The Cage

by Jason Brannon

Freakshow... ...A caravan proclaiming itself Captain Omaha's Cryptozoological Fair and Freak Show pulls into the town of Crowley's Point, bearing cargo that is both deadly and highly intelligent. .....A broken family embarks on a day of fun to try and repair all of the damage that adultery has wrought, unaware that there are things loose in the world that can tear a family apart which have nothing to do with infidelity. ....A storm is brewing that will pit man against beast and beast against something much, much worse. ....In the span of a few hours the zoo known as The Preserve will become a breeding ground for atrocity and bloodshed. The family trapped inside will forget all about their own inner turmoils and focus on fending off the cryptozoological monsters that a raging storm has let loose. The zoo has become much more than a zoo. It has become a cage, and humans are now the ones being held captive by Mother Nature and her bloodthirsty children. ....Will any of them survive as The Chupacabra, The Jersey Devil, and The Beast of Exmoor run wild, seeking delicate human morsels to devour? ....Will any of them escape The Cage?

Genres: Horror

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Jason Brannon is the author of numerous short story collections, novellas, and novels. He has seen more than 100 short stories published in various venues. His short fiction has been compiled in collections like Puzzles of Flesh, The Machinery of Infinity, and Five Days on the Banks of the Acheron. His most recent books include The Cage, Winds of Change, The Misunderstood and Other Misfit Horrors, and The Order of the Bull. Numerous titles have also been translated into German by Basilisk Verlag. He maintains a website at http://www.jasonbrannon.us

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been reading or liking as much horror as I'm used to, but that might just be because not a lot of it has been as awesome as this book. I've read the author before, I remember liking him well enough, but The Cage by far exceeded whatever expectations I might have had. It's just so much fun. Creature feature extraordinaire with a cast of cryptozoology's finest. Creatures battle creatures. Creatures battle humans. Humans battle humans. One night, no rules. Who will survive...you gotta read to find out. If that doesn't peek your interest, how about a legendary Latin American cryptid trying out crossdressing? Yeah, that's exactly how wild this book gets. Freakshows, sideshows, circuses, exhibits, fun and games, but who really deserves to be in the cage? Read and find out, the ending is suitably awesome for an awesome book. The word awesome was definitely overused during this review and yet it was totally appropriate. Very enjoyable quick read. Highly recommended.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A madman has an exotic circus of mythological creatures straight out of anyone's nightmares and decides to visit a local zoo and offer his specimen as a local attraction. Unfortunately for him, he has made one too many enemies and his plan backfires, leaving not only him but all the innocent people in the zoo at the mercy of the mad beast who want nothing more than to gorge on their flesh.

I actually enjoyed this. There were parts that drug on a little, but it ending was well worth it.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story that moves along a fast pace. It centres around one family on a visit to the zoo. Unbeknownst to them a small travelling show has just arrived filled with cages of animals that are either myths (wendigo) or extinct (thylacine). These are the worlds most savage creatures and they have been tortured by their captor to keep them in line and thus they are not predisposed to few humanity with anything but hate.
When some of these animals escape all hell breaks loose, this is compounded by a storm, a tornado and the fact that they go round releasing the normal zoo animals. The result is a mass slaughter which the family must try to escape.
The tension, adrenaline fuelled attempts at escape and the first scenes are well done and drag the reader along.
Overall though the plot, lacks a certain level of realism that would make it more believable. Still an enjoyable bit of escapism.

[Barbara Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read another of this Authors books and have found that I like his style of writing. This book does not disappoint. It flows smoothly and the characters and story are well developed.
It is the story of a traveling carnival of oddities and fearsome creatures. The owner, who trapped these oddities personally, has a touch of evil about him and sets a few of the animals loose on humans. A storm of proportions comes along and sets the rest loose at a Zoo and the slaughter begins. Would not recommend for anyone younger than 16.
A good horror story with a good plot. Would suggest you read the Authors other books as well.[[ASIN:0976791498 The Cage]]

[Brian S. Shipe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horror,not more like dark fantasy

After the first two chapters,I had to roll my eyes and laugh.good horror relies on some truth,but this book was such a joke,I quit at chapter 26.the reality of animal and beast legends and myths or true,and this story made a complete mockery of them.Especially the part where the guy "trained" a beast to play chess.come on.author must have been on some good microdot.....thumps down...

[Pat Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a spine-tingling book that will easily keep your attention, this book is for you. Jason Brannon knows how to write suspenseful thrillers better than anyone I know.

[Kelly Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! You may sleep with the lights on for a few nights after reading...lol

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very, very good

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

This was good, but there were a lot of words that weren't supposed to be there. There were a lot of missing words. Some stuff were bothersome.