Customer Reviews

From the Shadows

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a great collection of horrific tales! From Nicholas Grabowsky's shocking story of soul transference, Norm Applegate's intriguing spin on what happens when people get exactly what they want, to Thomas McReynolds' chilling tale of a girl's twisted burial compulsion and T.M. Mason's werewolfen The Town, From the Shadows will have you glancing into dark corners, shivering with dread and lurching in panic at the drop of a pin.

Yvonne Mason's Blood Alley really struck home as an unlucky trucker suddenly finds himself in the midst of a group of werewolves on a lonely stretch of Florida highway and Fran Orenstein's Destiny was excellent, as she told the tale of a young couple caught in a time warp allowing them to converse and interact with the few remaining citizens in Destiny, a town that hasn't existed for a hundred years. I found Sage Sinclair's Bloody Mary's Sister so chilling that it gave me nightmares and Rebecca Benston's Eleven embroiled me in a terrifying cult that seemed interminable.

The Slasher by E.W. Bradfute reminded me of my college days, of those scary walks across campus late at night, where every shadow hid a possible axe murderer and a falling leaf would have me skittering for cover. Kevin Morrison's The Artist was an intriguing mixture of twisted artistic obsession mingled with vampirism and Kathy Blaylock's Night Whispers compelled me to look at my own birth certificate, just to reassure myself that I wasn't the descendant of parents from the netherworld.

To end it all, the reader is led through Kevin Lucia's Killing Time, an excellent story of the convergence of two souls on the brink of an assassination and April Campbell's compelling tale, A Dark Secret, in which a woman unhappily finds herself taken over by the reincarnation of one of the greatest "slashers" in history - Jack the Ripper.

From the moment From the Shadows throws you from the literary bridge of horror, through the screaming descent through worlds filled with werewolves, witches, gypsies, murderers and slashers, this riveting anthology will leave you clawing the nearest chalk board as fear closes your throat and raw terror climbs up your extremities.

From the Shadows is one book that you will want to add to your library. It tickles the senses and holds the reader spell bound from the first page to the last. So many different stories on so many levels of terror and fear. Just when you think you have read it all the next story takes you on a ride more exciting than the last.
This book makes Tales from the Crypt childs play.
Every person who enjoys a good scare needs to read Nicholas Grabowsky's forward and his story "The Freeway Reaper". It will give you second thoughts about driving on the freeway.
Fran Orenstein's "Destiny" reminded me of "Brigidoon" only more chilling. April Campbell, brings us a modern day Jack the Ripper in "Dark Secrets" TM Mason, takes us into a world of Dark Fantasy with his story "The Town."
Thirteen short stories. Thirteen ways to scare yourself silly. Thirteen authors in one action packed, hair raising, spine tingling, book. This book will not only make you look over your shoulder when you go out at night, it will make you lock your doors and sleep with the light on.
An excellent read
I have given it five stars only because I can't give it more.

I don't read a lot of short stories. I used to, but seem to have gotten out of the habit and I am not really sure why. So, when I had the opportunity to review this collection for my friend Vern at Triad Publishing Group, I jumped at the chance. I was thrilled, first and foremost, because it was my favorite genre, horror. But the other thing that is so intriguing about the world of short stories is that even if the story isn't that great, it is over with quickly and you are on to another one. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about that this time.

This book consists of 13 scary tales...how appropriate. I have been fortunate enough to read and review books by two of the authors in the collection - Norm Applegate and Fran Orenstein. And I was pleasantly surprised at the other talent that was exhibited in the other stories as well. This collection will appeal to everyone's fears, whether it is superstitions, vampires, cults, werewolves, or madness that lives only within your head. I am not sure if I would be able to pick a favorite, and even if I did I am sure if I read them again it would change. The Artist by Kevin Morrison reminded me of an old Vincent Price movie that if I saw it today would still scare me. The Wooden Box by Thomas McReynolds delves into madness which starts at a Grandfather's funeral and spirals out of control. Jumpers by Norm Applegate ponders the questions, what would you wish for if you were given the opportunity? And would you use it wisely if you found out it came true? These are just some of the great stories told here.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good scare - some truly chilling and some just hinting at the terror, letting your imagination take you over the threshold and beyond. I look forward to reading some more by some of the authors included here. Great job to all of you!