What is your opinion?
FUN read
"Very well done. Thoroughly enjoyable and kept me glued the entire time. The story ran smoothly and there was great horror after a finely crafted buildup. A very satisfying tale with terrific dark comedy to go along with awful events. You used a full toolbox of storytelling throughout and the final passage was especially suspenseful. The twist at the end is good (even if you see it coming) because of the way you tie everything together so neatly. The only quibble I have (extremely minor) is that the initial sequence with the roommate is a little long. A repetitive thing or two could be snipped (or sawed off, however you like). This was a sparkling example of horror done very well. Hoping to read more. Cheers!"
Masterclass in Horror
"Normally when I write a review, I like to be able put something constructive in so that the author has a potential avenue to explore. And, whilst I am planning to do the same thing here, it should be noted right from the outset that (for this story at least) it is not really needed. This story was a fantastic example of a masterfully crafted horror story. The author plays with tension in a fantastic way and, barring a few cliched moments, keeps your heart racing. I was engrossed from beginning to end and thought there was very little that could be really done to improve it. That being said, I do have a couple of points that I feel are worthy of being pointed out here. The opening section with the room mate felt a little drawn out. This story could have quite happily started with him already on the I-10 and would have achieved the same result (we didn't necessarily need to see the chicken being eaten for that to play an important part in the story). I very nearly lost interest in these opening chapters and, whilst the plot after this point more than redeemed it, I wonder whether it is worth maybe cutting it down or losing it all together. The description used in the story was just right - not overwhelming or lacking. There is even use of smell and touch, and this is given as much weight as sight and sound which is something I find a lot of authors miss. I often find that tension is built by combining all five senses and this story (with the possible exception of taste although I think that is covered by the chicken... maybe?) utilises this to great effect. One thing I would point out is that, regrettably I saw the final twist coming a fair while before the final reveal - although this was not due to bad writing. It's always important to remember that Horror and Crime fans will be looking for the twists in a story which means, as writers, we have to work that little bit harder to keep them on their toes. In that respect it may be worth revisiting those characters and events to see if there is any way of making that twist more surprising. That being said though, the twist itself was quite satisfying and the open-ended finish was a nice touch as well. There are always ways of improving a story, things could be changed around or lost, but I think this story is great the way it is. Full house and voted. Wonderful story."
Dark & fun
"I really enjoyed this story (gave it a vote!), and I think it's one that will have wide appeal! I like when horror not only has a plot twist, but also employs a touch of psych or ethics subtext too. It was nice to see that tied-in when the little girl reveals her means of manipulation. Especially enjoyed the scene with the homeless man, and loved the descriptions of his actions. Nice, imaginative red herring and added a little more flesh to the world where the story takes place. In general, the whole region Mike crosses throughout the story feels fully-realized without getting bogged-down in too much (story-slowing) description. The descriptions that are present also serve the plot. That's a great skill. I found the supporting characters very unlikable, which I actually assume is intentional to contrast with Mike, who feels very genuine and real. The long searching-for-a-bathroom sequence was a great way to make him accessible to pretty much anybody, because I think everyone can relate to that experience. Good stuff!"
Excellent
"There is nothing I love more than really well-written horror that is flecked with pitch-black comedy. And when it works, like it does in this story, it is unstoppable. The ability to freak a reader out, I was at certain points racing through the text to avoid meeting the killer, AND make them laugh out loud, 'these muscles are just for show', is very difficult. And genius if you can. Bradley Darewood's style is a modernist, Joe Abercrombie. And what a twist. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Keep it coming, Mr Darewood."
A really fun Bizarro/Splatterpunk story
"Before I get started, and I say this with humor and affection, who the hell is dumb enough to eat a decomposing chicken? I've cooked a lot of chicken over the course of my life and it's pretty clear when chicken has become unsafe to eat. Yet much of this story is based around the scatological dangers that come when the INCREDIBLY stupid protagonist bangs around Arizona (whom the character has a delightful antipathy towards) looking for a place to take a shit! This piece fits very well into the Bizarro subgenre of horror fiction, which delivers short punchy horror with an eye towards the visceral and extreme. The air of menace and dread that comes through is particularly effective. I'd recommend the author consider submitting this or similar work to Deadite or Eraserhead Press."
The Killer 10
"This was a fun read. The dialog was strong, especially between Mike and his roommate was especially good. Nobody would actually cook rotten meat, though. Maybe just have Mike notice in passing that it smells a little off but he's in too much of a hurry to start cooking anything else so just eats it anyway. The description of the alleged killer was a a little cliche (big bald guy wearing a wifebeater, srsly?) and pretty much gave away that he was not in fact the killer, so you might tone that down a bit. Loved the creepy homeless man and his predictions! That was actually probably the scariest part of the story for me. The "I am not a bird!" was a nice touch, since as soon as Mike goes into the stall in the rest area bathroom and he hears a bird, you're immediately on edge waiting for the ball to drop. Loved the twist at the end, that was excellent. I'd figured that the girl was the killer pretty much right away, but then to have it turn out that what she really does is terrify men so they turn on each other -- that's pretty brilliant. (Though one does wonder how the cops never found a single trace of the eleven men who actually committed all these murders, and if they did, why they think it's a single killer rather than several copycat ones. Still, since the story is mentioned as circulating on Facebook there's a good chance that a lot of rumor is mixed in with the facts -- after all, they don't call it FACTbook ;) A good story, well told."
