curiosityboughtthebook's review
4.0
Review also on www.curiosityboughtthebook.com
A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow is a very short novella by Keith Anthony Baird. I always enjoy a good story about a cult, and in that aspect this one did not disappoint. We are dropped straight into the story with little to no background information. Baird’s writing is beautiful and he is an effortless story teller.
I don’t want to go too much into the plot, as I want to keep my reviews spoiler free. I did like Baird’s novella, but I just wanted a bit more from it. Hans Lehman was a great villain in my opinion, it would have been nice to get to know more about him. It’s always those crazy Germans isn’t it? (if you know me from social media, you might know I am German, so just kidding!).
I do have to say that the ending was a complete surprise, and a really good one at that. I definitely want to read more of the author’s work!
Thanks to the author for the review copy!
A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow is a very short novella by Keith Anthony Baird. I always enjoy a good story about a cult, and in that aspect this one did not disappoint. We are dropped straight into the story with little to no background information. Baird’s writing is beautiful and he is an effortless story teller.
I don’t want to go too much into the plot, as I want to keep my reviews spoiler free. I did like Baird’s novella, but I just wanted a bit more from it. Hans Lehman was a great villain in my opinion, it would have been nice to get to know more about him. It’s always those crazy Germans isn’t it? (if you know me from social media, you might know I am German, so just kidding!).
I do have to say that the ending was a complete surprise, and a really good one at that. I definitely want to read more of the author’s work!
Thanks to the author for the review copy!
readbydusk's review
4.0
Well-written horror that packs a punch! I loved the cult aspect and the in-depth exploration of the characters' troubled relationship. The setting is vividly drawn and I was excited to see where it goes. I have to admit I didn't love the ending, though it is shocking. I wish it could have gone another way. But this is still an incredible story and I'm looking forward to giving the author's other works a try.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
wellwortharead's review
4.0
I went into this short story totally blind, not even having read the synopsis. I don't normally do that, nor do I often stray from the horror genre. I knew only that it was a short story, which as I've said many times, I'm rather addicted to those. So with that being said it becomes immediately apparent that a man with a troubled past has found his way to a death cult looking for a sense of belonging that he has never experienced.
"Even though I was angry with him he was still the only person I admired, and the broken part of me that had brought me to him in the first place was stronger than the rest of me back then"
At first glimpse it seems he will become just another lost soul in a long list of disciples, but then he meets a woman who makes him reconsider, and he begins to plan an escape.
It's hard to say much more without giving anything away but you could have knocked me over with a feather when the ending came, I was that surprised.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
"Even though I was angry with him he was still the only person I admired, and the broken part of me that had brought me to him in the first place was stronger than the rest of me back then"
At first glimpse it seems he will become just another lost soul in a long list of disciples, but then he meets a woman who makes him reconsider, and he begins to plan an escape.
It's hard to say much more without giving anything away but you could have knocked me over with a feather when the ending came, I was that surprised.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
mindysbookjourney's review
4.0
A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow by Keith Anthony Baird is a short story of cult and psychological horror that hits hard emotionally and viscerally. It also wins my personal award for favorite cover and title. At under 50 pages this is a great read to enjoy in one or two sittings.
This story follows a main character with a very tumultuous past who joins a death cult to find somewhere to belong. It soon becomes clear that the leader, Hans, is running a brutal and militant group. There are many gruesome secrets hiding just under the surface. The rules of the cult are enforced with deadly force. Rules including not questioning Hans and not falling in love. I don't want to say much more to avoid spoiling all the surprises.
This is the most brutal cult that I have read so far. It was very interesting getting a look into why someone might join this kind of cult, and do the kinds of things Hans demands. This story was very well written, and really surprised me in the end. If you are a fan of cult and/or psychological horror I would highly recommend this short story.
I received a copy for review from the author.
This story follows a main character with a very tumultuous past who joins a death cult to find somewhere to belong. It soon becomes clear that the leader, Hans, is running a brutal and militant group. There are many gruesome secrets hiding just under the surface. The rules of the cult are enforced with deadly force. Rules including not questioning Hans and not falling in love. I don't want to say much more to avoid spoiling all the surprises.
This is the most brutal cult that I have read so far. It was very interesting getting a look into why someone might join this kind of cult, and do the kinds of things Hans demands. This story was very well written, and really surprised me in the end. If you are a fan of cult and/or psychological horror I would highly recommend this short story.
I received a copy for review from the author.
beverleyleeauthor's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow (one of the best titles of the year!) is a short horror story about a man who gets involved with a cult. But the Veridian Chapter and their callous leader don't quite deliver the experience he expects.
I can't delve too deeply into this one, but suffice to say that it's a well-written and chilling piece of dark fiction, cementing Baird firmly in the camp of Must-Reads.
And that ending. Oh boy. Absolutely perfect!
I can't delve too deeply into this one, but suffice to say that it's a well-written and chilling piece of dark fiction, cementing Baird firmly in the camp of Must-Reads.
And that ending. Oh boy. Absolutely perfect!
charshorrorcorner's review
4.0
A Seed in A Soil of Sorrow was an horrific way to spend my lunch hour!
Since I was a teenager, I've always had an interest in psychiatry, specifically regarding serial killers and cults, (both leaders and followers.) All of which brings us to the Viridian Chapter. Set on the site of crimes against humanity, the Chapter promises a life free of worry, but we all know how that usually turns out, don't we?
I can't say anything more because...spoilers, but I found myself captivated by this short tale. Of course, I'm mostly caught up with the psychology of the main character and what brought him there. Then, once we meet the man in charge, (because it's almost ALWAYS a man, isn't it?), I wanted to discover what his motivations were as well. There are no easy answers here, though, but I can say, I was stunned by the time the story was over!
What an entertaining way to spend my lunch hour! Highly recommended!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3e7Kzl5
*Source: I bought this story with my hard earned $1.28!*
**Read 10.28.20. Not entering dates so this doesn't count towards my yearly challenge.**
Since I was a teenager, I've always had an interest in psychiatry, specifically regarding serial killers and cults, (both leaders and followers.) All of which brings us to the Viridian Chapter. Set on the site of crimes against humanity, the Chapter promises a life free of worry, but we all know how that usually turns out, don't we?
I can't say anything more because...spoilers, but I found myself captivated by this short tale. Of course, I'm mostly caught up with the psychology of the main character and what brought him there. Then, once we meet the man in charge, (because it's almost ALWAYS a man, isn't it?), I wanted to discover what his motivations were as well. There are no easy answers here, though, but I can say, I was stunned by the time the story was over!
What an entertaining way to spend my lunch hour! Highly recommended!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3e7Kzl5
*Source: I bought this story with my hard earned $1.28!*
**Read 10.28.20. Not entering dates so this doesn't count towards my yearly challenge.**
More...