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Last Light
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AT LAST LIGHT?
Last Light will give you just enough illumination to see into the wonders and horrors that dwell deep within the darkest shadows. These tales will both entrance and terrify. Scared of the dark? Let Last Light guide you safely through these stories of the paranormal and terror that surrounds us all.
Last Light will give you just enough illumination to see into the wonders and horrors that dwell deep within the darkest shadows. These tales will both entrance and terrify. Scared of the dark? Let Last Light guide you safely through these stories of the paranormal and terror that surrounds us all.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
4 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Chris Coppel
14 books52 followersChris Coppel was born in California. His family moved to Europe, living in Spain, France, Switzerland and mainly England. He has written numerous screenplays but Far From Burden Dell is his first novel. He taught advanced screenwriting at U.C.L.A.
Chris is also an accomplished drummer and guitarist. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Clare, and their very own scaredy-cat, Samantha.
Chris is also an accomplished drummer and guitarist. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Clare, and their very own scaredy-cat, Samantha.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 29, 2023
This is a great collection of stories. I loved the variety! Definitely inspired me to read more from Coppel.
Full review to come soon.
Updated review:
Last light is a phenomenal short story collection comprised of 9 stories that
blends some light horror sci-fi and supernatural elements into a cohesive set of tales. While none of the stories overlap per se, there are some consistenies in a few of the stories, which I thought was a nice little touch! I also think it's worth adding that these stories are unique and invoke tons of emotions. There was even a story in here that, while steeped in supernatural elements, was actually quite sweet and gave me all the feel goods!
I am going to just give a brief run-through of the stories and my thoughts on them. I will do my best to keep them brief so as to not ruin anyone's experience.
1. Living Water
This short is steeped in Native American folklore. What if a "living water" existed that allowed you to be young again. What if the catch was that you would revert to the age you were most pure. Then you could continue to do good in life. What happens when a not so good person partakes in this ritual? What age do you think they would emerge if at all?
I am a sucker for folklore, and while I didn't find this tale to be scary. I think it's teaches some valuable lessons on the importance of being a good person.
2. Lightning Strike
This little story was one of my favorites, but the end kind of let me down. I loved it up the ending, and then I will admit, it just resolved to quickt.
Ai is one of those things that has always kind of intrigued me but also scared me. The amount of responsibility that we put into AI has always unnerved me.
Again, this story wasn't scary for me, but it did make me think. It also gave me horror brave little toaster vibes. Sorry, I doubt that was the intent, but I could not help it! In fact, this thought alone made me just adore it so much more!
3.Last Touch
What if you could sense death by a simple touch. What would you do with that knowledge. This tale didn't scare me, but it did fill me with a sense of dread and also made me kind of sad.
4.Lost Words
Loved this story! A man sells soul for a book but dies before he completes it, as a final fuck you to Satan. Chefs 💋. Perfect!
5. Labour Shortage
This was probably my favorite story in the book, and honestly, I want it to be a full novel someday. Loved the Witchy creepy apple orchard vibes. This story was so atmospheric and had some decent gore. The scene with the trees and that douchebag.... ahhh....pure beauty right there! Great scene!
6. Lethal assignment
When a video game assignation turns deadly in real life... this is another story that wasn't scary but was written well.
7. Light dusting
This story right here was great. I loved the opening scenes and the ending, especially. Perfect murder-revenge tale with a christmasy twist. If you loved the jack frost horror flicks, you would love this story of a vengeful snowman spirit who seeks to destroy the man who framed him for murder.
8. Long shadows:
This is an interesting tale about authors and shadows. You must never acknowledge their existence...If you acknowledge them, they will destroy you. Who knew being a horror author came with such huge responsibilities! Keep the secrets safe. 🤫
9.Lasting Memories
Another favorite story of mine. And to be honest, it's a super sweet story, but it's not scary at all. It's obvious that it is a ghost/ supernatural story, but it's also a story about second chances. This story was beautiful.
This is a great collection of stories. I loved the variety! Definitely inspired me to read more from Coppel.
So, as you can see, this is another collection of shorts that doesn't fit into a box of one size fits all. While I am tempted to say the majority of the tales aren't "horror," they are definitely well written. If you are looking for gore, you won't find it here.
I do suggest you go into this collection with an open mind and to only have the expectation of experiencing unique, clever, and beautiful writing. These are well thought out stories that will make you stop and think and experience a whole aray emotions if you simply turn the pages and allow it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come soon.
Updated review:
Last light is a phenomenal short story collection comprised of 9 stories that
blends some light horror sci-fi and supernatural elements into a cohesive set of tales. While none of the stories overlap per se, there are some consistenies in a few of the stories, which I thought was a nice little touch! I also think it's worth adding that these stories are unique and invoke tons of emotions. There was even a story in here that, while steeped in supernatural elements, was actually quite sweet and gave me all the feel goods!
I am going to just give a brief run-through of the stories and my thoughts on them. I will do my best to keep them brief so as to not ruin anyone's experience.
1. Living Water
This short is steeped in Native American folklore. What if a "living water" existed that allowed you to be young again. What if the catch was that you would revert to the age you were most pure. Then you could continue to do good in life. What happens when a not so good person partakes in this ritual? What age do you think they would emerge if at all?
I am a sucker for folklore, and while I didn't find this tale to be scary. I think it's teaches some valuable lessons on the importance of being a good person.
2. Lightning Strike
This little story was one of my favorites, but the end kind of let me down. I loved it up the ending, and then I will admit, it just resolved to quickt.
Ai is one of those things that has always kind of intrigued me but also scared me. The amount of responsibility that we put into AI has always unnerved me.
Again, this story wasn't scary for me, but it did make me think. It also gave me horror brave little toaster vibes. Sorry, I doubt that was the intent, but I could not help it! In fact, this thought alone made me just adore it so much more!
3.Last Touch
What if you could sense death by a simple touch. What would you do with that knowledge. This tale didn't scare me, but it did fill me with a sense of dread and also made me kind of sad.
4.Lost Words
Loved this story! A man sells soul for a book but dies before he completes it, as a final fuck you to Satan. Chefs 💋. Perfect!
5. Labour Shortage
This was probably my favorite story in the book, and honestly, I want it to be a full novel someday. Loved the Witchy creepy apple orchard vibes. This story was so atmospheric and had some decent gore. The scene with the trees and that douchebag.... ahhh....pure beauty right there! Great scene!
6. Lethal assignment
When a video game assignation turns deadly in real life... this is another story that wasn't scary but was written well.
7. Light dusting
This story right here was great. I loved the opening scenes and the ending, especially. Perfect murder-revenge tale with a christmasy twist. If you loved the jack frost horror flicks, you would love this story of a vengeful snowman spirit who seeks to destroy the man who framed him for murder.
8. Long shadows:
This is an interesting tale about authors and shadows. You must never acknowledge their existence...If you acknowledge them, they will destroy you. Who knew being a horror author came with such huge responsibilities! Keep the secrets safe. 🤫
9.Lasting Memories
Another favorite story of mine. And to be honest, it's a super sweet story, but it's not scary at all. It's obvious that it is a ghost/ supernatural story, but it's also a story about second chances. This story was beautiful.
This is a great collection of stories. I loved the variety! Definitely inspired me to read more from Coppel.
So, as you can see, this is another collection of shorts that doesn't fit into a box of one size fits all. While I am tempted to say the majority of the tales aren't "horror," they are definitely well written. If you are looking for gore, you won't find it here.
I do suggest you go into this collection with an open mind and to only have the expectation of experiencing unique, clever, and beautiful writing. These are well thought out stories that will make you stop and think and experience a whole aray emotions if you simply turn the pages and allow it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2023
A truly must-read single author short story collection, LAST LIGHT presents 9 exceptional tales to expand one's imagination and to provoke thought. Poetic justice, instilling compassion, and reaching beyond the ordinary mundane are important themes here. Take one at a time and let it percolate, or read in quick succession: it's practically guaranteed that these stories will rule your thoughts, populate your dreams, and inspire you to ponder "Just what if---?"
November 4, 2023
I do love me a short story collection. I think there’s a certain skill to writing a good short story. It has to have enough substance on the very limited amount of pages to feel like you’ve read a whole novel. This means, all the info that the author decides to include has to be relevant, well presented (e.g. succinct and yet not leave you wanting) and the characters have to be fleshed out creatively. It can’t be easy writing a short story, it simply cannot. And yet, I have read so many good short story collections and my mind is blown how much some authors can do with limited word count. It’s unreal.
Last Light sits right up there with my favorite short story collections. What a variety of horror/thriller stories, each one so different when it came to characters, the themes and the focus points. It felt like I was able to read multiple super interesting books in a really short amount of time and I felt really excited!
I won’t go into each story in detail and it’s really difficult for me to pick out one or two, they all left me with a wow-effect as I read the last sentence of each story. I will simply highlight the final story of the collection which I felt was a terrific choice for a last story because it leaves the reader with a lasting effect. Simply brilliant. But, yes, each story has soul in it. Each story has a different aspect of humanity that it focuses on, be it fear, love, guilt, greed… Via smooth writing style and a very focused conflict for each of the stories, a multitude of entertaining resolutions and unexpected twists were delivered. Chris Coppel is very creative and without having to resort to outright gore and detailed graphic scenes, he deliver effective and clever conclusions. I would recommend readers to check out this collection for sure.
Last Light sits right up there with my favorite short story collections. What a variety of horror/thriller stories, each one so different when it came to characters, the themes and the focus points. It felt like I was able to read multiple super interesting books in a really short amount of time and I felt really excited!
I won’t go into each story in detail and it’s really difficult for me to pick out one or two, they all left me with a wow-effect as I read the last sentence of each story. I will simply highlight the final story of the collection which I felt was a terrific choice for a last story because it leaves the reader with a lasting effect. Simply brilliant. But, yes, each story has soul in it. Each story has a different aspect of humanity that it focuses on, be it fear, love, guilt, greed… Via smooth writing style and a very focused conflict for each of the stories, a multitude of entertaining resolutions and unexpected twists were delivered. Chris Coppel is very creative and without having to resort to outright gore and detailed graphic scenes, he deliver effective and clever conclusions. I would recommend readers to check out this collection for sure.
June 24, 2024
Last Light by Chris Coppel is an anthology of horror tales.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis and Opinions:
As always with anthologies, I will read and review each story on an individual basis.
Living Water ... A wealthy, arrogant old man wants to step into the waters of the Shoshone Mesa, in hopes that he will regain his youth. Interesting premise. 4 stars
Lightning ... A wealthy computer coder who found himself fleeing from a wildfire, discovered he now wants to live quietly. He has a new house built with protection from all outside elements, controlled by AI. Strange, but interesting. 4 stars
Last Touch ... A 12 year old boy discovers he has the talent of knowing if someone will die in the next 24 hours, just be shaking their hand. Wonderful story. 5 stars
Lost Words ... A man who has repeatedly written books that no one will publish, sells his soul to the devil for one last chance. This was okay, but too predictable. 3 stars
Labour Shortage ... Between the problems of Brexit, and Covid, seasonal farm workers are in short supply. But there seems to be one apple orchard that has been remarkably productive. Absolutely loved this one! 5 stars
Lethal Assignment ... A teenager playing a video game that has him planning assassinations is in for a rude awakening. Didn't really like much about this one. Somewhat predictable. 1 star
Light Dusting ... An unexpected snow storm in Florida brings an unexpected visitor to a man with a troubled past. Interesting, and although predictable, still quite good. 4 stars
Long Shadows ... A horror writer is invited to a prestigious gathering at a haunted New Orleans hotel. He meets his idol, who tells him a strange tale about shadows. Really good! 4 stars
Lasting Memories ... A man who is down on his luck moves into a small apartment in a run-down apartment, and meets an old woman down the hall. Great characters and plot. Loved it. 5 stars
Overall, the stories were quite entertaining, often creepy, and sometimes surprising. The author writes well, and his characters are intriguing. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
November 19, 2023
This is a great spooky collection of short stories.
These are some great stories. I was so invested into each story. They are more on the spooky side of horror then the gore I usually like but it’s great to switch up.
Each story is different from the next so you get a great experience with each one of them.
Every story leaves you thinking afterwards when it ends with a WTF ending….
These stories are short but packed filled with excitement. They are great if you are looking for something in between your long reads or a great collection to binge read.
Genre: Horror
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone.
These are some great stories. I was so invested into each story. They are more on the spooky side of horror then the gore I usually like but it’s great to switch up.
Each story is different from the next so you get a great experience with each one of them.
Every story leaves you thinking afterwards when it ends with a WTF ending….
These stories are short but packed filled with excitement. They are great if you are looking for something in between your long reads or a great collection to binge read.
Genre: Horror
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone.
October 26, 2023
A collection of short stories by a new to me author. I was surprised by how much I loved these stories. My only complaint was with the story Long Shadows. I didn’t quite understand the ending. Everything else was perfect. There was a mix of science fiction and horror. Nothing too scary but definitely some anxiety. The book was well written and imaginative.
September 24, 2023
Having never read short stories by Chris Coppel before, his 'Last Light' collection pleasantly surprised me: Coppel has gathered nine really, really well-written tales, with riveting premises and satisfying endings. Every story is a gem, rich in characterization and terrific dialogue, well-researched, and very ambitious! They're long enough to deserve their own separate publication, each one carrying appropriate weight to be appreciated as the work of a master in its own right.
My favorites were: "Living Water," the opening story, about a filthy rich man's apparently impossible desire to be young again - it had me greedily turning each page to see what would happen next; "Lightning Strike," the second story, brilliantly paced, with great visuals as well (about another rich guy, this time trying to control nature with his mind and technology; the ending was a bit too abrupt though); "Lethal Assignment," a story about an online game whose repercussions go far beyond what the virtual eye can see (and what an ending!); and, finally, the last story, "Lasting Memories," with superb dialogue, a quite moving christmas story that went into really unexpected directions (about a former convict finding a place to live, where he meets a mysterious old woman with indecipherable intentions) - I can’t recommend it enough!
Overall, the stories are very different from each other, yet they are all very much entertaining, each one a page-turner, with neither gore nor anything extreme, just good characterisation, clever ideas, original premises, and brilliant writing! Check them out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC; it was pure joy to read and review this collection!
My favorites were: "Living Water," the opening story, about a filthy rich man's apparently impossible desire to be young again - it had me greedily turning each page to see what would happen next; "Lightning Strike," the second story, brilliantly paced, with great visuals as well (about another rich guy, this time trying to control nature with his mind and technology; the ending was a bit too abrupt though); "Lethal Assignment," a story about an online game whose repercussions go far beyond what the virtual eye can see (and what an ending!); and, finally, the last story, "Lasting Memories," with superb dialogue, a quite moving christmas story that went into really unexpected directions (about a former convict finding a place to live, where he meets a mysterious old woman with indecipherable intentions) - I can’t recommend it enough!
Overall, the stories are very different from each other, yet they are all very much entertaining, each one a page-turner, with neither gore nor anything extreme, just good characterisation, clever ideas, original premises, and brilliant writing! Check them out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC; it was pure joy to read and review this collection!
October 19, 2023
Last Light is a creepy selection of 9 short stories with a horror theme although they all were very unique. Some of these definitely made me think and made me scared. They were all different types of stories, some had elements of sci-fi and supernatural themes, while others felt more realistic and futuristic. Some of my favourite stories were Last Touch, Light Dusting and Long Shadows, although I enjoyed them all.
I thought the stories were written well and being short stories, I felt they were very immersive. Each story was straight to the point and they told great stories. I found myself getting lost in all the stories and being transported into the book. This is a perfect short story collection for this time of year with the darkness coming earlier and Halloween around the corner. I wouldn’t say the stories were gory or anything extreme just quite spooky.
Every book I’ve read by Chris Coppel has been so good and this one is definitely included. I loved the short stories and it fit in well with the authors writing style. I highly recommend this authors work and especially the short story collection. Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book.
I thought the stories were written well and being short stories, I felt they were very immersive. Each story was straight to the point and they told great stories. I found myself getting lost in all the stories and being transported into the book. This is a perfect short story collection for this time of year with the darkness coming earlier and Halloween around the corner. I wouldn’t say the stories were gory or anything extreme just quite spooky.
Every book I’ve read by Chris Coppel has been so good and this one is definitely included. I loved the short stories and it fit in well with the authors writing style. I highly recommend this authors work and especially the short story collection. Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book.
October 2, 2023
First I want to thank @cranthorpemillner and @chris.coppel for a gifted copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of this tour
Last Light is a collection of 9 short, unique and chilling stories with Light Dusting and Lasting Memories being 2 of my absolute favorites. This is definitely one of those books that can be read in one sitting or you can spread the short stories out over time. Two of my favorite stories in this book were Light Dusting and Lasting Memories. While Lasting Memories wasn’t necessarily spooky, I absolutely loved it and wanted more. The stories in this book have light horror, sci-fi and supernatural elements which make it the perfect spooky read this season! 👻 I definitely recommend checking this one out especially if you enjoy short stories and spooky Halloween reads.
Last Light is a collection of 9 short, unique and chilling stories with Light Dusting and Lasting Memories being 2 of my absolute favorites. This is definitely one of those books that can be read in one sitting or you can spread the short stories out over time. Two of my favorite stories in this book were Light Dusting and Lasting Memories. While Lasting Memories wasn’t necessarily spooky, I absolutely loved it and wanted more. The stories in this book have light horror, sci-fi and supernatural elements which make it the perfect spooky read this season! 👻 I definitely recommend checking this one out especially if you enjoy short stories and spooky Halloween reads.
August 11, 2023
This collection of short-stories is not my typical genre, as I tend to not read science fiction/paranormal. My go-to books are usually grounded in reality. However, if you enjoy the genre, I think you will enjoy this read.
The short story aspect makes it an easy, quick read and kept my interest as there were multiple stories to absorb. Some I enjoyed more than others, the last story was probably my favorite. This is written well and it’s a fun and unique read. I flew through it and found myself really engrossed in some of the stories (others weren’t for me and that’s okay).
If you like supernatural, science-fiction, and the ways the supernatural can turn on us; this will be a good pick for you!
Thank you Chris Coppel for the advanced copy of this book.
The short story aspect makes it an easy, quick read and kept my interest as there were multiple stories to absorb. Some I enjoyed more than others, the last story was probably my favorite. This is written well and it’s a fun and unique read. I flew through it and found myself really engrossed in some of the stories (others weren’t for me and that’s okay).
If you like supernatural, science-fiction, and the ways the supernatural can turn on us; this will be a good pick for you!
Thank you Chris Coppel for the advanced copy of this book.
November 1, 2023
This collection of short stories will have you alternately sitting at the edge of your seat, cringing in anticipation, and internally clapping in delight.
If you are a fan of The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and/or M. Night Shyamalan this book is a must read.
Coppel knows just how to tell a story for maximum pleasure. These stories are not gory, they are a better kind of horror. Their creepiness tantalizes the reader and crosses the very thin line between reality and fantasy.
This was a perfect book to finish on Halloween. I can’t wait to read more of Coppel’s work.
If you are a fan of The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and/or M. Night Shyamalan this book is a must read.
Coppel knows just how to tell a story for maximum pleasure. These stories are not gory, they are a better kind of horror. Their creepiness tantalizes the reader and crosses the very thin line between reality and fantasy.
This was a perfect book to finish on Halloween. I can’t wait to read more of Coppel’s work.
November 8, 2023
This book is pretty average. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s was fun to read but after I finished it I couldn’t really tell you what happened.
Last light is a collection of short stories containing paranormal or other science fictions aspects. Both are not really my thing, neither are short stories. I think that if you do like short stories or paranormal stuff that you will enjoy this book because Coppel is a talented writer. I did really enjoy the writing, it made it easier to fly through the book.
Last light is a collection of short stories containing paranormal or other science fictions aspects. Both are not really my thing, neither are short stories. I think that if you do like short stories or paranormal stuff that you will enjoy this book because Coppel is a talented writer. I did really enjoy the writing, it made it easier to fly through the book.
December 26, 2023
I am such a huge fan of short stories. There were 9 of them and I seriously could not get enough of them. So much mystery and thrills. This is the perfect book to read during spooky season. Each story was so good that I didn’t want it to end.
October 10, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review
3.5 stars! rounded up :)
ooooo I loved the variety of this. Each story was really different, gave a different vibe, some had more dread within them, some had moment that made me chuckle or felt more like a cosy horror feeling. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking out for more by Chris Coppel.
3.5 stars! rounded up :)
ooooo I loved the variety of this. Each story was really different, gave a different vibe, some had more dread within them, some had moment that made me chuckle or felt more like a cosy horror feeling. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking out for more by Chris Coppel.
November 21, 2023
A collection of amazing and unforgettable short stories centering around interesting characters and uncanny tales of their ’Last Light’ in their world, so to say. Each story is unique and richly woven keeping you riveted to the pages. Subtle magic in every word.
Chris Coppel is a rising star in horror and I can’t wait to devour more.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
Chris Coppel is a rising star in horror and I can’t wait to devour more.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
December 24, 2023
The perfect merging of spooky, magical, mystical and even technology in this author's storytelling.
Something about these stories reminded me so much of the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits, it was so much like watching them while I was reading this. Not to say that they were sci-fi, but they were perfect stories to turn into movies. I would love to watch any of these stories on film.
Combining a perfect writing style with enough mystery to keep you glued to the pages. This compilation of short stories is one of the best that I've read in age.
I was particularly fond of Labour shortage (a woman's unknown power saves her from an unscrupulous and sexually harassing boss in the most abundant orchard) and Lasting memories (this one gives a whole new meaning to redemption, Christmas and finding loved ones). I'm always a fan of the underdog winning in the end, even if it is in a twisted victory.
Chris Coppel is a brilliant storyteller and I can see myself reading these stories again and again.
Something about these stories reminded me so much of the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits, it was so much like watching them while I was reading this. Not to say that they were sci-fi, but they were perfect stories to turn into movies. I would love to watch any of these stories on film.
Combining a perfect writing style with enough mystery to keep you glued to the pages. This compilation of short stories is one of the best that I've read in age.
I was particularly fond of Labour shortage (a woman's unknown power saves her from an unscrupulous and sexually harassing boss in the most abundant orchard) and Lasting memories (this one gives a whole new meaning to redemption, Christmas and finding loved ones). I'm always a fan of the underdog winning in the end, even if it is in a twisted victory.
Chris Coppel is a brilliant storyteller and I can see myself reading these stories again and again.
December 8, 2023
Last Light by Chris Coppel is a collection of nine short horror stories that will keep you guessing. The stories are rich with lore and the descriptive writing is very immersive. Some of the stories are really unique and unpredictable, and even the ones you can guess are still a fun ride. There's good pacing, well-timed reveals, and solid characterization that makes you feel like you really know the characters. Overall, it's a very fun and interesting read and I personally liked it a lot. If you're a fan of horror anthologies like me then I recommend giving this one a read!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a review.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a review.
October 26, 2023
This is a collection of short stories from this author. I chose this book to review from the options that the good people of Black Tide Book Tours offered. I’m glad I picked this one. First of all, as most of my readers are aware, I really enjoy short story collections. Sometimes it feels like more bang for your buck when you get multiple stories in one book. I used the same system to rate this collection as I have in the past. I score each story individually on a scale from 1-5 and then I take the average of all the scores to come up with the rating for the whole book. With all that said, let’s get into it.
This book had a total of nine stories. I will list the individual scores in the latter part of this review. Overall, I enjoyed this collection very much. Every story got a 4 or 5 out of 5 on my rating scale except for the last story. Now, I am not going to go into detail about the content of this book only because they are short stories and to give that kind of detail would be almost like retelling the tales, which I don’t want to do. I would rather leave them for you to actually read. Instead, what I will do is go through the titles and give a few comments on my thoughts on each tale. Before I do that I must say, I really like this author. He has a very Twilight Zone-esque style of writing. Generally speaking, the stories also have a slow, solid build-up of suspense. And for me, they were mostly the kind of stories that commanded my attention because of the suspense. These were not stories that were easy to just put down in the middle of the tale. They grabbed my attention enough that I read each story all the way through before stopping as regular life inevitably gets in the way of my reading all the time.
Okay, here we go:
Living Water 5/5
I thought this was an excellent story. This was the one that struck me the most similar to The Twilight Zone. It had a fantastic build-up of suspense and moved along very smoothly. It was very well-written. Though it is a short story Coppel took time to develop each main character in a way that didn’t weigh the story down but still gave it a more “meaty” feel to it, creating a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the reader.
Lightning Strike 4/5
I thought this was an interesting story. This one had the same kind of slow-burning suspense that we see in Alfred Hitchcock films while simultaneously employing expertise in creepiness in the form of an automated smart home.
Last Touch 5/5
This was a good short story. What stood out to me was the seamless flow of the plot and how background information was carefully worked in and presented. I also particularly like the way the ending was written in this story.
Lost Words 4/5
I also really enjoyed this story. Overall, it was a good read. I would have liked a little more substance to make the ending a bit clearer, but that could be just me and how I interpreted it.
Labour Shortage 4/5
This was a fantastic story. Some might feel it moves a little slow, but it all comes together fabulously. I did notice a number of simple errors throughout this story that could have probably been remedied with the use of spell check and grammar check. But that would be my only complaint. Such errors just makes the story a little harder to read.
Lethal Assignment 5/5
This tale was amazing! This one might even be my favorite. This story had a fast pace, it flowed nicely and it embodied what I consider to be a great mystery type of story. The suspense is great and makes for a thrilling story. I especially loved the ending on this one.
Light Dusting 5/5
I found this to be an all-around well-balanced good story. It is very well-written with an easy flow of thought and plot just like the other stories. It incorporates a few surprises which I always find exciting in horror and thriller stories. This story had a fabulous ending and it left me feeling very satisfied.
Long Shadows 4/5
In this story, I liked the build-up. The story had a great flow that led to a great ending. The explanation of the shadows felt a little disconnected and a bit unnatural as if it were inserted into the story at a later time, not as a natural part of the creation of the original plot. Luckily, that didn’t take away from the overall story and I thought it was really good.
Lasting Memories 2/5
This was my least favorite story in the collection. This one moved too slowly for me. There were also some oddities in this one. The character’s last name on page one is Grant and then on page twenty-five, it’s suddenly Hall. I wouldn’t have considered this a horror or thriller story either. It almost seemed like a magical, mystical Hallmark Christmas movie type of story. There were a number of sentences where words seemed to be missing, kind of like the author was trying to get his hands to keep up with his thoughts and inevitably, some words got left out. Again, it just makes the story a little difficult to read and follow if things are confusing due to errors.
Though there were a few errors and hiccups here and there, I really enjoyed this collection. It’s not lost on me that the title of the collection uses words that begin with L and that each story title starts with an L. I found this to be a fun little tidbit, I just wish I knew what the reason was behind that so I could maybe appreciate it a bit more. But, overall, this was a fun group of twisted tales that are surely going to satisfy any horror/thriller lover.
RATING
4/5 Stars
This book had a total of nine stories. I will list the individual scores in the latter part of this review. Overall, I enjoyed this collection very much. Every story got a 4 or 5 out of 5 on my rating scale except for the last story. Now, I am not going to go into detail about the content of this book only because they are short stories and to give that kind of detail would be almost like retelling the tales, which I don’t want to do. I would rather leave them for you to actually read. Instead, what I will do is go through the titles and give a few comments on my thoughts on each tale. Before I do that I must say, I really like this author. He has a very Twilight Zone-esque style of writing. Generally speaking, the stories also have a slow, solid build-up of suspense. And for me, they were mostly the kind of stories that commanded my attention because of the suspense. These were not stories that were easy to just put down in the middle of the tale. They grabbed my attention enough that I read each story all the way through before stopping as regular life inevitably gets in the way of my reading all the time.
Okay, here we go:
Living Water 5/5
I thought this was an excellent story. This was the one that struck me the most similar to The Twilight Zone. It had a fantastic build-up of suspense and moved along very smoothly. It was very well-written. Though it is a short story Coppel took time to develop each main character in a way that didn’t weigh the story down but still gave it a more “meaty” feel to it, creating a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the reader.
Lightning Strike 4/5
I thought this was an interesting story. This one had the same kind of slow-burning suspense that we see in Alfred Hitchcock films while simultaneously employing expertise in creepiness in the form of an automated smart home.
Last Touch 5/5
This was a good short story. What stood out to me was the seamless flow of the plot and how background information was carefully worked in and presented. I also particularly like the way the ending was written in this story.
Lost Words 4/5
I also really enjoyed this story. Overall, it was a good read. I would have liked a little more substance to make the ending a bit clearer, but that could be just me and how I interpreted it.
Labour Shortage 4/5
This was a fantastic story. Some might feel it moves a little slow, but it all comes together fabulously. I did notice a number of simple errors throughout this story that could have probably been remedied with the use of spell check and grammar check. But that would be my only complaint. Such errors just makes the story a little harder to read.
Lethal Assignment 5/5
This tale was amazing! This one might even be my favorite. This story had a fast pace, it flowed nicely and it embodied what I consider to be a great mystery type of story. The suspense is great and makes for a thrilling story. I especially loved the ending on this one.
Light Dusting 5/5
I found this to be an all-around well-balanced good story. It is very well-written with an easy flow of thought and plot just like the other stories. It incorporates a few surprises which I always find exciting in horror and thriller stories. This story had a fabulous ending and it left me feeling very satisfied.
Long Shadows 4/5
In this story, I liked the build-up. The story had a great flow that led to a great ending. The explanation of the shadows felt a little disconnected and a bit unnatural as if it were inserted into the story at a later time, not as a natural part of the creation of the original plot. Luckily, that didn’t take away from the overall story and I thought it was really good.
Lasting Memories 2/5
This was my least favorite story in the collection. This one moved too slowly for me. There were also some oddities in this one. The character’s last name on page one is Grant and then on page twenty-five, it’s suddenly Hall. I wouldn’t have considered this a horror or thriller story either. It almost seemed like a magical, mystical Hallmark Christmas movie type of story. There were a number of sentences where words seemed to be missing, kind of like the author was trying to get his hands to keep up with his thoughts and inevitably, some words got left out. Again, it just makes the story a little difficult to read and follow if things are confusing due to errors.
Though there were a few errors and hiccups here and there, I really enjoyed this collection. It’s not lost on me that the title of the collection uses words that begin with L and that each story title starts with an L. I found this to be a fun little tidbit, I just wish I knew what the reason was behind that so I could maybe appreciate it a bit more. But, overall, this was a fun group of twisted tales that are surely going to satisfy any horror/thriller lover.
RATING
4/5 Stars
March 21, 2024
Hi Horrorble People, stay a while and mud…er…no I mean listen…read? Ok, look. I read Last Light by Chris Coppel (2023), a collection of short stories, because one of our co-hosts said “Ryan, read this collection of ghost stories.” Well, turns out, not many ghost stories here. Great news, though – overall, I had a good time, so here we go! What would you do if your sixth-sense-touch started going off all the time? When have old billionaires not been morally corrupt? Where can you find the sweetest apples picked most efficiently and without waste? Would you make a deal to make the words come out good and stuff? Who else likes to get drunk and talk to shadows? Could you fall in love with your appliances? Why do you never turn down a glass of sherry? How did your dad break the news he’s banging your teacher crush? Should any dead-brother-hat be allowed to animate Frosty, or should there be limits? Cozy on up into your favorite reading position and let CLAIRE take care of the rest.
Last Light gives us nine short stories with protagonists near the “end” of their lives. Some stories had me wondering what I would do if in the character’s shoes, while other stories I happily just watched the character’s fate unfold. To Last Light’s benefit, Coppel’s writing is usually quick and to the point, keeping story pace moving and the characters in action. The stories are faster than a slow burn but do take time to build to their conclusions, without overt creepiness or supernatural interventions. Until the end. That’s when the ‘uh oh’ moment happens, and each time it feels like the natural outcome for that story. However, as a horror fan none of these tales terrified or shocked me, and I think that Coppel should have leaned into the darker elements of each story (except for “Lasting Memories”, that one made me happy just as it is). Comparing these stories to episodes of the Twilight Zone is close to what you can expect. Readers who do not normally dip their toes into dark unreflecting pools of horror may find this collection sometimes spooky, but I doubt even they would feel unnerved once reaching each character’s conclusion. The scariness level falls somewhere between Goosebumps and Fear Street. Of the nine stories, three left lasting impressions: “Labour Shortage” (how ‘bout them apples?), “Lethal Assignment” (ah shucks, you got me, Coppel!) and “Lasting Memories” (tonal shift from the rest but it works for me). This is a collection of flavors, ranging from sci-fi to supernatural. So, there’s probably two or three stories you’ll find tasty. – Ryan
Last Light gives us nine short stories with protagonists near the “end” of their lives. Some stories had me wondering what I would do if in the character’s shoes, while other stories I happily just watched the character’s fate unfold. To Last Light’s benefit, Coppel’s writing is usually quick and to the point, keeping story pace moving and the characters in action. The stories are faster than a slow burn but do take time to build to their conclusions, without overt creepiness or supernatural interventions. Until the end. That’s when the ‘uh oh’ moment happens, and each time it feels like the natural outcome for that story. However, as a horror fan none of these tales terrified or shocked me, and I think that Coppel should have leaned into the darker elements of each story (except for “Lasting Memories”, that one made me happy just as it is). Comparing these stories to episodes of the Twilight Zone is close to what you can expect. Readers who do not normally dip their toes into dark unreflecting pools of horror may find this collection sometimes spooky, but I doubt even they would feel unnerved once reaching each character’s conclusion. The scariness level falls somewhere between Goosebumps and Fear Street. Of the nine stories, three left lasting impressions: “Labour Shortage” (how ‘bout them apples?), “Lethal Assignment” (ah shucks, you got me, Coppel!) and “Lasting Memories” (tonal shift from the rest but it works for me). This is a collection of flavors, ranging from sci-fi to supernatural. So, there’s probably two or three stories you’ll find tasty. – Ryan
October 2, 2023
4.0 ⭐
Last Light is a collection of short horror/paranormal stories that play with the mind and cover some very real problems in the world, some of which you may even see skirted around in the media - greedy rich entrepreneurs, AI becoming a threat, Virtual Reality and even Abuse.
Each story had an ending that rounded up the tale, and also kept you wanting more, so much so that as the reader, I could extend the story via imagination to come up with the conclusion of what would have happened next in the world, following the events that had been written.
Without giving too much away about these stories, the ones that left an impression were "Labour Shortage" and "Lasting Memories".
I have to say that "Labour Shortage" dealt with a VERY important message of misogyny & hinted towards r*pe culture, whilst "Lasting Memories" was a very positive ending, although I wouldn't have classed this as horror, it left me with a warm feeling, making it my favourite story in the collection. It really hammered home that people aren't always as they seem on paper or by their history.
There are some themes in this book that could be considered triggering, however the stories add a charm whereby you don't actually get explicitly told what the theme is, you just get a feel of it and you KNOW - maybe the scariest part of all is that we know these themes too well, so well that we see it in the writing without being told to look for it.
Thankyou NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for considering me to review this book. All opinions are my own, I swear by the sacred rock.
#LastLight #NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #review #books #reader #ChrisCoppel #cranthorpemillner
Last Light is a collection of short horror/paranormal stories that play with the mind and cover some very real problems in the world, some of which you may even see skirted around in the media - greedy rich entrepreneurs, AI becoming a threat, Virtual Reality and even Abuse.
Each story had an ending that rounded up the tale, and also kept you wanting more, so much so that as the reader, I could extend the story via imagination to come up with the conclusion of what would have happened next in the world, following the events that had been written.
Without giving too much away about these stories, the ones that left an impression were "Labour Shortage" and "Lasting Memories".
I have to say that "Labour Shortage" dealt with a VERY important message of misogyny & hinted towards r*pe culture, whilst "Lasting Memories" was a very positive ending, although I wouldn't have classed this as horror, it left me with a warm feeling, making it my favourite story in the collection. It really hammered home that people aren't always as they seem on paper or by their history.
There are some themes in this book that could be considered triggering, however the stories add a charm whereby you don't actually get explicitly told what the theme is, you just get a feel of it and you KNOW - maybe the scariest part of all is that we know these themes too well, so well that we see it in the writing without being told to look for it.
Thankyou NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for considering me to review this book. All opinions are my own, I swear by the sacred rock.
#LastLight #NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #review #books #reader #ChrisCoppel #cranthorpemillner
December 22, 2023
Chris Coppel has written an anthology of short stories - the first two of which do not actually fall under that heading, as both can rather be referred to as novelettes.
I myself am a huge fan of short stories - my personal favourite is Roald Dahl who captured my heart at a young age with his Tales of the Unexpected.
As with any anthology, some stories immediately captivate the reader and linger long after reading, while others may be taken for granted simply because they are included in the anthology.
I wonder if the title of this collection is a nod to a Koontz book of the same title: many of the stories in this collection have something unpredictable, or something sinister. Often, the protagonist undergoes a transformation.
Personally, I found the first two novelettes to be his best.
In the first story, Living Water, a rich, elderly man thinks that money can buy everything. He believes he has found the Fountain of Youth in the territory of the Shoshone Tribe, and would like to turn it into a spa. However, the Shoshone demand different conditions for accessing their sacred spring, which the man must meet.
The second novelette involves an alternative take on HAL9000 - when a feminine CLARIE has her own laws when it comes to serving a human being;
Furthermore, I really liked Labour Shortage - the story reminded me somewhat of the cult horror film The Wicker Man -.
In many cases, people get a taste of their own medicine.
I personally think the first two novelettes should have been released separately under a different title, - I liked the shorter stories in terms of writing style, but they all had a rather predictable twist.
Wonderful and superb writing style, excellent storylines with a dark twist.
I myself am a huge fan of short stories - my personal favourite is Roald Dahl who captured my heart at a young age with his Tales of the Unexpected.
As with any anthology, some stories immediately captivate the reader and linger long after reading, while others may be taken for granted simply because they are included in the anthology.
I wonder if the title of this collection is a nod to a Koontz book of the same title: many of the stories in this collection have something unpredictable, or something sinister. Often, the protagonist undergoes a transformation.
Personally, I found the first two novelettes to be his best.
In the first story, Living Water, a rich, elderly man thinks that money can buy everything. He believes he has found the Fountain of Youth in the territory of the Shoshone Tribe, and would like to turn it into a spa. However, the Shoshone demand different conditions for accessing their sacred spring, which the man must meet.
The second novelette involves an alternative take on HAL9000 - when a feminine CLARIE has her own laws when it comes to serving a human being;
Furthermore, I really liked Labour Shortage - the story reminded me somewhat of the cult horror film The Wicker Man -.
In many cases, people get a taste of their own medicine.
I personally think the first two novelettes should have been released separately under a different title, - I liked the shorter stories in terms of writing style, but they all had a rather predictable twist.
Wonderful and superb writing style, excellent storylines with a dark twist.
October 17, 2023
Review
Last Light is a brilliant collection of Chris Coppel’s short stories. It explores what really happens at last light. It will give you enough illumination to see into the wonders and horrors that dwell deep within the shadows. The tales will terrify but also entrance. If you are scared of the dark Last Light will guide you through this collection of paranormal and terror.
I have to say I really like Coppel’s work having reviewed a few now in book tours. This collection showcases his skill at writing paranormal, horror and terror. While I enjoyed all the stories I have to say Labour and Lethal were my two favourites and instant five stars for me. The others, Living Water, Lightning, Lost and Long were solid four to four and half stars. Now as always I never like to spoil the novel or stories in my review. That said it’s safe to say each story is written superbly and the tone and pace matches each story and it’s genre. While there is obviously the overarching paranormal and horror each story delves into subgenres here and there which I adored.
As with Coppel’s other work I have to say his characters are always believable and well developed. Now that doesn’t mean I always like his characters but they do act in a very human way and show case both the good and bad sides of the human condition. I think this collection is perfect for people starting out in the horror genre and seasoned fans a like. It’s also a great way to see a glimpse of what Copple has to offer in his works. It’s also perfect for a quick spooky season read when you have time since each story can be read rather quickly of an evening and scratch the spooky read itch.
Last Light is a brilliant collection of Chris Coppel’s short stories. It explores what really happens at last light. It will give you enough illumination to see into the wonders and horrors that dwell deep within the shadows. The tales will terrify but also entrance. If you are scared of the dark Last Light will guide you through this collection of paranormal and terror.
I have to say I really like Coppel’s work having reviewed a few now in book tours. This collection showcases his skill at writing paranormal, horror and terror. While I enjoyed all the stories I have to say Labour and Lethal were my two favourites and instant five stars for me. The others, Living Water, Lightning, Lost and Long were solid four to four and half stars. Now as always I never like to spoil the novel or stories in my review. That said it’s safe to say each story is written superbly and the tone and pace matches each story and it’s genre. While there is obviously the overarching paranormal and horror each story delves into subgenres here and there which I adored.
As with Coppel’s other work I have to say his characters are always believable and well developed. Now that doesn’t mean I always like his characters but they do act in a very human way and show case both the good and bad sides of the human condition. I think this collection is perfect for people starting out in the horror genre and seasoned fans a like. It’s also a great way to see a glimpse of what Copple has to offer in his works. It’s also perfect for a quick spooky season read when you have time since each story can be read rather quickly of an evening and scratch the spooky read itch.
October 1, 2023
A collection of short stories. Nine tales of supernatural horror illuminating the world that exists on the edge of our perceptions, in the cracks of reality & the realm of shadows.
These stories are more unsettling than scary and perfect if you are usually afraid to read horror. These tales of ghostly and strange happenings are full of unexpected twists.
They remind me of watching episodes of Alfred Hitchcock presents or the Twilight Zone. Perhaps even Tales of the Unexpected.
There's that same sense of unease, dread and otherness.
The writing flows well and quickly immerses the reader in the scene. The characters are life like and we go along with the author in either disliking or liking them as intended. In places it's quite emotional.
I found myself with a tear in my eye at the end of Lasting Memories, the final story in the book which is a ghostly tale with a sweet and tender side.
Elsewhere we get a vile character hoping to obtain immortality in Living Waters but maybe it's not always a good idea to get what you wish for.
There's stories of AI and video games. Murder in virtual reality.
Revenge with the help of extreme weather conditions in a very different take on The Snowman.
A tale of witchcraft. A fable of a writer entering into a Faustian pact for the chance of writing that truly great novel, and a secret meeting of horror writers and what they know is hidden in the Long Shadows.
Banish the darkness and add some lustre and luminosity with Last Light.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.
These stories are more unsettling than scary and perfect if you are usually afraid to read horror. These tales of ghostly and strange happenings are full of unexpected twists.
They remind me of watching episodes of Alfred Hitchcock presents or the Twilight Zone. Perhaps even Tales of the Unexpected.
There's that same sense of unease, dread and otherness.
The writing flows well and quickly immerses the reader in the scene. The characters are life like and we go along with the author in either disliking or liking them as intended. In places it's quite emotional.
I found myself with a tear in my eye at the end of Lasting Memories, the final story in the book which is a ghostly tale with a sweet and tender side.
Elsewhere we get a vile character hoping to obtain immortality in Living Waters but maybe it's not always a good idea to get what you wish for.
There's stories of AI and video games. Murder in virtual reality.
Revenge with the help of extreme weather conditions in a very different take on The Snowman.
A tale of witchcraft. A fable of a writer entering into a Faustian pact for the chance of writing that truly great novel, and a secret meeting of horror writers and what they know is hidden in the Long Shadows.
Banish the darkness and add some lustre and luminosity with Last Light.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.
October 19, 2023
I was offered a copy of this book with a request for an honest review. This review may contain spoilers.
It's been a while since I've reviewed a short story collection on this blog (although I've been collecting more and more collections for my TBR pile), and so I had high expectations for Last Light. I didn't know what to expect going in, and honestly I think that was the best way. It's not a long collection, comprised of nine stories (all beginning with the letter L - I'm hoping it was intentional) that are spooky and captivating.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the stories were based around the environment and technology. It felt very much like a warning against doing wrong by the environment, as in 'Living Water', or putting too much of our lives into technology, like in 'Lethal Assignment', and I'm very into those kind of narratives. A particular highlight was 'Last Touch' which, in its simplicity, was a touching story of a young man faced with a moral, global dilemma.
My absolute favourite stories in this collection were the last two. 'Long Shadows' is meta-fiction for horror writers, and brought an angle of cosmic horror. 'Lasting Memories', though not horror, was an absolute delight to read, still brought the supernatural vibes, and was a brilliant finale for the collection.
Coppel's prose is relatively simple, but the ideas and storytelling included in this collection are out of this world. The stories are easy to read, completely engrossing, and I would definitely recommend picking up a copy for Halloween.
It's been a while since I've reviewed a short story collection on this blog (although I've been collecting more and more collections for my TBR pile), and so I had high expectations for Last Light. I didn't know what to expect going in, and honestly I think that was the best way. It's not a long collection, comprised of nine stories (all beginning with the letter L - I'm hoping it was intentional) that are spooky and captivating.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the stories were based around the environment and technology. It felt very much like a warning against doing wrong by the environment, as in 'Living Water', or putting too much of our lives into technology, like in 'Lethal Assignment', and I'm very into those kind of narratives. A particular highlight was 'Last Touch' which, in its simplicity, was a touching story of a young man faced with a moral, global dilemma.
My absolute favourite stories in this collection were the last two. 'Long Shadows' is meta-fiction for horror writers, and brought an angle of cosmic horror. 'Lasting Memories', though not horror, was an absolute delight to read, still brought the supernatural vibes, and was a brilliant finale for the collection.
Coppel's prose is relatively simple, but the ideas and storytelling included in this collection are out of this world. The stories are easy to read, completely engrossing, and I would definitely recommend picking up a copy for Halloween.
January 4, 2024
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review; I have not received any kind of compensation.
Last Light is a collection of nine horror short stories by Chris Coppel. Everything from Armageddon to mysterious beings lurking in the shadows. There were some minor errors throughout the book, but nothing major that made it difficult to read. It just could have used a bit more editing, that's all.
I only found one of the stories mildly creepy, and it was the second to last in the book, so it was a bit of a bummer that it took so long to get to something remotely creepy. I'm not even sure if I would call it creepy, just more interesting than the others. I thought a couple were a bit juvenile, and the last one was even heartwarming instead of spooky. Maybe I'm just a difficult person to scare. Suffice it to say, I definitely enjoyed some stories more than others, but overall, I enjoyed the book and the flow. I also enjoyed how every story began with the letter L. It was like a nice little bow tying the book together.
My favorite story was Lost Words, about an author trying to write a best seller who makes a Faustian bargain in order to write a great novel. It turns out how you would expect, but it was a fun read.
I also really enjoyed the first story, Living Water. It was about a selfish businessman who gets more than he bargained for when he takes advantage of a sacred Native American ritual.
Three stars because I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend who was maybe just getting into horror, but I wouldn't read it again and it had too many errors to be a four star book.
Last Light is a collection of nine horror short stories by Chris Coppel. Everything from Armageddon to mysterious beings lurking in the shadows. There were some minor errors throughout the book, but nothing major that made it difficult to read. It just could have used a bit more editing, that's all.
I only found one of the stories mildly creepy, and it was the second to last in the book, so it was a bit of a bummer that it took so long to get to something remotely creepy. I'm not even sure if I would call it creepy, just more interesting than the others. I thought a couple were a bit juvenile, and the last one was even heartwarming instead of spooky. Maybe I'm just a difficult person to scare. Suffice it to say, I definitely enjoyed some stories more than others, but overall, I enjoyed the book and the flow. I also enjoyed how every story began with the letter L. It was like a nice little bow tying the book together.
My favorite story was Lost Words, about an author trying to write a best seller who makes a Faustian bargain in order to write a great novel. It turns out how you would expect, but it was a fun read.
I also really enjoyed the first story, Living Water. It was about a selfish businessman who gets more than he bargained for when he takes advantage of a sacred Native American ritual.
Three stars because I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend who was maybe just getting into horror, but I wouldn't read it again and it had too many errors to be a four star book.
September 30, 2023
A must-read for horror fans...
"Last Light" by Chris Coppel offers an intriguing exploration of the complexities of the human psyche in its interaction with supernatural elements. This compilation of short stories comprises nine narratives, each with a distinct ability to captivate the reader's imagination and evoke lasting sensations of fear and suspense.
From the very start, readers are thrust into a realm where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural seamlessly merge. This is exemplified in the opening tale, "Living Water," where reality takes an eerie twist. Every story within this collection delves deep into fundamental human fears and anxieties, resulting in the creation of an intensely suspenseful and gripping atmosphere. What sets this work apart is the author's remarkable versatility in storytelling. Chris Coppel seamlessly transitions between a diverse range of narratives, showcasing a talent for crafting distinct voices and settings. The characters populating these stories are finely crafted, possessing qualities that render them relatable, thereby enriching the overall reading experience.
"Last Light" possesses the unique capacity to tap into and evoke universal anxieties, making it a compelling read for horror fans. In contrast to other anthologies, this collection maintains a consistently high level of storytelling excellence, underscoring Chris Coppel's unwavering dedication to the craft. Highly recommended.
"Last Light" by Chris Coppel offers an intriguing exploration of the complexities of the human psyche in its interaction with supernatural elements. This compilation of short stories comprises nine narratives, each with a distinct ability to captivate the reader's imagination and evoke lasting sensations of fear and suspense.
From the very start, readers are thrust into a realm where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural seamlessly merge. This is exemplified in the opening tale, "Living Water," where reality takes an eerie twist. Every story within this collection delves deep into fundamental human fears and anxieties, resulting in the creation of an intensely suspenseful and gripping atmosphere. What sets this work apart is the author's remarkable versatility in storytelling. Chris Coppel seamlessly transitions between a diverse range of narratives, showcasing a talent for crafting distinct voices and settings. The characters populating these stories are finely crafted, possessing qualities that render them relatable, thereby enriching the overall reading experience.
"Last Light" possesses the unique capacity to tap into and evoke universal anxieties, making it a compelling read for horror fans. In contrast to other anthologies, this collection maintains a consistently high level of storytelling excellence, underscoring Chris Coppel's unwavering dedication to the craft. Highly recommended.
October 23, 2023
I received a copy of this for free, to review as part of a book tour with Black Tide Book Tours.
This was a book of short horror stories. Depending on my mood, I sometimes prefer a book of short stories over a full-length novel. I find that short stories are a good option if I want a quick read, or on days when I'm feeling indecisive about what to read. In particular, when it comes to the horror genre, a book of short stories is often a good idea, as it feels less intense than a full length novel.
I enjoyed the style and length of these stories. They were separated into short chapters, so they felt more like novellas, and they were not too short. Horror is a wide genre, and if we understand that horror is intended to frighten us, I think it's fair to say that what frightens one person may not frighten another.
For me personally, I would say that because there are different types of horror, it can affect us in different ways. With these stories, I felt that a lot of the content was ambiguous. There were moments when I was reading, and felt I didn't quite understand what had happened, and that unsettled me. I felt that in some of these stories, there were some occurrences that struck me as twisted or bizarre, or made me want to say, "How could that happen?" So for that reason, these stories succeeded in scaring me.
Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This was a book of short horror stories. Depending on my mood, I sometimes prefer a book of short stories over a full-length novel. I find that short stories are a good option if I want a quick read, or on days when I'm feeling indecisive about what to read. In particular, when it comes to the horror genre, a book of short stories is often a good idea, as it feels less intense than a full length novel.
I enjoyed the style and length of these stories. They were separated into short chapters, so they felt more like novellas, and they were not too short. Horror is a wide genre, and if we understand that horror is intended to frighten us, I think it's fair to say that what frightens one person may not frighten another.
For me personally, I would say that because there are different types of horror, it can affect us in different ways. With these stories, I felt that a lot of the content was ambiguous. There were moments when I was reading, and felt I didn't quite understand what had happened, and that unsettled me. I felt that in some of these stories, there were some occurrences that struck me as twisted or bizarre, or made me want to say, "How could that happen?" So for that reason, these stories succeeded in scaring me.
Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
August 2, 2023
I last read a collection of short stories several decades ago; Chris Coppel has taught me what I have been missing. This collection of nine mystical gems, all with Coppel’s trademark use of titles beginning with the letter ‘L’, moves seamlessly between the real world and the supernatural, and from prehistoric tribal rituals to artificial intelligence and beyond. Everything from ancient woodland witchcraft to a tale about a futuristic version of on-line gaming that has more layers than most cakes. You will come across heroes, villains and victims, winners and losers, and see virtue rewarded and evil punished. Just don’t expect the narrative to play out the way you anticipate, even the devil himself is given a hard time. Coppel’s seemingly unlimited imagination gives each tale its own individual twist that will catch you unawares and leave you eager to see what surprises the next story will bring. You may think that short stories should be savoured, this collection will tempt you to devour the lot in as few sessions as possible. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommended. If you are not a fan of short stories, Coppel’s final twist may very well be to change your mind.
Thank you Cranthorpe Millner for an ARC to read and review.
Thank you Cranthorpe Millner for an ARC to read and review.
October 15, 2023
Thanks to Chris Coppel who offered me a free copy of this book for an honest review. This is a book of short stories in the horror genre. I did notice that the titles of each short story starts with the letter L and don't recall an explanation, but I thought it was interesting. Like most books of short stories, I rarely love all of them. I can say that I enjoyed most of them in this book. They aren't the heart stopping horror story but more psychological. Each had a different subject matter, starting with a nasty wealthy man searching for the fountain of youth. That was one of my least favorite and if I could have told this author before it was published, I would have suggested this story be later in the book. I hated the vulgar portrayal of this character. I understand why he was vulgar but I was worried all of the stories would be like that one. Luckily they were not. There was another about a child with a special ability to tell when someone was near death, and another was about a newly successful horror author who is told a secret that was unexpected. All stories had a twist at the end and they reminded me a lot of The Twilight Zone. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the horror genre.
August 10, 2023
I am a sucker for short stories and horror short stories have a special place in my heart.
This is the second book in my collection by Chris Coppel, I'm still reading the other but what an introduction to the author this was! The individual style of writing, the traditional use of titles beginning with L (genius!) and the vast variety of horror inflicted in these stories.
There are nine stories in this short story collection with a range of different ideas behind them, we go from AI, to natural disasters, to the 'tingling sensation' meaning death, to the paranormal and many more. Some include realistic horrors of life whereas some are science fiction horrors, but ALL will leave you with shivers down your spine.
I thoroughly enjoyed each story especially those that resembled some sort of real life horror/fear, and while I felt each story was great on its own, I feel the collection altogether was fantastic. Short but sweet.
A great book for reading in the dark evenings come spooky-season. I'm excited to read more by Chris Coppel.
Thank you to Chris Coppel and Henri Roi PR for sending me an ebook to review.
This is the second book in my collection by Chris Coppel, I'm still reading the other but what an introduction to the author this was! The individual style of writing, the traditional use of titles beginning with L (genius!) and the vast variety of horror inflicted in these stories.
There are nine stories in this short story collection with a range of different ideas behind them, we go from AI, to natural disasters, to the 'tingling sensation' meaning death, to the paranormal and many more. Some include realistic horrors of life whereas some are science fiction horrors, but ALL will leave you with shivers down your spine.
I thoroughly enjoyed each story especially those that resembled some sort of real life horror/fear, and while I felt each story was great on its own, I feel the collection altogether was fantastic. Short but sweet.
A great book for reading in the dark evenings come spooky-season. I'm excited to read more by Chris Coppel.
Thank you to Chris Coppel and Henri Roi PR for sending me an ebook to review.
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