Welcome my bloody readers! We have the beginning of another year and we are starting with a couple of books that are slightly outside the usual type of horror books that we review. The first is not you typical horror but it will show you the scary side of being a teenager if you have a few issues. The other book is about two vampire sects fighting for the soul on one human high schooler who has her own plans on life. So enjoy the start of the new year and read on!

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D.W. Jones



Butchers by Todd Sullivan



With a name of Butchers for a horror novella, expectations started high. Then add a cover that looks mysterious, modern and has shadowy figures to get you more excited. To top it off, you read the synopsis that tells it’s about different vampire sects fighting for control and you have a novel that you are looking forward to reading. Sullivan shows that he can write an interesting story that you don’t see often.


The story starts where the Gwanlyo, a secret organization of vampires are going after a young human girl to convert her to join their organziation. To stop them are two rogue vampires who want also to be a vampire but free to live as vampires should, hunting and using all their abilities. In the middle is Sey Mi, the young high school girl who is about to have her life changes against her will.


Now captured by the Gwanlyo, being tortured and coerced to the will, she is forced to adapt to their style and live. Every day of her existence since being captured is filled with pain and suffering. Little does she know of the events that are happening behind the scenes and how people are fighting to be able to control her for their reason. But as Sey Mi gains knowledge and power, she has her own thoughts and plans to take control of her young life. Will she bend her will to the people who changed her like or will she take her life back and strike out against all?


Sullivan does a lot within the confines of a novella. He tells a great story that has action with a vampire story that you don’t see often. He creates the two different sects or vampires that have their own stories where you are torn between which one to root for. The characters are well written and they pull you in with unique views where the good and bad aren’t cut and dry. Sullivan makes you care for Sey Mi and keeps you turning the page to see what happens next.


This is definitely a recommend for anyone looking for a good vampire novella with a different take on things. It can be bought at any site that sells books like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.




Moving Through by Chase Will



Frist of all, this is not your typical horror novel where you psycho kill murders everyone or demons haunt or possess someone. It’s easy to underestimate this book and just call it a yound adult novel. But anyone whose been throught the teenage years and had any type of tragedy will know what a horror show it can be. Will does a great job capturing the torment kids can go through and how tough it is to navigate life during that time.


This story follows Trey, a troubled kid who moved from a smaller town when his father got a better paying job. He’s a loner and pretty invisible at his school. During one of his many times cutting school and going to the movies, he start talking to a strange old guy who befriends him and an unlikely friendship forms. Due to this friendship, Trey gains friends through the old guy much like him, troubled and outsiders, and form a close knit group. Then it all comes apart and the old man dies due to sickness. Trey’s world starts to fall apart.


Things go from bad to worse after his friend dies and he doesn’t know how to process it. Whatever Trey does or tries to overcome the loss, things gets worse and he feels like he is losing his mind. To top it off, the girl he likes is with someone else. He feels like his friend talks to him from beyond but nothing helps. Will Trey gain control of his feelings and life or will it fall apart for him and he descends into madness?


Will does a great job immersing the reader back into the teenage years and making you feel all the angst, anger and confusion that comes with that time. His characters are troubled kids but down to earth and makes you feel their pain as they navigate their lives. His writing translates the moment and the emotions of the scene to draw the readers in and makes the readers want to turn the page to see what happens next.


This book is a definite recommend for anyone wants to see the horrors of being a teenager and what I like to call real life horror. You can get this book at any place books are sold.

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