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The Consumption Trilogy #1-3
Consumption: A Trilogy of Obsession
Here you will find the long-awaited conclusion to the harrowing tale of Marah and Bruce Amherst that first began with "Taste," continued with "Sweetness," and now concludes with the blood-soaked "Love Feast."
In "Taste", Marah's heart is heavy with the recent death of her husband, and she reveals to a close friend that Bruce never actually loved her. She soon details her obsession over this unrequited love and its development into a strange and disgusting compulsion to taste everything the object of her obsession touches. This fetish eventually consumes them both, making death the only likely escape from this love-driven madness.
In "Sweetness," we wind black the clock and get into the world of Bruce to discover what effect Marah's taste compulsion is having on him. It seems her actions have made one of his own senses go rogue: that of smell, and it plunges him into a world where pleasure and pain are dosed out in equally addictive measures. He soon learns this is no mere psychological tic. A malevolent presence is driving both of them inexorably over a cliff.
In "Love Feast," Marah finds herself in a remote Wyoming church on Christmas morning, seeking the aid of a priest. A blizzard is coming, however, and her desire to taste is stronger than ever.
Although you will find "Taste" and "Sweetness" in Dickson's other story collections, this is the only place you will find the conclusion. Download all three stories for the price of one, and enjoy each of them back-to-back for the ultimate spine-tingling, squirm-inducing experience that only the author of STRINGS can bring you!
In "Taste", Marah's heart is heavy with the recent death of her husband, and she reveals to a close friend that Bruce never actually loved her. She soon details her obsession over this unrequited love and its development into a strange and disgusting compulsion to taste everything the object of her obsession touches. This fetish eventually consumes them both, making death the only likely escape from this love-driven madness.
In "Sweetness," we wind black the clock and get into the world of Bruce to discover what effect Marah's taste compulsion is having on him. It seems her actions have made one of his own senses go rogue: that of smell, and it plunges him into a world where pleasure and pain are dosed out in equally addictive measures. He soon learns this is no mere psychological tic. A malevolent presence is driving both of them inexorably over a cliff.
In "Love Feast," Marah finds herself in a remote Wyoming church on Christmas morning, seeking the aid of a priest. A blizzard is coming, however, and her desire to taste is stronger than ever.
Although you will find "Taste" and "Sweetness" in Dickson's other story collections, this is the only place you will find the conclusion. Download all three stories for the price of one, and enjoy each of them back-to-back for the ultimate spine-tingling, squirm-inducing experience that only the author of STRINGS can bring you!
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2014
20 people want to read
About the author
Allison M. Dickson
54 books302 followersAllison M. Dickson is the author of several well-reviewed independently published novels and short stories covering everything from horror and sci-fi to suspense.
Her major debut thriller, THE OTHER MRS MILLER, is due out from Putnam on 7/16/19! Learn more at her work at allisonmdickson.com.
Her major debut thriller, THE OTHER MRS MILLER, is due out from Putnam on 7/16/19! Learn more at her work at allisonmdickson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 11, 2016
**** 4 LICKING STARS ****
WOW...this book....this author....JUST CRAZY...what Miss Dickson mind comes up with!
"You'll never forget what you did to make him love you."
This is a story of all out obsession. An obsession that Marah has for her friend Bruce. She has loved him from day one. She writes him a letter letting him know of her feelings. Only he doesn't feel the same way and this breaks her heart. Leaving her hurt open for something so dark, she has no idea what is about to take over her mind, body and soul.
What begins to consume Marah also begins to take over Bruce. Neither knows what is happening to them but they can't fight what is happening within each other. The darkness that has brought the two together leads to marriage.
Only there marriage isn't what anyone things it is. Their consuming darkness leads both on a path of self destruction. Both Marah and Bruce are dying inside. They have no control over what is happening to them or the feelings that they are having.
They both do know that the only way to survive this darkness from within will be their ultimate demise.
This is a trilogy combined into one short, fast paced read. We hear from both Marah and Bruce's point of views with an ending of EPIC TABOO PROPORTIONS!!
WOW...this book....this author....JUST CRAZY...what Miss Dickson mind comes up with!
"You'll never forget what you did to make him love you."
This is a story of all out obsession. An obsession that Marah has for her friend Bruce. She has loved him from day one. She writes him a letter letting him know of her feelings. Only he doesn't feel the same way and this breaks her heart. Leaving her hurt open for something so dark, she has no idea what is about to take over her mind, body and soul.
What begins to consume Marah also begins to take over Bruce. Neither knows what is happening to them but they can't fight what is happening within each other. The darkness that has brought the two together leads to marriage.
Only there marriage isn't what anyone things it is. Their consuming darkness leads both on a path of self destruction. Both Marah and Bruce are dying inside. They have no control over what is happening to them or the feelings that they are having.
They both do know that the only way to survive this darkness from within will be their ultimate demise.
This is a trilogy combined into one short, fast paced read. We hear from both Marah and Bruce's point of views with an ending of EPIC TABOO PROPORTIONS!!
July 11, 2014
Short Take: Five (Michelin) Stars
**Note: I was given an advance copy of this trilogy in exchange for an HONEST review, so here it is.***
Honestly, I don't like short stories. Honestly, I have generally felt that if an author can't give me a big, meaty, satisfying novel to gnaw on, then they probably just don't have much to offer. Honestly, I'm kicking my own a** right about now.
I read the first two parts of the Consumption trilogy while on an Allison Dickson binge. I had read Strings, and one of her upcoming novels, and was looking for more. I hoped that a light snack of a few shorts might be enough to keep the hunger at bay. Even though, as mentioned, short stories tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth.
The appetizer of the trilogy, "Taste" was intriguing, and reminded me a bit of a certain Stephen King story, but with more intensity. It was a decent-enough story on its own, but felt somehow undercooked. I wanted to know more, I wanted to know why and how Marah began doing... what Marah did (no spoilers here!). I enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite story in the collection. (If you're interested to know, it was "A Debacle of Donuts", which was delicious in a Twilight-Zone-y way.)
The main course, "Sweetness" is where the story really reaches its boiling point. I dug in with the assumption that since it was just a different perspective of the one I'd already read, it wouldn't be that interesting. However, hearing Bruce's side of the story added a deeper emotional dimension, as well as some of the explanation I'd been starving for.
And finally, dessert, which is the best part of any meal: "Love Feast", the last chapter. I was a teensy bit disappointed that the priest wasn't one that I had met and adored in another story, ("The Last Wedding in the Midnight Chapel" if you're curious). Once I was consumed by the ending, though, my displeasure cooled quickly. The finale was graphic and gory, and my inner horror glutton found it delectable.
The Consumption trilogy delivers a lovely sampler dish of storytelling. It starts with Marah, calmly explaining what exactly happened to her husband, spirals downward into the emotional devastation and confusion of Bruce's life, and ends in a buffet of violence and horror that will have you reading through fingers, because you just have to know how it ends. More than shifting perspectives, Ms. Dickson shifts voices through her use of language and tone, resulting in a complex mix of literary flavors.
In conclusion, if you want all the satisfaction of a heavy novel, but the lean protein of a tightly-written story, sink your teeth into the Consumption trilogy. Honestly, it's delicious.
**Note: I was given an advance copy of this trilogy in exchange for an HONEST review, so here it is.***
Honestly, I don't like short stories. Honestly, I have generally felt that if an author can't give me a big, meaty, satisfying novel to gnaw on, then they probably just don't have much to offer. Honestly, I'm kicking my own a** right about now.
I read the first two parts of the Consumption trilogy while on an Allison Dickson binge. I had read Strings, and one of her upcoming novels, and was looking for more. I hoped that a light snack of a few shorts might be enough to keep the hunger at bay. Even though, as mentioned, short stories tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth.
The appetizer of the trilogy, "Taste" was intriguing, and reminded me a bit of a certain Stephen King story, but with more intensity. It was a decent-enough story on its own, but felt somehow undercooked. I wanted to know more, I wanted to know why and how Marah began doing... what Marah did (no spoilers here!). I enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite story in the collection. (If you're interested to know, it was "A Debacle of Donuts", which was delicious in a Twilight-Zone-y way.)
The main course, "Sweetness" is where the story really reaches its boiling point. I dug in with the assumption that since it was just a different perspective of the one I'd already read, it wouldn't be that interesting. However, hearing Bruce's side of the story added a deeper emotional dimension, as well as some of the explanation I'd been starving for.
And finally, dessert, which is the best part of any meal: "Love Feast", the last chapter. I was a teensy bit disappointed that the priest wasn't one that I had met and adored in another story, ("The Last Wedding in the Midnight Chapel" if you're curious). Once I was consumed by the ending, though, my displeasure cooled quickly. The finale was graphic and gory, and my inner horror glutton found it delectable.
The Consumption trilogy delivers a lovely sampler dish of storytelling. It starts with Marah, calmly explaining what exactly happened to her husband, spirals downward into the emotional devastation and confusion of Bruce's life, and ends in a buffet of violence and horror that will have you reading through fingers, because you just have to know how it ends. More than shifting perspectives, Ms. Dickson shifts voices through her use of language and tone, resulting in a complex mix of literary flavors.
In conclusion, if you want all the satisfaction of a heavy novel, but the lean protein of a tightly-written story, sink your teeth into the Consumption trilogy. Honestly, it's delicious.
November 10, 2014
Had me licking (giggle) my chops!
When I was done reading Strings, I immediately searched for more from Allison M. Dickson and found this. The only reason this received 4 stars from me was because of the length. I literally lapped (giggle) it up in no time at all. It has been so refreshing to find an author with a twisted mind that can entertain me so well! Although my husband is not as pleased. Truly this is not my fault, he starts talking while I am reading not realizing that I may be physically present but my mind is off in one of Allison's creepy playgrounds. I am hoping for more full length books soon!
When I was done reading Strings, I immediately searched for more from Allison M. Dickson and found this. The only reason this received 4 stars from me was because of the length. I literally lapped (giggle) it up in no time at all. It has been so refreshing to find an author with a twisted mind that can entertain me so well! Although my husband is not as pleased. Truly this is not my fault, he starts talking while I am reading not realizing that I may be physically present but my mind is off in one of Allison's creepy playgrounds. I am hoping for more full length books soon!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews