Ryan’s Reviews > Blood on the Page: The Complete Short Fiction of Brian Keene, Volume 1 > Status Update

Golden Boy is a story about a boy that can bleeds and craps gold, along with other bodily fluids. The story was very inventive and has a dark ending. The story was short but what a premise. Golden Boy I rated 5 out of 5.

Marriage Causes Cancer in Rats is a story of a man dying from cancer, but is the cancer killing him or his guilt. I liked this story up until the end. I was a little confused by it. I enjoyed the set up then the reveal of what happened to the family. The mob was a fun work in to the story. Marriage Causes Cancer in Rats I rated 4 out of 5.

Slouching In Bethlehem is a story of a homeless couple and an arrangement by a stranger. This story was a little odd that it was told mostly from the man's point of view instead of the woman's. I thought the story was interesting but I wanted more from the story. I'm glad to see some of these characters in other works. Slouching in Bethlehem I rated 4 out of 5.

The Ghost of Monsters is a story that takes place after Dark Hollow and Ghost Walk. The story is about a couple in the woods getting to know each other before they can do it the story has a good twist. The Ghost of Monsters I rated 4 out of 5.

Red Wood is a good ensemble piece. The story was one of the longest but followed very well. There's a lot of Dark Hallow in the story. The dialogue for Smitty was great, I think everyone knows a guy like that. I thought the death scenes were written well and inventive.Great ending to the piece Red Wood I rated 5 out 5.

Stone Tears is a story of an Indian hex. There's a twist at the end that was good. This story for some reason could not hold my attention. I liked the backstory scene with the boat captain and Nelson. This story features Nelson LeHorn from Dark Hollow and serves as a preamble to that story. I rated Stone Tears 3 out of 5.

The Resurrection And The Life is a story about Jesus and Lazarus and how it all ties to The Rising eventually. Tackling Jesus is hard by Keene nailed the voice and added a great tie in to Judas's betrayal. The story was a bit long at parts interesting but dragged. The Resurrection And The Life I rated 4 out of 5.

The Wind Cries Mary is a love story that takes place during the zombie apocalypse. The story had a twist I did not see coming. The writing despite the gore is beautiful. The story is about the power of love told in a messed up kind way. The Wind Cries Mary I rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Bunnies in August is a heart wrenching story about a father grieving over his son. The story also features bunnies that act as the innocence of the story. The story blends both elements expertly. The story is dark with twists and turns. I love the theme of being haunted by regret. This story might be my favorite. This story made me gasp twice at the twists. Bunnies in August I rated 5 out of 5.

Two-Headed Alien Love Child is a government agent who watches an alien abduction. This is not that great of a story. There's something there but this story did not hit it. He said it was an early story and it is very juvenile. Two-Headed Alien Love Child I rated 1 out of 5 it is the weakest story in the collection so far.