"Constantine: Hellblazer" by John Shirley is a gripping and atmospheric addition to the Hellblazer comic book series. In this book review, we will delve into the dark and gritty world of occult detective John Constantine, exploring the complexities of his character, the supernatural mysteries he confronts, and the noir-inspired storytelling that sets this graphic novel apart.
A Noirish Take on the Occult: John Shirley masterfully captures the essence of the Hellblazer series, infusing "Constantine: Hellblazer" with a noirish sensibility. The graphic novel embraces the dark and morally ambiguous nature of Constantine's world, presenting readers with a moody and atmospheric tale that combines supernatural horror, gritty crime elements, and thought-provoking themes.
Character Depth and Complexity: Shirley delves deep into the psyche of John Constantine, showcasing the character's complexities and inner demons. Constantine is portrayed as a flawed and morally ambiguous antihero, haunted by his past actions and tormented by the consequences of his choices. Shirley's exploration of Constantine's internal struggles adds layers of depth and realism, making him a compelling and relatable protagonist.
Intricate and Engaging Storytelling: The storytelling in "Constantine: Hellblazer" is intricate and engaging, with each chapter unraveling a new supernatural mystery for Constantine to unravel. Shirley's writing captures the reader's attention from the first page, weaving together a series of interconnected storylines that gradually build tension and suspense. The narrative pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection and character development amidst the supernatural action.
Supernatural Horrors and Intriguing Villains: The graphic novel presents a host of supernatural horrors and intriguing villains that Constantine must confront. From demonic entities to malevolent spirits, each adversary challenges Constantine both physically and psychologically. The author's ability to create genuinely eerie and chilling moments contributes to the book's atmospheric allure, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Artwork that Enhances the Gritty Tone: The artwork by various talented artists throughout the graphic novel complements Shirley's writing, enhancing the dark and gritty tone of the story. The illustrations effectively convey the moody atmosphere and visceral nature of the supernatural elements, immersing readers in Constantine's world. The use of shadow and the incorporation of noir-inspired aesthetics further add to the overall impact of the artwork.
Reflection of Real-World Themes: "Constantine: Hellblazer" goes beyond being a supernatural tale and touches upon real-world themes. Shirley incorporates social and political commentary, exploring issues such as power dynamics, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This adds another layer of depth to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple supernatural thriller.
"Constantine: Hellblazer" by John Shirley is a dark and gripping addition to the Hellblazer comic book series. With its noirish atmosphere, morally complex characters, and supernatural mysteries, the graphic novel captures the essence of John Constantine's world. Shirley's writing and the accompanying artwork create a visceral and engaging reading experience, making this a must-read for fans of the occult detective's adventures.
"Reap the Wind" by Iris Johansen is a heart-pounding thriller that plunges readers into a world of danger, intrigue, and high-stakes adventure. In this review, we will explore the gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and the relentless suspense that make this novel a must-read for fans of the genre.
"Reap the Wind" follows the journey of Breeze Tanner, a strong-willed woman determined to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance. Breeze is no stranger to danger, having grown up in a family of risk-takers and adrenaline junkies. Her relentless pursuit of answers leads her into the perilous world of treasure hunting and puts her in the crosshairs of ruthless adversaries.
One of the standout features of this novel is Iris Johansen's ability to craft a compelling and fast-paced plot. The narrative unfolds with precision, balancing intense action sequences with moments of intrigue and discovery. Johansen's writing keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly flipping through the pages to uncover the next twist or turn in the story.
Breeze Tanner is a formidable and captivating protagonist. Her determination and resilience are evident as she navigates treacherous waters and faces numerous obstacles in her quest for the truth. Johansen deftly brings Breeze to life, allowing readers to connect with her on a personal level, rooting for her success and empathizing with her struggles.
The supporting characters in "Reap the Wind" are equally well-drawn and add depth to the narrative. From Breeze's enigmatic mentor to her loyal and resourceful crew, each character brings their own unique skills and personality to the table. Their interactions and dynamics contribute to the tension and excitement of the story, keeping readers invested in their fates.
Johansen's vivid descriptions transport readers to exotic locations and immerse them in the world of treasure hunting. From the open seas to hidden caves and ancient ruins, the settings come alive, adding richness and authenticity to the story. The author's attention to detail and ability to evoke a sense of place make the reading experience all the more immersive.
The suspense in "Reap the Wind" is unrelenting, driving the story forward at a breakneck pace. Johansen expertly weaves a web of danger and intrigue, introducing unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the final pages. The constant threat of betrayal and the high stakes involved in the treasure hunt make for an exhilarating and adrenaline-fueled read.
While the action and suspense take center stage, "Reap the Wind" also explores themes of family, loyalty, and the lengths one is willing to go for the truth. Breeze's emotional journey adds an extra layer of depth to the story, giving readers a glimpse into the complexities of her character and the impact her father's disappearance has had on her life.
"Reap the Wind" is a gripping thriller that delivers on all fronts. With its well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and relentless suspense, Iris Johansen takes readers on an exhilarating adventure. Fans of action-packed thrillers will be captivated by Breeze Tanner's quest for answers and the high-stakes world of treasure hunting. "Reap the Wind" is a testament to Johansen's skill as a storyteller, leaving readers eagerly anticipating her next thrilling tale.
Thriller books are an exhilarating escape into a world of suspense, intrigue, and relentless tension. With their gripping narratives and unexpected twists, they keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover dark secrets and untangle complex mysteries. In this blog post, we will take a thrilling journey through the realm of suspense literature, highlighting some of the best thriller books that have captivated readers and left them breathless with anticipation.
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn: A masterful psychological thriller, "Gone Girl" explores the intricacies of a crumbling marriage and the mysterious disappearance of Amy Dunne. Gillian Flynn's taut writing and skillful manipulation of perspective keep readers guessing until the very end. Filled with shocking revelations and morally ambiguous characters, this book is a rollercoaster ride of deception, obsession, and dark secrets.
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" introduces readers to Lisbeth Salander, a fiercely independent hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist. Together, they unravel a twisted web of corruption and violence. Stieg Larsson's debut novel is a gritty and atmospheric thriller that delves into the darkest corners of Swedish society, showcasing complex characters and a relentless pursuit of justice.
"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides: In this gripping psychological thriller, Alicia Berenson, a renowned artist, is found guilty of murdering her husband and refuses to speak a word. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with unraveling the truth behind Alicia's silence. "The Silent Patient" is a compelling and atmospheric tale of obsession, betrayal, and the power of secrets, filled with unexpected twists that will keep readers guessing until the final pages.
"The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown: "The Da Vinci Code" is an international phenomenon that blends art, history, and religion into a heart-pounding adventure. Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, finds himself entangled in a dangerous quest to unravel an ancient secret that could shake the foundations of Christianity. Dan Brown's fast-paced narrative, intricate puzzles, and conspiracy-laden plot make this book an exhilarating and intellectually stimulating thriller.
"The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris: This iconic psychological thriller introduces readers to Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. As Clarice delves into the mind of another serial killer known as Buffalo Bill, she must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the enigmatic Lecter. Thomas Harris crafts a chilling and suspenseful tale that showcases the power of psychological manipulation and the human capacity for darkness.
Thriller books have the unique ability to keep us on the edge of our seats, turning pages with bated breath. The books mentioned above represent a mere fraction of the thrilling journeys that await readers in the genre. Whether you prefer psychological suspense, gripping mysteries, or heart-racing action, the world of thrillers has something to offer everyone. So, buckle up and immerse yourself in these adrenaline-pumping stories that will leave you exhilarated and craving for more.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of THE GOD GAME from St. Martin's Press. First off, the cover was catching, bright and shiny and easy to pick up. The book starts off quickly by introducing a group of high schoolers, Charlie and his friends and the way they are pulled into a dangerous augmented reality game.
This story was fast paced with an alternating point of view. There were a few anti-trump references that didn't add to the story and could have been edited out. Overall THE GOD GAME was a thrilling, fast read. 3/5 stars.
"Smart, propulsive and gripping, THE GOD GAME is an ambitious thriller and a terrifying examination of what could--and probably already is--happening in the world of artificial intelligence."―Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away
A technological thriller with an all-too-believable premise, award-winning author Danny Tobey's The God Game follows five teenagers obsessed with an online video game that connects them to their worst impulses and most dangerous desires.
They call themselves the Vindicators. Targeted by bullies and pressured by parents, these geeks and gamers rule the computer lab at Turner High School. Wealthy bad boy Peter makes and breaks rules. Vanhi is a punk bassist at odds with her heritage. Kenny's creativity is stifled by a religious home life. Insecure and temperamental, Alex is an outcast among the outcasts. And Charlie, the leader they all depend on, is reeling from the death of his mother, consumed with reckless fury.
They each receive an invitation to play The God Game. Created by dark-web coders and maintained by underground hackers, the video game is controlled by a mysterious artificial intelligence that believes it is God. Obey the almighty A.I. and be rewarded. Defiance is punished. Through their phone screens and high-tech glasses, Charlie and his friends see and interact with a fantasy world superimposed over reality. The quests they undertake on behalf of "God" seem harmless at first, but soon the tasks have them questioning and sacrificing their own morality.
High school tormentors get their comeuppance. Parents and teachers are exposed as hypocrites. And the Vindicators' behavior becomes more selfish and self-destructive as they compete against one another for prizes each believes will rescue them from their adolescent existence. But everything they do is being recorded. Hooded and masked thugs are stalking and attacking them. "God" threatens to expose their secrets if they attempt to quit the game. And losing the game means losing their lives.
Josh Malerman is best known for his best selling novel and Netflix movie Bird Box and I was lucky enough to interview him back in 2015 (see the interview here). Inspection is just as well written as Malerman's other works, but follows a drastically different plot than Bird Box. The Alphabet Boys and Letter Girls are raised on the theoretical values of a wealthy husband and wife. Raised in fear of being "spoiled rotten" and the punishment of "the Corner" none of the children have forgotten the unexplained deaths of their childhood friends. A social experiment gone wrong, raising children on lies appears to be more detrimental to the children than raising them without the distraction of the opposite gender. Another great read by Josh Malerman.
The hype is strong when it comes to the Netflix Original STRANGER THINGS. And guess, what, it's all true. This supernatural science fiction thriller series hits the nail on the head. If you were an 80's kid, this TV series is one giant nostalgic feel. Steeped in everything 80's, the producers got everything right, down to the mud brown tupperware, rusty orange fabric hues, and banana seat bikes. All of this, mixed with the brilliant sci fi minds of the 21st century, make for a show that you can't turn off. Winona Ryder delivers, as an over stressed mother searching for her missing son.
Here's the Netflix blurb: "A love letter to the supernatural classics of the 80’s, Stranger Things is the story of a young boy who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.”
Thankfully this series doesn't end with a cliffhanger. Episode 8, "The Upside Down," answers most of our questions and ties the first season up with a nice little bow that will leave you smiling. It also leaves a few strings of hope for a continuation of the series. I'm hoping Netflix signs on for more and that the producers are able to deliver the same magic.
Interviewing Josh Malerman awakened the frightened 80's child within me. So many things that I had tucked away, never to think of again because they scared the crap out of me, Josh reminded me of during his interview. I mean, it's been nearly 30 years of me telling myself Freddy Kruger wasn't real, and I almost had myself convinced.
Let's see what Josh had to say about reading, writing and zombies!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them. Josh says: Jonathan Maberry is a no brainer. He’s an expert in the field and I’ve got a feeling he actually acts these scenarios out at home. You know how there are Civil War re-enactors? Jonathan might be like that… only with a war of the future… a zombie war. I’d also try to stick close to Brian Keene. The Rising was brutal, so he’s probably imagined scenarios equal to or worse than those that we’d encounter out there. He might be scary to team up with. Like, he might hand me a weapon and say, “Do it.” And I’d be like, “Do what?” And he’d shake his head and say, “Never mind. I’ll do it.” And what about John Russo? Fella wrote Night of the Living Dead, for crying out loud. I met him recently at a horror convention here in Michigan. Super nice guy. I think I’d like that; a kindhearted zombie aficionado on my team. That would make me feel… human.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why. Josh says: You said “first,” so that means I get to save Stephen King and then valiantly leap back into the river and save J. K. Rowling. I think we gotta go with Stephen King first. He’s older than her. And he hurt his leg or hip, you know. So yeah, save him, then dive back in. Then after I saved her I’d probably fall back exhausted and you would need to ask them this: “So you were both just saved from drowning in a river by Josh Malerman. But he got so tired from the heroic experience that he needed saving himself. Which one of you saves him?” Meredith says: Thank you for picking up on that! Most skip over the "first" part and leave one of my favorite authors to the murky waters.
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading? Josh says: I’ve made the mistake of beginning a few books at once. I usually like reading one whole, moving on, etc. But as it goes, I’m reading Kathe Koja’s Bad Brains. It’s mountaintop brilliant. Strange, nightmarish, very realistic in a fun way, and refreshing. Jon Skipp’s The Art of Horrible People is an incredible short story collection that sums up his enormous personality and brain. And Richard Laymon’s Blood Games is a thrill ride. And yeah, my TBR pile is frightening, too, but I’m kind of making a dent recently. Philip K. Dick’s Ubik is next.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with? Josh says: A book that I’d love to read again is Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train. She pulled something off with this one akin to a magic trick. Sleight of hand.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014? Josh says: I had something of a tie between John F.D. Taff’s The End in all Beginnings and Stephen Graham Jones’s After the People Lights Have Gone Off. Both of these are collections, and they inspired me to write one of my own. I can’t say enough about these two authors. If you have a single horror bone in your body, they’ll both tickle it until you’re blue. Then purple. Then dead. Then undead. Then, when you rise up out of the casket at your funeral you can say (to everybody in attendance): “Where are my books? Who has my books?”
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015? Josh says: The Casualties by Nick Holdstock. I got an early look at this one with a chance to blurb for it. It’s magnificent. I’ll say no more. Check it out.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower? Josh says: You ever see “The Four of Us are Dying”? It’s a great Twilight Zone episode where this fella can change his face to look like anybody else. So… if a man just died, say, this guy can assume his identity straight off, and so on. I’d love that. I’d love to see how different my interactions with people might be if I wore different faces. And I love to see what doors I could slip through if I was the spitting image of somebody else. Man, you could go on for years like that. Think of it like a wild road trip. But instead of being away from home for a long time, you’re away from your true self.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write? Josh says: I’ve got a great office. Sweet scary posters. News clippings about Bird Box, letters from Mom, photos on the wall. But, for no good reason, I always end up writing somewhere else. The front porch is great. Especially if there’s a storm. The problem with coffee houses is that usually it’s poppy modern music and it’s hard to write a gripping freaky scene when kids are singing lullabies on the radio. Meredith says: I can see how that would be a problem.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from one of your books. Josh says: I wrote a book called Pest in which a fella senses that he’s losing his zest for life, then decides it must be a “monster” that is doing this to him. So… he sets out to catch the thing. That’s one of my favorites; watching Edgar arm his apartment, essentially trying to catch depression in a bear trap. I’ve got another one called A Mix up at the Zoo where this fella Dirk works at both the slaughterhouse and the zoo in town. His job is to give tours and his mind is all muddled so one day he accidentally confuses his jobs; slaughters all the animals at the zoo. It’s a colorful scene. And the attic birth scene in Bird Box rolled out of my fingertips like sand. One of the smoothest writing experiences of my life.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you? Josh says: I’ve got a novella out there called Ghastle and Yule about warring horror filmmakers who try to outshine one another (to a bad end.) Gordon Ghastle is a somewhat flashy old-school fella who is going for the Spielberg holy-cow movie making. And Allan Yule is a bearded rogue who loathes industry of any kind and makes movies that features no human beings at all. As I say on my instagram, I’m equal parts Ghastle and Yule. The guy who’s going for an undeniably shiny work of art and the guy who doesn’t care if he fails in that, as long as it’s art in the end.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist. Josh says: I love horror movie soundtracks. I listen to them all the time, not just while writing. We’ll have guests and I’ll say, “Tell me, Bruce and Donna, have you ever heard… Chopping Mall?” As goes a playlist, here are five of my favorites (try them out yourself): Creepshow, Under the Skin, Vertigo, Friday the 13th, and Cat’s Eye. But really, I love a hundred of them. The horror movie soundtrack plays like a bad kid who got his hands on classical music. “What does it sound like if I do this to it?” Meredith says: I made the mistake of listening to Isaac Marion's playlist. But I said to myself, "this is Josh Malerman! I must listen to his playlist and get a taste for it." And then the soundtrack to Friday the 13th starts playing, and I'm reminded why I still have to sleep with a light on at night when I'm home alone. So I skip on over to Cat's Eye soundtrack... Let's just say my power bill significantly increased for a few weeks.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say? Josh says: I’d tell them not to be afraid of writing a bad book. Start it, explode with it, throw up all over yourself, and finish it. Worry about it being “good” or “bad” some other time. Think of it this way: would you rather have a crappy rough draft that you can fix? Or have no draft at all? I’d warn a young writer about Inspiration. Inspiration is a monster. It makes you wait for him. I’m just outside! It says. I’m close! And in the meantime you wait so long you end up with nothing on the page. So let’s all forget about Inspiration and just write whether or not we feel like it. Talk about what you write, talk about it too much, talk about it all the time. Give yourself phantom deadlines; I gotta get this story done on THIS date. OR ELSE! And meet those deadlines. Interview yourself. Hold conversations with imaginary editors. Place your own invisible books on an invisible shelf. Live delusional. But write yourself into existence, book by book. And remember that all books are words, and that all words are letters first. Meredith says: nothing, I have nothing to say. That was the best advice ever.
Josh Malerman is an American author and the lead singer for the rock band The High Strung.[1][2] Malerman currently lives in Ferndale, Michigan.[3]
Malerman first began writing while in the fifth grade, where he began writing about a space-traveling dog.[4] Since then he has written several unpublished novels and his debut novelBird Box was published in the United Kingdom and United States in 2014 to much critical acclaim.[5][6][7]
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them. Ernie says: First, Chuck Wendig. I only know of him through his Twitter feed, but he seems perfectly badass enough (can I say ‘badass’ on your blog?) to be like Ash from Army of Darkness. I can see him cocking a shotgun and saying, “Come get some.” Second, after reading The Martian, I’d have to go with Andy Weir, because he’s brilliant enough to rig whatever we’d need to stay alive. And maybe build a spaceship too so we could get away from the zombies. Third…while I don’t think he’s written any fiction, I’d have David Sedaris along. Why? Because laughter would be necessary in a post-apocalyptic zombie world.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why. Ernie says: Hah! Well, at least you didn’t ask me to pick only one. Supposing they can both be saved, I’d go with J. K. Rowling first, because anyone wealthier than the Queen of England likely has monetary access to excellent hitmen. I wouldn’t want her angry with me for not picking her first.
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading? Ernie says: I just finished reading The Martian again for the second time, in preparation for the movie release. Prior to that, I absolutely devoured Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. Brilliant, melancholy, and full of gorgeous writing that made me jealous of her talent.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with? Ernie says: Tomcat in Love, by Tim O’Brien. I’ve been recommending that book for years. Some of the things O’Brien does with language in that story are astounding.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014? Ernie says: It’s for sure a tossup between The Martian and Eleanor by Jason Gurley. The interesting thing is, both were originally indie-published works, and both went on to get picked up by Crown Publishing, a division of Random House. A refined version of Eleanor is due out in January 2016. Take note: I’m positive that Gurley will be one of our future literary giants.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015? Ernie says: This has been the year of little reading, for a variety of reasons, so my choices are limited. But, I’d have to go with Station Eleven. I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower? Ernie says: Telekinesis. Mostly I’d just like to be able to flick a finger and pick up all of the toddler toys, fling the laundry on hangers and in drawers, put the dishes away, and pour a glass of wine without having to get up from the couch. Forget fighting evil villains. I just want the chores to be done.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write? Ernie says: I’m such a creature of habit that I have to be tucked away in my little office, sitting at my cluttered desk. Trying to write anywhere else throws off the balance.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from one of your books. Ernie says: The climax/ending to Sara’s Game. My former agents felt the original ending could be quite a bit stronger and asked me to revamp it. I waffled with ideas for two or three days until the perfect resolution hit me. I’m convinced it contributed to the success that title has seen, and likely allowed me to keep doing this as a career.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you? Ernie says: Wow. Um. All of them? Not counting the kidnappers and killers? The closest would probably be Chris (a.k.a. “Brick”) in Going Shogun. The witty everyman.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist. Ernie says: I can’t actually write to music. At least not music with words. I’ve learned to manage most aspects of my ADD, but being able to write while someone else says words isn’t one of them. So, for me, it’s the soothing sounds of rain, ocean waves, or waterfalls in a jungle, with binaural beats in the background that are supposed to enhance creativity or concentration.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say? Ernie says: Use your adverbs sparingly, he said, conspiratorially.
USA Today bestselling author Ernie Lindsey grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, working on the family farm and reading, and has spent his life telling stories to anyone that will listen. He is the author of thirteen mystery, thriller, and suspense books, along with numerous short stories. When he's not writing or reading the works of other thriller writers, you can find him chasing a toddler, feeding a toddler, or cleaning up after a toddler. He remembers non-toddler things, but they're flimsy, gauzy mysteries.
Ernie and his family live in Oregon, along with a multi-fingered Hemingway cat named Luna.
Head over to ErnieLindsey.com for more information, or join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErnieLindseyFiction
