Ouija

by James Melzer

High school senior Billy Tanner only wants one Valerie Pigeon. Unfortunately, Valerie is dating the one guy who has tormented Billy since grade Rick Monroe.When his grandmother gives him a Ouija board for his 18th birthday, Billy finds himself communing with an entity knows as Sam, who slowly gives him the confidence and strength to not only talk to Valerie, but to face his bullies, transforming him into a whole new person.But everything has a price, and as Billy and Sam draw closer to one another he realizes the true power of the Ouija board, and the revelation is deadly!In the tradition of Witchboard and old school 80's horror movies, Ouija is a fun, fast-paced thrill ride of excitement from award-winning author, James Melzer.

Genres: Horror

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2013

About the author

James Melzer fell in love with love at an early age…he just didn’t know it yet. Originally writing in the horror genre, he’s completed two contemporary romance novels under the name “Jamie Deschain,” and is currently adding more to be released under his own name. When he’s not working, James can be found in his studio, painting art from the heart. He currently resides in Pennsylvania with his wife, son, and two very opinionated cats.

Reviews

[Jen from Quebec :0) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a LOT of potential. It was a good story, but it was just TOO SHORT! If only it were the length of a proper novel, and not a novella, it would have been so much better. Due to its length, things happen way too quickly. You barely have time for character development. And once you've absorbed one new aspect of the story, it races on to the next. Still, if you're a sucker for Ouija Board stories like me, it is still worth the (very quick) read. --Jen from Quebec :0)

[FeedMyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a teenage boy is given a ouija board for his 18th birthday he is beyond excited, he has few friends and this could be something interesting to do when he is sat in his bedroom on his own fantasising about his one and only dream in life, being with the girl of his dreams. As the ouija allows the connection with the other side and Billy begins to open up about his dreams of being with Valerie he begins to feel like he has made a true connection and a real friend but can a ouija board allow for a safe connection or could it be something that takes the control of things more than Billy could ever imagine?

This horror story is a really well written piece with a story that works well and I found really enjoyable. If you've not read this author before then this is a great way to get a chance to check them out as it is a well priced book.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent, short, spooky story. Very standard ouija board story. Not very original but fun.

[Dean Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had an experience with a ouija board and wanted to see how the subject was treated here. I also like a bit of comeuppance with my fiction.

Plotwise, I thought that the book was kind of unremarkable. It set up boxes to tick and then it ticked them.

The pace was quite fast-moving, but it didn't always seem it, because I could see the punches coming.

Still, there were some very nice moments with the ghost. I would have liked to have learnt more about it and for the relationship between the protagonist and the ghost to develop some more.

Now, it did develop, but there was a lot more 'tell' than 'show' and so I wasn't quite transported. I felt at a distance from what was happening.

The characters seemed to be kind of stock characters. The love interest was beautiful. The protagonist was socially awkward. The antagonist was an arsehole and had two minions to back him up. The antagonist, Rick, had a flicker of depth, but it wasn't really explored. I actually ended up feeling sorry for his stock minions. The protagonist just didn't seem to have it bad enough to warrant his actions.

A more unusual plot might have made for a more interesting story. I thought the writing was solid and steady, there were creepy moments and I had some fun. I'd read another by this author, particularly if the story seemed to be more individual.