As I've said before, take reviews with a grain of salt, understanding that no author has any control over what gets out there. It's no different with anything else though so whatever. What you can pretty much trust are reviews that come from legitimate review websites such as this review of Never Ceese on Horror World written byW. D. Gagliani author of Wolf's Trap, Wolf's Bluff, Wolf's Gambit, Wolf's Edge and even a few others. Do keep in mind, this was done when I was with my first publisher who bailed out of publishing. Of course, Never Ceese is now published by Black Bed Sheet books. Here's the link to the review:
Horror World Review of Never Ceese by WD Gagliani
Purchase at Black Bed Sheet Books
Do let me clarify, if you don't follow my blogs, that mainstream authors don't understand that for the most part the label "Christian" applies to work put out by publishers who PAY to "target" a specific audience. My first publisher used the label Christian but wasn't affiliated. She did seek affiliation so she could get her books into "Christian" bookstores who only carry books specifically written for a "conservative evangelical/Baptist" audience but clearly it takes more than a label. It takes writing watered down, completely re-edited for that audience fiction that appeals to no other audience.
My Thirsting for Blood series is no more Christian than Bram Stoker's work which is written from a Catholic world view. Sorry. I just don't want to give "Christian" publishers any credit for my stories. They won't publish them and even though I have many of their readers enjoying my work, they won't carry my books in their brick & mortar stores and that's AFTER I had all of my books approved by Spring Arbor (Lightning Source/Ingram) for distribution to the "Christian" market. Lovely to know that anyone can take a broad label and make it their own. Gotta love that!
Showing posts with label Horror World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Horror World. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Horror World review of Never Ceese
This is a very close second to the review given by Nicholas Grabowsky. W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf's Trap, is also a very well respected Horror writer. Do check him out. To see the review in its entirety please go to Horror World.org and scroll down.
NEVER CEESE By Sue Dent
S D Enterprisess
ISBN: 9780976994701
Review by W.D. Gagliani
When you hear the term "Christian horror" it's likely you'll think of the Left Behind series first, even though its readers probably don't think of it as horror. But slowly, there appears to be a subgenre unfolding, coming to terms with the inherent contradictions of the term Christian horror and finding that (like "Christian rock" or "Christian metal") shades of light and dark can be used to impart a moral with or without overt bloodshed . . . The book's publicity states: "Can two who were wronged make it right?" Herein lies one of its charming twists. Ceese and Richard hate each other on sight, and rub each other the wrong way no matter what they do. But Penelope coerces them into tolerating each other by using their love for her. The result is amusing. You might say, "Can a persnickety vampire and an uncouth werewolf share a Welsh castle without driving each other crazy?" (Cue pipe organ version of The Odd Couple theme.) . . . Older readers may wonder why Richard and Ceese don't utilize more of their powers against their enemies, but it's clearly done to de-emphasize the dark natures of the monsters in order to increase their humanity . . . The straightforward prose, vivid action and moral crises of the rather chaste versions of our favorite so-called monsters will enthrall audiences who want less darkness in their horror. Those of us who may be somewhat jaded will find it mild, but may still appreciate the monsters' heroic efforts and the author's crisp storytelling.
NEVER CEESE By Sue Dent
S D Enterprisess
ISBN: 9780976994701
Review by W.D. Gagliani
When you hear the term "Christian horror" it's likely you'll think of the Left Behind series first, even though its readers probably don't think of it as horror. But slowly, there appears to be a subgenre unfolding, coming to terms with the inherent contradictions of the term Christian horror and finding that (like "Christian rock" or "Christian metal") shades of light and dark can be used to impart a moral with or without overt bloodshed . . . The book's publicity states: "Can two who were wronged make it right?" Herein lies one of its charming twists. Ceese and Richard hate each other on sight, and rub each other the wrong way no matter what they do. But Penelope coerces them into tolerating each other by using their love for her. The result is amusing. You might say, "Can a persnickety vampire and an uncouth werewolf share a Welsh castle without driving each other crazy?" (Cue pipe organ version of The Odd Couple theme.) . . . Older readers may wonder why Richard and Ceese don't utilize more of their powers against their enemies, but it's clearly done to de-emphasize the dark natures of the monsters in order to increase their humanity . . . The straightforward prose, vivid action and moral crises of the rather chaste versions of our favorite so-called monsters will enthrall audiences who want less darkness in their horror. Those of us who may be somewhat jaded will find it mild, but may still appreciate the monsters' heroic efforts and the author's crisp storytelling.
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