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Shadow Animals
Saul, who has lived his entire life on the edge of the Copperton Forest—known for its strange and unusual wildlife—knows little about what stalks him. He knows only that it is dark, and powerful, and unnamable—and that it has stolen his nine-year-old son, Ezzy, from him.
Now he must travel into those ethereal woods, further upriver than he’s ever gone, into a wondrous, yet surreal and nightmarish world unlike anything he’s ever known, to recover his son from the shadows, if he can survive the journey…
“Shadow Animals is a nightmare journey into the realm of the fantastique. Deininger’s surreal narrative is a live wire of suspense that crackles with tension. Who’d have thought the gates of hell were hidden in the New Mexican wilderness?”
~ Michael McBride, author of Burial Ground and Fearful Symmetry
Now he must travel into those ethereal woods, further upriver than he’s ever gone, into a wondrous, yet surreal and nightmarish world unlike anything he’s ever known, to recover his son from the shadows, if he can survive the journey…
“Shadow Animals is a nightmare journey into the realm of the fantastique. Deininger’s surreal narrative is a live wire of suspense that crackles with tension. Who’d have thought the gates of hell were hidden in the New Mexican wilderness?”
~ Michael McBride, author of Burial Ground and Fearful Symmetry
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2014
4 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Keith Deininger
24 books112 followersKeith Deininger is an award-winning dark fiction author. His titles include WITHIN, MARROW'S PIT and A GAME FOR GODS. He is best known for blending elements of fantasy with horror in his surreal, literary style. He grew up in the American Southwest and currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and daughter.
www.KeithDeininger.com
www.KeithDeininger.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 23, 2014
Shadow Animals is a novella of dark fantasy. It's quite different from anything I've read from this author before.
Imaginatively written world building sets us deep into the woods of New Mexico in the Copperton forest. An area not fully mapped to this very day. There, our protagonist, Saul, is searching for his lost son Ephraim. During his journey, Saul encounters beings never before heard or thought of, a town unreachable by any normal means, and help from an unexpected source. That's all I will say about the plot.
I enjoyed the character of Saul and I liked Koryn as well. They were believable and the author had me caring for them both quite a bit. I loved the imagination shown in creating Ji/Ja, but I would have liked to have known a little bit more about how they(it?) came to be and the town/environment in which they lived. Perhaps this is something I can look forward to learning more about in the future? I hope so!
The only other issue I had was that the novella ended rather abruptly at 82%, which left me wanting.
Overall, I thought this was a creative piece of work that I enjoyed and would recommend to fans of dark fantasy and horror. I am hoping that there will be more stories set in this world in the future, because this novella could be the bare bones of something truly wondrous.
*I was provided a free e-book of Shadow Animals by Horror After Dark in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
Find this review and others like it at Horrorafterdark.com.
Imaginatively written world building sets us deep into the woods of New Mexico in the Copperton forest. An area not fully mapped to this very day. There, our protagonist, Saul, is searching for his lost son Ephraim. During his journey, Saul encounters beings never before heard or thought of, a town unreachable by any normal means, and help from an unexpected source. That's all I will say about the plot.
I enjoyed the character of Saul and I liked Koryn as well. They were believable and the author had me caring for them both quite a bit. I loved the imagination shown in creating Ji/Ja, but I would have liked to have known a little bit more about how they(it?) came to be and the town/environment in which they lived. Perhaps this is something I can look forward to learning more about in the future? I hope so!
The only other issue I had was that the novella ended rather abruptly at 82%, which left me wanting.
Overall, I thought this was a creative piece of work that I enjoyed and would recommend to fans of dark fantasy and horror. I am hoping that there will be more stories set in this world in the future, because this novella could be the bare bones of something truly wondrous.
*I was provided a free e-book of Shadow Animals by Horror After Dark in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
Find this review and others like it at Horrorafterdark.com.
June 24, 2014
When I read my first novella by Keith Deininger, FEVERED HILLS, the story became so embedded in my mind that I thought about it for weeks afterwards. His latest novella, SHADOW ANIMALS, has those same elements that make a story stand out among so many others, and actually STAY in your mind to haunt you long after you've finished reading it.
SHADOW ANIMALS is the story of Saul, a father who must traverse a woodlands filled with unidentified dangers, in order to retrieve his nine-year-old son, Ezzy, who was stolen from him. Deininger is a master at blending elements of horror, science-fiction, and fantasy into an absolutely riveting tale of danger, and revelations. His characters resonated with me at once--especially the father, Saul, with his all-consuming desire to save his son at all costs. The story is rounded out with other unique and memorable characters that could only come from the depths of a truly great imagination.
Each book that I've picked up by Keith Deininger has been nothing short of spectacular! This author has the ability and talent to completely take you away into the worlds that he creates. For myself, the best thing about this is that his stories remain memorable, and beg you to come back to revisit them time, and time again.
Highly recommended!
SHADOW ANIMALS is the story of Saul, a father who must traverse a woodlands filled with unidentified dangers, in order to retrieve his nine-year-old son, Ezzy, who was stolen from him. Deininger is a master at blending elements of horror, science-fiction, and fantasy into an absolutely riveting tale of danger, and revelations. His characters resonated with me at once--especially the father, Saul, with his all-consuming desire to save his son at all costs. The story is rounded out with other unique and memorable characters that could only come from the depths of a truly great imagination.
Each book that I've picked up by Keith Deininger has been nothing short of spectacular! This author has the ability and talent to completely take you away into the worlds that he creates. For myself, the best thing about this is that his stories remain memorable, and beg you to come back to revisit them time, and time again.
Highly recommended!
December 10, 2014
I won a copy of this novella from Horror After Dark!
Glad I did. I might not have taken notice of Keith Deininger, had this not been the case. The author blew me away with this imaginatively written piece about a secret forest no one has ever mapped. As I read about Saul's quest to find Ezzy, his son, who had wandered off in the forest and never returned, I was put in mind of Clive Barker right away. This is horror, science fiction and fantasy all rolled up into one. The characters were believable and the settings were skillfully written. I never knew what was coming next.
I will definitely read more from this author. His talent is evident here.
Glad I did. I might not have taken notice of Keith Deininger, had this not been the case. The author blew me away with this imaginatively written piece about a secret forest no one has ever mapped. As I read about Saul's quest to find Ezzy, his son, who had wandered off in the forest and never returned, I was put in mind of Clive Barker right away. This is horror, science fiction and fantasy all rolled up into one. The characters were believable and the settings were skillfully written. I never knew what was coming next.
I will definitely read more from this author. His talent is evident here.
July 21, 2014
When I began reading Keith Deininger’s new book, Shadow Animals, I thought, “Wow, this reads a lot like Neil Gaiman. By the time I was finished the story I wondered if perhaps Neil took a trip into the ninth circle of hell and met Clive Barker there where, together, they spawned off the demon baby that is Shadow Animals.
Shadow Animals is hard to describe or review. One reason for this is that it’s so short I don’t want to go into the plot too much in fear of ruining what happens to potential readers. So, let’s go with the basics. The story’s protagonist, Saul, is looking for his missing son, Ezzy, who went missing in “the forest”. I put quotations around the forest because this forest is known as the place where people enter and never come back.
Saul’s goal is to find his son and fix his family. His intentions are good. But as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Shadow Animals is a dark fantasy set in a world that is both beautiful and violently horrifying. I compared Keith’s work to two other brilliant authors, and I know that I am not far off the mark on saying so. And yet Keith keeps his own voice and vision intact throughout the entire story. This is Keith Deininger’s work, and you, dear readers, are in for a treat.
Shadow Animals is hard to describe or review. One reason for this is that it’s so short I don’t want to go into the plot too much in fear of ruining what happens to potential readers. So, let’s go with the basics. The story’s protagonist, Saul, is looking for his missing son, Ezzy, who went missing in “the forest”. I put quotations around the forest because this forest is known as the place where people enter and never come back.
Saul’s goal is to find his son and fix his family. His intentions are good. But as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Shadow Animals is a dark fantasy set in a world that is both beautiful and violently horrifying. I compared Keith’s work to two other brilliant authors, and I know that I am not far off the mark on saying so. And yet Keith keeps his own voice and vision intact throughout the entire story. This is Keith Deininger’s work, and you, dear readers, are in for a treat.
October 10, 2022
I'd gone for an eerie story in the Woods and ended up in a nightmarish Alice in Wonderland.
I still haven't figured out all the stuff I just read. I guess I'll have to sleep on it... 🤔
Clearly this book'll leave you with a great unease that earns to be experimented once...
I still haven't figured out all the stuff I just read. I guess I'll have to sleep on it... 🤔
Clearly this book'll leave you with a great unease that earns to be experimented once...
December 1, 2015
Another short story set in the Meridian/Marrow world of Keith Deininger.
Good stuff!
Good stuff!
January 1, 2015
3.5
A pretty good dark fantasy told through the third person narrative and the first person journal-like entries from the main character, who is searching for his son.
Someone or something has taken Saul's son Ezzy and he braves the Copperton Forest and whatever is waiting there to get him back. He is also running from something that is never fully described nor explained (not necessarily a bad thing). Along the way he gets help from colourful characters and he has to fight weird creatures. The world he finds beyond a certain point in the forest is wonderfully creepy and weird.
A pretty good dark fantasy told through the third person narrative and the first person journal-like entries from the main character, who is searching for his son.
Someone or something has taken Saul's son Ezzy and he braves the Copperton Forest and whatever is waiting there to get him back. He is also running from something that is never fully described nor explained (not necessarily a bad thing). Along the way he gets help from colourful characters and he has to fight weird creatures. The world he finds beyond a certain point in the forest is wonderfully creepy and weird.
September 30, 2014
The best thing about this story was how quickly it reads, or rather how short it is. The style being very juvenile wasn’t helped by paper thin characters, other than the unexplained unnecessary gore ( and I enjoy that stuff) this had no soul. Everything here felt compressed for space yet it had no heft. This felt like a short story that could have been told in twenty four pages, not in a novella form for some possible tightness, but it fell flat for me personally. Saul, the main guy on the search for his lost son (why they didn’t move from the weird woods after all that time is beyond me) is not the brightest bulb, and the way he meets and makes and loses friends, painful and not well developed. I managed to get to the end, so success in that.
I’m not putting this author of my shelf yet because I’ve read a few disheartened reviews about books that I loved which proclaimed never to bother with so- and- so again and I felt a little sorry for them so I’m going to check out one of Keith’s other stories, he has a few interesting things out, this was not my cup of tea. I recommend something in this vein that's actually wonderful; The Ritual by Adam Nevill for a true freaky perfection of lost in the woods with something wicked breathing down your neck.
- Kasia S.
I’m not putting this author of my shelf yet because I’ve read a few disheartened reviews about books that I loved which proclaimed never to bother with so- and- so again and I felt a little sorry for them so I’m going to check out one of Keith’s other stories, he has a few interesting things out, this was not my cup of tea. I recommend something in this vein that's actually wonderful; The Ritual by Adam Nevill for a true freaky perfection of lost in the woods with something wicked breathing down your neck.
- Kasia S.
July 28, 2014
Ezzy is lost. Saul will do anything to find him and bring him back home, but he will have to get some help crossing over into the forest and…beyond. Along the way he will meet some interesting friends and even more colorful foes, all the while, by being stalked by a dark entity – the same entity that has stolen his Ezzy.
A well written dark fantasy from Keith Deininger. I would be lying if I said that it did not irk me a little bit that the last 20% was an excerpt from an upcoming work, but that was probably because I was not entirely ready for the story to be over. Looking forward to more from Mr. Deininger.
A well written dark fantasy from Keith Deininger. I would be lying if I said that it did not irk me a little bit that the last 20% was an excerpt from an upcoming work, but that was probably because I was not entirely ready for the story to be over. Looking forward to more from Mr. Deininger.
July 4, 2016
This is a short novella showcasing an incredible imagination with some beautifully written scenes, that nevertheless undoes some of its good work by being a little too obscure and leaving too much for the reader to interpret toward the conclusion.
Regardless, Deininger has won himself a new fan, not least of all because of the intriguing Author's Note included at the end of Shadow Animals which tells of a mysterious origin to this work that has involved translating the long lost writings of someone named Marrow. Apparently, Deininger plans to translate more and these will form a group of writings called the Meridian Codex. I have no idea if this is completely made up and a different way of marketing himself, or if if it is actually real? Short of reading back entries of his blog, I think I'll just track down Marrow's Pit, which constitutes another Meridian Codex story, and see how that one compares to this.
3 Stomach-Set Mouths for Shadow Animals.
Regardless, Deininger has won himself a new fan, not least of all because of the intriguing Author's Note included at the end of Shadow Animals which tells of a mysterious origin to this work that has involved translating the long lost writings of someone named Marrow. Apparently, Deininger plans to translate more and these will form a group of writings called the Meridian Codex. I have no idea if this is completely made up and a different way of marketing himself, or if if it is actually real? Short of reading back entries of his blog, I think I'll just track down Marrow's Pit, which constitutes another Meridian Codex story, and see how that one compares to this.
3 Stomach-Set Mouths for Shadow Animals.
July 18, 2014
Shadow Animals by Keith Deininger introduces a new genre: New Mexico Gothic.
Saul’s nine-year old son, Ezzy, goes missing in the Copperton Forest near where the family lives. Saul fears that “missing” isn’t accurate, however. Rather, Saul suspects that the boy has been abducted by something strange and unworldly. Therefore, Saul must leave his despondent wife and trek on foot through the New Mexico wilderness to pursue the captors before Ezzy is lost forever in a world of shadows that does not exist on any map of the 47th state.
If you have read this author before, you know that he masterfully creates worlds that no one has seen. This journey beyond the great green mountain invokes strange wildlife, bizarre creatures, broken down prophets, villages coated in red from slaughtered residents, and something in the shadows that pursues Saul. This quest is a nightmare beyond imagining, and one feels the urgency and despair of Saul as he attempts to find his son before it is too late. Saul’s entire character (his thoughts, emotions, and actions) and in fact all of the other characters are perfectly portrayed – multidimensional and sympathetic.
The author’s descriptions are at times dazzling and at other times terrifying. There is a passage into a town called Sage that is so vivid that the sense of threat can be physically grasped. In fact, much of Mr. Deininger’s writing was almost cinematic. That is, I was “seeing” the events unfold instead of reading them. The writing was that good.
I have read four of the author’s works, and continue to be impressed. This may be my favorite, but to be honest, I think I also said that after reading his others. So, maybe it is a tossup. Nonetheless, this novella is gripping and very entertaining. The nightmarish theme is intense and the outcomes are unpredictable. Take a look. Highly recommended.
Saul’s nine-year old son, Ezzy, goes missing in the Copperton Forest near where the family lives. Saul fears that “missing” isn’t accurate, however. Rather, Saul suspects that the boy has been abducted by something strange and unworldly. Therefore, Saul must leave his despondent wife and trek on foot through the New Mexico wilderness to pursue the captors before Ezzy is lost forever in a world of shadows that does not exist on any map of the 47th state.
If you have read this author before, you know that he masterfully creates worlds that no one has seen. This journey beyond the great green mountain invokes strange wildlife, bizarre creatures, broken down prophets, villages coated in red from slaughtered residents, and something in the shadows that pursues Saul. This quest is a nightmare beyond imagining, and one feels the urgency and despair of Saul as he attempts to find his son before it is too late. Saul’s entire character (his thoughts, emotions, and actions) and in fact all of the other characters are perfectly portrayed – multidimensional and sympathetic.
The author’s descriptions are at times dazzling and at other times terrifying. There is a passage into a town called Sage that is so vivid that the sense of threat can be physically grasped. In fact, much of Mr. Deininger’s writing was almost cinematic. That is, I was “seeing” the events unfold instead of reading them. The writing was that good.
I have read four of the author’s works, and continue to be impressed. This may be my favorite, but to be honest, I think I also said that after reading his others. So, maybe it is a tossup. Nonetheless, this novella is gripping and very entertaining. The nightmarish theme is intense and the outcomes are unpredictable. Take a look. Highly recommended.
January 16, 2016
Do you like Dark fantasy? Then you'll love SHADOW ANIMALS. This novella really reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman's Stardust or Neverwhere. SHADOW ANIMALS is a bit of a departure for Keith - whom I've read from his very first book - it's much more fantasy driven than his other books. And where I normally say in my reviews of his books that you need to 'think', not here. Just sit back and enjoy the read.
July 30, 2014
When Ezzy, Saul's 9 year old son, goes missing from the forest, it's up to Saul to try to find him before it's too late. He must navigate the terrain while trying to follow the abductors and stay ahead of something tracking HIM. While this may sound like a run of the mill story, Deininger takes it in a very different and very unique direction from what I expected. With a strange and fascinating set of unique characters (especially Ji and Ja!) and a very unique city hidden in the woods of New Mexico, Deininger is sure to impress with his talents.
I loved this story! I connected very well with several of the characters (especially Saul) and felt like I was there with him in the forest, seeing and experiencing everything he was as the story unfolded. I thought I knew where the story was going from the start but Deininger took it in a very different setting almost immediately with his creation of this world hidden away in New Mexico. And just when I thought I knew where he was taking the story, he fooled me again with an unexpected twist! This will be a story that stays with me for a long time and I'll think about it often. If you've never read anything by Deininger, I highly recommend giving this one (or any of them) a try. You really can't go wrong.
I loved this story! I connected very well with several of the characters (especially Saul) and felt like I was there with him in the forest, seeing and experiencing everything he was as the story unfolded. I thought I knew where the story was going from the start but Deininger took it in a very different setting almost immediately with his creation of this world hidden away in New Mexico. And just when I thought I knew where he was taking the story, he fooled me again with an unexpected twist! This will be a story that stays with me for a long time and I'll think about it often. If you've never read anything by Deininger, I highly recommend giving this one (or any of them) a try. You really can't go wrong.
December 19, 2014
Shadow Animals is a brilliant work of dark fiction. I have put off reviewing this piece not because it doesn’t deserve a great review but because I felt humbled by how affected I was by this book and needed to try and give it a review that may speak to the readers as much as this book spoke to me. As always, I will try to leave out spoilers.
The Copperton Forest of New Mexico is home to unusual wildlife, furious and savage. A yearly rain washes out from it mysterious items that our main character Saul and his son collect and save: animal bones, jars of eyes, weapons and musical instruments, each with a hidden story. The forest doesn’t only give up mysteries, it takes as well. Saul must enter it in order to find his son who has been stolen by the powers within the forest. As Saul journeys, we rush with him in a torrent of actions, memories, and dreams. We discover lost histories, and blood.
The characters and settings rush upon us like the rains, unpredictable, and they soak through our clothes into our being. We are driftwood being pulled through the river in this story, we aren’t allowed to linger too long; we are swept through the world getting glimpses before being spun to view something else.
The ease that Deininger uses in jumping between perspectives is truly marvelous. In the end, I felt as though I had collected the detritus left behind and was given the complete story behind a single piece. A full, and wondrous story that was satisfying, leaving me wanting to know more about the other pieces I discovered left behind.
I highly recommend this book and am also looking forward to anything else he may be willing to share with us from this world.
The Copperton Forest of New Mexico is home to unusual wildlife, furious and savage. A yearly rain washes out from it mysterious items that our main character Saul and his son collect and save: animal bones, jars of eyes, weapons and musical instruments, each with a hidden story. The forest doesn’t only give up mysteries, it takes as well. Saul must enter it in order to find his son who has been stolen by the powers within the forest. As Saul journeys, we rush with him in a torrent of actions, memories, and dreams. We discover lost histories, and blood.
The characters and settings rush upon us like the rains, unpredictable, and they soak through our clothes into our being. We are driftwood being pulled through the river in this story, we aren’t allowed to linger too long; we are swept through the world getting glimpses before being spun to view something else.
The ease that Deininger uses in jumping between perspectives is truly marvelous. In the end, I felt as though I had collected the detritus left behind and was given the complete story behind a single piece. A full, and wondrous story that was satisfying, leaving me wanting to know more about the other pieces I discovered left behind.
I highly recommend this book and am also looking forward to anything else he may be willing to share with us from this world.
June 25, 2014
This is the story of Saul. He lives on the edge of Copperton Forest with his wife and son. The forest is a strange place full of sinister secrets and strange animals. Now Saul's son Ezzy has failed to come home, and fearing the worst he must make the journey into the Forest and beyond to rescue him...
I enjoyed this, the story belted along, full of tension and drama. Saul's plight is one any parent dreads, and as a mother of two sons myself I identified with him totally. I have read and enjoyed most of Keith's work and this certainly did not disappoint. It is a quick read but Keith's writing and vivid descriptions keep you glued to the page. At times I had to wince, as they were so vivid! This is a belter of a novella with an unusual twist at the end.
I enjoyed this, the story belted along, full of tension and drama. Saul's plight is one any parent dreads, and as a mother of two sons myself I identified with him totally. I have read and enjoyed most of Keith's work and this certainly did not disappoint. It is a quick read but Keith's writing and vivid descriptions keep you glued to the page. At times I had to wince, as they were so vivid! This is a belter of a novella with an unusual twist at the end.
November 19, 2014
This was a really fun adventure. Part mystery, part dark fantasy, part horror, this novella was wonderfully engaging. This is the third book I've read by Mr. Deininger and I've been delighted with each one. Pick up one of his books and you'll know it's him. I love how he combines genres and always manages to give the reader the feeling he/she is on a ride, an adventure. I love the magical, dark world he created, fairytale-like, a crack in the wall that leads to wondrous things. A great book for those who want to escape, curl up on the couch or under a tree and get lost for awhile. Highly recommended! Would love to see a return to this world.
May 31, 2015
Spooky quick read.
A son goes missing. A father overcomes his fears and tries to find him and bring his son home. Enjoyed this book a lot. The chapters are not numbered, so it felt like I was watching a movie. A movie I couldn't stop watching. My first book by Keith and it won't be my last. Awesomeness.
A son goes missing. A father overcomes his fears and tries to find him and bring his son home. Enjoyed this book a lot. The chapters are not numbered, so it felt like I was watching a movie. A movie I couldn't stop watching. My first book by Keith and it won't be my last. Awesomeness.
May 4, 2017
I'm not completely sure what I just read but I absolutely loved this. It's been about 12 hours since I finished this dark fantasy novella and I'm still trying to put the pieces together.
August 14, 2014
Interesting
Interesting
quite an unusual read. his writing is similar to allen dean foster. foster light if you will. with a more juvenile writing style. I will probably read more as his writing progresses. he has potential. shorter stories are great for limited reading time. he is writing a full length as well. unusual yes, worth the read yes. four stars for originality and weirdness
Interesting
quite an unusual read. his writing is similar to allen dean foster. foster light if you will. with a more juvenile writing style. I will probably read more as his writing progresses. he has potential. shorter stories are great for limited reading time. he is writing a full length as well. unusual yes, worth the read yes. four stars for originality and weirdness
August 16, 2014
I knew it was a novella. I didn't expect to finish the last page with triple the confusion I'd had at the start. While this is an interesting universe, the bare-bones plot and odd menagerie of brief characters kept the book from reaching any ultimate end. The writer is a master of the grotesque, but has little idea how to knit bizarre ideas into something cohesive.
April 18, 2016
Saul has to go into the Copperton Forest in search of his son who has been taken from him by an unknown but frightening...Something...
In the forest, he meets strange people and frightening beings which are beautifully described by Deininger. The story is dark and odd and leaves you wanting more of this world
In the forest, he meets strange people and frightening beings which are beautifully described by Deininger. The story is dark and odd and leaves you wanting more of this world
January 21, 2018
Good world building and hallucinatory fantasy sequences, but the pacing is way off. I looked up and the story was over. Too short for me to get attached to anyone or anything.
August 24, 2015
Unique, interesting read!
March 23, 2019
To be honest I don't know what should I make about this novella here. It was a strange read for me. But yes I can say I enjoyed it not the way I was looking for but enough to entertain me...
It was an OK read. Based on a dark fantasy genre I would say it was good to read. The story begins with the main character Saul who happened lived in a forest and known for his unusual living. He lived with his wife and his only son Ezzy. It was all going well until oneday his son Ezzy suddenly missing and couldn't found anywhere. As expected his wife was devasted about this and Saul knew his son been disappeared in to that dark forest. Someone or something took him and he must go there to reclaim his son to save him from whenever evil took him (Ezzy). As the story unfolded Saul found himself to meet new people in the journey while he was in for his son. I felt really sorry about what that happened to the teenaged girl Koryn. In a way I really starting to like her you see. I wish the author wrote more about her so that I could know better about Koryn. You know at that time while I was reading it I felt a secret crush on her no hard feelings of course but yes it's that how the way I felt toward her. And there's that man who's name Galen who also like Koryn helped Saul to find his missing son. He was too a decent guy. As the story progressed Saul slowly forward to free his son and what he had to do was not even in his mind until he met the reality. Yes after he faced in there such horror he did finally managed to come back to home with his Son to his wife Helen. But what happened after then? I couldn't tell here of course...
As for my first read I giving it 4 out of 5 but definitely going to try more from this author...
December 21, 2022
My first foray into the dark realms of Keith’s Meridian Codex stories and this didn’t disappoint. It certainly won’t be the last!
We follow Saul as he races through the Copperton Forest trying to reach his son who has been taken by an evil presence.
The writing was a delicious mix of fantastic world building and grotesque landscapes. While characterisation was minimal, Keith deftly weaves in snippets of personal character history into the short story.
Definitely in the horror/dark fantasy genre, there are some gore elements, so it may not be suitable for people who don’t tolerate that sort of stuff.
One warning, the ending was quite abrupt and left lots of questions.
We follow Saul as he races through the Copperton Forest trying to reach his son who has been taken by an evil presence.
The writing was a delicious mix of fantastic world building and grotesque landscapes. While characterisation was minimal, Keith deftly weaves in snippets of personal character history into the short story.
Definitely in the horror/dark fantasy genre, there are some gore elements, so it may not be suitable for people who don’t tolerate that sort of stuff.
One warning, the ending was quite abrupt and left lots of questions.
September 8, 2020
This one surprised me in a good way, I wasn’t expecting much. There are a couple of really creepy characters that I wish were in the story more. This would make a great movie. Now I’m off to buy more by this author.
June 15, 2019
This book is about a small lost nine year old boy who has been missing for two days, and his Dad who goes out to find him. It turns into a fight for his and his Dad’s lives. He just went into the forest behind his house. But this is not a normal forest that’s on the edge of town. This forest is the Copperton Forest, an area with an odd little village in the middle of it. It seems like the forest and city are a totally frightening new world. It’s a fantasy and horror adventure. The creatures that live in the village and the forest are terrifying and whimsical. It’s action packed, there are great twists and turns. I also love the easter eggs throughout the story. Plus there is a very interesting creation story one of the characters tell. There are other people and another village they run across with their own history and backstory. It’s a great fast read, I enjoyed it. It also looks like further stories about this family, the river, the forest, may come down the line. I would love to see other books in this world.
August 19, 2015
This author paints a dark gritty macabre unforgettable story. And I love the cover. Unfortunately I had several problems with this storystory... To me the characters were very stiff and I didn't like switching back and forth from third to first in the narrative... Because of this I will probably not be reading any other works by Keith Deininger...
November 16, 2015
This was entertaining to read, but didn't leave much of an impression. There's a weird setting, and scary and unsettling things happen. It's enough to keep me interested to the end of the story, but it wasn't enough to make me want to know more -- it gave off the vibe of "these things are too weird to even try to explain them to you" to which I say "OK, I'll go read something else then".
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