I asked for Red Hail by J. Killen on a whim. The cover and the synopsis caught my eye while I was browsing through ARC lists, looking for a story with an interesting plot and some horror/sci-fi elements. The LGBT theme? It was just the cherry on top.

For the most part, I’ve got to say that RH lived up to my expectations! Yay!


[Keep reading @ Bookshelves&Teacups] ( )

This is a really interesting book. The story unfolds gradually and we only learn what is going on as the characters do which keeps it suspenseful throughout. At times it was creepy and unsettling, but at other times it made me nostalgic for those sci-fi first-contact movies of my childhood (E.T., Close Encounters etc.). I liked all the main characters, particularly those in the 60s storyline. Not only were there more characters in this setting, but to me Anza and Dove were the most fleshed out of the story. Aside from the main sci-fi story the author weaves in social issue themes such as racism, homophobia, and abortion. In that sense there is a lot packed in to what could otherwise have been quite a simple storyline. I recommend this for anyone who loves a sci-fi mystery with a historical setting.

I received a copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Told on 2 timelines, 1960 and the present day this is a tale that straddles the line between horror and scifi.
It was 1960 when the Red Hail fell in Galina and the town was forever changed. Men, women, children, and animals were soon afflicted with mysterious and frightening symptoms. Racists and religious fanatics alike were quick to cast blame on everything from the Devil to the Mexicans, leading to dire consequences. Three brave souls dared to seek the truth behind this blight on the town and were able to put an end to it, but only for 60 years.
Now it's begun again. This time not in Galina but to those whose grandparents were the first stricken with symptoms there. Again it falls to 3 unlikely heroes to uncover the mystery of this terrifying ailment.
I'm not normally much of a scifi fan but this story had so many great horror elements to it and a great mix of characters that I couldn't help but enjoy it.
4 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review. ( )

4.5

Book source ~ Review copy. My review is voluntary and honest.

In 1960, Galina, Arizona was a typical border town until a strange atmospheric event led to an even weirder plague. As the town’s citizens developed unusual symptoms and it spread through nearly every family, the townspeople became paranoid and racism led to violence, ripping the town apart.

In 2020, Professor Colin Ayres has been doing years of research while writing a book about Galina. He believes the town experienced mass hysteria since there was no indication the mysterious symptoms or illness spread outside of town. In the course of interviewing survivors and their descendants he meets Alonzo, a grandson of one of the town’s citizens. When Alonzo starts experiencing the very same symptoms that showed up in Galina 60 years ago, Colin is dumbfounded. As he puts his research in high gear to help Alonzo, he finds more and more people are also experiencing the symptoms. The only connection these people have keep leading Colin back to Galina. What the hell is going on here and what the hell happened there in 1960? Colin needs answers and needs them now.

Holy shit. This is quite a ride! It has alternating POVs with Anza in 1960 and Colin, Alonzo, and a woman named Sonia, all in 2020.The underlying story is sci-fi, but what it really boils down to is a mystery. And suspense. I can’t emphasize enough how much of a mystery this book is. Reading it is an agonizing process. And I mean that in a good way. Because I was right there with the characters trying to figure out what the hell was going on and not only in the past. But now there’s the present, too! Just, what the hell?! The slow deterioration of Galina is so painful to watch. Not to mention the people who are infected. The disease is so incredibly weird, too. I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting for it all to be revealed. And what a revelation it is! The characters are great, the writing is smooth, and the mystery is a head scratching hellofa stumper. Don’t pass this up! ( )

March 2020 is a slightly strange time to be reading a book about a mysterious plague, but this was a good read anyway! It has dual timelines - 1960 and 2020, and centres around a small town called Galina, Arizona. In 1960, residents start behaving strangely, and appear to be infected with something that no-one can diagnose. The "Galina Plagues" eventually stop, but in 2020 the symptoms recur in some of the grandchildren of the original sufferers. Sociologist Colin Ayres has always assumed that the Plagues were mass hysteria, but then his boyfriend Alonzo starts behaving strangely... There was a great sense of place in this book, and convincing characters. Thank you to the publisher for this ER copy. ( )