Double Dank, by Darryl Shaw

Double Dank is about Dook.

He is a one-of-a-kind guy! 

He is a family man, a father, an uncle, and a killer. Oh, and he can do astral projection. No one is safe when they are around good ol’ Dook. Well…bad ol’ Dook.

This book is no different from Darryl’s previous novel, Celebrity Sundae, in that he is willing to push things to the extreme. This one especially does not hold back. It reads fast, too. The story maintains a strong pace while still giving space for important, character moments, allowing us to understand them more deeply, even as their actions grow more questionable as the plot unfolds.

There are plenty of scenes that will overwhelm the squeamish, but for those who love and embrace Extreme Horror as a subgenre, this is a must! The kills are wildly creative, rivaling the likes of the Terrifier movies. But what truly elevates this novel is Dook himself, one of the most ruthless villains I’ve come across. His actions, his methods, are so menacing and brutal, grounded in the underlying theme of a man simply fighting his age.

He could be watching you, without even realizing it, and it heightens the story’s tension and suspense. And the mysticism was made with such precision.

From the very first page to the last, I was glued, constantly wondering what would happen next to these amazing characters Darryl has created. For a story that gets as gory as it does, this still feels like a fresh take on the supernatural, something I feel is often overused or used poorly. Here, it feels new again, with set pieces that feel incredibly cinematic thanks to Darryl’s filmmaking background.

He is able to shoot these scenes from different angles with words, especially when it comes to crafting action sequences. I wouldn’t even call it action necessarily, but there are some intense and exciting scenes that come along if you’re willing to stick around for the ride. The middle portion and the ending were some of the most amazing things I have read in a long while.

While I have wished things would have gone differently for characters like Julian, Adelaide, and Alvin, that only proves how well they’re written. I genuinely cared about what happened to them. 

Double Dank is an incredibly engaging novel, following in the footsteps of great Extreme writers like Aron Beauregard but with a voice entirely its own. 

Darryl is an amazing writer, and I’m excited to see what comes next!

Carousel, by Sarah McKnight

"It’s showtime!"

Laura Fitzpatrick receives an invitation to a party, challenging her to break free from her shell if only to impress Maddie, her crush. However, a simple game of truth or dare pushes her to go to Plum Creek Carnival, feared by locals. No one would dare go there, believing the place haunted. Unbeknownst to her, the carnival is haunted, and run by a mysterious figure known simply as the Carnival Man. As she navigates the eerie attractions with the help of others, she must summon her courage to confront the unknown and find a way to escape the clutches of the Carnival Man.

A horror novel that treads familiar territory, following in the veins of Stephen King. It evokes memories of the Fear Street movies on Netflix, bringing in young, relatable characters with modern sensibilities. It was refreshing to see a character as shy and insecure as Laura grows into a strong and independent individual in the face of adversity.

The book maintains a brisk pace and never slows down, thanks to its smooth prose. The description used was sparse but enough to convey the character’s feelings and experiences without hindering the plot. This makes the story feel all the more real for those immersed in it.

The inclusion of in-between chapters showing news footage and messages through social media was an interesting choice. At first, there was confusion, but the chapters added a favor that these things were happening while giving perspective to those from the outside on what could have happened to those stuck at the Carnival. The notion that there could not be a possible way to escape was especially intense, making the reader constantly guess as to how they could survive and leave when the Carnival Man has a power beyond them.

The Carnival Man is quite horrifying. He could be lurking in a corner without you knowing, or even knowing he was there, all it takes is to run and hide. A character who takes pleasure in breaking his victims rather than dispatching them quickly. The concept is reminiscent of Pennywise the Clown from the novel IT but with a unique and engaging backstory.

The backstory added layers to the supernatural without going overboard. I would have loved to have seen more touches of the supernatural, but that might slow down the fear factor, something the author successfully avoided.

It was shocking to realize that this book falls under the YA demographic without knowing it, because the book contains some scenes of gore and violence, while also touching on suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Although the scenes mentioned are brief, they can leave a lot to the imagination. It was smart for the author Sarah to give a warning ahead of time since this is a serious subject that may not sit well with many.

The book is fast-paced, and engaging, with very likable characters and a threatening villain who delivers more surprises than expected, especially around the climax of the book when Laura and the others have to make the ultimate choice to succeed. It culminates in a highly satisfactory ending, completing a definitive journey from beginning to end. Things come full circle; no pun intended.

I’m sure you will have quite a ride, no pun intended. Actually yes, the pun was intended.

Enjoy the ride!

Imajica, by Clive Barker

Imajica is both vast and complex. It features wonders like the grand city of Yzorderrex and the Cradle of Chzercemit, home to the mysterious goddess of water. But there are also horrors, such as the Oviate, a void filled with foul and lost creatures like the gek-a-gek, and the Nullianacs who guard the desert covering the Unbeheld.

The novel is set across five dominions, worlds that are different from our own. Earth, the final dominion, is however unreconciled, separated from the other four. We follow John Furie Zacharias, known as Gentle. After an unfortunate event, he questions his purpose and existence. He encounters Pie O’ Pah, a mystif with an incredibly unique ability. As Gentle journeys through these dominions, he faces and endures many trials, and rediscovers his purpose. Meanwhile, Judith, or Judy, his on-and-off partner, uncovers truths about herself and the fate of all the dominions when they reconcile with Earth.

Regarded as Clive Barker’s magnum opus by fans and critics, blending both horror and dark fantasy. Like before, he explores the supernatural and otherworldly magic reminiscent of most works of fantasy. At its core, there are characters with conflicting moral dilemmas. Barker defies simplicity in them. From Gentle and Judith to many others, including the villains, they are human, embedding enough depth and nuance in their actions.

Barker never shies away from describing some of the most explicitly violent and sexual moments throughout the whole story. If this book were to be adapted all too faithfully, it would be given an NC-17 rating. It can be quite shocking depending on tolerance. But through the beautiful prose, it takes a turn where sexuality and violence can unite and conflict, regardless of gender. Barker was a master of his writing style, with words flowing naturally like an ongoing stream. There are times when the river flows too fast. It is easy to forget what happened when reading too quickly.

Difficult to absorb at times with its thought-provoking elements and religious themes. Readers will be challenged to think for themselves since there are no definitive answers. Gentle’s journey symbolizes the struggles of Christ and the conflicting nature of spiritual and religious beliefs. Many who are not too familiar with the original texts can easily see this as nothing more than a weird dark fantasy novel.

The many names to remember were complicated; whether they sounded too strange or too similar to other names, it was a challenge to keep track of a whole cast of characters. Most that you will see often, and others who you may not remember because they have appeared so briefly.

It takes a serious commitment for this one since this novel is long (roughly 900 pages long). But the reward will come if one is willing to take the journey, no matter how long it takes. There is something magical when exploring the imagination that is unlike any other while delving into such strong feelings. No other novel has given such a strong reminder of how there can be no going back when going through so many experiences in adulthood. No different than Gentle when he grew to be the man he became. In the end, he was not the same, and readers like me felt the same way when reaching the final page.

This is one conflicting journey, but one that is worth unearthing.