Welcome
To Moon Hill is an intriguing collection of short fiction based
in the mythic town of Moon Hill. The alluring stories that comprise
the collection are unique as the town itself: dark, suspenseful, and
most of all, enticing. The author gives us well-written,
tightly-woven stories that touch upon myriads of emotions. Stand outs
are:
“From
Your Body They Rise”, is a surreal and haunting tale of curiosity
and the wonderment of discovery. Alan discovers a peculiar “plant”
that would make him a legend in science, and re-define physics. As
the journey grows, so do the stakes. With a suspense that is
palpable, the author weaves the reader into the tale white-knuckled,
with effortless grace and ease.
“Hair
of The Dog”, Poor, John. Some guys just can’t get a break. He
gets the courage up to ask the girl at the local coffee shop out, and
she rejects him. A bit worse, actually. She simply states that he is
“dark and depressing.” He walks out and goes in search of another
java-joint. However, his options may be limited. This one is short,
sweet and best of all, hilarious.
“And
The Drums Went Thump Thump Thump”, is a somber, heart-felt tale of
the struggles single parents face. John is trying his best with his
teenage, death-metal loving daughter, Ashley. John decides to open a
door into her world, her life. Perhaps with some renewed insight, he
can understand her gruff exterior. A pair of street thugs would like
to do the same as well. Can John put the bottle down and finally
stand up?
“Struck
By Golden Lightning”, Ewan has the mind of a child. Despite some of
his neighbors understanding this, others are more reluctant to have
their children play with him. This touching, fantastical tale
explores family, friends—tolerance vs. intolerance—and the belief
that anything is possible. Soon, perhaps, everyone will see just how
special Ewan actually is.
There
are a lot of books and collections that have a foreboding town, or
dwelling where bad things happen. It is a tradition and staple in
horror that we all love. However, Welcome to Moon Hill shines
with tales that horrify, yet hook our imaginations in a unique way as
well. We find ourselves standing in synch with these characters that
are on the brink of new worlds and answers, or oblivion and its sweet
embrace. But for the life of us, our curiosity always gets the best
of us…no matter the outcome.
To
learn more about the author, please visit his website.
Reviewed
by Ben Eads
Ben
Eads is a dark fiction author of short stories and longer fiction.
His work tends to represent modern horror coupled with what he likes
to call: “Imagination-tickling elements”. Ben is also a huge fan
of dark fiction and dark movies. At the age of ten he wrote his first
story. Taking writing seriously in early 2008, Ben Eads has published
numerous short dark fiction stories in various magazines,
anthologies, and E-Zines.
You can find him here.
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