Pisces51’s Reviews > Turn > Status Update

The overwhelming emotion in the story right now is (ironic I know) the capacity of one half of a marriage loving enough and harnessing his energy to stand between the imminent possibility of a horrible death for himself and/or the permanent plundering of his partner's head and soul. The animal invading his senses is on its way...and there is no strategic middle ground

It's becoming difficult to compose updates that neatly sidestep major shifts and directions the plot is taking. I am most impressed by the deft skillful manipulation by a master story teller. Stockton's use of alternating first person POVs to immerse the reader in the psyche of both principal characters is brilliant. There is "blood and gore galore" but character development shines through. No idea what happens next.

High time for a "heart to heart" between Holt and Ezra. Holden grasps it is a "Come to Jesus" moment and confesses duality with fear of ripping Ezra to pieces when bloodlust overrides passion. The couple then hear the sound of pending salvation in the guise of a local wielding a chainsaw. Storms made roads impassable and (Jake) guides them to the Sheriff and his two men. But it isn't rescue or refuge they find.

Refer to Group Read Discussion on Splatterpunk if you are a member. There remains questions about the wild animal that attacked Holt and left him injured. Meanwhile, Holden is burning up from inside with unrelenting pain and insatiable hunger. He is attempting to control his urges but the compulsion is growing in strength and intensity. Their lovemaking and passionate sex is all encompassing and a struggle.

Approximately a third of the way through this 500 page horror expedition in the isolated woods of Tennessee. Our two newly married partners Ezra and Holt are the very definition of devoted to each other. The author's alternating First Person POVs only serves to ratchet up the reader's anxiety and fear for the couple's fate. We know the enemy is hiding in plain site and Holt is fighting for their lives. Chilling.

The story at this point has the reader aware of the outline of the threat facing our likeable duo. They are presently trapped in the woods due to downed trees and debris blocking the road. The generator fails a second time and some frightening events have already occurred to spook even the optimistic country boy Holton. The author leeches out sketchy details, while Holden encounters the beast at a cost.

Please see my notes on the Group Read Discussion page (Splatterpunk). Not that I have said a lot. The couple are both worried and worse, trapped in the cabin. There have been odd to downright frightening incidences that have occurred. It is reasonable to say that the guys are not coming unglued yet in order to support each other. This is about 100 pages in and Stockton is creating a chill early in the storyline.

The storyline is gradually assuming the ominous mood of the storm surging outside the cabin. Ezra is awakened by the lightning and high winds while Holden continues to sleep like a rock. He hears a scream and the desperate pleading of a terrified man. He is being pursued by an unseen predator. It reminded me of Pumpkinhead when the "marked" man being hunted down is clamoring at the doors to get inside.

I just began reading tonight, and if I didn't know the author I would think I had just opened a poignant gay romance novel featuring two likeable protagonists. I am looking forward to this atypically lengthy tale of terror in the woods of Tennessee by Stockton who calls it home.