Here are a couple of recent reads that horror fans may enjoy.
First is Darkness on the Edge of Town by Brian Keene. A small burg in Virginia is cut off from the world, if there even is a world, anymore. Darkness surrounds them, total and complete. Anyone who ventures into the darkness screams and never returns. Those who get to close to the city limits see disturbing visions. The residents turn into savages. Much craziness ensues.
This reads like a bleak B movie. It’s sleek (sleek and bleak? Yeah, that works), compact and brutal. Keene’s ongoing mythos play a part here, but you don’t have to be familiar with his previous work to enjoy Darkness. The writer has become much better at weaving the exposition unobtrusively into the narrative.
Definitely not for wimps.
Next up is Depraved by Bryan Smith. Okay, I’m going to be honest with you. This novel has no redeeming social value. It’s a non-stop gore-and-sex-filled romp. And I loved every page.
This is an 80s movie turned to print. Various characters pick a bad time to show up in a small town, where the backwoods residents participate in an annual ritual of cannibalism. And guess what weekend the tourists drop by? If you have a weak stomach or are easily offended by graphic descriptions of violence and sex (in other words, if you can’t read a book by Edward Lee), then skip Depraved and pick up a paranormal romance.
However if you enjoyed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or chortled your way through Header, you’ll probably get a kick out of Depraved.
No comments:
Post a Comment