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Back Roads
Three masters of horror take you down roads less traveled, where ancient evil refuses to lie down and die, where true love is faceless and sexless, and where a story told differently can change the world.
134 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 3, 2018
Definitely distinct with a common dark thread, these short stories flow with an inexplicably familiar feel, yet feature fresh frights. Each author seems to settle back and spin yarns with a natural knack for story-telling that evokes an avalanche of emotions. A strong, soft, somber voice speaks. Instinctively, I am in. I felt the crisp, cold of the mountain air instantly freeze the inside of my nose, heard the ripples and rush of the rivers and felt my heart in my mouth and my body tense as turning the page felt like taking a hairpin curve at high speed down a mountain highway.
Creatures creep from the dark, formative…to spark a spooky image, while monsters mangle with brilliantly bold detail that may make you squeeze your eyes shut. Substance makes these shorts stand out, as if the writer has wrung a bit of his soul into the words to sneakily seep into the reader. Real-life-right-now social, environmental and health issues blur the line between sci-fi and reality, bringing a chilling sense of foreboding along with the ugly, unfiltered view of cruelty by corporate corruption.
I love that these stories show scenic, wild, West Virginia while portraying the people honestly; quietly quashing inaccurate stereotypes; humbly highlighting the genuine good. To me, this book is a treasure chest filled with rare, remarkable jewels that will bring me pleasure every single time I open it. I enthusiastically recommend it to voracious readers, as well as reluctant ones. In merely minutes, engage in a tumultuous, terrifying escape….and I mean that in the best way possible. And for my friends that truly wish they had more time to read, here. This book actually does give you more time to read…..now it is impossible to sleep.
Creatures creep from the dark, formative…to spark a spooky image, while monsters mangle with brilliantly bold detail that may make you squeeze your eyes shut. Substance makes these shorts stand out, as if the writer has wrung a bit of his soul into the words to sneakily seep into the reader. Real-life-right-now social, environmental and health issues blur the line between sci-fi and reality, bringing a chilling sense of foreboding along with the ugly, unfiltered view of cruelty by corporate corruption.
I love that these stories show scenic, wild, West Virginia while portraying the people honestly; quietly quashing inaccurate stereotypes; humbly highlighting the genuine good. To me, this book is a treasure chest filled with rare, remarkable jewels that will bring me pleasure every single time I open it. I enthusiastically recommend it to voracious readers, as well as reluctant ones. In merely minutes, engage in a tumultuous, terrifying escape….and I mean that in the best way possible. And for my friends that truly wish they had more time to read, here. This book actually does give you more time to read…..now it is impossible to sleep.
October 24, 2025
3.25
Averaged out my ratings for all the stories. My thoughts on the overall collection is mixed. There is quite a range of types of stories here, and not all of them worked for me, but the ones that did work really worked. It's just a matter of personal taste what works for you and what doesn't, and I feel that's especially true with a genre like horror.
I will list my ratings for the individual stories below and any thoughts I had on them
The Traveler's Rest - 2 stars
This felt spooky in the way kids would tell ghost stories around a campfire, which isn't my kinda vibe but I get the appeal for some folks.
Summer's Almost Gone - 1 star
I really didn't like this one. It left an icky taste in my mouth that I can't put my finger on, and the buildup vs payoff was ultimately unsatisfying.
Born to Darkness - 4 stars
I very much dislike zombies, but this was done well. Not enough zombie stories truly lean into the body horror of a seemingly living thing actively decaying in real time. I think that's when it can be effective for me and this did it.
The Black Dog - 5 stars
I love modernized mythology. That's all I have to say here lol
Wheels on the Bus - 2 stars
Choices were certainly made. There were some little comments here and there that felt unnecessary to the story and it really did bring down an otherwise interesting concept. Maybe in a longer format those ideas could have been expanded on and developed into a more rounded character, but with the time the story got it just fell flat and ended up feeling off, taking away from the experience.
Lonely - 3 stars
Overall I don't have any thoughts on this one other than it wasn't the sort of thing I'm looking for in horror, but I can see it working for other people.
Works of Fiction - 4.5 stars
Oh hell yeah, we're getting weird with it.
Midnight Specials - 5 stars
I, too, enjoy a good cheesy horror flick, my creepy companions.
Teeth Eater - 4 stars
Love when a short story can pull of a cool twist.
Around the Edges - 2 stars
So I've never really read anything quite like this and I'm just not sure this kind of format for a story is for me. And I recognize that it is 100% a me thing.
Averaged out my ratings for all the stories. My thoughts on the overall collection is mixed. There is quite a range of types of stories here, and not all of them worked for me, but the ones that did work really worked. It's just a matter of personal taste what works for you and what doesn't, and I feel that's especially true with a genre like horror.
I will list my ratings for the individual stories below and any thoughts I had on them
The Traveler's Rest - 2 stars
This felt spooky in the way kids would tell ghost stories around a campfire, which isn't my kinda vibe but I get the appeal for some folks.
Summer's Almost Gone - 1 star
I really didn't like this one. It left an icky taste in my mouth that I can't put my finger on, and the buildup vs payoff was ultimately unsatisfying.
Born to Darkness - 4 stars
I very much dislike zombies, but this was done well. Not enough zombie stories truly lean into the body horror of a seemingly living thing actively decaying in real time. I think that's when it can be effective for me and this did it.
The Black Dog - 5 stars
I love modernized mythology. That's all I have to say here lol
Wheels on the Bus - 2 stars
Choices were certainly made. There were some little comments here and there that felt unnecessary to the story and it really did bring down an otherwise interesting concept. Maybe in a longer format those ideas could have been expanded on and developed into a more rounded character, but with the time the story got it just fell flat and ended up feeling off, taking away from the experience.
Lonely - 3 stars
Overall I don't have any thoughts on this one other than it wasn't the sort of thing I'm looking for in horror, but I can see it working for other people.
Works of Fiction - 4.5 stars
Oh hell yeah, we're getting weird with it.
Midnight Specials - 5 stars
I, too, enjoy a good cheesy horror flick, my creepy companions.
Teeth Eater - 4 stars
Love when a short story can pull of a cool twist.
Around the Edges - 2 stars
So I've never really read anything quite like this and I'm just not sure this kind of format for a story is for me. And I recognize that it is 100% a me thing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews