Creature by Hunter Shea
This is the first book I've read by Hunter Shea. I was slightly apprehensive about reading it as I had been aware of all the hype and praise surrounding this book. I was worried it wouldn't live up to my high expectations of a creepy horror tale.
But it did.
I had great fun.
From my point of view I would describe Creature as two books fused into one. The first book is a body-horror tale that felt a little too real for me. It details the lows and lows of a passionate married couple, (with a great sense of humour) fighting against the wife's auto-immune disease which completely dominates their lives.
This section terrified me, like everyone else, I have a terrible fear of falling ill in such a way. I guess it will happen to us all in the end but to see it so up close is truly monstrous. Parts of this book were so hard to read as we've all had someone close to our hearts suffer in such a way. I really felt for Andrew, he'd do anything for Kate but he's powerless against such as disease.
It was only after finishing this book that I found out that the the author's wife suffers from a illness which made it all the more raw, heart wrenching and real.
Most horror stories are outlandish separated from our everyday lives, usually set in circumstances you know would never happen to you in real life, but this one is very different. This could be you the illness creeps up on. It could so easily be your marriage, your family, that is tested to its limits.
The second half of the book is much different. This is where the much anticipated creature makes an appearance. Where the fun begins.
I have to admit the first half of the book is a slow burner, so much so that I hate to admit it now, but I did abandon the book to read something else. Eventually I came back to this, and am so glad I did as my investment of time was truly rewarded.
So when they arrive at the cottage deep in the woods of Maine, (my favourite horror setting!) I was really excited for the fun/murder/destruction/bloodshed to start.
I do love these sort of books where you know there's a big terrible monster and its going to come in and kill everyone. What a lot of people don't appreciate is that to slay this much overdone trope, you have to write it really well and bring something new to the table.
Hunter Shea has done just that.
From this point the book accelerates really quickly, it's really hard to put the book down and I was hooked. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it!
Whilst I've still got your attention, if you liked this books then may I also recommend The Ritual by Adam Neville and The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn, both great books!
But it did.
I had great fun.
From my point of view I would describe Creature as two books fused into one. The first book is a body-horror tale that felt a little too real for me. It details the lows and lows of a passionate married couple, (with a great sense of humour) fighting against the wife's auto-immune disease which completely dominates their lives.
This section terrified me, like everyone else, I have a terrible fear of falling ill in such a way. I guess it will happen to us all in the end but to see it so up close is truly monstrous. Parts of this book were so hard to read as we've all had someone close to our hearts suffer in such a way. I really felt for Andrew, he'd do anything for Kate but he's powerless against such as disease.
It was only after finishing this book that I found out that the the author's wife suffers from a illness which made it all the more raw, heart wrenching and real.
Most horror stories are outlandish separated from our everyday lives, usually set in circumstances you know would never happen to you in real life, but this one is very different. This could be you the illness creeps up on. It could so easily be your marriage, your family, that is tested to its limits.
The second half of the book is much different. This is where the much anticipated creature makes an appearance. Where the fun begins.
I have to admit the first half of the book is a slow burner, so much so that I hate to admit it now, but I did abandon the book to read something else. Eventually I came back to this, and am so glad I did as my investment of time was truly rewarded.
So when they arrive at the cottage deep in the woods of Maine, (my favourite horror setting!) I was really excited for the fun/murder/destruction/bloodshed to start.
I do love these sort of books where you know there's a big terrible monster and its going to come in and kill everyone. What a lot of people don't appreciate is that to slay this much overdone trope, you have to write it really well and bring something new to the table.
Hunter Shea has done just that.
From this point the book accelerates really quickly, it's really hard to put the book down and I was hooked. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it!
Out now via Amazon
Whilst I've still got your attention, if you liked this books then may I also recommend The Ritual by Adam Neville and The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn, both great books!
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