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Antarctic Ice Beasts
The South Pole in winter is one of the deadliest places on Earth. The seven person crew of the US Freedom Base lives alone in months of utter darkness with no hope of help or rescue. A freak storm batters the walls and threatens to expose them to the deadly cold. All they can do is wait…and pray. The ground quakes. An alien screech rips through the night. There’s something, or someone, lurking outside. Fists bang on the walls. Each tiny crack in the base spells death by hypothermia. Untold horrors have come to Freedom Base…and they want in! Praise for FURY OF THE ORCAS “Incredibly horrifying. Highly recommended!” – Horror After Dark“Full of absolute mayhem and tense scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat.” – The Horror BookshelfCryptid horror with THE DOVER DEMON “Hunter does a complete mind twist in the pages of The Dover Demon. The sheer horrors come from a very dark and scary corner of Hunter’s mind.” – The Scary Reviews“An excellent horror novel and a strong standout in the UFO and cryptid subgenres.” - Hellnotes
155 pages, Paperback
Published February 18, 2019
245 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Shea
66 books1,008 followersHunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 7, 2025
I can see why this had tepid reviews and ratings. At first glance, you’d be expecting something akin to John Carpenter’s The Thing. However, this quickly turned into a plot that went a bit more…cosmic? Maybe that’s not the best word, but it went to a level that I never could have imagined. But, I didn’t think it was a bad read at all. Really eerie and unsettling atmosphere, very creative and downright scary creatures, and a plot that kept evolving. The characters had some depth, which seemed to be surface-level until later in the story. But, there were so many other plot points being tossed around simultaneously that I had trouble keeping track of everything. Maybe simplifying the book a bit and not bringing so much in, or making it longer with a slightly better pace, could have made this a better experience. Still a very good outing from Hunter Shea.
November 29, 2022
Last month I read a couple of Shea's warm-weather novels while on vacation in Florida, so I thought it fitting to read this cold-weather one upon returning to late November Ohio. Going by the title, I expected a rampaging herd (tribe? coven? school? marching-and-chowder society?) of yeti, or perhaps an adventure involving The Ohio State University's Women's Hockey Team (Go Bucks!), but instead found a polar base populated by seven scientists and maintenance people under attack by something completely different. It begins as something very reminiscent of John W. Campbell's famous "Who Goes There?" but takes a twisted turn that delves into religious mythology. Up to that point it was a very engaging story, but though I was surprised by the (too abrupt) ending the direction it went was not my cup of (iced) tea.
March 21, 2019
4.5 stars!
ANTARCTIC ICE BEASTS, by Hunter Shea, is a book I originally thought of as a "creature feature", but after finishing it, I have to say that it is much more than that! Now I love a good creature feature, but when you throw some amazingly original, complex characters into the mix, you've gone from "good" to "great", in my humble opinion.
"Hope is starting to become a four letter word around here . . . "
We start at the South Pole in June--the "Winter of Hell"--at the structure known as The Freedom Base. Seven people are currently living there, acting as the maintenance crew, over the worst months of the Antarctic darkness. When a large storm suddenly develops over the station--reminiscent of one that caused the deaths of a much larger crew in a similar station, years before--the group quickly takes notice.
"This one was different . . . as if it was sentient, its ire focused on Freedom Base . . . "
There's no denying the tremendous impact the elements have on this novel. Imagine living somewhere for months where the sun never rises, and where a breach in your housing would prove fatal as the sub-zero temperatures quickly permeate any layers of clothing. This hostile environment says a lot about the fortitude of those willing to literally risk their lives for a job. These people are driven. They're survivors.
". . . The only thing impossible in this world was the concept that there was an impossible . . . "
These aren't random people off the street. Shea takes the time to let us see inside their temporary "home". We learn about them through their mannerisms, interactions with each other, their own inner thoughts, and the opinions of the others. I can honestly say that I felt I "knew" each and every one of them, as if they were a personal friend.
". . . We're all a little broken in our own ways . . . ."
This book managed to do something very few novels can lately.
It twisted and morphed into so much more than I was expecting.
"It's all of those, but none of them . . . "
Overall, I have to stress that ANTARCTIC ICE BEASTS was not a mere "fun" creature feature. This novel had all of the key components to make it one that you simply don't want to put down. From realistic characters that you come to "know", inhospitable atmosphere, and things that you'll never expect, this book has just about everything you could want in a horror novel.
"You can't scare a man who's already dead . . . "
Highly recommended.
ANTARCTIC ICE BEASTS, by Hunter Shea, is a book I originally thought of as a "creature feature", but after finishing it, I have to say that it is much more than that! Now I love a good creature feature, but when you throw some amazingly original, complex characters into the mix, you've gone from "good" to "great", in my humble opinion.
"Hope is starting to become a four letter word around here . . . "
We start at the South Pole in June--the "Winter of Hell"--at the structure known as The Freedom Base. Seven people are currently living there, acting as the maintenance crew, over the worst months of the Antarctic darkness. When a large storm suddenly develops over the station--reminiscent of one that caused the deaths of a much larger crew in a similar station, years before--the group quickly takes notice.
"This one was different . . . as if it was sentient, its ire focused on Freedom Base . . . "
There's no denying the tremendous impact the elements have on this novel. Imagine living somewhere for months where the sun never rises, and where a breach in your housing would prove fatal as the sub-zero temperatures quickly permeate any layers of clothing. This hostile environment says a lot about the fortitude of those willing to literally risk their lives for a job. These people are driven. They're survivors.
". . . The only thing impossible in this world was the concept that there was an impossible . . . "
These aren't random people off the street. Shea takes the time to let us see inside their temporary "home". We learn about them through their mannerisms, interactions with each other, their own inner thoughts, and the opinions of the others. I can honestly say that I felt I "knew" each and every one of them, as if they were a personal friend.
". . . We're all a little broken in our own ways . . . ."
This book managed to do something very few novels can lately.
It twisted and morphed into so much more than I was expecting.
"It's all of those, but none of them . . . "
Overall, I have to stress that ANTARCTIC ICE BEASTS was not a mere "fun" creature feature. This novel had all of the key components to make it one that you simply don't want to put down. From realistic characters that you come to "know", inhospitable atmosphere, and things that you'll never expect, this book has just about everything you could want in a horror novel.
"You can't scare a man who's already dead . . . "
Highly recommended.
November 18, 2023
Good but not a favorite.
April 23, 2022
This read was super original and the reveal at the end was pretty disturbing and awesome but I found it to be a little all over the place for my liking. Not my fav Shea book, but I've loved everything else of his that I've read so this is a rare one off.. 3.5 skulls 💀
March 1, 2019
I love scary monster stories...always have! Movies, television, books, audio plays....if it has a monster in it, I'm going to watch/read/listen happily.
Hunter Shea is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. He delivers my absolutely favorite sort of mind-candy horror story again and again. He has scared me with man-eating fungus, rampaging dinosaurs, giant rats, multiple cryptids, and just about every other sort of monstrous creature I could ever want to imagine. :) Love it!
I also love books about mountain climbing, the Arctic, and Antarctica. Shea's new book, Antarctic Ice Beasts, combines two things I love -- cold, unforgiving places and monsters! Yay!
The basics: A skeleton crew of workers are left at an Antarctic outpost to winter over. A storm hits with raging winds and blinding snow. They're hunkered down inside, relatively safe....until.... (There is always an "until,'' right?) A strange earthquake shakes the outpost. Then, they begin seeing strange creatures gathering outside in the snow. Where did these humanoid creatures come from? How are they not freezing to death? And what do they want?
Since it's a Hunter Shea book you can guess the strange creatures aren't stopping by for tea and a nice chat. The action and suspense get started quickly and ramp up throughout the story. It definitely kept my interest from beginning to end. I did not expect the ending....it was a pleasant surprise (for me, not for the characters, of course.) All in all, another creepy-cool monstrous story from Hunter Shea!
Hunter Shea is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. He delivers my absolutely favorite sort of mind-candy horror story again and again. He has scared me with man-eating fungus, rampaging dinosaurs, giant rats, multiple cryptids, and just about every other sort of monstrous creature I could ever want to imagine. :) Love it!
I also love books about mountain climbing, the Arctic, and Antarctica. Shea's new book, Antarctic Ice Beasts, combines two things I love -- cold, unforgiving places and monsters! Yay!
The basics: A skeleton crew of workers are left at an Antarctic outpost to winter over. A storm hits with raging winds and blinding snow. They're hunkered down inside, relatively safe....until.... (There is always an "until,'' right?) A strange earthquake shakes the outpost. Then, they begin seeing strange creatures gathering outside in the snow. Where did these humanoid creatures come from? How are they not freezing to death? And what do they want?
Since it's a Hunter Shea book you can guess the strange creatures aren't stopping by for tea and a nice chat. The action and suspense get started quickly and ramp up throughout the story. It definitely kept my interest from beginning to end. I did not expect the ending....it was a pleasant surprise (for me, not for the characters, of course.) All in all, another creepy-cool monstrous story from Hunter Shea!
May 4, 2019
The Antarctic setting is probably what I enjoyed most about this story. I wasn't too much feeling the bat people. It kind of went off into left field for a little while, but I liked how he wrapped up the ending. I get what he was trying to signify just not one of my favorites.
May 23, 2019
The first thing that catches the attention is certainly the cover, and while I waited to receive my paperback copy, I wondered what the monster was. With those teeth anything was possible but the height made it look like a Sasquatch sized beast and that is what it turned out to be. Can I say how excited I was at the thought of a Yeti attack on an Antarctic base? I am a big fan of Yeti, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Skunk Apes...call them what you will, but anything with one of these beasts is something I want to read. I also love the isolation and danger of this kind of location for horror and creature feature books so I couldn't wait to get stuck into it.
At the US Freedom Base, a bad storm has even the seasoned vets on edge and it is only going to get worse in the coming hours. A bigger storm that could damage the base is on the way and Dallas fears that the base will not stand up to the onslaught. There are also strange and unsettling noises coming through the storm which concerns Jeanne but she is relieved that there is no damage to the base so far. When Dallas sees a hairless naked monster outside in the storm, nobody believes him until they see the evidence for themselves on the base cameras. A quick trip outside confirms that a pack of these Yeti creatures are outside the base. What is going to happen if they decide to attack? The answer is not long in coming...
The book starts off really well for me, setting the scene at the lonely and isolated base in the middle of a series of violent storms. The way each member of the team deals with the scary storms relentlessly attacking the base allows the reader to have sympathy for their situation and get to know the various men and women. I liked the way it showed just how dangerous an environment they were all working in and that disaster could hit at any time. I don't know about you but doing repairs out in the cold during a storm is not my idea of a fun job! The introduction of the Yeti creatures was also fun. It starts with one creature looking in the window and then our team have a close encounter with a pack of them outside that has them fleeing indoors to barricade the flimsy base to the best of their abilities and gather their makeshift weapons. The attack is not long in coming and I was enjoying reading about it.
It is when the team go back outside to approach the beasts and see what they want that it all went a bit pear shaped for me. The whole story just goes really weird at this point. The team and the beasts all just stand around in the snow for a while staring at each other with nothing happening. It was a bit strange! Then they attack, stop and stand around again, start attacking and then stop, taking prisoners this time. When the journey to where they are going is completed, the whole plot is full of weird things and hallucinations and alien demon things. I was left wondering what was actually meant to be going on. It really confused me. It went from a straight enjoyable creature feature for the first half into something that made little sense to me, was confusing and frustrating and had no satisfying ending of any kind. I just don't get it. It is like the recent Stephen King books where you are enjoying a good plot and then BAM it descends into weirdness that spoils it all. That is what I found with this one. It started out so well but for me it became very disappointing.
2.5 stars.
At the US Freedom Base, a bad storm has even the seasoned vets on edge and it is only going to get worse in the coming hours. A bigger storm that could damage the base is on the way and Dallas fears that the base will not stand up to the onslaught. There are also strange and unsettling noises coming through the storm which concerns Jeanne but she is relieved that there is no damage to the base so far. When Dallas sees a hairless naked monster outside in the storm, nobody believes him until they see the evidence for themselves on the base cameras. A quick trip outside confirms that a pack of these Yeti creatures are outside the base. What is going to happen if they decide to attack? The answer is not long in coming...
The book starts off really well for me, setting the scene at the lonely and isolated base in the middle of a series of violent storms. The way each member of the team deals with the scary storms relentlessly attacking the base allows the reader to have sympathy for their situation and get to know the various men and women. I liked the way it showed just how dangerous an environment they were all working in and that disaster could hit at any time. I don't know about you but doing repairs out in the cold during a storm is not my idea of a fun job! The introduction of the Yeti creatures was also fun. It starts with one creature looking in the window and then our team have a close encounter with a pack of them outside that has them fleeing indoors to barricade the flimsy base to the best of their abilities and gather their makeshift weapons. The attack is not long in coming and I was enjoying reading about it.
It is when the team go back outside to approach the beasts and see what they want that it all went a bit pear shaped for me. The whole story just goes really weird at this point. The team and the beasts all just stand around in the snow for a while staring at each other with nothing happening. It was a bit strange! Then they attack, stop and stand around again, start attacking and then stop, taking prisoners this time. When the journey to where they are going is completed, the whole plot is full of weird things and hallucinations and alien demon things. I was left wondering what was actually meant to be going on. It really confused me. It went from a straight enjoyable creature feature for the first half into something that made little sense to me, was confusing and frustrating and had no satisfying ending of any kind. I just don't get it. It is like the recent Stephen King books where you are enjoying a good plot and then BAM it descends into weirdness that spoils it all. That is what I found with this one. It started out so well but for me it became very disappointing.
2.5 stars.
May 13, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few of Shea’s releases and absolutely loved his book ‘Creature.’ When I saw this announced and saw the cover I knew this would be one that I would buy!
Antarctic Ice Beasts follows a group as they hunker down for Antarctic’s ‘winter.’ From June to September, the southernmost continent is plunged into instant-freeze temperatures and hurricane-force winds. The new base that has been built is designed to withstand the worst Mother Nature can throw at it, but to be certain, the group is stationed there to ensure it withstands the harsh conditions.
Shea does a good job of introducing us to the crew and fills in their backstories to a degree that you become familiar with them early on, which is nice. One bonus is that due to a large scale failure at a different facility, the crew is paired down to a minimal number of folks, so we don’t become overwhelmed with a few dozen characters coming and going.
One of the biggest concerns that crews stationed in the South Pole is getting cabin-fever, developing a madness by not being able to go outside or even losing their minds over what Mother Nature might throw their way.
This plays key to the first opening ‘incident’ where a crew member looks outside and sees a large, muscular, naked hominid.
From there, Shea pulls out his patented creature-feature chops and we descend into utter chaos in one of the most uninhabitable locations on the planet.
Stories like this – set in places we as humans, can’t survive long will always have its plot failures or instances where reality is slightly pushed aside, but that’s ok, as long as we see the survival instinct and ‘do what it takes at all cost’ mentality, which Shea does very well.
I found that the first half of the story was great, while the dialogue was ok, with some of it falling into some stereotypical character tropes, it wasn’t so awful that I ever felt like DNFing. There were a few spots that I saw what was coming long before it happened, but overall it played out fine.
For me personally, I wished that Shea had left it at the first introduced creatures. I won’t throw out any spoilers, but the story continues down a creature path and it just lost some of its initial lustre.
This was a solid creature-feature romp, set in a very hostile environment, and I think this would make for a really fun movie.
Overall, I think fans of Shea will enjoy it and for new fans, it’s a really good starting spot. I’m looking forward to continuing my exploration into Shea’s other works!
I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few of Shea’s releases and absolutely loved his book ‘Creature.’ When I saw this announced and saw the cover I knew this would be one that I would buy!
Antarctic Ice Beasts follows a group as they hunker down for Antarctic’s ‘winter.’ From June to September, the southernmost continent is plunged into instant-freeze temperatures and hurricane-force winds. The new base that has been built is designed to withstand the worst Mother Nature can throw at it, but to be certain, the group is stationed there to ensure it withstands the harsh conditions.
Shea does a good job of introducing us to the crew and fills in their backstories to a degree that you become familiar with them early on, which is nice. One bonus is that due to a large scale failure at a different facility, the crew is paired down to a minimal number of folks, so we don’t become overwhelmed with a few dozen characters coming and going.
One of the biggest concerns that crews stationed in the South Pole is getting cabin-fever, developing a madness by not being able to go outside or even losing their minds over what Mother Nature might throw their way.
This plays key to the first opening ‘incident’ where a crew member looks outside and sees a large, muscular, naked hominid.
From there, Shea pulls out his patented creature-feature chops and we descend into utter chaos in one of the most uninhabitable locations on the planet.
Stories like this – set in places we as humans, can’t survive long will always have its plot failures or instances where reality is slightly pushed aside, but that’s ok, as long as we see the survival instinct and ‘do what it takes at all cost’ mentality, which Shea does very well.
I found that the first half of the story was great, while the dialogue was ok, with some of it falling into some stereotypical character tropes, it wasn’t so awful that I ever felt like DNFing. There were a few spots that I saw what was coming long before it happened, but overall it played out fine.
For me personally, I wished that Shea had left it at the first introduced creatures. I won’t throw out any spoilers, but the story continues down a creature path and it just lost some of its initial lustre.
This was a solid creature-feature romp, set in a very hostile environment, and I think this would make for a really fun movie.
Overall, I think fans of Shea will enjoy it and for new fans, it’s a really good starting spot. I’m looking forward to continuing my exploration into Shea’s other works!
October 16, 2025
I have been reading a lot of books set in inclement weaher conditions, especially in Antarctica. I was beyond thrilled when I spotted Hunter’s upcoming new release in his newsletter. Went right over and ordered me a copy and dove in the minute it showed up.
You know the skinny from reading the blurb, but just in case, here’s a brief recap. The crew of US Freedom Base, located in the worst part of Antarctica, are staying through the long, dark winter. Conditions are bad. A huge storm is blowing outside and they’re worried if the structures can withstand it. Then, they learn an even worse storm is following close on it’s heels. But they have far worse things to fear. Another storm is coming. It’s not the weather. It’s not human. It’s something other. None of them may survive until help can arrive. And who knows when that will be.
Hunter never wastes time on dropping you right in the thick of things. I met the characters. Got to know some. Like some. Not like some so much. Then the things came knocking on the door. Or rather, trying to knock it down. They weren’t what I was expecting. In fact, the way the rest of the story went wasn’t what I was expecting. That’s okay. The author threw me a curve ball and gave me bloody violence, characters to use as chum, monsters of a most unusual and creepy kind and a twist to the story that, while it felt like he was reaching somewhat, sure did have me poring over each word, making sure I grasped it right and didn’t miss anything.
I would say this fell between three and four stars for me. As I don’t do half star ratings I always bump it up. While I might not have got the story I thought I was going to get, it was a goodie. And Hunter can surprise me anytime. I’ll keep coming back for more.
You know the skinny from reading the blurb, but just in case, here’s a brief recap. The crew of US Freedom Base, located in the worst part of Antarctica, are staying through the long, dark winter. Conditions are bad. A huge storm is blowing outside and they’re worried if the structures can withstand it. Then, they learn an even worse storm is following close on it’s heels. But they have far worse things to fear. Another storm is coming. It’s not the weather. It’s not human. It’s something other. None of them may survive until help can arrive. And who knows when that will be.
Hunter never wastes time on dropping you right in the thick of things. I met the characters. Got to know some. Like some. Not like some so much. Then the things came knocking on the door. Or rather, trying to knock it down. They weren’t what I was expecting. In fact, the way the rest of the story went wasn’t what I was expecting. That’s okay. The author threw me a curve ball and gave me bloody violence, characters to use as chum, monsters of a most unusual and creepy kind and a twist to the story that, while it felt like he was reaching somewhat, sure did have me poring over each word, making sure I grasped it right and didn’t miss anything.
I would say this fell between three and four stars for me. As I don’t do half star ratings I always bump it up. While I might not have got the story I thought I was going to get, it was a goodie. And Hunter can surprise me anytime. I’ll keep coming back for more.
September 10, 2019
Cold, creepy, and claustrophobic, Antarctic Ice Beats echos The Thing whilst adding another layer of frozen horror to form, what is for the most part, a decent and fast paced read.
Isolation works great for a self contained survival horror; a limited cast, some creepy craziness, and themes which play on the sanity of the characters. This book ticks all those boxes and then some, particularly early on. However, about half way through, the direction of the book takes a turn which didn't work for me which essentially changed the feel of the book from survival/suspense/terror to something altogether different.
I couldn't get through the opening chapters fast enough, and whilst the characters weren't all that well developed, the scare tactics and suspense certainly compensated for it. I only wish the entire book was as good as the first half.
A solid 3/5 stars.
Isolation works great for a self contained survival horror; a limited cast, some creepy craziness, and themes which play on the sanity of the characters. This book ticks all those boxes and then some, particularly early on. However, about half way through, the direction of the book takes a turn which didn't work for me which essentially changed the feel of the book from survival/suspense/terror to something altogether different.
I couldn't get through the opening chapters fast enough, and whilst the characters weren't all that well developed, the scare tactics and suspense certainly compensated for it. I only wish the entire book was as good as the first half.
A solid 3/5 stars.
April 21, 2019
Hunter gives us some of the craziest monsters in this story. Plenty of suspense, tension and more gore than I was expecting. Plus my personal favorite, a nasty ass twist ending!
February 26, 2019
Hunter Shea has to be one of the most prolific horror writer out there today and he is constantly reinventing himself. I never know what journey he's going to take me on next but whenever I pick up one of his books -be it novella or full length novel - I always know I'm in for a great ride.
Antarctic Beasts is no exception. Here we have a group of seismologists in the Antarctic, right at the South Pole. An earthquake has struck and they are basically on their own there. That is, until they hear a shriek in the everlasting night (it's winter there) and the monsters appear.
Okay, you cannot help being remind of the classic film The Thing and the author knows it - he even pays tribute to it - but Antarctic Beasts is one hell of a good creature story in its own right and there are plenty of twists, turns and unexpected scares to keep any horror reader thoroughly and deliciously entertained until the final, unexpected but appropriate ending.. There are to be more Hunter Shea books this year. Can't wait!
Antarctic Beasts is no exception. Here we have a group of seismologists in the Antarctic, right at the South Pole. An earthquake has struck and they are basically on their own there. That is, until they hear a shriek in the everlasting night (it's winter there) and the monsters appear.
Okay, you cannot help being remind of the classic film The Thing and the author knows it - he even pays tribute to it - but Antarctic Beasts is one hell of a good creature story in its own right and there are plenty of twists, turns and unexpected scares to keep any horror reader thoroughly and deliciously entertained until the final, unexpected but appropriate ending.. There are to be more Hunter Shea books this year. Can't wait!
December 19, 2022
“The winds howled like millions of worried wolves, the walls of the base groaning and shuddering. Those walls were the only things between the winter skeleton crew and instant death by freezing.”
Ok I’m conflicted about this review.
The first half was really good: claustrophobic and scared the bejeezus out of me.
The second half got kind of surreal/theological and didn’t seem to actually resolve/answer questions. Instead of there being a scientific reason for things, magic or supernatural powers were used as a crutch to “end” things.
So take from this what you will… again I was torn between 2-3 stars, but the first half was excellent so I went with the higher rating.
Ok I’m conflicted about this review.
The first half was really good: claustrophobic and scared the bejeezus out of me.
The second half got kind of surreal/theological and didn’t seem to actually resolve/answer questions. Instead of there being a scientific reason for things, magic or supernatural powers were used as a crutch to “end” things.
So take from this what you will… again I was torn between 2-3 stars, but the first half was excellent so I went with the higher rating.
March 10, 2019
It's been a long time since I read anything in one sitting. This isn't a full novel, but is still good for about three to four hours. So starting it on your way to bed probably isn't the best idea.
Dallas and his crew maintaining the Freedom Base over the long winter in the Antarctic. Which means several months of pitch black night and temperatures that mean almost instant death outside the small structures in which they live. So you can imagine the shock to the crew when they find a strange, naked, hairless man casing the base at the edge of their floodlights. Even more so when it turns out there's more than one. They quickly find themselves defending themselves against an onslaught of people who seem to be completely immune to the cold and darkness.
A good, entertaining horror read if you have a few hours to spare. The story pulls you along at a good pace, while not constantly bombarding you with action sequences, and giving you some good insight into the characters as it goes. Definitely a nice little winter read.
Dallas and his crew maintaining the Freedom Base over the long winter in the Antarctic. Which means several months of pitch black night and temperatures that mean almost instant death outside the small structures in which they live. So you can imagine the shock to the crew when they find a strange, naked, hairless man casing the base at the edge of their floodlights. Even more so when it turns out there's more than one. They quickly find themselves defending themselves against an onslaught of people who seem to be completely immune to the cold and darkness.
A good, entertaining horror read if you have a few hours to spare. The story pulls you along at a good pace, while not constantly bombarding you with action sequences, and giving you some good insight into the characters as it goes. Definitely a nice little winter read.
March 26, 2019
Terrible Story
After I was through I felt like I had just watched the series Lost. Drug me along and then really disappointed me.
After I was through I felt like I had just watched the series Lost. Drug me along and then really disappointed me.
May 21, 2019
Good book terrible ending
August 26, 2019
Started out great, stayed good until the group went outside. Got silly the and continued to get worse until it ended. Crappy book.
February 12, 2021
A well-written wild adventure with cool monsters. Hunter Shea always entertains.
March 1, 2019
Horror at its darkest
I've read quite a few books by this author and enjoyed them. He has quite an active imagination.
I like stories about cold environments, whether it's Antarctica, the Arctic, under the ocean or deep in a cave so of course I had to pick up Shea's newest book.
It started out great with seven Americans wintering over at Freedom Camp, Antarctica. (Note: in the book the Amundsen-Scott Research Station at the South Pole has been destroyed and replaced by the smaller but supposedly more durable Freedom Camp.)
I won't go into details on what happens. It's best to go in unprepared. But there are monsters and blood and guts and gore. Then it takes an unexpected twist and holy s**t.
This book was dark and depressing. It was not a feel good book in any shape or form. I might have rated it lower because of that but because Shea was totally balls to the wall creative in the story I upped the rating.
Be prepared, all ye who enter here!
I've read quite a few books by this author and enjoyed them. He has quite an active imagination.
I like stories about cold environments, whether it's Antarctica, the Arctic, under the ocean or deep in a cave so of course I had to pick up Shea's newest book.
It started out great with seven Americans wintering over at Freedom Camp, Antarctica. (Note: in the book the Amundsen-Scott Research Station at the South Pole has been destroyed and replaced by the smaller but supposedly more durable Freedom Camp.)
I won't go into details on what happens. It's best to go in unprepared. But there are monsters and blood and guts and gore. Then it takes an unexpected twist and holy s**t.
This book was dark and depressing. It was not a feel good book in any shape or form. I might have rated it lower because of that but because Shea was totally balls to the wall creative in the story I upped the rating.
Be prepared, all ye who enter here!
February 23, 2019
A cold hell!
Isolated in a research station at the bottom of the world with their only shelter in trouble, good things are not going to happen any time soon. When one of spots a naked creature out side a window in a middle of a storm, things go sideways fast. You actually feel the cold, pain and horror when they venture outside to investigate. I can’t say more without major spoilers buts let’s say I didn’t see any of that coming and the ending? Let’s just say WTF? Horrible elements, monsters and the value of friendship all are important themes. Mr. Shea always delivers a non stop reading adventure that’s makes you enjoy every second of your time doing just that. Read immediately!
Isolated in a research station at the bottom of the world with their only shelter in trouble, good things are not going to happen any time soon. When one of spots a naked creature out side a window in a middle of a storm, things go sideways fast. You actually feel the cold, pain and horror when they venture outside to investigate. I can’t say more without major spoilers buts let’s say I didn’t see any of that coming and the ending? Let’s just say WTF? Horrible elements, monsters and the value of friendship all are important themes. Mr. Shea always delivers a non stop reading adventure that’s makes you enjoy every second of your time doing just that. Read immediately!
February 22, 2019
you can always count on Hunter Shea for a great read. this one was no different. It was weird, totally not expecting what it was about but OMG an amazing read. Another for my keeper shelf, in my kindle
May 14, 2019
Confused.
As someone who is an avid reader I leave a fair amount of book reviews. Usually, these are varying degrees of positivity, however, this book is weird, but not in a good way.
The book starts of great, goes along nicely and then hits the scene of the ‘alien’.
The usual denials erupt followed by the evidence of said alien.
Then, for me it went downhill. I did not understand the alien, it’s home or any of the events which followed. I really tried. I went back and reread it just to see if I had missed something, but no, here I am again sat in utter confusion. The story is, for me, complete and utter nonsense. I have no idea what the author was trying to convey but I was clearly too ‘blind’ to see it. Maybe as this is my first book by this author I needed to read other books to ‘get’ him. I don’t know.
I loathe leaving negative reviews but didn’t feel I could leave just a positive review, hence my explanation.
I am going to try some of his other books and keep an open mind!
As someone who is an avid reader I leave a fair amount of book reviews. Usually, these are varying degrees of positivity, however, this book is weird, but not in a good way.
The book starts of great, goes along nicely and then hits the scene of the ‘alien’.
The usual denials erupt followed by the evidence of said alien.
Then, for me it went downhill. I did not understand the alien, it’s home or any of the events which followed. I really tried. I went back and reread it just to see if I had missed something, but no, here I am again sat in utter confusion. The story is, for me, complete and utter nonsense. I have no idea what the author was trying to convey but I was clearly too ‘blind’ to see it. Maybe as this is my first book by this author I needed to read other books to ‘get’ him. I don’t know.
I loathe leaving negative reviews but didn’t feel I could leave just a positive review, hence my explanation.
I am going to try some of his other books and keep an open mind!
February 19, 2020
Good creature feature romp in one of the most inhospitable places on earth! If the upcoming arctic storm doesn’t kill them something else might! For me this was the perfect length and loved the twist at the end!
April 18, 2022
It's horror, I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would. Started off just the way I like it to, Hunter Shea does amazing monsters, and setting was awesome. It built up and then, it just got a little too...much. The premise was fine but I felt like it could have been reigned in a little.
That's me though, it was definitely worth a read.
That's me though, it was definitely worth a read.
November 21, 2024
What the hell was going on in what was supposed to be one of the most uneventful sectors of the planet?
Ah leave it to Hunter Shea to come up with a story so unexpectedly bizarre that no one could ever guess what they were in for! In fact, I'm almost tempted NOT to leave a review for "Antarctic Ice Beasts", the latest from his fantastic collection that I've added to my shelves. This just to keep from inadvertently - or even advertently - spoiling even the most minor of plot points because trust me, the surprises are the best part by far! Think you can figure it out from the title? Nope. Think you can figure it out from the cover (with a tip of the cap to the poor photographer that had to capture that view)? Sorry. I guess then you'll just have to read it like the rest of us!
Rational people with stable lives would never entertain a winter on the Pole.
However, you might be pleased to know - or in my case, a little sad that this one went by so quickly - that, um, this book reads extremely quickly. Yeah, ok, bit redundant that but I think I've made my point. And like Shea has done with several other novellas or near novels in his body of work that I've read, he gets right to the action and begins the process of linking the readers with his major players without unnecessary delay. That doesn't mean we get the full "dosage" of exposition for everyone in one convenient lump, no. In fact, we're almost at the end of the story before we know all we should about everyone involved! But the way that it all evolves alongside the mystery itself is extremely well balanced!
There was no comfort to be given here. There was no saving grace.
I especially like how "AIB" started off so benignly. Or at very least as far as it could be considering we get to meet seven poor souls who are spending the dark winter months in Antartica minding the shop as it were. Still, the tension is ramped up with almost every page, particularly as "earthquakes" are shaking along with storming move in threatening pounding winds and temperatures down to MINUS 115° (Fahrenheit or Celsius, that's cold!). This along with previous events at other stations coming to light should be enough to convince anyone of the terror just waiting to pounce. It's no wonder then that a large portion of the team begin showing the signs of the expected stress almost from the start, even though obviously they have as little knowledge about what is getting ready to happen as we do!
Thank God for pills and porn.
I was also quite taken with the fact that the on-going - oh how to put this? - weirdness is doled out in degrees (ooo, another temperature reference!). To put it vaguely, I thought it was a plus that we're not confronted with the entire Hieronymus Bosch triptych from the start. But each progressive step takes us further and further into what can - and will eventually seem to be a living nightmare. Yes, it's at about this time that I think a lot of readers are trying to come up with good modern cultural comparisons; for example, that this story resembles a blend of John Carpenter's "The Thing" with one of the films Shea himself mentions (my own preference being "Journey to the Center of the Earth"). Or perhaps in retrospect, none of these wind up applying. I'll let you make the call!
They wouldn’t have long to panic…or suffer. They’d be dead soon enough.
In terms then of the total WTF-factor of this story, I'd really compare it to the level of shock and dismay I felt with Shea's "The Dover Demon" which even some months later still has me shaking my head. This book truly though reaches a level of insanity that it becomes almost funny, even though it dawned on me that what was happening was no laughing matter at all. An interesting treatise about certain fantasies that we've all been exposed to at one point or another in our lives, yes, but otherwise, not terribly hilarious, no. But I'd be batty to say anything more… dammit, see what you made me do?
Ah leave it to Hunter Shea to come up with a story so unexpectedly bizarre that no one could ever guess what they were in for! In fact, I'm almost tempted NOT to leave a review for "Antarctic Ice Beasts", the latest from his fantastic collection that I've added to my shelves. This just to keep from inadvertently - or even advertently - spoiling even the most minor of plot points because trust me, the surprises are the best part by far! Think you can figure it out from the title? Nope. Think you can figure it out from the cover (with a tip of the cap to the poor photographer that had to capture that view)? Sorry. I guess then you'll just have to read it like the rest of us!
Rational people with stable lives would never entertain a winter on the Pole.
However, you might be pleased to know - or in my case, a little sad that this one went by so quickly - that, um, this book reads extremely quickly. Yeah, ok, bit redundant that but I think I've made my point. And like Shea has done with several other novellas or near novels in his body of work that I've read, he gets right to the action and begins the process of linking the readers with his major players without unnecessary delay. That doesn't mean we get the full "dosage" of exposition for everyone in one convenient lump, no. In fact, we're almost at the end of the story before we know all we should about everyone involved! But the way that it all evolves alongside the mystery itself is extremely well balanced!
There was no comfort to be given here. There was no saving grace.
I especially like how "AIB" started off so benignly. Or at very least as far as it could be considering we get to meet seven poor souls who are spending the dark winter months in Antartica minding the shop as it were. Still, the tension is ramped up with almost every page, particularly as "earthquakes" are shaking along with storming move in threatening pounding winds and temperatures down to MINUS 115° (Fahrenheit or Celsius, that's cold!). This along with previous events at other stations coming to light should be enough to convince anyone of the terror just waiting to pounce. It's no wonder then that a large portion of the team begin showing the signs of the expected stress almost from the start, even though obviously they have as little knowledge about what is getting ready to happen as we do!
Thank God for pills and porn.
I was also quite taken with the fact that the on-going - oh how to put this? - weirdness is doled out in degrees (ooo, another temperature reference!). To put it vaguely, I thought it was a plus that we're not confronted with the entire Hieronymus Bosch triptych from the start. But each progressive step takes us further and further into what can - and will eventually seem to be a living nightmare. Yes, it's at about this time that I think a lot of readers are trying to come up with good modern cultural comparisons; for example, that this story resembles a blend of John Carpenter's "The Thing" with one of the films Shea himself mentions (my own preference being "Journey to the Center of the Earth"). Or perhaps in retrospect, none of these wind up applying. I'll let you make the call!
They wouldn’t have long to panic…or suffer. They’d be dead soon enough.
In terms then of the total WTF-factor of this story, I'd really compare it to the level of shock and dismay I felt with Shea's "The Dover Demon" which even some months later still has me shaking my head. This book truly though reaches a level of insanity that it becomes almost funny, even though it dawned on me that what was happening was no laughing matter at all. An interesting treatise about certain fantasies that we've all been exposed to at one point or another in our lives, yes, but otherwise, not terribly hilarious, no. But I'd be batty to say anything more… dammit, see what you made me do?
May 16, 2019
This was a really strange book and I think you either liked it or your on the fence about it and I fell more on the fence side of things.It's told in multiple points of views about a team in the Antarctic and how all of a sudden their very quiet life surviving a storm becomes very chaotic after an earthquake happens. They go from worrying about the next winter storm that was going to hit and how they will hold up against it to fighting off a horde of pale naked muscular men with very large eyes. ?? Yeah. But that is not it.They have no idea how these guys got there or what they are doing there or how they are surviving the frigid cold naked. Things start to go terribly wrong and a lot of things happen. Then more men come to their site but not just them they also have beast that are described as being a combination of other animals.I felt very bored at first and then it got exciting and then it got weird and then I had no clue what was going on and then I thought I did and then it ended and I was left very confused. It was definitely a book you had to just go with as it was very unbelievable that all this stuff was coming out of a whole in the ground because of an earthquake. There was thousands of men, and all sorts of weird creatures, then even BIGGER men and stranger creatures. They all are sure they are going to die so they find it strange that they are taken into the large cave like hole where they witness all the strangeness.Okay so this is hard to explain without feeling like I am going to give things away so I will stop rambling about it. I really liked the creatures and the strange things but there is a death that I felt was kind of overkill and it upset me. Overall it was just an okay book for me. I liked parts I didn't like parts and the end just totally confused me. So I can't say don't read it but I can say be prepared for some weird stuff as I think some will like it more than I did. :)
December 29, 2019
Antarctic Ice Beasts was a short but sweet and decent icky bug story. The premise was a bit of a surprise, and while it hovered close to cliché, it still came out different enough to not quite cross the line. Then again, when it comes to B-movie icky bug, I could care less whether it does or not, anyway.
This story was still a lot of fun. It was weird, being a Christmas present this year, and reading the chilly tale while it was cold outside, even for Las Vegas, Nevada standards.
The writing and editing were above average, with solid third-person, past-tense. The narrative was brisk with short chapters and scenes. My only issue was that the point of view wasn’t limited, and was close to omniscient. While there were chunks of limited scenes with one character controlling the action, it would devolve into head-hopping when the action got intense. This is quite common with a lot of novels, especially lately. It was annoying but not enough to jerk me out of the story. The only issue I had with that is that I was unsure who the main character was until the very end. While I wanted to root for all of them, it was hard to define one-of-many as a protagonist.
Otherwise, this was a great ride and I recommend it.
This story was still a lot of fun. It was weird, being a Christmas present this year, and reading the chilly tale while it was cold outside, even for Las Vegas, Nevada standards.
The writing and editing were above average, with solid third-person, past-tense. The narrative was brisk with short chapters and scenes. My only issue was that the point of view wasn’t limited, and was close to omniscient. While there were chunks of limited scenes with one character controlling the action, it would devolve into head-hopping when the action got intense. This is quite common with a lot of novels, especially lately. It was annoying but not enough to jerk me out of the story. The only issue I had with that is that I was unsure who the main character was until the very end. While I wanted to root for all of them, it was hard to define one-of-many as a protagonist.
Otherwise, this was a great ride and I recommend it.
November 1, 2019
I like Hunter Shea. I've read most of his "One Size Eats All" and "Mail Order Massacres" novellas and really enjoyed them. I thought they were fun so when I saw Antarctic Ice Beasts I thought it would be more of the same and right up my alley, unfortunately I didn't find it as fun as them.
Quick Recap: Scientists and support crew in a research station in Antarctica are attacked by, well, Ice Beasts.
From the start, it felt very much like the movie "The Thing" which is a good thing. The first third of the book was great and I breezed through it but I found the foreshadowing of the doom and gloom to come just hits you over the head to the point where it's like "OK, I get it, something bad is coming".
Then when all hell breaks loose it's just not scary and not "believable" and about half way through it kind of takes a turn which didn't work for me (at all).
I liked the twist ending, so that redeemed the book a bit.
It's a short read, has a good start, a twist finish, but kind of gets lost in the middle (for me at least).
I give this a 3/5
Quick Recap: Scientists and support crew in a research station in Antarctica are attacked by, well, Ice Beasts.
From the start, it felt very much like the movie "The Thing" which is a good thing. The first third of the book was great and I breezed through it but I found the foreshadowing of the doom and gloom to come just hits you over the head to the point where it's like "OK, I get it, something bad is coming".
Then when all hell breaks loose it's just not scary and not "believable" and about half way through it kind of takes a turn which didn't work for me (at all).
I liked the twist ending, so that redeemed the book a bit.
It's a short read, has a good start, a twist finish, but kind of gets lost in the middle (for me at least).
I give this a 3/5
April 23, 2023
Shea's books are usually spot on, but many authors were hit with pandemic writing, and it appears that this one was Shea's. The suspension of disbelief was very, very high for this one. Naked in Antarctica doesn't really work as a plot device even on the best of days. While Shea usually has at least one or two characters who rail against things (think: old man yells at cloud) - the choices made in this one were a bit weird (Ex: character complains about a grandmother who would make them pancakes with faces every morning - I mean, dude. My Gram made me breakfast every school morning and faces would have been awesome, but we were more interested in getting out the door on time. Why is this your hill?) While normally I keep every single Shea book, this one isn't going to stay on the shelves, which is sad because I love cold weather horror. Ah well, there's always the next one. Shea's banked enough goodwill that one round of pandemic writing isn't enough to stop me from reading him.
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