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Broken Shells: A Subterranean Horror Novella
Antoine DeWitt is a man down on his luck. Broke and recently fired, he knows the winning Money Carlo ticket that has landed in his mailbox from a car dealership is nothing more than a scam. The promise of $5,000, though, is too tantalizing to ignore.
Jon Dangle is a keeper of secrets, many of which are buried deep beneath his dealership. He works hard to keep them hidden, but occasionally sacrifices are required, sacrifices who are penniless, desperate, and who will not be missed. Sacrifices exactly like DeWitt.
When Antoine steps foot on Dangle's car lot, it is with the hope of easy money. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a deep, dark hole, buried alive. If he is going to survive the nightmare ahead of him, if he has any chance of seeing his wife and child again, Antoine will have to do more than merely hope. He will have to fight his way back to the surface, and pray that Jon Dangle's secrets do not kill him first.
Jon Dangle is a keeper of secrets, many of which are buried deep beneath his dealership. He works hard to keep them hidden, but occasionally sacrifices are required, sacrifices who are penniless, desperate, and who will not be missed. Sacrifices exactly like DeWitt.
When Antoine steps foot on Dangle's car lot, it is with the hope of easy money. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a deep, dark hole, buried alive. If he is going to survive the nightmare ahead of him, if he has any chance of seeing his wife and child again, Antoine will have to do more than merely hope. He will have to fight his way back to the surface, and pray that Jon Dangle's secrets do not kill him first.
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First published February 6, 2018
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About the author
Michael Patrick Hicks
38 books501 followersMichael Patrick Hicks is the author of several horror books, including the Salem Hawley series and Friday Night Massacre. His debut novel, Convergence, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Finalist in science fiction, and his short stories have appeared in more than a dozen anthologies.
You can find Michael’s books on Amazon in print, ebook, and audiobook at http://viewauthor.at/MichaelPatrickHicks.
Connect with Michael at:
Website: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelpatri...
You can find Michael’s books on Amazon in print, ebook, and audiobook at http://viewauthor.at/MichaelPatrickHicks.
Connect with Michael at:
Website: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelpatri...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 9, 2018
When down on his luck mechanic Antoine DeWitt gets something in the mail saying he won $5,000 from the local car dealership, he has his doubts but his wife, baby, and mounting bills make him go to claim it anyway. The worst that can happen is that he doesn't get any money, right?
WRONG! The owner of the car dealership is part of a generations-long pact, sacrificing people who won't be missed to an alien evil that lurks beneath the ground! Can Antoine escape with his skin intact or will he join the rest of those that have vanished over the years?
Michael Patrick Hicks was the 2017 recipient of the coveted Dantastic Book Award for Goodreads Author Who Doesn't Suck. I saw on the twitter that he had a novella coming out in February and hit him up. Let's just say Michael might be the first two time winner of the Goodreads Author Who Doesn't Suck award because this was pretty damn good!
Broken Shells is a novella of desperation, both on the part of Antoine DeWitt and Jon Dangle. Antoine lost his job and his wife Channy is on his ass to find another one when he gets the Money Carlo flyer from the car dealership saying he's won $5,000, he's just desperate enough to go down there. Jon Dangle, on the other hand, is desperate for a different reason. For generations, his family has been responsible for keeping subterranean monsters in check by throwing them a victim every once in a while.
Claustrophobic carnage is the name of the game. Antoine wakes up in bad shape and things only get worse. Tight spaces, gore, and inhuman horrors infest the pages. There are no training wheels or hand holding during this read. There were a few times I thought "Mike, you sick bastard!" Not only is it ghastly fun, it's very well written, carrying none of the things I loath about a lot of self-published or small press horror. It's very well edited and professional, slick and seamless.
The ending was a little bleaker than I'd like, though I had a feeling it was headed that way. All in all, Broken Shells is an exceptional horror novella. Four out of five stars.
WRONG! The owner of the car dealership is part of a generations-long pact, sacrificing people who won't be missed to an alien evil that lurks beneath the ground! Can Antoine escape with his skin intact or will he join the rest of those that have vanished over the years?
Michael Patrick Hicks was the 2017 recipient of the coveted Dantastic Book Award for Goodreads Author Who Doesn't Suck. I saw on the twitter that he had a novella coming out in February and hit him up. Let's just say Michael might be the first two time winner of the Goodreads Author Who Doesn't Suck award because this was pretty damn good!
Broken Shells is a novella of desperation, both on the part of Antoine DeWitt and Jon Dangle. Antoine lost his job and his wife Channy is on his ass to find another one when he gets the Money Carlo flyer from the car dealership saying he's won $5,000, he's just desperate enough to go down there. Jon Dangle, on the other hand, is desperate for a different reason. For generations, his family has been responsible for keeping subterranean monsters in check by throwing them a victim every once in a while.
Claustrophobic carnage is the name of the game. Antoine wakes up in bad shape and things only get worse. Tight spaces, gore, and inhuman horrors infest the pages. There are no training wheels or hand holding during this read. There were a few times I thought "Mike, you sick bastard!" Not only is it ghastly fun, it's very well written, carrying none of the things I loath about a lot of self-published or small press horror. It's very well edited and professional, slick and seamless.
The ending was a little bleaker than I'd like, though I had a feeling it was headed that way. All in all, Broken Shells is an exceptional horror novella. Four out of five stars.
January 12, 2018
GOREFEST!!!
I had planned on skimming the first couple of pages of this novella before putting it back in line behind other reads that are being released earlier, but I couldn’t help myself. I got sucked in by the mystery of what’s living beneath the surface and once I caught a glimpse of the nightmare I had to continue, because upon Googling ‘leatherback turtle’s mouth’ you’ve passed the point of no return.
While Antoine DeWitt is almost positive that the Money Carlo ticket promising him winnings of $5,000 is a scam, he’s having a bad day and hey, what’s the worst that can happen by checking it out. Arriving at the Dangle car dealership Antoine meets Jon Dangle, who confirms that Antoine is indeed a lucky winner.
Dangle and the generations of men before him have been keepers of an important secret, one Antoine is about to learn firsthand. The latest in an immeasurable offering of sacrifices, Antoine finds himself trapped in a subterranean nightmare.
When Antoine awakes at the beginning of the fight of his life, the description was scarily close to an account of hell I read a number of years ago. And then Antoine’s day gets worse.
If you’re highly offended by expletives and you don’t do well with gore or claustrophobia, then perhaps this is not the book for you. However, if you love getting creeped out by creatures that scratch around, felt but unseen, in the dark and the idea of something unknown tearing chunks of flesh from living people makes your heart race and an internal cheer bubbles up inside you, then my kindred spirit, this book was written with you in mind.
What commences as a certain death trap paradoxically twists into a tale of hope in the darkest of places, yet you’re constantly wondering if your hope is in vain. Knowing this is a horror novella, should our protagonist (and by default the reader) even hold onto this possibly futile hope? How much do you fight against what appears at first glance to be inevitable?
Broken Shells is a visceral experience, with oodles of ooze, gore galore, dry heaves and vomit, and some Alienworthy introductions to razor sharp creepy crawlies. With plenty of graphic imagery of the icky variety and a body count too large to number, our down on his luck hero faces an onslaught of bug monsters.
Michael Patrick Hicks capitalises simultaneously on our fears of the unknown and the dark. The atmosphere throughout the novella was a fun blend of suspense, dread and bloodthirsty anticipation. You’re likely to have some involuntary moments of squirming as you find yourself up close and personal with all of the stabby, slimey, ouchy and itchy details.
What if there were a creature above us on the food chain and that by delivering regular sacrifices to them you could potentially protect millions of others? Would those delivering the sacrifices be the heroes or the villains of the story?
What kind of mind comes up with a scenario so gruesome?! Ha! Who am I judge! I was the one simultaneously cheering on Antione and the subterranean creepy crawlies. As only Lydia from Beetlejuice can declare with the right level of creepy, “I myself, am strange and unusual.” This, my friends, is horror done right! I can’t wait for my imagination to be happily grossed out again by this author.
New favourite word: ichor.
My takeaway moral of the story: Never ever trust car salespeople.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and High Fever Books for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
I had planned on skimming the first couple of pages of this novella before putting it back in line behind other reads that are being released earlier, but I couldn’t help myself. I got sucked in by the mystery of what’s living beneath the surface and once I caught a glimpse of the nightmare I had to continue, because upon Googling ‘leatherback turtle’s mouth’ you’ve passed the point of no return.
While Antoine DeWitt is almost positive that the Money Carlo ticket promising him winnings of $5,000 is a scam, he’s having a bad day and hey, what’s the worst that can happen by checking it out. Arriving at the Dangle car dealership Antoine meets Jon Dangle, who confirms that Antoine is indeed a lucky winner.
Dangle and the generations of men before him have been keepers of an important secret, one Antoine is about to learn firsthand. The latest in an immeasurable offering of sacrifices, Antoine finds himself trapped in a subterranean nightmare.
When Antoine awakes at the beginning of the fight of his life, the description was scarily close to an account of hell I read a number of years ago. And then Antoine’s day gets worse.
If you’re highly offended by expletives and you don’t do well with gore or claustrophobia, then perhaps this is not the book for you. However, if you love getting creeped out by creatures that scratch around, felt but unseen, in the dark and the idea of something unknown tearing chunks of flesh from living people makes your heart race and an internal cheer bubbles up inside you, then my kindred spirit, this book was written with you in mind.
What commences as a certain death trap paradoxically twists into a tale of hope in the darkest of places, yet you’re constantly wondering if your hope is in vain. Knowing this is a horror novella, should our protagonist (and by default the reader) even hold onto this possibly futile hope? How much do you fight against what appears at first glance to be inevitable?
Broken Shells is a visceral experience, with oodles of ooze, gore galore, dry heaves and vomit, and some Alienworthy introductions to razor sharp creepy crawlies. With plenty of graphic imagery of the icky variety and a body count too large to number, our down on his luck hero faces an onslaught of bug monsters.
Michael Patrick Hicks capitalises simultaneously on our fears of the unknown and the dark. The atmosphere throughout the novella was a fun blend of suspense, dread and bloodthirsty anticipation. You’re likely to have some involuntary moments of squirming as you find yourself up close and personal with all of the stabby, slimey, ouchy and itchy details.
What if there were a creature above us on the food chain and that by delivering regular sacrifices to them you could potentially protect millions of others? Would those delivering the sacrifices be the heroes or the villains of the story?
What kind of mind comes up with a scenario so gruesome?! Ha! Who am I judge! I was the one simultaneously cheering on Antione and the subterranean creepy crawlies. As only Lydia from Beetlejuice can declare with the right level of creepy, “I myself, am strange and unusual.” This, my friends, is horror done right! I can’t wait for my imagination to be happily grossed out again by this author.
New favourite word: ichor.
My takeaway moral of the story: Never ever trust car salespeople.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and High Fever Books for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
July 2, 2018
4.5 stars, rounding up!
BROKEN SHELLS, by Michael Patrick Hicks is an adrenaline-fueled, no punches pulled, onslaught of gruesome action! I've read several other titles by this author, and can honestly say that I find his style both original and consistently good. Here we have Antoine DeWitt, a man who is working hard to overcome a minor criminal past, and take care of his wife and baby boy. When a ticket from Dangle's car dealership--on the far outskirts of town--comes in the mail, he is stunned--and naturally dubious of--his $5000 win.
After all, there's always a catch.
Literally commanded by "his girl" to make the journey "just to see", Antoine sets out.
". . . despite how overwhelming his home life was, he honestly did love his girl and his baby boy . . . "
Unfortunately for Antoine, the Dangle brothers, Jon and Jensen, are the descendants of Native American "gatekeepers", who are tasked with keeping a certain . . . species . . . safe and secured away from the rest of the world. That responsibility comes with--other--duties.
". . . We keep them fed."
Hicks does an amazing job of bringing Antoine's character to life! Even when things quickly go to hell, we continue to learn about--and root for--his perseverance, not to mention, his sanity. On the proverbial "other side", even the elder Dangle brother's motives are understandable in the context of the story. They are just as trapped in their lives--albeit in another way--as Antoine is.
". . . Nobody wanted murders or abductions, but the stories gave them an entertaining outlet to stoke and stave their worries upon."
What really makes this story stand out so vividly to me is Hicks' imagination and his mind-bending descriptions of the . . . inhabitants . . . and their domain underneath the remote car dealership. Infusing Native American lore and creation myths, we are introduced to this bloodthirsty, savage new species. While they brought to mind some great Lovecraftian elements, these creatures--and their unique behaviors--are something entirely distinctive in their own right.
Overall, an amazing tale of what "could be" lurking right underneath you, of one man's unfortunate luck, and those tasked with "keeping the balance" in check.
". . . All he had to do was make it home . . . "
Another hit from author Michael Patrick Hicks! I'm looking forward to what tales his twisted imagination brings us next.
Highly recommended!
*** I have to mention the incredible cover, created by Kealan Patrick Burke. The details are not only perfect for the story, but are chilling enough to give one nightmares before even reading the book! ***
**Re-read 7/2018 for Author Group Read. Review stands. **
BROKEN SHELLS, by Michael Patrick Hicks is an adrenaline-fueled, no punches pulled, onslaught of gruesome action! I've read several other titles by this author, and can honestly say that I find his style both original and consistently good. Here we have Antoine DeWitt, a man who is working hard to overcome a minor criminal past, and take care of his wife and baby boy. When a ticket from Dangle's car dealership--on the far outskirts of town--comes in the mail, he is stunned--and naturally dubious of--his $5000 win.
After all, there's always a catch.
Literally commanded by "his girl" to make the journey "just to see", Antoine sets out.
". . . despite how overwhelming his home life was, he honestly did love his girl and his baby boy . . . "
Unfortunately for Antoine, the Dangle brothers, Jon and Jensen, are the descendants of Native American "gatekeepers", who are tasked with keeping a certain . . . species . . . safe and secured away from the rest of the world. That responsibility comes with--other--duties.
". . . We keep them fed."
Hicks does an amazing job of bringing Antoine's character to life! Even when things quickly go to hell, we continue to learn about--and root for--his perseverance, not to mention, his sanity. On the proverbial "other side", even the elder Dangle brother's motives are understandable in the context of the story. They are just as trapped in their lives--albeit in another way--as Antoine is.
". . . Nobody wanted murders or abductions, but the stories gave them an entertaining outlet to stoke and stave their worries upon."
What really makes this story stand out so vividly to me is Hicks' imagination and his mind-bending descriptions of the . . . inhabitants . . . and their domain underneath the remote car dealership. Infusing Native American lore and creation myths, we are introduced to this bloodthirsty, savage new species. While they brought to mind some great Lovecraftian elements, these creatures--and their unique behaviors--are something entirely distinctive in their own right.
Overall, an amazing tale of what "could be" lurking right underneath you, of one man's unfortunate luck, and those tasked with "keeping the balance" in check.
". . . All he had to do was make it home . . . "
Another hit from author Michael Patrick Hicks! I'm looking forward to what tales his twisted imagination brings us next.
Highly recommended!
*** I have to mention the incredible cover, created by Kealan Patrick Burke. The details are not only perfect for the story, but are chilling enough to give one nightmares before even reading the book! ***
**Re-read 7/2018 for Author Group Read. Review stands. **
January 31, 2018
Release Date: 02.06.18
This story’s ending is what earned it the fifth star. What can I say, I’m a bleak guy, and this is a bleak story. Without diving into spoilers, I think this story could have gone one of two ways . . . And Michael Hicks chose the courageous way. He went where the story commanded. And I applaud him! That final chapter - shivers.
Broken Shells, the upcoming horror novella from Hicks, is a creature feature of the best sort. All kinds of gooshy, nasty bugs are present and accounted for; to make a pun, Hicks preys on the fear of insects. Me, I don’t mind bugs so much . . . But I am very claustrophobic. This story did get me there. A large portion of this story involves the main character being trapped and having to escape; I was on the brink of an anxiety attack while reading. That’s how I know this author did his job.
This is a fun, scary read, and it is easily conquerable in a sit or two. Highly recommended! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This story’s ending is what earned it the fifth star. What can I say, I’m a bleak guy, and this is a bleak story. Without diving into spoilers, I think this story could have gone one of two ways . . . And Michael Hicks chose the courageous way. He went where the story commanded. And I applaud him! That final chapter - shivers.
Broken Shells, the upcoming horror novella from Hicks, is a creature feature of the best sort. All kinds of gooshy, nasty bugs are present and accounted for; to make a pun, Hicks preys on the fear of insects. Me, I don’t mind bugs so much . . . But I am very claustrophobic. This story did get me there. A large portion of this story involves the main character being trapped and having to escape; I was on the brink of an anxiety attack while reading. That’s how I know this author did his job.
This is a fun, scary read, and it is easily conquerable in a sit or two. Highly recommended! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 14, 2018
For me this story was panic inducing scary. There's caves with tight spaces (oh hell no!) and what's in those caves are even worse. It's a good story but agh! Those cave scenes!
February 9, 2018
Broken Shells is a very fun novella - it's dark, creepy, grim, and just an all-around good story. I read this book the same day it arrived at my house, and I'm glad I didn't waste any time digging into this one.
The premise is very intriguing - Antoine is a sympathetic character, and you actually want him to win. Usually I don't care, but I wanted him to be successful.
Broken Shells has a fair amount of gore & gross things, so if that's how you like your horror novels, pick this one up!
This one is a 4.5⭐ for me - that's because I wish the ending would have been a little different, but I understand why it was the way it was. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novella, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Michael Patrick Hicks!
The premise is very intriguing - Antoine is a sympathetic character, and you actually want him to win. Usually I don't care, but I wanted him to be successful.
Broken Shells has a fair amount of gore & gross things, so if that's how you like your horror novels, pick this one up!
This one is a 4.5⭐ for me - that's because I wish the ending would have been a little different, but I understand why it was the way it was. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novella, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Michael Patrick Hicks!
September 12, 2018
A fast paced roller-coaster ride of horror. This one truly takes you to hell and back. I would like to say that this kind of plot line is hit or miss with me, but Michael Patrick Hicks knocks it out of the park! He also has a unique way of injecting social commentary that I found added an interesting layer to the tale without being distracting. This book had one of the top three most detailed, disgusting, horrific scenes that I have read in 2018. The kind that truly injects you into the horror of the moment. Intrigued? You should be.
November 28, 2018
**Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews!**
Ah! Broken Shells! What a ride.
Ok, so let’s back up here a minute. To be perfectly upfront – I frequently interact with Michael on a few platforms. He posts a ton of great content and I have reached out to him about places to submit stories. He has been generous with his time and has given me some great advice.
How happy am I that he can spin a yarn!
Broken Shells is a hard novella to accurately describe. It has a highly topical beginning and ending that sandwiches a very grotesque creature-feature in the middle.
The story follows the main character, Antoine. He is a hardworking man, trying to provide for his girlfriend and their son Helix. Antoine finds himself always down on his luck, since a previous arrest. Hicks fleshes out the back story throughout, which helps continually push the survival aspect of the middle creature-feature section amazingly.
After Antoine is fired from his job, his girlfriend believes they have won $5000 from a car dealership scratch ticket. So against his better judgement, Antoine heads to the dealership to see if it’s real. Little does he know what the dealership sits above.
The creatures that Hicks have conjured are gruesome, and using the basis of true Native American lore was such a great touch, lending to heighten the anxiety as Antoine fights to stay alive. This usage of true folktale lore works so much better than when a movie slaps a “Based on a True Story” tag at the beginning.
Then we get to the finale, and the topical aspect of the story rears its hideous horrible head.
Hicks does such a great job of pulling us back from the creature-feature and returning us to ‘real-life’ that you will be shocked, angered and saddened as you reach the conclusion.
The story finishes with what I considered an epilogue, and really drove home a few elements of the overall story, which helped elevate the story. Such a great ending to a great story.
So in closing, I highly recommend you check this out.
4.5/5
Ah! Broken Shells! What a ride.
Ok, so let’s back up here a minute. To be perfectly upfront – I frequently interact with Michael on a few platforms. He posts a ton of great content and I have reached out to him about places to submit stories. He has been generous with his time and has given me some great advice.
How happy am I that he can spin a yarn!
Broken Shells is a hard novella to accurately describe. It has a highly topical beginning and ending that sandwiches a very grotesque creature-feature in the middle.
The story follows the main character, Antoine. He is a hardworking man, trying to provide for his girlfriend and their son Helix. Antoine finds himself always down on his luck, since a previous arrest. Hicks fleshes out the back story throughout, which helps continually push the survival aspect of the middle creature-feature section amazingly.
After Antoine is fired from his job, his girlfriend believes they have won $5000 from a car dealership scratch ticket. So against his better judgement, Antoine heads to the dealership to see if it’s real. Little does he know what the dealership sits above.
The creatures that Hicks have conjured are gruesome, and using the basis of true Native American lore was such a great touch, lending to heighten the anxiety as Antoine fights to stay alive. This usage of true folktale lore works so much better than when a movie slaps a “Based on a True Story” tag at the beginning.
Then we get to the finale, and the topical aspect of the story rears its hideous horrible head.
Hicks does such a great job of pulling us back from the creature-feature and returning us to ‘real-life’ that you will be shocked, angered and saddened as you reach the conclusion.
The story finishes with what I considered an epilogue, and really drove home a few elements of the overall story, which helped elevate the story. Such a great ending to a great story.
So in closing, I highly recommend you check this out.
4.5/5
March 1, 2018
This book! Well, technically it's a novella, but who cares because it's fantastic. Seriously, I picked it up when I went to bed last night and didn't look up from the page until I was finished.
I'm going to recommend that you know as little as possible before going into this one, because it makes it even more surprising and awesome. Just know that this is a brilliant horror novella that's scary AF, super gory, and packed full of social commentary. Also, be prepared to be fully invested in the protagonist, Antoine DeWitt. I liked him from the very begging of the book, and by the mid point I was practically holding my breath I was so worried about him. And the ending is EVERYTHING! I feel like I could gush about this book all day. Buy it, horror fans. You need this one.
Also, that cover! Hicks mentions at the end of the book that it was designed by fellow author Kealan Patrick Burke, and it's gorgeous. His cover designs are so amazing. Read Burke too. Start with his novellas. I promise you're going to want everything he's written.
Now I'm off to find my next read by Hicks. This one was such a treat that I'm definitely going to need to read the rest of his. The question now is, which should I read next?
I'm going to recommend that you know as little as possible before going into this one, because it makes it even more surprising and awesome. Just know that this is a brilliant horror novella that's scary AF, super gory, and packed full of social commentary. Also, be prepared to be fully invested in the protagonist, Antoine DeWitt. I liked him from the very begging of the book, and by the mid point I was practically holding my breath I was so worried about him. And the ending is EVERYTHING! I feel like I could gush about this book all day. Buy it, horror fans. You need this one.
Also, that cover! Hicks mentions at the end of the book that it was designed by fellow author Kealan Patrick Burke, and it's gorgeous. His cover designs are so amazing. Read Burke too. Start with his novellas. I promise you're going to want everything he's written.
Now I'm off to find my next read by Hicks. This one was such a treat that I'm definitely going to need to read the rest of his. The question now is, which should I read next?
February 22, 2018
Fun, engaging creature-feature story that I finished in one afternoon. It had great pacing, the protagonist Antoine was relatable and fleshed out well, and I enjoyed the backstory of the Ba'is. If you've never checked out Michael's work, this is a good one to start with.
August 15, 2025
This is a pretty good body-horror/creature-feature novella about a down-on-his-hard-luck ex-convict named Antoine who encounters unlikely horror at a car dealership. He's answered an ad that he knows is too good to be true at the urging of his chain-smoking wife... he should have just stayed home with her and their son, who's improbably named Helix. It's a well-paced if simple story, and the characters are well-drawn though some of the plot remains unexplained, clickety-click-clack. The ending was a bit of a let-down (excuse the SPOLIER, but it's the same thing that Romero did in '68), but it was a fun and fast afternoon read. Three & a half, but we're rounding up.
May 15, 2019
Antoine DeWitt’s day starts pretty poorly after he clocks a stupid redneck in the mouth and loses his job. Dude deserved it, anyway, but that ain’t gonna help pay the bills.
It’s looking pretty bleak for Antoine until he gets home and finds out that he may have won $5000 on a “Money Carlo” car dealership scratch off mailer. Must be too good to be true. As a matter of fact, that may be the biggest understatement of his life. The span of which is suddenly in danger of getting much shorter. Much, much shorter.
A very well written and entertaining tale of bugs and bad luck and all the things that you take for granted.
It’s looking pretty bleak for Antoine until he gets home and finds out that he may have won $5000 on a “Money Carlo” car dealership scratch off mailer. Must be too good to be true. As a matter of fact, that may be the biggest understatement of his life. The span of which is suddenly in danger of getting much shorter. Much, much shorter.
A very well written and entertaining tale of bugs and bad luck and all the things that you take for granted.
November 7, 2018
Gory, crunchy, bloody, disgusting, and freaking FUN! Longer review later. It’s late, and I need to watch Spongebob or something before I go to bed.
Okay - after a few days I think I’ve managed to get my thoughts in order. Here’s what’s up: THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC. It has all the little pieces I love to have in a horror book, and they come together perfectly. The main character DeWitt is REAL. I loved being in his head. The bad guys - they were just developed enough that when things went south, I thoroughly what became of them. It’s so hard not to be spoiler-y here!!! As for the crunching, “emerging”, mashing parts? OMG yes!
Hicks also sports a great talent in detail. In fact, his skill with writing comes shining through in such a way that makes the reading effortless. I devoured this book. Read it! Maybe NOT while snacking...
Okay - after a few days I think I’ve managed to get my thoughts in order. Here’s what’s up: THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC. It has all the little pieces I love to have in a horror book, and they come together perfectly. The main character DeWitt is REAL. I loved being in his head. The bad guys - they were just developed enough that when things went south, I thoroughly what became of them. It’s so hard not to be spoiler-y here!!! As for the crunching, “emerging”, mashing parts? OMG yes!
Hicks also sports a great talent in detail. In fact, his skill with writing comes shining through in such a way that makes the reading effortless. I devoured this book. Read it! Maybe NOT while snacking...
January 23, 2018
Review Pending.
February 13, 2018
Review copy
"Jon Dangle is a keeper of secrets, many of which are buried deep below his dealership."
Antoine DeWitt is having a bad day, and it's about to get much worse. Good jobs are hard to come by, particularly when you've only been out of prison for a couple of years. But when your redneck boss is singing the praises of President Trump and denigrating the prior President with racial slurs, well there's only so much a man can take.
Newly unemployed, with a wife and infant child, Antoine is pressured into responding to a "Money Carlo" mailer from a car dealership which seems to indicate he's a $5,000 cash prize winner. I'm sure you've seen the likes of these contests, where it looks like you've won a significant prize. A big screen TV maybe or even a cash award. There have been times when my wife and I read all the fine print and were convinced we were big winners, but even then we stayed away because it's like they say, "If it's too good to be true..." After reading Broken Shells, I'm pretty sure Antoine wishes he would have stayed away, too.
"The pain was immediate as his ear was ripped away from his skull, blood sheeting down his neck and leaking into the gap between his body and the shell that held him in place."
Bugs are creepy, but giant bugs...
I don't think I've given too much away, after all, the title reveals quite a bit Broken Shells: A Subterranean Horror Novella.
Michael Patrick Hicks has combined a common sales technique with a number of Native American legends and given it all a dark and nasty twist in a novella I won't soon forget, mostly thanks to the nightmares I've already had.
Recommended.
Broken Shells: A Subterranean Horror Novella is now available for pre-order from High Fever Books.
From the author's bio - Michael Patrick Hicks is the author of a number of speculative fiction titles. His debut novel, Convergence, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2013 Quarter-Finalist. Prior to Broken Shells, his most recent work was the horror novel, Mass Hysteria. In between compulsively buying books and adding titles that he does not have time for to his Netflix queue, he is hard at work on his next story.
"Jon Dangle is a keeper of secrets, many of which are buried deep below his dealership."
Antoine DeWitt is having a bad day, and it's about to get much worse. Good jobs are hard to come by, particularly when you've only been out of prison for a couple of years. But when your redneck boss is singing the praises of President Trump and denigrating the prior President with racial slurs, well there's only so much a man can take.
Newly unemployed, with a wife and infant child, Antoine is pressured into responding to a "Money Carlo" mailer from a car dealership which seems to indicate he's a $5,000 cash prize winner. I'm sure you've seen the likes of these contests, where it looks like you've won a significant prize. A big screen TV maybe or even a cash award. There have been times when my wife and I read all the fine print and were convinced we were big winners, but even then we stayed away because it's like they say, "If it's too good to be true..." After reading Broken Shells, I'm pretty sure Antoine wishes he would have stayed away, too.
"The pain was immediate as his ear was ripped away from his skull, blood sheeting down his neck and leaking into the gap between his body and the shell that held him in place."
Bugs are creepy, but giant bugs...
I don't think I've given too much away, after all, the title reveals quite a bit Broken Shells: A Subterranean Horror Novella.
Michael Patrick Hicks has combined a common sales technique with a number of Native American legends and given it all a dark and nasty twist in a novella I won't soon forget, mostly thanks to the nightmares I've already had.
Recommended.
Broken Shells: A Subterranean Horror Novella is now available for pre-order from High Fever Books.
From the author's bio - Michael Patrick Hicks is the author of a number of speculative fiction titles. His debut novel, Convergence, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2013 Quarter-Finalist. Prior to Broken Shells, his most recent work was the horror novel, Mass Hysteria. In between compulsively buying books and adding titles that he does not have time for to his Netflix queue, he is hard at work on his next story.
January 14, 2018
Review: BROKEN SHELLS by Michael Patrick Hicks
I was totally enraptured by the author's earlier novel MASS HYSTERIA, and found his newest, BROKEN SHELLS, the very definition of a page-turner. The book flew by so fast I was amazed to find myself at the end {and oh, such an end!} From the introductory page I thought I would probably be reading either a serial killer plot, or possibly (with its reference to "buried secrets") about an antagonist with ties to organized crime. Oh no, no, no. Mr. Hicks takes a legend common to several indigenous North American tribes, then TWISTS it--oh, does he twist it!-to deliver a horror that's truly implacable, and a generational legacy that prides itself--and closes eyes to the decades of blood on its hands. Like Nazi concentration camp guards and staff who "only followed orders," this family's males are sworn to "protect" the world from what inhabits the underground caverns. {Yeah, right.}
If it's an incredibly riveting extreme creature horror that effectively discerns and exposes certain contemporary ingrained societal blasphemies, look right here. Michael Patrick Hicks delivers right-between-the-eyes terror, and I love it.
I was totally enraptured by the author's earlier novel MASS HYSTERIA, and found his newest, BROKEN SHELLS, the very definition of a page-turner. The book flew by so fast I was amazed to find myself at the end {and oh, such an end!} From the introductory page I thought I would probably be reading either a serial killer plot, or possibly (with its reference to "buried secrets") about an antagonist with ties to organized crime. Oh no, no, no. Mr. Hicks takes a legend common to several indigenous North American tribes, then TWISTS it--oh, does he twist it!-to deliver a horror that's truly implacable, and a generational legacy that prides itself--and closes eyes to the decades of blood on its hands. Like Nazi concentration camp guards and staff who "only followed orders," this family's males are sworn to "protect" the world from what inhabits the underground caverns. {Yeah, right.}
If it's an incredibly riveting extreme creature horror that effectively discerns and exposes certain contemporary ingrained societal blasphemies, look right here. Michael Patrick Hicks delivers right-between-the-eyes terror, and I love it.
January 31, 2018
A contemporary classic horror tale underground.
When Antoine is faced with the reality of spiraling his family into further poverty, a sweepstake in the mail—a blessing or a curse?—seems to be his only option (and escape) from his current state of hell, that of his un-appreciating wife and son, and his deplorable racist employer.
In Michael Patrick Hicks, Broken Shells, you are taken on a horrific journey most visceral and vile a story can get. Nothing stands out more than the shredding of skin and the nerve-racking echoes of the dark underground. Hicks delivers hair raising scenarios and unsurmounted devestation to his pawns, set in a rural countryside where no one goes and no one cares. The perfect place for misfortune to occur.
Moving forward, the story’s premise is simply this: survival. Live or die. As a reader, it leaves you wondering what happens next, and not turning the page will “itch” your mind until you do. So as to not give anything away, for movie goers, the story shows reminiscing qualities of Starship Troopers and Aliens. Such imagery will splash across the back of your mind as The detail Hicks pours into his scenes of graphic horror is superb and was delightful with every inch given. His words come to life showing exactly what Antoine goes through.
A bit of constructive criticism, there are times throughout the story I wasn’t convinced Antoine’s family gave him enough positive energy to provide him with the drive needed to survive the underground horror. However, this was strictly due to the excellent character building introduced at the beginning of the story. Hicks provided strong traits about Antoine’s negative family at the start and that Antoine very much didn’t like them. He wanted to get out. He needed to get out. There were hints later on in the story that Antoine had premonitions of leaving his family—abandoning them completely—prior to the call of the sweepstake flyer. Later on as the story progresses, after re-evaluating his life, those negative traits vanish as if never existing. If his family was the strength he needed to get through his dilemma, then the negative qualities of his family should never have been visited. Hicks did a fantastic job of making me hate his family.
But, despite the slight inconsistency, the story overall was SOLID. The POV exchange between the two main characters transitioned exceptionally well and really put the polish on a well crafted product. 4 out of 5 stars.
~ F. D. Gross
When Antoine is faced with the reality of spiraling his family into further poverty, a sweepstake in the mail—a blessing or a curse?—seems to be his only option (and escape) from his current state of hell, that of his un-appreciating wife and son, and his deplorable racist employer.
In Michael Patrick Hicks, Broken Shells, you are taken on a horrific journey most visceral and vile a story can get. Nothing stands out more than the shredding of skin and the nerve-racking echoes of the dark underground. Hicks delivers hair raising scenarios and unsurmounted devestation to his pawns, set in a rural countryside where no one goes and no one cares. The perfect place for misfortune to occur.
Moving forward, the story’s premise is simply this: survival. Live or die. As a reader, it leaves you wondering what happens next, and not turning the page will “itch” your mind until you do. So as to not give anything away, for movie goers, the story shows reminiscing qualities of Starship Troopers and Aliens. Such imagery will splash across the back of your mind as The detail Hicks pours into his scenes of graphic horror is superb and was delightful with every inch given. His words come to life showing exactly what Antoine goes through.
A bit of constructive criticism, there are times throughout the story I wasn’t convinced Antoine’s family gave him enough positive energy to provide him with the drive needed to survive the underground horror. However, this was strictly due to the excellent character building introduced at the beginning of the story. Hicks provided strong traits about Antoine’s negative family at the start and that Antoine very much didn’t like them. He wanted to get out. He needed to get out. There were hints later on in the story that Antoine had premonitions of leaving his family—abandoning them completely—prior to the call of the sweepstake flyer. Later on as the story progresses, after re-evaluating his life, those negative traits vanish as if never existing. If his family was the strength he needed to get through his dilemma, then the negative qualities of his family should never have been visited. Hicks did a fantastic job of making me hate his family.
But, despite the slight inconsistency, the story overall was SOLID. The POV exchange between the two main characters transitioned exceptionally well and really put the polish on a well crafted product. 4 out of 5 stars.
~ F. D. Gross
February 8, 2018
What a read, I was debating between a 4 and 5 star read for this and would happily give it a 4.5 stars. This is a well written novella length horror story. My thanks to the Author via TBConFB for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Just look at the cover, it's a proper old school style cover very reminiscent of early horror books written by the likes of Stephen King and James Herbert. The cover alone could sell the book to you, the eyes looking out at you, drawing you in to the horrors that lie within the pages of this novella length story.
Anyway, back to the story. I was soon drawn in and I would definitely not recommend anyone of a squeamish nature reading it, as there's plenty of gore, followed by more gore and if that's not enough gore for you then there's some more. The unlikely hero of the story Antoine DeWitt, has you rooting for him as he fights to survive the horrors of the subterranean world that he's found himself in. All he wants to do is get back to his family and with those thoughts in his head he has the motivation to keep going against all the odds. Does it end well for him or not?
Just grab a copy to see what everyone is raving about, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Just look at the cover, it's a proper old school style cover very reminiscent of early horror books written by the likes of Stephen King and James Herbert. The cover alone could sell the book to you, the eyes looking out at you, drawing you in to the horrors that lie within the pages of this novella length story.
Anyway, back to the story. I was soon drawn in and I would definitely not recommend anyone of a squeamish nature reading it, as there's plenty of gore, followed by more gore and if that's not enough gore for you then there's some more. The unlikely hero of the story Antoine DeWitt, has you rooting for him as he fights to survive the horrors of the subterranean world that he's found himself in. All he wants to do is get back to his family and with those thoughts in his head he has the motivation to keep going against all the odds. Does it end well for him or not?
Just grab a copy to see what everyone is raving about, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Read
March 17, 2019Terrifying subterranean creatures, a great antihero, a morally grey (very dark, almost black-grey) antagonist, and a subtle but powerful commentary on class and race made this one fantastic novella. The monsters were written with such detail they had my skin crawling and itching almost the whole read! I will say I found the ending absolutely INFURIATING! But it was very much intentional and incredibly effective. If you're in the mood for fast paced subterranean fight for survival you can't go wrong with this one.
February 19, 2018
I hate bugs, but I liked this novella. Enjoyable creature feature with plenty of gore and a surprising amount of character development for such a short piece. Highly recommend it.
April 29, 2018
You ever get one of those junk mail flyers advertising something too good to be true? We all have and that old adage is usually always right. When Antoine DeWitt gets one from a local car dealership, saying he's won some much-needed money, well, he knows it's bullshit. But his girlfriend nags him to go check it out...and besides, what can it hurt? They have a baby boy, and Antoine just lost his job.
However, when he gets to his destination, Antoine discovers the old adage is not only correct, but much more than he bargained for. In fact, what he's suddenly thrust into may cost him not only his sanity but his very life.
Gory and gut-wrenching, Michael Patrick Hicks does a wonderful job layering in the tension and chills amidst the horror. Definitely will be checking out more of his work!
Highly recommended but not for the faint of heart!
However, when he gets to his destination, Antoine discovers the old adage is not only correct, but much more than he bargained for. In fact, what he's suddenly thrust into may cost him not only his sanity but his very life.
Gory and gut-wrenching, Michael Patrick Hicks does a wonderful job layering in the tension and chills amidst the horror. Definitely will be checking out more of his work!
Highly recommended but not for the faint of heart!
February 6, 2018
First a disclaimer: I'm not a big fan of "creature horror novels." I find most of them derivative and more of a paint-by-the-numbers wheelhouse with over the top gore meant to make up for a complete lack of story or character. Substitute X creature for Y monster and you've got yourself the same story you can pump out over and over again.
This isn't to say creature horror can't be done right, it just requires a lot more effort from an author who's willing to invent something unique or tackle it from a new angle.
I went into Michael Patrick Hicks' new novel, "Broken Shells," without knowing much about it or that, in fact, it was a creature feature. That being said, and knowing my predisposition for these types of stories, I was pleasantly surprised by the approach he took. This is not your paint-by-numbers story. In fact, I'm not sure I've read a creature horror novel that tackles the story in a similar fashion.
A unique mythology, combining Native American lore, matched with a character you actually care about draws you in to a tale where the gore and horror are certainly on full display (but not carelessly thrown in). Hicks has a way of combining real world topics and concerns into his story without ever coming across as preaching, which adds a fantastic layer and relevancy to his tales. In short, this is one creature feature that's worth the price of admission. Keep up these kind of stories and I may soon become a fan of a sub-genre I've tried to avoid.
** I received an advanced review copy of this book through NetGalley. My thanks to the publisher and author. This in no way influenced my review.
This isn't to say creature horror can't be done right, it just requires a lot more effort from an author who's willing to invent something unique or tackle it from a new angle.
I went into Michael Patrick Hicks' new novel, "Broken Shells," without knowing much about it or that, in fact, it was a creature feature. That being said, and knowing my predisposition for these types of stories, I was pleasantly surprised by the approach he took. This is not your paint-by-numbers story. In fact, I'm not sure I've read a creature horror novel that tackles the story in a similar fashion.
A unique mythology, combining Native American lore, matched with a character you actually care about draws you in to a tale where the gore and horror are certainly on full display (but not carelessly thrown in). Hicks has a way of combining real world topics and concerns into his story without ever coming across as preaching, which adds a fantastic layer and relevancy to his tales. In short, this is one creature feature that's worth the price of admission. Keep up these kind of stories and I may soon become a fan of a sub-genre I've tried to avoid.
** I received an advanced review copy of this book through NetGalley. My thanks to the publisher and author. This in no way influenced my review.
February 7, 2018
A big fan of horror stories, I don't usually enjoy those of the "creature feature" type but I loved Broken Shells. It has everything you would want from a good horror story, terror, suspense, lots of gore and a very believable hero. I read most of this novella with my hands over my mouth, to me Broken Shells is up there with the likes of Stephen King's The Mist. Overall a fantastic book and a brilliant ending that Ridley Scott would be proud of.
March 12, 2018
Unnerving Magazine Review
There were no novella requests in my pile that interested me so I decided to check for recent reads on the Grim Reader’s site. I didn’t read the review, because I try not to before I read a book, instead, I saw four stars and hopped on Amazon to spend a few bucks.
Immediately I was intrigued by Michael Patrick Hicks’ novella BROKEN SHELLS. It opens with social injustice and a lens directed at a flawed system. This is a side point of the story, a factor to get things rolling and then a factor to close things out. What is a story without some background and atmosphere?
Down on his luck, a dude willingly accepts something he assumes to be a scam, reasonably so as he has really no alternative. Things fall into place fast after that and the man is underground fighting monsters. It's like blink and you'll miss it quick.
This is a tale relying mostly on described visuals and gore. Under any scrutiny, the story is somewhat one dimensional. However, it’s lightning fast when the action is going, but draws it out into something recognizably fun. Monster bugs, always worth a shot. It also embraces a conclusion that could be labelled nothing but horror.
There were points that seemed to drag and perhaps those flat points might’ve been missed opportunities for fattening of storylines, but mostly it was high octane fun. The way out didn’t work well with me; anything with big guns as a solution usually has me yawning a bit.
If it’s monsters and blood and explosions you're looking for, there are many worse books to pick up. This thing is nasty, quick, and loud.
There were no novella requests in my pile that interested me so I decided to check for recent reads on the Grim Reader’s site. I didn’t read the review, because I try not to before I read a book, instead, I saw four stars and hopped on Amazon to spend a few bucks.
Immediately I was intrigued by Michael Patrick Hicks’ novella BROKEN SHELLS. It opens with social injustice and a lens directed at a flawed system. This is a side point of the story, a factor to get things rolling and then a factor to close things out. What is a story without some background and atmosphere?
Down on his luck, a dude willingly accepts something he assumes to be a scam, reasonably so as he has really no alternative. Things fall into place fast after that and the man is underground fighting monsters. It's like blink and you'll miss it quick.
This is a tale relying mostly on described visuals and gore. Under any scrutiny, the story is somewhat one dimensional. However, it’s lightning fast when the action is going, but draws it out into something recognizably fun. Monster bugs, always worth a shot. It also embraces a conclusion that could be labelled nothing but horror.
There were points that seemed to drag and perhaps those flat points might’ve been missed opportunities for fattening of storylines, but mostly it was high octane fun. The way out didn’t work well with me; anything with big guns as a solution usually has me yawning a bit.
If it’s monsters and blood and explosions you're looking for, there are many worse books to pick up. This thing is nasty, quick, and loud.
November 2, 2021
This is one of those books that is hard to judge. Within the first two paragraphs, Trump was mentioned as well as Obama in a not so great way which put me off, I waited a year to read it just because I'm burnt out on politics. (It doesn't matter who is president, I just read to get away from politics). Then the book has a great middle but then the last two chapters felt like politics again. *SPOILERS AHEAD*
Mentions of white men shooting places up. (How about mental illness, not white?) police killing a black man then lying and so on. While I do know things happen in life, reading is my gateway to get away from it. The author does great at writing, I just need something different currently.
Mentions of white men shooting places up. (How about mental illness, not white?) police killing a black man then lying and so on. While I do know things happen in life, reading is my gateway to get away from it. The author does great at writing, I just need something different currently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2018
Horrifying and intense! This one delivers!
February 6, 2018
Nothing is going right for Antoine. He lives in a dilapidated apartment, he just lost his job and he has a wife and baby to support. As he arrives home his wife shows him a winning Money Carlo ticket from an auto dealership saying he has won $5,000. Antoine thinks it’s a scam but what choice does he have but to go and try to get his money.
Antoine takes a bus to the dealership which is out on the edge of town. When he arrives he meets Jon Dangle the dealership owner and man who issued the winning ticket. Jon has a dark secret beneath his dealership and he needs someone like Antoine to act as a sacrifice to keep it hidden. Antoine has walked into a nightmare that no one has ever escaped from. He’s now trapped in an underground cavern and something is hunting him. Will he ever see his wife and child again?
Broken Shells by Michael Patrick Hicks is a fast paced gore fest in a subterranean Hell. The concept of this book was what drew me in. I love the idea of a man down on his luck thinking he got a big break but finding that what he really got was something far worse than his original problem. Antoine is a great character, you feel sorry for him but at the same time you see that he is not necessarily a good person. In the beginning we see he has a temper that gets him in trouble, he starts to change when he realizes what’s important to him but his anger still causes him problems. I loved how he remembers how he wanted to abandon his family but when he fears for his life his main motivation is to see them one more time.
Joe is another character in the book who has a lot of depth to him. In the beginning you see him as the villain and you hate him for what he did to Antoine. Then you get into his background and realize that he’s doing what he feels he has to do. He’s still a bad person but you understand him You can sympathize with him as you see how his family has put a burden on him and you hear about how his life didn’t turn out for him or his wife. Joe’s main motivation is to keep the family secret and he’s willing to do anything to keep it, even if it means harming what he sees as people who won’t be missed.
My only issue with Broken Shells was the ending, I don’t want to give anything away because until that point it was a great ride. The last part seemed like your standard horror ending and it was a depressing way to end it. That being said the way the story progresses I couldn’t see it ending any other way. This book is well worth your time and its the perfect length. It’s never boring, the violence is described in vivid detail and the action is non-stop. You get all this and Michael Patrick Hicks still manages to add information on Indian mythology along with complex characters and great detail on how what lies beneath lives. What more can you ask for in a horror story?
Antoine takes a bus to the dealership which is out on the edge of town. When he arrives he meets Jon Dangle the dealership owner and man who issued the winning ticket. Jon has a dark secret beneath his dealership and he needs someone like Antoine to act as a sacrifice to keep it hidden. Antoine has walked into a nightmare that no one has ever escaped from. He’s now trapped in an underground cavern and something is hunting him. Will he ever see his wife and child again?
Broken Shells by Michael Patrick Hicks is a fast paced gore fest in a subterranean Hell. The concept of this book was what drew me in. I love the idea of a man down on his luck thinking he got a big break but finding that what he really got was something far worse than his original problem. Antoine is a great character, you feel sorry for him but at the same time you see that he is not necessarily a good person. In the beginning we see he has a temper that gets him in trouble, he starts to change when he realizes what’s important to him but his anger still causes him problems. I loved how he remembers how he wanted to abandon his family but when he fears for his life his main motivation is to see them one more time.
Joe is another character in the book who has a lot of depth to him. In the beginning you see him as the villain and you hate him for what he did to Antoine. Then you get into his background and realize that he’s doing what he feels he has to do. He’s still a bad person but you understand him You can sympathize with him as you see how his family has put a burden on him and you hear about how his life didn’t turn out for him or his wife. Joe’s main motivation is to keep the family secret and he’s willing to do anything to keep it, even if it means harming what he sees as people who won’t be missed.
My only issue with Broken Shells was the ending, I don’t want to give anything away because until that point it was a great ride. The last part seemed like your standard horror ending and it was a depressing way to end it. That being said the way the story progresses I couldn’t see it ending any other way. This book is well worth your time and its the perfect length. It’s never boring, the violence is described in vivid detail and the action is non-stop. You get all this and Michael Patrick Hicks still manages to add information on Indian mythology along with complex characters and great detail on how what lies beneath lives. What more can you ask for in a horror story?
April 28, 2019
I went into this fine novella blind. I’d bought it a while back and added it to the massive TBR pile and as such, had forgotten what it was about.
I think I did things right, though because if I’d have known what was about to unfold before my eyes I imagine it would have lessened the impact.
This story was short, horrifying, and a lot of fun. Think The Midnight Meat Train but with a bit more thought behind the logistics.
Antoine isn’t having the best of times. He’s lost his job, hasn’t got much money, and has been seriously considering walking out on his girl and baby for a while now. So when his lazy lady finds a winning scratchcard from a car dealership in the paper, she’s convinced their luck is changing.
To claim their prize, a wary Antoine must visit this strange dealership on the outskirts of town. It’s then that things turn crazy.
Shortly after arriving there, after the obligatory paperwork, Antoine is led to a room in the back, drugged, and thrown down some stairs into the eery basement. And this is all done by the owner. What a way to lose out on a potential sale! And it certainly seems Antoine isn’t going to be getting his prize anytime soon. When he awakes he is encased in a tough cocoon-thing, surrounded by darkness and the horrifying sounds of creepy monsters. These things sound hungry.
Yes, poor Antoine has been specially selected to be sacrificed to a hive of giant-carnivorous-insect-monster-bastards. But it seems he’s not the first.
I’m not going to give anything away because this bloody ride is one you need to go on yourself. Antoine must fight for survival against these creatures, and takes many an injury along the way, all described with wince-inducing clarity.
We are also treated to folklore of the monsters as well as the reason for the whole sacrifice thing, which only adds to the terrors on display.
Whilst trying to escape this cavernous tomb, Antione begins to realise he loves his family more than anything, and certainly more than he ever thought. This motivation for freedom is so well captured that you really find yourself cheering him on as he battles these frightening chitinous abominations.
The gore is perfect and the descriptions of the beasts shockingly vivid. A few toe curls were made by me as I devoured this novella in two sittings.
I was intrigued how it would all end, and wondered whether Hicks would go where I hoped he would. And he did! This is just the kind of ending I enjoy in my horror stories.
If you like bodily fluids erupting, fast-paced action exploding, and giant insects, erm, insecting, then check this gem out. Just make sure you bath yourself afterwards because you’re bound to feel a little but icky!
I think I did things right, though because if I’d have known what was about to unfold before my eyes I imagine it would have lessened the impact.
This story was short, horrifying, and a lot of fun. Think The Midnight Meat Train but with a bit more thought behind the logistics.
Antoine isn’t having the best of times. He’s lost his job, hasn’t got much money, and has been seriously considering walking out on his girl and baby for a while now. So when his lazy lady finds a winning scratchcard from a car dealership in the paper, she’s convinced their luck is changing.
To claim their prize, a wary Antoine must visit this strange dealership on the outskirts of town. It’s then that things turn crazy.
Shortly after arriving there, after the obligatory paperwork, Antoine is led to a room in the back, drugged, and thrown down some stairs into the eery basement. And this is all done by the owner. What a way to lose out on a potential sale! And it certainly seems Antoine isn’t going to be getting his prize anytime soon. When he awakes he is encased in a tough cocoon-thing, surrounded by darkness and the horrifying sounds of creepy monsters. These things sound hungry.
Yes, poor Antoine has been specially selected to be sacrificed to a hive of giant-carnivorous-insect-monster-bastards. But it seems he’s not the first.
I’m not going to give anything away because this bloody ride is one you need to go on yourself. Antoine must fight for survival against these creatures, and takes many an injury along the way, all described with wince-inducing clarity.
We are also treated to folklore of the monsters as well as the reason for the whole sacrifice thing, which only adds to the terrors on display.
Whilst trying to escape this cavernous tomb, Antione begins to realise he loves his family more than anything, and certainly more than he ever thought. This motivation for freedom is so well captured that you really find yourself cheering him on as he battles these frightening chitinous abominations.
The gore is perfect and the descriptions of the beasts shockingly vivid. A few toe curls were made by me as I devoured this novella in two sittings.
I was intrigued how it would all end, and wondered whether Hicks would go where I hoped he would. And he did! This is just the kind of ending I enjoy in my horror stories.
If you like bodily fluids erupting, fast-paced action exploding, and giant insects, erm, insecting, then check this gem out. Just make sure you bath yourself afterwards because you’re bound to feel a little but icky!
February 8, 2018
Broken Shells Kept Me Up Late
When I started this book I tried to figure out why he named it broken shells. I had images of broken shells on a beach – I could not have been more wrong.
Hicks has a way of scaring the hell out of me. Seriously. I made the mistake of reading this over two nights — both at night. NOT the brightest idea. The second night, the night I finished it, I ended up being up another 20 minutes playing a game on my iPad to get the images out of my head.
I’m familiar with Hicks’ novellas and he’s able to tell stories that are amazing in 100 pages that most authors strive for in full-length novels. This one included. I felt for Antoine. His story, though short was incredibly well explained. I understood he was a down-on-his-luck kinda guy who was looking for just one thing to go right. I hoped for him. In 100 pages. I felt bad for a guy that is fictional. Just let that sink in.
I will not go into detail about the monster(s) in this story, just know that a lot of people will have a hard time with them. I want to say why (look away for a moment, creepy crawlies), but I don’t want to ruin the fun for anyone.
I’m finding that I like horror more and more and Hicks is one of the reasons for that. He’s able to write a story that makes my stomach turn but at the same time makes it so that I can’t stop reading. It’s like a literary car crash. You want to look away but you just can’t!
Overall, another novella from Hicks and another winner in my mind. If you’re familiar with his work or like well-written monster stories, Broken Shells if for you.
When I started this book I tried to figure out why he named it broken shells. I had images of broken shells on a beach – I could not have been more wrong.
Hicks has a way of scaring the hell out of me. Seriously. I made the mistake of reading this over two nights — both at night. NOT the brightest idea. The second night, the night I finished it, I ended up being up another 20 minutes playing a game on my iPad to get the images out of my head.
I’m familiar with Hicks’ novellas and he’s able to tell stories that are amazing in 100 pages that most authors strive for in full-length novels. This one included. I felt for Antoine. His story, though short was incredibly well explained. I understood he was a down-on-his-luck kinda guy who was looking for just one thing to go right. I hoped for him. In 100 pages. I felt bad for a guy that is fictional. Just let that sink in.
I will not go into detail about the monster(s) in this story, just know that a lot of people will have a hard time with them. I want to say why (look away for a moment, creepy crawlies), but I don’t want to ruin the fun for anyone.
I’m finding that I like horror more and more and Hicks is one of the reasons for that. He’s able to write a story that makes my stomach turn but at the same time makes it so that I can’t stop reading. It’s like a literary car crash. You want to look away but you just can’t!
Overall, another novella from Hicks and another winner in my mind. If you’re familiar with his work or like well-written monster stories, Broken Shells if for you.
March 26, 2019
Very short and quick to read. Super gory and intense, I couldn’t put it down. Crazy story which gave me an awesome nightmare. Kudos to the author!
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