vondav's review
5.0
Most people get junk mail in their post and sometimes you do get a scratchcard delivered. How many people think it is a con and just rip it up. Antoine DeWitt was going to rip his card up, but pressure from his girlfriend forced him to try and cash it in. What he got was more than he expected.
Antoine just wanted something to go his way. With a girlfriend and a baby money would not stretch and they were always behind in their payments. When he goes to get the cash you have the feeling that things are finally going his way.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and whilst there are just over 100 pages, he definitely has a knack of telling a complete story. From the moment Antoine collects his winnings it is none stop action and whilst I was reading it all I could think of was the film Species. The style of writing was really descriptive and you could imagine being trapped and those creatures chasing you. Throughout I was urging the Antoine on to become the hero he wanted to be.
This is a great horror story that I did not want to end, through out the gore there are some touching memories from Antoine and you can see how much he did love his family. If you are looking for a story that will make you flinch and keep you on the edge of your seat then pick up this book. I am off to get some more of his works.
Antoine just wanted something to go his way. With a girlfriend and a baby money would not stretch and they were always behind in their payments. When he goes to get the cash you have the feeling that things are finally going his way.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and whilst there are just over 100 pages, he definitely has a knack of telling a complete story. From the moment Antoine collects his winnings it is none stop action and whilst I was reading it all I could think of was the film Species. The style of writing was really descriptive and you could imagine being trapped and those creatures chasing you. Throughout I was urging the Antoine on to become the hero he wanted to be.
This is a great horror story that I did not want to end, through out the gore there are some touching memories from Antoine and you can see how much he did love his family. If you are looking for a story that will make you flinch and keep you on the edge of your seat then pick up this book. I am off to get some more of his works.
ghostthereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alwroteabook's review
5.0
A down on his luck ex-con gets fired. On returning home, his wife informs they've won $5,000, but he has to go to some out of the way car sales lot to pick up the cheque. Not suspicious. At all. But Antoine can't afford to waste the chance, and treks out to get his winnings. Turns out it is a hoax, but the owner of the lot has far more nefarious plans for Antoine.
At just under three hours, this is a short story, but it sure packs a lot in. The narrator does a good job voicing the different characters, and making us root for Antoine throughout. But the thing that surprised (and pleased) me the most, was the niggling doubt about who was the real villain at the end of the story.
At just under three hours, this is a short story, but it sure packs a lot in. The narrator does a good job voicing the different characters, and making us root for Antoine throughout. But the thing that surprised (and pleased) me the most, was the niggling doubt about who was the real villain at the end of the story.
echoscreaming's review
5.0
This is a sublime, gory horror novella, full of heart. Relentless pacing, beautiful carnage, and a main character you desperately want to see pull through to the end. Highly recommended. Pair with Hunter Shea's Montauk Monster for a double-feature of subterranean monsters and piscine terror.
motherhorror's review
5.0
First, I'd like to thank Michael Hicks for this signed copy of Broken Shells in exchange for an honest review.
Holy Moses-this is some fresh hell.
This story has one of the best horror set ups I have ever read. Several pages in, I was saying to myself, "This is not going to go well." and by that I mean, not too well for the protagonist Antoine DeWitt but plenty well for a reader of dark things like myself.
I pressed on with relish. (not that I want to be thinking about food or eating after reading this gore-fest!!) *not for the faint of heart or the weak stomach
Hicks has designed the perfect nightmare--I won't spoil the surprise (and there are lots of surprises!) I was reading the middle portion of this book with my mouth open and my eyes bugging out of my head. Literally terrifying!! I could see this story becoming a blockbuster movie right now! (I wouldn't go watch it though because I'd be scared out of my mind to see on screen what I just saw in my mind.
In terms of Hicks' writing ability, there were so many times where he chose the perfect words, the best analogy, the choicest description--I was blown away by what he managed to accomplish in just a few pages. DeWitt, the main character, is an instant hero. I was drawn to him and invested in him immediately and because of that fact, this book was dangerous--risky--I wanted to read it between my fingers-only half wanting to find out what happened and the other half wanted to turn and run.
But because this book was so compelling, I sprinted towards the ending. Well done, Micheal Hicks! This just cemented you as a new favorite horror writer!
All the applause for this crazy ride! Buy! Buy! Buy this book!! (if you like scary gross stuff. If not, go read poo poo baby books)
Holy Moses-this is some fresh hell.
This story has one of the best horror set ups I have ever read. Several pages in, I was saying to myself, "This is not going to go well." and by that I mean, not too well for the protagonist Antoine DeWitt but plenty well for a reader of dark things like myself.
I pressed on with relish. (not that I want to be thinking about food or eating after reading this gore-fest!!) *not for the faint of heart or the weak stomach
Hicks has designed the perfect nightmare--I won't spoil the surprise (and there are lots of surprises!) I was reading the middle portion of this book with my mouth open and my eyes bugging out of my head. Literally terrifying!! I could see this story becoming a blockbuster movie right now! (I wouldn't go watch it though because I'd be scared out of my mind to see on screen what I just saw in my mind.
In terms of Hicks' writing ability, there were so many times where he chose the perfect words, the best analogy, the choicest description--I was blown away by what he managed to accomplish in just a few pages. DeWitt, the main character, is an instant hero. I was drawn to him and invested in him immediately and because of that fact, this book was dangerous--risky--I wanted to read it between my fingers-only half wanting to find out what happened and the other half wanted to turn and run.
But because this book was so compelling, I sprinted towards the ending. Well done, Micheal Hicks! This just cemented you as a new favorite horror writer!
All the applause for this crazy ride! Buy! Buy! Buy this book!! (if you like scary gross stuff. If not, go read poo poo baby books)
maxstark's review
5.0
There is no easy way to review this book. But from the start I can tell you that if you like Aliens, this is definitively the right novel for you. It has a great sense of desperation and despair. You want to devour the pages to know what happens to the main character, and the best of all, you care and root for him. I couldn’t stop comparing Antoine DeWitt (the main character) with Dante from THE DIVINE COMEDY. I think there are lots of similarities between these two stories, and I think that made me enjoy the story even more and be shocked with the ending.
You really should go in to BROKEN SHELLS without knowing absolutely nothing about the story. And that’s why I really haven’t said anything about the plot. There is already a synopsis written in the back of the book that doesn’t tell you that much either so why the hell should I ruin it. But when I posted on Twitter that I had finished reading this novella, my friend Zen Ghost Bookworm (@ZenBookworm) came up with the must accurate description for this book that I can imagine:
Cool, a new car!
Oh, wait. Hey!!!
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!
This really sums the whole plot very well. And really the only thing I could say is that if you like horror, gore, heart breaking and action packed stories with a hint of those beautiful WTF moments... What the hell are you doing still reading this review? Go get your copy RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!
You really should go in to BROKEN SHELLS without knowing absolutely nothing about the story. And that’s why I really haven’t said anything about the plot. There is already a synopsis written in the back of the book that doesn’t tell you that much either so why the hell should I ruin it. But when I posted on Twitter that I had finished reading this novella, my friend Zen Ghost Bookworm (@ZenBookworm) came up with the must accurate description for this book that I can imagine:
Cool, a new car!
Oh, wait. Hey!!!
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!
This really sums the whole plot very well. And really the only thing I could say is that if you like horror, gore, heart breaking and action packed stories with a hint of those beautiful WTF moments... What the hell are you doing still reading this review? Go get your copy RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!
exorcismofemilyreed's review
4.0
Broken Shells is a very fun novella - it's dark, creepy, grim, and just an all-around good story. I read this book the same day it arrived at my house, and I'm glad I didn't waste any time digging into this one.
The premise is very intriguing - Antoine is a sympathetic character, and you actually want him to win. Usually I don't care, but I wanted him to be successful.
Broken Shells has a fair amount of gore & gross things, so if that's how you like your horror novels, pick this one up!
This one is a 4.5⭐ for me - that's because I wish the ending would have been a little different, but I understand why it was the way it was. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novella, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Michael Patrick Hicks!
The premise is very intriguing - Antoine is a sympathetic character, and you actually want him to win. Usually I don't care, but I wanted him to be successful.
Broken Shells has a fair amount of gore & gross things, so if that's how you like your horror novels, pick this one up!
This one is a 4.5⭐ for me - that's because I wish the ending would have been a little different, but I understand why it was the way it was. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novella, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Michael Patrick Hicks!
teamredmon's review
4.0
I really liked this one. The story was very tight and well told. There was a lot of gore but it didn't feel gratuitous. I loved the ending. If you like horror at all, you need to read this one