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The Devil Brigade
It's the 1890s and freak shows are at the height of popularity in the US. Carnival goers rush the stage to see what oddities will leave them awake at night. The most popular freak on display at Ringmaster Tom's show is Bubonic Boy: Black Death - Alive! Despite the boy's success, he is never content as he can't seem to remember who he was before he met Ringmaster. He begins to seek answers and comes across dark, strange secrets that could cost him his life.... The first in a series of novellas, the Devil Brigade is the debut work of author Toni Odell. Will you shake hands with the devil and lose yourself in the macabre adventures of Ben, the Bubonic Boy?
158 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
114 people want to read
About the author
Toni Odell
2 books21 followersToni Odell is a horror writer, whiskey drinker, and all around weirdo.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 14, 2014
Per FTC Guidelines, this review for The Devil Brigade by Toni Odell is for a book received for free from a Goodreads.com First Read Giveaway.
The Devil Brigade by Toni Odell is the story of Ben, a young man with a skin condition who lives in a side show Freak show, run by a man called Ringmaster. Ben, known as "Bubonic Boy", along with 2 little people known as "Hot" and "Tot", "Werewolf", and "Commodore" the fat man, live in a miserable life of abuse and deprivation at the hands of Ringmaster. But when a deal Ringmaster makes comes back to the Freak Show, Ben is forced to make a life altering decision.
This novel is clearly the first part of a series. I imagine the story will get more "fleshed out" in future chapters of the series. Maybe it is the freak show settings, but this novel reminds me of a lesser version of Showtime Channels series "Carnivale". Is Ben evil or just incredibly,naive, that is the question I kept asking myself.
I wanted to like this novel. The premise is very good, but there was something about the writing that just did not sit well with me. I would probably not seek out the next book in this series, although this one was fine.
The Devil Brigade by Toni Odell is the story of Ben, a young man with a skin condition who lives in a side show Freak show, run by a man called Ringmaster. Ben, known as "Bubonic Boy", along with 2 little people known as "Hot" and "Tot", "Werewolf", and "Commodore" the fat man, live in a miserable life of abuse and deprivation at the hands of Ringmaster. But when a deal Ringmaster makes comes back to the Freak Show, Ben is forced to make a life altering decision.
This novel is clearly the first part of a series. I imagine the story will get more "fleshed out" in future chapters of the series. Maybe it is the freak show settings, but this novel reminds me of a lesser version of Showtime Channels series "Carnivale". Is Ben evil or just incredibly,naive, that is the question I kept asking myself.
I wanted to like this novel. The premise is very good, but there was something about the writing that just did not sit well with me. I would probably not seek out the next book in this series, although this one was fine.
November 11, 2014
Different.
I like a good freak show as much as the next person, but, this one was a bit bizarre if I do say so.
I like a good freak show as much as the next person, but, this one was a bit bizarre if I do say so.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews