More Creature Features!

 

Today I'm continuing on my review series of the new Amazon short story collection which came out on September 26th called Creature Features.  I have two more to add to my favorites list which has me a little scared for the last two.  As I mentioned before, these are fairly short so my reviews will not be intensive, but I do want to share them with everyone and encourage people to give them a try.

 

TITLE: Big Bad

AUTHOR: Chandler Baker

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 59   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: For a family trying to make an isolated farmhouse into a home, fear and rage are getting harder to control in a primal short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network and Cutting Teeth. The Strauss family is on knife’s edge. Sam is a resentful stay-at-home dad. Rachel feels the restlessness in her blood returning. Their children are getting out of hand. And a recent mudslide has forced the wolves out of the woods to look for food. As dusk falls and tensions rise, the family must come together to survive the night—from the threats outside and those within.

MY THOUGHTS: I am glad this story was one of the longer ones in the collection because I really appreciated how the author took time to really flesh things out, so I had a good grasp on what was really happening.  I love a good werewolf tale and this one had a few fresher nuances to it which really worked well for me.  I've not read from this author before but immediately went and looked up some of her books and added them to my wishlist.  Don't skip this one if you are interested in checking out this series.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

 

TITLE: Best of Luck

AUTHOR: Jason Mott

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 29   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: Did you ever hear the one about the man with a string of bad luck? The worst is still to come in a chilling short story of an insatiable friendship by the New York Times bestselling author of Hell of a Book. For best friends with vastly different fortunes, what’s left to hash out other than a forced confession at gunpoint? All that the destitute, sickly, and grieving Will demands is that monstrously successful Barry admit to draining all the luck right out of him. Like blood. As the standoff escalates, the truth is not the only thing ready to come out.

MY THOUGHTS: This one took some time to really hook me which is sad because being it was one of the shorter installments, once I was hooked, it was almost over.  I did love the ending, but I do think this one might have benefited from being a tad longer.  The "creature" in this one is one unlike anything I've ever encountered before which was so much fun.  Another author I apparently need to check out in the future.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Do You Love Creature Features???

CREATURE FEATURES!

 So earlier this week, Amazon released six short stories by notable horror authors which they have dubbed "Creature Features."  There are free if you have Kindle Unlimited and I think even if you just have a Prime membership.  You can also buy them for $0.99 each.  I am trying to read one a night to gear up for spooky season so below you will find reviews on the first two I read.  Because they are short stories, don't expect a lot because I don't want to spoil them for you!

TITLE: The Pram)

AUTHOR: Joe Hill

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 58   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: A husband’s obsessive desire for a child leads to an unexpected manifestation of his yearning in a nightmarish short story about fatherhood dreams by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill. Willy and Marianne’s farmhouse in Maine has acres of meadow and fresh air, and a lonesome bridle path in the forest along which Willy daydreams and ambles. When he’s loaned a decrepit old baby stroller to cart his groceries home, the rickety squeak of the wheels comforts him. So do the sweet coos of a baby Willy knows can’t be real. Can it? In this twisted thicket, wishes come true—with a price.

MY THOUGHTS: If you love Joe Hill, you don't want to miss his installment in the collection.  This one involves loss and grief and how sometimes the resentments we hold become monsters all on their own.  Plus, there is a creepy baby stroller and a rabid raccoon.  This would make an awesome movie!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

 

TITLE: Ankle Snatcher

AUTHOR: Grady Hendrix

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 29   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: Obey the rules. It’s the only way to survive the night in a short story about what hides in the dark by the New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. Marcus grew up believing his father killed his mother—then blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. Always leave the lights on, his father warned, or the boogeyman will get you. Marcus still heeds the superstition, especially when he invites his new girlfriend over. Is Marcus haunted by a creature or has he just inherited his father’s murderous delusions? The night will tell.

MY THOUGHTS: So far this collection is batting two for two.  If as a child you were ever afraid of what might be hiding under your bed, then this is the tale for you.  I loved seeing Hendrix's take on The Boogeyman and this one definitely gave me chills.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS