E. W. Land

Why Do Some Americans Support Despots?

Revisado: 08-08-19

The best book I've found yet, in explaining why some citizens adore Trump. Professor Altemeyer does a brilliant job here. This book was published in 2006...so it wasn't written specifically with President Trump in mind. This makes his analysis all the more objective, IMHO. I finished it in 4 sessions, over two days. It's an absolutely compelling study of the authoritarian mind.

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ORIGIN is like watching a Monster-Movie

Revisado: 07-23-17

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It's hard to define ORIGIN exactly. "Technohorror" isn't quite right. This is the first story in the Konrath/Kilborn Collective, not to be confused with a "Series" (each subsequent work building upon the same universe, but each book being a stand alone novel). In a word, I'd file ORIGIN squarely under "Monster-Horror". Bub (Beelzebub a.k.a., Satan) is a flesh & blood creature. The threat he poses isn't just psychological, he's a bloody carnivore!
ORIGIN has a slow, creepy beginning. As the story builds, it becomes more like a graphic novel in many ways. There's suspense, body-horror, survival-horror, humor, and "Bruce Cambell" style absurdity. It has elements of The Exorcist, The Thing, Aliens, Jurassic Park, Hellboy, and The Evil Dead.
The narrator does a superb job. If you didn't enjoy "The Exorcist", this book may not be for you.The question is....do you find the idea of the Devil scary or do you find the idea laughable? ORIGIN is way more "Horror" than it is "Techno"....IMO. I recommend it, highly.

P.S. Bub eats sheep....And to say that he plays with his food is putting it nicely. I mention this because I loathe any story where cats and dogs are harmed. I can't take it. So, I'm giving a heads up to anyone bothered by the depiction of live feedings.

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Try REFUGE by Jeremy Bishop instead.

Revisado: 07-18-17

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The story started off with much promise. But it devolved into a fundamentalist's wet-dream. If you like the "Left Behind" series, you will probably enjoy this. This story has a real evangelical view of God and hell. There are zombies and it's scary sometimes if a bit rushed. But this isn't an accidental (secular) apocalypse brought on by science gone amuck. This is about an angry Christian God doling out severe punishment against regular people for things like adultery. Or so we are led to believe by all evidence. And that would be absolutely terrifying if I believed in an Old Testament God. I do not. So the story came across as more comically absurd than frightening. In a word, it just wasn't believable to me. The narration was excellent. Having said that, I highly recommend Bishop's REFUGE series.

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A Postmodern, Post 9/11, Apocalyptic Coaster Ride!

Revisado: 07-09-17

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"The Zombie Chapters, Volume 1" is the best start for a series I've seen in a while. Scary as F**K! If you like Disaster Movies, you'll love this. Despite the title, zombies don't show up till Volume 2. Still, the beginning isn't slow to take off. There are lots of butt-clenching moments. I give Fite high marks for vivid descriptions, relatable characters, and superb dialogue.
The narrator is easy to follow and has a good voice. (although I'm not sure his Russian accent is quite right)
I listened to the entire first volume in one sitting. That's rare for me. I bought and started the second volume the same night.
As I'm sure you can tell, I'm pretty damn excited about this series!

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Kelli Owen spun out a creepy little gem.....

Revisado: 07-07-17

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Be aware that this novella is primarily an alternative world building exercise. It's a creepy small town setting where government and science have mucked up the natural order. Bad things begin to occur....slowly. No one has the big picture. It plays on many real fears, like Ebola, Bird flu, Zika, the Anthrax attacks and our fears of civil society breaking down.The only thing worse than an inept government is discovering that it may have completely collapsed!
As technology fails the sense of isolation and severe separation anxiety take hold of the characters. People die. Danger surrounds the survivors. Nature itself begins to change. It morphs into humanity's worst nightmare.
But is it scary? Yes, but this first part is mostly setting up main characters, setting, and exposition. The author threads it all together with mood & heavy atmosphere. Consider it to be foreplay, not the main event.
The Narrator has a good voice. He doesn't detract from the story in any way. My one complaint involves particular animals doing something toward the end that they physically could not do without shoulders (which they do not have). But I don't want to quibble.
By in large the characters' motives, actions, and dialogue are believable. This promises to be part of a scary new series. I'm down with it.

P.S. Please use Alex Freeman to narrate part 2 "The Hatch".

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This is the book that made me an Audible junkie.

Revisado: 06-22-17

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The story has a slow build, but in that oh so creepy way you'll love. The characters are completely relatable. Ray Porter (the narrator) does a superb job. This book is always easy to get back into. It has mystery and when appropriate a sense of humor. The setting is pure Lovecraft. The storytelling style is more Stephen King. You'll never forget 14. But is it scary? Damn straight...it's a fricking nightmare. It's worth listening to more than once. It's that good.
Laters, E.W. Land

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