What do you think?
Rate this book
The Silence in the Void, Part 1: Sometimes They Fall
"Usually, they scream. But she fell silently to the hard-packed dirt below where she sprawled so beautifully, a spent flower tossed carelessly aside."
Sometimes, they fall is about intrigue, accidental deaths, and outright murder in the circus. Our narrator is Mason, a trapeze artist who is gradually losing his grip, both in his hands and on his mind. As he suffers the loss of those he holds most dear, he struggles with reality and the resurrection of the dead.
Sometimes, they fall is about intrigue, accidental deaths, and outright murder in the circus. Our narrator is Mason, a trapeze artist who is gradually losing his grip, both in his hands and on his mind. As he suffers the loss of those he holds most dear, he struggles with reality and the resurrection of the dead.
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published April 10, 2021
1 person want to read
About the author
Dona Fox
113 books36 followersDona Fox writes short stories and poetry - horror, dark fantasy and science fiction.
In the early 1990's Dona lived in an amazing Queen Anne Gothic house. All of the interior doors had been painted black. There were secret passages inside the closets. That house inspired her to write stories and poetry that were published in Cemetery Dance (Issue #1), Eldritch Tales, New Blood, Thin Ice, Haunts, Scavenger's, and Beyond.
Now Dona lives beside a quiet gully in the shadows of several giant sequoias. It is one of the most frightening places she has ever lived.
New Stories and Poetry are in the books listed below. Enjoy your visit.
You can find Dona at www.facebook.com/dona.foxsturgess and Twitter @_DonaFox.
In the early 1990's Dona lived in an amazing Queen Anne Gothic house. All of the interior doors had been painted black. There were secret passages inside the closets. That house inspired her to write stories and poetry that were published in Cemetery Dance (Issue #1), Eldritch Tales, New Blood, Thin Ice, Haunts, Scavenger's, and Beyond.
Now Dona lives beside a quiet gully in the shadows of several giant sequoias. It is one of the most frightening places she has ever lived.
New Stories and Poetry are in the books listed below. Enjoy your visit.
You can find Dona at www.facebook.com/dona.foxsturgess and Twitter @_DonaFox.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 4, 2021
When you hear the word “Circus” you think clowns, the big red tent, and high flying acts, and so much more fun. This book is a behind the curtain look at the grit and grime of those high-flyers.
Following the growing protagonists; journaling the strange events of living under the big tent, the “ups and downs,” and the reality of things of circus-living. Fox chalks up a whimsical feel of resurrection and sadness, likable characters and tight grip that sometimes fails and lets one fall.
Eager to continue the series... I’ll just hold on tight until then.
Following the growing protagonists; journaling the strange events of living under the big tent, the “ups and downs,” and the reality of things of circus-living. Fox chalks up a whimsical feel of resurrection and sadness, likable characters and tight grip that sometimes fails and lets one fall.
Eager to continue the series... I’ll just hold on tight until then.
December 31, 2020
The circus is a place that exists in all our minds, firmly embedded, a timeless thing that we all somehow know whether we’ve ever been to one or not. There are characters in this “universal circus,” and whether we know them from literature, visual entertainment or simply word of mouth, we already sort of know them before any tale of a traveling roadshow commences.
But the thing is that we only know them superficially. Yeah, there’s a strongman and a freakishly tiny sideshow person. There’s a stiff-lipped ringmaster with an expectation of perfection. Clowns. Odd fans in the stands. A coldhearted owner fixated on the bottom line. Wannabe stars sniffing around for a chance to become known. And of course trapeze artists and acrobats, who are in fact the focal points for this shrewd sepulchral saga. What we don’t know is the reality behind the greasepaint—and it’s pretty obvious by the enduring nature of the circus and its “folk” that we want to know more. We want to understand what made them willing, even eager, to be stared at for a living.
The thing is that none of these archetypes themselves are really what is at the core of the special mystique that is a circus. It’s more of a communal thing—a vibe—and you can bet that behind the scenes it’s anything but suitable for all ages. Effectively the descendants of gypsy caravans, circuses inherited that feel—there’s menace and majesty, fear and fun, light and dark, but there’s something eerie behind it all and we yearn to perceive that essence...even if we may have no way of fully comprehending the strangeness behind it all even if we do somehow manage a glimpse.
The reader gets more than a mere glimpse in “sometimes they fall,” Part One of The Silence in the Void by Dona Fox. In this case, that root truth for one particularly tenacious and daring circus troupe is something akin to pagan mythology...that is to say, if it had been filtered through the mind of H.P. Lovecraft. Yes, there are mysterious entities at work. And plenty of grim and horrifying actions taken by unsavory authority figures in a microcosmic Orwellian slave state situation. But we’re riding along with the sympathetically likable protagonist, who is growing up with no clue about what’s happening around him, much less why. A tragically appealing self-flagellating character I could see played in a 1940s horror movie by Lon Chaney, Jr.—though he’s hardly a Wolfman—the reader can’t help but feel that Mason would find kinship in John Irving’s Garp. This first installment has a pained poetry to it that carries you along like a gentle yet harrowing ride down the river Styx—you know there won’t be flowers ahead, but you can’t help but be very curious about which chilling totems and talismans the writer’s got lined up along the banks in the ensuing chapters.
I’d suggest you get in the canoe and keep your extremities inside its confines. The current will carry you along. But I’m not sure you’ll be able to step off onto the bank where this one ends. I for one will be continuing the ride.
But the thing is that we only know them superficially. Yeah, there’s a strongman and a freakishly tiny sideshow person. There’s a stiff-lipped ringmaster with an expectation of perfection. Clowns. Odd fans in the stands. A coldhearted owner fixated on the bottom line. Wannabe stars sniffing around for a chance to become known. And of course trapeze artists and acrobats, who are in fact the focal points for this shrewd sepulchral saga. What we don’t know is the reality behind the greasepaint—and it’s pretty obvious by the enduring nature of the circus and its “folk” that we want to know more. We want to understand what made them willing, even eager, to be stared at for a living.
The thing is that none of these archetypes themselves are really what is at the core of the special mystique that is a circus. It’s more of a communal thing—a vibe—and you can bet that behind the scenes it’s anything but suitable for all ages. Effectively the descendants of gypsy caravans, circuses inherited that feel—there’s menace and majesty, fear and fun, light and dark, but there’s something eerie behind it all and we yearn to perceive that essence...even if we may have no way of fully comprehending the strangeness behind it all even if we do somehow manage a glimpse.
The reader gets more than a mere glimpse in “sometimes they fall,” Part One of The Silence in the Void by Dona Fox. In this case, that root truth for one particularly tenacious and daring circus troupe is something akin to pagan mythology...that is to say, if it had been filtered through the mind of H.P. Lovecraft. Yes, there are mysterious entities at work. And plenty of grim and horrifying actions taken by unsavory authority figures in a microcosmic Orwellian slave state situation. But we’re riding along with the sympathetically likable protagonist, who is growing up with no clue about what’s happening around him, much less why. A tragically appealing self-flagellating character I could see played in a 1940s horror movie by Lon Chaney, Jr.—though he’s hardly a Wolfman—the reader can’t help but feel that Mason would find kinship in John Irving’s Garp. This first installment has a pained poetry to it that carries you along like a gentle yet harrowing ride down the river Styx—you know there won’t be flowers ahead, but you can’t help but be very curious about which chilling totems and talismans the writer’s got lined up along the banks in the ensuing chapters.
I’d suggest you get in the canoe and keep your extremities inside its confines. The current will carry you along. But I’m not sure you’ll be able to step off onto the bank where this one ends. I for one will be continuing the ride.
January 24, 2021
One thing is for certain: When I read a story by Dona Fox, I know that it will stay with me (and haunt me) for a long time. This story is no exception.
The prologue introduces the reader to a couple of creepy clowns (yeah, I find most of them creepy). But, the main focus is on a dysfunctional family of trapeze artists. The family is comprised of Uncle Victor, a vicious, horrible man, and his wife, the beautiful Sylvia. Then, you have the narrator, Mason, and his parents. As he says, "My family had never used a net and we would die before we used a net."
It is decided amongst this family that there needs to be some new blood in the family, so Mason's mother has a baby (creepy vibes on who the father might be) to bring in new talent that is hopefully more talented at the trapeze. But, instead of one baby, she has twins. Mason feels threatened by Harlee but loves his little sister, Penny.
You know that with a family of trapeze artists that don't use a net, there is going to be some horrific injuries and deaths. Soon, all that is left of the family is Sylvia and the three siblings.
This story is full of dark, menacing things, especially the madness that seems to be growing in Mason's mind. The author's description of his descent into madness is well-written and should satisfy any horror enthusiast. Since this is titled "Part 1", you should expect the open ending of the story. I look forward to Ms. Fox's next installment in this saga, because I'm sure it will be just as creepy and haunting as this one.
The prologue introduces the reader to a couple of creepy clowns (yeah, I find most of them creepy). But, the main focus is on a dysfunctional family of trapeze artists. The family is comprised of Uncle Victor, a vicious, horrible man, and his wife, the beautiful Sylvia. Then, you have the narrator, Mason, and his parents. As he says, "My family had never used a net and we would die before we used a net."
It is decided amongst this family that there needs to be some new blood in the family, so Mason's mother has a baby (creepy vibes on who the father might be) to bring in new talent that is hopefully more talented at the trapeze. But, instead of one baby, she has twins. Mason feels threatened by Harlee but loves his little sister, Penny.
You know that with a family of trapeze artists that don't use a net, there is going to be some horrific injuries and deaths. Soon, all that is left of the family is Sylvia and the three siblings.
This story is full of dark, menacing things, especially the madness that seems to be growing in Mason's mind. The author's description of his descent into madness is well-written and should satisfy any horror enthusiast. Since this is titled "Part 1", you should expect the open ending of the story. I look forward to Ms. Fox's next installment in this saga, because I'm sure it will be just as creepy and haunting as this one.
February 5, 2021
I was looking forward to receiving a new title by Dona Fox. She is one of my absolute “musts” in horror and reading her is always a delight. Her writing is always based on a solid ground of psychosis and paranoia, where her characters arise both in victory and doom.
Reality and illusion join together to get the reader confused and disoriented. Ends are never expectable and the body of the story spins like a galaxy formed by sick minds.
This story is not what you are expecting. Blood and guts wrap a visceral thread of shifters and dark secrets.
Our narrator Mason, a broken child, tells us about his family, full of horrors and blood. The Great Depression is the timeframe of a circus ruled by a tyrant, who uses all the family members as pure objects to mistreat and neglect.
The kid is a witness of his family history and dreams of changing it all. He makes a strange discovery when following two strange figures talking about things he can’t yet understand.
That’s an intersection point in the story. From there, tragedy after tragedy build a path to loss and somehow, resurrection. He loses all the people he loves and slowly —also his mind.
You’ll have to follow our protagonist, Mason, to get to the eye of the hurricane in this story. Hold tight to your seat though, because a disturbing spiral of emotions is guaranteed. This is, indeed, an amazing horror story.
Reality and illusion join together to get the reader confused and disoriented. Ends are never expectable and the body of the story spins like a galaxy formed by sick minds.
This story is not what you are expecting. Blood and guts wrap a visceral thread of shifters and dark secrets.
Our narrator Mason, a broken child, tells us about his family, full of horrors and blood. The Great Depression is the timeframe of a circus ruled by a tyrant, who uses all the family members as pure objects to mistreat and neglect.
The kid is a witness of his family history and dreams of changing it all. He makes a strange discovery when following two strange figures talking about things he can’t yet understand.
That’s an intersection point in the story. From there, tragedy after tragedy build a path to loss and somehow, resurrection. He loses all the people he loves and slowly —also his mind.
You’ll have to follow our protagonist, Mason, to get to the eye of the hurricane in this story. Hold tight to your seat though, because a disturbing spiral of emotions is guaranteed. This is, indeed, an amazing horror story.
January 7, 2021
Overall, this press is weaving a wonderful series of tales. I have enjoyed what's been put out buy all of the authors. It's been a fun read so far. But this?
This was the shining star. With an author with the chops of Dona Fox, it's a surprise to no one that it is remarkable. In her trademark style of a dark dream weaver, Fox a highlight in her offering, but she took it a step further to compete with some of her own best works. Anxiety laden with emotions is the overall feeling umbrellaing this tale. Definitely recommended.
This was the shining star. With an author with the chops of Dona Fox, it's a surprise to no one that it is remarkable. In her trademark style of a dark dream weaver, Fox a highlight in her offering, but she took it a step further to compete with some of her own best works. Anxiety laden with emotions is the overall feeling umbrellaing this tale. Definitely recommended.
January 8, 2021
I've been a fan and enjoyed Dona's work many times over. But, I struggled with this read. I kept drifting from the story and it didn't hold my attention well. It happens to me from time to time. I come across a book from someone I enjoy, but the story doesn't hit the mark for me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews