Customer Reviews

Stupefying Stories: October 2011

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

 

 

I remember sitting at the newsstand on the corner by my house, sweeping the sidewalk so I could read for free. I picked up cigarette butts, scraped gum off the concrete just to read Strange Tales, Analog and a host of others. That was the mid 70's, now I have found a periodical that finally measures up to them.

Excellent selection of stories, stupefying in the same way as a sparring match with a bantamweight champ would be. Highly recommended.

Such a great array of stories! Lots of variety. I was curious how the stories would read since this is a new market, but I was not displeased. Every story was a great read of high-quality. Loved it.

How fun is this? Gathering some great stories from fresh new authors and putting them in a monthly collection for us all to enjoy. I really enjoyed the variety, and getting a taste of some new writing is always a good way to spend some quality time with yourself, at least in my opinion.

The stories were enjoyable, well-paced and easy to get into. If you want to read something fun, eerie, quirky and ultimately stupefying, and you also enjoy a little diversity with your reading, then I definitely recommend picking this one up. It's inexpensive and well worth it!

This is the second issue of a new series of e-books from Rampant Loon Press. Each volume is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories and this is the first issue I had a chance to read. I found this to be a solid collection, and each tale was short enough that I could read several in one sitting.

- First Impressions by Aaron Bradford Starr - This was a story of first contact gone wrong. While the ending did not break any new ground among sci-fi themes, it was well done and I enjoyed the humor.

- The Bamboo Garden by Clare L. Deming - This was the most amazing, magnificent, and imaginative fantasy story I've ever read. Disclaimer...I wrote it, so how objective do you think I'm going to be? It's a fantasy tale in a non-traditional setting, and I think it's a good one.

- Home Security by Gary McKenzie - When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This takes on a new meaning when Roy purchases a home security system from a shady fellow. I felt the characters were well-drawn and the idea was original.

- Borrowed Feathers by Sarah Frost - A creepy look at the aftermath of an alien invasion. Humans are taken by the aliens, but birds of all kinds are gathered up and brought to one woman, trapped in a skyscraper and wondering how to go on. This was a rather chilling tale with lots of unanswered questions, but a fascinating read.

- If This Be Magic by Anatoly Belilovsky - Two men, out for a night on the town, discover that magic takes many forms when they encounter a strange house and a man that intrigues their dates. I felt like I missed something in this story, like a reference I didn't understand. I think that the men were nicely set up to be unlikable, and the end was fitting.

- The Oily by E. A. Black - Lara and Nate return to their childhood home where they confront haunted memories and secrets of Winwood House and the neighboring swamp. I don't usually like ghost stories, but this was one of my favorite selections in the book.

- In Fall, After the Harvest by S. Travis Brown - Dave resists his company's new health and fitness initiative when almost everyone eventually gives in. This was the shortest piece but was funny, with an unexpected twist.

- The King of Ash and Bones by Rebecca Roland - A ruined king seeks revenge in a fantasy setting where magic is transferred by implanted worms. I really enjoyed the idea behind the magic and I would love to see more of this world.

- Watch This! by Henry Vogel - Two uncouth hillbillies lacking in common sense find themselves in an unexplained line. Humorous, and fitting with the cover of the issue.

When I purchased Stupefying Stories Issue #2, I really had no idea what to expect. What I got was a collection of unbelievably great stories! I had heard these were semi-pro writers but what was published was purely professional grade stories.

The opening story, First Impressions by Aaron Bradford Starr tells of a humorous 1st encounter with beings from another planet. This was an excellent introduction for the rest of the book.

Home Security by Gary McKenzie brought back the feel of EC Comics / HBO series Tales From the Crypt with a perfect mix of horror and humor.

The Oily by E.A. Black and The King of Ash & Bones by Rebecca Roland had me entranced by their vivid descriptions to go along with their well-told stories.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this e-book!