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The Sixth Seed
Today’s stories of alien abduction and experimentation include temporary embryonic implantation. The Sixth Seed , a dark paranormal fantasy fraught with suburban Pittsburgh horror, takes this scenario one radical step further when the first alien/human hybrid fertilization develops to full term in utero.
Believing a vasectomy will prevent another unplanned pregnancy, 34-year-old Tom Furst—Melanie’s loving husband and the father of their five children—wants more than anything to dig them out of the fiscal hole they're mired in and become financially secure. However, during the procedure, mysterious Dr. Prindar Krakhil secretly implants a worm-like alien seed in Tom’s vas deferens that not only ensures Melanie gets pregnant, but plants in her womb a child half alien.
Their children are abducted. Melanie becomes gravely ill. When Tom loses his job, their home, and the sixth seed is born, will he accept the child for what it really is—and conquer the temptation to exchange it for the money Krakhil offers?
Believing a vasectomy will prevent another unplanned pregnancy, 34-year-old Tom Furst—Melanie’s loving husband and the father of their five children—wants more than anything to dig them out of the fiscal hole they're mired in and become financially secure. However, during the procedure, mysterious Dr. Prindar Krakhil secretly implants a worm-like alien seed in Tom’s vas deferens that not only ensures Melanie gets pregnant, but plants in her womb a child half alien.
Their children are abducted. Melanie becomes gravely ill. When Tom loses his job, their home, and the sixth seed is born, will he accept the child for what it really is—and conquer the temptation to exchange it for the money Krakhil offers?
- GenresHorrorParanormal
262 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2011
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Lee Allen Howard
30 books175 followersLee Allen Howard, MA, MFA, writes horror, LGBTQ horror, supernatural crime, dark mystery, and psychological thrillers.
His pubs include THE COVENANT SACRIFICE, DEATH PERCEPTION, THE SIXTH SEED, THE ADAMSON FAMILY, PERPETUAL NIGHTMARES, THE BEDWETTER, MAMA SAID, DESPERATE SPIRITS, NIGHT MONSTERS, and SEVERED RELATIONS.
His pubs include THE COVENANT SACRIFICE, DEATH PERCEPTION, THE SIXTH SEED, THE ADAMSON FAMILY, PERPETUAL NIGHTMARES, THE BEDWETTER, MAMA SAID, DESPERATE SPIRITS, NIGHT MONSTERS, and SEVERED RELATIONS.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 3, 2011
It's always a bit awkward reviewing horror, a genre that depends so much on surprise, shock, and unanticipated events. It's hard to say much without tipping off readers and spoiling the reading experience.
THE SIXTH SEED features alien abductions, mad doctors, and mysterious pregnancies are common fare for many horror novels, but toss in precarious finances, health insurance, a meddling mother-in-law, incompetent managers, and a job from hell and it's a tough call to say where the real horror lies. Yet Lee Howard stitches them all together in a story where the suspense never lets up. The story also reveals some impressive medical research in a genre where most writers would just double-talk it. The vasectomy scene will have male readers squirming and checking their relevant parts.
In the hands of a less competent author, this would be a straightforward story about alien abduction/experimentation. Most such stories follow a predictable sequence of events. But by blending in the personal issues--Tom's work life, finances and family life--the author enriches the characters, deepens the story and just when you think you've got it nailed down, takes unanticipated twists and turns.
This should appeal to fans of Robin Cook and similar sf/horror-themed thrillers.
THE SIXTH SEED features alien abductions, mad doctors, and mysterious pregnancies are common fare for many horror novels, but toss in precarious finances, health insurance, a meddling mother-in-law, incompetent managers, and a job from hell and it's a tough call to say where the real horror lies. Yet Lee Howard stitches them all together in a story where the suspense never lets up. The story also reveals some impressive medical research in a genre where most writers would just double-talk it. The vasectomy scene will have male readers squirming and checking their relevant parts.
In the hands of a less competent author, this would be a straightforward story about alien abduction/experimentation. Most such stories follow a predictable sequence of events. But by blending in the personal issues--Tom's work life, finances and family life--the author enriches the characters, deepens the story and just when you think you've got it nailed down, takes unanticipated twists and turns.
This should appeal to fans of Robin Cook and similar sf/horror-themed thrillers.
September 8, 2011
The first chapter of this book hooked me in (ouch!) and Howard's style of prose is very clean and fast to read. I expected far more horror, and was pleasantly surprised that nothing truly graphic jumped out at me (I'm not a fan of that, sorry.) so it's a "safe" pick for non-horror readers.
And an interesting one, since the couple who are "chosen" to try and bring a hybrid alien-human child evoke a lot of sympathy for their circumstances. The cover art alone is creepy. The chapters creeped along, too, building plenty of tension between the characters and a few apt and creepy surprises. The Sixth Seed aliens reminded of those creepy looking beings in Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, except they weren't child-like and non-threatening. In fact, their curiosity creeped me out. Totally. I am definitely going to keep a night light on now.
Why not 5 stars? I didn't connect deep enough with the wife, Melanie, or the father, Tom. I tend not to give spoilers, but I was also confused as to who the real villain was--the ob-gyn doctor, or the aliens. I wanted a little more closure or some kind of reassurance at the end as well, but after all--it *is* horror. That reminded me of why I prefer less disturbing genre fiction!
Still, I did enjoy reading the book and highly recommend it.
And an interesting one, since the couple who are "chosen" to try and bring a hybrid alien-human child evoke a lot of sympathy for their circumstances. The cover art alone is creepy. The chapters creeped along, too, building plenty of tension between the characters and a few apt and creepy surprises. The Sixth Seed aliens reminded of those creepy looking beings in Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, except they weren't child-like and non-threatening. In fact, their curiosity creeped me out. Totally. I am definitely going to keep a night light on now.
Why not 5 stars? I didn't connect deep enough with the wife, Melanie, or the father, Tom. I tend not to give spoilers, but I was also confused as to who the real villain was--the ob-gyn doctor, or the aliens. I wanted a little more closure or some kind of reassurance at the end as well, but after all--it *is* horror. That reminded me of why I prefer less disturbing genre fiction!
Still, I did enjoy reading the book and highly recommend it.
August 4, 2012
Although there were some grammatical errors in the writing, I actually really enjoyed this story. It is easy to read, not really a horror in my view, but slightly unsettling and I loved the ending. Based on this novel, I'd probably read more from this author.
August 13, 2016
I'd put this at about 2 1/2 stars.
This was a weird one, but I kept finding myself intrigued enough to keep reading. It also helped that it was a quick read.
This book turned out to be mostly about the character of Tom dealing with average everyday obstacles. Getting laid off, needing to find a new job, worrying about money and insurance, all while raising children.
This was a weird one, but I kept finding myself intrigued enough to keep reading. It also helped that it was a quick read.
This book turned out to be mostly about the character of Tom dealing with average everyday obstacles. Getting laid off, needing to find a new job, worrying about money and insurance, all while raising children.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews