers, thought I would blog and give you some idea what I do when not reviewing books and promoting new authors. I work at Cardiff Castle in Wales,UK where I do all sorts, from collecting tickets on the gate to guiding in the Gothic Victorian Mansion. But there are a few other things I also get to do and here are an example of what I did today:

That's me climbing the Trebuchet.

This is what I do for a job. Haven't I got the best job in the world?

Interview with Wayne Gerard Trotman

Today I have the honor of introducing Wayne Gerard Trotman author of the epic Sci-fi/fantasy novel "Veterans of the Psychic Wars", which I reviewed a few weeks ago. Wayne has graciously honored us with an interview.  Welcome Wayne, and thank you so much for taking time to answer our questions and giving our readers at DarkissReads a chance to get to know you better.


Question 1
From the very first chapter of Veterans of the Psychic Wars, the reader is greeted with Martial Arts action.  What Styles of Martial Arts influenced your fight scenes in the book?


There is a very wide range of martial arts influences in Veterans of the Psychic Wars, including Karate, Taekwondo, Kenpo Karate, Muay Thai, Kenjutsu, Kobudo and Wushu. I also threw in what I learnt from fencing, and close-quarter combat. The depicted styles are generally hybrid combinations as most of the exponents were extraterrestrials.


Question 2
The storyline includes many universal truths. Was this deliberate or just part of the transformation that Roman undertakes in becoming who he is meant to be?


Both. Once I started the series, I have been keeping an ever-growing selection of 'wisdom and humour'. I spend a lot of my waking hours thinking up imaginary conversations. There is, perhaps, a thin line between creativity and insanity.


Question 3
What inspired you to write your first book?


The inspiration for the Veterans of the Psychic Wars came from a conversation I had with my mother when I as quite young. I was nine or ten years old when I complained that I felt that I didn't belong.
I told my mother, "I think I'm an alien"
My mother replied, "Yes, you're an alien."
We both laughed and the conversation moved to other things, but I always thought about what she said. I didn't actually believe I as alien; but I started thinking: what if a young man grew up believing he was a normal human being, only to find out one day that he was actually an alien from another galaxy? Wouldn't that explain his feelings of alienation? Wouldn't that make for an interesting story?


Question 4
What was the hardest thing about writing Veterans of the Psychic Wars?


The beginning. Having previously written film scripts, I totally underestimated the challenge of writing a novel. My first draft of chapter one was so awful I couldn't bear to ever see it again. I deleted it and started again. Fortunately, thereafter, I found writing my first novel increasingly easy; and I was able to complete it with only minor modifications after the difficult start. The novel took a long time to complete because of the research and development involved.


Question 5
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?


My favorite author is J.R.R Tolkien, for his attention to detail, his artistry with the written word and his intellect.


Question 6
Can you share a little of your current work with the audience of DarkissReads?


I am currently writing a second series, which is related to the Psychic Wars saga but based entirely in the tropical paradise of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This sci-fi/fantasy series will feature the local 'pigeon' English, and will be aimed at a younger audience. I am aiming for a January 2012 release.


Question 7
When did you first consider yourself a writer?


When I was 9, I wrote an essay entitled "The Crash". I was very proud of it and it was the first time I recall thinking of myself as a writer.


Question 8
Do you have any advice for new authors?


Pay close attention to spelling, grammar and editing. If you can't do it yourself, hire a professional. Even though we are advised to 'never trust a book by its cover' few people heed this advice. For most of us, a poorly designed cover suggests a poorly written book. Regardless of who publishes your book, be prepared to do your own marketing. A devastating combination of pride, ignorance and arrogance leads some authors to believe that sales and marketing are beneath them. They often discover that less talented writers with a firm grasp of marketing outsell them at every turn. Follow your dreams, and don't ever give up! 


Question 9
Do you have a projected publish date for the second book in your series?


Book Two: Architects of the Psychic Wars won't be released before January 2013. But it would be well worth the wait, and in the interim readers will have the opportunity to read the first book of my second series.


Question 10
Where can the readers of DarkissReads find you on the web?


My dedicated Author Website is www.waynegerardtrotman.com or www.waynegerardtrotman.co.uk


The official Red Moon Productions site is www.redmoon.co.uk


I am on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Wayne-Gerard-Trotman/343761635867


I would like thank Wayne for taking the time to be here today and wishing him great success in all his endeavors! 


Interviewed by Witchofthemists

Shadow Fox is Champagne Book of the Year

Congratulation to Ashley Barnard for winning Champagne Book of the Year with her book Shadow Fox. This is a great achievement for a first published novel and just a sign of the great things to come. Everyone at Darkissreads wishes our best wishes to Ashley. A well deserved win.

For those who have not read it then you are missing a real treat. It was the first book to be reviewed on DarkissReads and Fox Rising the second book in the series was reviewed recently. If you are looking for a paranormal/fantasy with real grit then this is for you.
  

The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) by Nicole MacDonald

Book Description

Cat, Kassie, Sian and Loi are anything but damsels in distress. Fed up with a lack of decent male specimens they cast a love spell in hopes of finding their soul-mates. And inadvertently land themselves on another planet. Oops.

The Arrival follows the girls' adventures as they stumble through a foreign and often hostile world where humans are NOT at the top of the food chain. Friendships are forged and love teeters on the horizon while the threat of civil war looms thanks to the girls' very unexpected 'gifts'. Will the girls master these gifts in time to survive a war in which, not are they the ultimate weapons, but also the ultimate prize?

The Arrival is the first book in the Birthright Trilogy by Nicole MacDonald. I must say when I first started to read The Arrival, I had my doubts. The main characters Cat, Kassie, Sian and Loi seemed very one dimensional and lacked depth. But as the book progressed, I realized this was a result from the author's writing style. From the very first page the author jumps around from different points of view,which makes for a very confusing read.  This distraction took away from the lure of the characters and left me frustrated. 

As I continued to read, I was surprised to find myself caught up in the second half of the book. Once I got used to the different POVs it gave a bit more insight into the interactions between characters and added depth to both the characters and the story. One of the things that I loved most about this story was Nicole MacDonald's descriptions of the fantasy creatures. Through her words the Griffon came to life within this story in such a vivid way.  

This book lays the groundwork for the next two in the trilogy. For this tale builds slowly as you watch the characters develop and the plot starts to take shape. This story comes to a head in the most unexpected way that leaves you wanting to have the next book in hand. 

The Arrival brings nothing new to the Fantasy Genre, but it is an entertaining love story with a magical twist, and damsels in dirty dresses save the day.  So if you are in the mood for an easy and fun read then this book is for you.

Nicole MacDonald is a self published author from New Zealand. 

                                                                      3.5 Stars!           

 

  

Reviewed by Witchofthemists.

A Tale of Two Zombies

Recently I have read two zombie novels and discovered two very different books. So I have decided to review them here together to emphasise the differences. There is a whole world of zombie books out there and they seem to be having a bit of a revival. Although always popular with horror fans, the zombie genre has never been noted for its quality of writing. It has been a while now since anyone has done anything new with our brain eating villains. This has left you feeling that once you have read one zombie novel you have basically read all zombie novels. Neither of these books breaks the mould very much, but that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t be enjoyable for all that. It is here that the two differ. One I will recommend the other I advise you to avoid.

The Great Fall: Infection by Cillian D'Arcy

This is the first zombie book I have read in many years. So I was looking forward to reliving some of the thrills I had as a young adult when reading zombie novels late at night and frightening myself half to death.

The Great Fall follows the adventures of Jamie, a teacher when the plague hits and Danny a teenage student. The story is told from Jamie’s point of view. At the beginning of the novel he is a bit of a looser who suffers from an inability to take any form of responsibility in his life. When he finds himself in a world gone mad and being suddenly responsible for the safety of a teenage boy he discovers within himself new depths of maturity.

Sadly this book is predictable and badly written. The amount of typos made me wonder if this ever received the attentions of an editor at all. The book feels like something child would write. The grammar is very poor and the whole story is too vague. You never even know where this story is taking place or much of the characters background. Parts of the story feel rushed and unfinished. There was no depth to any of the characters and I totally failed to form any kind of bond with the hero. There are gaping hole in the plot and I was left feeling totally unfulfilled.

Although it is a short book I kept feeling like it wasn’t short enough. If it was a choice of reading this again or facing a zombie horde...... well bring on the brain eaters.

I give this book 2 stars and that is only because the book is so cheap. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Mort by Rod Redux

This book follows the story of Mort, an overweight comic book shop owner. He is thrown into the mad world of zombies and finds himself totally unfit for the challenges of surviving against a world full of brain eaters. Luckily for him he quickly meets up with Peter Bolin who has the brawn while Mort provides the brains. The author has tried to add a bit of spice to the zombie genre with the addition of angles into the mix. I was unsure of this element of the story but I did grow to like it, although it didn’t really do a great deal to revamp the zombie storyline.

There is nothing groundbreaking here and it’s not a work of art. But what it is..... is enjoyable. What made this so different from The Great Fall is that I quickly formed an attachment to the characters and the relationship between Mort and Pete became the main hook that carried me from page to page. The seemingly mismatched pair made a great little double act. The whole zombie plague became just a backdrop for the interplay between these two characters. This is a buddy book and dare it say a heart warming story. The friendship forged through the zombie outbreak is the masterstroke of this novel. The writing style is OK but I must admit that there lacked a certain atmosphere one expects from the undead. At no time did I feel the dread I remember from my first encounters with this genre. Instead of a horror story you get a character driven tale that just happens to be set during a zombie apocalypse

The book does deal up a few disturbing scene including zombie rape, but this only added to the slightly goofy storyline. The twist in the end was unusual, although I did guess it before it was revealed. All in all an enjoyable light read that won’t strain the IQ but will put a smile on your face. If you have a few hours spare then you could do a lot worse than read this.

I give it 4 stars

Reviewed by Darkiss

Veterans of the Psychic Wars by Wayne Gerard Trotman

Book Description :


Thought is more dangerous than you think.


Present-day Earth: School teacher ROMAN DOYLE, 25 is married and his wife is pregnant. He remains unaware he is PRINCE ARMON SAKARA,heir of the EMPEROR of a distant galaxy. That is, until he encounters CHI-RO JIN, a veteran of the Psychic Wars.


Chi-Ro's mission is to return Roman to the Emperor. And so, with his dormant psychic and astral abilities awakened by an alien drug, Roman journeys to the distant galaxy known as The Cosmic Sea, where he joins the Second Psychic War : An interstellar battle between the forces of his father, the Emperor, and those of his uncle, the BARON.


Torn between his princely responsibilities and those to his wife and unborn child, Roman discovers a shocking alien plot that threatens to exterminate the human race. 


When given this book to review by Darkiss, I was unsure if I would like it or not. I am not a huge Sci-Fi fan. However, from the very first page Veterans of the Psychic War grabbed my attention. This book is jam packed with action and it grabs hold of you as we follow Roman a school teacher, married to the love of his life and soon to be father, being swept up into a nightmare that he can't escape.   As a martial artist I was enthralled with the way the fight scenes played out. The author has a unique writing style that placed me smack dab in the middle of elaborate fight scenes. I found myself fighting alongside of Roman and Chi-Ro on more than one occasion. I was transported into a world where the boundaries of time did not exist and anything was possible with the sheer power of thought.


The depth of the characters held me captive and I felt my heart ache for Roman who is trying to grasp and understand the truth of who he truly is. He is driven by loss and the love of this wife and unborn child. The author did a fantastic job of creating supporting characters that you either hated or loved. He gave glimpses of their stories and I was caught up in all the gamete of emotions that each character went through.


The authors writing style is truly brilliant and his ability to draw you into his universe is second to none. From the start you are as confused as the books hero but together you are led forward into an incredible conclusion that left me stunned, shocked and greatly satisfied. I have to say that the conclusion to this tale was practically orgasmic. I can not recommend it enough just on the merit of it's plot twist. Throughout the book there are many memorable quotes, but one that stuck with me the most was " Death whispers your name to me"  


I highly recommend this book if you are a Sci-fi lover for it has everything you are looking for; Star Wars meets Enter the Dragon.  Be prepared to be hanging off the edge of your seat wanting more. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, and on that note I give this book a 4.5 star rating.

Wayne Gerard Trotman is a British writer, filmmaker, artist, photographer, composer and producer of electronic music. 

                                        4.5 Stars 

   

Reviewed by Witchofthemists.

Loose Ends by Terri Reid

Dying is what changed Mary O’Reilly’s life. Well, actually, coming back from the dead and having the ability to communicate with ghosts is really what did it. 
Now, a private investigator in rural Freeport, Illinois, Mary’s trying to learn how to incorporate her experience as a Chicago cop and new-found talent into a real job. Her challenge is to solve the mysteries, get real evidence (a ghost’s word just doesn’t hold up in court), and be sure the folks in town, especially the handsome new police chief, doesn’t think she’s nuts. 

Book description

Loose Ends is a paranormal mystery were the main character (Mary O’Reilly) can see and communicate with ghosts due to a near death experience and she puts this skill to use as a Private Investigator. As an ex-cop from the streets of Chicago, Mary is a feisty heroine with a sack full of attitude.

This is a fantastic first book and a great read, although anyone familiar with this genre won’t find anything new here. The plot is fast paced, well written, but a little predictable. Where this book excels is in the interaction of the characters. It was this interplay that carried me from page to page. The dialogue is so well written and the banter between the characters so humorous that the plotline takes a back seat for most of the book. Terri Reid has a flare for writing gripping dialogue and also paces her storylines to perfection. Within just a few chapters you become totally immersed with the storyline and it was easy to postpone any chores for just one more page, then another, then another......

This first mystery deals with the investigation of the murder of children but the storyline never feels over oppressive or dark, but at the same time doesn’t trivialise them. Humour is used to great effect here and prevents any scene becoming too gloomy.

As a first in a new series, Loose Ends leaves you wanting more. The interplay between Mary and the cast of supporting characters opens up a world of possibilities for the series. So expect to see a lot more of Terri Reid and Mary O’Reilly in the future. I have a feeling that we will see her name being used alongside the likes of Keri Arthur and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I really enjoyed this book and it is a light read which won’t tax your brain or your wallet. This is a great novel to read while sitting in the park on a sunny afternoon or just to settle into a comfy chair to waste a few hours with a good supply of your favourite beverage to hand.

There are already two other books in the series as well as another novel and if they are as good as Loose Ends then they will be well worth investigating.

A worthy 4.5 stars 

Reviewed by Darkiss

Fox Rising by Ashley Barnard

In this sequel to Shadow Fox, after waiting his whole life to return home and learn who he really is, Jared quickly discovers his world is much more complicated than he ever imagined. As the newly appointed Captain, he is now responsible for raising an army to take on an enemy he knows next to nothing about, while his own king anticipates his failure. With his love life is in near shambles, he must now win Tarika back in spite of a romance blossoming between her and his closest friend, Nathaniel.

Book Description

Fox Rising is the next instalment in the Shadow Fox series. The first book was reviewed here last year and Ashley Barnard did us the honour of an interview.

This book carries on directly from were Shadow Fox left off. Jared, now known as Captain Dunefaellan and Lady Tarika have returned to the world of their birth. Jared must now raise an army and make war to reclaim lost lands for a king he hates and a world he doesn't know.

Jared has always been a troubled hero, often being his own worst enemy. In Fox Rising he continues his decent into darkness with his own self destructive behaviour, all the while battling to keep the love of Tarika. Throughout Shadow Fox, Jared was a troubled character but still someone you could feel for, but by the end of Fox Rising I found my feelings towards him suffered a complete polar shift. I could no longer feel for him and all my sympathy rested with Tarika. Like the first book this is very well written and you find yourself lost within the story and the moral struggles of the characters.

New characters fill this story, some who we get to know in great depth while others are only fleeting glimpse, all adding to the texture of the world. The book explores a number of controversial subjects which some people may struggle with, but this all adds to the gritty feel of the story.Ashley pulls no punches here. Like the real world bad things happen to good people and she deals with this wonderfully.

I took less than 24 hours to read this book and the only reason I didn’t finish the book in one sitting is because I lost my battle with sleep. The story carried me forward at breakneck speed and I found myself fully immersed within the story.

Fox Rising is a worthy continuation to Shadow Fox. My one complaint about it is one it shares with any book I like and that is “It is too short”. I was gutted when I came to the last page. I now wait in anticipation for Night of the Fox the final part to the series. I am a definite fan of Ashley Barnard’s writing and look forward to all her future projects. If you have not started the Shadow Fox series then it is really is something you need to do.

Few authors have captured my reading soul so completely. She is a future Queen of Fantasy/Paranormal Romance.

Shadow Fox has been nominated for Champaign’s Novel of the Year. An award that would be fully justified.