Blurb:
The line between madness and greatness is as delicate as a golden silk thread. It’s a tricky balancing act to dance upon this fragile line for those seeking greatness. An outsider may perceive the endeavor as wandering a road toward insanity and crumbling dreams. However, in the eyes of the beholder, they don’t see themselves as walking a tightrope between genius and insanity but rather paving a road to success— where no expense is spared. Madness and Greatness Can Share the Same Face is a collection of thirteen dark fiction tales that spiderweb across space and time to explore the line where, with a step, one can be pitched into the realm of greatness or depths of madness. Come into a twisted universe that follows two women’s harrowing lives living with a monster in “The Voiceless”. Take a boat ride with a lonely lobsterman who rediscovers his son only to lose him again in “Of Sharks and Dreams”. Understand the depths of a father’s love for his daughter during an apocalyptic catastrophe in “Carrion Eaters”. Watch as a genetic scientist’s obsession with a creature in his dreams mutates into a horrific nightmare in “The Faunling”. And experience the freedom a young woman finds when faced by a God in “Where the Elk Roam”. Watch your step as you dance upon the thin line between madness and greatness
My Review…as I’m currently reading…
The Journal of Milton Parker…a mixed bag of a start. I’m not sure I’m interested or simply reading to get to the next part, but I have to admit to being curious as to where the mountain lions are and if the hunters know what they’re doing. Or, am I anticipating something more?
All I can say…when normal is the horror.
Gray Magic…Not what I expected. Is it weird to continue reading something cause you want to find out the ending, but are unsure it’s your cup of tea in the first place? So, a review should give you clues to the book’s story and if you recommend it or not, without giving anything away. This one is definitely not my usual pick and I’m not sure I would have, but with that said, I’m not disappointed…have to see how the rest of the stories hit me.
Of Sharks and Dreams…Need to think more on whether I like this story or if I would rather it be a longer novel-style story. Something feels missed, but at same time it is a complete snapshot.
Little Maise…Okay, that’s one way to grab a reader. Ahhhh, oookaaay. What the….??? Dangit, I don’t want to feel for Little Maise. Oh no, is this going where I think it is? What the heck did I just read? You’ll have to figure it out for yourself…maybe with a warning that this could trip you up.
Identity…Identity…uhmmm…is this going where I think it might? Just remember, I’ve reviewed probably close to 1,000 books over the years and have gotten pretty good as sussing out the “what next.” We won’t talk about the times I was wrong. Uhm…yeah…whoa…so not where I was going. What the…if I didn’t already like the activity in this story I sure wouldn’t do it now.
The Voiceless…I’m not sure. I feel I should tell you this does contain a back history of abuse, miscarriage, suicide thoughts. I’m not uncomfortable about those aspects, not really, but the whole story makes it unsettling.
Carrion Eaters…Two sentences in and I have no idea where this will take me, but it feels so matter-of-fact and calm and that’s freaking me out. Uhm, I have no way to describe what I just read. Monster hyenas? Walking Dead, but not the Walking Dead, there are no walking dead…not even the premise of the second Planet of the Apes would help describe this scenario. I can tell you I wasn’t expecting the ending.
The Wreckage of Sin…Freaky, simply freaky.
In The Hollow Of Smuggler’s Notch