Kalfu, the ultimate evil-twin and Voodoo Loa of the afterworld and crossroads kicks off his plans for possession of the Southern Mississippi corridor. Dark half of Papa Legba, Kalfu sets off events that cripple New Orleans, tries to take control of the over 9 million visitors to the Big Easy a year, and seeds his Hoodoo mafia, the Guédé, across Louisiana and the world. If the fire, category HUGE hurricane spawned by magical means, and roving mobs of mayhem-inducing zombi astrals don’t get you, the angry goddess and nuclear meltdown might. Laissez the End Times Roulez, y’all. The Apocalypse just came to the South.
Kim wrote her first critically acclaimed (if you call her fourth grade teacher a critic, and she does) short story when she was 9 years old. It was about Christmas in a Cave, and it featured such topical, ground-breaking subjects as homelessness & cave dwelling. She's been writing ever since. The state of publication depends on who you ask.
She has a Ph.D. in Literature, with specialties in American Lit, Women Writers, Feminism, Sci-Fi/Fantasy & Film Studies but please don't hold any of that against her. She sometimes teaches academic writing and how to read literature at a university in her hometown and tries to convince college students that it really is cool to like poetry.
She lives in the South, has twin children (one girl, one boy) and a husband who is the model for all her best romantic heroes. She also has two cats-- one black and sassy, one stripey and fat.
[Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for review.]
With the apocalypse in full-swing in Los Angeles and Texas, Kim Wells brings the mayhem to the Louisiana's French Quarter. In Hoodoopocalypse, we get voodoo, spellcasting, the birth of a massive hurricane, an angry demon god and his violent acolytes, a mysterious magic shop and...gladiator fights?
Yup, gladiator fights. Mad Max has apparently been a solid influence on the Apocalypse Weird writers, and Wells gets all nice and Thunderdome-y here, turning the Superdome into a bloody combat zone where fighters square off against one another, as well as lions, hyenas, and trigger-happy gunmen. Oh my.
There's a good amount of fun on display here, and those AW readers that have been paying attention to the growing series of books under this banner will recognize a ton of nods to Chris Pourteau's entry, The Serenity Strain. Those looking for some serious glimpses of interconnectivity between the disparate apocalypses need look no further than these two efforts.
Wells puts on display a lot of tantalizing hints as to where future installments of her Hoodoo series will go, and I'm eager to see her cash in on a number of these elements and the cross-over potential with the neighboring apocalypse in Texas. One weird element that I was really looking forward to was sadly fleeting, but I won't spoil the details, only that it comes during the book's climax and that it's an element that I hope to see more of in the next volume.
Still, what Wells does pull together here is a nice primer for future Hoodoo stories, and it looks to be a solid epic in the making in its own right should the Tarot cards land properly. Hoodoopocalypse itself is yet another solid entry in the shared universe of Apocalypse Weird titles, and already has me craving more Cajun craziness.
From that fantastic first line all the way through to a thrilling conclusion, Kim Wells' writing and storytelling weave a spell that will not let the reader go. And the thing is no matter how deeply creepy, funny, or frightening the story is, and it's all three, you don't WANT to be let go. I found myself feeling anxious about possibly heading down to the Big Easy for a visit next month, while at the same time thinking there's no way I'd miss my chance to check this fabulous place out. That's quite an accomplishment in a quick read!
The wonderful thing that might not be clear about that opener if you haven't read other AW novels is the crossroads is deep, and massive, and we're only now starting to see the shape of it. Each new writer's approach has been a real pleasure to sink into, and I'm tickled that I learn a new piece of the puzzle while I'm having a great time reading.
Hoodoopocalypse is another wonderful addition to the Apocalypse Weird world. This time, Wells is taking her talents to South Beach... just kidding. This story is set in the alcohol and vomit filled streets of New Orleans and brings a new charm to the apocalypse (or curse I guess you could call it). The story breaks up into several different sub-stories as characters get separated from one another and things get Weird...mad Weird.
Homicidal carpool lines where you are lucky to get out with both of your eyes, pairs of gravediggers, known as the Guédé, snatching up citizens for some unknown purpose while a blindness sweeps the city, the Superdome (or as I like to refer to it as the 'Thunderdome'...See Mad Max) housing Gladiator-esque battles between humans (and non-humans, not to spoil anything) and so so much more. There are even several nods to other AW authors' stories throughout Hoodoo that really begin to tie everything together (granted, this is only the beginning).
This book was a non-stop, thrilling read and I never once put it down (at least until my Kindle died). The only thing I don't like is that I have to wait for part 2. If you loved movies like Mad Max or Gladiator and enjoy books that are just well, a little weird, definitely pick this one up. And while you are at it, check out the rest of Apocalypse Weird series. You'll be glad you did.
Bon Travail! Another group of AW books has been released into our world of carpools, traffic and mundane days at the office to pull away the veil and give us a glimpse of the weird, chaotic and sometimes creepy, end of the world. Kim brings an entirely new look at the end with all the thrills and chills that only a night in New Orleans can bring. This small book takes you on a twisty walk through the city and into an exciting tale of the underworld right smack in the middle of our world. Plus, there is more of that travel through space and time stuff and also something unique to the AW so far, man-eating mermaids! Read away and make sure you don't miss any of the AW books, you never know where you will have to survive in the end!
Wow. This was the first book I've read by Kim Wells and it was badass. The voice captured me right away and pulled me into the story. This story has a fast pace and the setting is vivid. Great job!
The Hoodoopocalypse has arrived, and its name is Kim Wells.
Seriously: Hoodoopocalypse is the most recent addition to Wonderment Media’s Apocalypse Weird series, and it’s a ton of fun. (I reviewed an ARC of the book.) I’ve been to new Orleans a bunch of times, I can tell you about the shops I’ve visited and people I’ve met, but none of it compares to the quasi-fictional world that Wells has chosen as the backdrop of her work.
It’s a pretty wacky tale as such things go: Kalfu, Papa Legba’s evil opposite in the realm of loa, has a project: the ruin of New Orleans. To this end he’s made it his business to disseminate cursed voodoo dolls to tourists far and wide, and a few locals as well. One of the these recruits is Lee Lee, a vain, self-absorbed housewife and mother of two who remains unaware that she’s been placed on Kalfu’s short list of henchmen (and women), even as she defends her place in the local school’s car pool pickup line by beating another soccer mom to a bloody pulp. Police are called, Lee Lee spends the night in lockup, then steals a squad car to drive home where she is properly inducted into the world of apocalyptic day jobs by the Guede, Kalfu’s version of the Black Hand.
While Lee Lee goes about learning her new trade, we meet two denizens of Jackson Square: Marie, a fortune teller who caters to tourists, and her mentor Mere (think Kathy Bates as Swamp Witch Mom in Adam Sandler’s TheWaterboy), who’s been painting protective magic into canvases for decades. When the Blindness descends on the city the Guede swing into action, pillaging stores for supplies, attacking tourists, and utilizing the trolley cars on Canal Street to ferry hapless victims to the NOLA Superdome, the sports station which gained notoriety during the aftermath of Katrina. The game of the day is hand-to-hand combat and gladiatorial games, involving Marie’s boyfriend, Marshall, and a number of animals acquired from the New Orleans Zoo. Mere and Marie pick up others along the way as they navigate the ruined cityscape, roving gangs of Guede, and a fire the consumes most of the French Quarter.
Did I mention Hurricane Glenn, a cat 5 monster which is expected to make landfall within 48 hours? Yeah.
It’s not the most linear book I’ve read; the action is distributed between several groups who engage with their stories simultaneously. And some story arcs like Lee Lee’s never quite gel with the other plot lines. That’s easy to overlook, however, because the action is paced well enough to keep us from getting too distracted.
Kim Wells has written a fun, engaging story that brings the more amusing aspects of N’Awlins mythology to life. I found myself wishing for another hundred pages to round out the character’s arcs. That’s due to the limits of the medium, not her skill as a story-teller: the story is huge, the scholarly work regarding Voudon alone encompasses hundreds of volumes, and Wells has only got 150 pages to work with. But she makes it work; the action is clipped but never contrived, and the cliffhanger ending allows her plenty of room to expand her corner of the Apocalypse Weird ‘verse.
With a Weird universe that was first introduced in the midst of a “Zombie Apocalypse”, it is fitting that we now get to see how the Voudou community and others of New Orleans fare during the opening days of the disaster. Hoodoopocalypse by Kim Wells makes references to some of the earlier volumes of Apocalypse Weird, but it also stands well on its own as a thrilling story.
This book has a different flavor than the other volumes of Apocalypse Weird. While the other books so far could perhaps be best classified as science fiction thrillers, Hoodoopocalypse is more of a supernatural thriller. One of the main characters is Kalfu, the Voudou loa (spirit) of the crossroads. Other major characters are practitioners of Voudou or related religions. Loa and goddesses play important roles in the story, though they are recognized as such by only a few characters.
The settings and the characters are presented in a way that makes you feel like you are right there, with the likeable characters as long-time friends. I could almost taste the beignets, smell the fish and seaweed of the waterfront, and feel the buzz upon entering Maman Brigitte’s Hoodoo Shop. I also enjoyed seeing the small drawings at the beginning of each chapter. Many of the drawings are veves, or Voudou religious symbols, and they provide clues about the contents of the chapters.
Once I started reading Hoodoopocalypse, it was almost impossible to put it down. I read most of the book in one day and got up before dawn the next day to finish it off. The ending was satisfying, but with plenty left for the sequel that is clearly coming. I look forward to the next stage of the journey!
I received an Advance Reading Copy in exchange for a fair review.
I don't usually read a lot of voodoo stories but this one was very interesting. Kim is an excellent author who knows how to use words to build up a great story and captivate her audience. Her writing style is delightful and keeps the story flowing nicely. She knows proper pacing, very important to me, since I am not a fan of being rushed through a story or the story drags on so much I have a tough time sticking with it. I find this is hard to do and was happy to see she found the perfect mix.
Her characters are a unique mix of individuals that complement each other well making it a very nice complete cast. The adversary is scary and quite fitting for this book. You can't help but love Marie.
The book closes in a way but has lots more to go. I really hope Kim will continue this book into a series and if she does I intend on reading the next ones to see what the story holds. Loved this story and look forward to more.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review.
Once again I have received a free copy of this Apocalypse Weird book in exchange for a honest review, and once again I would have purchased this book if I had not received a free copy. I have enjoyed all the AW books, and the common world they live in and this was no exception. I am not an expert on New Orleans and the culture there, however I have some good friends there and have visited. The descriptions and story felt "for true." I did not want to stop reading and am anxiously waiting for more. It's seems almost a cliche, but it is my number 1 rating criteria. Thanks for a great read, Kim, keep them coming.
Kim Wells has written a thrilling addition to the Apocalypse Weird Universe. An author should always leave the reader wanting more, and that is certainly the case here. Set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a major hurricane on the horizon, voodoo priestesses ( though they don't like being called that ) old style gods and goddesses, acolytes, and every vision of human depravity available, I was totally hooked. I have spent much time in New Orleans and Kim paints a vivid portrait of the Quarter. She also scared the heck out of me! I did not want this story line to end and look forward to her next book.
Kalfu one of the 88 has big plans to take down New Orleans, but she won't go down so easy!!! Kalfu finds that Marie and Me're and the other white hoodoo magic users are not so easy to push around! With Marie's help a storm is averted.
I love Kim's take on this series and I love how she dovetailed her book with Chris' "Serenity Strain." Providing even more continuity to this "weird" series.
I'm looking forward to see where this part of the series goes.
If you haven't started Apocalypse Weird why not? If you have, but just haven't read Hoodoopocalypse yet I say grab it...
I was immediately struck by how adept the author is at painting vivid descriptions of the characters and the settings- I could clearly see the scenes in my mind and felt like I was there. This story in the Apocalypse Weird world is centered around New Orleans and introduces some memorable characters, a bit of hoodoo magic, and technology from another world then seamlessly blends them with elements from other AW books. An enjoyable and exciting read!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and am pleased to leave a review.
Kim Wells brings her slipstream style to New Orleans and the Apocalypse Weird Universe. This is another Apocalypse Weird story and then it is not – and that is what I am loving about this new universe. I recommend this book to fans of the authors, adventure, thriller, and suspense. And certainly to anyone that wants an entry into the Apocalypse Weird Universe!
Hoodoopocalypse was absolutely awesome! Definitely one of my favorite Apocalypse Weird titles yet, it was well written, with excellent characters. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. Without giving too much away, I'm dying to know what happened to Marshall. This was the first thing I've read by Wells, but based on the quality, it certainly won't be the last! Well done, Ma'am!
On the one hand, I was HOOKED with the concept of the entire story. A haitian equivalent of the devil taking over New Orleans and forcing people to fight in his thunderdome and all of it taking place in the Apocalypse Weird series. I was really interested in the characters and was excited to see what they could do.
But on the other hand, this was a VERY short book and I feel like even with events happening in the book, it almost felt too quick. It was setting up stories for future sequels and the ending felt a bit rushed.
That's not to say it's bad, on the contrary: It was actually good. I just wanted MORE from it. I'm not sure if the Author is writting the second book to Hoodoopocalypse but I do hope she learned from the first one and added MORE to it. More character interactions and dynamics, more Hoodoo mythology, more weird to it!
I’ve been to New Orleans, the setting of this book. Now I feel compelled to return and look for a certain Voodoo shop…
I’m a wimp and have a difficult time reading scary books, but because I’ve read another book by this talented writer, I decided to be brave. Author Kim Wells is a master when it comes to creating memorable characters and plots. This story is full of magic, mayhem, and unforgettable characters. I read this in one sitting, unable to stop myself despite the late hour. At the end I was wrung out but very satisfied. Now I hope the sequel is in the works because there are some questions I need to have answered. Excellent book!
Gory and suspenseful, Kim Wells always delivers the "I-want-more" in her books. Her detail and research show through when you can smell and feel the French Quarter around you, the tension of the carpool line or the swampy smell mixed with the bloody mist lingering inside the Super Dome. She makes you worry for her character's safety. She makes you want to throw a jab or two at the bad guys.