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As Fate Would Have It
Montgomery, a gourmet chef on the fast track to fame, has a teensy weensy problem. He's a murderous cannibal addicted to human flesh. Guilt and worry eat his brain and beg him to stop, but his headstrong girlfriend Liz won't let him quit. She blames Montgomery for getting her hooked on the succulent meat and refuses to curb her carnal urges.
Ashley, a twenty-something trying to figure her place in life, desperately wants to kick the nasty heroin habit she acquired with her boyfriend Henry a year and a half ago. Henry wants to make Ashley happy and quit, but no matter how hard he tries he can't seem to resist the drug's consuming pull.
As Montgomery and Ashley struggle with codependence, with love, with loss, with sorrow and regret they seek to find salvation in the unlikeliest of places—each other.
Ashley, a twenty-something trying to figure her place in life, desperately wants to kick the nasty heroin habit she acquired with her boyfriend Henry a year and a half ago. Henry wants to make Ashley happy and quit, but no matter how hard he tries he can't seem to resist the drug's consuming pull.
As Montgomery and Ashley struggle with codependence, with love, with loss, with sorrow and regret they seek to find salvation in the unlikeliest of places—each other.
289 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 15, 2009
Who would’ve guessed that the well-known chef at the fanciest restaurant in town would also happen to be a cannibal? Heather certainly didn’t when she accepted an invitation to go out on a date with him and agreed to accompany him home for a drink. When they reach his house, the power doesn't seem to be working and the furniture and floor are covered in plastic. Hmmm... Something doesn't seem quite right to poor Heather. Unfortunately, that turns out to be one of her last thoughts before our chef, Montgomery, slices ‘n’ dices her and prepares a murderously romantic dinner for his wife, Liz.
Heather’s death remains unknown for some time because, unfortunately, she had a fight with her best friend, Ashley, just before her death, and consequently, Ashley doesn't realize Heather is missing until she doesn't show up to work. Ashley and her boyfriend, Henry, are fighting with a major heroin addiction and aren’t really in their right minds, so thinking clearly about what might have become of Heather is not really the top thing on their agenda. Ultimately though, Ashley grasps that something has gone horribly wrong, and takes it upon herself to seek out Heather.
You wouldn’t typically think of the word “lyrical” when you think of “cannibalism”, but Michael Louis Calvillo has written a truly lyrical story with As Fate Would Have It. As I read this book I kept thinking of it as a love story because, in a way, it truly is. Yes, it was also horribly gruesome, violent, and disturbing in other ways, but it is, at the same time, a strangely romantic tale. I love what Calvillo did with this book and how he wove two disparate stories into one within the novel. To anyone that can handle a bit of gore to season their reading, they should definitely give this one a try as it’s worth the bit of queasiness said spice will likely put in your gut! Highly Recommended!
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
Heather’s death remains unknown for some time because, unfortunately, she had a fight with her best friend, Ashley, just before her death, and consequently, Ashley doesn't realize Heather is missing until she doesn't show up to work. Ashley and her boyfriend, Henry, are fighting with a major heroin addiction and aren’t really in their right minds, so thinking clearly about what might have become of Heather is not really the top thing on their agenda. Ultimately though, Ashley grasps that something has gone horribly wrong, and takes it upon herself to seek out Heather.
You wouldn’t typically think of the word “lyrical” when you think of “cannibalism”, but Michael Louis Calvillo has written a truly lyrical story with As Fate Would Have It. As I read this book I kept thinking of it as a love story because, in a way, it truly is. Yes, it was also horribly gruesome, violent, and disturbing in other ways, but it is, at the same time, a strangely romantic tale. I love what Calvillo did with this book and how he wove two disparate stories into one within the novel. To anyone that can handle a bit of gore to season their reading, they should definitely give this one a try as it’s worth the bit of queasiness said spice will likely put in your gut! Highly Recommended!
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
July 27, 2012
Montgomery is a chef at a premier restaurant (and a cannibal trying to kick the habit when his girlfriend doesn't want to). Ashley is a heroin addict (also trying to kick the habit) suffering through the loss of her best friend (Montgomery's last victim). As Fate Would Have It is a vivid, in-depth character study of these two as they struggle with their flaws, their addictions and their desires for the future.
Well written and intoxicatingly in-depth, the book is also slow paced, without much actually happening. Most of the book is tension built as the reader waits for these two to inevitably clash. But when it happens it's fairly anti-climactic. It's odd saying this is both andexcellent book, and a slow, disappointing one, but it's accurate as well. The low price makes it a good addition to budding electronic libraries and readers who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven horror tales will find a lot to like here.
Contains: language, drug use, sexual situation/language, cannibalism
Well written and intoxicatingly in-depth, the book is also slow paced, without much actually happening. Most of the book is tension built as the reader waits for these two to inevitably clash. But when it happens it's fairly anti-climactic. It's odd saying this is both andexcellent book, and a slow, disappointing one, but it's accurate as well. The low price makes it a good addition to budding electronic libraries and readers who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven horror tales will find a lot to like here.
Contains: language, drug use, sexual situation/language, cannibalism
July 26, 2013
Drawn in by the cover, I picked this up at the library and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the read. An easy read, Calvillo held my interest throughout and had me quickly turning pages right up until the end.
An added bonus for me was the character Ashley, who I loved. Any references in stories to old record stores/alternative fashion/music scene has me hooked.
In summary, a tale of cannibalism, gore, drug abuse and friendship, this book is ideal for horror fans looking for a quick read.
An added bonus for me was the character Ashley, who I loved. Any references in stories to old record stores/alternative fashion/music scene has me hooked.
In summary, a tale of cannibalism, gore, drug abuse and friendship, this book is ideal for horror fans looking for a quick read.
July 23, 2013
Very enjoyable and entertaining. Calvillo had a noticable style to his writing. Compare this book to his later novel LAMBS and you will see a similar format; sections on the individual characters followed by the remainder of the story.
This ebook could have faired better with a more thorough job of editting and was only going to get four stars because of it, but after reading Ms. Morton's afterward I see that some of the errors may have been intentional.
This ebook could have faired better with a more thorough job of editting and was only going to get four stars because of it, but after reading Ms. Morton's afterward I see that some of the errors may have been intentional.
January 18, 2011
While the ending was a bit anticlimactic, this book definitely works as a well-written character study.
Although it gets a bit gory in parts, as a carnivore who's prepared his own meat, the gore gets played off as normal and not just for shock value.
Definitely a fun read, though.
Although it gets a bit gory in parts, as a carnivore who's prepared his own meat, the gore gets played off as normal and not just for shock value.
Definitely a fun read, though.
June 3, 2012
Wonderfully nasty little tale. A cannibalistic chef and a girl who is convinced he is up to no good. You know it's gonna end badly for someone!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews