Reviews Archives - Cemetery Dance Online

Review: Kill Your Darling by Clay McLeod Chapman

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 20, 2024November 17, 2024ReviewsClay McLeod Chapman, Haley Newlin, Kill Your Darling, ReviewsLeave a comment

Kill Your Darling by Clay McLeod Chapman
Bad Hand Books (September 2024)
Reviewed by Haley Newlin

It took thirty-eight laps around Billy’s skull to empty the roll of duct tape. They drew two lopsided and unblinking black ovals over his eyes.

Twenty years later, Glenn’s dogged mind runs on a constant loop — Billy kissing a girl at the dance, that squeal of peeling tape, his grim imaginings of his son’s final moments, where his soul may lie, and silvery ghosts. How can he and his wife, Carol, move on with every suspect’s fabric of guilt pulled at like a loose thread and then discarded? Without a conviction? A who or why?Continue Reading

Review: Cocktails from the Crypt: Terrifying Yet Delicious Concoctions Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films by Jonathan Dehaan and Kimberley Elizabeth

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 18, 2024November 17, 2024ReviewsCocktails from the Crypt, Jonathan Dehaan, Joshua Gage, Kimberly Elizabeth, ReviewsLeave a comment

Cocktails from the Crypt: Terrifying Yet Delicious Concoctions Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films by Jonathan Dehaan and Kimberley Elizabeth
Page Street Publishing (November 26, 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Jonathan Dehaan and Kimberley Elizabeth launched Nightmare on Film Street in 2016 as a welcoming space for horror enthusiasts of every stripe and obsession level. Their mission? To celebrate the eeriest genre there is in the most enjoyable way possible. Forget deep dives and academic critiques — they’re all about sharing laughs, spinning conspiracy theories, and making cheeky observations. Beyond podcasting, they are emerging filmmakers, with Kimmi celebrating her writing and directorial debut in the segment “Do Us Part?” of 2022’s horror snthology Sinphony. They live in Winnipeg, Canada with their two pugs. Their new collection of cocktail recipes is Cocktails from the Crypt: Terrifying Yet Delicious Concoctions Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films.Continue Reading

Review: Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 13, 2024November 11, 2024ReviewsHaley Newlin, Nat Cassidy, Rest Stop, ReviewsLeave a comment

Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy
Shortwave Media (October 2024)
Reviewed by Haley Newlin

I read Nat Cassidy’s novel Mary: An Awakening of Terror last summer and can’t shake how it made me feel more than a year later. Carpeted in historical and generational trauma, Mary was about women, especially “women who are only invisible until somebody needs to be blamed.”

Above the novel’s intricate weavings of religious fanaticism and Cassidy’s protagonist’s unsettling behavior, Mary is about power and the tendency to mythologize those who claim it like some god. Given the political climate, it’s a haunting reminder that this narrative has long existed in the real world and feels all the more suffocating.

Rest Stop, Cassidy’s latest release, a horror novella about a troubled musician, Abe, traveling to visit a dying relative who tormented him through childhood with spats of disapproval and disappointment, dissects the ghosts of historical trauma.Continue Reading

Review: The Collected Enchantments by Theodora Goss

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 12, 2024November 11, 2024ReviewsJoshua Gage, Reviews, The Collected Enchantments, Theodora GossLeave a comment

The Collected Enchantments by Theodora Goss
Mythic Delirium Press (February 2023)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Cemetery Dance readers familiar with the name Theodora Goss are most likely familiar with her Victorian Gothic historic mystery series The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club trilogy, which begins with The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter. For those who don’t know, it follows the exploits of Mary Jekyll, daughter of Henry Louis Stevenson’s character Dr. Jekyll, as she unites with the daughters of various other fictional characters, as well as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, to discover and foil the plots of a cabal of mad scientists. However, for readers who might not be aware, Goss isn’t just an overnight success, but a talented author with a rich literary history stretching back to 2002 with the publication of her short story, “The Rose in Twelve Petals.” Fortunately for all of us, Goss has released her complete bibliography in one mammoth volume titled The Collected Enchantments. Continue Reading

Review: Island of the Dead by Brian Keene

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 6, 2024November 4, 2024ReviewsBrian Keene, Chandra Claypool, Island of the Dead, ReviewsLeave a comment

cover of Island of the Dead Island of the Dead by Brian Keene
Apex Book Company (October 2024)
Reviewed by Chandra Claypool (Instagram) (TikTok)

When zombies, barbarians, giant ants and a group of people also stuck on the island collide!

Brian Keene is well known for his zombie stories and there’s a good reason for it! While this is only my second read by this author, he has certainly found a new fan and I’ll be adding a lot more to my horror arsenal. Continue Reading

Review: CAW: Poetry by a Murder of Writers edited by Stasha Strange

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 5, 2024November 4, 2024ReviewsCaw, Joshua Gage, Reviews, Stasha StrangeLeave a comment

CAW: Poetry by a Murder of Writers edited by Stasha Strange
Ix Studios (October 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Stasha Strange is a writer who draws inspiration from the untamed worlds found within books. Recently, she embarked on a new chapter of her life, transitioning from the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area to the welcoming embrace of Ohio. Beyond her literary pursuits, she passionately advocates for the homeless and tenants’ rights. She shares her life journey with her partner, Andrew, and her beloved companions, a feline familiar, Jax, and a silly California King Snake named Noods.Continue Reading

Review: The Bone Picker by Devon A. Mihesuah

Cemetery Dance OnlineNovember 1, 2024October 29, 2024ReviewsDevon A. Mihesuah, Reviews, Rowan B. Minor, The Bone PickerLeave a comment

The Bone Picker by Devon A. Mihesuah
University of Oklahoma Press (October 2024)
Reviewed by Rowan B. Minor

Devon A. Mihesuah is a writer, historian, and the Cora Lee Beers Price Professor in the Hall Center for the Humanities at the University of Kansas. She is an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation, and a Chickasaw, Norwegian, French, German, and Irish descendant. Mihesuah served as editor of the American Indian Quarterly, and most of her own work tackles colonization, Indigenous stereotypes, Native women, and violence against Natives. She has written several award-winning books, including Choctaw Crime and Punishment, 1884–1887; American Indigenous Women: Decolonization, Empowerment, Activism; and American Indians: Stereotypes and Realities. Mihesuah is the recipient of numerous awards, including from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Ford Foundation, and American Historical Association. Her most recent book, The Bone Picker, is a fictional collection of Indigenous horror short stories. Continue Reading

Review: Dame Evergreen, and Other Poems of Myth, Magic, and Madness by Rebecca Buchanan

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 30, 2024October 29, 2024ReviewsDame Evergreen, Joshua Gage, Rebecca Buchanan, ReviewsLeave a comment

Dame Evergreen, And Other Poems of Myth, Magic, and Madness by Rebecca Buchanan
Self-Published (October 31, 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Rebecca Buchanan is the editor of the Pagan literary ezine Eternal Haunted Summer. Her work has appeared in a variety of venues, including Abyss & Apex, Enchanted Conversation, Eye to the Telescope, and Star*Line. Her newest poetry collection, Dame Evergreen, And Other Poems of Myth, Magic, and Madness will arrive on October 31.Continue Reading

Review: The Rack: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks edited by Tom Deady

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 23, 2024October 14, 2024ReviewsDave Simms, Reviews, Stephen King, The Rack, Tom Deady1 Comment

cover of The Rack The Rack: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks edited by Tom Deady
Thomas E. Deady (September 2024)
Reviewed by Dave Simms

Who in their right minds (okay, readers of a certain age) hasn’t been excited to walk into a drug store or supermarket to find THE rack. That spinning metal beast of wonder that held so many amazing covers; some cheesy, some over the top, and others that make your head spin. It always signaled that fun times were on the way as we turned and swiveled and reached behind the book in front to find an even better book behind it. Many found it more exciting than heading to the Waldenbooks or Borders Books (different eras, but same good times). The thrill of discovering a frightening story with cool cover prompted so many of us to ride our bikes, walk, or drive on over on the day when we knew the manager would break open the new stock. Finding treasures behind that first book was even better, possibly hid by another horror fan to buy at a later time.

Review: Leviathan Volume 1 by Shiro Kuroi

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 21, 2024September 29, 2024Reviews, The Comic VaultColumns, Joshua Gage, Leviathan, Reviews, Shiro Kuroi, The Comic VaultLeave a comment

banner that reads The Comic Vault

Leviathan Volume 1 by Shiro Kuroi
Abrams Comic Arts (October 29, 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Shiro Kuroi is a rising star manga author who lives in Toyko, Japan. Leviathan is his first international serialized work, which has been published simultaneously in France and Japan. Highly praised for his character writing and illustration, Leviathan went on to become one of the top 10 bestselling new manga titles in France, and he has already received international attention online from manga fans hoping for an English release of his work. Fortunately, the wait is over, as Leviathan, Volume 1 has finally arrived. Continue Reading

Review: Inside Every Dream, A Raging Sea by Liz Worth

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 16, 2024October 7, 2024ReviewsInside Every Dream A Raging Sea, Joshua Gage, Liz Worth, ReviewsLeave a comment

Inside Every Dream, A Raging Sea by Liz Worth
Book*Hug Press (October 22, 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Liz Worth is a poet, novelist, and nonfiction writer. She is a two-time nominee for the ReLit Award for Poetry for her books The Truth Is Told Better This Way and No Work Finished Here: Rewriting Andy Warhol. Her first book, Treat Me Like Dirt, was the first of its kind to provide an in-depth history of Southern Ontario’s first wave punk movement. Her other works also include Amphetamine Heart, PostApoc, and The Mouth is a Coven. Her writing has appeared in Chatelaine, FLARE, Prism, the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Broken Pencil, among others. Liz is a professional tarot reader and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. Her newest collection is Inside Every Dream, A Raging Sea.Continue Reading

Review: Invasive by Cullen Bunn, Jesús Hervás, and Federico Sabbatini

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 14, 2024September 29, 2024ReviewsColumns, Cullen Bunn, Invasive, Joshua Gage, ReviewsLeave a comment

banner that reads The Comic Vault

Invasive by Cullen Bunn (Author), Jesús Hervás (Illustrator), Federico Sabbatini (Illustrator)
Oni Preess (October 22, 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Cullen Bunn is the writer of comic books such The Sixth Gun, Shadow Roads, The Damned, and Helheim for Oni Press. He has also written titles including Harrow County (Dark Horse), Uncanny X-Men, and Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (Marvel). Cullen claims to have worked as an alien autopsy specialist, rodeo clown, pro wrestling manager, and sasquatch wrangler. He has fought for his life against mountain lions and performed on stage as the world’s youngest hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime and he’ll tell you all about it. His newest graphic novel is Invasive, illustrated by Jesús Hervás and Federico Sabbatini.Continue Reading

CJ Leede, Pray for Us

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 11, 2024October 14, 2024Interviews, ReviewsAmerican Rapture, CJ Leede, Cynthia Pelayo, Interviews, ReviewsLeave a comment

Cemetery Dance is proud to present this special review/interview combo from Bram Stoker Award & 6x International Latino Book Award winning author Cynthia Pelayo.

“Well, we don’t know everything. I mean, we know basically nothing,” a character says in American Rapture, and in a way this is the major question explored by CJ Leede’s main character in her highly anticipated sophomore novel — “What do we know?”Continue Reading

Review: Meet Me in the Flames by Greg Jones

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 8, 2024October 7, 2024ReviewsGreg Jones, Joshua Gage, Meet Me in the Flames, ReviewsLeave a comment

cover of Meet Me in the Flames Meet Me in the Flames by Greg Jones
Wild Ink Publishing LLC (October 2024)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Born in 1970, Greg Jones grew up, in his opinion, in the pinnacle of all things. The best films, music, comic books and those fantastic ’80s horror novels. No matter where his mind wandered, it eventually found it’s way back to something with a monster in it. He spent his adolescence hunched over a drawing table, occasionally writing and living his life in pursuit of personal creative goals. In his current role at the local library, he is surrounded by books all day and inspired daily to keep creating his horror inspired poetry. Meet Me in the Flames is his first published work.Continue Reading

Review: Into the Green Wild Yonder by Peter Crowther and Tim Lebbon

Cemetery Dance OnlineOctober 3, 2024October 1, 2024ReviewsBlu Gilliand, Into the Green Wild Yonder, Peter Crowther, PS Publishing, Reviews, Tim LebbonLeave a comment

cover of Into the Green Wild Yonder Into the Green Wild Yonder by Peter Crowther and Tim Lebbon
PS Publishing (August 2024)
Reviewed by Blu Gilliand

Acclaimed authors Peter Crowther and Tim Lebbon have joined forces to produce this nightmarishly surreal novella about a young couple, a rundown old garden, and an ancient evil.

Gordon and Sally Kenney are house hunting when they visit a rundown old home with a wildly overgrown garden. They find themselves both repulsed by, and strangely drawn to, the old-fashioned decor, the creepy old lady who shows them around, and the untamed thicket that bears a sign saying, “Beware of the Garden.” Continue Reading

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