The June issue of Booklist is up and it is FREE to all this month in celebration of ALA Annual. I have a review of a debut novel that was a nice surprise. When you read a book by a new voice, it is always an exercise in trust. You have to allow the author to show you what they can do. This one was an example of a debut that worked very well. Not only did I greatly enjoy reading this story, but I know it will appeal to a huge range of library patrons. It is Horror, but also a Western. It is a lyrical, chilling novel of place.
I also want to shout out the publisher, Raw Dog Screaming Press. They are my favorite independent Horror Press. They publish diverse works both in subject, genre blending, format, and identity of the authors. They are not afraid to take chances, but also have solid editing and construction of their titles. You can order through Ingram and the books hold up to multiple checkouts. The covers are also ALWAYS fantastic. Every book they put out is worth a second look to see if you should add it to your collection.
But specifically, this book, don't sleep on it because Tolian is a voice we will be sharing more from soon.
Now on to my review.
By Brenda S. Tolian
Aug. 2022. 212p. Raw Dog Screaming, paper, $16.95 (9781947879416).
First published June 1, 2022 (Booklist).
In the San Luis Valley of Colorado, an aging Undersheriff sits in his patrol car, contemplating the unnatural, unexplainable things he has witnessed, and his complicity in the evil of it all. Through him, over one tense evening, Tolian frames her strong and original tale, a novel in pieces, experienced over 12 stories, introducing a place both beautiful and unforgiving, isolated but abutting civilization, a place where the terror comes not only from the tangible horrors of marginalization, trauma, and violence against women, but also from the female spirit, who from deep inside “ Blood Mountain,” reaches out, possessing some and attacking others, in a never ending quest for revenge. Each story stands confidently on its own, but together, with settings from 1880s Gold Rush to the Covid pandemic, exploring a satisfying range of genre themes, the fear is allowed to grow roots. But it is the interludes, featuring the Undersheriff, prefacing each story, as he bears witness, that allows the dread, anxiety, and terror to blossom. For fans of lyrical but brutal Horror, as written by Stephen Graham Jones, Gabino Iglesias, and fellow newcomer, Ramona Emerson.
Further Appeal: In a sentence this is a novel in stories, conveying a horror that is rooted to a place, and it all feels real.
This is a new voice and I was impressed. The collection is really a mosaic novel, a composite collection of stories set in the San Luis Valley in Colorado. She kinda makes it into her Castle Rock. The premise and structure are also interesting. 12 stories [4 previously published] with interludes between.
Overall this is a very good book. Some of the stories rise to excellecet: "Blood Mountain," to open the book, "Black Gold," sorta in the middle, and "Ink Poision," near the end.
The interludes, the thoughts of Undersheriff Blackwood, in his car across one evening as he contemplates his part in the madness, violence, and possession, anchors the entire book-- unites it as well. His recollections bridge the time and space of this place-- allowing the reader to see the weird and awful history from the 1880s to the present [Covid included]. Elevates this from just a collection to a novel in pieces.
Also increases the pacing, because each interlude/recollection leads to the next story, guiding the reader to just try one more....
His presence also makes the Mountain-- and her evil spirit that possesses people and does harm to all in service to herself and herself alone-- at the heart if the novel feel more real. He is there standing witness to her in the book's present. He is struggling to reckon with her and his complicity in her reign of terror and the reader watches him struggle as we get the stories that haunt him. They are well constructed horror stories, but then he returns and we see him dealing with the consequences and it feels as though it all happened. Extra layer of unsettling.
Definitely a voice I will look out for more from.
Three Words That Describe This Book: strong sense of place, possession, unsettling
Readalikes: Here is the longer version of my readlikae statement from above. For fans of Horror with a strong sense of place, stories that are rooted in the mythology of a people and a place, tales that are lyrical and violent, intriguing and terrifying like those written by Gabino Iglesias and Stephen Graham Jones.
The focus on women and dead and missing women in the SW in particular reminds me of the upcoming debut Shutter by Ramona Emerson.
I also think this is a great option for fans of V. Castro as well. Tolian is just as feminist and empowering but less erotic.
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