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curiosityboughtthebook's review
4.0
Eric LaRocca is a very talented writer, and I’m extremely happy to have met him. He has a great way with words and bringing both characters and situations to life. Both of his stories were enjoyable, even though I did figure out early on where You’re Not Supposed to Be Here was heading. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good read, but it took a bit of the suspense away for me. I rated this story 3 stars.
Where Flames Burned Emerald as Grass, had an enchanting and mysterious aura throughout the entire tale. I loved this story a lot. It was both engrossing but also heart wrenching as we meet the protagonist and the fatal choices he has to make. And in this case, I did not see the ending coming at all! I rated this one 5 stars.
Both tales together rated 4 stars from me!
Thanks to Eric for the review copy!
Where Flames Burned Emerald as Grass, had an enchanting and mysterious aura throughout the entire tale. I loved this story a lot. It was both engrossing but also heart wrenching as we meet the protagonist and the fatal choices he has to make. And in this case, I did not see the ending coming at all! I rated this one 5 stars.
Both tales together rated 4 stars from me!
Thanks to Eric for the review copy!
spookyoctopusreads's review
5.0
The two macabre tales included in this collection are chilling and unique, but they will also tug HARD on those heart strings (especially if you are a parent). Talk about parental nightmares! The impossible situations that the characters were thrust into had me feeling an uneasy anxiousness that was difficult to shake after I closed the last page.
I think one of the things that scared me the most about these stores is that the shocking events within happen right in broad daylight, in crowded areas with countless others milling about, but no one can scream for help for fear of making things exponentially worse. It's absolutely terrifying to think that your child's life can be on the line, help is seemingly all around you, but it's also just out of your reach. Your children aren't safe during the afternoon in the park or during vacation pool time. They're simply not safe anywhere. It's one of those things that we all know in the back of our minds, but then you read something like this and it pushes all of those terror filled feelings into on giant lump in your throat and makes you almost feel nauseous. I don't want to go into too much plot summary here, because well....you just need to go into these stories cold, like I did. Trust me, you will be in for a horrifying and emotional read.
Larocco's writing is engaging, effortless, and inviting. The stories just seemed to flow, so much so that I found myself frantically turning the pages and unable to put the book down. The representation of gay couples in both stories was refreshing and excellently done. I appreciated the #ownvoices touch! This collection is set to release in March 2021, and you do not want to sleep on it. Larocco is one to watch, and definitely going to be one that I need to read more from in the coming year.
**Thank you to Eric LaRocca for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review.**
I think one of the things that scared me the most about these stores is that the shocking events within happen right in broad daylight, in crowded areas with countless others milling about, but no one can scream for help for fear of making things exponentially worse. It's absolutely terrifying to think that your child's life can be on the line, help is seemingly all around you, but it's also just out of your reach. Your children aren't safe during the afternoon in the park or during vacation pool time. They're simply not safe anywhere. It's one of those things that we all know in the back of our minds, but then you read something like this and it pushes all of those terror filled feelings into on giant lump in your throat and makes you almost feel nauseous. I don't want to go into too much plot summary here, because well....you just need to go into these stories cold, like I did. Trust me, you will be in for a horrifying and emotional read.
Larocco's writing is engaging, effortless, and inviting. The stories just seemed to flow, so much so that I found myself frantically turning the pages and unable to put the book down. The representation of gay couples in both stories was refreshing and excellently done. I appreciated the #ownvoices touch! This collection is set to release in March 2021, and you do not want to sleep on it. Larocco is one to watch, and definitely going to be one that I need to read more from in the coming year.
**Thank you to Eric LaRocca for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review.**
motherhorror's review
5.0
Currently writing my review for Cemetery Dance. Do not hesitate to pre-order this title for when it releases in March 2021. A new, talented voice in horror fiction, these two tales are unique, shocking, and memorable. I suspect Eric Larocca will go on to be a household name.
ericarobyn's review
5.0
A Bright Enchanted Suffering by Eric LaRocca is a novella that contains two amazingly distressing tales centered around horrors that happen right in plain sight during the bright light of day…
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
I had previously posted a cover reveal of this book, and let me tell you… It’s quite amazing to see it in person as well!
The writing style that Eric uses for each tale is wonderful. The text has such a lyrical quality to it, which is a fun element especially considering the level of darkness inside each story.
Another thing that I really loved about these tales was that in a very short time, Eric was able to create characters that, as a reader, I was immediately drawn to.
You’re Not Supposed To Be Here – 5/5
Oh my goodness, what a terrifying plot! In this one, a gay couple with their six month old son are forced to play a game… and what a doozy of a game it was!
Right from the beginning I was uneasy. That feeling only got worse and worse as the story went on. Then we’re hit with the reveal and phew! What a real world nightmare!
This is one of those stories that makes you question what you would do if you were in the position of these characters… I’d like to think I would do whatever it takes for my loved one, but I’m also a really bad liar so I’d be in trouble there.
From this tale, I loved this line: My husband had always said that if I were a flower, my stem would bend even if there wasn’t any wind.
Where Flames Burned Emerald As Grass
Another absolutely terrifying tale! In this one, a man and his daughter are on vacation. While relaxing by the pool one day, these two are about to learn that the not all friendly faces should be trusted.
When I finished this one, I jumped up and started pacing. What was fabricated and what was a prediction of fate?!
Ugh, the splinter scene had me cringing… and snakes?! No thank you! What a heartbreaking tale!
My Final Thoughts:
I highly recommend preordering a copy of this ASAP if you enjoy tales about horror that is very “real world”!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
I had previously posted a cover reveal of this book, and let me tell you… It’s quite amazing to see it in person as well!
The writing style that Eric uses for each tale is wonderful. The text has such a lyrical quality to it, which is a fun element especially considering the level of darkness inside each story.
Another thing that I really loved about these tales was that in a very short time, Eric was able to create characters that, as a reader, I was immediately drawn to.
You’re Not Supposed To Be Here – 5/5
Oh my goodness, what a terrifying plot! In this one, a gay couple with their six month old son are forced to play a game… and what a doozy of a game it was!
Right from the beginning I was uneasy. That feeling only got worse and worse as the story went on. Then we’re hit with the reveal and phew! What a real world nightmare!
This is one of those stories that makes you question what you would do if you were in the position of these characters… I’d like to think I would do whatever it takes for my loved one, but I’m also a really bad liar so I’d be in trouble there.
From this tale, I loved this line: My husband had always said that if I were a flower, my stem would bend even if there wasn’t any wind.
Where Flames Burned Emerald As Grass
Another absolutely terrifying tale! In this one, a man and his daughter are on vacation. While relaxing by the pool one day, these two are about to learn that the not all friendly faces should be trusted.
When I finished this one, I jumped up and started pacing. What was fabricated and what was a prediction of fate?!
Ugh, the splinter scene had me cringing… and snakes?! No thank you! What a heartbreaking tale!
My Final Thoughts:
I highly recommend preordering a copy of this ASAP if you enjoy tales about horror that is very “real world”!
inkychaotics's review
5.0
Loved these two stories -- definitely got Flannery O' Connor "A Good Man is Hard to Find" vibes. I love horror that creeps up in the sunlight, on a perfectly normal day where terrible things should not happen, yet they do...If you aren't reading LaRocca's work yet, you're missing out!
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