I was intrigued by this collection of short stories and poems by Mike Allen from the description of the book, so I requested to review it.
What a ride this book is!
Throughout the 23 offerings in “Aftermath of an Industrial Accident – Stories by Mike Allen,” the author offers a considerable range and variety of horror for the reader to enjoy.
In the “Sun Saw,” a Korean War veteran visiting a friend gets caught in the lair of a cult seeking to use the NECRONOMICON for nefarious means. The imagery of the story was so vivid and creative, it was my first favorite of the book.
In “The Cruelest Team Will Win,” a ghost hunter with special powers finds themself lulled into a false sense of security that leads to them becoming the hunted by a very formidable foe. It went somewhere I didn’t expect, but was fun to read.
In “Longsleeves,” the first of two stories that are set in the same fantasy world, a young girl finds herself the victim of a long war between two families. And the deeper she digs to find out why, the more horrible the truth becomes. This story’s twists caught me by surprise, and I enjoyed the ending.
“Binding” riffs on the “curiosity killed the cat” metaphor for a story featuring curious college students and a need for illicit thrills. One of the most imaginative of the collection.
Finally, the title story, “Aftermath of an Industrial Accident,” throws the reader inside a secluded company building where all hell is literally breaking loose, and the true monsters may just be the ones we work with. A fun read that involves a variety of creatures and races.
This is my first time enjoying the author’s stories, even though he is a Nebula, Shirley Jackson and two-time World Fantasy award finalist.
If you enjoy horror stories, especially ones that don’t fit neatly into a box or cliche, you’ll definitely want to check out “Aftermath of an Industrial Accident: Stories by Mike Allen.” Oh and you have to be comfortable with gore, because some stories have a lot of it (would you expect any less from a story that features the NECRONOMICON?).
I’m giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 because I enjoyed the majority of the stories, which were original and inventive.
Note: Aftermath of an Industrial Accident: Stories by Mike Allen is available starting July 7, 2020, in e-book formats only. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Disclaimer: I received an advance e-book copy for review purposes from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other way. My opinion is honest, and as always, my own.
Disclaimer: This post uses Amazon affiliate links. It doesn’t add anything to your cost, should you choose to purchase something. Thanks!
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