Guest Author - Stephanie L. Ogle
Guest contributor R. O'neil Edwards shares his thoughts on "Within the Shadows", a thriller by Brandon Massey.
Within the Shadows by Brandon Massey
When one thinks of great horror stories, great villains tend to stand out. Say the names Jason or Freddie and most modern people instantly recall the successful franchises these names come from despite the mediocrity of the sequels. Children still wear Dracula, Mummy and Frankenstein monster costumes 70 plus years after the movies that made them household words. Even in non-horror stories, a great villain leaves a lasting impression. Who could possibly forget Glen Close’s character in Fatal Attraction? Massey does not disappoint when it comes to creating a truly menacing villain. He skillfully presents us with a nightmare many of us can relate to; the seemingly perfect woman who is evil incarnate beneath the beauty. Imagine if you will a woman with the persistence and instability of Glen Close’s character and then give her supernatural powers. Mika is downright scary. Her original flawless demeanor makes her all the more scary, serving as a reminder that evil can come in any form.
The book seems to struggle a little to get out the gate, but once it gets going, it is a true page-turner. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Like most good horror stories, Massey manages to weave a relevant side story into the mix without slowing down the action too much. The relationship between main characters sends strong messages of redemption without being too preachy. The characters have an “I know someone like that” quality that gives the story added realism.
If the novel has any weaknesses, it may be the overuse of branding. It seemed like there was mention of some name brand product on every page that was not necessary to the story. The ending seemed a little too predictable and neat for a horror novel as well, but not enough to ruin an overall solid story. Brandon Massey still has a way to go before he can be mentioned in the company of legendary writers of horror and sci-fi, but there is little doubt he has the potential to be in that company. Within the Shadows is a positive step in that direction.
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