Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child by Lee McGeorge

                                      Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child
                                                      by Lee McGeorge   

                                                       

Jemima Collins is twelve years old when she loses a parent in a tragic accident. She's heartbroken, feeling abandoned, alone... what she doesn't know is that a monster is watching her. As Slenderman slithers his way into Jemima's life, sanity and reason are slowly left behind. What ensues is disaster, destruction and death.

                                              ****************************

Imagine your worst nightmare, now combine it with the most grim and spine chilling horror movie you have ever seen and you still won't have reached the sheer terrifying heights of Slenderman, Slenderman, Take  This Child.

Lee McGeorge has introduced Slenderman to a mythos of  his own creating The Twelve of Darkness. By combining the legend with aspects of the occult he has created a story so dark and disturbing, you'll need to sleep with the lights on.

The one aspect of this story that I found too disturbing was the sexual element. It had it's place in the story, and I can understand why it was there, but I found certain pages very distressing to read. However, despite this I still found this book intriguing, a fascinating read. 

I received a copy of Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Nod by Adrian Barnes

                    Nod by Adrian Barnes

As soon as I read the premise for 'Nod' I knew that I needed to read it. So, when I received a copy from Titan Books I was very excited and this book did not disappoint. 

Vancouver is the chosen city to play out this nightmare, but what we're seeing on a small scale is happening worldwide! 

One night, almost no one in the world falls asleep. The few that do, all share the same golden dream. This happens again the following night, and so the terror and panic begins. WHAT is happening to the world's population? HOW can it be fixed? 

After six day of sleep deprivation, psychosis will set in, and after four weeks, the body will die. Terrifying statistics, especially when this is happening to you! A bizarre new world emerges, one were law and order are absent, and chaos and fear reign. 

Paul, our narrator, is a writer, and he is one of the few that are still able to sleep. It's through his eyes that we see this new world, through him that we recoil from the inevitable madness and decay and tremble at the unavoidable fear that accompanies this new reality.


This isn't a lighthearted read, there is a darkness to this story. An honest look into the soul of mankind, into how quickly we can turn into a relentless pack, baying for blood but never really knowing why. If we can so rapidly lose our humanity, do we ever really own it to begin with, or is it just a front that we use to make ourselves more comfortable in our own skin, and to look better to others? One of the things I love about Nod is just how much it made me, and is still making me think. It also made me realise just how fragile our reality really is! 

Would I be a Paul, a Sleeper, drawn to the golden dream? Or would I be one of the masses, heading unavoidably towards madness and death? How would I fit into this apocalyptic world? 

I've never read anything like this before, fascinating, intriguing and more than a bit horrifying. An extraordinary authentic read that will have me returning to it time and time again. 

Oh, and if you have the opportunity to read the author's essay My Cancer is as Strange as my Fiction, then please do so. ( but make sure you prepare your heart first )


isbn: 9781783298228
publisher: Titan Books 
publication date: 15th September 2015 
( originally published in 2012 by Bluemoose books )

I received a copy from Titan Books in exchange for an honest review. 

The Sport of Kings by C.E.Morgan

      The Sport of Kings by C.E.Morgan

The Forges are one of the oldest and proudest families in Kentucky, John Henry's son decides to step away from family tradition and turn the family's crop farm into a horse breeding farm. Henry and his daughter Henrietta strive to breed the perfect horse, but Henrietta has to ask herself if this is the life she desires, or if there is something else she wants for herself. 

Enter Allmon Shaughnessy, and an African-American man fresh from prison, he has a magic touch with horses, but is damaged by his past. Together the three of them will strive to create a new future, one where their horse Hellsmouth, is a champion but while they are fighting to design perfection, their histories are snapping at their heels trying to bring them down. 

                                      *************************************

When I received an advance reader copy of this book I was unsure. Horse breeding and horse racing? Not my usual interests. HOWEVER, I couldn't have been more wrong! This is one of  most beautifully written books I have ever read.  Rich with description and content, The Sport of Kings is a Majestic Masterpiece. 

From the opening paragraph that see's Henry Morgan running away from his father through the corn fields, to the inevitable cataclysmic end, I was captivated. 

This is a novel that presents to us the circle of life, the struggles humans face in this world we have created and a story of those strong enough to attempt to step off the inexorable path the circumstances of their birth put them upon and strike out towards a future of their own choosing. 

Journeying through this book I could feel the dust from the barns on my skin, I could smell the hay, see  Hellmouth's sublime perfection, hear the hooves of the horses racing, and taste the rich warm whiskey on my tongue. Every moment invaded my senses, drawing me mind, body and soul into the adventure. 

I admit there are parts that are difficult to read, the racism, aggression, sheer nastiness and disregard for human life teared at my heart. But every moment of this journey with Henry, Henrietta and Allmon is worth the heartache. Nothing I write could ever do this book justice, so please read it and discover for yourself the intensity and beauty that is The Sport of Kings.


isbn: 9780007313266
publisher: 4th Estate Books 
publication date: 5 May 2016