motherhorror's review
4.0
First things first, this title. THE FOREST IS HUNGRY.
Right away, readers want to know, how? How is the forest hungry? Page one sets the tone straight away as a couple is wandering through the woods looking for their missing daughter.
From here, the story intensifies; gets darker.
Obviously, it would ruin all the best discoveries if I were to tell you how the forest is hungry and what it does to 'feed the need'. But I can tell you how I felt reading this story.
I got lost in the details of the strange phenomena. I drew some immediate comparisons to Paul Tremblay's short story, GROWING THINGS. M Night Shyamalan's THE HAPPENING, and an X-Files episode all rolled into one-the whole "Can't sleep, plants will eat us" vibe but with Christopher Stanley's unique storyline and surprising conclusion.
Another home run for the Short Sharp Shocks series from Demain Publishing. I can't recommend these enough.
Look through my recent reads to see my other recommendations, I've been binging the series.
Right away, readers want to know, how? How is the forest hungry? Page one sets the tone straight away as a couple is wandering through the woods looking for their missing daughter.
From here, the story intensifies; gets darker.
Obviously, it would ruin all the best discoveries if I were to tell you how the forest is hungry and what it does to 'feed the need'. But I can tell you how I felt reading this story.
I got lost in the details of the strange phenomena. I drew some immediate comparisons to Paul Tremblay's short story, GROWING THINGS. M Night Shyamalan's THE HAPPENING, and an X-Files episode all rolled into one-the whole "Can't sleep, plants will eat us" vibe but with Christopher Stanley's unique storyline and surprising conclusion.
Another home run for the Short Sharp Shocks series from Demain Publishing. I can't recommend these enough.
Look through my recent reads to see my other recommendations, I've been binging the series.
el_stevie's review
5.0
Tree or not a tree, that is the question
On a new housing development, trees begin to spring up everywhere, often in the houses themselves, offshoots of an ancient specimen in the woods. When Richard's daughter Becca falls ill and starts behaving strangely, he goes into the forest to destroy the source of the problem. But will he go through with it, or is it too late? I've read a few Short Sharp Shocks stories now and I think this one is my favourite so far. By making the trees, or rather the forest, a tangible presence in the book, it really ramps up the tension, adds an almost claustrophobic feel to the story. Compelling.
On a new housing development, trees begin to spring up everywhere, often in the houses themselves, offshoots of an ancient specimen in the woods. When Richard's daughter Becca falls ill and starts behaving strangely, he goes into the forest to destroy the source of the problem. But will he go through with it, or is it too late? I've read a few Short Sharp Shocks stories now and I think this one is my favourite so far. By making the trees, or rather the forest, a tangible presence in the book, it really ramps up the tension, adds an almost claustrophobic feel to the story. Compelling.
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