This free ebook is available to download after subscribing to the author’s newsletter. It includes two short stories, deleted chapters from his novelsThis free ebook is available to download after subscribing to the author’s newsletter. It includes two short stories, deleted chapters from his novels, numerous interviews, essays, and advice for aspiring writers. One of the essays is his appreciation of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. Reading it at a young age is what made him focus on becoming a writer.
There’s a lot of content for a free book and I found it all interesting. I enjoyed the stories, the interviews and essays gave lots of insight into the author, and I found the writing advice really helpful, especially the chapter on a writing course that he taught at the Birmingham Library....more
This short story sampler consists of three stories from the collection Hasty for the Dark by Adam Nevill. The sampler is available as a free ebook.
ThThis short story sampler consists of three stories from the collection Hasty for the Dark by Adam Nevill. The sampler is available as a free ebook.
The Angels of London (4/5) A man down on his luck has to deal with a creepy landlord of the seedy lodging house he’s staying at. Atmospheric with some really eerie moments.
Always in Our Hearts (5/5) A shady taxi driver takes a series of unusual fares around town. What an ending.
Hippocampus (2/5) A description of the aftermath of a violent event on a ship at sea. More of a sketch than a story.
I really enjoyed the first two stories. They were set up well, had interesting characters, and had endings that delivered. After reading this sampler and his other one I’ve become a fan of this author....more
This short story sampler consists of three stories from the collection Some Will Not Sleep by Adam Nevill. The sampler is available as a free ebook.
WThis short story sampler consists of three stories from the collection Some Will Not Sleep by Adam Nevill. The sampler is available as a free ebook.
Where Angels Come In (4/5) Two school boys enter an old abandoned building that is surrounded by urban legends. This grabbed my interest from the start and then just kept going. So creepy.
The Ancestors (5/5) A young girl named Yuki, her ghost companion with really long hair, and toys that come out and play at night. This one is even creepier than the first one.
Florrie (3/5) Strange things begin happening after a young man makes plans to renovate the old house he’s moved into. I liked the atmosphere but I felt that something was missing and that the ending was abrupt.
While I enjoyed the first two stories the most, I liked the writing and the chilling atmosphere in all three stories. I’m looking forward to reading more by Adam Nevill....more
A woman traveling with an undead fox seeks revenge in a post-apocalyptic world. Grief and revenge with a dash of backwoods magic. I really enjoyed theA woman traveling with an undead fox seeks revenge in a post-apocalyptic world. Grief and revenge with a dash of backwoods magic. I really enjoyed the prose, how the backstory was gradually revealed, and where the story led.
In this tale, Odysseus and the Cyclops Polyphemus are written as if they were historical figures. A young boy befriends an injured Polyphemus and brinIn this tale, Odysseus and the Cyclops Polyphemus are written as if they were historical figures. A young boy befriends an injured Polyphemus and brings him to his king.
The story explores the concepts of the outsider, the monster, the hero, as well as the custom of xenia, “guest friendship” in the ancient world. The writing has a lyrical quality and reminds me of the historical fiction of Mary Renault....more
In the city of Acre during the last days of the Crusades, sword for hire Tancred of Antioch aka The White Lion, seeks revenge after his friend is murdIn the city of Acre during the last days of the Crusades, sword for hire Tancred of Antioch aka The White Lion, seeks revenge after his friend is murdered. This fast-paced novella is filled with action and intrigue and reminded me of the historical fiction of Harold Lamb and Robert E. Howard.
One thing I would have liked is a short afterword with some historical background information. The ones included at the end of Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe novels always add to my enjoyment of the books. In any case this novella has reawakened my interest in the history of the Crusades.
This was a quick and enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to the further adventures of the White Lion....more
Sixteen beautifully told dark fantasy and gothic fairy tales. While I liked some stories more than others I enjoyed the writing in all of them. I alsoSixteen beautifully told dark fantasy and gothic fairy tales. While I liked some stories more than others I enjoyed the writing in all of them. I also loved the illustrations.
Both the writing and the kinds of stories reminded me a little of Angela Carter, Tanith Lee, and Neil Gaiman, as well as the original versions of the folk and fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
My favorite stories:
“My Lady of Plagues” A former tailor tells the story of how a new queen began healing the sick in a town riddled with plagues. A dark retelling of the legend of Lady Godiva.
“In the Lava Fields” A woman takes a trip to Iceland to try and recover from an event from her past. While there she learns something about Icelandic elves and folklore. Harrowing ending.
“Green Bird” In a world where ghost birds appear after people die, a demoted detective investigates a cold case. A noir gothic fairy tale.
“The Bone Forest” Nekane, a shy girl who spends her days working on a spinning wheel, goes into the monster infested Bone Forest in search of her lost sister.
“Alexie’s Godmother” After a poor farmer’s wife dies giving birth to his son, the farmer seeks someone to be the child’s godparent. A mysterious woman in black agrees.
“Little Mother” After some children go missing in a forest, Mark’s girlfriend goes missing as well. He’s then contacted by a strange figure who guides him deep into the forest.
“Sun, Moon, and Talia” With the plague devastating her town and facing starvation, Talia does something terrible. When offered the chance to redeem herself she takes it.
This was a very enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to reading more of Elana Gomel’s work.
My ratings for each story:
My Lady of Plagues (5/5) Death in Jerusalem (3/5) Jack the Giant Killer (3/5) Turandot (4/5) Rattlesnake (4/5) Dancer From the Dance (4/5) In the Lava Fields (5/5) The Two Courts (3/5) Angelo (4/5) Green Bird (5/5) The Bone Forest (5/5) Wings (3.5/5) Melissa and the Stone Troll (3/5) Alexei’s Godmother (5/5) Little Mother (5/5) Sun, Moon, and Talia (5/5)...more
Crime noir meets folk horror in 1949. Charlie Danwitter is a WWII veteran who suffers from PTSD. Now he’s an agricultural inspector for the US governmCrime noir meets folk horror in 1949. Charlie Danwitter is a WWII veteran who suffers from PTSD. Now he’s an agricultural inspector for the US government and he’s sent to the backcountry of North Carolina to inspect apple orchards. After farmers keep running him off, he hears about an out of the way village and decides to head there. He discovers that the village has an incredibly old orchard and some very strange rituals.
Loved the prose, the dialogue, and the characters. As much as I liked the writing, the ending left me with questions and I’m not sure what to make of the epilogue....more
The setting is a village in Poland during the Cold War. Natalie is supposed to be watching her younger brother Kuba when he breaks his leg. With no acThe setting is a village in Poland during the Cold War. Natalie is supposed to be watching her younger brother Kuba when he breaks his leg. With no access to antibiotics and Kuba in danger of losing his leg, she seeks help from Baba Yaga, the old woman in the forest. This upsets her mother, the villagers, as well as the church.
The story drew me in right away and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I really grew to like Natalie. She tries to do the right thing when faced with difficult choices. An outstanding folk horror novella about balance and sacrifice....more
Deke is a truck driver devastated after the loss of his wife. She was murdered while he was on the road and the killer was never caught. Through flashDeke is a truck driver devastated after the loss of his wife. She was murdered while he was on the road and the killer was never caught. Through flashbacks we find out how he felt when first met the love of his life and when he found out about her death. After a period of just going through the motions of living and working, he decides to find some answers by driving down the Soul Road, a road that lost souls and the damned are driven down.
An atmospheric story about love, loneliness, and revenge. I really liked the writing style. Some of my favorite lines:
“He was thinking like a highway being eaten by miles.”
“The new alarm clock rang at noon and Deke ignored it like a liar’s promise.”
“Outside, night had lumbered in and clubbed day to death, like a neanderthal.”
“The reality is this: Life is just a balloon floating dangerously in a roomful of lit cigarettes. At any moment, second, day or week, Pop! And then everything as you know is different or gone. Sometimes both.”...more
This is a collection of short horror stories, one for each day in October. As with most anthologies I enjoyed some stories more than others but overalThis is a collection of short horror stories, one for each day in October. As with most anthologies I enjoyed some stories more than others but overall this was a fun read....more
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