What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Tide Horror Novellas #9
An Unholy Triquetra: Celtic Fairy Tales
Three unique voices in today's horror bring you new takes on an old power that threatens to reshape our world. Celtic legends are reborn within these pages, with fresh stories guaranteed to spark nightmares in the vein of Grimm's pre-Disneyfied fairy tales.
A Knot Within A Knot by Jason A man survives a plane crash only to find himself in darker circumstances, with a winter storm on the horizon and an orphaned child in tow. An elderly woman faces off against a god of night and his steed from the confines of her airplane seat, while another hides from night and storm in the hope of a new dawn. Unbeknownst to them, their fates are linked and dependent upon the next two tales.
Bound in the Valley of Balor by Curtis M. After surviving a plane crash, a corrupt federal agent and a mob informant find themselves stranded in a remote valley. Blood spilled during a conflict between the two awakens an ancient evil bound beneath the valley. Can either of them escape from The Valley of Balor?
Summons by William Meikle (part of his Mythos of Sigils & Totems) : Would you fall slave to the rhythm?
He came to Scotland after the death of his wife in search of peace. But the old house is restless. Something is waking, something noisy, something that will not be denied.
His search for meaning in the face of ever increasing activity in the house leads him down strange occult pathways, into deep history and a story that is racing to a finish.
The rhythm calls to him. Will he fall slave to it? Or is there a path to be the drum master before it subsumes him utterly?
This Celtic horror anthology is perfect for fans of folk horror, myths and legends, supernatural horror fiction, Grimm fairy tales, and Scottish survival horror, or fans of Ritual by Adam Nevill, Bag of Bones by Stephen King, or the legendary Ramsey Cambell.
Crystal Lake’s Dark Tide series will continue soon with more tales of Mystery Thrillers and Horror Books, including themes of Weird Western, Sherlock Holmes, Grief Horror, Body Horror, Mystery fiction, Travel Horror, Deadly Duos, and Psychological Thriller books.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
A Knot Within A Knot by Jason A man survives a plane crash only to find himself in darker circumstances, with a winter storm on the horizon and an orphaned child in tow. An elderly woman faces off against a god of night and his steed from the confines of her airplane seat, while another hides from night and storm in the hope of a new dawn. Unbeknownst to them, their fates are linked and dependent upon the next two tales.
Bound in the Valley of Balor by Curtis M. After surviving a plane crash, a corrupt federal agent and a mob informant find themselves stranded in a remote valley. Blood spilled during a conflict between the two awakens an ancient evil bound beneath the valley. Can either of them escape from The Valley of Balor?
Summons by William Meikle (part of his Mythos of Sigils & Totems) : Would you fall slave to the rhythm?
He came to Scotland after the death of his wife in search of peace. But the old house is restless. Something is waking, something noisy, something that will not be denied.
His search for meaning in the face of ever increasing activity in the house leads him down strange occult pathways, into deep history and a story that is racing to a finish.
The rhythm calls to him. Will he fall slave to it? Or is there a path to be the drum master before it subsumes him utterly?
This Celtic horror anthology is perfect for fans of folk horror, myths and legends, supernatural horror fiction, Grimm fairy tales, and Scottish survival horror, or fans of Ritual by Adam Nevill, Bag of Bones by Stephen King, or the legendary Ramsey Cambell.
Crystal Lake’s Dark Tide series will continue soon with more tales of Mystery Thrillers and Horror Books, including themes of Weird Western, Sherlock Holmes, Grief Horror, Body Horror, Mystery fiction, Travel Horror, Deadly Duos, and Psychological Thriller books.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
- GenresHorror
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2023
16 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books691 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 29, 2023
Absolutely stunning stories of Celtic folklore. I had a hard time believing that each one was written by a different author, they all flowed beautifully into the the next.
A Knot Within A Knot filled me with anxiety, and a little hope but that didn't last long. Part two of this story was heartbreaking.
Summons broke my heart. I wanted to hug the main character. If you pay attention to the first story, you'll understand how it's connected.
Bound in the Valley of Balor was a fantastic creature story that has a revenge theme to it. I really loved the ending. It was perfect.
A Knot Within A Knot filled me with anxiety, and a little hope but that didn't last long. Part two of this story was heartbreaking.
Summons broke my heart. I wanted to hug the main character. If you pay attention to the first story, you'll understand how it's connected.
Bound in the Valley of Balor was a fantastic creature story that has a revenge theme to it. I really loved the ending. It was perfect.
August 3, 2023
Each new book in the Dark Tide series just keeps on getting better. I loved all three of the tales in this book.
The first story might just make you think twice about flying....
The first story might just make you think twice about flying....
August 8, 2023
An Outstanding Weird Horror Novella Collection
An Unholy Triquetra: Celtic Fairy Tales is a collection of three weird horror novellas by Jason Parent, William Meikle, and Curtis M. Lawson. I’ve been a long time fan of Mr. Lawson’s fiction and he provided me an advanced reader copy of this book for an unbiased review. After I read it, I am now also fans of Mr. Parent and Mr. Meikle and will be reading more of their work soon.
I was unfamiliar with the word “Triquetra” previously; it refers to a symmetrical three-lobed ornament used on metalwork and stone crosses, which is common in Celtic design. It was a perfect reference, because each of these stories include plot elements, characters, and/or motifs from the other two, and they all have a strong Celtic flavor. Don’t expect Sidhe, kelpies, or the usual deity roster from the Celtic pantheons. The horrors within harken from an older, more eldritch time, from human prehistory or much earlier. H.P. Lovecraft fans will not be disappointed, but these stories are not tired pastiches. You can read them in any order—I read Mr. Lawson’s first— but front to back works well. There is a complimentary blend of horror subgenres—Sword & Sorcery, Pulp, Literary, Victorian Ghost Story, and even a tinge of Noir—between each story and also within the bounds of each. This particular witch’s brew worked very well for me, and if your tastes in horror fiction are similar, I think they’ll work for you too.
An Unholy Triquetra: Celtic Fairy Tales is a collection of three weird horror novellas by Jason Parent, William Meikle, and Curtis M. Lawson. I’ve been a long time fan of Mr. Lawson’s fiction and he provided me an advanced reader copy of this book for an unbiased review. After I read it, I am now also fans of Mr. Parent and Mr. Meikle and will be reading more of their work soon.
I was unfamiliar with the word “Triquetra” previously; it refers to a symmetrical three-lobed ornament used on metalwork and stone crosses, which is common in Celtic design. It was a perfect reference, because each of these stories include plot elements, characters, and/or motifs from the other two, and they all have a strong Celtic flavor. Don’t expect Sidhe, kelpies, or the usual deity roster from the Celtic pantheons. The horrors within harken from an older, more eldritch time, from human prehistory or much earlier. H.P. Lovecraft fans will not be disappointed, but these stories are not tired pastiches. You can read them in any order—I read Mr. Lawson’s first— but front to back works well. There is a complimentary blend of horror subgenres—Sword & Sorcery, Pulp, Literary, Victorian Ghost Story, and even a tinge of Noir—between each story and also within the bounds of each. This particular witch’s brew worked very well for me, and if your tastes in horror fiction are similar, I think they’ll work for you too.
October 3, 2023
A great read for cosmic and folk horror fans, this collection features three stories whose main characters are lifted from their mundane existence and thrust into a new, sacred, mythological realm. This new realm comes with its own rules and the protagonists have to fight their inertia, understand the dangers of the new order, and grasp its hidden revelations. These stories are filled with stunning, sublime imagery—Parent’s portrayal of Cernunnos growing, torturous horns; Lawson’s descriptions of Balor’s attempt to awaken from the mountain that is also his tomb; Meikle’s rendition of the madness-inducing fog veiling the marching of dead soldiers —and they are thick with mystery. Reading through them reminded me of Romanian philosopher Lucian Blaga’s description of man as a creature who lives surrounded by mystery and aims at revelation, as opposed to non-human animals who live in the immediate world and aim for security. I think mythology perfectly expresses that existential dimension of man, and the fiction that deals with myth should preserve its mystery. So, the reader shouldn’t approach these stories with a thirst for comfortable explanations but with a reverence for the occult and the paradoxical.
August 11, 2023
The Dark Tide series continues with this latest book helmed by three greats of contemporary horror: Jason Parent, Curtis M. Lawson, and William Meikle. Each story is unique to the author's voice, but blend together to create a harmonious whole. A dark harmony, to be sure, but an excellent demonstration of the abilities of three outstanding writers. As a fan of Mr. Meikle's "Sigils & Totems" series of linked tales, that's my favorite of the three tales here, but the connections between that story and the other two makes me even more appreciative of Mr. Parent's and Mr. Lawson's talents as writers of horror. Binge read an ebook version!
Sadly can only give it 5 stars as the book and the stories in it certainly deserve
Sadly can only give it 5 stars as the book and the stories in it certainly deserve
October 17, 2023
So so good. If you're looking for a horror with little gore but lots of psychological twists and turns, I HIGHLY suggest this book.
October 31, 2023
Another wonderful offering from Crystal Lake Publishing, and an 'unholy' convergence of three great writers, offering the darkest of tales, all skilfully woven with a Celtic thread. There's no 'twee' or hackneyed Celtic stuff in sight here. Instead, we encounter a deep resonance from elder times, and the continuing, menacing presence of elder beings, here in our time.
Jason Parent brings the deeply disturbing 'Knot Within A Knot' to the table, and I think it's fair to say you really don't want to read this one before you board a plane! In fact, this theme continues as Curtis M Lawson unleashes 'Bound in the Valley of Balor' upon us. Survive that, and you will find that the darkness is definitely not over, though, as the wonderful William Meikle then shares 'Summons' (my personal favourite in the collection). While all these tales are stunningly written, as a long time fan of Willie Meikle's creations, I was delighted to realise that 'Summons' draws strongly on his 'Sigils and Totems' world. The three stories blend seamlessly to produce a stunning collection, each Author has their own tale to tell, and does so with consummate skill, and the common theme is carried through beautifully.
As ever, no spoilers, but all I will add is, these three fine tales are an amazing addition to the wealth of Celtic mythologies. The each bring the past very firmly into the present, with menace, terror, and the grace of excellent storytelling worthy of the bards of old!
Jason Parent brings the deeply disturbing 'Knot Within A Knot' to the table, and I think it's fair to say you really don't want to read this one before you board a plane! In fact, this theme continues as Curtis M Lawson unleashes 'Bound in the Valley of Balor' upon us. Survive that, and you will find that the darkness is definitely not over, though, as the wonderful William Meikle then shares 'Summons' (my personal favourite in the collection). While all these tales are stunningly written, as a long time fan of Willie Meikle's creations, I was delighted to realise that 'Summons' draws strongly on his 'Sigils and Totems' world. The three stories blend seamlessly to produce a stunning collection, each Author has their own tale to tell, and does so with consummate skill, and the common theme is carried through beautifully.
As ever, no spoilers, but all I will add is, these three fine tales are an amazing addition to the wealth of Celtic mythologies. The each bring the past very firmly into the present, with menace, terror, and the grace of excellent storytelling worthy of the bards of old!
August 13, 2023
Malevolent supernatural beings lurk in these stories full of adventure, heroism, and even romance. Stories-within-stories, wonderfully done by a threesome of seasoned authors. I confess to being partial to Willie Meikle since I read his collection of short stories, 'Dark Melodies', so his story 'Summons' became my winner for the storytelling, awesome characters, conflict, and climax in what is far more than a haunted house tale. I don’t read horror for the adrenaline surge but those who love that will not be disappointed with Curtis Lawson’s blood-filled 'Valley of Balor.' 'A Knot Within a Knot' by Jason Parent brings us the ultimate threat when a man struggles to protect an orphaned child—heart-wrenching. Suspenseful and rewarding, a solid read and nearly impossible to put down. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author of novels and short stories.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews