Category: Books

Silent Night, Deadly Night Novel Review

Posted on by Kstrouse

A monster in the garb of holiday merriment, Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson) slashes his way through 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night.

This cult classic among horror fans was as controversial as it was gory and gratuitous. Naturally, this gift seemed destined to be opened when considering a novelization.

And now, your Christmas wishes have come to fruition because the Board gaming experts at Stop the Killer bring the holiday slasher back to life with bloody details from author Armando Muñoz. How much deeper can this holiday horror go? Open the pages to find a new look at the classic film. It’s grisly goodness is the book you didn’t know you needed.

But you do.

Christmas

We begin with Christmas Joy, the Utah town that Billy grows up in. A place brimming with Yuletide wishes year-round. The novel helps to incur discomfort right away, showing the layered web of experiences that caused this madman to be born and shaped and how his *naughty* intentions were nurtured.

While the movie was a sampling of a holiday massacre, this is a full-course meal. It comes with all of the disturbing fixings and plenty of new recipes based on and inspired by the classic film.

Armando Muñoz wields his weapons well, utilizing the violent narrative littered with the evil we know while introducing us to the ones we don’t.

It feels like the film, including the specificity of exact scenes and dialogue. Yet, there’s more violence, more sexual material, and it’s dressed in a decidedly darker shade of red.

source: Tristar Pictures

All of the additions feel at home here. He has done extensive research and taken careful consideration when penning this version of his Santa.

Has arrived

We get further examination of characters, allowing us darker looks that only a novel representation could allow, including Mother Superior. She’s a villain herself, and the book provides ample opportunity for us to learn and be disgusted by the character.

Many plot points are fleshed out, and some of the less coherent script problems are ironed into a much smoother trajectory. And, of course, this includes even more murder!

It’s as if this novelization is the film we wanted but didn’t get. An evenly-paced, aptly salacious story that doesn’t feel rushed. Its depravity is unmatched, and it drives the reader to discover how unhinged Billy and company can become.

Tonally, Armando Muñoz gives a retelling that matches the movie. Through twisted invention, the book succeeds in becoming its own sort of nightmare. One that fans of Silent Night, Deadly Night, will proudly embrace. Those who are unaware of the film but love some deviance with their cheer will also be pleasantly pleased. This is a horror book you can devour regardless of your previous fandom.

Bolder and bloodier: Silent Night, Deadly Night the novel is a Christmas gift you’ll be too afraid to return.

And you wouldn’t want to; it’s a fantastically wicked read.

The eBook will be released on March 1st. For more information on this and the other offerings from Stop the Killer click here.

Bloodsucker City Book Review

Posted on by Kstrouse

For my first book review on the site, it was only fitting that it ended up being a horror novella with clear influences by my favorite author: Stephen King. Remarked as a “Shawshank Redemption with vampires” (mainly in my mind as Salem’s Lot) it is sufficiently coined.

Bloodsucker City by Jim Towns is an easily digestible thrill of a story, with enough bloody bits and creative turns to keep you hooked.

After Lena returns home to find her son brutally killed (yet appearing to be drained of blood) she’s swiftly wrongly arrested for his murder and brought to the terrifying and secluded prison: Steelgate. The building is old, a fortress of secrets and darkness, containing some of the worst female criminals and controlled by a group of eerily mysterious wardens.

Her welcome is anything but warm, mistreated by guards and sneered at by her fellow inmates. The only true kindness comes from her cellmate, Yvonne, a woman who knows the lay of the land and warns of the consequences of the night that remain for Lena to see.

She also finds some kinship with the prison doctor, Doctor Mears, who, much like many here, is terrified of those who rule over her. The prison is haunted by a danger that hangs thick in the air, taunting the trapped souls with the worst kind of punishment.

Some women also exude the power over others, mainly led by Greta who instantly takes a dislike to Lena.

When she is forced to spend time in the hole, she soon discovers that the evil is embedded deep and that within the shadows exists a horrible and menacing faction of bloodsucking vampires. The lore isn’t intimately explored, but it’s clear that this has been a longtime setup, that has provided frequent feedings without garnering attention from the world outside. It also takes place in the 1930s, an intelligent choice as it takes technology and other trickier concepts out of the picture. It also creates an atmosphere that feels desolate, carrying with it a sort of ancient vampiric flair.

Once Lena recognizes what’s going on, she knows that her survival hinges on one thing: escape.

The novella moves at a pace that makes it hard to put down, keeping the action and emotion closely intertwined. It is also a tale screaming for a film adaptation, something I hope occurs. As I was reading there was a visual element that made the gore vivid and the horror sinister. 

Amid the occasional typo, the amount of names/characters can feel a little confusing. Mostly, it makes you take a second to reacclimate. It’s a very breezy 134 pages so some characters get less opportunity for growth and understanding. Overall, though, those crucial to the narrative are captured with colorful and unique prose. Our protagonist, Lena, is a woman to root for, strong and relatable despite the fantastic setting.

Towns is a talented storyteller, one who unites numerous horror elements and brings it to fruition with a feminine edge. Speaking of edge, this novella does not hold its punches (or should I say scalpels) and it’s all the better for it. Much of the story lingers in predictable territory but is displayed with flourishes of a darkened intrigue that oozes with creativity. One scene in particular is very bold and wickedly fresh.

Bloodsucker City is a horror novella with bite; it deserves to be devoured. It’s delightfully strange and creepy, with a compelling story by the talented Towns.

Bloodsucker City is currently on sale. More information can be found here.