Category Archives: Horror

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The Haunted

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The Haunted by Michaelbrent Collings

I would give this a solid 4.5 rating. Though the opening lines are
familiar, this just makes it feel like a story I might enjoy. I would
have just expected something a bit more original. I have always liked
haunted house mysteries because they can be the creepiest.

The
story has a slow build as you meet the characters, though there are only
two, as most of the action takes place within the walls of the house.
This house has been vacant for a long time, only occupied for short
periods of time by people from away who do not or do not believe its
history. The townspeople avoid the house perched on the hill because
though it is vacant it is not empty.

Sarah and Cap arrive and
start to move into their dream home, which they got for a low price, and
immediately feel that things are strange. Sarah is pregnant and looking
forward to starting a new life and home with her family. The only
problem is that she feels she is being watched and things keep being
moved around. Is she going crazy or is there something else going on her
new house?

I have read a lot of horror novels and it is not easy
to make me feel the dread that is supposed to be conveyed in these
stories. This one drew me in and gave me that feeling of panic and
desperation our couple were feeling. I was with them as they tried to
first find out what was happening and then trying to fight it. While it
is not super scary, it is a nail biter with a fantastic twist ending.

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On Demon Wings

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On Demon Wings (Experiment in Terror, #5)On Demon Wings by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The intensity keeps going up right along with the terror. Each entry takes you a little deeper into the mystery, a little deeper into the horror, and a little deeper into a tangled romance.

Who will we get to see here: Ada Palomino is Perry’s younger sister and would do anything to help her mend her broken heart. She knows that Perry is not crazy and actually does see ghosts. She may be a fashionista but she is a smart girl with a quick mind.

Mom & Dad Palomino, they love their daughters but have decided that Perry is crazy and that they know what is best for her. The problem is that everything they do shows they may want to help but it pushes Perry further away because their love seems to be conditioned on her being a more perfect child.

Maximus was last seen in “Red Fox“, he was Dex’s best friend in college but there is no love lost between them. He shows up on Perry’s doorstep as if he cares about her, but his motives are much more shady. He may be a handsome man but the things he is willing to do for revenge make him less than desirable.

This installment revolves around Perry and what happens to her in the aftermath of her broken relationship with Dex. As someone who can see spirits Perry needs to protect herself, but in her weakened mental and physical state she leaves herself open to the spirits who would take advantage of her. Perry is faced with fighting for life and sanity and the only person who truly has her back is Ada, a fifteen year old who understands more than she is given credit for.

Though I have loved all the previous books, this one really gave me something to think about. We get some big reveals which make some of the earlier encounters make more sense. And we do get some Dex. 😉

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Into The Hollow

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Into the Hollow (Experiment in Terror, #6)Into the Hollow by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author, I love these books, and I just want more!!

My favorite non-couple are back together again, sort of. Dex has rescued Perry once again and now is taking her away from the crazies she lives with. Perry has no idea whether she want to be there or not but is determined to try.

When she finds out that she is wanted back on the Experiments with Terror show and with Dex, she accepts what seems to be a simple assignment. Go to British Columbia and film evidence of a Sasquatch in the area. Simple right, they don’t really exist so it should be a easy thing to do with no real danger. But this is Dex and Perry and no matter how simple the assignment it always turns out to have some element of danger. If there is a monster you can be sure that they will run into it.

Once again the action is ramped up as Dex makes an attempt to win Perry back and to protect her from any dangers, human or otherwise. The human story is just as exciting as that which surrounds the supernatural/preternatural events that they are involved in.

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Dead Sky Morning

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Dead Sky Morning (Experiment in Terror, #3)Dead Sky Morning by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say that has not been said before. Dex and Perry have a chemistry that leaps off the pages and makes you root for them whatever situation they find themselves in.

This time they are heading to D’Arcy Island, a former leper colony where the occupants were sent to fend for themselves. The history of the Island is sparse since no one was left to tell the true story of what happened there. And in true Dex and Perry style they stir up the locals (ghosts) and find themselves trapped and turning on each other. What they think they are feeling has nothing to do with them and everything to do with the residents of the Island who are making themselves known to the only people who can truly feel their presence.

I have truly fallen in love with this series and am playing catch up as fast as I can. It is scary, romantic, frenzied, and just downright mesmerizing.

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Red Fox

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Red Fox (Experiment in Terror, #2)Red Fox by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fairly obvious I loved this! Dex is a crazy I can handle and keeps me guessing at every turn. Perry is equally as crazy as he is and has a spirit she doesn’t even recognize. This pair can keep your interest no matter what is happening because you can’t help but like them and hope for the best.

This time they have walked into something neither has any idea of how to handle. They are hooked up with a college friend of Dex who has a long-standing grudge against him. He invites them to New Mexico to investigate what first appears to be simple poltergeist activity but turns out to be something much more sinister. They find themselves involved in a mystery which the Native Americans believe in but seems a bit far-fetched even for our ghost hunters. The danger is real however and they must fight for their lives in a place where they could easily be lost with no one to save them.

This is a great entry and I can’t wait to read the next.

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Variant Effect

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The Variant Effect: GreenMourningThe Variant Effect: GreenMourning by G. Wells Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Variant Effect was first seen ‘back in the day.’ It was caused by a drug, Varion, which was put into circulation by Bezo Pharmaceutical. It was thought to be a wonder drug which helped with all types of mental disorders. The problem was that after years of use it built up in the fat tissue of users, this caused them to ‘present’ as feral, skin eating savages. They thought it had been eradicated, they were wrong.

Meet the Players:
Captain Joe Borland is an original member of the variant squads from the first outbreaks. With the resurgence of variant in the community he has been brought out of retirement as a consultant to the new 9 squad. He has lost a lot of friends as well as his own skin to Biters and he does not intend to lose anymore if he can stop it.
Captain Eric Hyde is another member of the original 9 squad and has never really stopped working. Hyde hates Borland because he feels that he is responsible for his condition, the loss of 85% of the skin on his body. His mind was not effected and he is brilliant even with his body ravaged by constant pain. He is now tracking a serial killer while variant runs through the streets and he has to stop him before the full effect takes hold.
Brass is a Bezo executive who is pulling the strings of everyone, particularly those of Borland. He is behind a massive coverup in regards to Varion and what was known about its potential for harm in the population. He is a shady character who has few redeeming qualities.

There is a lot more going here than usual, not only do they have to deal with the Biters but it appears that they are becoming more intelligent than previous encounters. They also have a serial killer taking choice parts off of young men in an attempt to build the perfect body or so they think.

It is a good story that gives you a lot to think about.

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Spooky Lighthouse Adventure

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Darkhouse (Experiment in Terror, #1)Darkhouse by Karina Halle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think it started a bit slowly but not badly. I have fallen in love with the characters. Perry Palomino and Dex Foray fit together better than either know yet. Perry has been so beaten down because she is not the perfect size or the perfect daughter but she has a big personality, even though she is unsure of herself. Dex is a bit of basket case, or so it seems, he has his own issues as it applies to mental health but he is enthusiastic about what he wants.You know that these two are destined to work and play together even if it may not seem so at first.

Dex and Perry meet quite by chance when she decides to go and investigate the ‘haunted’ lighthouse on her Uncles property. They have experiences while looking around and after they get out Dex decides that he would like to team with Perry on a web series which would feature haunted locations. While she is reluctant it does seem like something that could fill her otherwise boring life.

This outing was not particularly scary or suspenseful (to me) but it sets the tone and I feel that things will only get better for the characters as well as the plot lines. There is so much potential here and I think it will be mined.

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Sven the Zombie Slayer

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This was a good book with likeable characters and one you will hate or pity. The zombies are localized to the Virginia area and so no one is aware of how or why they have started to walk.

The title character, Sven, is a competitive bodybuilder who works as a personal trainer. He is working out with his friend and spotter, Lars, in his basement as the zombies start to walk. When the action begins Sven can only think to grab his cat, Ivan, and run.

Sven rescues Jane, his ex-girlfriend, and they take off for a safe place. Jane has had her own bad morning and is glad to see him. She appears to be a quiet person, but has a love of guns that comes in handy in this situation.

On their journey they run into two teenagers, Lorie and Evan, who are also looking for a safe place. Lorie runs track and has an unhealthy predilection for up close carnage, but is very good at it.

The story moves swiftly from scene to scene and will keep you wanting more. There seems to be a mystical quality which is not fully explored so expect more in coming volumes.

If you like/love zombies I would say to give this a look and decide for yourself.

Sven the Zombie SlayerSven the Zombie Slayer by Guy James

View all my reviews