Customer Reviews

Twisted Tales

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

 

 

I really enjoyed Twisted Tales. It was somewhat of a detour from Brandon Massey's usual writing because every story does not involve outright horror, but the suspense is present throughout. Each tale is clearly and effectively woven to leave the reader in a state of awe. Even though the stories are short the characters leave an impression on the reader. Overall, a great read for a great price from an excellent author.

I love to read sci-fi, and recently I've been trying to open up my doors to new authors. I was at Wal-Mart when I came across Twisted Tales by Brandon Massey. I was skeptical at first but upon reading halfway through the book I was in love. I do believe he should have started the novel with a stronger Story because Daddy's Little Girl wasn't enough to make me want to read more. I can't abondon a book, and in this case I'm glad that I didn't. It was a good bood and Brandon is Awesome. So, people, if you are planning to purchase this novel PLEASE DO! It is well worth the money! And the stories get nothing but better throughout the book. I love Brandon and cannot wait to read The Other Brother.

A GOOD MIX OF TALES. YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE END. VERY ENJOYABLE. AS A HORROR FAN I AM VERY PLEASED TO READ GOOD HORROR FROM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE.

This book is great for those who are big fans of shows like "Tales from the Crypt" or "Tales from the Darkside". All the stories in the book made me feel like I was watching the episodes on TV. I greatly enjoyed each and every story. I finished the book in 1 day! Naturally because he is a black author, he added slang and stories black people could relate to. But its a book that all races can read and enjoy!

As a child, sometimes I was scared of the dark, and I even remember wondering what was actually hiding under my bed. We have all had some kind of fear, whether it was rational or not. In TWISTED TALES Brandon Massey explores many common fears and puts them into stories that play up our uncertainties but gives the hero or heroine the strength to conquer them or in some cases get what they deserve, which may be horrific.

The fourteen short stories deal with themes such as the fear of insects and snakes, the loss of a loved one, being stranded on a long dark highway, as well as horrors such as werewolves and monsters and even the fear of a sexual predator. Each of the tales stokes the fires of our deepest fears in order to give an element of believability, make your heart beat fast and have you looking over your shoulder every once in a while.

I personally enjoyed "The Secret Door," which was about a young man who recently lost his mother and was living with his scumbag stepfather. He finds a door that leads to the unknown at his job, but what he discovers is his strength to eliminate what has started to destroy his dreams. In "Predators," we meet a young woman who puts a hurting on a man who has preyed on females for far too long. In "The Woman Next Door," readers are reminded to be careful what we covet. I enjoyed how Massey dealt with the question of faith in "Flight 463" and the strength he gave his female heroine in "The Last Train Home."

TWISTED TALES is a quick and thoughtful read. Massey's notes at the end of the book explain to readers why he wrote each piece. All the stories were good and although they deal with phobias and horrors not all of the tales were scary and each one leaves room for moral reflection. Fans of Massey will love the snippets of fears and horrors found in these short tales. I do suggest readers be ready to come face-to-face with their own trepidations.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

If you want to sit down with some nicely crafted short horror stories I strongly urge you read this collection. Another one of Brandon Massey's you'll enjoy is Within the Shadows.

I really enjoyed this book. The stories were creepy, suspenseful and some of them even had some humorous parts that made me laugh.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

There were a few stories that were....? Overall, I enjoyed the book. This is how I stumbled across Brandon Massey.

The "them" starring in this interesting collection are abusive individuals paying the piper for odious deeds towards others. Each tale is well written with realistic characters whether they are victim or culprit throughout the anthology. However, upon reading fourteen tales with the identical twisted theme of an abuser (even disguised as a doppelganger grandmother or a hitchhiker) getting their due, the compilation runs thin. Still read a few at a time over a period, as these entries will grip readers who root for the underdog to rise. Especially strong is The Sting and The Hitcher (think of the movie), which the audience will have to reread several times because they are so good. Brandon Massey provides a strong fascinating series of character studies that star twisted protagonists and the victims often submissives they afflict.

Harriet Klausner