ISBN #: 978-0741473608
Page Count: 159
Copyright: February 2012
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Book Summary:
(Taken from back cover)
Poe's stories aren't just good reads. They're thought provoking experiences. Poe's introduction, Beyond the Bright Light, as heard on radio is a must read for the curious. Discover what lies beyond and fourteen entertaining tales. Poe delivers another crop of twisted stories. Disturbing, weird and rich with dark humor, his tales examine our relationships, society, religion, and even politics with alternative histories and flat out science fiction. Hags, trolls, djinn, knights, bears, aliens, this book has everything. Readers sit back and enjoy the wild ride. It's easy to see why reviewers compare Frank to Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe.
Mandy's Review:
First, I'm not sure that I would compare this author to Stephen King. Stephen King is such a huge horror icon. His proverbial writing shoes would take a huge writing master to fill. One thing I will say about Frank G. Poe, Jr.: He has a vivid imagination and an individuality to his writing.
I must agree with my co-reviewer, Kathy. This book is in need of a serious editor. When "cacky" is used in place of "khaki" in reference to a pair of shorts, or when "carrots" is used in place of "carats" in reference to a diamond ring, it makes one wonder if an editor looked at this work. If there was an editor, then it's apparent the editor did not read the work closely.
Back to the review ...
Star Child and 13 More Twisted Tales is the second collection from this author that makes you want to say, "Hmmm ..." These tales are twisted, but not in an "Oh my gosh, that was so freakin' awesome," but more of a slightly off-center thought process.
Of the fourteen tales, I think Picture Perfect could have been left out. It doesn't really feel "twisted" in the way the other stories are. It's more of a "lesson learned" tale, yet it's probably my favorite of the bunch.
If you're looking to read a compilation of short stories that are reflective of a twisted viewpoint, then Star Child and 13 More Twisted Tales is for you.
*Paperback copy was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Thanks for the review. Unfortunately, I think we have an editorial misunderstanding. Although cacky sounds like khaki (pun), it was not a mistake. cacky (ˈkækɪ) — adj 1. of or like excrement 2. dirty, worthless, or contemptible. The story was political. The tan, dirty shorts might have been a better description, but I liked the idea of pulling in the worthless view of the poor some people in society; however, if it distracted you from the point of the story it failed. It wouldn't be the first time someone didn't get my use of puns. Exchanging waste and waist ruffled some feathers, but I digress. As for carrots versus carats, the "carrots" mentioned is dialogue to fit the character. If I needed an editor to tell me the difference between carat and carrot then I wouldn't have used carat in another story, The Old Man and the Prostitute, correctly outside of quotation marks. Maybe my editor is better than you think or I'm a hard writer to edit?
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