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the_weirdling's review
5.0
In “Hoarder House” R C Bowman draws on elements of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy to created a fully satisfying mix that harkens back to the classical Weird Fiction tradition of Clarke, Lovecraft, and Blackwood.
Like so much of the best cosmic horror, we start with an everyday protagonist doing something mundane, even boring. As the story unfolds, we learn that this time the mundane is a gateway to a realization that the universe is bigger, more complex, and a boat-load more terrifying that previously realized. And that’s just where Bowman starts.
What ensues is just under a hundred pages of squeamish, mind twisting turns which ratchet up ever greater feelings of unease. Page by page, Bowman wipes away any elements of comfort and stability. Jobs aren’t your friend. Houses aren’t your friend. Objects in homes aren’t your friend. Friends aren’t even your friends. You aren’t even your own friend. In fact, the whole damn cosmic multiverse isn’t your friend.
Two final things. Firstly, Bowman has a superb imagination. I will not provide any spoilers, but there are section which require fantastic imagination on the author’s part. Bowman hits her target beautifully, managing to avoid being derivative. (Which, in my experience, is the biggest pitfall for any authors who do a bit of fantasy.)
The second is both caution and complement- Bowman seasons her novella with a strong dose of body horror. It’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve read so much body horror at this point, I thought I was mostly immune. Bowman’s novella politely points out that I was lying to myself. I hardly slept the night after I read the book. I was so creeped out. I kept waking up and checking my body to make sure all was sound and well. Body horror isn’t for everyone, so for you folks that’s a warning. But for everyone else, that’s an invitation to let Bowman creep the heck out of you.
If you enjoy weird fiction, horror, dark fantasy, or dark sci-fi, then this novella is well worth your time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Like so much of the best cosmic horror, we start with an everyday protagonist doing something mundane, even boring. As the story unfolds, we learn that this time the mundane is a gateway to a realization that the universe is bigger, more complex, and a boat-load more terrifying that previously realized. And that’s just where Bowman starts.
What ensues is just under a hundred pages of squeamish, mind twisting turns which ratchet up ever greater feelings of unease. Page by page, Bowman wipes away any elements of comfort and stability. Jobs aren’t your friend. Houses aren’t your friend. Objects in homes aren’t your friend. Friends aren’t even your friends. You aren’t even your own friend. In fact, the whole damn cosmic multiverse isn’t your friend.
Two final things. Firstly, Bowman has a superb imagination. I will not provide any spoilers, but there are section which require fantastic imagination on the author’s part. Bowman hits her target beautifully, managing to avoid being derivative. (Which, in my experience, is the biggest pitfall for any authors who do a bit of fantasy.)
The second is both caution and complement- Bowman seasons her novella with a strong dose of body horror. It’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve read so much body horror at this point, I thought I was mostly immune. Bowman’s novella politely points out that I was lying to myself. I hardly slept the night after I read the book. I was so creeped out. I kept waking up and checking my body to make sure all was sound and well. Body horror isn’t for everyone, so for you folks that’s a warning. But for everyone else, that’s an invitation to let Bowman creep the heck out of you.
If you enjoy weird fiction, horror, dark fantasy, or dark sci-fi, then this novella is well worth your time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
amia's review
3.0
Filled with horrid and horrifically vivid imagery, Hoarder House is where the most terrifying nightmares form. The storyline is really good but there is a great deal of descriptive prose. I'm one of those people that skims such while searching for the next action filled scene, so I definitely recommend it to horror fans that thrive on an extremely well-described world and it's characters. Oh, by the way, I don't think I'll ever go to a circus again!
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