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Sour
SOMETHING EVIL ROSE FROM WITHIN, AN ANCIENT BEING, ONE OLDER THAN TIME ITSELF...Deep in the mountains of Appalachia, a legend is told about something evil that lurks within the dense woods of Gunrack Hollow. A witch is said to live there, one whose appetite for innocent souls dates back hundreds of years.
Sam Fletcher had heard the story his whole life, but he never really believed it. After all, as his father always said, it's just an old folktale...only a story.
But two years ago, something happened that made him believe. Something that ties back to an ancient evil and a little black book with a strange symbol on its cover. The promise - to end all of his worries. The price - one that Sam would realize far too late - the loss of his only son, Danny's, soul.
Sam Fletcher had heard the story his whole life, but he never really believed it. After all, as his father always said, it's just an old folktale...only a story.
But two years ago, something happened that made him believe. Something that ties back to an ancient evil and a little black book with a strange symbol on its cover. The promise - to end all of his worries. The price - one that Sam would realize far too late - the loss of his only son, Danny's, soul.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2021
8 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 29, 2020
3.5 Stars ⭐️
I buddy read this with some awesome friends at Horror Aficionados as well as used it for the Horror Group Challenge!
And my friend, Tosh, found this awesome pic as a description of the witch!!
The book was action all the way through! It had gore, witches, crows, creepy creatures and The Bone Lady!
I didn’t like how Sam dragged his friend into his nightmare but there you go. Anyhoo, you can read the synopsis and decide to read it yourself. I read this through kindle unlimited!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I buddy read this with some awesome friends at Horror Aficionados as well as used it for the Horror Group Challenge!
And my friend, Tosh, found this awesome pic as a description of the witch!!
The book was action all the way through! It had gore, witches, crows, creepy creatures and The Bone Lady!
I didn’t like how Sam dragged his friend into his nightmare but there you go. Anyhoo, you can read the synopsis and decide to read it yourself. I read this through kindle unlimited!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 28, 2020
3.5 stars.
The creep-factor on this one is seriously high.
It's chaotic and fast-paced almost the entire way through, with only a brief lull in the middle to relate a little backstory on witches. But then when it picks up again it's even crazier than before and WOW. It was hard to breathe towards the end there.
I really enjoyed the first part, in which Sam and his friend Anthony take on a witch and her crow minions in a small cabin. I loved how it jumped straight into the action and never let up; I loved how it wasn't just violence - there were mind games, too. Mostly I just love how evil this witch is. *shudder*
It's a short story at only 158 pages, so it packs in a lot of action at the expense of background details. I didn't mind it, but I would have enjoyed a little more on the history and lore and that mysterious black book.
One thing that did begin to frustrate me, though, was all the similes. There were a few too many for my tastes, and while they were rather creative, at times it stunted the action for me instead of enhancing it.
Overall, though, it was a disturbing story that made for compulsive reading. I enjoyed the atmosphere of it, and while Sam made some utterly idiotic decisions, it led to some rather fascinating events.
Not for the squeamish, but otherwise horror lovers should be thoroughly entertained.
The creep-factor on this one is seriously high.
It's chaotic and fast-paced almost the entire way through, with only a brief lull in the middle to relate a little backstory on witches. But then when it picks up again it's even crazier than before and WOW. It was hard to breathe towards the end there.
I really enjoyed the first part, in which Sam and his friend Anthony take on a witch and her crow minions in a small cabin. I loved how it jumped straight into the action and never let up; I loved how it wasn't just violence - there were mind games, too. Mostly I just love how evil this witch is. *shudder*
It's a short story at only 158 pages, so it packs in a lot of action at the expense of background details. I didn't mind it, but I would have enjoyed a little more on the history and lore and that mysterious black book.
One thing that did begin to frustrate me, though, was all the similes. There were a few too many for my tastes, and while they were rather creative, at times it stunted the action for me instead of enhancing it.
Overall, though, it was a disturbing story that made for compulsive reading. I enjoyed the atmosphere of it, and while Sam made some utterly idiotic decisions, it led to some rather fascinating events.
Not for the squeamish, but otherwise horror lovers should be thoroughly entertained.
December 21, 2025
I liked this one. It didn’t set up the common trope in books like this, with the witch finding the main character and haunting them. Sam, our lead, brought the fight to the witch. Lots of strange, intense visions and misdirections as he played cat and mouse with that unholy hell hag, but it kept a good pace and also my attention. Great use of built in lore and the creativity with the crows was top notch. Highlight, above all else, was the quality of Tony Evans’ writing. Where this lost me a bit was the back and forth between, basically, present day and several decades prior, to different characters. Maybe a little bit would have sufficed, but it kept pulling my focus in different directions, making it hard for me to follow. Still a very good horror experience from a clearly talented writer.
December 15, 2019
Two friends square off against an Appalachian witch (and other mountain-dwelling baddies) in this fast-paced supernatural horror story. What strikes me the most about 'Sour' is how full the world here feels. Like the stories we encounter within the book extend well beyond the page count. This, I have to believe, is by design, as we merely poke our heads into different aspects of the local folklore before the character arcs and the action drive the narrative forward to the next challenge/revelation. This is quite a debut novel, in my humble opinion, because there's a lot here to chew on, and a lot of interesting places storytelling of this ilk can go in the future. Good stuff!
December 30, 2022
Tony Evans can flat out write. It is evident with the first few pages of this book. He takes you on a wild ride through the rarely tread hollers of Kentucky. This is Appalachian horror at its finest.
If you're looking for a great read with Witches, revenge, blood, lots of fucking Crows and other things lurking in the shadows, then this book is for you.
If you're looking for a great read with Witches, revenge, blood, lots of fucking Crows and other things lurking in the shadows, then this book is for you.
August 14, 2022
Love this!
Amazing story. I've been getting into folk horror lately and this book was a fantastic journey into Appalachian horror. Each character is well written and you can feel Sam's desperation to get his son back. Very much looking forward to more from this author.
Amazing story. I've been getting into folk horror lately and this book was a fantastic journey into Appalachian horror. Each character is well written and you can feel Sam's desperation to get his son back. Very much looking forward to more from this author.
October 24, 2021
That sure was interesting.
I had the privilege of meeting this author at Scarefest (Lexington). When he described this book as a mix of Pumpkin Head and Pet Semetary, it piqued my interest. No, I'm not a huge King fan, nor am I really into supernatural and witchy stuff. This one however, was pretty well done. It could possibly even be open ended for a sequel
I had the privilege of meeting this author at Scarefest (Lexington). When he described this book as a mix of Pumpkin Head and Pet Semetary, it piqued my interest. No, I'm not a huge King fan, nor am I really into supernatural and witchy stuff. This one however, was pretty well done. It could possibly even be open ended for a sequel
April 7, 2023
Who wouldn’t do anything to get their child back? This was an awesome folklore tale filled with witches and black magic that kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. My first book by this author and just bought another this past weekend. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 23, 2020
3 1/2 stars, rounded up to four
Tony Evans does a great job getting the story started and the ball rolling immediately! The first half of this book was an easy five star read for me. I felt involved, cared about certain characters, and enjoyed where the story was going, but I thought it was going to go down a different direction. The second half of this book added characters that we didn't really get introduced to and started to drift into the land of dark fantasy, which I'm not the biggest fan of. A certain character dropped to the wayside, which was a shame. So, I give the second half of the book 2 1/2 stars. Doing some simple addition I came up with 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4. I liked the story overall and can look past the minor typos here and there that didn't take me out of the story. The first half of this book was absolutely incredible! Second half though, not going to lie, was sort of a disappointment. The author has me in his grip, then let go. I can tell Mr. Evans is a great writer and I can't wait to read more from him soon. 😁
Tony Evans does a great job getting the story started and the ball rolling immediately! The first half of this book was an easy five star read for me. I felt involved, cared about certain characters, and enjoyed where the story was going, but I thought it was going to go down a different direction. The second half of this book added characters that we didn't really get introduced to and started to drift into the land of dark fantasy, which I'm not the biggest fan of. A certain character dropped to the wayside, which was a shame. So, I give the second half of the book 2 1/2 stars. Doing some simple addition I came up with 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4. I liked the story overall and can look past the minor typos here and there that didn't take me out of the story. The first half of this book was absolutely incredible! Second half though, not going to lie, was sort of a disappointment. The author has me in his grip, then let go. I can tell Mr. Evans is a great writer and I can't wait to read more from him soon. 😁
September 21, 2020
Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw!
Woah baby! Now, this is what I call a Witch Tale! I hate to make comparisons, but imagine the best/sickest parts of Pumpkinhead, combined with a pinch of The Evil Dead mixed with a generous helping of Stand By Me, all taking place in the spookiest, craziest part of North America, The Mountains of Appalachia. Ohhhhhh yeah, this was AWESOME. Sinister, sin-is-ter Witch(es?) and characters that I won’t spoil, even though they’re already Sour. Reveals and Revelations, tidbits of juicy lore, horrid memories, abuse, black magic, I mean, all kinds of tasty treats await you in this killer story by Mr. Tony Evans. What a great way to spend my time!! This book rules. Sick, evil, hag-witches rule. Soul-collecting rules. Demonic Golem-Things rule, And Tony rules. Check this book out!
5/5 Crow Skulls
☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
Woah baby! Now, this is what I call a Witch Tale! I hate to make comparisons, but imagine the best/sickest parts of Pumpkinhead, combined with a pinch of The Evil Dead mixed with a generous helping of Stand By Me, all taking place in the spookiest, craziest part of North America, The Mountains of Appalachia. Ohhhhhh yeah, this was AWESOME. Sinister, sin-is-ter Witch(es?) and characters that I won’t spoil, even though they’re already Sour. Reveals and Revelations, tidbits of juicy lore, horrid memories, abuse, black magic, I mean, all kinds of tasty treats await you in this killer story by Mr. Tony Evans. What a great way to spend my time!! This book rules. Sick, evil, hag-witches rule. Soul-collecting rules. Demonic Golem-Things rule, And Tony rules. Check this book out!
5/5 Crow Skulls
☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
August 9, 2022
Wicked witch of the west? More like wicked ass mother fucking witches of eastern Kentucky! The Gunrack Hollow witch is as bad as they come, but the Bone Lady, man, she doesn’t fuck around. If you want to go for a wild ride through the Appalachian’s as a man hunts for his son’s lost soul, buckle up, this one’s a doozy!
May 25, 2024
Folk horror at its finest! Sour is a perfect blend of Pet Sematary, Blair Witch and Pumpkinhead.
October 23, 2020
You won't find Oz's Wicked Witch of the West here. No green faced, pointy hat wearing, broom riding witches. Nope. These witches are of a different breed. Foul, repulsive, greasy, serpent tongued withered old crones who exude an aura of evil. We're definitely not in Kansas anymore. We are down in the hollers of Kentucky deep in the Appalachian Mountains where evil lurks.
This is my second time reading Tony Evans. I just recently read a short story of his that isn't entirely related to Sour but takes place in the same universe which is pretty cool. I love when authors connect their works and world building together in a similar way to the King himself. In Sour, Evans concocts a potent mix of regional folklore, horror, and witchcraft.
From the opening pages we are dumped right into the thick of it. Evans doesn't make the reader wait until the third act to witness the powers of black magic at work. We bear witness as the forces of evil are unleashed upon our protagonist and his family. Sam Fletcher has crossed the wrong witch and now it's time to repent for his sins. The cost for his transgressions is all too precious though as the things he cares for most are violently ripped away. His life now in shambles Sam is hellbent on taking back what was stolen from him and serving up a cold dish of revenge. Two years after the events of the prologue Sam and his best friend Anthony have finally tracked down and captured the witch but things might have been a little too easy.
Sour sets a blistering, foot mashed to the floor, kind of pace. Evans does ease off the gas to let us catch our breath with a few well placed character and world building flashbacks but then floors it once more as we are slammed back into our seats hurtling towards the finish line.
I really loved the displays of witchcraft here. There are no potions and bubbling cauldrons to be found. These powers felt dark and ancient. From soul stealing to control and influence of animals to vivid hallucinations and mind games to just down right eating and devouring those who stand in their way. These are witches that nightmares are made of. Evans does not shy away from the bloody and brutal depictions of violence here. Fans of gore are in for a treat, but at no time did any of it feel gratuitous or there just for the sake of shock value.
The one small negative I have is the editing. There are a few typos throughout and some instances where you can tell some words were left in a sentence that were meant to have been removed. Though these errors exist they did not reduce my enjoyment of the story, but I did notice them.
Some people might think the ending is a bit abrupt and I can see that argument. It is also a very bleak ending. The sayings "Be careful what you wish for" and "Play with fire you'll get burned" come to mind. Sam makes a deal with the proverbial devil and now he must reap what he has sown. I really liked the ending and thought it matched the tone of the rest of the book. It also leaves things open for a possible sequel.
Dripping with tension and soaked with dread. Sour by Tony Evans seizes you by the throat and drags you kicking and screaming towards it's viciously gruesome end. The witches creeping within these pages are not for the faint of heart. Vile and terrifyingly powerful. This is the kind of witch book I was looking for. If you are a fan of folklore, Appalachian stories, witches, and witchcraft then you should definitely check this one out.
Video review: https://youtu.be/tUp5Xe3vMp8
This is my second time reading Tony Evans. I just recently read a short story of his that isn't entirely related to Sour but takes place in the same universe which is pretty cool. I love when authors connect their works and world building together in a similar way to the King himself. In Sour, Evans concocts a potent mix of regional folklore, horror, and witchcraft.
From the opening pages we are dumped right into the thick of it. Evans doesn't make the reader wait until the third act to witness the powers of black magic at work. We bear witness as the forces of evil are unleashed upon our protagonist and his family. Sam Fletcher has crossed the wrong witch and now it's time to repent for his sins. The cost for his transgressions is all too precious though as the things he cares for most are violently ripped away. His life now in shambles Sam is hellbent on taking back what was stolen from him and serving up a cold dish of revenge. Two years after the events of the prologue Sam and his best friend Anthony have finally tracked down and captured the witch but things might have been a little too easy.
Sour sets a blistering, foot mashed to the floor, kind of pace. Evans does ease off the gas to let us catch our breath with a few well placed character and world building flashbacks but then floors it once more as we are slammed back into our seats hurtling towards the finish line.
I really loved the displays of witchcraft here. There are no potions and bubbling cauldrons to be found. These powers felt dark and ancient. From soul stealing to control and influence of animals to vivid hallucinations and mind games to just down right eating and devouring those who stand in their way. These are witches that nightmares are made of. Evans does not shy away from the bloody and brutal depictions of violence here. Fans of gore are in for a treat, but at no time did any of it feel gratuitous or there just for the sake of shock value.
The one small negative I have is the editing. There are a few typos throughout and some instances where you can tell some words were left in a sentence that were meant to have been removed. Though these errors exist they did not reduce my enjoyment of the story, but I did notice them.
Some people might think the ending is a bit abrupt and I can see that argument. It is also a very bleak ending. The sayings "Be careful what you wish for" and "Play with fire you'll get burned" come to mind. Sam makes a deal with the proverbial devil and now he must reap what he has sown. I really liked the ending and thought it matched the tone of the rest of the book. It also leaves things open for a possible sequel.
Dripping with tension and soaked with dread. Sour by Tony Evans seizes you by the throat and drags you kicking and screaming towards it's viciously gruesome end. The witches creeping within these pages are not for the faint of heart. Vile and terrifyingly powerful. This is the kind of witch book I was looking for. If you are a fan of folklore, Appalachian stories, witches, and witchcraft then you should definitely check this one out.
Video review: https://youtu.be/tUp5Xe3vMp8
January 12, 2021
I am on a major losing streak with ebooks so far this year. I picked up Sour yesterday after seeing it on someone’s Booktube and quickly realized it had some major issues. The thing that bothered me most was character continuity. By this I mean that the main character and his friend sometimes have heavy Southern accents (“You ain’t goin’ do none a’ that.”) and other times do not (“Don’t let her access your mind! She’s trying to trick you!” It drove me ballistic within thirty pages. Aside from that, there are instances of a sentence or phrase being repeated for no apparent reason, which is more of a formatting issue but should certainly be addressed.
All that said, the witch makes an excellent villain, there are a good number of creepy moments, and I could see this working well as a horror movie. I may give Tony Evans another chance in the future, but for me Sour left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
All that said, the witch makes an excellent villain, there are a good number of creepy moments, and I could see this working well as a horror movie. I may give Tony Evans another chance in the future, but for me Sour left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
March 31, 2021
I liked the story and loved the premise, but this book (I have the paperback) is in bad need of editing. There were quite a few typos that were a bit distracting. It was like I was reading the first draft that had zero edits. With that said, the story was solid and my three star rating is really about the typos and some grammatical issues attributed to using an incorrect word here and there (kind of a typo). The characters though were well thought out. I loved the bone lady. And the witch was truly something. I don't want to give away the story so I will keep it spoiler free. The end with the one that walks in the darkness fit well with the first two acts. It's just the dang typos that riddled this book. If Tony has an editor, they should be fired and I hope he didn't pay someone to edit this book because they failed him miserably. Tighten it up, get it edited and I would have given it a higher rating.
September 5, 2022
Evans doesn't seem to miss! Another fantastic, quick read from this author.
This book starts by dropping you into complete and total chaos that doesn't even let up, even at the end.
The plot was Frankenstein'ed together with equal parts Pet Semetary, Evil Dead and Pumpkinhead. Each a staple for the perfect horror story.
You'll find witches, dark magic, and gore galore in this book. The atmosphere and vivid descriptions of everything that's going on makes this one real spooky. This book is a wild ride. Buckle up and enjoy!
This book starts by dropping you into complete and total chaos that doesn't even let up, even at the end.
The plot was Frankenstein'ed together with equal parts Pet Semetary, Evil Dead and Pumpkinhead. Each a staple for the perfect horror story.
You'll find witches, dark magic, and gore galore in this book. The atmosphere and vivid descriptions of everything that's going on makes this one real spooky. This book is a wild ride. Buckle up and enjoy!
February 10, 2020
NOW!
If Better You Believe sounds like something that would be right up your alley! Than you must check out Sour by Tony Evans
Genre: Adult | Urban Legends | Horror | Paranormal
5 out of 5 stars!
Sour is a mix of some of the urban legends you may have read in "Better You Believe" all wrapped together in one perfect creepy bundle.
The moment I started to dive into Sour I thought... YES! This is it. I wanted more of these stories and I am getting just that.
Sam has to takes some drastic steps to try and rectify a huge loss after some very poor choices but again things may never be the same and might be better off just left alone.
I really enjoyed Sour, so happy I picked it up immediately after Better You Believe. It helped satisfy some of the thirst I had for more on these legends.
Again I would recommend Sour as well! I may even recommend reading them one after the other so everything is fresh in your mind..... Your welcome!
I can't wait to read more of Tony's work!... Masterpieces.
And of course thank you all for reading.
Your Myth of a Book Worm
-Nichole
If Better You Believe sounds like something that would be right up your alley! Than you must check out Sour by Tony Evans
Genre: Adult | Urban Legends | Horror | Paranormal
5 out of 5 stars!
Sour is a mix of some of the urban legends you may have read in "Better You Believe" all wrapped together in one perfect creepy bundle.
The moment I started to dive into Sour I thought... YES! This is it. I wanted more of these stories and I am getting just that.
Sam has to takes some drastic steps to try and rectify a huge loss after some very poor choices but again things may never be the same and might be better off just left alone.
I really enjoyed Sour, so happy I picked it up immediately after Better You Believe. It helped satisfy some of the thirst I had for more on these legends.
Again I would recommend Sour as well! I may even recommend reading them one after the other so everything is fresh in your mind..... Your welcome!
I can't wait to read more of Tony's work!... Masterpieces.
And of course thank you all for reading.
Your Myth of a Book Worm
-Nichole
May 17, 2024
I grew up in Ohio but spent many summers in Eastern Kentucky listening to scary folktales on my grandparent’s farm. When I met Tony at an author convention and heard he was from the same area, I knew I had to buy this Appalachian horror story and I was not disappointed.
This is probably the scariest witch story I have ever read. This holler witch makes the Wicked Witch of the West and the Blair Witch look like angels. This story gave me some serious Pet Sematary vibes too which I loved! It’s not a long story but it packs a punch! I am so happy I ran into Tony Evans work and cannot wait to read his newer release, Folktale next. I’m giving this one 5 witches! 🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️
This is probably the scariest witch story I have ever read. This holler witch makes the Wicked Witch of the West and the Blair Witch look like angels. This story gave me some serious Pet Sematary vibes too which I loved! It’s not a long story but it packs a punch! I am so happy I ran into Tony Evans work and cannot wait to read his newer release, Folktale next. I’m giving this one 5 witches! 🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️
May 4, 2025
“The old woman looked up at him and smiled. Her eyes were sunk deep into their sockets, casting shadows over her face like the steepest mountains cast shadows over their most narrow valleys.”
So I’m newly obsessed with Appalachian horror, and I’m also newly obsessed with Tony Evans. And when you combine the two… it’s absolute bliss.
Sour is what my nightmares are made of. I’ve lived in the city and suburbs my whole life so this whole backwoods Holler stuff freaks me TF out. And Tony can write a damn good story about it. So much so that I’m now able to say he is the one author who has creeped me out with EVERY story I’ve read by him. (Well done, someone had to pop the cherry!)
Another trope I don’t typically go for is witches. Ha… now I may thanks to this one. This witch was scary as hell and curated masterfully. Tony’s skills are and writing style are unmatched and continuing to grow and flourish. I might be new to his work but I’ve already binge read most of what’s out there and cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.
I highly recommend this to any horror lover but especially those who love the folk horror / Appalachian horror / curses / symbols / legends etc.
Easy five stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So I’m newly obsessed with Appalachian horror, and I’m also newly obsessed with Tony Evans. And when you combine the two… it’s absolute bliss.
Sour is what my nightmares are made of. I’ve lived in the city and suburbs my whole life so this whole backwoods Holler stuff freaks me TF out. And Tony can write a damn good story about it. So much so that I’m now able to say he is the one author who has creeped me out with EVERY story I’ve read by him. (Well done, someone had to pop the cherry!)
Another trope I don’t typically go for is witches. Ha… now I may thanks to this one. This witch was scary as hell and curated masterfully. Tony’s skills are and writing style are unmatched and continuing to grow and flourish. I might be new to his work but I’ve already binge read most of what’s out there and cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.
I highly recommend this to any horror lover but especially those who love the folk horror / Appalachian horror / curses / symbols / legends etc.
Easy five stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 18, 2020
I had a great time with SOUR! Tony Evans has crafted himself a niche of sorts with his modernized and gory take on traditional horror folklore. This is easily of the most inventive and original witch stories I’ve ever read /listened to! Although Tony Evans’s collection, BETTER YOU BELIEVE, had stories catered to a wide demographic, SOUR is most certainly made for an older audience. The author doesn’t hold back on the bloodshed and language, a creative choice that I’m always a huge fan of. Apart from having a clean and concise writing style, Evans does a great job fleshing out the small cast of characters we encounter. You really start to care whether or not the main lead and his friend will come out of their “situation” unscathed. What I loved most, however, was how unpredictable the plot was. The story starts off one way, but goes in several entertaining directions. Evans also jumps between present day and past events at just the right moment. Michael Butler did a phenomenal job with the narration, doing his best to really make each character sound like a different person. It’s honestly the best voice acting I’ve heard in quite some time. My only gripe is with the pacing, which was rather slow towards the beginning. The plot gets dark and very intriguing shortly after, though, so it’s a minor critique. Overall, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a horror story with fresh ideas, or are just in the mood for some well done, gory fun. Tony Evans does not disappoint, and his extremely polished writing style is one that I always love seeing in indie horror. 4.5 stars, and 5 out 5 rounded up.
February 6, 2022
Could not put this one down!
This is the first book in a long time that had me reading from behind a pillow that I could bury my face in for protection when the story got intense. The author's use of crows to peck and strip away at the protagonist honest to God scared the crap out of me. I love Appalachian folk lore and was already familiar with the concept of holler witches, but this book just crawled under my skin on a whole new level with the thought of what may be lurking in the mountains.
If you like fast-paced action-style horror that combines supernatural folk lore and body horror, you'll love this one.
Awesome story, well written and edited, nary a typo to be found. 5 stars!!
This is the first book in a long time that had me reading from behind a pillow that I could bury my face in for protection when the story got intense. The author's use of crows to peck and strip away at the protagonist honest to God scared the crap out of me. I love Appalachian folk lore and was already familiar with the concept of holler witches, but this book just crawled under my skin on a whole new level with the thought of what may be lurking in the mountains.
If you like fast-paced action-style horror that combines supernatural folk lore and body horror, you'll love this one.
Awesome story, well written and edited, nary a typo to be found. 5 stars!!
September 26, 2020
Tony does a great job of thrusting the reader right into the conflict from the first page. He wastes no time and pulls no punches throughout. I really enjoyed the framing of this novel—the author’s debut after his first short-story collection—and the pacing was terrific. The characters had the local flavor and the evil entities within are chilling and cruel and merciless. And that ending is so bleak, but also ripe for a sequel. All around, I loved it. If you like witches, or if you like Appalachian folklore, you can’t go wrong with Tony Evans, and SOUR is a fine place to start.
September 17, 2024
A great horror/folktale. Sam Fletcher's father used to tell him stories of witches but he just believed them to be stories. Though one day he was tricked by a witch into thinking she could solve all of his problems. That one moment of weakness cost him everything. Now two years later he, along with his best friend, has set out to battle the witch and get revenge and his son's soul back. Of course that's not a simple thing, witches are powerful and very tricky.
Highly recommended, a nicely paced tale that will keep your interest up. I actually read it in one sitting.
Highly recommended, a nicely paced tale that will keep your interest up. I actually read it in one sitting.
March 19, 2025
Where are all my Appalachian, mountain witch horror lovers? Because I have a doozy of a story for ya. This book will literally suck you in. It's one of the creepiest witch books I've read in a long time. The Creepy crows...no thank you.
Beware of ...The one who walks in Darkness.
"They's three kinds of witches round here that you gotta watch out for. They's good ones, evil ones and ones that sort of just... are."
Beware of ...The one who walks in Darkness.
"They's three kinds of witches round here that you gotta watch out for. They's good ones, evil ones and ones that sort of just... are."
April 30, 2022
Deliciously creepy!
Ugh! I devoured this book so fast, I had to figure out what happened and wish there was more. Good writing. Great writing. Creepy vibes that gave me the heebie jeebies. I need more!
Ugh! I devoured this book so fast, I had to figure out what happened and wish there was more. Good writing. Great writing. Creepy vibes that gave me the heebie jeebies. I need more!
September 29, 2020
Good book. Hope there is a sequel.
July 6, 2020
"Sour" is a short novel by independent horror author Tony Evans. One of my very good friends in the bookish community had really enjoyed Tony's work, and recommended him to me as I was looking to read more books in the horror genre. So, when Tony himself posted on Instagram offering free e-book copies of his work to readers, in exchange for honest reviews, I jumped at the opportunity!
"Sour" is the story of two childhood friends named Sam and Anthony. In a prologue set two years before the events of the novel, we're made aware of the fact that Sam's son Danny has died at the hands of a witch, as a result of Sam stealing a book from her.
Two years later, Sam is still grief-stricken by the events, and his wife has left him. Seeking revenge against the witch for destroying his family, Sam recruits Anthony to help him and the two head up to a remote cabin to deal with the witch, once and for all. Unfortunately for the two men, things go awry and the result is one of the most grotesque, uncomfortable, shiver-inducing books I've read in a long time.
As always with my reviews, I like to discuss the positives of the book first, before getting into any criticism.
I really loved the ease with which Tony was able to alternate between the past and the present. He showed us what happened to Danny, he showed us how Sam and Anthony's friendship had developed, and tied everything that was happening in the present into what happened in the past.
I also enjoyed his use of Appalachian folklore, as I was unfamiliar with it, and it was interesting to learn about these different myths/legends/stories while having each of them tie into the story in some way.
His attention to detail was also top-notch, especially in regards to writing the Kentucky accents of both Sam and Anthony. I felt as though I could truly hear the characters speaking. I could even hear the witch's stomach-churning, high-pitched cackles.
And despite it's short length (158 pages), I never felt like the book should've been longer, or that it was incomplete in any way. There's obviously more of this story to be told, but Tony was still able to craft a satisfying ending, while also leaving the door open for a potential series.
My only real criticism that I have is that I was never truly scared. The book made me shiver and squirm and it's definitely a wonderfully uncomfortable read that isn't for the faint of heart, but as with any horror book I've ever read, I want to feel genuinely scared and that just didn't happen here.
That said, I would definitely recommend this to any horror enthusiast because there is A LOT to like about this book, and what wasn't truly scary for me, may definitely be scary for someone else. It's a very, very solid 4 stars from me, and I look forward to reading more of Tony Evans work in the future. He's definitely very talented!
Thanks again to Tony for sending a copy of this book my way!
"Sour" is the story of two childhood friends named Sam and Anthony. In a prologue set two years before the events of the novel, we're made aware of the fact that Sam's son Danny has died at the hands of a witch, as a result of Sam stealing a book from her.
Two years later, Sam is still grief-stricken by the events, and his wife has left him. Seeking revenge against the witch for destroying his family, Sam recruits Anthony to help him and the two head up to a remote cabin to deal with the witch, once and for all. Unfortunately for the two men, things go awry and the result is one of the most grotesque, uncomfortable, shiver-inducing books I've read in a long time.
As always with my reviews, I like to discuss the positives of the book first, before getting into any criticism.
I really loved the ease with which Tony was able to alternate between the past and the present. He showed us what happened to Danny, he showed us how Sam and Anthony's friendship had developed, and tied everything that was happening in the present into what happened in the past.
I also enjoyed his use of Appalachian folklore, as I was unfamiliar with it, and it was interesting to learn about these different myths/legends/stories while having each of them tie into the story in some way.
His attention to detail was also top-notch, especially in regards to writing the Kentucky accents of both Sam and Anthony. I felt as though I could truly hear the characters speaking. I could even hear the witch's stomach-churning, high-pitched cackles.
And despite it's short length (158 pages), I never felt like the book should've been longer, or that it was incomplete in any way. There's obviously more of this story to be told, but Tony was still able to craft a satisfying ending, while also leaving the door open for a potential series.
My only real criticism that I have is that I was never truly scared. The book made me shiver and squirm and it's definitely a wonderfully uncomfortable read that isn't for the faint of heart, but as with any horror book I've ever read, I want to feel genuinely scared and that just didn't happen here.
That said, I would definitely recommend this to any horror enthusiast because there is A LOT to like about this book, and what wasn't truly scary for me, may definitely be scary for someone else. It's a very, very solid 4 stars from me, and I look forward to reading more of Tony Evans work in the future. He's definitely very talented!
Thanks again to Tony for sending a copy of this book my way!
May 27, 2020
I picked this book up at the Days of the Dead horror convention last year. I finally got around to having time to read it during this quarantine. I absolutely loved it. Being that I am fascinated with hoodoo/voodoo, witches, and folklore, it was right up my alley. This book starts out full force and doesn't slow down until the end. It was one of those books that I couldn't put down but needed to take a little breather. I can't wait to read more from this author. I do highly recommend.
November 4, 2020
Creepy, gory, freaky and pretty dam good. Not only is Sam dealing with one witch, but he decides to bring in another, to help him get his son back. Let’s just say be careful what you wish for, it could come back to bite you in the a....butt. Could we see a sequel? A prequel? I wouldn’t mind knowing how Sam got himself into this shit pickle in the first place and how he plans to keep Danny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
A really good backwoods horror story that supplies enough grue for the horror fan and does NOT rely on cannibalistic backwoods freaks to propel the story. This story is about witches and backwoods legends that may be more real than you will hopefully ever know and doesn't suffer from all the padding so many writers tend to fill their books with. The books ends with a possible opening for more story to come in a second book, but is not reliant on your enjoying the story as it is.
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