Snow Angels

by Lucas Mangum

Thirty years ago, the town of Silver Lake left a bus full of ex-convicts to die in a snowstorm, and the legend of the Snow Angels was born. Now, the forecast is calling for a blizzard... and murder. The Snow Angels are back for revenge and no one is safe--not unless a trio of paranormal podcasters and a few brave townspeople can stop them.
Snow Angels is two-time Splatterpunk Award-nominated author Lucas Mangum's ode to classical supernatural horror and a novel about reckoning with the sins of the past.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2023

Reviews

[kasey culp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading an ARC of Snow Angels by Lucas Mangum. I was able to read this in a few short days and it holds your attention and vi0lence doesn’t stop! It was so good.

The snow angels were a group of ex-convicts that 30 years ago were left to die in a snowstorm. 30 years later on the forecast is a blizzard and murder. Featuring two hunting knives, a sickle, a chain and of course a meat cleaver the snow angels are back with a vengeance.

If you are no stranger to vi0lence and enjoy constant bloodshed and destruction this is the book for you. No triggers for SA and animal unaliving if that isn’t your thing but lots of gore. The reader is kept waiting for what is come next bloody or written in plain sight

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because I enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. It was absolutely entertaining, the way a well-crafted horror movie keeps you satisfyingly entertained. Lucas Mangum's 'Snow Angels' is small town supernatural horror, based on an urban legend haunting the town for a few decades already: a bus transferring ex-convicts to a half way house crashes during a snowstorm, and despite their calls for help the nearby town does not respond, choosing to let them die. The urban legend of the Snow Angels is thus born: at some point in the future, the ex-convicts will come back to enact their revenge on the town. That time is now: this is what Mangum's book is about. Totally relatable characters (their deaths hurt, I for one wasn't prepared to let them go yet), a convincing plot (no silly decisions here, no dumb people throwing themselves to their deaths), a fantastic pacing (the killings are interspersed nicely with the attempts at rescue), plus the ending, though abrupt, holds to the uneasiness pervading the story, providing a sort of chilling closure without playing favorites or pulling any punches. Recommended!

[Robb Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Lake is bracing for a blizzard. It hasn’t even started yet, and strange things are happening. Power outages, fast temperature drops, and stalling vehicles. These are most likely storm-related events until someone sees “We’re Coming” etched on an icy window. The legend of the Snow Angels is about to come to life and with it many others will lose theirs.

So, I’ll start off by saying Mangum has created an amazing story within this snowy hell. It’s creepy, chilling and is filled with so much uneasiness. When the dead inmates start showing up, their victims get an icy chill that runs up their necks; as the reader, you feel that too. That’s your hint that things are about to get ugly and there is absolutely nothing you can do but watch it all unravel. I enjoyed following all the characters through their trials and how they questioned themselves. Are they going crazy or is something really happening here? It was entertaining to watch the nightmare progress with each one of them. All this turmoil led to an ending that left me a bit stunned.

If you enjoy supernatural horror and snowy environments that will leave you feeling chilled, I definitely recommend this one! I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about snow and blood that make for a great horror! The legend of the snow angels, a bus of ex-cons left to die during a snowstorm and then buried in unmarked graves to be forgotten forever. Unfortunately for the town of silver lake the snow angels want revenge and are long from forgotten!

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're going to want a couple blankets, a hot drink and a fire going when you read this book. It'll give you chills, not just because of the eerie story, but also because the author does an awesome job of making you feel the cold. This is a perfect winter read. Some books are truly immersive and this is one of them. Not overly gory, it's a creepy story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Samantha Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Snow Angels" by Lucas Mangum. I was sent my copy in exchange for a honest review.

Years ago in the town of Silver Lake a bus full of convicts en route to a half way house wreck during a snowstorm. One of the convicts on board are able to reach 911 dispatch but the call was made in vain. No help was sent for the convicts, resulting in all of them perishing in the snow. It's been many years since the legend of the Snow Angels but weird things have begun happening around Silver Lake. Animals are going crazy, things are freezing in mere seconds, and people have begun disappearing from the town. Are the Snow Angels back from the grave? Is this the time that they'll enact revenge? You'll have to read to find out.

I really enjoyed this story. I love snow horror and this was a chilling read. I loved how the Snow Angels were described and how everyone in the town seemed at risk of attack whether they played a part in that fateful night or not. There's lot of characters inside and lots of interconnecting stories that come together really well at the end.

[Zachary Ashford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. Kinda reminiscent of The Fog (Carpenter) but with its own spin. Cool characters, some great kills.

[Lisa Slojewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the town of Silver Lake some 30 years ago a group of convicts died in a blizzard. 30 years later strange things start to happen as forecasted blizzards are set to arrive. Sudden power outages and freak freezing occurs slowly resulting in random deaths as the snow angels gain their strength to reap their revenge on the families that they believe caused their demise all those years ago.

I really enjoyed this book, it us fast paced and gory. There are some pretty violent parts. It keeps you gripped and wanting to know more.

I was given an arc copy for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity I really loved this book.

[Steph Kneeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Lucas really knows how to pack a punch in a not so long story!

This one was a great little winter read about a small town and it's 30 year old secret....watch out for the snow fall, it could mean the Snow Angels are not far behind and coming to get you, don't get caught outside in the dark either, they are stealthy and hide in the shadows, goes the legend...

I really enjoyed this one, though just when you get to know a character...well read the book and you'll know what I'm saying...😉

[Jamie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I pick up a book from Lucas Mangum I already know I will enjoy it! This holds true for Snow Angels. I loved this book!

There are so many tropes I love wrapped up in this book. Small town horror, the paranormal, secluded and snowy conditions, revenge, town full of secrets and covering things up and so on. Not to mention the beautiful writing makes it atmospheric and downright creepy. There is something about paranormal happenings in the middle of a windy blizzard. 🥶

I couldn’t and wouldn’t change a thing about this book.
Happy reading 📖

[Bruce Baresel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snow Angels by Lucas Mangum
i read the ARC of this book. it was a fast-paced book. some gore is not overdone and a decent story. This is about a group of convicts killed 30 years ago and their thirst for revenge. The town lets the men die in the freezing snow, covering up their actions. No everyone must die. Similar storyline to many out there but done differently enough to make it unique. this is a short book and worth the read.

[RatedHforHorror · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a book that has evil spirits that are on a killing spree this is it. There is a group of people who are trying to rid the town of the Snow Angels who want revenge but also are very willing to kill anyone they want. You get to learn about the characters in town who will likely meet their end. Some of them I felt bad for given their stories and others I was okay with having the Snow Angels take care of them. This is a quick gory read.

[Sarah DeRosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily, hands down, a new favorite from my favorite author! Mangum’s prose flows gorgeously as he spins a tale centered around the lore of a small town with a big secret. The setting is eerie and atmospherical while the characters are distinct. The expert story telling through various perspectives of the townspeople is creative, and at times, very emotional. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great creepy read for anyone that likes horror set in the winter.
We follow a town that has a huge snow storm coming and they are living in fear out of the past coming back to haunt them. An event happened years ago with a prison transport bus and only a select few were there that night to remember what happened and need to find a way to stop the terror from coming back and getting revenge on the town.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to John Carpenter

I'm not making any accusations of plagiarism but this is uncannily similar to John Carpenter's 1980 movie The Fog. Similar plot, progression, and ending. I'm a fan of The Fog movie so I enjoyed this one but very predictable due to the nearly identical storylines.

[Spike Creamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect story for the winter months that are now upon us.
Six inmates are involved in a bus crash while being transferred to a halfway house. The local police force let them freeze to death. Thirty years later the Snow Angels seek revenge.
This short novel is perfect for those winter blues. Grab yourself a copy but be careful. Those pages may chill you to the bone.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can happen when a bus filled of ex-convict crashes in a snow filled town with no rescue….you get Snow Angels. If you want a fast paced horror story with an eerie background but with some humour this one is for you.

[Crystal Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling tale, of a hometown urban legend brought to life. It’s just beautiful, brutal, gory, and I love it!

[Michael Louis Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits all the sweet spots. First off, it nails the ‘80s Horror vibe perfectly. Add to that the obvious homage to John Carpenter’s The Fog. I’m clearly the target audience with a cover like that! It’s a face paced read and doesn’t waste any time getting to the grisly gist. Much like the style of the films its paying reverence to, this book lays out its theme immediately and then delivers one horrific and gruesome death after another. In my mind’s eye, I feel like I watched this on VHS while my friends and I cheered and rated the gory practical effects. If I had one complaint, and it’s not really a complaint, I only wished that it wasn’t so short. I really wanted to spend more time with The Grey Sisters. Maybe we might see them in another book, huh? Maybe?

I highly recommend this book for everyone who enjoys ‘80s Horror, Slashers, and John Carpenter’s oeuvre.

MLD