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Effectively Wild
Martin "Wags" Wagner, an aging catcher relegated to a minor-league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, is offered a new assignment-take a promising young pitcher under his wing and show him the ropes. Martin's manager is cagey about the new player, giving only his name, Andrei Dinescu, and his country of origin, Moldova. Despite the mysterious circumstances, Martin accepts the assignment, hoping to earn a return to the big leagues.
After his first bullpen session with the new pitcher, Martin is stunned by Andrei's lack of physical ability and his unfamiliarity with baseball. However, with each passing week, Andrei's strength and skill grow exponentially, and his miraculous leaps in both ability and pitch velocity frighten Martin. His fear is compounded by the organization's obvious attempts to keep Andrei separated from the rest of the team.
When Martin discovers the shocking truth about Andrei Dinescu, he realizes his path back to the big leagues is one stained with horror and blood.
After his first bullpen session with the new pitcher, Martin is stunned by Andrei's lack of physical ability and his unfamiliarity with baseball. However, with each passing week, Andrei's strength and skill grow exponentially, and his miraculous leaps in both ability and pitch velocity frighten Martin. His fear is compounded by the organization's obvious attempts to keep Andrei separated from the rest of the team.
When Martin discovers the shocking truth about Andrei Dinescu, he realizes his path back to the big leagues is one stained with horror and blood.
146 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2022
12 people want to read
About the author
Aeryn Rudel
67 books64 followersAeryn Rudel is a writer from Seattle, Washington. He is the author of the Acts of War novels published by Privateer Press, and his short fiction has appeared in The Arcanist, The Molotov Cocktail, and Pseudopod, among others. Aeryn is a notorious dinosaur nerd, a baseball fanatic, and knows far more about swords than is healthy or socially acceptable. He occasionally offers dubious advice on the subjects of writing and rejection (mostly rejection) at www.rejectomancy.com or Twitter @Aeryn_Rudel.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 10, 2022
An aging 37 year old baseball player is painfully at the end of his career. No longer in the big leagues, Martin’s professional level has relegated to the minors. Down on his luck with unpaid bills and alimony, a second chance comes in the form of a young rookie pitcher named Andrei Dinescu. This mysterious ball player seems to exude a beastly talent that will no doubt take the organization to the next level.
Not only does author Aeryn Rudel put forth a monstrous good time with his transformation from baseball to horror, but also succeeds in a well constructed story that will satisfy the readers hunger for something entertainingly different. Blending these two topics with inscribed talismans, wolfsbane and vulgar urges of bloodlust is actually a pleasant result of pure uneasiness.
Armed with curveball carnage and brutal breaking pitches, Rudel sprinkles the perfect amount of that special rosin wit on his unusual element of horror. Effectively Wild has a wonderfully 80’s “Paperbacks From Hell” retro vibe to it. From the gorgeous cover to the “over-the-top” storyline that can’t miss…literally. I can totally see this on a book rack in a drugstore! Grinning Skull Press has once again provided a diversified outlet to the genre we all love and hold dear to our horrific hearts.
Witnessing the radar gun measuring 666 miles per hour is reason enough not to charge the mound but instead grab your copy of this fantastic four-seam fastball of fright. This was such a fun read for me and definitely deserves a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
October 17, 2022
I read through this 100 page novella in one sitting because I didn’t want to put it down. Now I’m finished EFFECTIVELY WILD and I want more. Please, please tell me there will be more.
I love these characters. Wags is an aging catcher that was relegated to the minor leagues, he has been assigned to help out Andrei, a mysterious new pitching prospect. I could feel the struggles that both Wags and Andrei were going through. The tension was palpable, not knowing what was going to happen as Andrei’s abilities grew beyond what should be possible. Shrouded in mystery and coverups, Wags struggles with what is going on and what dangers await with Andrei around.
You don’t need to be a student of the game of baseball to enjoy this book, that is just the setting. Just like The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and Daphne by Josh Malerman are not books about basketball and you don’t need to understand football to enjoy the Galactic Football League series by @scottsigler , Effectively Wild is a gritty, fast paced nightmare that just happens to be sliding into home base with its cleats up just daring you to try and tag it out.
On a side note, the baseball scout that found Andrei is named Harker and I did a little dance hoping that somehow he was related to Jonathan Harker from Bram Stokers Dracula even though this isn’t a vampire book. Maybe more will come out about that in the next book. (I don’t know if there is a next book but I am using all my psychic power to get Aeryn to write more in this universe.)
I love these characters. Wags is an aging catcher that was relegated to the minor leagues, he has been assigned to help out Andrei, a mysterious new pitching prospect. I could feel the struggles that both Wags and Andrei were going through. The tension was palpable, not knowing what was going to happen as Andrei’s abilities grew beyond what should be possible. Shrouded in mystery and coverups, Wags struggles with what is going on and what dangers await with Andrei around.
You don’t need to be a student of the game of baseball to enjoy this book, that is just the setting. Just like The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and Daphne by Josh Malerman are not books about basketball and you don’t need to understand football to enjoy the Galactic Football League series by @scottsigler , Effectively Wild is a gritty, fast paced nightmare that just happens to be sliding into home base with its cleats up just daring you to try and tag it out.
On a side note, the baseball scout that found Andrei is named Harker and I did a little dance hoping that somehow he was related to Jonathan Harker from Bram Stokers Dracula even though this isn’t a vampire book. Maybe more will come out about that in the next book. (I don’t know if there is a next book but I am using all my psychic power to get Aeryn to write more in this universe.)
October 11, 2022
Aeryn Rudel’s Effectively Wild is—dare I say—a home run. The horror/baseball novella tells the story of an aging catcher wasting away in the minor leagues when one day he’s paired with a mysterious (and perhaps monstrous) new pitcher. I won’t spoil the plot, but there’s tension, suspense, compelling characters, and a nice mix of humor and horror. Aeryn strikes the perfect balance by giving us enough about baseball to be informative and entertaining while not bogging the narrative down with too much baseball minutia. This novella will appeal to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. I’m only a casual, peripheral fan of baseball (I couldn’t even tell you who is in the MLB playoffs right now), but I found the story fascinating and fun.
October 12, 2022
They say "classic speculative monster" stories are dead.
Nobody told Rudel that!-thankfully! And thus we are gifted with this gem that traditional horror fans will eat right up. If you savor that feeling of creeping dread about the "what ifs-" (think Teenwolf takes an unfortunate trip into the Twilight Zone) this book is for you. Even though it's told from the POV of a veteran catcher, you don't even have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the slippery suspenseful ride. Trust me, I'm not a sports fan, I came for the speculative thriller and this page-turner delivered perfect pitches the whole time right up to the chilling end where ... oh come now, you don't think I'm gonna tell you what happens. You'll have to read it yourself to find out.
Nobody told Rudel that!-thankfully! And thus we are gifted with this gem that traditional horror fans will eat right up. If you savor that feeling of creeping dread about the "what ifs-" (think Teenwolf takes an unfortunate trip into the Twilight Zone) this book is for you. Even though it's told from the POV of a veteran catcher, you don't even have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the slippery suspenseful ride. Trust me, I'm not a sports fan, I came for the speculative thriller and this page-turner delivered perfect pitches the whole time right up to the chilling end where ... oh come now, you don't think I'm gonna tell you what happens. You'll have to read it yourself to find out.
October 27, 2022
Home run!
I'll admit, I'm not really a sportsball fan, but I am a fan of Aeryn Rudel. As usual, he's given us a gritty story, full of character. Some of the baseball terms might have been unfamiliar, but there was plenty of context to understand the action.
The protagonist, Wags, had a really strong voice. He's just broken enough that he's desperately human without seeming pathetic. And as his worldview gets turned on end, we're right there with him, wondering where this wild ride is going to end. And like all good horror, when it does, we realize it really is just the beginning for poor Wags!
I'll admit, I'm not really a sportsball fan, but I am a fan of Aeryn Rudel. As usual, he's given us a gritty story, full of character. Some of the baseball terms might have been unfamiliar, but there was plenty of context to understand the action.
The protagonist, Wags, had a really strong voice. He's just broken enough that he's desperately human without seeming pathetic. And as his worldview gets turned on end, we're right there with him, wondering where this wild ride is going to end. And like all good horror, when it does, we realize it really is just the beginning for poor Wags!
December 31, 2022
I received this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
This book, based on the cover alone I was super hesitant to accept simply because I do not like sports. But that bias aside I picked it up and read it and I’m so glad I did. This book offered a unique story setting with an interesting problem. The character development of the main character was kinda there but the way this story was set up, I wanted to read and find out more. I really want more out of this story / world. I give this one 4.5 out of 5
Thank you, Michael Evans and Aeryn Rudel for the awesome book!
This book, based on the cover alone I was super hesitant to accept simply because I do not like sports. But that bias aside I picked it up and read it and I’m so glad I did. This book offered a unique story setting with an interesting problem. The character development of the main character was kinda there but the way this story was set up, I wanted to read and find out more. I really want more out of this story / world. I give this one 4.5 out of 5
Thank you, Michael Evans and Aeryn Rudel for the awesome book!
October 26, 2022
I wish this one was a full length novel. It was great all the way through then just sorta ends. I want more, dammit!
October 15, 2022
**Note, I received an advanced copy of this book, and my review is totally voluntary.
I am not what anyone would call a sports fan. I’m one of those annoying people who tap the shoulder of the nearest person and ask them to explain what just happened whenever… well, whenever anything happens on the field. So, I didn’t know what to expect from this baseball horror story, but I’m here to say I loved it. You don’t need to be a baseball lover to enjoy this horror novella. I devoured it in two sittings.
Rudel does a great job creating a character (Martin) I cared about and rooted for throughout while making the mystery surrounding Andrei complex. There’s more to Adrei than meets the eye, and it has a lot to do with the intricacies of a corporation hellbent on winning, no matter the cost.
Clearly, Rudel penned this page-turner to appeal to anyone who enjoys reading horror. I’m sure a lot of the baseball references soared over my head, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit. Dare I say that I may have even picked up a thing or two about the game? Fair warning, you still won’t want to sit next to me at a ballgame unless you wish to chat about “Effectively Wild” and about what Rudel might have in store for his next inning.
I am not what anyone would call a sports fan. I’m one of those annoying people who tap the shoulder of the nearest person and ask them to explain what just happened whenever… well, whenever anything happens on the field. So, I didn’t know what to expect from this baseball horror story, but I’m here to say I loved it. You don’t need to be a baseball lover to enjoy this horror novella. I devoured it in two sittings.
Rudel does a great job creating a character (Martin) I cared about and rooted for throughout while making the mystery surrounding Andrei complex. There’s more to Adrei than meets the eye, and it has a lot to do with the intricacies of a corporation hellbent on winning, no matter the cost.
Clearly, Rudel penned this page-turner to appeal to anyone who enjoys reading horror. I’m sure a lot of the baseball references soared over my head, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit. Dare I say that I may have even picked up a thing or two about the game? Fair warning, you still won’t want to sit next to me at a ballgame unless you wish to chat about “Effectively Wild” and about what Rudel might have in store for his next inning.
October 27, 2022
There may not be crying in baseball, but there sure can be horror.
Off the bat, no pun intended, I was leery of a baseball themed horror story. Sounds like something that would be written on a dare only to produce something worth a chuckle, but I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at the result.
Even more, the story by Aeryn Rudel is downright entertaining.
I don’t feel that not knowing baseball would be a hindrance to your enjoyment, there’s anything too technical about the parts that do require some knowledge. Basically if you know what the sport is, you probably won’t have an issue. The story and horror don’t require any more than a passing familiarity with it.
There are real touching moments between the characters, some sweet and tender, some horrifying and evil, but that’s the fun of following the story.
It is a quick read, at least it was for me because it did hook me early. I did care about the main characters and wanted to see how it turned out for them.I was surprised at the end and it was a satisfying completion to the tale.
Overall I do recommend the story regardless of your knowledge of the sport, the true enjoyment comes from the characters journey.
Off the bat, no pun intended, I was leery of a baseball themed horror story. Sounds like something that would be written on a dare only to produce something worth a chuckle, but I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at the result.
Even more, the story by Aeryn Rudel is downright entertaining.
I don’t feel that not knowing baseball would be a hindrance to your enjoyment, there’s anything too technical about the parts that do require some knowledge. Basically if you know what the sport is, you probably won’t have an issue. The story and horror don’t require any more than a passing familiarity with it.
There are real touching moments between the characters, some sweet and tender, some horrifying and evil, but that’s the fun of following the story.
It is a quick read, at least it was for me because it did hook me early. I did care about the main characters and wanted to see how it turned out for them.I was surprised at the end and it was a satisfying completion to the tale.
Overall I do recommend the story regardless of your knowledge of the sport, the true enjoyment comes from the characters journey.
October 18, 2022
***Please note, I received an advanced reader copy of this novella, and my review is totally voluntary.
This is a fun, fast-paced read. I devoured it in two sittings. I only know enough about baseball to get by, but the sports references and dialog all worked really well for me. Nothing felt forced and everything flowed naturally.
The fast pace is what really swept me in. The main character, an aging catcher in the minors, pushes the story forward with a desperate urgency. Addicted to opiates and in somewhat blatant denial of his aging body, Martin is an unreliable character, but not a weak or unsympathetic one. He is in conflict with his own ego, as well as those of other players - on his team and other teams. Martin’s voice is also strong, which gives the reader insight into the player he used to be. He’s asked to mentor a young new pitcher, whose backstory is a complete mystery, but it’s soon obvious that backstory is dark, violent, and supernatural.
I recommend this well written novella to sports fans and horror fan alike. A dark and delightful read courtesy of Aeryn Rudel.
This is a fun, fast-paced read. I devoured it in two sittings. I only know enough about baseball to get by, but the sports references and dialog all worked really well for me. Nothing felt forced and everything flowed naturally.
The fast pace is what really swept me in. The main character, an aging catcher in the minors, pushes the story forward with a desperate urgency. Addicted to opiates and in somewhat blatant denial of his aging body, Martin is an unreliable character, but not a weak or unsympathetic one. He is in conflict with his own ego, as well as those of other players - on his team and other teams. Martin’s voice is also strong, which gives the reader insight into the player he used to be. He’s asked to mentor a young new pitcher, whose backstory is a complete mystery, but it’s soon obvious that backstory is dark, violent, and supernatural.
I recommend this well written novella to sports fans and horror fan alike. A dark and delightful read courtesy of Aeryn Rudel.
October 17, 2022
I'm a sucker for a buddy trope- and I was happily surprised to find one inside Aeryn Rudel's baseball horror story. The unlikely mismatch of the weary catcher at the end of his career and the mysterious rookie pitcher with a killer fastball drives this fun, quick read to its surprising climax. Though the clues are laid out in plain sight, the reader enjoys the journey led by Martin "Wags" Wagner as he pieces together the puzzle of his teammate's erratic performance. Horror is not my first genre choice, but I love great characterization and sharp descriptive writing, and Aeryn Rudel always delivers. Will there be a sequel - "Wild Catch"? I'm in!
November 11, 2022
I was worried I'd need to know a bit about baseball to enjoy this, but it was far from the case. The characterisation in this story is fantastic, and the baseball stuff only strengthens it and adds authenticity and flavour to the story overall. I loved Wags. He was what drew me in and kept me there. The supernatural stuff was fun, but definitely not the highlight for me. The way the story ended sort of calls for a sequel. I wasn't totally satisfied when I got to the last line. I wanted to know how Wags would handle things going forward. But overall, a punchy little read.
November 20, 2022
Fast-Paced with a Curveball
For anyone who loves werewolves, baseball (ok, this one isn't a must!), and fast-paced horror, I highly recommend giving this one a spin. I tend to like my horror fic short, and the novella form is perfect for this tale. 5/5!
For anyone who loves werewolves, baseball (ok, this one isn't a must!), and fast-paced horror, I highly recommend giving this one a spin. I tend to like my horror fic short, and the novella form is perfect for this tale. 5/5!
April 28, 2023
Furry, funny, ferocious.
A fun monster novella that feels like it's begging for a sequel. It's billed as horror, but Rudel's strong writing had me laughing frequently, which helped to take the edge off.
A fun monster novella that feels like it's begging for a sequel. It's billed as horror, but Rudel's strong writing had me laughing frequently, which helped to take the edge off.
November 4, 2022
4.5*, a very enjoyable baseball horror story about an ageing catcher and a mysterious, young Moldovan pitcher. Very entertaining.
August 23, 2024
Grab your popcorn and peanuts, get your favorite team playing in the background, and wind yourself up for this novella. You’ve got your AAA catcher with his bum knees and questionable hold on making it through the season, and your rather unruly pitcher who doesn’t seem to know the first thing about the game. Heck, how’d he get a AAA contract? But with Martin’s choices dwindling, he takes his manager’s deal to help Andrei get a feel for pitching. Nothing adds up about Andrei, and the way he improves way out of the ability of your typical professional player. As the risk builds, Martin can’t back down. Not if he wants another season in this game that owns his soul. Having played softball myself, though not baseball, I attended a dozen professional ballgames live. I followed my hometown team all four years of college, getting a feeling of home. So in every page to say I feel the hardpack of the diamond beneath my cleats, feel the dirt enveloping me after a dive for a ball, and ache for that next victory, says Rudel hit a grand-slam homerun with this novella.
February 15, 2023
Rudel's Effectively Wild is a very compelling horror novella that had me flipping the pages into the night. The tale revolves around a nearly over-the-hill baseball catcher who is tasked to mentor the mysterious new Moldavian hot-shot recruit pitcher. Although something's not quite right with the kid. He rarely shows up at baseball events, his talents seem to come and go, he's easily tipped into terrifying rages, and just why exactly does he only show up at night? I'm not what you'd call a tried and true baseball fan, but I loved the book nonetheless. Rudel seems to know his way around the bullpen and his tale smacks of authenticity. Did I mention it's very creepy? My only complaint is that it ended too soon, definitely room for a sequel to finish this tale of baseball spookiness. Highly recommended.
October 12, 2023
I loved this book(ette)!! Maybe because I love baseball and I've always been into the workings of pro sports. I know this author writes horror and I was a little nervous about getting to real horror moments, but it didn't go there. Sometimes the suggestion is better than the nitty-gritty. It's very short, more like an extra long short story so I read it in one sitting. The characters were so economically painted--like a little snapshot, or a baseball card, if you like--that I could picture every one of them clearly and totally immerse in the story. The only problem was it ended too soon! Of course we all know how it would go down in the end, but I wanted more, dammit!
July 30, 2023
This is either a short story stretched out to a novella, or a novella that should have been stretched out to a novel. Whatever the case, at this length it doesn’t work. The author sets up interesting characters and puts them in a compelling situation and then just… ends the story with a meaningless ‘twist’. Talk about an opportunity gone begging.
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