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The Rook Circle by Jef Rouner
Five bizarre tales designed to disturb and delight lovingly illustrated in one collection. UNDERBITE – a narcissistic vampire has an encounter with a world-weary descendant of Van Helsing who tells him to check his privilege. A SENSELESS EATING MACHINE – at an aquarium amusement park a harmless animatronic shark has downloaded a new program, kill. NEVAEH – Lissa goes to work at a drive-thru church and finds her faith tested when she meets Nevaeh, who sets a tragic fate in motion. CERIDWEN’S CAULDRON – The bathtub is deeper than you think. It goes all the way to the end of the world if you have the right ingredients. EVERYONE’S WAITIN’ ON THE MAN WITH THE BAG – Dark spirits haunt Christmas, and sometimes they’re exactly what we need to save us. All will be told in The Rook Circle.
Unknown Binding
First published October 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 20, 2016
Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...
Wow, this book was amazing!! It reeled me in and kept me in suspense while reading each story from beginning to end!! There are five mystical and magical stories that you can literally sink your teeth into. I love how the author added in some humor to the opening story and yet brought forth the mystery of the story with some horror mixed in. Each story had their fill of horror and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I must admit I was partial to the first story. I absolutely loved the illustrations in the story too. They really hit home with the story that was being told and helped to add to my imagination too. Loved every twist and turn and the way the author could just enchant me with his writing style and then WHAM, hits you with the amazingly awesome climax in the stories. I highly recommend this book to adults, though I must add that it is not for the faint of hearts nor would you want to read this before bed if you are slightly squeamish. Eat your heart out Stephen King!!
The author provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
Wow, this book was amazing!! It reeled me in and kept me in suspense while reading each story from beginning to end!! There are five mystical and magical stories that you can literally sink your teeth into. I love how the author added in some humor to the opening story and yet brought forth the mystery of the story with some horror mixed in. Each story had their fill of horror and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I must admit I was partial to the first story. I absolutely loved the illustrations in the story too. They really hit home with the story that was being told and helped to add to my imagination too. Loved every twist and turn and the way the author could just enchant me with his writing style and then WHAM, hits you with the amazingly awesome climax in the stories. I highly recommend this book to adults, though I must add that it is not for the faint of hearts nor would you want to read this before bed if you are slightly squeamish. Eat your heart out Stephen King!!
The author provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
January 20, 2016
In the deliciously sick spirit of Stephen King comes this short story collection that makes you laugh, wince, and shriek in equal measure. You'll find an ineffectual vampire, a ghoulish animatronic shark, and even a drive-thru funeral home. Rouner is not only an excellent writer, but also a man with a disturbing imagination that is wonderful to witness. He mixes a touch of humor with the horror and also some brutal, honest emotion. You'll think about this collection for days after it's done ... and probably avoid dark alleys. Rouner has a new fan in me, complemented by artist Dori Hartley, whose work is something out of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark."
January 19, 2016
It has been a long time since I've read a book of short stories. From comedy to thriller, to "omg, did a man really write this?" - the stories were relevant to today and touched on so many different topics when it was a more serious story. I look forward to seeing more short stories by Jef Rouner.
September 19, 2018
Underbite was probably my least favorite of the stories, though I still liked it. I only mention it was my least favorite in the event someone is reading this collection and isn't completely wowed by the first story, stick with it as it only goes up from here. I suspect I know this narcissistic vampire in real life and he deserves all that is coming to him in this tale.
A Senseless Eating Machine is glorious. I was completely transfixed by this tale and I loved how it played on that universal sensation of fearing a place or a thing for no logical reason and the self-doubt which accompanies that fear.
My only complaint about Nevaeh is that it wasn't a novel. It was my absolute favorite of the stories and I just wanted more time with the characters, particularly Nevaeh. I'll keep my fingers crossed that a novel-length retelling, a sequel, or a prequel is in the works.
Ceridwen's Cauldron is my close-second favorite. It reminded me of a lovely conversation I had about international feminism with a woman working at the Lush store in central Amsterdam. Weird that I could relate so well to a story combining bath products and witchcraft, but I did.
Everyone's Waitin' on the Man With the Bag was a delightful way to end the collection. It's a twisted Christmas story with an unexpected hero who has gone without receiving his due for too long.
Overall, I admire the author's ability to make his characters inclusive without pandering and I'm excited to read his next collection which is coming out soon.
A Senseless Eating Machine is glorious. I was completely transfixed by this tale and I loved how it played on that universal sensation of fearing a place or a thing for no logical reason and the self-doubt which accompanies that fear.
My only complaint about Nevaeh is that it wasn't a novel. It was my absolute favorite of the stories and I just wanted more time with the characters, particularly Nevaeh. I'll keep my fingers crossed that a novel-length retelling, a sequel, or a prequel is in the works.
Ceridwen's Cauldron is my close-second favorite. It reminded me of a lovely conversation I had about international feminism with a woman working at the Lush store in central Amsterdam. Weird that I could relate so well to a story combining bath products and witchcraft, but I did.
Everyone's Waitin' on the Man With the Bag was a delightful way to end the collection. It's a twisted Christmas story with an unexpected hero who has gone without receiving his due for too long.
Overall, I admire the author's ability to make his characters inclusive without pandering and I'm excited to read his next collection which is coming out soon.
July 5, 2018
The Rook Circle is a series of short stories that hearken to The Twilight Zone/Black Mirror, but with a modern horror mythos twist. I was very happy with the feminist tones in some of the narrative (not overwhelmingly done) and a new light on some modern horror tropes. I also liked the subtle call out to some gaming properties.
In a ranking of my favorites in this collection, from "YES!!!" to "Pretty Good":
1 CERIDWEN’S CAULDRON
2 NEVAEH
3 UNDERBITE
4 EVERYONE’S WAITIN’ ON THE MAN WITH THE BAG
5 SENSELESS EATING MACHINE
In a ranking of my favorites in this collection, from "YES!!!" to "Pretty Good":
1 CERIDWEN’S CAULDRON
2 NEVAEH
3 UNDERBITE
4 EVERYONE’S WAITIN’ ON THE MAN WITH THE BAG
5 SENSELESS EATING MACHINE
February 18, 2018
Familiar and unfamiliar and engaging.
These stories are fun, sometimes sad, and engaging. They straddle a line between the familiar and unfamiliar, first drawing you in then drawing you out into unknown territory. It's been keeping me busy as I seek to use social media on my phone less. Worth checking out if you like anthologies.
These stories are fun, sometimes sad, and engaging. They straddle a line between the familiar and unfamiliar, first drawing you in then drawing you out into unknown territory. It's been keeping me busy as I seek to use social media on my phone less. Worth checking out if you like anthologies.
November 7, 2023
Jef Rouner spins a series of eerie, frightening, and insightful tales guaranteed to keep your attention and stick in your mind.
September 26, 2016
A very nice collection of stories across various genres but it really feels more like the unfolding of modern folklore touched with many memories. There is comedy horror with a sober, mature touch along with the much more introspective and fantastical. There is even something of a 'digital' ghost story, which I found as compelling for its origin as its actual telling, and a Christmas story that is as engaging as it is terrifying. I recommend the book for its journey as well as its obvious entertainment value. The pictures inside are also a nice touch, especially the last one, showing the author and artist. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews