Red Jacket: A Prequel to Shadow Apocalypse

by B.C. Hollywood

In the stark aftermath of the Shadow Apocalypse, follow Lillian's quest for vengeance as she seeks retribution for the death of her young protégé at the hands of the maniacal cult devoted to the one-eyed god.

Unveil the chilling secrets concealed within the cult's dark practices as Lillian, driven by an unyielding determination, confronts the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf her world.

Navigate the thin line between trust and treachery as Lillian grapples with the decision to rely on Emily, a member of the cult, in her pursuit of justice. Can Emily truly aid Lillian, or does a deeper conspiracy lurk beneath the surface?

With a supernatural force closing in, Lillian's journey is fraught with peril. In "Red Jacket," a novelette set in the haunting world of The Darkle Chronicles, discover the events that paved the way for the events in the Shadow Apocalypse and the enduring legacy that Lillian carries into the darkened future.

"Red Jacket" is a horror story and contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

B.C. Hollywood is an Irish author specializing in supernatural fiction rooted in authentic Celtic folklore and history. Drawing from Ireland's rich mythological tradition and dark historical legacy, he crafts horror and dark fantasy that spans from 18th-century Hellfire Clubs to contemporary werewolf villages and post-apocalyptic wastelands.

His deep research into Irish folklore, historical records, and cultural authenticity brings genuine Celtic atmosphere to modern supernatural fiction. Whether exploring the shadowy corners of Georgian Ireland or the supernatural threats lurking in today's Irish countryside, Hollywood's work captures the ancient darkness that has always dwelled in Ireland's landscapes and legends.

When not writing, he continues researching Ireland's forgotten histories and unexplored folklore, always seeking the next story that bridges ancient Celtic wisdom with contemporary horror.

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this prequel novella to Shadow Apocalypse!

It was great to find out a bit more about Emily (Red Jacket) and Lillian! This was action packed and never a dull moment!

Now to wait with bated breath for the next book in the Darkle Chronicles!

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, B.C. Hollywood

This was a fabulous action-packed pre story to Lillians Story. I highly recommend after reading this book to read Shadow Apocalypse. In Shadow Apocalypse, you will meet more fascinating characters involved with Lillian's journey.
It's filled with emotions. I would love to see this on the big or little screen. This short novel would adapt beautifully into the walking dead universe.

[Louise Storey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will definitely be reading shadow apocalypse. Brilliant apocalyptic novel with more than one danger lying in wait

[Bookaholic__Reviews]

Yasssssss!!! Can't wait!!¡!

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Jacket: A Prequel to the Shadow Apocalypse
By B.C. Hollywood

To be released

B.C. Hollywood (Barry Hollywood) is already writing the third entry in his riveting Darkle Chronicles series, a fantastic blend of dark urban fantasy and zombie apocalypse horror, set in Ireland. The "Shadow Apocalypse" has some extremely unsettling moments, taking into account it's explicitly meant to be a series of supernatural/zombie splatterpunk, with graphic depictions of sex and violence (warnings posted by the author in the beginning of every book should be heeded.) The first book started right in the middle of things, with a couple of guys of ambiguous morality following a female zombie wearing a red jacket. Their intentions soon become clear and afterwards, they meet my favorite character of the series: the very capable Lillian, a breath of fresh air amid all the carnage and the evil haunting this post-apocalyptic world (the specific kind of evil is explained in the second entry of the series, an inventive and very dark story set in Dublin a couple of centuries ago.)

With 'Red Jacket,' we have the origin story of poor Red Jacket, the female zombie of the first book. And what a story it is! It's actually an episode in Lillian's tale, showing her human side in stark colors. She has been training Melanie, a little girl, in using a compound bow to face her enemies. But... this is an extreme horror story, and almost immediately things turn VERY sinister. If you love murderous, cannibalistic cults (and c'mon, who doesn't?), this will be right up your alley!

Apparently this story will be a free download to the author's newsletter subscribers, so get on it once it's set up!

[Leigh Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read anything by Barry Hollywood then you are missing out! Barry is a fellow Irishman and he's a helluva writer!

I first read Shadow Apocalypse awhile back and even though the more extreme stuff isn't usually my cup of tea, I loved it!

When he announced Red Jacket, I knew I had to read it. I flew through it today between the school runs. I was completely immersed in the story! It's got zombies. It's got apocalyptic death cults. It's got pretty bad weather. And one of the most bad ass female MC's I've ever read 😍

I had already met Lillian in Shadow Apocalypse, but Red Jacket fleshed her story out some more. It adds a new dimension to the things we learned about her in the first book. Hollywood tackles the story perfectly, making it fit seamlessly into the series. I think it works as the perfect introduction to his Darkle series. Read it and I guarantee you'll want to read more.

Word of warning though, it's by no means a lighthearted read. While Red Jacket isn't extremely graphic or gory, it tackles some seriously difficult matter. Hollywood has such a crisp writing style that it creates a kind of car crash effect. You want to look away from the horrors but you can't seem to tear your eyes from the page. He grapples with a pretty dark narrative and he does so unflinchingly.

This one is gonna stay with me for some time, and I highly recommend you grab a copy.

[C.S. S Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first B. C. Hollywood read & it blew me away. This was the post-apocalyptic - humans are worse than the monster's story - many of us know & love, so there's a welcoming familiarity to it. But what sets it apart are two things. The writing & the sheer scope of ideas Mr Hollywood fits into so little space. It's epic, which is difficult to obtain in a novella. Add in that this is a prequel to Shadow Apocalypse & I'm already sold on this writer!

[Meredith Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent prequel to the dark chronicles series book shadow apocalypse. A quick read and introduction to hopefully a main character Lillian. Lillian is a trader who decides to avenge a young girl killed by mercenaries. The story is a modern day zombie apocalyptic story, and a great introduction to book 1.

[David Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Jacket by B.C Hollywood

5/5

This is the first story I've read by Hollywood and I think I can sell it to you pretty easily.

It's a Mad Max origin story with zombies and a female lead that you can totally buy into.

This one does a lot of world building in such a short time. Hollywood knows what he's doing for sure.

I'm looking forward to following this story to see where it goes!

[Shauna Eleney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced and gory - a bloody good read. This is my first read from this author, and I really liked his writing style. Great story, loved the ending.

[Jen Ramsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella and prequel to The Darkle Chronicles, this was an interesting read and a good taster of the authors style. I look forward to reading more  and really fleshing out the characters.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing prequel to Shadow Apocalypse.

There is a lot packed in to this short novella that explores Lillian’s origin story.

As with all this authors works, it transcends horror, psychological terror and catapults you through the pages.

I read this after Shadow Apocalypse, and would recommend reading in that order.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing prequel to Shadow Apocalypse.

[Tracy Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really read much of zombies and apocalypse books. If you like books like that this is definitely for you. It was entertaining but I wasn’t really sure what happened and why the characters were the way they were. Maybe I need to read the next book and I will get more info? Quick read for sure!