Book Reviews

THE ORDER OF THE BLOOD Published by: Black Bed Sheet, April 2011 458pgs, $17.98 Synopsis: Once, vampires of the Order of the Blood were revered and respected, but a change in political tides and waves of genocide forced them into hiding. Now, split into two factions with very different means to the end of regaining their freedoms, the brothers of …

Gore Noir Magazine – Issue 1 We were recently contacted by a new magazine on the scene by the name of Gore Noir Magazine. It’s in its infancy with a clear direction focused on horror culture without the film coverage aspect. I’ve seen a couple of like mags pop up with this intention, but only time will tell if its …

INSTALLING LINUX ON A DEAD BADGER AND OTHER ODDITIES Written by Lucy A. Snyder Published by Creative Guy Publishing Publication Date: 2007 Format: B&W – 110 pages Price: $10.95 “LET’S FACE IT: any script kiddie with a pair of pliers can put a red hat on a Compaq, his mom’s toaster, or even the family dog. But nothing earns you …

Morpheus Tales XIII I always get excited when I open my mailbox and see that the latest issue of Morpheus Tales is sitting in there waiting to be read. I have come to expect great things from each issue; riveting, well written stories and accompanying artwork that adds so much to the tales. Issue #13 is no exception. I thought …

GRANDE ILLUSIONS – A LEARN-BY-EXAMPLE GUIDE TO THE ART AND TECHNIQUE OF SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS FROM THE FILMS OF TOM SAVINI Written by Tom Savini Published by Imagine Publication Date: 1983 Format: B&W / color – 135 pages Price: various – OOP Hell-o, gore hounds, Horror Fanatics, information sucking maggots and most of all, fellow Special Effects Artists. This is …

In "Burn Phone", Thomas Malafarina has a visual artist’s eye for detail and exuberance for the minutiae of his deceptively simple scenes. He writes with the same flourish for violence and tableaus of flesh as Clive Barker and yet he shares the same cosmic vision and torment of inner and outer space of H. P. Lovecraft, all the while working the clichés and conventions of the genre bravely and unabashedly. All in all, “Burn Phone” is one hell of a rollicking horror house ride.

UNEARTHED by Gina Ranalli (Delirium Books) The Pacific Northwest is known for its near-constant rainy season. But on New Years Day, the sun emerges and one woman, alone with her dog, ventures out to discover that something else has arrived with the new year: vast sinkholes, large enough to swallow entire cities, claim the lives of millions and unearth nightmare …

Eden: Crusade is the follow up to Tony Monchinski’s first popular Eden novel. It features several important and well known characters (big bad Bear, pregnant Julie, feisty Gwen, movie-loving Mickey, and the once proud and strong Buddy) from the first installment as well as the same flesh hungry hordes of ravenous undead. Like the first it is told in a …

GUILTY PLEASURES Written by Laurell K. Hamilton Published by Jove Publication Date: 2007 Format: Black /White – 272 pages Price: $4.99 well I don’t know about you folks but I just adore the sh*t out of her books, I even have the comic book. Vampires have always been something I am interested in but Guilty Pleasures offers you a lot …

THE TRINITY SECRET In this latest release from the team of Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman, we look at the mysteries of the number 3. More importantly, its seemingly metaphysical characteristics that bridge over into religion, historical data and our past which has this certain affinity with the idea of tri and its many related classifications. The book takes …

THE RITUAL Synopsis: Four old college friends reunite for a fun-filled trip to the woods. Unfortunately, people change and the group realizes that they aren’t as close as they were when they were all still in college. Worse yet, they have seen to have taken a wrong turn and soon find themselves hopelessly lost in the vast wilderness. The fun-filled …

Come the bright, unwavering light of dawn, H.G. and the VotD made for a damn fine and totally entertaining read that moved me in unexpected ways. I can't wait to find out what lies in store for our intrepid anti-hero once he washes the puke out of his hair.

HORROR FILMS Written by Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc Published by KameraBooks Publication Date: 2008 Format: Color & Black /White – 204 pages Price: $16.95 With the subject of horror being so enormous, there are alot of ways in which to author a book with directions to take. I’m always happy to see when books such as this go …

IN THE FLESH Written by Clive Barker Published by Pocket Books Publication Date: 1998 Format: B&W – 255 pages Price: $7.99 Hell-o, book maggots. This is a review for the man that Stephen King calls “better than he is now.” The quote is on the front cover. Of course, I can’t agree with the King, but Clive does kick some ass …

Another compact edition of Kamera Books that is focused on Asian filmmaking comes per way of “East Asian Cinema” written by David Carter. The book is a bit more rooted in Asian historics and culture than some of Kamera’s other books. This could be a plus or minus depending on your perspective. The focus here though is specifically the directors …