What do you think?
Rate this book
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love
This is the 1st edition and no longer available. See the revised 2nd edition here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Her mama always said she was special.
His daddy called him a demon.
But even monsters can fall in love.
Montessa Tovar is walking home alone when she is abducted by Lu, a serial killer with unusual talents and a grudge against the world. But in time, the victim becomes the executioner as 'Apocalyptic' Montessa and her doomed lover, 'Nuclear' Lulu, crisscross the country in a bloody firestorm of revenge.
Her mama always said she was special.
His daddy called him a demon.
But even monsters can fall in love.
Montessa Tovar is walking home alone when she is abducted by Lu, a serial killer with unusual talents and a grudge against the world. But in time, the victim becomes the executioner as 'Apocalyptic' Montessa and her doomed lover, 'Nuclear' Lulu, crisscross the country in a bloody firestorm of revenge.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2013
7 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes M. Yardley
99 books322 followersMercedes M. Yardley is a whimsical dark fantasist who wears red lipstick and poisonous flowers in her hair. She is the author of numerous works including Love is a Crematorium and Other Stories, Darling, the Stabby Award-winning Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love, Pretty Little Dead Girls, and Nameless. She won the Bram Stoker Award for Little Dead Red and “Fracture.” Mercedes lives and works in Las Vegas. You can find her at mercedesmyardley.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 18, 2013
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
Ragnarok Publications is a publisher newly founded in 2013, but I'd heard of them prior to receiving a copy of Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love. These are the amazing folks behind the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters anthology Kickstarter, which was successfully funded this fall and quite possibly one of the coolest projects I've ever backed! It was thus an honor and a pleasure to be offered a chance to read and review their inaugural title by Mercedes M. Yardley.
Don't let the quirky title fool you; this is one dark and disturbing tale of supernatural love and horror...because after all, even killers and monsters can fall in love. Montessa Tovar, an exotic dancer who has only known a life of hurt and abuse is abducted one night while walking home by Lu, a serial killer whose unusual power has led him to be labeled a demon. But in time, the victim becomes the accomplice. As the two continue to form the deepest of connections, Lu leads Montessa on a cross-country tour of blood and vengeance.
Have you ever asked yourself if you believe in the concept of soulmates? Of finding that one person out there who completes you? This is the idea explored in the book, though if you find the notion utterly romantic, be sure to brace yourself because the author does not do it in a conventional way. It is far from idyllic; characters are depicted in extreme or frightening situations, and there is blood and violence and killing aplenty. It is, however, still a love story, and everyone knows how much I enjoy those. Most surprising of all is that in the darkness, there is also a heart-wrenching beauty.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is one of the most interesting and deliciously twisted takes on soulmates I've ever read, and I think it perfectly embodies what the publisher is going for. The reader may never truly come to sympathize with the pair of lovers/killers, but I looked at their heinous crimes separately from the depth of feeling which the author has created. It is the storytelling that matters, and Yardley has accomplished something truly impressive by writing about a love that feels convincingly powerful and real at the same time, all in the short span of a novella. One thing's for sure: it will be hard for me to forget this tale between two horribly damaged people, who somehow find that the pieces of their broken souls fit and complete each other.
Ragnarok Publications is a publisher newly founded in 2013, but I'd heard of them prior to receiving a copy of Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love. These are the amazing folks behind the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters anthology Kickstarter, which was successfully funded this fall and quite possibly one of the coolest projects I've ever backed! It was thus an honor and a pleasure to be offered a chance to read and review their inaugural title by Mercedes M. Yardley.
Don't let the quirky title fool you; this is one dark and disturbing tale of supernatural love and horror...because after all, even killers and monsters can fall in love. Montessa Tovar, an exotic dancer who has only known a life of hurt and abuse is abducted one night while walking home by Lu, a serial killer whose unusual power has led him to be labeled a demon. But in time, the victim becomes the accomplice. As the two continue to form the deepest of connections, Lu leads Montessa on a cross-country tour of blood and vengeance.
Have you ever asked yourself if you believe in the concept of soulmates? Of finding that one person out there who completes you? This is the idea explored in the book, though if you find the notion utterly romantic, be sure to brace yourself because the author does not do it in a conventional way. It is far from idyllic; characters are depicted in extreme or frightening situations, and there is blood and violence and killing aplenty. It is, however, still a love story, and everyone knows how much I enjoy those. Most surprising of all is that in the darkness, there is also a heart-wrenching beauty.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is one of the most interesting and deliciously twisted takes on soulmates I've ever read, and I think it perfectly embodies what the publisher is going for. The reader may never truly come to sympathize with the pair of lovers/killers, but I looked at their heinous crimes separately from the depth of feeling which the author has created. It is the storytelling that matters, and Yardley has accomplished something truly impressive by writing about a love that feels convincingly powerful and real at the same time, all in the short span of a novella. One thing's for sure: it will be hard for me to forget this tale between two horribly damaged people, who somehow find that the pieces of their broken souls fit and complete each other.
September 20, 2013
I rarely read love stories because I know that love more often hurts than it heals and it is more acidic than it is sweet. I have yet to see a happy ending in real life and the idea of soul mates seems doomed to disappoint. And yet, Mercedes Yardley spins a love story that I could not put down. I did read it in one sitting and it was much more than I could have wished for. I believed in these characters living this life and I absolutely embraced the idea of Montessa and Lu being soul mates who were connected by the red string of fate. It is a book about love, revenge and desire, about blood and death. Even though I knew from the start that they were doomed, I rooted them on and I reveled in their need and their willingness to aid and comfort each other in dark and hideous ways. I am a huge fan of Yardley's work and I was as thrilled with this novella as I was with her book of short stories, "Beautiful Sorrows."
September 13, 2013
Messed up people need love too. Except that one guy Steve he's a jerk. Montessa and Lulu may be kill crazy and magic, but at least they've got each other, and like Bon Jovi sang "and that's a lot." It's amazing how good writing can make you sympathize and root for people who do horrible things. Yardley pulls it off. You can see these two being a great couple if the hadn't been broken as children. Don't know what it says about me that my love stories need a body count, but never mind that for now.
July 30, 2017
Darker than pitch and beautiful as hell. I cannot honestly ever recall reading something quite like this before; a captivity drama that spirals into a murder-spree love story between and infernal man and bewitched woman. Two fragmented hearts and souls pieced together to make something too terrible and too wonderful for this world to bear. An exquisite fairy-tale blend of beauty and horror
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2014
Fantasy Review Barn
All black outfit, complete with full length duster? Check.
Eyeliner properly applied? Check.
Lights turned off, except for the cool skull lamp from Hot Topic? Check.
Playlist set up, containing nothing but lots of The Cure and Creep by Radiohead? Check and Check.
Ok, I think I am in the proper mood to read a story of love between two serial killers.
Montessa is a special; her mother knew it when she named her while walking through a graveyard. (In the right mood for a horror tale yet?) She has the ability to read people a little better than most; perhaps not the gift it seems to be.
Lu drives a big rig and constantly needs to feed a horrible hunger. He watches Montessa for a while. Learns her patterns. Knows the abusive boyfriend will flake, and pounces when the chance comes. Then watches her destroy all his careful plans. The victim becomes the partner; age old wrongs are righted (or double wronged if you insist on being mathematically correct).
How does a killer react to a person whose soul is almost dead and is unafraid of death? Is there a difference between Stockholm syndrome and true love of destiny? Can two people who don’t believe in soul mates actually be soul mates? If these are the type of questions that keep you up at night then I have a hell of a tale for you.
This is a fucked up story but I see its appeal. Not being a horror reader I certainly am not the intended audience by found myself entertained anyway. Something about the writing just worked; I was often more interested in the craft than the details of the story. The minor supernatural aspects elevated the story; and the relationship was unique if nothing else. The best parts for me came from the way Montessa read people; and how the effects of that knowledge changes as she goes through here strange reawaking.
3 stars for me, but this could purely be a genre issue. People looking for a redemption arc in every story they read will hate ever last word. Horror fans are getting a well written novella, and perhaps a story more up their alley.
Now if you excuse me, I can’t listen to another damn song from The Cure. And black eyeliner just doesn’t work on me. I may listen to the Radiohead song a few more times though.
Review copy was provided to me by Ragnarok Publications.
All black outfit, complete with full length duster? Check.
Eyeliner properly applied? Check.
Lights turned off, except for the cool skull lamp from Hot Topic? Check.
Playlist set up, containing nothing but lots of The Cure and Creep by Radiohead? Check and Check.
Ok, I think I am in the proper mood to read a story of love between two serial killers.
Montessa is a special; her mother knew it when she named her while walking through a graveyard. (In the right mood for a horror tale yet?) She has the ability to read people a little better than most; perhaps not the gift it seems to be.
Lu drives a big rig and constantly needs to feed a horrible hunger. He watches Montessa for a while. Learns her patterns. Knows the abusive boyfriend will flake, and pounces when the chance comes. Then watches her destroy all his careful plans. The victim becomes the partner; age old wrongs are righted (or double wronged if you insist on being mathematically correct).
How does a killer react to a person whose soul is almost dead and is unafraid of death? Is there a difference between Stockholm syndrome and true love of destiny? Can two people who don’t believe in soul mates actually be soul mates? If these are the type of questions that keep you up at night then I have a hell of a tale for you.
This is a fucked up story but I see its appeal. Not being a horror reader I certainly am not the intended audience by found myself entertained anyway. Something about the writing just worked; I was often more interested in the craft than the details of the story. The minor supernatural aspects elevated the story; and the relationship was unique if nothing else. The best parts for me came from the way Montessa read people; and how the effects of that knowledge changes as she goes through here strange reawaking.
3 stars for me, but this could purely be a genre issue. People looking for a redemption arc in every story they read will hate ever last word. Horror fans are getting a well written novella, and perhaps a story more up their alley.
Now if you excuse me, I can’t listen to another damn song from The Cure. And black eyeliner just doesn’t work on me. I may listen to the Radiohead song a few more times though.
Review copy was provided to me by Ragnarok Publications.
October 16, 2013
Mercedes is a master at plucking out secret emotions we wish we could describe and painting them into a portrait of emotion that overwhelms like a thousand small cuts only reality can heal, but it feels so real you wonder if you were more alive inside her prose than you are now that you're gone. The best part is that after you've left, the story's emotions remain tattooed, a memory of beauty and suffering to take with and enjoy at will.
A favorite quote from Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu:
"Your first kill?" she prompted.
He faced her then, and the look on his face was the expression of two faces in constant battle with each other. One of snarling hate, a primitive fierceness that made Montessa want to close her eyes, to turn her throat away from his canines. The other, that was the real Lu. A sad, miserable, trapped boy inside a man's body. Someone who cried while he sliced seams in suits of flesh. Somebody who nervously ran bloodied hands through his dark hair, spiking it even more than usual.
"Lu. And Lu. Lulu," she said, and was surprised when he laughed. It was a bitter sound, the sound of comfrey petals and bryony boots, things mixed together that shouldn't be, and Montessa's stomach lurched again.
This is, as the title says, a love story. I've never read a more tragic pair or felt so close to their experience. I love them.
A favorite quote from Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu:
"Your first kill?" she prompted.
He faced her then, and the look on his face was the expression of two faces in constant battle with each other. One of snarling hate, a primitive fierceness that made Montessa want to close her eyes, to turn her throat away from his canines. The other, that was the real Lu. A sad, miserable, trapped boy inside a man's body. Someone who cried while he sliced seams in suits of flesh. Somebody who nervously ran bloodied hands through his dark hair, spiking it even more than usual.
"Lu. And Lu. Lulu," she said, and was surprised when he laughed. It was a bitter sound, the sound of comfrey petals and bryony boots, things mixed together that shouldn't be, and Montessa's stomach lurched again.
This is, as the title says, a love story. I've never read a more tragic pair or felt so close to their experience. I love them.
July 3, 2016
Wow. Simply wow. I was so floored by this small book that I've read it over the course of a single day. APOCALYPTIC MONTESSA AND NUCLEAR LULU was like an Oliver Stone script directed by Wong-Kar Wai. A love story between two lonely, broken souls hanging to existence by any means necessary. I don't want to say too much not to ruin the experience, but I'm a stickler for love stories that feel real and while APOCALYPTIC MONTESSA AND NUCLEAR LULU is so intense it sometimes flirts with melodrama, it gets the job done quite well.
All I'm gonna say is: don't take the title for cash. It's not a post-apocalyptic story. LuLu is the nuclear bomb and Montessa is the apocalypse if you know what I mean. APOCALYPTIC MONTESSA AND NUCLEAR LULU is short, great and I will review it in greater details on Dead End Follies for Ladies Month. In the meantime, pick it up and enjoy this jagged love story in all its glorious rawness. I hope it floors you as much as it floored me!
All I'm gonna say is: don't take the title for cash. It's not a post-apocalyptic story. LuLu is the nuclear bomb and Montessa is the apocalypse if you know what I mean. APOCALYPTIC MONTESSA AND NUCLEAR LULU is short, great and I will review it in greater details on Dead End Follies for Ladies Month. In the meantime, pick it up and enjoy this jagged love story in all its glorious rawness. I hope it floors you as much as it floored me!
September 23, 2018
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is a tale about two crazy kids in love that reminds me of Natural Born Killers. It’s not exactly a conventional relationship since Lulu kidnaps Montessa with the intention of killing her. But all relationships must start somewhere. The story mostly takes place in a truck, which Lulu drives as part of his job. Montessa is a stripper involved in an abusive relationship with the worlds biggest a***ole, so in comparison to that creep, a serial killer truck driver isn’t so bad.
What most impressed me about this story was the quality of the writing. It’s hard to describe, but the writing had an almost lyrical quality to it. The flow of the sentences, the language being used, the way it’s all put together, is done in such a way that evokes the right atmosphere for this story. The author hit all of the right notes in putting this story together. As a fellow writer, I can appreciate the skill level seen in the writing, and found it to be an enjoyable read.
You might have a hard time getting over the fact that a woman would be willing to have a romantic relationship with a person who kidnapped her and wants to kill her. I know that I did. So, there needs to be a certain level of suspension of disbelief that has to be applied in order to get into the story. But if you can get past that, there is a lot to like inside of the pages. I would suggest giving it a read. You won’t regret it.
Carl Alves - author of Battle of the Soul
What most impressed me about this story was the quality of the writing. It’s hard to describe, but the writing had an almost lyrical quality to it. The flow of the sentences, the language being used, the way it’s all put together, is done in such a way that evokes the right atmosphere for this story. The author hit all of the right notes in putting this story together. As a fellow writer, I can appreciate the skill level seen in the writing, and found it to be an enjoyable read.
You might have a hard time getting over the fact that a woman would be willing to have a romantic relationship with a person who kidnapped her and wants to kill her. I know that I did. So, there needs to be a certain level of suspension of disbelief that has to be applied in order to get into the story. But if you can get past that, there is a lot to like inside of the pages. I would suggest giving it a read. You won’t regret it.
Carl Alves - author of Battle of the Soul
September 3, 2014
Aside from the longest title, ‘Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love’ is one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve read in a while. Yardley’s whimsical prose and vivid dark imagery made for an exciting story.
The story follows Montessa, a stripper trapped in an abusive relationship, who is kidnapped by a serial killer hoping to go out in a blaze of fire. What begins as beauty and the beast quickly transforms into the story of two dark soulmates discovering one another.
Great little read.
The story follows Montessa, a stripper trapped in an abusive relationship, who is kidnapped by a serial killer hoping to go out in a blaze of fire. What begins as beauty and the beast quickly transforms into the story of two dark soulmates discovering one another.
Great little read.
March 15, 2018
An intense, beautiful, captivating, and twisted read. This dark, gruesome, yet truly romantic love story captured me from the first page.
April 1, 2017
Life isn’t always cut-and-dry. Sometimes, the most terrible of circumstances can directly lead to the most wondrous acts of creation. A personal tragedy can spur an artist to craft their life’s seminal work. Addiction can result in the addict steering an otherwise ill-fated existence onto a path of hopefulness. Society can rally around a national catastrophe, bringing people together, opening up pathways to communication and goodwill. This is true even on a cosmic scale, when something as violent as the Big Bang leads to the creation of life, itself.
And sometimes, an abused woman and a serial killer can find love, because existence can be the darkest of jokes, whose punch-line is hidden beneath layer after layer of human frailty. It is a play in ten thousand disjointed acts without an ending. A contradiction that is at once both alluring and terrifying.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is all of this, and so much more.
Mercedes Yardley, as an author, is herself a contradiction. Her work is darkly whimsical, gorgeously macabre, optimistically cynical, and outwardly aloof, with a dash of cheerful angst thrown in for good measure. Her gift with prose is magical; she’s very nearly creating long-form poetry, channeling every bit of darkness you could imagine, stuffing it into a black hole, churning and squeezing and choking the emotions for all they’re worth, and spitting out something absolutely breathtaking on the other side.
I really cannot say enough about this book. Sure, you can likely find many antagonists as depraved as Lulu the serial killer. Yes, there have often been Fallen Woman heroines that are as lonely, pathetic, and cursed as Montessa. But you would be hard pressed to find another work of fiction that could demonstrate as much dreadful wonder in their mutual discovery of each other. One is evil, the other tortured; together, their story is somber, ugly, and yet eye-mistingly wonderful.
And yes, there is a message lurking within the beautiful prose, hidden in the glint of Lulu’s First Kill Knife. Buried beneath the layers of Montessa’s abuse. Lingering inside the suffocating miasma of ambiguity that governs both of their thoughts.
But what that message is, is up to you to decide.
That is the last contradiction Yardley has given you.
Damn, how I love this appallingly beautiful book.
I think I’ve found a new favorite.
And sometimes, an abused woman and a serial killer can find love, because existence can be the darkest of jokes, whose punch-line is hidden beneath layer after layer of human frailty. It is a play in ten thousand disjointed acts without an ending. A contradiction that is at once both alluring and terrifying.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is all of this, and so much more.
Mercedes Yardley, as an author, is herself a contradiction. Her work is darkly whimsical, gorgeously macabre, optimistically cynical, and outwardly aloof, with a dash of cheerful angst thrown in for good measure. Her gift with prose is magical; she’s very nearly creating long-form poetry, channeling every bit of darkness you could imagine, stuffing it into a black hole, churning and squeezing and choking the emotions for all they’re worth, and spitting out something absolutely breathtaking on the other side.
I really cannot say enough about this book. Sure, you can likely find many antagonists as depraved as Lulu the serial killer. Yes, there have often been Fallen Woman heroines that are as lonely, pathetic, and cursed as Montessa. But you would be hard pressed to find another work of fiction that could demonstrate as much dreadful wonder in their mutual discovery of each other. One is evil, the other tortured; together, their story is somber, ugly, and yet eye-mistingly wonderful.
And yes, there is a message lurking within the beautiful prose, hidden in the glint of Lulu’s First Kill Knife. Buried beneath the layers of Montessa’s abuse. Lingering inside the suffocating miasma of ambiguity that governs both of their thoughts.
But what that message is, is up to you to decide.
That is the last contradiction Yardley has given you.
Damn, how I love this appallingly beautiful book.
I think I’ve found a new favorite.
March 4, 2018
I won’t lie. I’ve read the book because of the title. It showed on the Goodreads Readers also enjoyed feed of Seth Skorkowsky Hounacier and once I saw it, I just had to try it just to see what kind of story is hidden behind such an amazing title.
It turns out it’s a love story.
But instead of chocolate and roses, our lovers share eviscerating others. It’s a short story of a blossoming romance between an Asian-American serial killer and a stripper he kidnapped. Nuclear Lulu and Apocalyptic Montessa do horrible things together but they also love in a very real and fierce way. Their romance is self-consuming and baptized in tears and blood. As melodramatic as it may sound, it’s very well written book that’s not afraid to go to very dark places.
Both characters are deeply damaged and went through childhood trauma. Montessa’s relationships were empty and hurtful. She admits that
Lu is a serial killer who loves to make people suffer. It’s his true calling. It’s something he does well. Their relationship evolves quickly and they end up meaning the world to one another. Despite their flaws and craziness Lu and Montessa are endearing.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu doesn't idealize love. Neither does it try to sell it to you. Love is presented as a violent thing rooted in imperfection. There’s a little world outside a pair. Other people appear but they’re barely sketched. The focus of the story lies elsewhere: in picturing impossible and yet relatable romance with words and sentences.
While Mercedes M. Yardley prose is economic, it’s poetic in places, melodramatic in others:
Not everyone will like this style. I loved it. It’s strong. It delivers feelings pretty well and, in places, sets a bit surreal ambiance.
Overall, it was something else. The book is very short and strong. It’s dark and twisted take on the topic of soulmates. Obviously, some moral questions may arise as we start to cheer for a pair of psychotic killers and it’s good to think them through.
It turns out it’s a love story.
But instead of chocolate and roses, our lovers share eviscerating others. It’s a short story of a blossoming romance between an Asian-American serial killer and a stripper he kidnapped. Nuclear Lulu and Apocalyptic Montessa do horrible things together but they also love in a very real and fierce way. Their romance is self-consuming and baptized in tears and blood. As melodramatic as it may sound, it’s very well written book that’s not afraid to go to very dark places.
Both characters are deeply damaged and went through childhood trauma. Montessa’s relationships were empty and hurtful. She admits that
it was easier to be with a man who wanted to murder her, and would appreciate it than be with a man who would only beat her to death.
Lu is a serial killer who loves to make people suffer. It’s his true calling. It’s something he does well. Their relationship evolves quickly and they end up meaning the world to one another. Despite their flaws and craziness Lu and Montessa are endearing.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu doesn't idealize love. Neither does it try to sell it to you. Love is presented as a violent thing rooted in imperfection. There’s a little world outside a pair. Other people appear but they’re barely sketched. The focus of the story lies elsewhere: in picturing impossible and yet relatable romance with words and sentences.
While Mercedes M. Yardley prose is economic, it’s poetic in places, melodramatic in others:
He held out his hand. She walked over and took it. Sparks flew. Magic happened. Nuclear reactors melted in joy. The world combusted.
Not everyone will like this style. I loved it. It’s strong. It delivers feelings pretty well and, in places, sets a bit surreal ambiance.
Overall, it was something else. The book is very short and strong. It’s dark and twisted take on the topic of soulmates. Obviously, some moral questions may arise as we start to cheer for a pair of psychotic killers and it’s good to think them through.
January 12, 2014
A dark and disturbing tale that stays with you even though you might wish it wouldn't. Montessa and Lu are profoundly damaged people who find their love for each other as the result of a crime. The author deftly captures the psychological makeup of victims. Especially with the character of Montessa, she explores the world view of the brutalized and how one surrender leads to another. The description of the thought process rings true. Apocalyptic Montessa and Steven King's Carrie share the similar theme of a woman pushed too far, but where we cheer Carrie on in her reign of terror, Montessa's isn't quite as simple and easy to justify. The author does an excellent job of raising questions about victims and abusers and telling a more nuanced story. Recommend.
May 10, 2014
No one writes quite like Mercedes Murdock Yardley. She breaks rules with the deliberate touch of a writer who learned the rules first, leaving you with the sense that she loving sculpted her clay pigeons before lining them up in front of her shotgun. The indelible fingerprint that she puts on her stories isn't merely found in their stark poetry and unique voice, it's also about how she seduces you into caring for reprehensible characters by making them complex and human and alluring. Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu is a perfect example. It is a delightfully f**ked up love story. I didn't feel good about myself for liking it, but I couldn't stop thinking about it after. If that makes Yardley's writing sound like an addictive vice, then label me a junkie for it.
February 22, 2019
One of the best twisted romances I've experienced since Natural Born Killers. Yardley wields her pen with a skillful hand, not wasting one word. Her keen insight into the human condition and our darkest emotions make for a wonderful tale. She urges the reader to care about a violent, deviant character normally shunned by society, addressing the age old debate of nature versus nature. She also addresses the delicate issues of domestic abuse and child abuse with artful grace. I loved this novella!
October 20, 2013
I loved this. The best novella I've read in a long time - think Natural Born Killers with supernatural undertones.
September 8, 2024
I read the book because she’s doing a signing at a Barnes & Noble in Las Vegas in October. It’s not a long read, but it’s a good read. Think love stories and serial killers with just a touch of paranormal.
July 8, 2016
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love is the strange story about love between two fundamentally broken creatures. While it possesses elements of both science fiction and horror, the novella is more poetry-made-prose than anything else.
This novella tells the tale of Montessa and Lu. Montessa is a deeply introspective and depressed young woman, craving love but only ever receiving physical and sexual abuse at the hands of family and love interests. Lu, also not new to childhood abuse, takes a more forceful and rebellious approach to his adulthood by becoming a serial killer. His latest victim, the heavily victimized Montessa.
Apocalyptic Montessa isn’t a brain twister. The plot and conclusion is very clear from the beginning. But what really makes this a great read is the style in which the story is told. The characters and story are compelling.
Yardley’s writing style fits the book in every way. While the author uses a decent amount of description where needed, the writing and dialogue is extremely concise. This makes Apocalyptic Montessa an extremely fast paced/action packed read. But it also allows the author to paint us a nearly poetic picture filled with strong metaphors, symbolism, and allegories. Stream of consciousness-style randomness thrown in also helps the narrative.
Lu’s rage – for example - is expressed both literally and figuratively. Imagery of nuclear fueled infernos is commonplace. But the author’s expert timing allows us to ponder the revelations of such mystical powers and whether or not they’re meant to be understood literally or as symbolic representations of something bigger.
What the reader gets is a gory, wild, supernatural, and well written love story. It’s so creative and psychologically mind bending that it easily wins best love story of its genre.
The fundamental flaw of the novella is that its conciseness – while aiding in maintaining reader interest – sacrifices meaningful ideas lurking beneath the surface. Apocalyptic Montessa is filled with missed opportunities. To be clear, I wanted it to be more than an awesome love story and it just wasn’t. While those “deeper” elements were alluded to, which was cool, but they were never fully developed. References to the Apocalypse, its horsemen, Montessa’s death stare, the supernatural aspects, are all great but aren’t used to their full potential.
Montessa, the character, is also a little too submissive and broken long you’d think she would be (I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers). Lu actually tells her what the reader is undoubtedly thinking, “Enough of this beaten animal act all the time.” And yet the character does undergo some great development eventually. There are plenty of funny and awkward moments which will endear you to the characters.
Overall, I think this is a really terrific read with a unique and powerful story, complete with great character depth and some really awesome imagery. I’d suggest it to any fans of horror, the supernatural, or those with a really twisted concept of love (like those that involve lots of bloodletting). 4/5
This novella tells the tale of Montessa and Lu. Montessa is a deeply introspective and depressed young woman, craving love but only ever receiving physical and sexual abuse at the hands of family and love interests. Lu, also not new to childhood abuse, takes a more forceful and rebellious approach to his adulthood by becoming a serial killer. His latest victim, the heavily victimized Montessa.
Apocalyptic Montessa isn’t a brain twister. The plot and conclusion is very clear from the beginning. But what really makes this a great read is the style in which the story is told. The characters and story are compelling.
"It was a first date after the intimacy of intended murder. He stood amid the crows and carcasses, offering her bloodied violets." - Some beautiful writing with powerful imagery
Yardley’s writing style fits the book in every way. While the author uses a decent amount of description where needed, the writing and dialogue is extremely concise. This makes Apocalyptic Montessa an extremely fast paced/action packed read. But it also allows the author to paint us a nearly poetic picture filled with strong metaphors, symbolism, and allegories. Stream of consciousness-style randomness thrown in also helps the narrative.
Lu’s rage – for example - is expressed both literally and figuratively. Imagery of nuclear fueled infernos is commonplace. But the author’s expert timing allows us to ponder the revelations of such mystical powers and whether or not they’re meant to be understood literally or as symbolic representations of something bigger.
What the reader gets is a gory, wild, supernatural, and well written love story. It’s so creative and psychologically mind bending that it easily wins best love story of its genre.
“Montessa was raging inside. If he was lucky enough, she’d go apocalyptic and incinerate them all, but she wasn’t at that point, not yet. Perhaps she never would be. But, oh, how he hoped so.” – Lou reflecting on Montessa
The fundamental flaw of the novella is that its conciseness – while aiding in maintaining reader interest – sacrifices meaningful ideas lurking beneath the surface. Apocalyptic Montessa is filled with missed opportunities. To be clear, I wanted it to be more than an awesome love story and it just wasn’t. While those “deeper” elements were alluded to, which was cool, but they were never fully developed. References to the Apocalypse, its horsemen, Montessa’s death stare, the supernatural aspects, are all great but aren’t used to their full potential.
Montessa, the character, is also a little too submissive and broken long you’d think she would be (I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers). Lu actually tells her what the reader is undoubtedly thinking, “Enough of this beaten animal act all the time.” And yet the character does undergo some great development eventually. There are plenty of funny and awkward moments which will endear you to the characters.
Overall, I think this is a really terrific read with a unique and powerful story, complete with great character depth and some really awesome imagery. I’d suggest it to any fans of horror, the supernatural, or those with a really twisted concept of love (like those that involve lots of bloodletting). 4/5
May 26, 2014
It's probably rude to start off by mentioning another author, but here I go. I recently discovered the writings of Laird Barron. At last,something new and different. I ran through his work like lightning and thought I would not find anything that good for a while. Along comes Mercedes M. Yardley and her seductively titled novella, "Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love." I began reading and I was stunned. First of all, her writing is to die for, her style and use of prose is like no other I have read. It is seductive and compelling, hypnotic even.
As the tale began, I thought, "great, my favorite mythic theme, beauty and the beast." I actually cheered at Montessa's acceptance of her apparent fate, death at the whim of a serial killer. She baffles her abductor through her absence of abject terror and her refusal to beg for her life. Lulu, or Lu, as he is known at this point in the story, simply doesn't know what to make of this. So, Montessa = Beauty; Lu = Beast. Simple, right. I don't want to retell the whole story here. Through her extraordinary storytelling skills and her beautifully twisted psyche, Ms Yardley unwinds a story in which Lu,the Beast,brings out the Beast in Montessa and she brings our the Beauty in Lulu, as Montessa has now named him. That Yardley accomplishes this while telling the story of two serial killers is a literary feat the likes of which I have never before seen.
This is brilliant prose, extraordinary storytelling. Hate, revenge, fear, sorrow, regret, tragedy and triumph are all woven skillfully into this glorious novella. I admit, it is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who fear the darkness in their own souls. It is for anyone who loves superb writing with a taste for the unusual. Think H. Ellison, Robert Bloch, et al. Think about reading something the likes of which you have never read before. I can't wait to get caught up with her other short stories. Her first novel is coming. It can't get here soon enough.
Highest recommendation: don't miss this one!
As the tale began, I thought, "great, my favorite mythic theme, beauty and the beast." I actually cheered at Montessa's acceptance of her apparent fate, death at the whim of a serial killer. She baffles her abductor through her absence of abject terror and her refusal to beg for her life. Lulu, or Lu, as he is known at this point in the story, simply doesn't know what to make of this. So, Montessa = Beauty; Lu = Beast. Simple, right. I don't want to retell the whole story here. Through her extraordinary storytelling skills and her beautifully twisted psyche, Ms Yardley unwinds a story in which Lu,the Beast,brings out the Beast in Montessa and she brings our the Beauty in Lulu, as Montessa has now named him. That Yardley accomplishes this while telling the story of two serial killers is a literary feat the likes of which I have never before seen.
This is brilliant prose, extraordinary storytelling. Hate, revenge, fear, sorrow, regret, tragedy and triumph are all woven skillfully into this glorious novella. I admit, it is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who fear the darkness in their own souls. It is for anyone who loves superb writing with a taste for the unusual. Think H. Ellison, Robert Bloch, et al. Think about reading something the likes of which you have never read before. I can't wait to get caught up with her other short stories. Her first novel is coming. It can't get here soon enough.
Highest recommendation: don't miss this one!
August 19, 2014
Lulu and Montessa beat the odds and overcome their differences to find the true depth of love. What are those differences you may ask? Welp, he being cut from the leather apron of serial killer, and she woven from the silk of kidnapped victim & their love is born on the cinder of impending murder.
When his first-kill knife becomes her first-kill knife, the path that these element-crossed lovers are destined to take ignites with a ferocity all it's own.
I've become a huge fan of Mercedes M. Yardley and she has quickly been added to the short list of "must-read" authors. Her ability to paint a strikingly gorgeous and painful picture through word is nothing short of awe inspiring.
From the first page, this tale is sheathed in a slick duality. It is told under the guise of beauty, only when you take a moment to think about what you've just read is when you're blindsided by just how heavy it is. Like the pairing of opposite colors on the spectrum, It's mentally exciting.
Her style reminds me of a Ramsey Campbell or Clive Barker yarn, maybe not as much in style but in the deceptive way that the delivery takes form as character in it's own. A master puppeteer, deceptively showing you what it wants to show you, holding back on what you are not ready for and eschewing that which does not matter.
But rest assured that a Yardley tale will teach you a thing or two about what makes you feel, and how you feel it.
4.5/5 Check it out.
The Mouths of Madness Podcastshow
my link text
February 2, 2014
"Natural Born Killers," meets "Romeo and Juliet." In Yardley's novella, the two characters do despicable things and should be disliked, but they are made into sympathetic romantics. The story surprised me: while I expected to be steered towards trying to like the characters, I didn't expect to not dislike them at the same time. Make sense? Read it again. Montessa is damaged beyond repair, too damaged to really understand and control herself sometimes. However, her time with Lu gives her hope and respite, and provides the beginning of understanding. Lu, on the other hand, knows he's damaged, and has embraced that state. He's controlled, and in control, until he meets Montessa. Montessa and Lu are the Bonnie & Clyde of horror fiction. Star-crossed / ill-fated, yet somehow finding a red thread of hope and understanding within each other. Yardley's writing is crisp and clear, and it's the many juxtapositions of the story that make it shine. I loved the descriptions, seemingly discordant, but so perfect and apt in that disharmony: "...it tasted like roses and barbed wire and butterflies."
August 15, 2014
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu, by Mercedes Murdock Yardley.
Confession: I had never heard of this book, and (originally) ordered it so that I could see the quality of books Ragnarok Press is putting out.
It's on the short side. I love doorstoppers; I read very quickly, and I love to be completely enveloped in a new world for hours on end. I looked at the cover, read the blurbs, turned it around in my hands, and thought, huh. It's kinda short.
And then I opened this little handheld incendiary device and read the first few words, and I thought, huh, she can write.
And that was the last thing I really thought for the next couple of hours. My kids wanted my attention, my dogs wanted fed, and I sat in my reading chair engulfed in dark flames, snarling whenever anyone approached. I never wanted it to end. I wanted a happy ending, though I knew full well a happy ending was nowhere to be found in this slim, powerful volume.
What are you still doing, reading this review? Go buy this book. Because it's so good it burns.
http://www.ragnarokpub.com/#!apocmon-...
Confession: I had never heard of this book, and (originally) ordered it so that I could see the quality of books Ragnarok Press is putting out.
It's on the short side. I love doorstoppers; I read very quickly, and I love to be completely enveloped in a new world for hours on end. I looked at the cover, read the blurbs, turned it around in my hands, and thought, huh. It's kinda short.
And then I opened this little handheld incendiary device and read the first few words, and I thought, huh, she can write.
And that was the last thing I really thought for the next couple of hours. My kids wanted my attention, my dogs wanted fed, and I sat in my reading chair engulfed in dark flames, snarling whenever anyone approached. I never wanted it to end. I wanted a happy ending, though I knew full well a happy ending was nowhere to be found in this slim, powerful volume.
What are you still doing, reading this review? Go buy this book. Because it's so good it burns.
http://www.ragnarokpub.com/#!apocmon-...
February 16, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this novella. I did not receive any form of compensation for my review.
When I received a challenge from a reading group to read a book by a woman author for Women In Horror Month I thought 'Let's kill two birds with one stone' and pulled this one out of my review queue. I'm so glad I did because this novella blew me away! Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love is a love letter between a serial killer and his victim/trainee. The love story between Montessa and Lu is heart-felt and touching, while their killing spree is gory and twisted. I found myself caring for them and rooting for them to get away instead of relishing their bloody end the way I would with most serial killer books. Not an easy thing to accomplish! By the time I finished the last page of this brilliant story I had added all of Mercedes M. Yardley's books to my wish list and become a die-hard fan. I can't recommend this one highly enough!! A fast paced and phenomenally written 5 star read.
When I received a challenge from a reading group to read a book by a woman author for Women In Horror Month I thought 'Let's kill two birds with one stone' and pulled this one out of my review queue. I'm so glad I did because this novella blew me away! Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love is a love letter between a serial killer and his victim/trainee. The love story between Montessa and Lu is heart-felt and touching, while their killing spree is gory and twisted. I found myself caring for them and rooting for them to get away instead of relishing their bloody end the way I would with most serial killer books. Not an easy thing to accomplish! By the time I finished the last page of this brilliant story I had added all of Mercedes M. Yardley's books to my wish list and become a die-hard fan. I can't recommend this one highly enough!! A fast paced and phenomenally written 5 star read.
November 3, 2019
I often wonder, when I see news stories about hackers destroying or holding hostage a computer system, why hackers don't use their intelligence for good instead of using it to harm people and things. After reading Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu, I now realize that maybe people who use their talents to destroy were damaged as children.
Montessa has the power to read minds and to stir up weather. Lulu is like a human power plant. He could create enough heat to generate electricity for a whole state. Yet, both of them go on a killing spree. Montessa feels a little bad about it because some people they kill are innocent, but Lulu thinks nobody is innocent--everybody has done something bad.
Even though both characters were damaged as kids, it's hard to feel sorry for them. A lot of people are damaged and don't go around killing people. The saving grace is that the story is so well-written. The reader knows Monty and Lu are doomed, but sticks to the end to see how the doom comes about. Readers wouldn't stick around if the novel wasn't compelling.
Montessa has the power to read minds and to stir up weather. Lulu is like a human power plant. He could create enough heat to generate electricity for a whole state. Yet, both of them go on a killing spree. Montessa feels a little bad about it because some people they kill are innocent, but Lulu thinks nobody is innocent--everybody has done something bad.
Even though both characters were damaged as kids, it's hard to feel sorry for them. A lot of people are damaged and don't go around killing people. The saving grace is that the story is so well-written. The reader knows Monty and Lu are doomed, but sticks to the end to see how the doom comes about. Readers wouldn't stick around if the novel wasn't compelling.
March 3, 2014
Wow, what a book. I usually don't read love stories, but this one was totally worth it. It's one of those stories that once you reach the end, you just sit there, pause, and just... feel.
The author doesn't shy away from ugliness, she doesn't sugarcoat. It was dark and twisted and bloody. There were so many "wrongs" in the characters, the story, everything. It was absolutely stunning and beautiful in all its twistedness.
I found myself sympathizing with both Montessa and Luand maybe understood both of them a little too well. Maybe I should be worried about my own twisted mind?
Those who like to think of their world as happy, or even black-and-white, probably won't enjoy this as much. It might not make your day, but it'll grow inside you, shake you and leave its taste in yor mouth for a while.
So yea, now that I'm done with the book and the review, I'm just going to go sit in a corner and just think about it.
The author doesn't shy away from ugliness, she doesn't sugarcoat. It was dark and twisted and bloody. There were so many "wrongs" in the characters, the story, everything. It was absolutely stunning and beautiful in all its twistedness.
I found myself sympathizing with both Montessa and Lu
Those who like to think of their world as happy, or even black-and-white, probably won't enjoy this as much. It might not make your day, but it'll grow inside you, shake you and leave its taste in yor mouth for a while.
So yea, now that I'm done with the book and the review, I'm just going to go sit in a corner and just think about it.
March 5, 2015
Brainycat's 5 "B"s
:
blood: 5
boobs: 2
bombs: 2
bondage: 5
blasphemy: 5
Stars : 3
Bechdel Test : FAIL
Deggan's Rule : PASS (in spirit if not the letter)
Gay Bechdel Test : FAIL
Full review at booklikes.
blood: 5
boobs: 2
bombs: 2
bondage: 5
blasphemy: 5
Stars : 3
Bechdel Test : FAIL
Deggan's Rule : PASS (in spirit if not the letter)
Gay Bechdel Test : FAIL
Full review at booklikes.
January 24, 2014
All of the dark swirling emotions from her short story collection, Beautiful Sorrows, are honed down to razor sharp precision and unwavering focus in this book. From the very first page you're drawn into their world, one that is incredibly dark yet blindingly beautiful. People wish they had one-tenth of the passion that Montessa and Lulu shared in their own lives.
This is a tale about broken people from broken lives doing broken things. A love so all-consuming that the world would not allow it. You need to read it. I could not put it down.
This is a tale about broken people from broken lives doing broken things. A love so all-consuming that the world would not allow it. You need to read it. I could not put it down.
April 5, 2016
Mercedes Yardley is a lot like Joe Lansdale in the sense that she's her own genre. Her voice is so distinct, it transcends simple labels. Her prose is poetic and lyrical, yet never feels flashy or overdone. This novella is the perfect example of that talent. When you can make your readers feel emotional toward a serial killer, never shoving any blatant moral messages in their faces (except for, possibly, love conquering all), you're doing all kinds of things right. Call it horror, call it dark fantasy--call it whatever you want. I just call it another awesome Yardley book. More please.
February 6, 2014
Wow! This is a love story like no other I've ever read. And between two killers! I'm a fan of this author's writing style and storytelling, and this novella is a bit on the darker and gruesome side of her other works I've read, but that's not a bad thing. I loved it! Prepare yourselves for one helluva ride.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews