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Howling of the Damned
We are surrounded by the damned, those souls condemned by God. They announce their presence with blood-curdling howls and evil in their veins. Sometimes we cannot hear it, but we can see it when the blood drains from their victims. The damned wear many faces. They are family, friends, and strangers. When the sun vanishes from the sky, listen and you will hear them howling in the moonlight, in the darkest recesses of your mind, waiting for the right moment to unleash Hell on Earth.
Special Forward by Drew Stepek
Edited by Candace Nola and Mort Stone
Forced Abstinence
Birth
Last Day
Fresh
90 Proof Vomit
Feed The Rich
Bait
Dying Breed
The Night’s Last Cigarette
The Story of a Coward
Special Forward by Drew Stepek
Edited by Candace Nola and Mort Stone
Forced Abstinence
Birth
Last Day
Fresh
90 Proof Vomit
Feed The Rich
Bait
Dying Breed
The Night’s Last Cigarette
The Story of a Coward
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Published March 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 27, 2023
The stories in this book held me captive. I read from day to night, needing to uncover the depth, darkness and heart in each story. Focusing on alienation, bizarre gratifications, and the lost who are determined to conquer fear and loneliness, many of these stories include triggers that only serve to strengthen the stories. There are twists and surprises that wowed me from beginning to end. Todd Love's writing and imagination pulled martyrs and monsters from the darkness so that we can empathize with them and follow paths of bloody revenge. I found this to be quite a rewarding collection.
April 4, 2023
Excellent collection!
Amazing collection of stories. Some I had read before, some I had not. Each one will bring you on a journey of blood and depravity and you'll treasure each word.
Amazing collection of stories. Some I had read before, some I had not. Each one will bring you on a journey of blood and depravity and you'll treasure each word.
September 26, 2023
A remarkable collection of horror stories that more than succeeds in extreme imagery with very well crafted characterization and dialogue. Favourite stories : Last Day, Fresh, Bait and The Night's Last Cigarette. Also with a hilarious foreword by Drew Stepek. Support your indie horror: buy it, read it, enjoy it.
March 18, 2023
Oh, Todd this collection makes me so happy! It really showcases his strengths and as Drew said. He ain't afraid to talk taboo subjects starting with the first story Forced Abstinence.
Robert was raised by his grandmother, basically his mom as he his dad had 'vanished,' and his mom passed away. It meant that he was forced to do whatever mommy wanted. But DAYM mother is all levels of messed up to the point where I needed a moment to get my head around what I was reading. Todd's work seems to have become dark and tainted with gore, intense as fuck this story. Well, you won't look at a sewing needle the same way again.
Ok so Birth well, it shows a whole different side to the fear of losing a baby. Especially when you're going through what Nora is. The part with Nora and the mucus plug made me gag. But humans do bizarre things when they are in a fit of panic and desperation this was no exception. But the way this twisted into some horrific nightmare that connected other people's fates. That was masterfully done.
Last Day Honestly, this one was emotionally brutal, as the cop relives the worst day of his life. Carrying such a heavy burden like that shows the toll it takes on a person. Especially in the instance where he comes face-to-face with true evil. This one is haunting and will probably be one of the stories that will never leave my mind. Moving onto Fresn I won't lie this one was hella deceiving and Todd did a clever job at concealing the real story hidden within. Probably another favorite of mine from the collection. As it pulls you in with visuals and description, leaving the reader certain they know what is happening with Mikey and Jane. Then WHAM horrifying twist you do not expect coming. 90 Proof Vomit introduces us to Brent has not had much luck in his life but oh my god it just gets worse. In an attempt to feel any kind of excitement or arousal. Brent decides to take his blood fantasies and messed up his imagination to the next level. Alone in a cabin in the woods, things just go from bad to worse and it's a gripping tale that with make your butt cheeks clench.
Feed the Rich is a story where desperate times call for desperate measures. It seems the Decklins are in pretty dire need of help. But the lengths to which this filthy rich couple go to, to not only get off on torture by preventing Melisa's untimely demise. Is both fascinating and horrifying when money is not an objective. The fact that money and depravity seem to go hand in hand in the story, works so well for the second victim reveal.
Bait is a creative revenge story. This one was great because I also got to learn all about fishing techniques, I mean I worked a fish counter so I know how to filet. But this was a whole other level, it's also brilliant how Todd portrays Jason's relationship with his sister. The physical way that he transforms as hatred rots away inside him, which is a very creative metaphor.
Again Diana was not the character I was expecting in Dying Breed. It's amazing how Todd sets this preconception in your mind as a reader, then boom! Turns it a complete three sixty when you get to learn more about the 'mob.' Stephenie becomes a whole different character type which is a brillant way to turn an age-old story on its head.
If you are a smoker dont worry it wont put you off but the guy in this story might. Because after you read about Marcus's unique and utterly gross form of Necrophilia you will be wondering how you got through the story without being sick.
There is one passage in this story that really sticks out for me and it is one I can very much relate to:
When love came my way, in whatever form it revealed itself, I accepted it. I wore it like a badge of honor. Eventually, that love would remove its disguise and show me its true form.
This is the final story about a boy who had been a victim all his life till a stranger showed him kindness and invited him into their tribe. But the day came when the person known as Sir would meet a horrible end and the hardest lesson is still yet to be learned. Think old western horror this story was a nice change of pace and it suited the ending because of how high charged the collection started off. Todd never ceases to amaze me, but this collection just tells me his work will keep getting better and better as he builds on his already massive back catalog of stories.
Robert was raised by his grandmother, basically his mom as he his dad had 'vanished,' and his mom passed away. It meant that he was forced to do whatever mommy wanted. But DAYM mother is all levels of messed up to the point where I needed a moment to get my head around what I was reading. Todd's work seems to have become dark and tainted with gore, intense as fuck this story. Well, you won't look at a sewing needle the same way again.
Ok so Birth well, it shows a whole different side to the fear of losing a baby. Especially when you're going through what Nora is. The part with Nora and the mucus plug made me gag. But humans do bizarre things when they are in a fit of panic and desperation this was no exception. But the way this twisted into some horrific nightmare that connected other people's fates. That was masterfully done.
Last Day Honestly, this one was emotionally brutal, as the cop relives the worst day of his life. Carrying such a heavy burden like that shows the toll it takes on a person. Especially in the instance where he comes face-to-face with true evil. This one is haunting and will probably be one of the stories that will never leave my mind. Moving onto Fresn I won't lie this one was hella deceiving and Todd did a clever job at concealing the real story hidden within. Probably another favorite of mine from the collection. As it pulls you in with visuals and description, leaving the reader certain they know what is happening with Mikey and Jane. Then WHAM horrifying twist you do not expect coming. 90 Proof Vomit introduces us to Brent has not had much luck in his life but oh my god it just gets worse. In an attempt to feel any kind of excitement or arousal. Brent decides to take his blood fantasies and messed up his imagination to the next level. Alone in a cabin in the woods, things just go from bad to worse and it's a gripping tale that with make your butt cheeks clench.
Feed the Rich is a story where desperate times call for desperate measures. It seems the Decklins are in pretty dire need of help. But the lengths to which this filthy rich couple go to, to not only get off on torture by preventing Melisa's untimely demise. Is both fascinating and horrifying when money is not an objective. The fact that money and depravity seem to go hand in hand in the story, works so well for the second victim reveal.
Bait is a creative revenge story. This one was great because I also got to learn all about fishing techniques, I mean I worked a fish counter so I know how to filet. But this was a whole other level, it's also brilliant how Todd portrays Jason's relationship with his sister. The physical way that he transforms as hatred rots away inside him, which is a very creative metaphor.
Again Diana was not the character I was expecting in Dying Breed. It's amazing how Todd sets this preconception in your mind as a reader, then boom! Turns it a complete three sixty when you get to learn more about the 'mob.' Stephenie becomes a whole different character type which is a brillant way to turn an age-old story on its head.
If you are a smoker dont worry it wont put you off but the guy in this story might. Because after you read about Marcus's unique and utterly gross form of Necrophilia you will be wondering how you got through the story without being sick.
There is one passage in this story that really sticks out for me and it is one I can very much relate to:
When love came my way, in whatever form it revealed itself, I accepted it. I wore it like a badge of honor. Eventually, that love would remove its disguise and show me its true form.
This is the final story about a boy who had been a victim all his life till a stranger showed him kindness and invited him into their tribe. But the day came when the person known as Sir would meet a horrible end and the hardest lesson is still yet to be learned. Think old western horror this story was a nice change of pace and it suited the ending because of how high charged the collection started off. Todd never ceases to amaze me, but this collection just tells me his work will keep getting better and better as he builds on his already massive back catalog of stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
Each story outdoes the last. Loved this collection.
March 4, 2023
This collection of by Love is amazing. While these are short stories, they are not “quick reads” you want to savor every word. Love is a master at perfectly packaging a wonderful tale, into a few short pages. Stories include some of my already favorites, a along with a few that were new to me. He gives us a new ending on Fresh, (as if the first ending didn’t scar us enough). And two new beauties. Start getting yourself for the first story, Forced Abstinence right now, it is vile and I mean that with my whole heart. If you are not already on the Love train, this would be a great place to start, then go read everything else by him!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews