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Red
Evil Takes on Many Forms
This is something Rachael Daniels, a lowly careworker, is about to find out... personally. Because something is roaming the streets of the city where she lives, something with a taste for human sweet, red blood. Something that can be anything it wants to be. Soon Rachael will learn that not even friendly faces can be trusted. And as she makes her way across that city at night on an errand of mercy, she discovers that this creature will definitely have none for her.
A modern, urban reworking of a classic tale, RED puts the horror spin on an old favorite. If you dare to open these pages, you'll find a terrifying trip into the unknown courtesy of British Fantasy Award Nominee Paul Kane, author of Touching the Flame, Signs of Life, The Lazarus Condition, Arrowhead and Dead Time (adapted by Steve '30 Days of Night' Niles as New Year's Day for the Lionsgate/NBC television show Fear Itself , directed by Darren Lynn Bousman - SAW II-IV ).
Introduction by New York Times bestselling author Tim Lebbon ( The Everlasting, Fallen ).
Cover art by Dave McKean, designer/director of the Neil Gaiman film, MirrorMask, and illustrator for Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
This is something Rachael Daniels, a lowly careworker, is about to find out... personally. Because something is roaming the streets of the city where she lives, something with a taste for human sweet, red blood. Something that can be anything it wants to be. Soon Rachael will learn that not even friendly faces can be trusted. And as she makes her way across that city at night on an errand of mercy, she discovers that this creature will definitely have none for her.
A modern, urban reworking of a classic tale, RED puts the horror spin on an old favorite. If you dare to open these pages, you'll find a terrifying trip into the unknown courtesy of British Fantasy Award Nominee Paul Kane, author of Touching the Flame, Signs of Life, The Lazarus Condition, Arrowhead and Dead Time (adapted by Steve '30 Days of Night' Niles as New Year's Day for the Lionsgate/NBC television show Fear Itself , directed by Darren Lynn Bousman - SAW II-IV ).
Introduction by New York Times bestselling author Tim Lebbon ( The Everlasting, Fallen ).
Cover art by Dave McKean, designer/director of the Neil Gaiman film, MirrorMask, and illustrator for Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
86 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2008
21 people want to read
About the author
Paul Kane
228 books141 followersPaul Kane has been writing professionally for almost fifteen years. His genre journalism has appeared in such magazines as Fangoria, SFX and Rue Morgue, and his non-fiction books are the critically acclaimed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy and Voices in the Dark. His award-winning short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic (as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 2), and has been collected in Alone (In the Dark), Touching the Flame, FunnyBones, Peripheral Visions, Shadow Writer, The Butterfly Man and Other Stories, The Spaces Between and GHOSTS. His novella Signs of Life reached the shortlist of the British Fantasy Awards 2006, The Lazarus Condition was introduced by Mick Garris - creator of Masters of Horror - RED featured artwork from Dave (The Graveyard Book) McKean and Pain Cages was introduced by Stephen Volk (The Awakening).
As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).
In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.
As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).
In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 6, 2010
Paul takes a relatively simple concept: that of rewriting and updating a traditionally fairy story with modern themes and adding the author's own distinct style to it.
Red (and underlining theme throughout the book) involves aspiring actress Rachael as she attends her day job of elderly care assistant, and juggles her life with her best friend Stephanie as she deals with failed relationships, money strife and pushy mothers.
It's a bit like Bridget Jones' Diary.
Not that I've read it.
Ahem.
Back to Red, and Rachael's life takes sharp turn into the dangerous and bizarre when she forgets to drop off a patient's pain medication. Daring to chance the shadowy streets of the council estate where the old dear lives, Rachael meets a threat beyond the gangs and the drugs...a predator she's faced before in another life.
At just over twenty thousand words, this story belts along at a relentless pace, and Kane doesn't bog the writing down with literary ambitions. Instead, he keeps it quick and to the point, with emphasis on the character of Rachael and her far from friendly surroundings.
Just like the book I reviewed Children of Chaos by Greg F. Gifune, where the Mexican desert was almost a character itself, in Red, we have the maze of alleyways, dimly lit by the remaining working streetlights. Needles in the gutters. Hooded gangs of youths drinking and smoking on the corners and in the park. Anyone in the UK can straight away relate to this setting, and the ominous and constantly present sense of threat it holds, be it from the news or personal experience.
And aside from the protag and the setting, the other jewel in this crown is the bad guy. Kane takes the essence of the original fairy tale and gives it a twist. Boy, is this creature relentless! Give it a licking and it keeps on ticking! Sometimes you actually side with the beast as it rips through annoying bad people and the denizens of inner city drug gangs. The beauty of it is...it can be anyone! The POVs are played with, lending the book a feel akin to Carpenter's The Thing. This keeps the reader guessing page by page where and when this horrible beastie will rear its tooth-filled head.
Although a little short for me (I think this had the legs to reach novel length, with the reveal of the monster coming slower, the protag figuring it out over time), the writing is top notch. Any horror fan who likes a quick read and signed editions (this one signed by Paul Kane, Tim Lebbon - who did the intro, and the artist Dave McKean), should go get one. Skullvines Press release yet another sound novella.
Red (and underlining theme throughout the book) involves aspiring actress Rachael as she attends her day job of elderly care assistant, and juggles her life with her best friend Stephanie as she deals with failed relationships, money strife and pushy mothers.
It's a bit like Bridget Jones' Diary.
Not that I've read it.
Ahem.
Back to Red, and Rachael's life takes sharp turn into the dangerous and bizarre when she forgets to drop off a patient's pain medication. Daring to chance the shadowy streets of the council estate where the old dear lives, Rachael meets a threat beyond the gangs and the drugs...a predator she's faced before in another life.
At just over twenty thousand words, this story belts along at a relentless pace, and Kane doesn't bog the writing down with literary ambitions. Instead, he keeps it quick and to the point, with emphasis on the character of Rachael and her far from friendly surroundings.
Just like the book I reviewed Children of Chaos by Greg F. Gifune, where the Mexican desert was almost a character itself, in Red, we have the maze of alleyways, dimly lit by the remaining working streetlights. Needles in the gutters. Hooded gangs of youths drinking and smoking on the corners and in the park. Anyone in the UK can straight away relate to this setting, and the ominous and constantly present sense of threat it holds, be it from the news or personal experience.
And aside from the protag and the setting, the other jewel in this crown is the bad guy. Kane takes the essence of the original fairy tale and gives it a twist. Boy, is this creature relentless! Give it a licking and it keeps on ticking! Sometimes you actually side with the beast as it rips through annoying bad people and the denizens of inner city drug gangs. The beauty of it is...it can be anyone! The POVs are played with, lending the book a feel akin to Carpenter's The Thing. This keeps the reader guessing page by page where and when this horrible beastie will rear its tooth-filled head.
Although a little short for me (I think this had the legs to reach novel length, with the reveal of the monster coming slower, the protag figuring it out over time), the writing is top notch. Any horror fan who likes a quick read and signed editions (this one signed by Paul Kane, Tim Lebbon - who did the intro, and the artist Dave McKean), should go get one. Skullvines Press release yet another sound novella.
April 9, 2009
I received Red and turned on a copy of Sam Sham’s Little Red Riding Hood. Then, set in the proper mood, I tore into Red, pun intended, skipping past the introductions to chew into the meat of this story. But while Paul Kane certainly delivers on blood and gore, the meat of a plot is missing, and the logic of the story’s monster just left me scratching my head.
The characters are all interesting enough, but every setup feels the same. Witness a person who suddenly has a stranger in their life, but they’re happy with this sudden change. But oh no, it’s the big bad wolf in disguise. Again. And with the snapping, and the chewing, and the eating. And red. Every introduction goes the same way, so the descriptions of the characters become less like real personalities and more like cardboard cutouts.
This is supposed to be a modern tale about revenge, but it seems like an awfully complicated way to go about it. The link between the last chapter and the epilogue is a case of an unreliable narrator of the annoying sort, and again, reinforces my feelings that powerful and petty go hand in hand for the big bad wolf. Was there a point to the fight at all? No, not really. In this way, the ending feels like a bait and switch.
I’m giving this three out of five stars. It is a fast read, and the first sex scene/murder is certainly intense enough to pull any horror fan through to the last page. But fans looking for deeper meaning will find the illusion lacking in depth.
The characters are all interesting enough, but every setup feels the same. Witness a person who suddenly has a stranger in their life, but they’re happy with this sudden change. But oh no, it’s the big bad wolf in disguise. Again. And with the snapping, and the chewing, and the eating. And red. Every introduction goes the same way, so the descriptions of the characters become less like real personalities and more like cardboard cutouts.
This is supposed to be a modern tale about revenge, but it seems like an awfully complicated way to go about it. The link between the last chapter and the epilogue is a case of an unreliable narrator of the annoying sort, and again, reinforces my feelings that powerful and petty go hand in hand for the big bad wolf. Was there a point to the fight at all? No, not really. In this way, the ending feels like a bait and switch.
I’m giving this three out of five stars. It is a fast read, and the first sex scene/murder is certainly intense enough to pull any horror fan through to the last page. But fans looking for deeper meaning will find the illusion lacking in depth.
February 8, 2024
A very dark but creative reimagining of little red riding hood. However, forget all you think you know!
Rachael has moved to the city to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. While waiting for that lucky break, she takes on a job as a care worker. After a night out with her best friend, she realises that with the combination of the hangover and her already scattered memory, she has forgotten to deliver a prescription to her favourite patient Tilly. Despite Tilly living in the rough part of the city, Rachel knows she needs to take the prescription to her, but what she doesn't know, is that something has been watching her. Waiting to make it's move! No good deed goes unpunished!
This is such a good read. I love how no one is as they seem, and in the strongest sense of the word and I was kept constantly guessing (unsuccessfully!). Hooked from the start!
For fans of their fairytale reimaginings on the darker side, this is for you!
Rachael has moved to the city to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. While waiting for that lucky break, she takes on a job as a care worker. After a night out with her best friend, she realises that with the combination of the hangover and her already scattered memory, she has forgotten to deliver a prescription to her favourite patient Tilly. Despite Tilly living in the rough part of the city, Rachel knows she needs to take the prescription to her, but what she doesn't know, is that something has been watching her. Waiting to make it's move! No good deed goes unpunished!
This is such a good read. I love how no one is as they seem, and in the strongest sense of the word and I was kept constantly guessing (unsuccessfully!). Hooked from the start!
For fans of their fairytale reimaginings on the darker side, this is for you!
January 18, 2011
A clever re-telling of an old 'classic' fairytale in a modern setting. Moving the stage from the woods to a modern day housing estate really works and for a short tale the tension is really ramped up at times.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews