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Blackwater: Two Stories of Horror and Dark Science Fiction
BLACKWATER is a collection of two tales of horror and dark fantasy. In "Mercury Rain" a soldier fighting a new enemy learns the importance of holding on to his memories. "Blackwater," the title story of the collection, is an homage to Stephen King's short story, "Graveyard Shift," and it tells the tale of Paul Hawkins, a mine worker who disturbs something terrifying in the Blackwater Hills of Durham, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1976.
- GenresHorror
48 pages, Kindle Edition
159 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Christian Galacar
9 books400 followersChristian Galacar grew up in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a small suburb north of Boston. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he received a BBA degree in Finance.
He still resides in Massachusetts with his wife and is always working on his next book.
To receive updates on future releases and other announcements, subscribe by email here: www.christiangalacar.com
He still resides in Massachusetts with his wife and is always working on his next book.
To receive updates on future releases and other announcements, subscribe by email here: www.christiangalacar.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 30, 2025
Memories and Monsters!
The two stories in this book are both invisible. One of them is boring as hell and the other one is boring as hell. I did the best I could by reading them. They could not stand me up at all.
The only reason why I didn’t faint while reading them is because I thought they would get too heavy to carry and then I would just be able to see myself grow. The first book is not the best. The second one is better. Maybe there should be a third book.
Two stars. ✨✨
The two stories in this book are both invisible. One of them is boring as hell and the other one is boring as hell. I did the best I could by reading them. They could not stand me up at all.
The only reason why I didn’t faint while reading them is because I thought they would get too heavy to carry and then I would just be able to see myself grow. The first book is not the best. The second one is better. Maybe there should be a third book.
Two stars. ✨✨
November 23, 2019
"So stay sleeping. Keep your eyes shut no matter what claws at your window, darlings. It will be over before you know it."
Four free frightful fshort fstories! Fyay!
The first two stories get all the stars:
Mercury Rain is a brief glimpse into a soldier’s life during a future war and the tole it takes on his mind. I can see this story being cited in collegiate term papers. It gets better the more I think on it.
Blackwater, the book’s namesake, is a Doozy of a monster flick. How have I never read a scary story set in coal mine? Coal mines are scary places! I loved this story: beginning, middle, end - perfection. Best of genre.
The other two I could have done without which is why this book is getting four stars and not five.
Once again I'd to thank Randy from Horror Aficionados for his consistently updated lists of free stories.
Four free frightful fshort fstories! Fyay!
The first two stories get all the stars:
Mercury Rain is a brief glimpse into a soldier’s life during a future war and the tole it takes on his mind. I can see this story being cited in collegiate term papers. It gets better the more I think on it.
Blackwater, the book’s namesake, is a Doozy of a monster flick. How have I never read a scary story set in coal mine? Coal mines are scary places! I loved this story: beginning, middle, end - perfection. Best of genre.
The other two I could have done without which is why this book is getting four stars and not five.
Once again I'd to thank Randy from Horror Aficionados for his consistently updated lists of free stories.
January 25, 2018
I received this book from the author in exchange of an unbaised review.
Wao this was something else, specially blackwater, it was very gripping and interesting, the way the tension build and then let go was amazing.
the first story seemed like a prediction of a future we can reach if we don't have care, so maybe we should be more aware of our past if we don't want to lose our future.
Wao this was something else, specially blackwater, it was very gripping and interesting, the way the tension build and then let go was amazing.
the first story seemed like a prediction of a future we can reach if we don't have care, so maybe we should be more aware of our past if we don't want to lose our future.
November 27, 2019
Two decent short stories. I enjoyed the writing and liked the stories. I think I would have enjoyed them more if they were a little longer, maybe a little more developed. The short stories were good, they grabbed your attention. Maybe that's why I think they should be longer, because I wanted to know more about what's going to happen or had happened.
June 27, 2019
The first story in this two-story collection was just okay. But the second story was fantastic. I say this a lot about Galacar's work, but it was reminiscent of early day King. I loved it. I loved the characters, the setting and especially the twisted ending.
July 19, 2019
A nice amuse-bouche of darkness.
January 20, 2019
A pair of delightfully dark and depressing tales. The first is a bit more sci-fi, but the second is a more traditional monster setup. Both were highly enjoyable, with Blackwater leaving a bit of lingering fear as I walked to my car the night I read it.
August 7, 2020
Like Gilchrist, I recieved this for free! So thank you amazon kindle for giving me free books. So I liked these, but what gets me with Galacar's writing is I really dislike most of the men he writes. They are honestly just disgusting typical middle aged men, who are gross, lonely, porn obsessed and I hate seeing that trope over and over again in horror. The main character of Gilchrist was a little bit different and Hawkins from Blackwater wasn't awful, but like every other male that makes an appearance in his writing is just basic, nasty and lacks a depth I want to see in a horror narrative.
I liked Mercury a lot. I loved the idea of self aware machines building their army and taking over and waging war. Honestly, give me more of that. Give me a comic series of that or a book series or a show. Love it and I want more of it. That one was too short and I feel like has the potential to be even more fleshed out than Blackwater.
Blackwater was good too, but like I said, hated the characters, so I didn't care that the moth rat creatures were gonna eat em all. The story gave me vibes from The Descent, which is interesting cause that was an all female cast.
Speaking of, I want to read more of Galacar, because I feel like I really love the ideas he is bringing to the horror genre, but I cannot connect with his characters. I either want to see a better male protagonist written or I want to see a badass female protagonist. I haven't read anything other than these short stories and Gilchrist, but I'm willing to forge ahead.
I liked Mercury a lot. I loved the idea of self aware machines building their army and taking over and waging war. Honestly, give me more of that. Give me a comic series of that or a book series or a show. Love it and I want more of it. That one was too short and I feel like has the potential to be even more fleshed out than Blackwater.
Blackwater was good too, but like I said, hated the characters, so I didn't care that the moth rat creatures were gonna eat em all. The story gave me vibes from The Descent, which is interesting cause that was an all female cast.
Speaking of, I want to read more of Galacar, because I feel like I really love the ideas he is bringing to the horror genre, but I cannot connect with his characters. I either want to see a better male protagonist written or I want to see a badass female protagonist. I haven't read anything other than these short stories and Gilchrist, but I'm willing to forge ahead.
June 30, 2018
Ng
Ok I have read the first book Blackwater and enjoyed it immensely! Now I am looking forward to the second no but I wanted to tell my fellow readers how much talent Mr. Galacar in turning out stories in this genre...from finding Stoker's Dracula when I was 14 I have scoured and devoured all the classics, Henry James superb collection of scary tales and many years. Edith Wharton has a collection of stories that are truly gripping.
After consuming all these classics I began to search the modern authors. Some true crime have been very frightening but that is not the same as a true horror story. True in the sense that I have am referring to a ripping great read while really being scared. I'm so satisfied with Mr. Galacar's tales! He is joining the classics of the future.
Ok I have read the first book Blackwater and enjoyed it immensely! Now I am looking forward to the second no but I wanted to tell my fellow readers how much talent Mr. Galacar in turning out stories in this genre...from finding Stoker's Dracula when I was 14 I have scoured and devoured all the classics, Henry James superb collection of scary tales and many years. Edith Wharton has a collection of stories that are truly gripping.
After consuming all these classics I began to search the modern authors. Some true crime have been very frightening but that is not the same as a true horror story. True in the sense that I have am referring to a ripping great read while really being scared. I'm so satisfied with Mr. Galacar's tales! He is joining the classics of the future.
February 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. The first tale was short and sweet, and the second one was great for a completely different reason. It is not easy to write a good short story, fitting everything into a short space and then finishing it so that the readers feel a sense of completion. Christian Galacar did a good job here and J. M. Needham did a great job narrating the book.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
August 27, 2018
Bazaar followed by the stuff of nightmares.
Wow... first story was really short & bazaar. Especially after you think about it a while.
Second story was monster sci-fi and done really well.
Kudos to the author. Now it's time to read a third book of his.
I think I've just found another author to take up space on my top shelf!
Wow... first story was really short & bazaar. Especially after you think about it a while.
Second story was monster sci-fi and done really well.
Kudos to the author. Now it's time to read a third book of his.
I think I've just found another author to take up space on my top shelf!
December 26, 2018
Two, enjoyable horror stories. A good way to spend a free hour!
Mercury Rain, the first story in this book, almost like a dark and rustic melody, did a fair job painting a picture of a war-torn land, hopelessly longing to return to a better time.
Blackwater, Suspenseful, intriguing and the right amount of poor choices. Enough for anyone who enjoys the horror genre.
Mercury Rain, the first story in this book, almost like a dark and rustic melody, did a fair job painting a picture of a war-torn land, hopelessly longing to return to a better time.
Blackwater, Suspenseful, intriguing and the right amount of poor choices. Enough for anyone who enjoys the horror genre.
January 21, 2018
Blackwater: Two Stories by Christian Galacar was a good read. Blackwater consists of two stories. Mercury Rain is about a soldier that learns how important memories are. Blackwater is about a mine worker who discovers something horrible.
March 12, 2018
These two short stories are ok.I liked the second one better.J.M. Needham was fine at naration.Nothing really stood out.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
April 15, 2018
Galacar is the next best storyteller!
His writing reminds me of Stephen King and John Hart...I can totally foresee him as the future of chilling novels...looking forward to his next novel...
His writing reminds me of Stephen King and John Hart...I can totally foresee him as the future of chilling novels...looking forward to his next novel...
July 16, 2018
Insane
Both of these stories are bleak but awesome. The first shows how we lose ourselves in rough situations. The second shows how us hurting the earth can have unintended consequences.
Both of these stories are bleak but awesome. The first shows how we lose ourselves in rough situations. The second shows how us hurting the earth can have unintended consequences.
December 18, 2019
Solid Two Stories
The first story was a short little one, but I enjoyed the sentiment it expressed. A sort of beauty told through an apocalyptic hell. The second story I liked more, and it was very much my kind of story. Interesting setting, and I always enjoy creature features.
The first story was a short little one, but I enjoyed the sentiment it expressed. A sort of beauty told through an apocalyptic hell. The second story I liked more, and it was very much my kind of story. Interesting setting, and I always enjoy creature features.
April 7, 2020
3.5 Stars
Mercury Rain moved me, as art should, and deserves a better rating but Blackwater was much longer and held the rating back. 'Course, I'm just a bizarre reader, whuddo I know?
Donate blood.
Mercury Rain moved me, as art should, and deserves a better rating but Blackwater was much longer and held the rating back. 'Course, I'm just a bizarre reader, whuddo I know?
Donate blood.
April 10, 2021
Short and Sweet!
I am glad I ran across Christian's books. I have loved every one of them thus fat. These short stories are just as brilliant. They were short but definitely sweet! I want more.
I am glad I ran across Christian's books. I have loved every one of them thus fat. These short stories are just as brilliant. They were short but definitely sweet! I want more.
January 3, 2019
**4.5/5 Star review coming to Kendall Reviews!**
June 19, 2019
Wonderful, quick read
Both of these stories were a great little read.
The titular Blackwater being the best. Just wish there were more. Will definitely be reading more from Galacar.
Both of these stories were a great little read.
The titular Blackwater being the best. Just wish there were more. Will definitely be reading more from Galacar.
August 17, 2019
Fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz and the like will enjoy these two short stories.
November 5, 2019
Finished last night. I have always loved short horror stories and both were very good.First one is really short but impressive. Second one was really scary. Enjoyed.
May 3, 2021
Loved both stories!
I really enjoyed both stories. Nice quick read. Pretty creepy. Wouldn't read before bed 😄 can't wait to read his next book!
I really enjoyed both stories. Nice quick read. Pretty creepy. Wouldn't read before bed 😄 can't wait to read his next book!
November 30, 2022
2.5 out of 5 because one of the stories was good. Not too shabby.
December 8, 2025
These two shorter stories were pretty good, but maybe not that original. It was ok horror, the first one is in a kind of futuristic sci-fi setting, and the second one is more of a classic creature feature. The writing is good, and the characters are very relateable. An ok read, and it kept me entertained.
May 23, 2016
Imagination overload.
Frightening, the thing in your nightmares,and don't read before bedtime. Short stories, but not sweet. Try Cicada first, then read these in between your next read.
Frightening, the thing in your nightmares,and don't read before bedtime. Short stories, but not sweet. Try Cicada first, then read these in between your next read.
1-to-read-next-owned-1
October 28, 2017My version of this only has two stories.
January 27, 2019
Great author
Really like his writing style, couldn't help but get wrapped up and cringing at moments , can't wait to read more of his work, looking forward to adding a great author to my library!!!
Really like his writing style, couldn't help but get wrapped up and cringing at moments , can't wait to read more of his work, looking forward to adding a great author to my library!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews