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Jack-O'-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy Paperback – September 13, 2011

by Karen A. Romanko (Editor)

5 customer reviews

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Jack-o'-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy features the many faces of science fiction, fantasy, and horror Halloweens: steampunk Halloweens, post-apocalyptic Halloweens, alternate history Halloweens, outer space Halloweens, and noir Halloweens, not to mention new speculative takes on Halloween perennials, such as haunted houses, witches, ghosts, vampires, and, of course, jack-o'-lanterns. Twenty-six authors have contributed short stories, flash fiction, and poetry to the anthology, transporting us to the mysterious realm of the Pumpkin King, introducing the trick-or-treating Norse gods, or describing a lover's visit on a brief reprieve from Purgatory. Contributors include Paul L. Bates, Bruce Boston, James S. Dorr, Lyn C. A. Gardner, Jude-Marie Green, Samantha Henderson, Geoffrey A. Landis, Elissa Malcohn, Gregory L. Norris, Jason S. Ridler, Marge Simon, John F.D. Taff, Cliff Winnig, and 13 more. If there is a holiday ripe for exploration, speculation and new myths, it is Halloween. Come and celebrate this night of nights with us. -- From the Publisher

"Reading Jack-o'-Spec is like stepping into a Halloween party that's been going on for 2,000 years. There's something delightfully pagan about these stories and poems, something that captures Halloween's dark, autumn atmosphere. Whether it's a mad scientist invoking Halloween ghosts on Mars, boys trapped in not one but two haunted houses, or a rich evocation of poetic seasonal spirits, Jack-o'-Spec has something for all Halloween lovers." -- Lisa Morton, Author, The Halloween Encyclopedia

Jack-O'-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy

$14.95 FREE Shipping on orders over $25—or get FREE Two-Day Shipping with Only 1 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

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Editorial Reviews

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"It's out to dazzle and does its job well." -- Michele Lee, Monster Librarian

"This is a Halloween treat you'll want to find in your Trick-or-Treat bag this year!" -- J. L. Comeau, Creature Feature

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Product details

Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: Raven Electrick Ink (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981964338
ISBN-13: 978-0981964331
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,962,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #119562 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
- #181761 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction
- #202258 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

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Great for a spooky night by the fire

Bybrookereviewson November 7, 2011

Format: Paperback

Jack-o'-Spec is the perfect book for a cool Halloween night. It's got many short stories and poetry in it, and it's all pieced together quite nicely. I imagine these would be good campfire stories or just sitting around on a cold evening by the fire pit in the yard or curled up on the couch in front of the fire place.

I think one of my favorites, for its simplicity and honesty, is Halloween Hunchback by Bruce Boston. Obviously, by the title you can tell what it's about, but it takes a brief look into what life as someone different may be like on the haunted holiday.

Another creepy tale is titled The Two Houses by Gregory L. Norris. I really enjoyed this short story and wish there were more on this very house. OR is it really two? Our young narrator and his brother were very enjoyable in their curiosity, and I think this would make a fantastic middle grade adventure. The two different worlds that share the same house is different, and I'd also like to know the people in the other world.

The Experiment by Cliff Winnig was actually my most favorite, because it had the science fiction elements I think. The experiments, ghosts, and budding relationship at the end (too soon!) were so fun. I loved how Halloween is viewed in this world too.

Incursion by Leslie Brown also had a creepy dystopian feel with the characters finding a monstrous force each Halloween night. There is a sense of desperation in these characters and great sadness for all those they loose each year. It reminded me a bit of The Village.

There weren't any stories that I disliked as a whole, I felt a disconnect with Visitations by Elissa Malcohn, but as for the rest, I was very impressed. This anthology has a little of everything to offer readers; mystery, spooky, romance, haunted houses, dystopian, and more.

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Fall in love with Halloween all over again

ByMichele Leeon December 27, 2011

Format: Paperback

The air has turned crisp and pumpkins are appearing all over. The trees are donning their fall colors and stores have been slinging fun-sized candies in purple and orange for a month now. It's the perfect setting for some great Halloween-themed tales, and this book delivers. Jack O' Spec is a delightful collection of poems and prose all centering on some of the themes of Halloween. Not the typical horror fare of monsters and killers, instead it studies magic, what Halloween would be like if we were no long subjected to Earth's season and the myths behind the celebrations and masks in the first place.
This isn't a collection out to scare or turn reader away with blatant gore. It's out to dazzle and does its job well. From Michael M. Jones' holiday noir 'Who Killed the Pumpkin King?' to Daniel R. Robichaud's steampunk 'Autumn Jitters' and Samantha Henderson's south-of-the-border 'Sugar Skulls' Jack O' Spec has a lot to offer. It's an excellent choice for Halloween lovers, and for public collections.
Contains: Pagan themes, language, adult situations

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Bending The Spine Review

ByAmazon Customeron October 12, 2011

Format: Paperback

I always find it difficult to review an anthology due to the fact that there is more than one author and story per book. I was very happy that I received Jack-O`-Speck far enough in advance to really go through it. Jack-O`-Speck is pure Halloween fun.

There is a great range of poetry and short stories in Jack-O`-Speck. One of my favorite creeptastic stories is The Lacquered Box. The Lacquered Box by John F.D. Taff is about a magician who shows everyone a deadly show on Halloween night, but that's what you get when you make a magician reveal his tricks. I had many more shorts that I liked and there were even a couple in here that I got to read to my children which was a pleasure.

I found Jack-O`-Speck a lot like Trick-or-Treating. It's something I'm going to want to revisit each year at this time, just to read a story or two, to help me get in the spirit of the season.

Happy Reading,
Rebecca

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Great collection of Halloween tales

ByEric J. Guignardon March 6, 2012

Format: Paperback

REVIEWED: Jack-o'-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy
EDITED BY: Karen A. Romanko
PUBLISHED: September, 2011

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Per its title, it is a collection of Halloween titles, of which they are great to read year-round. Some of the selections are poetry. I'm not a poetry enthusiast, as I am of the short story, but I can still appreciate the prose and emotion they portray. Personal favorite stories are "The Two Houses," by Gregory L. Norris, "The Experiment," by Cliff Winnig, "The Leaves," by James S. Dorr, and "Who Killed the Pumpkin King," by Michael M. Jones.

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Intriguing Collection of Halloween Tales

ByRomantic Janeon November 18, 2011

Format: Paperback

I love short story collections and this one is now among my favorites. The range of stories is impressive - so many different types of stories and from diverse but talented authors. Although I'm sure I'll read it in any season, I'm sure I'll have this out each October to read and re-read these stories.

I liked all the stories but for me the most haunting was "Forty Eight Hours A Year"...what a love story with an almost Poe like feel to it!

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