Something Wicked Fall Review - Andrew Najberg's Gollitok

So, I'm a girl who loves "expedition" horror. Archaeology expeditions as depicted in Michael Rutger's The Anomaly, and in this case, a team on a cataloguing survey of an abandoned prison. The name of said prison is Gollitok, and if that in itself doesn't sound menacing, the story is even more perilous. 

Through the entire novel, there is a sense of something not being right, and not just because the characters are saying it. There is a palpable feeling of dread as the story progresses through increasingly gruesome discoveries. This is an island prison that was really much more than just a prison. The various elements of strange phenomena and wildlife are very Lovecraftian in nature. There's something the "Bureau" did not disclose to the team, and some know more than others. This makes for a difficult time for the team in addition to the horrors that await them. 

This is my first Najberg novel, and it will not be my last. Any story that keeps me filled with dread is a sure winner, and Gollitok proves he certainly has a talent for it.

About the book

In a post-nuclear Eastern Europe, Hammel E Varka departs for a remote island to join a survey team cataloguing the abandoned Gollitok prison in the hopes that he will redeem his family’s tarnished reputation. After the passage across the strait leaves a team member injured, Varka quickly realizes that this survey is far from routine and that what he thought he knew about the island was a cover for more horrifying truths. As his team presses deeper into the decaying facility, hidden agendas splinter the team, and they find themselves beset with dangers beyond their worst nightmares.

Check out the book and read about the author on Goodreads.

This post is a part of Something Wicked Fall.

Jason Parent's Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween - Review

What could be better during spooky season then to read a book of stories centered around Halloween? I say, nothing! These stories have everything. Monstrous creatures, ghosts, the undead, deranged slashers...everything needed for a genuinely thrilling Halloween ride.

My favorites from the collection...

Russian Dollhouse

Abandoned Colonial house, misguided teens looking for mischief, ghosts, and deepest fears revealed.

Keeping Up Appearances

Looks can be deceiving, know when to quit, Karma (perhaps?)

Ride Like the Devil

Ever went on one of those carnival horror rides (like at the fair) and wondered who might be lurking? Yeah, been there, done that. This one evoked memories of my true terror on those rides.

Pulp

A high school horror movie club, costumes based on horror movie characters, mayhem, keeps you guessing.

These were the standouts for me, but all of them are thrilling and horrifying. This collection is perfect for those who like to read scary around Halloween, and for the horror aficionados who love reading horror year-round. Highly recommend.

Grab this on Kindle for $3.99 and read it before (or on) Halloween. It will definitely complete your holiday. Paperback is also available.

From the back cover

Halloween. For the costumed child skipping along a safe, well-lit street, pillow case chock full of candy, it is a night of magic and mischief, delightful frights met with sugar-toothed grins. But for the would-be revelers in these tales, Halloween is a horrifying ordeal the likes of which many will not survive. And those who do make it to November may wish they hadn’t.

In this collection, Jason Parent gathers ten tales that embody the holiday in ways surely to surprise and delight the most avid horror reader. From traditional settings like amusement parks, Halloween parties, and haunted houses to more obscure locales where you might think terror couldn’t possibly find you, each story will have you breathing a little faster, startling at every bump in the night.

"If you're looking for a collection that pays homage to all things Halloween, look no further than Jason Parent's Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween. Featuring its own unique brand of urban legend lore, horror-savvy kids, and more monsters than you could squeeze into an entire season of Creepshow, Mischief Night Massacre is a collection of tales you'll want to reread (and recommend!) every October...and beyond.”
—Christa Carmen, Bram Stoker-winning author of The Daughters of Block Island and Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked

“Every Halloween theme—and many unexpected ones—are featured in this terrifyingly exciting collection. You’ll stay up long past your bedtime gorging on these seasonal confections.”
—Anthony J. Rapino, author of Soundtrack to the End of the World

About the author

Jason Parent is an author of horror, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction and dark humor, though his many novels, novellas, and short stories tend to blur the boundaries between genres. From his EPIC and eFestival Independent Book Award finalist first novel, What Hides Within, to his widely applauded police procedural/supernatural thriller, Seeing Evil, to his fast and furious sci-fi horror, The Apocalypse Strain, Jason’s work has won him praise from both critics and fans of diverse genres alike. He currently lives in Massachusetts, surrounded by chewed furniture thanks to his corgi and mini Aussie pups.

Author Website
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I also reviewed another excellent collection by Jason back in 2016, Wrathbone and Other Stories.
Check out that review here.

This post is a part of Something Wicked Fall.

Stephen King's Fairy Tale Read-along - Discussion Three

Now we've arrived at the horrific part of the book. Many have said this book is not really horror, but the section we just read was pretty scary in my opinion. Those Night Soldiers, and Lord High (Kellin) are pretty terrifying. Not to mention the ghastly Flight Killer (Elden). What exactly does he have hiding under that massive caftan? I'm picturing something almost like Cthulhu. Could King be venturing into Lovecraftian territory here? How about this? "Don't ever say that name! Do you want to wake what sleeps in the Dark Well? The Dark Well sounds very much like where Cthulhu came from in Lovecraft's story, or maybe it's the representation of Hell.

This prince business. What do you think? Did the world change him, or is there something more to this? I have a theory. What if Charlie's mother came from Empis? We don't know much about her. Surely if people from our world could get to their world, people could certainly get to our world from there. It may be a far-fetched theory, but is it possible that his mother could have been one of the "whole" offspring of one of the "randy" royals? 

I have to say, I'm pretty excited to find out how this ends. Also, forgot to mention how wonderful it was that Radar is young and whole again. Maybe she will save the day, or at least help. 

Wanted to also mention that I've learned that this book is getting a 10 episode series adaptation from A24. If they do it right, it should be awesome. I was impressed with the adaptation of The Outsider (one of my favorite King books). You can read the article here.

What did you think of this section? Let me know if I failed to touch on anything, and add your personal thoughts in the comments.

Our final discussion will be on October 31st. I moved the date because I've been so behind. I apologize. October, November, and December are always so busy for me. I'm sure many can relate. If you need to refresh your memory on our reading schedule, check out this post.

This post is part of Something Wicked Fall.

Stephen King's Fairy Tale Read-along - Discussion Two

Wow! Things really developed in this section of our read-along! I am really loving this book. As a lifelong lover of fairy tales, and The Wizard of Oz, and yes, Something Wicked This Way Comes (which is the actual inspiration for this yearly Something Wicked Fall event), I think how King has woven these themes into the story is fantastic. 

We found out what was in the shed! So, is Empis another dimension, or a world beneath our world? The weird feeling experienced just before exiting the tunnel leads me to believe it's the former. Theories?

Stories with animals are always so hard for me. I'm constantly thinking Radar is going to die before Charlie can get her to the sundial. But seriously, how absolutely terrifying it all sounds. This Hana he is warned to watch out for...I can only imagine how horrible she is. A giant (or giantess?), but what does she look like? I hope we get a good description, or a picture at the beginning of a chapter. Side note: I've been enjoying the illustrations too.

And who is this Flight Killer? I can't wait to find out. I just keep hoping Radar is going to make it, but I'm also trying to shield my heart from the inevitable. If only pets could live as long as we do. It's just heartbreaking.

I must circle back to Charlie though. I mean, how brave can he be? I guess he is like the prince in all the stories. And did you notice how Woody said the prince should have blond hair and blue eyes, and then later, Charlie notices his hair looks lighter in the mirror. Hmm.

A final thought on this section. The poor people of Empis and their afflictions. How awful. And while the royals, the Gallien, escaped the grey, they still were cursed...blindness, mouth closed up, no ears to hear. What evil overlord is responsible? Gogmagog? Flight Killer? I'm equally excited and apprehensive to find out. 

What did you think of this section? Let me know if I failed to touch on anything, and add your personal thoughts in the comments.

Our next discussion will be on October 13th. If you need to refresh your memory on our reading schedule, check out this post.

This post is part of Something Wicked Fall.