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mxsallybend's review
3.0
Two years ago I had the great pleasure of being introduced to the dark world of Terry M. West through Monsters and the Magic Now. It was a dark, weird, perverse tale that crossed boundaries and obliterated taboos while achieving a perfect blend of genius and filth. It served to introduce us to a world where monsters are real and where men are monsters, with a story centered around the underground world of monster exploitation fetish porn. Yup, you read that right. It really went there.
With Night Things: Dracula versus Frankenstein, West delves into the consequences of that first novel, while also expanding its mythology to explore the centuries-old rivalry between two of history's greatest monsters.
Frankenstein's monster may be just that - a monster - but as Johnny Stücke he controls much of the city's human crime element above, while Dracula rules over the zombies, vampires, and shifters from below. The two were once allies, but a moment of human compassion on Johnny's part put them forever at odds with one another. Caught in between the two is Gary Hack, the heroin-addicted pornographer from the first tale, who proves to be the catalyst for an all-out war centuries in the making.
While I didn't find this quite as dark or original as the first book, it's still a solid horror novel that doesn't shy away from the darkness within us all. West's monsters are of the vintage variety, true to their literary origins, while the story itself forces you to think about the nature of good versus evil, and monsters versus man. Grounding it all (and bringing it all together) is the subplot involving Gary's daughter. Here we have a young girl forced to grow up far too fast, a man who can never live up to the title of father, and a transvestite vampire who can never be her mother, no matter how much she longs for it.
Night Things: Dracula versus Frankenstein is a story that's full of imagination, with a kick-ass finale, and a few surprise appearances from other vintage monsters.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
With Night Things: Dracula versus Frankenstein, West delves into the consequences of that first novel, while also expanding its mythology to explore the centuries-old rivalry between two of history's greatest monsters.
Frankenstein's monster may be just that - a monster - but as Johnny Stücke he controls much of the city's human crime element above, while Dracula rules over the zombies, vampires, and shifters from below. The two were once allies, but a moment of human compassion on Johnny's part put them forever at odds with one another. Caught in between the two is Gary Hack, the heroin-addicted pornographer from the first tale, who proves to be the catalyst for an all-out war centuries in the making.
While I didn't find this quite as dark or original as the first book, it's still a solid horror novel that doesn't shy away from the darkness within us all. West's monsters are of the vintage variety, true to their literary origins, while the story itself forces you to think about the nature of good versus evil, and monsters versus man. Grounding it all (and bringing it all together) is the subplot involving Gary's daughter. Here we have a young girl forced to grow up far too fast, a man who can never live up to the title of father, and a transvestite vampire who can never be her mother, no matter how much she longs for it.
Night Things: Dracula versus Frankenstein is a story that's full of imagination, with a kick-ass finale, and a few surprise appearances from other vintage monsters.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the author in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
If you’ve ever wondered what the world would be like if all the monsters of legend were not only real, but a visible part of the community, then you’ve clearly not entered The Magic Now.
Nowhere to Hyde is the fourth book by Terry M. West to explore this world, but worry not for they can all be enjoyed as standalone tales. This time out, there’s a zombie epidemic that threatens to turn public opinion against the monsters, with a new monster on the scene – Jekyll/Hyatt – who is so unlike any other monster that nobody really knows how to deal with him.
Part of what makes this series so exciting is the way West incorporates the monsters into a gritty sort of urban drama, a place where Frankenstein’s monster is a crime lord, where vampires trade orgasms for blood, and where undead ghouls with their own sort of erotic glamour hide in alleys to take advantage of the unwary. Zombies are not a new development here, but Dracula’s failed coup in a previous book has gathered them in unprecedented numbers and unleashed them on the streets.
The way West reinvents Jekyll & Hyatt is the primary draw to this volume, of course, with a story involving conjoined twins, risky surgeries, hypnotism, and (so it seems) madness. With a zombie bite serving as the catalyst, we see the monster emerge in a way that is visually impressive and viscerally terrifying. There is both cunning and coldly calculated cruelty there, not to mention some unique qualities of his blood that serve to upset the feeding order of monsters in town.
West has plenty of surprises buried within Nowhere to Hyde, but there is a fantastic twist that brings it all together. In terms of set pieces or scenes, the climax at the vampire brothel may be the sexiest, bloodiest thing I’ve ever read, but I will say no more and let you enjoy it for yourself.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/01/21/book-review-nowhere-to-hyde-by-terry-m-west/
Nowhere to Hyde is the fourth book by Terry M. West to explore this world, but worry not for they can all be enjoyed as standalone tales. This time out, there’s a zombie epidemic that threatens to turn public opinion against the monsters, with a new monster on the scene – Jekyll/Hyatt – who is so unlike any other monster that nobody really knows how to deal with him.
Part of what makes this series so exciting is the way West incorporates the monsters into a gritty sort of urban drama, a place where Frankenstein’s monster is a crime lord, where vampires trade orgasms for blood, and where undead ghouls with their own sort of erotic glamour hide in alleys to take advantage of the unwary. Zombies are not a new development here, but Dracula’s failed coup in a previous book has gathered them in unprecedented numbers and unleashed them on the streets.
The way West reinvents Jekyll & Hyatt is the primary draw to this volume, of course, with a story involving conjoined twins, risky surgeries, hypnotism, and (so it seems) madness. With a zombie bite serving as the catalyst, we see the monster emerge in a way that is visually impressive and viscerally terrifying. There is both cunning and coldly calculated cruelty there, not to mention some unique qualities of his blood that serve to upset the feeding order of monsters in town.
West has plenty of surprises buried within Nowhere to Hyde, but there is a fantastic twist that brings it all together. In terms of set pieces or scenes, the climax at the vampire brothel may be the sexiest, bloodiest thing I’ve ever read, but I will say no more and let you enjoy it for yourself.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/01/21/book-review-nowhere-to-hyde-by-terry-m-west/
aly36's review
5.0
This book was very different from anything I have read before. I enjoyed the twists that I didn't expect and how fun and scary this book was to read. I am a big horror fan so this book was right up what I like. You should check it out if you like horror, too. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
vondav's review against another edition
5.0
What if Dracula and Frankenstein and other horror/paranormal creatures walk amongst us? Frankenstein known as Johnny Stucke has had a major falling out with Dracula and has gone off on his own to build his own empire in New York. Like the Mob he had his fingers in many pies, including the selling of porn. Gary Hack a heroin addict is hired to produce these films that exploit paranormal creatures, this has not made him popular with the Dracula who is trying to organise the Night Things into taking over New York. Humans are panicking and trying to bring in extreme laws to protect themselves including The Horde Law which prevented no more than 3 zombies in one place at the same time and people who are close to Gary are being murdered and kidnapped. Gary can do only one thing but to go to Johnny for help.
I loved the way that the author combined two most historical horror characters and made it into a unique story. Frankenstein has a conscious and he cares for children especially if they are orphaned. I think he can see himself in them as he was alone until he met Dracula. This story is full of action that horror lovers will like from the killing of the mob boss to the zombie rampage. This a great story and a quick read. This is the first book I have read by Terry West and it won’t be the last. Next up Night Things: Undead and Kicking
I loved the way that the author combined two most historical horror characters and made it into a unique story. Frankenstein has a conscious and he cares for children especially if they are orphaned. I think he can see himself in them as he was alone until he met Dracula. This story is full of action that horror lovers will like from the killing of the mob boss to the zombie rampage. This a great story and a quick read. This is the first book I have read by Terry West and it won’t be the last. Next up Night Things: Undead and Kicking
lilyn_g's review
4.0
This is a weird book to try to talk about. I mean, its obviously Dracula vs. Frankenstein but … Frankenstein is also now a mob-boss type person who rules the city, and finances creature-porn on the side. Dracula’s just an arrogant toe-rag, so nothing new there. The story really is told through the eyes of Gary Hack as he gets in over his head and ends up with his daughter kidnapped. Oh yeah, and he’s addicted to heroin. There’s also ghosts, zombies, and all sorts of other Night Things.
It was an enjoyable book to read, and West does a good job making the characters believable while at the same time making sure that you don’t really care for any of them. I think the only character in the book that didn’t have some sort of issue was the daughter, and even she was a bit of a brat. I liked that this sort of Alternate Universe vision of New York city was so well-done. There wasn’t anything that stuttered or seemed out of place. It was easy to buy into the world he created without any hesitation. The visual picture he paints in your head practically begs for the black and white Noir style treatment, full of dramatic shadows, cigar smoke, and back-alley meetings.
Now, this isn’t a book for young kids. There’s a couple mildly graphic scenes of a porn film being made. There’s random splashes of bad language. There’s talk of hard drug use. So, I wouldn’t recommend letting someone under thirteen read it, no matter how much they enjoy monster movies.
Overall, Night Things: Dracula Vs. Frankenstein was a great read but it was also an easy book to put down. I read it slowly over the course of about two weeks, only reading snatches here and there at bedtime. I never had the driving urge to finish it. I knew I’d get it read eventually, and that was good enough. For my first foray into West’s world, it was a pleasant experience, and even though I can’t rave about the book, I will recommend that anyone who enjoyed the old monster movies of yore should pick it up and give it a read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
For more science fiction, horror, and thriller reviews, please visit SciFi and Scary's Book Reviews.
It was an enjoyable book to read, and West does a good job making the characters believable while at the same time making sure that you don’t really care for any of them. I think the only character in the book that didn’t have some sort of issue was the daughter, and even she was a bit of a brat. I liked that this sort of Alternate Universe vision of New York city was so well-done. There wasn’t anything that stuttered or seemed out of place. It was easy to buy into the world he created without any hesitation. The visual picture he paints in your head practically begs for the black and white Noir style treatment, full of dramatic shadows, cigar smoke, and back-alley meetings.
Now, this isn’t a book for young kids. There’s a couple mildly graphic scenes of a porn film being made. There’s random splashes of bad language. There’s talk of hard drug use. So, I wouldn’t recommend letting someone under thirteen read it, no matter how much they enjoy monster movies.
Overall, Night Things: Dracula Vs. Frankenstein was a great read but it was also an easy book to put down. I read it slowly over the course of about two weeks, only reading snatches here and there at bedtime. I never had the driving urge to finish it. I knew I’d get it read eventually, and that was good enough. For my first foray into West’s world, it was a pleasant experience, and even though I can’t rave about the book, I will recommend that anyone who enjoyed the old monster movies of yore should pick it up and give it a read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
For more science fiction, horror, and thriller reviews, please visit SciFi and Scary's Book Reviews.
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