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Unleashed #1
Pandemic
We survived the global shutdown... now imagine if horror writers had authored our reality.
While you were hoarding toilet paper, Skywatcher Press spent the last year barricaded in a hellscape, mining the dark depths of the horror community to bring you the deadliest ravages of civilization by the most twisted and terrifying people.
Contained within these sick minds comes startling plagues beyond anything we have yet seen, gruesome horrors blurring the lines between what we experienced and what might have happened, or what never could have happened, or what will happen next time. Step into the darkness, you are going down with the sickness.
While you were hoarding toilet paper, Skywatcher Press spent the last year barricaded in a hellscape, mining the dark depths of the horror community to bring you the deadliest ravages of civilization by the most twisted and terrifying people.
Contained within these sick minds comes startling plagues beyond anything we have yet seen, gruesome horrors blurring the lines between what we experienced and what might have happened, or what never could have happened, or what will happen next time. Step into the darkness, you are going down with the sickness.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2021
23 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Hollis Damon
19 books11 followersAuthor terrorized constantly by his own psyche... raised in chaos, forged in brutality, a world traveler unbound by nationality or genre or race. I write deeply psychological fiction about flawed people struggling with the darkness of existence. I have spent decades working on my craft and learning to write stories that grab you and pull you and don't let go until they are ready to spit you out battered and broken and wondering WTF did you just go through... thank you for giving my books a chance. If you're new to me, Destiny Nowhere is a good place to start... it's fucked up, but also light and funny and the unreliable narrator is infectious to a lot of people. If you want dark haunting literature, try We Never Left.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 2, 2022
Pandemic Unleashed contains sixteen stories, and there's not a bad one in the bunch. Horror centered around this particular theme has a unique edge to it, a level of discomfort that hits a little too close to the reality of the world we have been living in for the last three years, and these stories WILL make you uncomfortable.
In some stories, the pandemic in question is eerily similar to recent events, while in others the authors have dreamed up all new horrors.
Every story in this collection is good, and some are great.
Victoria Hancox's story, "Whatever It Takes", explores a world in which the pandemic has taken all the parents and left the children to fend for themselves, à la Lord of the Flies meets the offspring of doomsday preppers, while Kara Race-Moore's tale, "The Ribbon", gives us the opposite: almost everyone under the age of puberty has died, and the few remaining children are a hot commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.
Chris Gillot's "Daddy's Sick" uses the pandemic as a cover-up for something much darker, "Boys" by Rich Restucci gives us a pandemic ghost story. Benjamin Langley wins the prizes for best title and most relatably gross story with his offering, "They Wiggled and Jiggled and Tickled Inside Her", and Tim O'Neal gives a bit of social commentary on the obesity epidemic with his story, "The Greasy-Feast Virus".
These and other excellent stories of horror both visceral and psychological wait within the pages of Pandemic Unleashed. Read if you dare.
In some stories, the pandemic in question is eerily similar to recent events, while in others the authors have dreamed up all new horrors.
Every story in this collection is good, and some are great.
Victoria Hancox's story, "Whatever It Takes", explores a world in which the pandemic has taken all the parents and left the children to fend for themselves, à la Lord of the Flies meets the offspring of doomsday preppers, while Kara Race-Moore's tale, "The Ribbon", gives us the opposite: almost everyone under the age of puberty has died, and the few remaining children are a hot commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.
Chris Gillot's "Daddy's Sick" uses the pandemic as a cover-up for something much darker, "Boys" by Rich Restucci gives us a pandemic ghost story. Benjamin Langley wins the prizes for best title and most relatably gross story with his offering, "They Wiggled and Jiggled and Tickled Inside Her", and Tim O'Neal gives a bit of social commentary on the obesity epidemic with his story, "The Greasy-Feast Virus".
These and other excellent stories of horror both visceral and psychological wait within the pages of Pandemic Unleashed. Read if you dare.
June 13, 2024
Ever find yourself completely lost in a book, so much that the real world fades away?
That’s exactly what happened to me with this fantastic fiction book, the first in its series. It's a compilation of 16 stories, each penned by a different author, and it's hands down one of the best reads I've come across lately.
The book features gripping stories like "A Game of Solitaire," "The Far Edge of Sixteen," “Whatever it Takes” and "The Isolated Life of Gerald Conners." Each tale pulls you in with its unique plot and immersive writing. What I love most about this book is its realistic touch.
The authors have created worlds so vivid and characters so relatable that you feel like you're living the stories yourself.
This isn't just another book; it’s a portal to different realms. The storytelling is so engaging that I often found myself forgetting everything around me, fully immersed in the scenes playing out in my mind. It’s one of those rare finds that you just can’t put down.
The author of the series deserves major kudos for their imagination and writing style. Each story is crafted with care, making the book a delightful read. The narrative flows effortlessly, keeping you hooked from the first page to the last.
The highlight of the book is that it offers a variety of intriguing stories and takes you on a journey of imagination, this is the one. It’s well-written, captivating, and leaves you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Overall a gripping stories, a thought-provoking read, and a perfect read.
That’s exactly what happened to me with this fantastic fiction book, the first in its series. It's a compilation of 16 stories, each penned by a different author, and it's hands down one of the best reads I've come across lately.
The book features gripping stories like "A Game of Solitaire," "The Far Edge of Sixteen," “Whatever it Takes” and "The Isolated Life of Gerald Conners." Each tale pulls you in with its unique plot and immersive writing. What I love most about this book is its realistic touch.
The authors have created worlds so vivid and characters so relatable that you feel like you're living the stories yourself.
This isn't just another book; it’s a portal to different realms. The storytelling is so engaging that I often found myself forgetting everything around me, fully immersed in the scenes playing out in my mind. It’s one of those rare finds that you just can’t put down.
The author of the series deserves major kudos for their imagination and writing style. Each story is crafted with care, making the book a delightful read. The narrative flows effortlessly, keeping you hooked from the first page to the last.
The highlight of the book is that it offers a variety of intriguing stories and takes you on a journey of imagination, this is the one. It’s well-written, captivating, and leaves you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Overall a gripping stories, a thought-provoking read, and a perfect read.
May 17, 2022
Great stories
I have to say that when you get a collection of stories, you get a few duds! This anthology was excellent! I didn't want it to end.
I have to say that when you get a collection of stories, you get a few duds! This anthology was excellent! I didn't want it to end.
June 22, 2025
Enjoyed every single one of these and I can't choose which one is the best. which is a true testament of the author's talent.
March 1, 2022
Matthew Hollis Damon – Unleashed Anthology Bk 1 – Pandemic Unleashed – Reviewed 2/28/22 – Read 2/25/22
Looking at what could happen, these will really make you think twice!
Pandemic Unleashed is a collection of horror antho that present the scenarios that could happen, and they will scare the socks off of you. It is safe to say that this is the most exciting read that I have ever read in this genre. I was impressed with the talent of each of the authors, some of which have numerous books on the market shelves. Each story will give you more than you bargained for in some thought-provoking and rapid pulse popping situations. When you compare these to our current pandemic, you can certainly see that it could have been worse than it has been. All in all, if you are a fan of the horror antho, then I highly recommend this series for your hide under the covers reading pleasure.
• ASIN: B09BP61X3N
• Publisher: Skywatcher Press
• Publication Date: 8/13/2021
• File Size: 2133 KB
• Print Length: 230 pages
• Genre: Horror Anthologies, Horror Short Stories,
Merged review:
Matthew Hollis Damon – Unleashed Anthology Bk 1 – Pandemic Unleashed – Reviewed 2/28/22 – Read 2/25/22
Looking at what could happen, these will really make you think twice!
Pandemic Unleashed is a collection of horror antho that present the scenarios that could happen, and they will scare the socks off of you. It is safe to say that this is the most exciting read that I have ever read in this genre. I was impressed with the talent of each of the authors, some of which have numerous books on the market shelves. Each story will give you more than you bargained for in some thought-provoking and rapid pulse popping situations. When you compare these to our current pandemic, you can certainly see that it could have been worse than it has been. All in all, if you are a fan of the horror antho, then I highly recommend this series for your hide under the covers reading pleasure.
• ASIN: B09BP61X3N
• Publisher: Skywatcher Press
• Publication Date: 8/13/2021
• File Size: 2133 KB
• Print Length: 230 pages
• Genre: Horror Anthologies, Horror Short Stories,
Looking at what could happen, these will really make you think twice!
Pandemic Unleashed is a collection of horror antho that present the scenarios that could happen, and they will scare the socks off of you. It is safe to say that this is the most exciting read that I have ever read in this genre. I was impressed with the talent of each of the authors, some of which have numerous books on the market shelves. Each story will give you more than you bargained for in some thought-provoking and rapid pulse popping situations. When you compare these to our current pandemic, you can certainly see that it could have been worse than it has been. All in all, if you are a fan of the horror antho, then I highly recommend this series for your hide under the covers reading pleasure.
• ASIN: B09BP61X3N
• Publisher: Skywatcher Press
• Publication Date: 8/13/2021
• File Size: 2133 KB
• Print Length: 230 pages
• Genre: Horror Anthologies, Horror Short Stories,
Merged review:
Matthew Hollis Damon – Unleashed Anthology Bk 1 – Pandemic Unleashed – Reviewed 2/28/22 – Read 2/25/22
Looking at what could happen, these will really make you think twice!
Pandemic Unleashed is a collection of horror antho that present the scenarios that could happen, and they will scare the socks off of you. It is safe to say that this is the most exciting read that I have ever read in this genre. I was impressed with the talent of each of the authors, some of which have numerous books on the market shelves. Each story will give you more than you bargained for in some thought-provoking and rapid pulse popping situations. When you compare these to our current pandemic, you can certainly see that it could have been worse than it has been. All in all, if you are a fan of the horror antho, then I highly recommend this series for your hide under the covers reading pleasure.
• ASIN: B09BP61X3N
• Publisher: Skywatcher Press
• Publication Date: 8/13/2021
• File Size: 2133 KB
• Print Length: 230 pages
• Genre: Horror Anthologies, Horror Short Stories,
June 27, 2024
A collection of stories examining how our current pandemic could be worse (or better!) in this intriguing anthology that doesn't shy away from asking some deep questions.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews