Timothy Baker (1)

Review copy

Monster Ink features two tales of in-your-face horror, followed by a healthy dose of urban fantasy in this novella length collection of work form Timothy Baker.

It all starts with "Monster Ink." A motorcycle club called the Sons of Flesh, a magical tattoo artist they call Pony, and a wet behind the ears Army Private who wants to get some ink celebrating making it through boot camp. What happens next will make your skin crawl.

"Hell and Tarnation," stars "Leonard. One of the glorious damned thousands. One of the Prisoned. Once Grand Inquisitor of Magic and Sorcery, now a demoted servant of Lord Lucifer in his infernal prisons."

The third story is a favorite of mine that was featured in Manifesto UF, an anthology of urban fantasy stories. It's called, "Front Lines, Big City." Baker's protagonist is a Mage. If you're familiar with World of Warcraft, you'll know what a Mage is. Simply put, a spellcaster. This one living as a self-made prisoner in downtown New Kansas City. A former soldier in the Magical Marine Corps. When the Second Civil War ended he became a fugitive on the run after an act of congress turned him and his comrades into criminals.

Monster Ink is not for everyone. I did find the first two stories difficult to follow at times. but overall, I enjoyed this quick read.

From Black Bed Sheet publishers, Monster Ink, is available now for the Kindle at Amazon.com.

If you're up to it, recommended.… (más)

Review copy

Timothy Baker's first published novel, Path of the Dead (Hungry Ghosts - Book 1) is much more than what you might expect. I'd go as far as to call this a literate zombie tale. Sure it's got zombies which can always make for a fun read, but it's also got a wonderful story of Buddhist monks, friendship and overcoming obstacles.

There is conflict between the spiritual views of the monks and the young Chinese soldier who is there as a protector and there is coming of age story of a young man who has lost so much. It all comes together in a story rich in legend and imagination.

Center to the tale is young Chodren Dawa who is already morning the loss of his sister, only to find her alive again, sort of. I think you might know where this is going. Although there are zombies in Path of the Dead, and Baker does a good job of bringing the dead to life, that's not the story here.

Just a piece of the writing you'll find within, "...events of the day and night swept over Chodren like a blastng winter's wind. What had been a peaceful village life among friends and family had been forever ripped away by Heaven or Hell's horrific vengeance. No more would he play soccer in the sunlit fields, no more would he listen to his mother's nightly songs of sleep, or feel his father hug and smile against his cheek, and neither would he laugh with his sister as they played and jostled through seemingly endless, care-free days. The world had changed, unrecognizable as an alien planet, gone, never to return, his childhood finished in one day. What was to become of him? Would he spend his remaining days with running, fighting, blood , and death?" Not your typical zombie fare.

Although a compete story by itself, you can tell by the title there is more to come and I am certainly looking forward to Book 2 in the Hungry Ghost series.

Path of the Dead is available now from Ragnarok Publications through Amazon.com.

If you like you zombie stories with a bit more bite, this one's for you.… (más)