Religion and Psychiatry Satirized in Christina Barber's Dark Suburban Fantasy -- A Review of her "Seeley's Pond"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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September 21, 2013

Religion and Psychiatry Satirized in

Christina Barber's Dark Suburban Fantasy

A Review of

Christina Barber Seeley's Pond (HD-Image, 2008)

                 193 pp $15.35 ISBN: 0-9770437-5-4

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

     I first heard the term "dark urban fantasy" when it was used to identify the genre of the book under review. Perhaps a slightly more accurate term for this novel would be "dark suburban fantasy" since the evil paranormal events involving the protagonist, Julia Tayte, begin after she moves to a New Jersey suburban town near the demonic Seeley's Pond. The author, Christina Barber, has spun a good tale here, which is not suprising because she was trained by an excellent writing teacher, the late Vickie Kennedy in her Newnan-based The Writers Block.

     For me the significance of her story is its satire of mainstream American religion and psychiatry. Most Christian churches believe in a theology which teaches that Satan and demons are no longer operative in human affairs because they were "bound" by Christ at the time of His Resurrection and Ascension. And most psychiatrists believe that Satan and demons do not even exist. This is the reason why neither Julia's husband, a Presbyterian pastor, nor her psychiatrists were able to help her: they thought she was suffering from a delusion! This was an even more frightening experience for her than the demonic attacks she suffered.

     The author in the signed copy of her book which she donated to the public library in Newnan (where she lives) adresses the reader in these words: "wishing you unsettling reading".

     Information on the author is available on her website http://www.christinabarber.net/

Fairy Tales Which Are Good Reads For All Ages -- A Review of Jeff Chapman's "Tales of Woe and Wonder"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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September 14, 2013

Fairy Tales Which Are Good Reads For All Ages

A Review of

Jeff Chapman Tales of Woe and Wonder (Create Space, 2013)

98 pp. $4.74 ISBN: 978-1479373222

Review Editor: Forrest W. Schultz

It is rare that I am able to find a well written book review which expresses what I feel. The one below is such a review. One thing I would like to add to it is my praise for the excellent cover, which, by the way, is a painting by an excellent artist.

Reviewer: P. Creeden

     "Held within these pages is a new take on the old Fairy Tale. Happily ever after is not guaranteed, just as in real life. These stories align with the Grimm tales in that no bad deed goes unpunished, and the foolish may end up in a witch's cauldron.

     Jeff Chapman's bewitching use of prose kept me on the edge of my seat throughout such tales alike "The Hand and the Knife," and has renewed my interest in reading some of the older tales. He has created characters whose actions are believable in a fanciful world of goblins and elves. I am not usually one for fantasy in the usual sense, but this is an author I'll be keeping my eye on."

Amazon Customer Reviews

Treks Galore !! -- Review of Lee Duigon's "The Fugitive Prince"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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August 12, 2013

Treks Galore !!

A Review of

Lee Duigon The Fugitive Prince [Book 5 of Bell Mountain Series] (Storehouse Press, 2013)

370 pp $4.99 ISBN: 978-1-891375-61-3

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

The word "Prince" is the title of Lee Duigon's lates Bell Mountain book is confusing, because it is King Ryons who is the fugitive, not a prince. But the term "fugitive" is appropriate, which all Latin buffs will realize, because it means someone who has fled, derived as it is from a Latin verb (fugere), meaning "to flee". Ryons has fled his palace to go on a trek, which is a Dutch term, meaning a slow and/or arduous journey. As I pondered this I realized most of the action in the entire Bell Mountain series consists of treks. It opens with the trek of Jack and Ellayne up Bell Mountain to ring the holy bell, followed by their trek in Book 2 to retrieve the lost book of holy writ, followed by numerous treks in the next three books consisting of actions by and against the wicked Thunder King who functions as a sort of Antichrist, attempting to thwart the godly by setting up a false temple and religion.

Frankly, I have begun to get somewhat weary of all these treks, but this is to be expected because they are written as analogies of our pilgrimage in this world, which often becomes wearisome. But there are in the Bell Mountain episodes, as there are in real life, plenty of moments of refreshing, one of the best in the current book I found to be where Jack discovers what to him is an ancient device -- which is some kind of gadget like a cell phone or iPad which shines out light and plays music, which the people in the story regard as "magic". That was a real treasure -- lots of fun. And there are all kinds of interesting characters doing all kinds of unusual stuff -- this is a very entertaining as well as thought-provoking read.

I can't say much more without giving away the story, but I can say, because I saw it posted on the author's website, that there will be more Bell Mountain books, the next one titled "The Palace", which will be followed by several more, and that the total number of books in the series is, as yet, not determined. This needs to be stressed because I read somewhere an incorrect statement (which I included in my first draft of this review) that The Palace was to be the final book. For more info you can visit the author's blog at http://www.leeduigon.com/


 

Edgar Allen Poe LIVES!! -- Review of Kelly Creagh's "Nevermore" and "Enshadowed"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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July 27, 2013

Edgar Allen Poe LIVES!!!!

A Review of

Kelly Creagh Nevermore (Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2010)

                     $9.99    543pp    ISBN: 978-1-4424-0201-0

Kelly Creagh Enshadowed: A Nevermore Book (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012)

                     $17.99     429pp  ISBN: 978-1-4424-0204-1

Reviewed by: Forrest W. Schultz

     If you think history is something that is over and done with, think again! This is definitely not the case with Edgar Allen Poe. Recently a film titled The Raven was produced about a killer whose methods are copied from Poe's horror stories. And Kelly Creagh's two recently published paranormal Nevermore books are not only permeated by Poe-ic concepts, but Poe himself is a character in her tale. And the story begins with two high school students doing a project on Poe for their English teacher.

     One of these students, Isobel, the head of the school's cheerleading squad, is the hero of the story about whom it can be said as it was of the cheerleader Claire in the TV Series Heroes, "Save the Cheerleader -- Save The World!!" Izzy is assisted by the class brain, Gwen, who provides her with important insights into the nature of Lilith, the arch-villain of this tale, who also is important in other contemporary fantasy works, such as T. L. Gray's The Blood Of Cain. And the tale reaches its climax in the graveyard in Baltimore at Poe's tombstone. (As an aside, the author takes some well-deserved potshots at the City of Baltimore.)

    There is other interesting stuff in Creagh's story, such as the demolition of stereotypes about parents of high school students and a real shocker about what the star football player, Brad, really thinks about football. The second book has a mysterious ending, which I guess will be clarified in the third (as yet unpublished) book, which I intend to read as soon as it comes out. You can check the author's website for that and other info, http://www.kellycreagh.com/.

     I strongly encourage you to read the excellent story found in these books -- the tale itself, the characters, and the world-building is first rate. And, although the libraries catalog these books under "Young Adult" (i.e. teens), these books will be enjoyed just as much, if not more, by adults. If you like Poe, you will like this tale! In it Poe LIVES!! Super-kudos to Kelly Creagh for this gem!

Deep Thought In "Deeply Odd" -- Review of Dean Koontz's Lates Book "Deeply Odd"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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July 9 2013

Deep Thought In "Deeply Odd"

A Review of

Dean Koontz Deeply Odd (Bantam Books, 2013)

                       333 pp.    $15.85    ISBN: 978-0- 553-80773-8

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

     I have been a Dean Koontz fan for many years. Of all the interesting characters Koontz has created, one of my favorites is Odd Thomas. The latest Koontz book is, in my opinion, his best Odd Thomas story, which is due largely to this: rather than containing the dubious "ghost whisperer" feature, Deeply Odd portrays Odd receiving advice from a solid citizen of Heaven, whose identity I shall not disclose for fear that it might be a "spoiler".

     This story refers to another of my favorite Koontz characters, the late Stormy Llewellyn, who had been Odd's girlfriend. Stormy was not only a delightful person but also an intelligent thinker, who realized that believers are now being trained for the vocations we will have in the Millennium. And the story also contains some deep thinking which is especially helpful in understanding the contrast between good and evil, for instance that good is interesting, and evil is boring.

     Deeply Odd also introduces a fascinating character: a sharp, feisty elderly lady named Edie Fischer. Her actions as well as her conversations with Odd are choice elements in this story. I hope that Koontz will bring her back in future Odd episodes.

     The story line -- rescuing children from kidnappers -- is an old one but this story is very different because it is composed and expressed in the inimitable Dean Koontz style.

      For information on Koontz and his books check out his website http://www.deankoontz.com/

"King" Crowns the Climax of "Infinite" Epic -- Review of R. J. Larson's "King", Book 3 of The Infinite Series

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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July 2, 2013

 

"King Crowns The Climax Of "Infinite" Epic

 

A Review of

 

R J Larson King (Books of the Infinite #3) (Bethany House, 2013)

$14.99 352 pp ISBN: 978-0-7642-0973-4

 

Reviewed by: Forrest W. Schultz

 

     For the stories in her "Books of The Infinite Series" R. J. Larson has created a world having an Old Testament style in its characters, drama, and spiritual conflicts. An excellent summary of this trilogy is provided by the publisher on page 349 of its recently published final book: "An unlikely prophet, a headstrong judge, and a reluctant king are called by their Creator to fulfill divine destinies, akin to those of their biblical counterparts." However, these stories are not allegories nor is there any way that even the most knowledgeable Old Testament scholar could guess what is going to happen in them. The Prophet Ela (the central character in the first book) and the Judge Kien (the central character in the second book) are both major characters in the final book, which focusses upon Akabe; and the way in which their three destinies are intertwined produces a great story.

 

     For me, the most interesting thread was the gradual transformation of Akabe's queen, Caitria, into a mature and delightful person she became by the end of the story.

 

     Information on the author is available on her website www.rjlarsonbooks.com

 

A Review of David Wilson's "The Night Mayor"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

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June 17, 2013

Some Interesting Things About The Night Mayor

A Review of

David A. Wilson The Night Mayor (Publish America, 2012)

$24.95 137 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4626-5915-9

Reviewed by: Forrest W. Schultz

       There are many interesting things about David Wilson which I could discuss but, since this is a book review, I shall confine myself to the interesting things connected with his latest book. The story is set in the fictional town of Suttlesville, GA, which is, in many respects a fictionalization of the real town of Grantville, GA in which Wilson has been a lifelong resident. The lead character, Leonard Carmichael, is almost wholly patterned on Wilson himself, especially of his vampire plays (which were performed annually in the Grantville Auditorium a decade ago). But -- and here is where it gets really interesting -- the particular play in the novel has itself been changed to fit the story of the novel! It is a fictionalization of a fiction! The actual play was titled Barbara Nolan Gets Married. In the novel he has given Barbara Nolan a new name. Most of the rest of the play in the story is the same as the real play was except for the very important change in the actress who plays the wicked sister of the bride -- in the play in the story (unlike the actual play) she is the daughter of a Suttlesville city councilman. The changes are cleverly done since there is no way anyone reading the book who had not seen the play would know that it had been changed. Another interesting feature of the story is that there is a character who refers to David Wilson's first book, Curse of the Vampire.

      However, the most surprising and most dramatic feature of the story occurs in the denouement when a truly extraordinary mode of vampire slaying is employed.

      It is not surprising that this novel is a good read because David Wilson is a good writer, who has composed a story featuring four of his greatest interests: vampires, history, plays, and local town politics. Wilson is now working on a screen play of his first book. This reminds me that vampire films are another one of his great interests!