Brass

by Robert J. Conley

Winner of the Beginnings of Horror Award! The ancient Cherokees knew him as "Untsaiyi", or Brass, because of his metallic skin. He was one of the old ones, the original beings who lived long before man walked the earth. And he would live forever. He cared nothing for humans, though he could take their form--or virtually any form--at will. For untold centuries the world has been free of his deadly games, but now Brass is back among us and no one who sees him will ever be the same--if they survive at all.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

Robert J. Conley was a Cherokee author and enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of American Indians. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas.

Reviews

[Danielle Apple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this concept and thought the Brass character was really well done. He brought an old legendary villain to life. A little cheesy on the gore scale but I haven't read much horror from the 90s. Maybe that's a thing!

[Mark R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Brass,” by Robert J. Conley, is one hell of a fast-moving book. It won’t change the way you think about the genre, but if you like shape-shifting monsters, Native American legends, and the thought of a pack of police trying to chase down a centuries-old creature, then here you go.

This being, the one-named Brass, has been pinioned to the ocean floor, guarded over by crows, for hundreds of years. Unfortunately the site of his burial is also where a small California town is looking to do a beach revamping. First thing that’s gotta go is that weird, wooden pole. Once removed, of course, Brass escapes and hits the road, murdering anyone who attempts to disuade him from getting to Las Vegas and doing some serious gambling.

That’s the monster’s game, gambling. And women, too—he picks up a teenage hitchhiker, and herein lie the most interesting parts of the story. This subplot falls away by the ending, but there’s a pretty good final showdown just the same. Sympathetic cops and other authority figures chase after Brass, who leaves a trail of pretty obvious clues.

There’s some fun humor in Conley’s writing. He doesn’t go out-of-control “Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time” with the fish-out-of-water scenario, but does get some solid laughs out of Brass’s attempts to adapt to modern American life. In between, you know, gruesome killings.

[Alejandro Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn into this one with the promise of Cherokee associated lore and the atmospheric cover art. I haven’t delved into much adult horror (I’m more into middle-grade and YA horror literature than adult), so it was nice to jump back in—and holy Darwin was this the most pulpy thing I’ve read to date. If a gambling shape-shifting accidental pedo being-and-murdering monster from Cherokee legend sounds dope, this is a goldmine. I thoroughly enjoyed Brass as a character and he was clearly the highlight of the book (it’s literally named after him), with him adapting to modern day with the aid of other characters, most delightfully his temporary spouse Judith. Aside from the ageplay crap (barf), their dynamic was kinda fun, and I think Judith was the most compelling character here before she literally dipped out of the story. The A-turned-B plot with Shelby was cool and helped for pacing, plus conveyed some good themes, more explicitly environmentalism and responsibility. The Cherokee ties with Brass were cool and him even using Cherokee legends at a few points in the first half during murders were super welcome. The writing is good and I think Brass’ monologuing in the beginning and the very end of the book is probably the best thing out of this, as it’s thought-provoking in its casualness even if the situation he’s in is horrific sounding. Now for some negatives. I think characters like Green, Kay (Shelby’s wife), and that random dude in the final sixth are extremely underdeveloped and only serve narrative purposes, with Kay being actually just useless besides confiding in Shelby earlier on and maybe twice elsewhere, which feels demeaning for one of the only female characters in this book. Speaking of the women—Judith. The pedo (though I presume just Brass not knowing age of consent laws) shit was unnecessary, and didn’t serve a purpose outside of the ending which is a lame note for her character to go off on. Judith also vanishes from the story at one point just before the climax which is inexcusable; there could’ve easily been something done, like a confrontation with her and Brass or even her joining the A-turned-B-turned-A plot with Shelby and the crew. It’s a disappointment there. The book also has a pretty weak story, with this book being mostly pulp, and not an entirely excusable kind. The premise I like but some scenes even as late at 250 pages in or more are not only useless but there for giggles and shits, and they’re exclusively with Brass. Yeah, they’re fun, I guess, but also not important and a clear sign of needed padding. And besides those moments, it’s a pretty weak story narrative in general. Also the final confrontation with Brass feels too linear and extends my belief quite a bit. Overall, 6.5/10. I enjoyed it plenty, but it’s not great literature by most means. Brass 2 finna be France The Mute, except Johnny Vismund is gonna kill Brass and not a rapist cult during a thirty minute metal brass epic (see what I did there? Okay fuck you too).

[David Varley-Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brass. Robert J Conley.

Brass is a shapeshifting trickster from Native American folklore. Immortal, he's been pinned to the ocean floor for centuries. Until a new beach side development sets him free.

Brass isn't an evil guy, he just doesn't see any value in human life. The same way we might be fascinated by ants, but ultimately don't give a shit about them if we have to stand on a few to cross the garden.

So, if he has turn into a giant snake and squeeze your head off to get your nice car, he will.

This is a fast paced story; I liked that the author doesn't give the characters room to doubt the fantastical events they're presented with. Boom! Prisoner transforms into giant bear and rampages through the police station. Deal with it!

Brass hits the road and joins up with teenage runaway Judith-Ann. This section of the story is the best. It takes on a sort of Bonnie and Clyde, Two Lane Blacktop type vibe. Just two mixed up kids in a world they don't understand. A scene of Brass crying when he can't provide from them both was surprisingly moving.

I could have taken a lot more of this.

Unfortunately, Judith-Ann is shuffled out the story to return in the last few pages for the predictable coda.

The heroes are mostly non descript, a policeman, a civil engineer and his wife who is to only there to be appalled by blood and guts. They are joined by a professor of Native American history who may or may not be destined to face Brass due to his tribal name.

The ending of the book doesn't quite work. There's a climatic game of skill that could have done with a touch more drama and the plan they have to contain Brass is outlandish, but is also robbed of drama, as it goes off without a hitch.

Overall though this was an enjoyable read.

[Arty A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read BRASS in 4 days ,but it was a weird read. Started out fast and to the point but after awhile I realized, and I don't know for sure, but it seemed like ol'ribald Robert was making it up as he went along and it just happened to turn okay. It went from n ancient indian man-creature that shape-shifts and kills people to a fish out of water story, to a gambler trying to beat the system in Vegas. Then people are trying to capture and immobilize him since he can't be kilt. I think the fact that I read it in 4 days means that it was good but I would never read it again. I liked the American Indian lore in it. Really can't recommend unless you are more than a voracious reader and just want to bang out another book as fast as you can. Yeah, just weird that I read it so fast. I would have finished it faster if I hadn't been listening to Death Metal Master, MASTER! Who are playing tonight! 2 and a half Hands OF fate.

[Roger Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consider the sociopath. He is friendly. He is personable and likeable. He is very good at gaining your trust. And at any time he will stab you in the back or kill you for personal gain and he will feel no guilt. Now, imagine that the sociopath is a shape changer. In an instant he can be a snake, a bear, a bat. If he wants your car he has no problem with becoming a poisonous spider and biting you for it. If he is hungry he has no compunction against becoming an alligator and eating you. He also cannot be killed. This is a description of Brass. There is only one way to stop him and it involves heeding the ancient folklore of the Cherokees.

[Leif Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looked like it was going to be terrible, but I actually enjoyed it. It had a little bit of the flavor of some of the Native American legends that I've heard, but the style was definitely modern and pretty conventional. It held a nice pace and had some good twists.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sort of writes itself.
It was fun to read a Cherokee horror story.