John Boden

WALK THE DARKNESS DOWN is the weirdest western horror story I've ever read. I adored it!

Starting with a young man named Levi, we travel down a dusty dirt road and meet up with Jubal, Jones and Keaton along the way, with brief stops visiting Tiny, and an aging coal miner named Ford. (I'm not even going mention the nightmares that are Jubal's sisters-I'll let you meet them on your own. Suffice it to say, I'm sure they'll be visiting my nightmares sometime soon. I just hope that when they do, show more they're in their dirty sling and I don't have to gaze upon their naked...faces.) Passing through towns like Gabino and finally ending up with a showdown in Lansdale, there are a bunch of literary references in here which made me smile.

Aside from Jubal's sisters, this entire novella is nightmare fuel, really. Levi's horrific treatment at the hands of his grandfather is awful, though what happens to him afterward is even worse. The lives of all mentioned in this book are tattered and torn. All of the characters are both good and bad, they have faults, they have redeeming qualities...they're just...human. In all the glory and filth that humanity embodies, there they are.

I came out of this with a distinct cosmic horror vibe, but I'm not quite sure on that. There was no outright mention of Cthulhu or anything...but, I think there was indication of some...cold and distant...powers that be, or perhaps powers coming (or attempting to come) into...being. To come through-and maybe not only to come through but to take over?
This isn't really a spoiler but I don't want to stain the thoughts of a new reader with ideas of my own. I sure would like to talk to somebody about it though.

I've read a lot of John Boden's work, and I'm going to say flat out right now, this is my favorite of them all. Like my second favorite, SPUNGUNION, there hasn't been too much of a buzz about it because it was published as a (beautiful!) signed, limited edition at first. (Thank you to my lovely friend Andi Rawson who gifted me a copy because she knows how much I like John Boden's work. Love you, girl!)

WALK THE DARKNESS DOWN: It's weird. It's gory. It's western. It's so much more.

It's also worthy of my highest recommendation, so now it's got that too.

Available now, here: https://amzn.to/2ljb3J1 show less

This book has been kicking around for a while, in one incarnation or another, and I've glanced at it here and there from more than one publisher. It never seemed to be the right time to read it but it has been on my radar. To be honest the first time I glanced at it the title put me off. What is this? I thought, something about boys and their Star Wars obsession? (Fear not, it isn't!)

Sometimes I take a break from reading horror. Sometimes I end up disappointed and other times, I come away show more from my break remarkably satisfied. This is one of the latter.

Jedi Summer is a coming of age tale set in a small town in 1983. It is part fiction, part recollection of the author's childhood and entirely spellbinding. It is a memorable summer in the lives of Johnny and Roscoe, two brothers growing up in a poor town, where their mom works 3 jobs just to keep them fed. It's a summer of good times, growing up, and the bittersweet knowledge that nothing can last forever, whether it is the good or the bad times they all must eventually end. This book spoke to me on so many levels. Much like childhood, it passed by quickly and now I don't want it to be over.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher with no obligation to write a review. show less

You think you know what DOMINOES is.
In fact, you're quite sure of it.
But you're wrong.
Of course you know it's parody of Little Golden Books, some sort of horror send-up.
The kids will love it.
But you're wrong.
It's beautiful on the outside, the design and artwork is spot-on.
You're right about that.
This book is cute, you think, still correctly, as you open the cover and peruse the first couple of pages.
Cozy and comfortable, you begin to read.
And then your expectations, one by one, die.
Murdered, show more rather.
You feel a little confused.
Discomfort sets in.
You expected horror.
but whatthefuckisthis
True horror comes when you least expect it.
It seldom looks like what you think it will.

DOMINOES is horror, but you've never seen horror quite like this.

I can't explain it, but I highly recommended it.

But not for the kids. show less

SPUNGUNION! This book deserves all the stars, your time and your attention.

Deke is a truck driving man who returns home from an overnight run to find that his wife has been murdered. He cannot get over it. He's hanging on by a thread and I think he finally wants to let go, but he has questions that need answering first. Will he get those answers? Will he survive the weight of his grief? You'll have to read this to find out.

Immersed in the world of Deke's grief, riding with him in his 18 show more wheeler, listening to Waylon on the radio...I was there. I could smell the stale cigarette smoke, I could feel the air coming through the windows, (cracked open a bit so the smoke could escape)...I was there. I accompanied Deke on his search for knowledge, even though we both knew that the outcome wouldn't be good. I was there with Tiny, I was there with the behemoth and his small servant, I was there feeling the regret, feeling Deke's need to know. I was there.

Once again, John Boden has pierced my heart with his subtle wording, his outstanding writing, and his big, big heart.

"The reality is this: Life is just a balloon floating dangerously in a room full of cigarettes. At any moment, second, day or week, Pop! And then everything as you know is different or gone. Sometimes both."

This is my second time reading SPUNGUNION, the first time was back in 2017. I love it just as much now as I did back then. Maybe more, because there have been some Pops! in my life since that time. Those Pops! make you more aware, make you more grateful, because for some like Deke, those Pops! can spell the end.

This version of SPUNGUNION features the same marvelous introduction from Bracken MacLeod, and it also features a brand new short story: THE DRAWER. It was fabulous, as is everything that flows out from John Boden's hand.

I'm so happy to say that this novella will now be available to everyone- and every fan of dark fiction needs to read it. You need to immerse yourself in it and let it surround you. You will be better for it in the end. Perhaps you'll be more grateful and content when you're done? Because you never know when that Pop! is going to come.

My highest recommendation!

Available on January 15th, but you can pre-order here: https://amzn.to/2sQ4cem

*Thanks to John Boden for the e-ARC of this beautiful novella in exchange for my honest feedback. As always, this is it!* show less