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sweet_katea's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aleggalvan's review
5.0
I read What is Love? by Calvin Demmer some days ago, but I think the author surpasses that previous work with The Sea Was a Fair Master.
These 23 stories are very different from one another, something that makes you feel that they were written by different authors, and I believe that's precisely the wonder of this book. I've been told lately that writers need to find their own voice, that they need to stand out from the others, and it's true, it's how they get recognized at the end; again, while Demmer's stories seem to be written by different people, because of the variety of themes, I think that he clearly leaves his signature in the dark or unexpected paths his characters take and in the way he satisfactorily ends each story.
This is a horror compilation and you can read how such horror teams up with suspense, darkness, and love. You can read about an android in one moment, about a proud trash collector or about kids that aren't angelic in the other. If you need a quick and exciting reading where you can feel your heart racing and your jaw clenching with excitement, then this is the book for you. I'm sure you are going to find at least a couple of tales that are going to stick with you for a long time.
I could read this book thanks to the author.
These 23 stories are very different from one another, something that makes you feel that they were written by different authors, and I believe that's precisely the wonder of this book. I've been told lately that writers need to find their own voice, that they need to stand out from the others, and it's true, it's how they get recognized at the end; again, while Demmer's stories seem to be written by different people, because of the variety of themes, I think that he clearly leaves his signature in the dark or unexpected paths his characters take and in the way he satisfactorily ends each story.
This is a horror compilation and you can read how such horror teams up with suspense, darkness, and love. You can read about an android in one moment, about a proud trash collector or about kids that aren't angelic in the other. If you need a quick and exciting reading where you can feel your heart racing and your jaw clenching with excitement, then this is the book for you. I'm sure you are going to find at least a couple of tales that are going to stick with you for a long time.
I could read this book thanks to the author.
hugbandit7's review
4.0
All of the stories in this book are quick reads. They cover a variety of genres and while I haven't read every story in the book yet, the ones I read were dark and gritty (sort of like that "I need to take a shower now" feel) but the stories make you think about life and how you would react in different situations.
While most of the stories are horror-type books, there is a message in each one. Several of the stories could be expanded even more if the author chose to create a full-length book.
Definitely worth picking up and reading!
While most of the stories are horror-type books, there is a message in each one. Several of the stories could be expanded even more if the author chose to create a full-length book.
Definitely worth picking up and reading!
thesustainablebookshelf's review
3.0
This book has over 30 short horror stories to bend the mind. I was hoping for some twisted, flip-your-stomach endings alà Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark.
Although I only enjoyed 5 out of the 31, each story's premise was very creative. This may sit better with younger teens while telling ghost stories in the dark.
Although I only enjoyed 5 out of the 31, each story's premise was very creative. This may sit better with younger teens while telling ghost stories in the dark.
sooky's review against another edition
5.0
Writing short stories is hard, because you need to get your point across pretty quickly, but at the same time provide enough details that the readers won’t get bored out of their brains because of your dry ass wall of text. Writing flash fiction is even harder, but not for Calvin Demmer. He pulled this one off like a boss. Each and every story punches you in the face with such precision that you have no idea just what hit you. Since the stories are barely three pages long, this collection of stories is the perfect sneak read for a smoke break, or when you have five minutes for a coffee while your clients are hitting redial with your number like there’s no tomorrow and you just want to get away for a breather.
An eclectic selection of delicious and dark tales, The Sea Was a Fair Master will have something for everyone: ghosts, creepy little girls, mythical creatures, blood and guts, you name it. My favourite ones were the one about the android who tries to be people, and a ghost story that had some serious H.P. Lovecraft vibes.
An eclectic selection of delicious and dark tales, The Sea Was a Fair Master will have something for everyone: ghosts, creepy little girls, mythical creatures, blood and guts, you name it. My favourite ones were the one about the android who tries to be people, and a ghost story that had some serious H.P. Lovecraft vibes.
hinarcia's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book from the author for free to write an honest review. I have never read a flash fiction. This was my first and I don't regret it at all. Most of the stories were amazing and you could sympathize with the characters. Sometimes I almost cried.
For my full review visit:
https://wordpress.com/post/hinarciabookreviews.wordpress.com/222
For my full review visit:
https://wordpress.com/post/hinarciabookreviews.wordpress.com/222
crumpled_pages's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
allthings's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Nothing in here is going to blow your mind, but the stories are all solid and do what they set out to; they're fun, dark tales that don't have time to overstay their welcome. Reminds me of the spooky story collections I'd read as a kid, but this one is definitely for adults.
Nothing in here is going to blow your mind, but the stories are all solid and do what they set out to; they're fun, dark tales that don't have time to overstay their welcome. Reminds me of the spooky story collections I'd read as a kid, but this one is definitely for adults.
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of horror flash fiction. I was initially reading the very short stories here and there when I had a few minutes. Maybe I enjoyed the first half more because I took my time with it. I read the second half in a few sittings while flying back home from our Alaskan holiday.
I definitely recommend this!
I definitely recommend this!
unwrappingwords's review against another edition
5.0
Full review at Dead Head Reviews
Flash fiction is a very hard beast, hard to do and difficult to do well, and it’s hard not to be in awe when it’s done as brilliantly as Calvin Demmer’s collection, The Sea Was a Fair Master.
This collection of 23 very short stories covers a wide range of scenarios and characters, meaning there is something for almost everyone in here. They’re all dark, drawing from the dregs of humanity and envisioning characters you really wouldn’t want to meet down an alley late at night. The prose is handled skillfully, and every word counts, as it really should in this form.
Flash fiction is a very hard beast, hard to do and difficult to do well, and it’s hard not to be in awe when it’s done as brilliantly as Calvin Demmer’s collection, The Sea Was a Fair Master.
This collection of 23 very short stories covers a wide range of scenarios and characters, meaning there is something for almost everyone in here. They’re all dark, drawing from the dregs of humanity and envisioning characters you really wouldn’t want to meet down an alley late at night. The prose is handled skillfully, and every word counts, as it really should in this form.