Reviews

Scream Angel by Douglas Smith

feedon's review

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

hwbookworm's review

5.0

I picked this up as a free giveaway on the Kindle store. The premise looked interesting (I love sci-fi with a twist). I was blown away by this story. The author created compelling characters and an interesting world. The story was well built. I felt that the end came a little soon (I was expecting this to be a novel rather than a novelette) but the story (and character development) had come to a resolution so it seemed like a good place to leave off. The story follows an ex-army captain who has become addicted to Scream, a drug produced by Angels (a breed of aliens). We get a flashback into his life and his decision to leave the army to save his friend and his ex-lover, an Angel who provides him the Scream he now needs to stay alive. After his escape, he set up a travelling circus with various breeds of aliens, including 2 Angels. Unfortunately for him, he is tracked down by a crooked army officer who demands he turn over the Angels in exchange for not being arrested (the officer does say he will continue to supply them with Scream). The second part of the story is told through the eyes of a young member of the circus, a fox-like alien. He is at the same time innocent and a predator which provides an interesting viewpoint. In this part, the captain ends up redeeming himself and finding a new way for rebels like him who are addicted to Scream. At the end of the story, there is now hope.

amia's review

5.0

Superb short story! Which is exactly what I expect each time I am privileged to read any of Douglas Smith’s award winning works. I highly recommend it and all the other books this exemplary author produces. And it is always a production!

I purchased this ebook from the author’s online bookstore.