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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Full disclosure, I received a free audiobook code via a contest the author ran on Twitter - and he warned me that it was "dark."
Having said that, after listening to the first story in this anthology (about a macabre charity auction), and remembering the author's "dark" disclosure, I began to worry that this book would be a case of an author writing dark themes simply to shock. However, by the second story, I was delighted with the twists already coming at me. Weyman set me up for certain expectations, then threw me for a 180. It was delicious.
This collection of short stories, all interconnected (though I won't explain much so as not to ruin its brilliance) elicit terror, chills, thrills, and even laughs. Readers will find themselves wondering what in the world is going on one moment, then minutes later find themselves delighted at how Weyman threaded his stories together. Well-written and fabulously narrated with deliciously evil descriptions, all of the characters and scenes dripped with grotesque sci-fi and horror elements, while somehow still staying grounded in reality.
That's quite an accomplishment.
Most impressive to me, Weyman opened this collection with a story so dark that hoping for this book to end on a positive note seemed pointless. However, in the end, I found that I was left with a vengeful smile. Maybe the world is shit, but that doesn't mean that stories can't have a hopeful ending. Even if the journey is a bit fucked up.
Definitely recommend it to all horror, thriller, and sci-fi readers.
Having said that, after listening to the first story in this anthology (about a macabre charity auction), and remembering the author's "dark" disclosure, I began to worry that this book would be a case of an author writing dark themes simply to shock. However, by the second story, I was delighted with the twists already coming at me. Weyman set me up for certain expectations, then threw me for a 180. It was delicious.
This collection of short stories, all interconnected (though I won't explain much so as not to ruin its brilliance) elicit terror, chills, thrills, and even laughs. Readers will find themselves wondering what in the world is going on one moment, then minutes later find themselves delighted at how Weyman threaded his stories together. Well-written and fabulously narrated with deliciously evil descriptions, all of the characters and scenes dripped with grotesque sci-fi and horror elements, while somehow still staying grounded in reality.
That's quite an accomplishment.
Most impressive to me, Weyman opened this collection with a story so dark that hoping for this book to end on a positive note seemed pointless. However, in the end, I found that I was left with a vengeful smile. Maybe the world is shit, but that doesn't mean that stories can't have a hopeful ending. Even if the journey is a bit fucked up.
Definitely recommend it to all horror, thriller, and sci-fi readers.
Beautifully written and deliciously disturbing!
I have been a fan of Jethro Weyman's prose since reading the first page. There are many reasons to fall in love with this book, but for me, it's all about the graceful way Jethro weaves his words. Don't get me wrong, I love the dark themes and the horrific situations the characters find themselves in, but I am in awe of Jethro's descriptions and the unique cadence of his prose.
There are some chapters that feel like the imaginings of a fever dream and others that hit a little too close to home in their raw honesty. Each chapter could stand alone, unique and beautiful, but they all intertwine into an ethereal, mind-bending, heart-stopping ride you'll want to take over and over.
Definitely recommend!
I have been a fan of Jethro Weyman's prose since reading the first page. There are many reasons to fall in love with this book, but for me, it's all about the graceful way Jethro weaves his words. Don't get me wrong, I love the dark themes and the horrific situations the characters find themselves in, but I am in awe of Jethro's descriptions and the unique cadence of his prose.
There are some chapters that feel like the imaginings of a fever dream and others that hit a little too close to home in their raw honesty. Each chapter could stand alone, unique and beautiful, but they all intertwine into an ethereal, mind-bending, heart-stopping ride you'll want to take over and over.
Definitely recommend!
*NOTE: I read the audiobook version*
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I pressed 'play' on Bang to Begin. That's probably for the best, because nothing I would have imagined would have prepared me for the reality.
The opening story started innocuous enough, though with an eerie atmosphere that left me supposing all was not well. Sure enough, everything soon became disjointed and frail at its seams, taking an intense and catastrophic turn in the story "After the End" that deftly clinched this title into its 'horror' genre. Each subsequent story a new terror, until about halfway through, the tells started to take shape. Like a slow revealed blueprint, a picture takes form that ties all the disparate tales together.
I'll be blunt: if you're squeamish, this is not the book for you. There's gore, disturbing images, kidnapping, murder, assassinations ... but an ending that oddly sets a tone that almost erases that which comes before. That said, in order to get to the end, you do have to get through a lot of darkness, so be prepared.
As far as the writing itself, it's quite a strange combination of sparse and detailed. It takes some getting used to in a few of the stories that are more disjointed. Because of that, as well as the plot, this isn't a set of stories that you can tune in and out of and be able to follow along. I'd dedicate some time to listen to this in small spurts rather than binging it.
Overall, if you're a fan of horror, dark fantasy, or science fiction with a twilight zone twist, I'd take a chance on this audiobook.
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I pressed 'play' on Bang to Begin. That's probably for the best, because nothing I would have imagined would have prepared me for the reality.
The opening story started innocuous enough, though with an eerie atmosphere that left me supposing all was not well. Sure enough, everything soon became disjointed and frail at its seams, taking an intense and catastrophic turn in the story "After the End" that deftly clinched this title into its 'horror' genre. Each subsequent story a new terror, until about halfway through, the tells started to take shape. Like a slow revealed blueprint, a picture takes form that ties all the disparate tales together.
I'll be blunt: if you're squeamish, this is not the book for you. There's gore, disturbing images, kidnapping, murder, assassinations ... but an ending that oddly sets a tone that almost erases that which comes before. That said, in order to get to the end, you do have to get through a lot of darkness, so be prepared.
As far as the writing itself, it's quite a strange combination of sparse and detailed. It takes some getting used to in a few of the stories that are more disjointed. Because of that, as well as the plot, this isn't a set of stories that you can tune in and out of and be able to follow along. I'd dedicate some time to listen to this in small spurts rather than binging it.
Overall, if you're a fan of horror, dark fantasy, or science fiction with a twilight zone twist, I'd take a chance on this audiobook.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Cloud Atlas meets Black Mirror
I was given a free audible code by the author in exchange for an honest review and had no idea what to expect (one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, after all). I have to admit; I was not prepared for this.
What immediately caught my attention was the writing. It's not just good, it's great. First person present is my favourite perspective, but few writers manage to get it right. Weyman does. His writing is witty, sharp and concise. There's never a dull moment between sentences. And the stories are brilliant! The different genres and the way they fit together got me praising and cursing the author in equal amounts.
Definitely the most original read of the year for me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a complex and well-written story.
I was given a free audible code by the author in exchange for an honest review and had no idea what to expect (one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, after all). I have to admit; I was not prepared for this.
What immediately caught my attention was the writing. It's not just good, it's great. First person present is my favourite perspective, but few writers manage to get it right. Weyman does. His writing is witty, sharp and concise. There's never a dull moment between sentences. And the stories are brilliant! The different genres and the way they fit together got me praising and cursing the author in equal amounts.
Definitely the most original read of the year for me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a complex and well-written story.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Bang to Begin is an excellent collection of short stories that effortlessly build into a much larger overarching piece of fiction. Weyman is a master of the concise, yet meaningful and descriptive narrative flow. Every time a story bounces into a new genre it feels natural and the stories remain tight. Each has a purpose, even if the reader can never quite figure out what that purpose is until much later in the collection. Each story is good on its own, but together is where they really shine.
For a full review of Bang to Begin as well as many other books go to: https://perrywolfecastle.com
For a full review of Bang to Begin as well as many other books go to: https://perrywolfecastle.com