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Longhorn
A chiller book shot where a longhorn rancher pays the price for messing with nature. Told in the spirit of Ray Bradbury.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2017
Longhorn is a well written chiller. I can’t say this is a horror story but a story that has the potential of creating awareness against GMOs and its lethal effects on not only the livestock but also on humans.
The writing is smooth and impressive. All the characters including the secondary ones are well developed and very well explained.
The author has done a tremendous job in conveying a great deal of valuable information in such a short read. The writing boasts Maree’s commanding grasp on conveying so much in so less words.
The story ends at just the right note and I would love to read the sequel if the author wishes to pen one.
The writing is smooth and impressive. All the characters including the secondary ones are well developed and very well explained.
The author has done a tremendous job in conveying a great deal of valuable information in such a short read. The writing boasts Maree’s commanding grasp on conveying so much in so less words.
The story ends at just the right note and I would love to read the sequel if the author wishes to pen one.
June 24, 2017
I received A copy of Longhorn for free in exchange for a review.
Despite Longhorn diverging from my usual reading preferences, I rather enjoyed it. It's a short story and the pacing is quick so I finished it in one sitting, but it felt complete. I feel that the conclusion of the story was a little bit of a stretch, though, a sojourn in the fantastical where the rest of the story felt grounded in reality. Beyond that, my only other qualm is that the starting prose read a little awkward. The prose for the rest of the story might be as well, but I was invested in events taking place to notice one way or another.
Despite Longhorn diverging from my usual reading preferences, I rather enjoyed it. It's a short story and the pacing is quick so I finished it in one sitting, but it felt complete. I feel that the conclusion of the story was a little bit of a stretch, though, a sojourn in the fantastical where the rest of the story felt grounded in reality. Beyond that, my only other qualm is that the starting prose read a little awkward. The prose for the rest of the story might be as well, but I was invested in events taking place to notice one way or another.
January 6, 2017
While horror isn’t exactly my favorite genre, I do have to say that this was well written. The author did a great job!
I would not recommend this story to be read at night, in the dark, on a cow farm. Or maybe you should, just to freak yourself out. It was monumentally scary, with a nod toward the potential dangers of GMOs. The characters were well written, especially Ray, Cecilia, and Jesse. I felt kind of sorry for Cecilia, but not much. Her back story brought up some pity for her, but only a little. The majority of my pity goes to poor Ray. I don’t want to give much away, but I’ll say that I’m glad Sam didn’t do what his dad asked. The story ended in an appropriate way for a chiller to end, with just the right amount of fear and wonder along the lines of “What’s going to happen, now?"
If you like scary chiller, and horror, you will like this story.
I would not recommend this story to be read at night, in the dark, on a cow farm. Or maybe you should, just to freak yourself out. It was monumentally scary, with a nod toward the potential dangers of GMOs. The characters were well written, especially Ray, Cecilia, and Jesse. I felt kind of sorry for Cecilia, but not much. Her back story brought up some pity for her, but only a little. The majority of my pity goes to poor Ray. I don’t want to give much away, but I’ll say that I’m glad Sam didn’t do what his dad asked. The story ended in an appropriate way for a chiller to end, with just the right amount of fear and wonder along the lines of “What’s going to happen, now?"
If you like scary chiller, and horror, you will like this story.
January 15, 2017
Longhorn, by Chance Maree, is a fast-paced thriller with an underlying message. That underlying message is the danger of the effects of GMOs on crops, animals - and also humans. Set on a cow ranch, the story opens with the birthing of a longhorn calf that doesn't go as planned. In fact, from this starting point, the story flys quickly from one calamity to another, with protagonist Jesse getting caught up in more than one bloody encounter. Not for the faint of heart, Longhorn is a chilling story that will cause readers to re-think what may be in the food they are consuming, and also how their bodies and lives may be changed because of it. Author Chance Maree may also be hoping for readers to research how and why GMOs should be banned from use in farming, which raises both economic & moral questions and calls for environmental & social change. Ultimately, this novella is a unique horror story that won't appeal to everyone - but likewise deserves an audience.
March 9, 2017
While going to observe a calving of one of his prize longhorns, Jesse meets his new veterinarian, come to give him news. On the way to the calving, they pass men in hazmat suits traipsing around in his wife's neighbor alfalfa fields. The vet enquires, but Jesse doesn't know much about his wife's business.
Jesse and the doc reach the calving pens in time to witness the birth of a monstrous amalgam of calf and scorpion. Horrified, Jesse shoots the deformed calf, and the vet takes the body away to study. How did the calf, born of proven bloodlines, end up in such a state? Do the suited workers have anything to do with what happened? And what else might fall prey?
In Longhorn, Maree has woven a chilling warning of the phantasmal dangers of playing God and mixing genes, when we have little idea of the extent the result will encompass. At present, creatures mutated to this extent are still relegated to our stories, but how much longer will that be the case? Use of chemicals on foodstuffs given to animals we humans in turn then eat, or that we ourselves eat, has resulted in deformity.
This was an engrossing read, over too soon. I would happily read a long version, with an expanded timeline. The genetics aspects made me think of Shadowfires, Jurassic Park, and Relic, though the latter is caused by a natural substance instead of being wrought by man’s hand. The crazed animals reminded me of Cujo, and that most terrifying of conflicts- man vs implacable nature, that can trample right over you if you aren't careful enough. Too late do many think of the consequences of meddling in things we know nothing about, not really.
Jesse and the doc reach the calving pens in time to witness the birth of a monstrous amalgam of calf and scorpion. Horrified, Jesse shoots the deformed calf, and the vet takes the body away to study. How did the calf, born of proven bloodlines, end up in such a state? Do the suited workers have anything to do with what happened? And what else might fall prey?
In Longhorn, Maree has woven a chilling warning of the phantasmal dangers of playing God and mixing genes, when we have little idea of the extent the result will encompass. At present, creatures mutated to this extent are still relegated to our stories, but how much longer will that be the case? Use of chemicals on foodstuffs given to animals we humans in turn then eat, or that we ourselves eat, has resulted in deformity.
This was an engrossing read, over too soon. I would happily read a long version, with an expanded timeline. The genetics aspects made me think of Shadowfires, Jurassic Park, and Relic, though the latter is caused by a natural substance instead of being wrought by man’s hand. The crazed animals reminded me of Cujo, and that most terrifying of conflicts- man vs implacable nature, that can trample right over you if you aren't careful enough. Too late do many think of the consequences of meddling in things we know nothing about, not really.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews