Dreams of Lake Drukka and Exhumation explore the unearthing of horrific, long-buried family secrets. Journeying into the darkest recesses of the past, these stories depict the dire consequences of discovering the truth.
Writing about Dreams Of Lake Drukka and Exhumation, author Mike Thorn said: “It was only in retrospect that I could see the connections between these two stories. When I revisited them for publication, it struck me that they work well as companion pieces. Both plots depict unfulfilled pacts with supernatural undercurrents, both include journeys to uncover unresolved familial trauma, and both pivot around the revelation of repressed memories. I wanted to explore the relationship between setting and atmosphere in these pieces, and to depict horror within internal and physical ‘sites of trauma.’ The characters are grappling with painful memories / experiences that have held them back, consciously or unconsciously. One story focuses on a character who is the agent of her own revelations, whereas the other story sees someone whose agency is quickly and brutally taken away.”
(Cover by Adrian Baldwin)
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
Dreams Of Lake Drukka:
For a while, I was wondering when the horror would begin in Dreams Of Lake Drukka. For a couple dozen or so pages, it was mostly sisterly squabbles. Basically, arguments many siblings have or had partaken in a time or two (or more). It wasn’t until Jeannette and Sharla crossed over the fence leading to Lake Drukka when things finally started to look up. Well, for us horror readers it did…not so much for these two gals or their daddy.
The terror-filled moments starring the phantom were spooky in written form. However, it would downright terrify viewers in 2 or 3D. This would be one of those movies you’ll be screaming at the screen, “Run, chick, run!!!!”
Since my mind tends to operate like a movie projector, I can visualize it in 2D.
First ½ of the Dreams Of Lake Drukka: 2 hearts (stars)
Last ½ of the story: 4 and1/2 hearts (stars)
Overall score: 3 and 1/2 hearts (stars)
Exhumation:
Exhumation started off creepy, progressed to F***ed up and stayed firmly in that position until the very end.
From the start, Norm proved to be a strange character but I had no idea how quickly things would go from strange to I WANT TO HURL!
If you like creepy, weird, and/or grotesque scenes then you must read Exhumation.
Score on this story alone: 4 ½ hearts (stars)
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Overall Score:❤❤❤❤
