Blurb:
A legend awakens…
A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you.
Disappearances every ten or so years make little impact on the small town of New Haven, Virginia. Hikers get lost. Hunters lose the trail. Even when a body is discovered, the inhabitants’ memories last about as long as the newspaper articles.
No one connects the cases. No one notices the disappearances go back beyond Civil War times. No one believes a legendary monster roams the forests in Southwestern Virginia.
I don’t either until the truck breaks down on an old mountain trail. Cell phones won’t work in this neck of the woods. It’s amazing how much a person can see by starlight alone. So what if we can’t feel our fingers or toes as we hike toward the main road. How many more miles left to go?
Crrraaack!
Hear that noise?
My review:
A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you.
Disappearances every ten or so years make little impact on the small town of New Haven, Virginia. Hikers get lost. Hunters lose the trail. Even when a body is discovered, the inhabitants’ memories last about as long as the newspaper articles.
No one connects the cases. No one notices the disappearances go back beyond Civil War times. No one believes a legendary monster roams the forests in Southwestern Virginia.
I don’t either until the truck breaks down on an old mountain trail. Cell phones won’t work in this neck of the woods. It’s amazing how much a person can see by starlight alone. So what if we can’t feel our fingers or toes as we hike toward the main road. How many more miles left to go?
Crrraaack!
Hear that noise?
My review:
Three chilling tales that will keep you awake on long winter nights.
We begin with a short terrifying piece that gives the reader a peek into how a monster is born. Nightmare at the Freak Show pulls at your heartstrings and leaves you pale and horrified, sitting with your mouth agape. Cherie Reich builds great tension in this opening tidbit. It'll leave you hungry for more.
Once Upon A December Nightmare grips you with its vivid detail and nail-biting suspense. It seemed like a normal night for the young folk, but I fast on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't relax even when I reached the end. The most unique part of this story is that the reader is allowed to see through all the characters' eyes. Each of the four characters have their own sections, and it's like peeling back layers of an onion. More is revealed about the dynamics of the group and each individual's inner most feelings. Cherie does a marvelous job with characterization.
Nightmare Ever After is my favorite of the stories. It takes place a decade after the last tale, and lets the reader peek into the life of someone who survived one horrible night. Cassie is a fascinating character that must not only deal with living with the trauma of that night, but also with the fact no one believes her. She struggles with her fears, but she's a survivor. Tim is the perfect complement to her character. They're thrown into the chaos of a case that's never been solved. The mystery haunts the reader through the pages, slowly unveiling the horror. The tension builds as the number of murders grow until you're on the edge of your seat waiting to see what's going to happen. The story has a definite X-Files feel. Though Tim is more Scully where as Cassie would be Mulder.
This is an amazing collection of horror stories. An intriguing mystery, masterful characterization, and heart pounding suspense. Oh, you'll see your fair share of horrific things, but there's so much more to these tales.
We begin with a short terrifying piece that gives the reader a peek into how a monster is born. Nightmare at the Freak Show pulls at your heartstrings and leaves you pale and horrified, sitting with your mouth agape. Cherie Reich builds great tension in this opening tidbit. It'll leave you hungry for more.
Once Upon A December Nightmare grips you with its vivid detail and nail-biting suspense. It seemed like a normal night for the young folk, but I fast on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't relax even when I reached the end. The most unique part of this story is that the reader is allowed to see through all the characters' eyes. Each of the four characters have their own sections, and it's like peeling back layers of an onion. More is revealed about the dynamics of the group and each individual's inner most feelings. Cherie does a marvelous job with characterization.
Nightmare Ever After is my favorite of the stories. It takes place a decade after the last tale, and lets the reader peek into the life of someone who survived one horrible night. Cassie is a fascinating character that must not only deal with living with the trauma of that night, but also with the fact no one believes her. She struggles with her fears, but she's a survivor. Tim is the perfect complement to her character. They're thrown into the chaos of a case that's never been solved. The mystery haunts the reader through the pages, slowly unveiling the horror. The tension builds as the number of murders grow until you're on the edge of your seat waiting to see what's going to happen. The story has a definite X-Files feel. Though Tim is more Scully where as Cassie would be Mulder.
This is an amazing collection of horror stories. An intriguing mystery, masterful characterization, and heart pounding suspense. Oh, you'll see your fair share of horrific things, but there's so much more to these tales.
Buy links: Amazon * B&N * Book Depository * CreateSpace
Add it to read on Goodreads.
Haunt Cherie Reich here.
Add it to read on Goodreads.
Haunt Cherie Reich here.
Cherie's stories sound really creepy--and what a great month to read them. Glad you enjoyed them so much.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteWow, your review was just like the book you've described as on the edge of your seat! I expected the monster to appear any moment! This is must read for sure! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Cherie!
I love scary this time of year and I'm a fan of Cherie.
ReplyDeleteThese sound pretty chilling. I especially love the idea of a story about the birth of a monster. Looking forward to checking it out.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've read Once Upon a December Nightmare before, but Nightmare Ever After is still new to me. Can't wait to add this to my book collection sometime, so I can read all the stories in one sitting!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a really fun read for the season! I hadn't heard of it, so thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love Cherie's work. She's a great writer. Perfect book for Halloween!
ReplyDeleteI was going to start reading her collection yesterday but got sucked into The Walking Dead. lol
ReplyDeleteHalloween fare for sure! Very creepy. I'm already imagining the monster lurking just outside. Eeek!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect collection for Halloween. . .well, not after dark. (I'm chicken.)
ReplyDeleteSee...hiking can be SO dangerous. I'll stick to my car. I'm pretty sure I can outrun a monster in my car.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for stopping in today. This is an awesome collection. Perfect for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteOh, goody, lots of scary tales. What a collection! And for Halloween!
ReplyDeleteI just started reading this one! Great review. Looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, this looks really, really good. :-) The perfect mood setter.
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
What timing!! Cherie rights gold! Scary gold that is. Wink
ReplyDeleteI love that a new batch of good horror stories comes out every October.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading and reviewing Once upon a Nightmare, Christine! And thank you, everyone, for your comments. I've been told the collection is best read before dark and away from any forests. :)
ReplyDelete