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makeitrhayne's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
cmasterson's review
5.0
As a point of fairness, I should say Alan and I are friends (or at least friendly.) I got this story from signing onto his website's mailing list. Also, I think another big potential conflict of interest to mention is I have a story submitted to his upcoming collection OBSOLESCENCE.
I enjoyed this story! I thought the dialogue was very believable: teen dialogue can be hard, because teens are awkward. I feel like he captured that well without making the dialogue clunky. I also like his subtle inclusion of the Fort's workings: it's a myserty, but when Tim explains it, you get a little 'oooh' moment. The end is a fantastically eerie image.
Two things I will point out (nit-picks, of course):
1. If Tim skinned himself, he wouldn't be able to be frolicking around. I know, suspension of disbelief, but we are given no indication that the Fort is a beneficial parasite. It might have been cool to either: a. put hints as to how Tim is able to be sustained by the house in this mutilated state without giving into shot and exsanguination (thank you, Gabino, for the word.) b. A full on Hellraiser-style blood being sucked by the house parasitic finale. Maybe Tim dissolving into totally expensive granite tiles, idk.
Again: these are nit-picks, mostly stylistic in nature. Alan has an awesome story here, which is actually becoming a short film! I am excited to see this come to life!
I enjoyed this story! I thought the dialogue was very believable: teen dialogue can be hard, because teens are awkward. I feel like he captured that well without making the dialogue clunky. I also like his subtle inclusion of the Fort's workings: it's a myserty, but when Tim explains it, you get a little 'oooh' moment. The end is a fantastically eerie image.
Two things I will point out (nit-picks, of course):
1. If Tim skinned himself, he wouldn't be able to be frolicking around. I know, suspension of disbelief, but we are given no indication that the Fort is a beneficial parasite. It might have been cool to either: a. put hints as to how Tim is able to be sustained by the house in this mutilated state without giving into shot and exsanguination (thank you, Gabino, for the word.) b. A full on Hellraiser-style blood being sucked by the house parasitic finale. Maybe Tim dissolving into totally expensive granite tiles, idk.
Again: these are nit-picks, mostly stylistic in nature. Alan has an awesome story here, which is actually becoming a short film! I am excited to see this come to life!
jhstack's review
3.0
I liked the initial setup of the characters and plot but the creepy horror vibe didn't really come through for me (perhaps it was a little too grounded).
Thanks to Alan for sending an early copy!
Thanks to Alan for sending an early copy!
ashzelda's review
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this story from the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
"[b:The Fort: A Short Story|53238679|The Fort A Short Story|Alan Lastufka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587481876l/53238679._SY75_.jpg|80628388]" is a fascinating exploration of where horror meets magical realism. The dialogue makes this an easy read, while still capturing the innocence and wonder of youth. The characters and setting are both well established immediately, making this an easy and immersive story to get into.
The only problem with this fast-paced story is exactly that - its pacing. A slower build would have created a more unsettling tension making the ending feel more earned.
That being said, the shocking final image is exactly what I want out of a story like this, and I would absolutely love to read more.
"[b:The Fort: A Short Story|53238679|The Fort A Short Story|Alan Lastufka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587481876l/53238679._SY75_.jpg|80628388]" is a fascinating exploration of where horror meets magical realism. The dialogue makes this an easy read, while still capturing the innocence and wonder of youth. The characters and setting are both well established immediately, making this an easy and immersive story to get into.
The only problem with this fast-paced story is exactly that - its pacing. A slower build would have created a more unsettling tension making the ending feel more earned.
That being said, the shocking final image is exactly what I want out of a story like this, and I would absolutely love to read more.
ohlookitsgilly's review
5.0
Note: I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
This story packed a lot in a few pages, and I really enjoyed the subtlety of the tone shift. Lastufka has a knack for description, and if there's anything I would have liked to have seen more of it would have been that exposition/descriptive gift used for more of what we discovered in the dialogue (but I am always a big fan of the show, not tell approach through action/description rather than dialogue). Making dialogue/voices consistent for pre-teens/teens can be very difficult, but there were some really nice moments that rang very true.
This also felt very much like it could have been the beginning of a larger story, or a series of short stories. The fact that I'm still curious about the other tales that could come from this premise speaks, I think, to the interesting (and unexpected) development of the premise.
This is a super promising first short story (I believe!) from Lastufka, and I look forward to reading more! (As a VO-person, I also think that this being read by the right VO artist would sound great!)
This story packed a lot in a few pages, and I really enjoyed the subtlety of the tone shift. Lastufka has a knack for description, and if there's anything I would have liked to have seen more of it would have been that exposition/descriptive gift used for more of what we discovered in the dialogue (but I am always a big fan of the show, not tell approach through action/description rather than dialogue). Making dialogue/voices consistent for pre-teens/teens can be very difficult, but there were some really nice moments that rang very true.
This also felt very much like it could have been the beginning of a larger story, or a series of short stories. The fact that I'm still curious about the other tales that could come from this premise speaks, I think, to the interesting (and unexpected) development of the premise.
This is a super promising first short story (I believe!) from Lastufka, and I look forward to reading more! (As a VO-person, I also think that this being read by the right VO artist would sound great!)
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