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Mastodon
17 years ago, Tyler Barton was born in the Rocky Mountains, while his parents were on a hike.
On that day, his mother disappeared, never to be seen again. Now, history repeats itself.
On the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, Tyler’s father is flying home when the plane he’s on disappears—in the same area where his mother was last seen. Undeterred by officials, Tyler decides to hike into the area in search of his father, hoping to find him alive and bring him back to safety.
But there’s a reason that area is prohibited to enter and even though Tyler doesn’t care, he’ll soon find out that the wilderness can hide some of the deepest, darkest fears known to man.
From the author of Incarnate, The Window in the Ground and Ritual comes a new novel that’ll make you rethink your Summer hiking trip.
On that day, his mother disappeared, never to be seen again. Now, history repeats itself.
On the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, Tyler’s father is flying home when the plane he’s on disappears—in the same area where his mother was last seen. Undeterred by officials, Tyler decides to hike into the area in search of his father, hoping to find him alive and bring him back to safety.
But there’s a reason that area is prohibited to enter and even though Tyler doesn’t care, he’ll soon find out that the wilderness can hide some of the deepest, darkest fears known to man.
From the author of Incarnate, The Window in the Ground and Ritual comes a new novel that’ll make you rethink your Summer hiking trip.
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 10, 2022
186 people are currently reading
2635 people want to read
About the author
Steve Stred
88 books671 followersAn award-winning author, Steve Stred lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and son.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
February 19, 2025
This was written very well. It definitely dragged a bit during the first portion of the book, reminding me of My Side if the Mountain by Jean George, as Tyler wanders through the woods. But after the first half, things picked up very quickly and there is a ton of action and creatures running amuck. There were several times that the author seemed to struggle with showing and not telling, even with one of the initial creatures, but I can’t fault him for that. While writing my Preternatural trilogy, I found myself in similar circumstances, so I empathize. I didn’t much care for the ending, and with all the lead up and character development for Tyler, it didn’t amount to a huge life lesson or anything significant. It just sort of ended and fell flat for me. I also figured out one of the biggest reveals very early on, but it didn’t bother me much. It just made sense to happen a certain way. I know that I’m being very broad and brief, but I do so in order not to spoil anything. But the book told a good story and again, I did enjoy the author’s premise and main character a good deal. The creatures also deserve a lot of credit for both the variety and scariness that they brought to the story.
February 6, 2022
4.5 stars
Full review available at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...
We humans sure like to experiment, don’t we?
We were given a natural curiosity and a brain capacity to try to understand, improve, evolve…despite our best efforts to destroy it with reality television.
Have you ever sat back and wondered: How in the world did they come up with that? Who thinks like that? Was it an accident or not? Will we ever be able to improve on it?
Here’s a hypothetical:
So, the lady of the house is mad at her husband for seeming to enjoy milking the cow a little too much, so she takes the ‘flowers’ he brought as a peace offering, and beats them repeatedly until they are mostly just a powder. Now, I’m not here to speculate whether he’d brought her rye or wheat, but it does seem rather coincidental that, in its powdered form, it is referred to as flower, isn’t it?
So the man is angry at his wife, but he’d witnessed the skill with which she’d swung that rock, so instead of beating her, he throws the extra rye bouquet he’d picked for her into a pot, already boiling with water and some other stuff she’d added for the broth, and then he forgets about it. Days later she discovers it and with spite in her heart serves it to him as a drink, but instead of not liking it, he drinks it all.
And then he accused her of being a lycanthrope, and she knows he must be drunk because he didn’t use the word ‘werewolf’, which would suit his normal vocabulary, and then…
Okay, I have no idea how beer is really made, but who knows how it began, right?
Where am I going with this?
Well, Tyler’s dad is in a plane crash, the same place where his mother had disappeared 17 years ago, and presumed dead. But the military won’t allow anybody to search for him in this restricted area. Why?
Well, that’s the ten million dollar question, isn’t it?
The only way to search for his dad would be to go rogue, but will he be able to deal with what is waiting on the other side?
Well, this is advertised as a creature feature kinda story, but what exactly are these creatures? Where do they come from? Is this an Area 51 situation? Are we experimenting on aliens? Are aliens experimenting on us? Have we opened a gateway to another dimension? Or maybe right into the bowls of hell? Is this whole review a misdirection?
Look, those who’ve read Steve Stred before will know he is a solid writer. Those who haven’t will find out soon enough.
The story is really good and I do think it is better for the readers to go into this one a little blind. It is strong enough to draw a wider audience than just the ‘creature feature’ crowd.
Full review available at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...
We humans sure like to experiment, don’t we?
We were given a natural curiosity and a brain capacity to try to understand, improve, evolve…despite our best efforts to destroy it with reality television.
Have you ever sat back and wondered: How in the world did they come up with that? Who thinks like that? Was it an accident or not? Will we ever be able to improve on it?
Here’s a hypothetical:
So, the lady of the house is mad at her husband for seeming to enjoy milking the cow a little too much, so she takes the ‘flowers’ he brought as a peace offering, and beats them repeatedly until they are mostly just a powder. Now, I’m not here to speculate whether he’d brought her rye or wheat, but it does seem rather coincidental that, in its powdered form, it is referred to as flower, isn’t it?
So the man is angry at his wife, but he’d witnessed the skill with which she’d swung that rock, so instead of beating her, he throws the extra rye bouquet he’d picked for her into a pot, already boiling with water and some other stuff she’d added for the broth, and then he forgets about it. Days later she discovers it and with spite in her heart serves it to him as a drink, but instead of not liking it, he drinks it all.
And then he accused her of being a lycanthrope, and she knows he must be drunk because he didn’t use the word ‘werewolf’, which would suit his normal vocabulary, and then…
Okay, I have no idea how beer is really made, but who knows how it began, right?
Where am I going with this?
Well, Tyler’s dad is in a plane crash, the same place where his mother had disappeared 17 years ago, and presumed dead. But the military won’t allow anybody to search for him in this restricted area. Why?
Well, that’s the ten million dollar question, isn’t it?
The only way to search for his dad would be to go rogue, but will he be able to deal with what is waiting on the other side?
Well, this is advertised as a creature feature kinda story, but what exactly are these creatures? Where do they come from? Is this an Area 51 situation? Are we experimenting on aliens? Are aliens experimenting on us? Have we opened a gateway to another dimension? Or maybe right into the bowls of hell? Is this whole review a misdirection?
Look, those who’ve read Steve Stred before will know he is a solid writer. Those who haven’t will find out soon enough.
The story is really good and I do think it is better for the readers to go into this one a little blind. It is strong enough to draw a wider audience than just the ‘creature feature’ crowd.
March 18, 2022
Damn, that was crazy. Monsters everywhere, mad scientists, and the world's worst boss ever. That ending was just uncalled-for Mr. Stred. Fix it now 🤨😭
March 20, 2022
Tyler's dad is missing in the woods, kike his mom 20 years ago. Is there a connection? What is going on in the woods? Why it is a restricted area? Who are the animals Tyler is haunted with? The book started interesting but soon became a bit dragging, slow winded and repetitive. It took the author ages until something substantial happened and something new was added. Is that tension and suspense? I don't know. If you take up a Dean Koontz novel (he wrote about similar issues in the 80s) the storyline is much quicker and faster paced. Besides to me it was quite implausible for a young lad like Tyler to act that way in the woods. With that great cover I somehow had expected more. This one wasn't rather compelling nor eerie nor terrifying. Well, maybe for fans of the author or hikers themselves. Not my cup of tea...
February 8, 2022
From reading my friend Mort’s review I just knew I was going to love this one. The cover alone is so enticing. While I might have normally rated it 4 stars, I have had a run of pretty mediocre reads and this was so much better I went the whole hog with 5 stars! So bite me!
Seventeen years ago Tyler Barton was born while his parents were on a hike in remote wilderness in Canada. His mother went to answer a call of nature and was never seen again. The search was called off after only a day. On the seventeenth anniversary of her disappearance Tyler’s father, Neil Barton, disappears as the small plane he was flying home in crashes in the same wilderness area.
Tyler, who has been schooled in hiking and survival skills by his dad, is determined to find his father because, once again, there is to be no search. The area is off limits to civilians and whatever goes on there is top secret. He ignores all the warnings and sets off. After driving as far as he can he sets off on foot with everything he needs in his backpack. As he gets closer to the off limits zone he starts to see things which make no sense. As he gets closer to the heart of the facility what he sees and hears blows his mind. There are things roaming around which simply should not exist.
Eventually he runs into RCMP officer Carson whose father was involved in the limited search for Tyler’s mother. He had gone to the area a few times seeking answers and them disappeared himself. Now Tyler and Carson together have a chance to infiltrate this top secret and well hidden facility. When they finally do they wish they had left well enough alone.
This is billed as a creature feature and it sure is that. While it was kind of gross in places it wasn’t scary or creepy. It was, however, very full on. I read in literally one sitting!
Seventeen years ago Tyler Barton was born while his parents were on a hike in remote wilderness in Canada. His mother went to answer a call of nature and was never seen again. The search was called off after only a day. On the seventeenth anniversary of her disappearance Tyler’s father, Neil Barton, disappears as the small plane he was flying home in crashes in the same wilderness area.
Tyler, who has been schooled in hiking and survival skills by his dad, is determined to find his father because, once again, there is to be no search. The area is off limits to civilians and whatever goes on there is top secret. He ignores all the warnings and sets off. After driving as far as he can he sets off on foot with everything he needs in his backpack. As he gets closer to the off limits zone he starts to see things which make no sense. As he gets closer to the heart of the facility what he sees and hears blows his mind. There are things roaming around which simply should not exist.
Eventually he runs into RCMP officer Carson whose father was involved in the limited search for Tyler’s mother. He had gone to the area a few times seeking answers and them disappeared himself. Now Tyler and Carson together have a chance to infiltrate this top secret and well hidden facility. When they finally do they wish they had left well enough alone.
This is billed as a creature feature and it sure is that. While it was kind of gross in places it wasn’t scary or creepy. It was, however, very full on. I read in literally one sitting!
April 3, 2025
Where's the Mastodon?...
MASTODON
by Steve Stred
No spoilers. 3 stars. This author's bio says he writes bleak tales. This story was about as bleak as it gets...
In 1990...
Neil and his pregnant wife Sandra were hiking near Ogre Peak when Sandra went into labor and delivered their son Tyler...
Later...
Sandra left camp to find a place to pee and disappeared. She was never seen again...
17 years later...
Neil Chartered a small plane to take him to the forest where Sandra disappeared so he could try to find some trace of her...
Neil's plane crashed into the side of a mountain, and neither Neil nor his body were found...
Now...
Tyler, the couple's 17 year old son, is going back to that forest to look for his parents...
This novel started off great, and I thought it was going to be a good, adventurous horror story, but the vast middle was very repetitive all the way to the bleak end.
I felt like I experienced the lost weekend with this book, and BTW, where was the Mastodon? The title character was MIA.
MASTODON
by Steve Stred
No spoilers. 3 stars. This author's bio says he writes bleak tales. This story was about as bleak as it gets...
In 1990...
Neil and his pregnant wife Sandra were hiking near Ogre Peak when Sandra went into labor and delivered their son Tyler...
Later...
Sandra left camp to find a place to pee and disappeared. She was never seen again...
17 years later...
Neil Chartered a small plane to take him to the forest where Sandra disappeared so he could try to find some trace of her...
Neil's plane crashed into the side of a mountain, and neither Neil nor his body were found...
Now...
Tyler, the couple's 17 year old son, is going back to that forest to look for his parents...
This novel started off great, and I thought it was going to be a good, adventurous horror story, but the vast middle was very repetitive all the way to the bleak end.
I felt like I experienced the lost weekend with this book, and BTW, where was the Mastodon? The title character was MIA.
January 29, 2022
With MASTODON, Stred has created an immersive creature feature with heart, relatable characters, and page turning intrigue. I read this in a little less than twenty-four hours and enjoyed every minute of it! Highly recommended!
May 9, 2022
In the end, this sadly wasn't for me.
I found the pacing really frustrating; the first 60% or so was just Tyler hiking through the woods and there was far too much detail of it. A little info is interesting but if I wanted a survival guide I would have read that instead. This just made it so tedious that, by the time the action amped up, I was already kind of over the whole story.
The last 30% or so just went from 0 - 1000 on the crazy scale and it was too much for me. So much time was spent making this story seem realistic and then it just got outrageous. I would have enjoyed the horrific twist of this story so much more as a novella, with far less bush-bashing foreplay. Because it was a really intriguing idea but was so messy in execution.
There was also a lot of convenience to Tyler's adventure and it got to a point where I was getting frustrated by all the lucky saves.
I can see how others would enjoy this, because it does have some fun, crazy stuff going down, but the way it was all written put me off and left a sour taste in my mouth. Creativity was up there for sure but I needed better pacing and more depth to really draw me in and keep me invested.
I found the pacing really frustrating; the first 60% or so was just Tyler hiking through the woods and there was far too much detail of it. A little info is interesting but if I wanted a survival guide I would have read that instead. This just made it so tedious that, by the time the action amped up, I was already kind of over the whole story.
The last 30% or so just went from 0 - 1000 on the crazy scale and it was too much for me. So much time was spent making this story seem realistic and then it just got outrageous. I would have enjoyed the horrific twist of this story so much more as a novella, with far less bush-bashing foreplay. Because it was a really intriguing idea but was so messy in execution.
There was also a lot of convenience to Tyler's adventure and it got to a point where I was getting frustrated by all the lucky saves.
I can see how others would enjoy this, because it does have some fun, crazy stuff going down, but the way it was all written put me off and left a sour taste in my mouth. Creativity was up there for sure but I needed better pacing and more depth to really draw me in and keep me invested.
January 29, 2022
Wow!
Seamless. Cryptozoology. Mad Science. Military/conspiracy theory.
Steve Stred, an author who is blessedly both prolific and gifted, has really supremely excelled in his newest, MASTODON! Literally I could not stop before the end, even though I was tired and sleepy. I was so engrossed that I developed a second wind, because I knew I couldn't sleep if I hadn't finished. And oh my! What an outcome! What content! What Creativity! What Monsters, What Evil!! Mr. Stred, you've made a fan for Life!
Seamless. Cryptozoology. Mad Science. Military/conspiracy theory.
Steve Stred, an author who is blessedly both prolific and gifted, has really supremely excelled in his newest, MASTODON! Literally I could not stop before the end, even though I was tired and sleepy. I was so engrossed that I developed a second wind, because I knew I couldn't sleep if I hadn't finished. And oh my! What an outcome! What content! What Creativity! What Monsters, What Evil!! Mr. Stred, you've made a fan for Life!
January 15, 2022
As usual, I did some editing on Steve’s new book, so feel free to ignore my opinion, but it’s an absolute belter of a survival horror story with everything I look for in a book.
January 29, 2022
Back in March 2019 I reviewed Steve Stred for the first time for another horror site, giving The Girl Who Hid in the Trees a middling 3/5 stars and further down the road I covered The One That Knows No Fear which made a stronger impression. Following that, and better still, I was blown away by The Window in the Ground which is both significantly meatier and more complex than those earlier works. Stred’s fiction is clearly on an upward trajectory but I have also enjoyed random dips into his back-catalogue with his Wagon Buddy novellas being other enjoyable reads. The Canadian is incredibly prolific and in 2021 he dived into science fiction with The Future in the Sky, but I found his first release of 2022 Mastodon to be significantly more entertaining and amongst his best work to date which deserves to find a decent audience amongst monster and creature feature horror fans.
Mastodon was a genuine out-and-out page-turner which barely draws breath for a moment and if you are after a quick, highly entertaining, not-too-deep read then this highly inventive novella ticks all the boxes. Hell, Mastodon was so much fun authors Hunter Shea or Jason Parent, who specialise in monster mayhem, would have been proud to call this bad boy their own. As a crazy over the top b-feature it was top drawer, which cleverly keeps a fair chunk of the plot nicely shrouded well into proceedings before it evolves into something significantly more sinister than a basic monster-in-the woods story. Once it begins to move through the gears the action is top heavy with some wild set pieces and bloody kills and when you get to the ‘fight or fuck’ sequence you will not be able to pull your eyes from the page!
Set in a remote part of the Rocky Mountains Mastodon has a terrific opening hook to quickly suck the reader in which connects a story from seventeen years earlier to the events of the present-day action. Seventeen years previously, Tyler Barton was born in an area called Ogre Peak, whilst his parents were on a hike, immediately after the birth his mother disappeared and was never seen again. Rescue attempts were restricted as this area of the mountains and forest was not open to the public and there were all sorts of rumours of what dodgy Area 51 style business the government might be up to. The wild location was a terrific plus-point to the plot and it adds much atmosphere to proceedings, with Stred explaining in his informative end notes that it was loosely based on a real location and areas of Canada he was familiar with whilst growing up.
Over the passing years Tyler and his dad Neil bonded over hiking but have never forgotten his mother and meet up for tough climbs in areas which are hard to access. Early in the story Neil is being flown in the same area as Ogre Peak to meet Tyler’s grandfather and the plane crashes with Tyler being told that he must presume his father is dead and is offered quick money as compensation. Suspecting a rat, he begins to investigate Ogre Peak, which is heavily protected by armed soldiers, fences and cameras. However, Neil has taught his son well who uses his outdoor skills to hunt for his father whom he believes is still alive somewhere in the forest, possibly being held captive against his will and if this is the case, could it be his mother is also alive somewhere also?
To say any more of the plot would head into spoiler territory but expect a very wild and crazy ride top-heavy with fantastic imagery. Once the big reveals are dropped some of the plot will undoubtedly remind you of other fiction, but don’t let that put you off Stred brings plenty of his own panache to the table and squeezes his characters through both a physical and emotional meatgrinder and at various points I even hoped he might give them a break (fat chance). Overall Mastodon has terrific pacing with the reader on tenterhooks for what Tyler will eventually discover in the forest and although the reader might guess, Stred is never short of ideas which mix things up and keep the reader both nicely unbalanced and keep for the next reveal.
Although Tyler carries the book well and is very mature for a seventeen-year-old kid (almost, but not quite a bad-ass) the action is beefed up by the occasional flashback and plot jumps to his father which also give teasers for where events might head. As things progress the use of technology was terrific and the introduction of the young policeman who had his own personal rescue mission gave Tyler someone to turn to for support and the reader another dude to root for. Stred specialises in fast moving action and even if the characters are sketchily presented you will still be drawn to Tyler. His battle for both rescue and survival in one of the most dangerous places in the world takes this highly compelling adventure yarn which was built around a well-conceived mystery which is far from being a typical creature feature to the next level.
Mastodon deserves to pick Steve Stred plenty of new readers and if you are after b-movie style adventure horror then you will hoover this novella up in a couple of evenings. Yes, it is dumb and incredibly far-fetched, but it was very easy to piggyback upon Tyler’s brave shoulders as he battled on his brave journey into the nightmare unknown which was Ogre Peak. Highly recommended.
Tony Jones
Mastodon was a genuine out-and-out page-turner which barely draws breath for a moment and if you are after a quick, highly entertaining, not-too-deep read then this highly inventive novella ticks all the boxes. Hell, Mastodon was so much fun authors Hunter Shea or Jason Parent, who specialise in monster mayhem, would have been proud to call this bad boy their own. As a crazy over the top b-feature it was top drawer, which cleverly keeps a fair chunk of the plot nicely shrouded well into proceedings before it evolves into something significantly more sinister than a basic monster-in-the woods story. Once it begins to move through the gears the action is top heavy with some wild set pieces and bloody kills and when you get to the ‘fight or fuck’ sequence you will not be able to pull your eyes from the page!
Set in a remote part of the Rocky Mountains Mastodon has a terrific opening hook to quickly suck the reader in which connects a story from seventeen years earlier to the events of the present-day action. Seventeen years previously, Tyler Barton was born in an area called Ogre Peak, whilst his parents were on a hike, immediately after the birth his mother disappeared and was never seen again. Rescue attempts were restricted as this area of the mountains and forest was not open to the public and there were all sorts of rumours of what dodgy Area 51 style business the government might be up to. The wild location was a terrific plus-point to the plot and it adds much atmosphere to proceedings, with Stred explaining in his informative end notes that it was loosely based on a real location and areas of Canada he was familiar with whilst growing up.
Over the passing years Tyler and his dad Neil bonded over hiking but have never forgotten his mother and meet up for tough climbs in areas which are hard to access. Early in the story Neil is being flown in the same area as Ogre Peak to meet Tyler’s grandfather and the plane crashes with Tyler being told that he must presume his father is dead and is offered quick money as compensation. Suspecting a rat, he begins to investigate Ogre Peak, which is heavily protected by armed soldiers, fences and cameras. However, Neil has taught his son well who uses his outdoor skills to hunt for his father whom he believes is still alive somewhere in the forest, possibly being held captive against his will and if this is the case, could it be his mother is also alive somewhere also?
To say any more of the plot would head into spoiler territory but expect a very wild and crazy ride top-heavy with fantastic imagery. Once the big reveals are dropped some of the plot will undoubtedly remind you of other fiction, but don’t let that put you off Stred brings plenty of his own panache to the table and squeezes his characters through both a physical and emotional meatgrinder and at various points I even hoped he might give them a break (fat chance). Overall Mastodon has terrific pacing with the reader on tenterhooks for what Tyler will eventually discover in the forest and although the reader might guess, Stred is never short of ideas which mix things up and keep the reader both nicely unbalanced and keep for the next reveal.
Although Tyler carries the book well and is very mature for a seventeen-year-old kid (almost, but not quite a bad-ass) the action is beefed up by the occasional flashback and plot jumps to his father which also give teasers for where events might head. As things progress the use of technology was terrific and the introduction of the young policeman who had his own personal rescue mission gave Tyler someone to turn to for support and the reader another dude to root for. Stred specialises in fast moving action and even if the characters are sketchily presented you will still be drawn to Tyler. His battle for both rescue and survival in one of the most dangerous places in the world takes this highly compelling adventure yarn which was built around a well-conceived mystery which is far from being a typical creature feature to the next level.
Mastodon deserves to pick Steve Stred plenty of new readers and if you are after b-movie style adventure horror then you will hoover this novella up in a couple of evenings. Yes, it is dumb and incredibly far-fetched, but it was very easy to piggyback upon Tyler’s brave shoulders as he battled on his brave journey into the nightmare unknown which was Ogre Peak. Highly recommended.
Tony Jones
March 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this romp through a messed up forest. It was a great survival story with some really cool (terrifying) creatures. The love this author has for Canadian wilderness shines throughout with gorgeous descriptions of the surroundings. There were also some heart pounding chase scenes and creature interactions that made this one fun for me.
A big plus for me was encountering a new author that I really dig. Not just the writing style, which was on point, but he seems like a fucking cool person. The book is dedicated to his dog and in the afterward he talks about this fur baby with such love and devotion I wanted to hug him and give him a puppy.
A big plus for me was encountering a new author that I really dig. Not just the writing style, which was on point, but he seems like a fucking cool person. The book is dedicated to his dog and in the afterward he talks about this fur baby with such love and devotion I wanted to hug him and give him a puppy.
January 23, 2022
Seventeen years ago, Tyler's mother disappeared in the woods of the Rocky Mountains, near Ogre Peak in Golden, BC. Now, his father's plane has crashed in the same dense forests and Tyler is warned away from trying to find him. The land is owned by the military and trespassing into those woods can be fatal. But Tyler has to find his father, and breaches the perimeter surveilled by cameras, snipers, and roaming patrols of Canadian military. What he finds on the other side is a land unlike anything he's familiar with, one populated by strange and terrifying creatures... and worse.
Steve Stred manages to give me yet another reason to stay out of the woods - several even - in Mastodon, a horror thriller that sits easily as a spiritual cousin to The X-Files, Lost, and Jeff VanderMeer's Area X. Part weird nature, part conspiracy theory, and topped to the brim with monsters of both the human and inhuman variety, Stred gives us a glimpse into a Canadian Area 51 of sorts.
Tyler's attempts to find his father are a journey of discovery for both him and readers, as each are routinely confronted by the inexplicable. Stred's imagination works overtime in Mastodon, delivering up a series of scenarios supremely high in their WTF quotient, from soldiers fused into the landscape as if they'd been part of the Philadelphia Experiment to a strange tower affixed with a strobe light and sonorous chime. One can't help but wonder what exactly is going on deeper within these woods at the hidden, private military installation, and it makes for one hell of a page-turner.
Like most conspiracy theories, though, the events in Mastodon are not easily resolved and the open-ended, ambiguous nature of what, how, and why may prove a detraction for some readers, particularly those who aren't terribly familiar with weird fiction. Stred gives a brief moment of insight into the motivations of the Powers that Be, but whether or not it's enough to satisfy will be up to each individual that tags along with Tyler for his crazy trip through the forest. As an avid hiker, Tyler often reflects on the joy being in the journey, not the destination, and Stred employs a similar sentiment to the narrative itself. We get plenty of the strange and inexplicable, a few really good action beats, and a head-first dive straight into the odd and mystifying. For me, that alone is worth it, and the deeper whys and wherefores of it all will keep my imagination spinning for a good, long while.
Steve Stred manages to give me yet another reason to stay out of the woods - several even - in Mastodon, a horror thriller that sits easily as a spiritual cousin to The X-Files, Lost, and Jeff VanderMeer's Area X. Part weird nature, part conspiracy theory, and topped to the brim with monsters of both the human and inhuman variety, Stred gives us a glimpse into a Canadian Area 51 of sorts.
Tyler's attempts to find his father are a journey of discovery for both him and readers, as each are routinely confronted by the inexplicable. Stred's imagination works overtime in Mastodon, delivering up a series of scenarios supremely high in their WTF quotient, from soldiers fused into the landscape as if they'd been part of the Philadelphia Experiment to a strange tower affixed with a strobe light and sonorous chime. One can't help but wonder what exactly is going on deeper within these woods at the hidden, private military installation, and it makes for one hell of a page-turner.
Like most conspiracy theories, though, the events in Mastodon are not easily resolved and the open-ended, ambiguous nature of what, how, and why may prove a detraction for some readers, particularly those who aren't terribly familiar with weird fiction. Stred gives a brief moment of insight into the motivations of the Powers that Be, but whether or not it's enough to satisfy will be up to each individual that tags along with Tyler for his crazy trip through the forest. As an avid hiker, Tyler often reflects on the joy being in the journey, not the destination, and Stred employs a similar sentiment to the narrative itself. We get plenty of the strange and inexplicable, a few really good action beats, and a head-first dive straight into the odd and mystifying. For me, that alone is worth it, and the deeper whys and wherefores of it all will keep my imagination spinning for a good, long while.
January 8, 2022
Tyler’s mother disappeared during a hiking trip when he was a baby. Seventeen years later, his father, who spent much of Tyler’s childhood teaching him survival skills, goes missing in the same remote area.
Refusing to heed the warnings of those who try to convince him his father is already dead, a determined Tyler sets off to find him. Remaining undetected by the military personnel, who have cordoned off “an area larger than Vancouver”, is only one of the dangers Tyler faces in the unforgiving wilderness.
If you’re at all squeamish and aren’t keen on bloodshed of the ‘insides are now your outsides’ variety, then this is probably not the book for you. But if your perverse enjoyment of horror grows exponentially as the red stuff begins to flow freely enough to form a river, then you’re in for a treat. This is a creature feature with guts. Lots of them. All over the page.
This was my first Steve Stred read. It will not be the last.
A word of warning: don’t let anyone tell you what’s in the woods. This is something best revealed with Tyler as your guide.
P.S. I never thought an afterword of a horror book would make me cry, but then I was introduced to OJ. I’m not going to say anything else, though, or I’ll start again.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Refusing to heed the warnings of those who try to convince him his father is already dead, a determined Tyler sets off to find him. Remaining undetected by the military personnel, who have cordoned off “an area larger than Vancouver”, is only one of the dangers Tyler faces in the unforgiving wilderness.
“These woods aren’t like any woods you’ve ever been in.”There’s a growing dread as Tyler hikes deeper into the woods and I was eager to find out what secrets it held. I was not disappointed.
If you’re at all squeamish and aren’t keen on bloodshed of the ‘insides are now your outsides’ variety, then this is probably not the book for you. But if your perverse enjoyment of horror grows exponentially as the red stuff begins to flow freely enough to form a river, then you’re in for a treat. This is a creature feature with guts. Lots of them. All over the page.
On and on it went, horror after horror.It was dark. It was bleak. There were scenes that made me want to cringe and turn away. It was so much fun, in an ‘abandon all hope, ye who enter here’ kind of way. You will never look at a clearing the same way again.
This was my first Steve Stred read. It will not be the last.
A word of warning: don’t let anyone tell you what’s in the woods. This is something best revealed with Tyler as your guide.
P.S. I never thought an afterword of a horror book would make me cry, but then I was introduced to OJ. I’m not going to say anything else, though, or I’ll start again.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
January 11, 2022
Wow! What an utterly brilliant and horrific story!!!! 🖤
Steve dives straight in with the brutality and terror, and goes full throttle the whole way through! I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down!!!! Every single chapter left me wanting more!
It was chock full of mystery and intrigue from the get go!
I love stories like this, based in the wilderness, where who knows what lives!! In this case there were some bizarre and totally horrific abominations around every corner, along with some blood and guts, and lots of action!
It also gave me some The Ritual vibes, which is one of my fave books ever!
Brilliantly written, with characters you could relate to and were willing to succeed!!
I so hope there will be a sequel to this!! Amazing!!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Steve dives straight in with the brutality and terror, and goes full throttle the whole way through! I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down!!!! Every single chapter left me wanting more!
It was chock full of mystery and intrigue from the get go!
I love stories like this, based in the wilderness, where who knows what lives!! In this case there were some bizarre and totally horrific abominations around every corner, along with some blood and guts, and lots of action!
It also gave me some The Ritual vibes, which is one of my fave books ever!
Brilliantly written, with characters you could relate to and were willing to succeed!!
I so hope there will be a sequel to this!! Amazing!!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
February 13, 2022
Mastodon is the story of a son's quest to find his missing father despite the insurmountable odds he faces.
Tyler's Dad's plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness, in an area controlled by a military presence. It happens to be the same area his mother disappeared from 17 years ago. From harsh terrain, to human soldiers, and even unimaginable monsters, Tyler will stop at nothing to find out what has happened to his father, and bring him home if possible.
Steve Stred has delivered another well written, page turner steeped with intriguing characters and incredibly imaginative visuals. Fans of Steve's work will already know they can expect his usual sleek prose, vivid set peices, and characters that are put through the emotional wringer. But, if you've never read anything from this author before, grab this book, you won't be disappointed.
Tyler's Dad's plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness, in an area controlled by a military presence. It happens to be the same area his mother disappeared from 17 years ago. From harsh terrain, to human soldiers, and even unimaginable monsters, Tyler will stop at nothing to find out what has happened to his father, and bring him home if possible.
Steve Stred has delivered another well written, page turner steeped with intriguing characters and incredibly imaginative visuals. Fans of Steve's work will already know they can expect his usual sleek prose, vivid set peices, and characters that are put through the emotional wringer. But, if you've never read anything from this author before, grab this book, you won't be disappointed.
February 8, 2022
WHAT. IS. THIS book? Went into it thinking it was a creature feature kind of like 'Troll', but then it turned survival horror, then cosmic, I think? My eyes bulged at the word lactation, which was on the second page and they really didn't stop. I'm not great at reviews, but I will say, readers, this is a ride.
Read
December 6, 2021YES PLEASE!!! I can not wait to read this one!!!
February 11, 2022
I enjoy a good monster story, and Mastodon more than scratched that itch. With a sort of Lost meets Annihilation meets Skull Island vibe happening, I was constantly being bombarded with strange, wild twists and utterly bizarre creatures. I loved it!
June 12, 2022
This was a well written book. It was gory and gross at times the mystery about it was pretty good. I’m not an amazing fan of the ending but it was good enough.
January 8, 2022
Thanks to the author for the chance to read this before publishing.
I’ll start with the cover. Terrifying. Things with horns are scary…giant, taller than the trees, things with horns are scariest.
This was an Island of Dr. Moreau meets one of those survivalist TV shows…maybe Alone. I read Moreau many years ago and loved it. I also love atmospheric, survivalist horror. This had all the atmosphere. The author built a dread inducing, heart pounding world and a main character, Tyler, who the reader roots for every step of the way. Tyler had skills (hence the survivalist horror) but was still genuine. The side characters were equally genuine. The family unit of Sandra, Neil and Tyler was gut wrenching.
Tyler’s search for his parents takes him through a militarized, genetics gone wrong, forest. In my mind, the bad guys represent corporate greed, money, and the destruction of nature. I was more terrified of them than the huge thing with horns (but only slightly).
Loved this book! Everything came together in one horrifying tale of survival in a “not so natural” forest.
I’ll start with the cover. Terrifying. Things with horns are scary…giant, taller than the trees, things with horns are scariest.
This was an Island of Dr. Moreau meets one of those survivalist TV shows…maybe Alone. I read Moreau many years ago and loved it. I also love atmospheric, survivalist horror. This had all the atmosphere. The author built a dread inducing, heart pounding world and a main character, Tyler, who the reader roots for every step of the way. Tyler had skills (hence the survivalist horror) but was still genuine. The side characters were equally genuine. The family unit of Sandra, Neil and Tyler was gut wrenching.
Tyler’s search for his parents takes him through a militarized, genetics gone wrong, forest. In my mind, the bad guys represent corporate greed, money, and the destruction of nature. I was more terrified of them than the huge thing with horns (but only slightly).
Loved this book! Everything came together in one horrifying tale of survival in a “not so natural” forest.
February 14, 2022
This was a very unusual story… highly enjoyable.
January 30, 2022
Mastodon by Steve Stred
I contacted Steve a week ago and ask where should I start with your books. I had not read any. He suggested I wait a few days, Mastodon was coming out. That’s what I did. I really enjoyed my fellow Canadian authors writing style. Well written and easy to get lost in. The characters where well thought out and the setting was brilliant. You could tell he knew the place. The story climax was amazing, had me on the edge of my seat, excited for the next page. And that ending, crushing as it was, fit perfectly. All the extras at the end are a great gift. This is Island of Dr. Moreau, meets X-Files, meets Stephen King.
December 23, 2021
I loved this bleak creature feature. There is something about stories where a person ventures into the forest and horrific events ensue, that just hit all of the right buttons for me. If you are a fan of books like The Ritual, don’t miss out on this one. It rules!
May 5, 2023
4.5 rounded up
Well, that was pretty fantastic. There's a bleak beauty to this story and at no point did it drag its feet. The characters were compelling, and the setting was awesome.
Also, I'm a sucker for good author notes and Stred delivered the goods, he even included a writing playlist!
Well, that was pretty fantastic. There's a bleak beauty to this story and at no point did it drag its feet. The characters were compelling, and the setting was awesome.
Also, I'm a sucker for good author notes and Stred delivered the goods, he even included a writing playlist!
February 7, 2022
3.5/5 I was mildly disappointed in Mastodon but I think that was only due to my own expectations. I went in expecting more of a traditional cryptid monster in the woods story. Mastodon something else entirely and I won't say more than that because I don't want to give away the story. There are still giant monsters in the woods like that awesome cover advertises. It's just a whole different animal so to speak. Sorry bad pun....
Tyler was literally born in the wilderness and his mother went missing right after. 17 years later his father now goes missing in that same section of forest. Not one to let it go Tyler goes to find his father in the mysterious area near Ogre Mountain. He is not ready for what the wildness he's going to encounter.
There is some gore in the novel but nothing over bearing. The creatures are a lot of fun, I love a good creature feature and Mastodon doesn't disappoint in that regard.
My biggest complaint is the novel is a little too open ended for my personal preference, which is pretty typical with horror endings sadly, and you really don't get nearly the amount of answers you're hoping for before the last page turns.
Still if you're looking for a different sort of creature feature or horror survival story this will scratch those particular itches.
Tyler was literally born in the wilderness and his mother went missing right after. 17 years later his father now goes missing in that same section of forest. Not one to let it go Tyler goes to find his father in the mysterious area near Ogre Mountain. He is not ready for what the wildness he's going to encounter.
There is some gore in the novel but nothing over bearing. The creatures are a lot of fun, I love a good creature feature and Mastodon doesn't disappoint in that regard.
My biggest complaint is the novel is a little too open ended for my personal preference, which is pretty typical with horror endings sadly, and you really don't get nearly the amount of answers you're hoping for before the last page turns.
Still if you're looking for a different sort of creature feature or horror survival story this will scratch those particular itches.
February 8, 2023
On June 1st, 1990, Sandra Barton disappears while hiking with her husband, Neil. She had just moments ago given birth to their son, Tyler and went to the river to wash up; Neil heard noises and screams, running over immediately - but she wasn't there. On the 10th, they called off the search with no leads or signs.
2007, Tyler is now 17 and he and Neil both love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible in nature. Today, they have a plan to vacation at Cutter's Lake, and Tyler is waiting at the airport to pick up his dad and head out. However, Neil's small plane - with three passengers total - goes down. His coworker is ejected and when Neil runs to find him, he is surrounded by animals that look like wolves... but aren't. Then he hears Sandra's voice; he turns to see her looking just as young and beautiful as the day she disappeared. Her voice, face and presence is the same, but "the rest of her he wasn't able to process."
He wakes later to an immense, dark hairy figure dragging him across the ground - a man in fatigues with a rifle walking behind them. He wakes again in a cave, his and Tyler's name carved into the rock and he knows Sandra had been there.
Meanwhile, Tyler, still at the airport, gets a call from his dad's boss, saying that since they have lost contact with the plane, he believes it has crashed near Ogre Peak.Tyler can't believe on the same day, in the same place as his mother disappeared, that the same terrible fate may have just befell his father. Meeting with his dad's boss, Mr. Adams, he is informed that after Tyler's mother went missing in that area, the military cordoned off a large section that is no longer accessible to the public - and that no search party will be sent out.
Tyler won't accept that as an answer, and goes home to start packing immediately. He spends that night before he leaves on his rescue mission, researching Ogre Peak and learns that several people claim the military is hiding something in that area. But what?
Will Tyler manage to find his parents, all while avoiding not only the mutant beasts that stalk the area, but the military personnel on constant patrol?
------------------SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT----------------------
So I liked this, but not as much as I was expecting to. I feel like I have a ton of questions still, and it just didn't turn out to be what I thought it was.
*Why on earth were Tyler's mom and dad out hiking/camping in the woods on the day she was scheduled to give birth?
*There was zero explanation for the reason behind all the mutant/experiments; why was the military doing this?
*I had thought for sure the beast helping "guide" Tyler through the woods the whole time would turn out to be his dad, but it wasn't, so I didn't understand that either.
*I feel like I got no closure about either of his parents.
Just a lot of stuff like that. It was still entertaining and good, definitely not trying to say it wasn't, but those are my thoughts.
2007, Tyler is now 17 and he and Neil both love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible in nature. Today, they have a plan to vacation at Cutter's Lake, and Tyler is waiting at the airport to pick up his dad and head out. However, Neil's small plane - with three passengers total - goes down. His coworker is ejected and when Neil runs to find him, he is surrounded by animals that look like wolves... but aren't. Then he hears Sandra's voice; he turns to see her looking just as young and beautiful as the day she disappeared. Her voice, face and presence is the same, but "the rest of her he wasn't able to process."
He wakes later to an immense, dark hairy figure dragging him across the ground - a man in fatigues with a rifle walking behind them. He wakes again in a cave, his and Tyler's name carved into the rock and he knows Sandra had been there.
Meanwhile, Tyler, still at the airport, gets a call from his dad's boss, saying that since they have lost contact with the plane, he believes it has crashed near Ogre Peak.Tyler can't believe on the same day, in the same place as his mother disappeared, that the same terrible fate may have just befell his father. Meeting with his dad's boss, Mr. Adams, he is informed that after Tyler's mother went missing in that area, the military cordoned off a large section that is no longer accessible to the public - and that no search party will be sent out.
Tyler won't accept that as an answer, and goes home to start packing immediately. He spends that night before he leaves on his rescue mission, researching Ogre Peak and learns that several people claim the military is hiding something in that area. But what?
Will Tyler manage to find his parents, all while avoiding not only the mutant beasts that stalk the area, but the military personnel on constant patrol?
------------------SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT----------------------
So I liked this, but not as much as I was expecting to. I feel like I have a ton of questions still, and it just didn't turn out to be what I thought it was.
*Why on earth were Tyler's mom and dad out hiking/camping in the woods on the day she was scheduled to give birth?
*There was zero explanation for the reason behind all the mutant/experiments; why was the military doing this?
*I had thought for sure the beast helping "guide" Tyler through the woods the whole time would turn out to be his dad, but it wasn't, so I didn't understand that either.
*I feel like I got no closure about either of his parents.
Just a lot of stuff like that. It was still entertaining and good, definitely not trying to say it wasn't, but those are my thoughts.
February 2, 2022
This book had me reading it at every spare minute. I read it at home, on my commute, walking on the pavement and I crammed in the pages at work seconds before my shift started.
I loved the concept and the vibe was really sci-fi with the conspiracy theory, science and military scenes mixed with horror which I loved. The range of creatures I felt amazingly showcased the authors imagination and interest in cryptozoology. I thought about this long after putting it down.
I NEED more of this authors work!
I loved the concept and the vibe was really sci-fi with the conspiracy theory, science and military scenes mixed with horror which I loved. The range of creatures I felt amazingly showcased the authors imagination and interest in cryptozoology. I thought about this long after putting it down.
I NEED more of this authors work!
March 12, 2022
"Mastodon" is a well-written horror survival novel, set in the forested wilds of Canada. The action starts when 17-year-old Tyler's dad's puddle jumper plane crashes into the woods, in the same area and on the same day where his mother disappeared 17 years ago. When Tyler realizes that the authorities won't do anything but pay him off, since the area is a super-secret military zone, Tyler sets off alone to rescue his dad.
With shades of Dr. Moreau's island of cross-breeding experimentation, Tyler discovers a horror story that refuses to release its tentacled/clawed/scaled/puckered grip on him. I loved the action and the story once Tyler scaled the proverbial wall and made it into the compound. The monsters, the fate of his search companion, the use of the cave allegory, the pathos of finally meeting his dad, the ultimate end of the story. This was all great stuff. And I haven't mentioned the creatures on the outside of the compound, the ones that are only briefly hinted at. Even more great stuff.
I did have some problems with Tyler as a character at the beginning of the book, however. I had real eyeball rolling moments when Tyler became an amalgam of some of the more iconic heroes in my cultural sphere. He was Kwai Chang Kaine of "Kung Fu," using his zen relaxation techniques to center himself in the depths of darkness. He channeled Strider's super tracking abilities as if he were hunting orcs who had kidnapped Merry and Pippin "Lord of the Rings." Finally, he morphed into John Rambo in "First Blood," chewing bark from the trees. In a real sense, this was kinda cool, as Tyler's character also showed its ability to morph into different characters. And, of course, sets the stage for the final resolution for Tyler.
Did I mention I love the cover?
With shades of Dr. Moreau's island of cross-breeding experimentation, Tyler discovers a horror story that refuses to release its tentacled/clawed/scaled/puckered grip on him. I loved the action and the story once Tyler scaled the proverbial wall and made it into the compound. The monsters, the fate of his search companion, the use of the cave allegory, the pathos of finally meeting his dad, the ultimate end of the story. This was all great stuff. And I haven't mentioned the creatures on the outside of the compound, the ones that are only briefly hinted at. Even more great stuff.
I did have some problems with Tyler as a character at the beginning of the book, however. I had real eyeball rolling moments when Tyler became an amalgam of some of the more iconic heroes in my cultural sphere. He was Kwai Chang Kaine of "Kung Fu," using his zen relaxation techniques to center himself in the depths of darkness. He channeled Strider's super tracking abilities as if he were hunting orcs who had kidnapped Merry and Pippin "Lord of the Rings." Finally, he morphed into John Rambo in "First Blood," chewing bark from the trees. In a real sense, this was kinda cool, as Tyler's character also showed its ability to morph into different characters. And, of course, sets the stage for the final resolution for Tyler.
Did I mention I love the cover?
January 4, 2022
Lions and tigers and...WTF!!
Stred takes readers deep into the woods with this thrilling and twisted horror that will leave readers delightfully queasy! Tyler Barton's mother vanished in the forest seventeen years ago. Fast forward to the present and his father disappears in the exact same spot. Determined to not lose another parent, Tyler sets out on a rescue mission only to quickly discover that nothing is as it seems.
This book is W-I-L-D! Stred quickly captures the reader's attention and doesn't let go as this adventure unravels an unsettling secret lurking deep in the Canadian wilderness. Tyler is a likable and sympathetic character with the exact skills needed to rescue his dad. Too bad things don't go as planned and he finds himself being hunted by...well, that's for the reader to discover! But if anyone picks up this book certain they know what's lurking in the shadows, they will be pleasantly surprised (and perhaps a tad grossed out) by the twists!
The tension drips off the page, and while perhaps a little more time could have been spent on the father's POV in order to add another delicious layer of horror to the plot, there's plenty of disturbing fright to keep scare-enthusiasts glued to the page. Readers who enjoy Hunter Shea or Kealan Patrick Burke will easily feel at home diving into Stred's fast-paced creature-feature.
Stred takes readers deep into the woods with this thrilling and twisted horror that will leave readers delightfully queasy! Tyler Barton's mother vanished in the forest seventeen years ago. Fast forward to the present and his father disappears in the exact same spot. Determined to not lose another parent, Tyler sets out on a rescue mission only to quickly discover that nothing is as it seems.
This book is W-I-L-D! Stred quickly captures the reader's attention and doesn't let go as this adventure unravels an unsettling secret lurking deep in the Canadian wilderness. Tyler is a likable and sympathetic character with the exact skills needed to rescue his dad. Too bad things don't go as planned and he finds himself being hunted by...well, that's for the reader to discover! But if anyone picks up this book certain they know what's lurking in the shadows, they will be pleasantly surprised (and perhaps a tad grossed out) by the twists!
The tension drips off the page, and while perhaps a little more time could have been spent on the father's POV in order to add another delicious layer of horror to the plot, there's plenty of disturbing fright to keep scare-enthusiasts glued to the page. Readers who enjoy Hunter Shea or Kealan Patrick Burke will easily feel at home diving into Stred's fast-paced creature-feature.
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