Horror 101: The Way Forward – Various

Alright, $0.99 book lovers! If you love horror and appreciate the names in horror then tune in, catch up and open your wallet or coin purse. This will be a rather short review as there is not much to say but- hell yes! Buy it, read it and enjoy it. The cost is only the first piece of excitement, each tale holds it own and presents horror in the way it should be.

Great tales of inspiration and style, all worth the cost of admission, all expertly presented. Learn what drives the genres best and what their inspirations are. This is for sure a virtual classroom. This is a once in a lifetime training tool that is simply amazing.

For the writer, this book truly is a classroom for the writer. The stories present lessons in plot, characterization, visualization, storytelling, presentation, and closing. BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!!

Old School Passion- Pic Minute

Remember when Pentax was the sh ..... t?

Gaming Minute: Innsmouth Escape

Being a student was never more entertaining or dangerous. In Innsmouth Escape you play a student (human) who is attempting to rescue her or her friends and you guessed it, escape Innsmouth. Other players will play the ‘Deep Ones’ creatures bent on keeping the student from succeeding.

Gameplay is managed through cards that allow the player to move through the environment. During these movements he or she will encounter the other players and must defeat them in battle or outsmart them and make his or her escape.

 Duration of the game is normally thirty to sixty minutes and servers two to five players. Gameplay is smooth and relatively quick depending on how the cards play out. It is not a intense game but does provide a bit of fun for a rainy afternoon.

The Revivers - Adam Dennis

All you Zombie fans, perhaps you need to take note of The Revivers. So, the cover art is up my alley for stuff I like. Immediate attraction and curiosity but we all know that the cover doesn’t make the story. Here we have a cover that rolls with the story, interesting, fun and inviting.

Zombie one is much like zombie 2, 3 and 4 million (story that is). Let’s face it, Zombies are zombies, what makes a zombie stand apart form his hungry neighbor is the story, the twist or something unique. The Revivers delivers on a bit of each. Not saying this is the best Zombie based tale you will read, just that it is something worth a look.

Atmosphere is brooding and the characterization is well drawn. Debbie is believable and likable which is an important trait for a protagonist. We, as readers, care about her and her fate, so we read. The story is not told but read to you, which is another important tool. I found it fun and just the right length.

For the reader – dig it.

For the writer – check the character build up and the plotting.

Rushed - Brian Harmon

I grabbed this only because of the number of reads. Has to be something about it, right? I mean the amount of readership and positive feedback cannot be wrong – well, it was.

As characters go Eric and Isabelle left much to be desired. Eric spent most if his time recounting a dream and telling us about it, as if he was telling a story of his dream and not living the horror that was unfolding around him. Isabelle wasn’t very believable considering the timeframe of the story and the events that unfolded about her.

The plot dragged as the storyline was halted time and time again with tedious explanations of the current events or Eric’s dreams. I think it stands on its own without the constant reminders, over reads and more telling.

For the reader … um … if it catches your fancy, have a read.

For the writer, you will get some sense on killing action and plotting then have a read.

Indie Art Stop - DHOLL

Occasionally while I stir about the web something stops me in my tracks. As I was sampling the darker delights of the web, you know the dark crevices that sulk beneath the casing of your most sinister dreams. I tripped over my own visceral and as I stood, the following struck me.

The art here is absolutely amazing. I am partial to dark art, of course but every so often I find something that just makes me hungry.

There is much to like about the art here – I see an entire world, comic book series, short horror movies, book covers etc.

Go on and explore for yourself.

Find out more about DHOL on the WEB or @ DeviantART - Of course you can social media talent on Twitter and FB

All work is the property of DHOLL and is used here only for purposes of compliment, display and encouragement for you to support the artist.

The Fades - Season 1 (and only season)

So, I checked out a BBC offering called, “The Fades.” Admittedly, the main reason I did is because Natalie Dormer stars in it. To my surprise and then ultimate chagrin, The Fades was simply brilliant.

The storyline follows an unpopular and rather awkward teen, named Paul. Paul is haunted by dreams of the end of the world. He also has the ability to see the dead, lost souls wandering the earth because they cannot ascend, as the afterlife will not accept them. These lost souls are known simply as Fades.

Paul will soon discover that his ability to see the demise of all civilization and Fades all points to his special connection to the accession point and the ultimate release of the Fades. Not everyone however is on Paul’s side. The Angelics, whom one would suspect to be good are not what they seem, at least not all of them. The conflict between the Angelics and Fades is what brings Paul to the center of the battle, as he is special.

The short six episode season follows the Paul and his odd friend Mac on a harrowing adventure that see’s Paul reach his ultimate potential, but not without grave loss. There is just enough mixture of Paul’s life, to include Mac, mother Meg and sister Anna. With side stories that follow Sarah and her husband Mark and of course Neil, Paul’s mentor and lead Angelic.

The characters in the story are all exceptional, well acted and believable. Of course, Natalie Dormer’s character Sarah is of special interest (ahem). Seriously, I am not much of a TV watcher but the BBC has introduces some fine television stateside and The Fades is a prime entry.

I recommend The Fades with reservation. I loved it but you should know that the BBC canceled it. This was reportedly because of budgetary reasons and keeping the counter series Being Human, alive. So, go into the series with that thought in mind will be helpful in deciding if you want to take The Fades for a ride. The only disappointment is that it will not be back for a season two … well at least anytime soon.