Book Review: Smolder
Smolder by Michael R Goodwin is a horror novella about a recently divorced man named Eric. Who must deal with his new life as a single man and the foreclosure of his dream home. The story really starts when he takes a late-night walk in the woods nearby his home.
Goodwin did a good job describing the graphic horror throughout the book. It was visceral, and I couldn't pull away. My biggest critique is the perspective change. I feel like it would have enhanced the horror if we just stayed in Eric's perspective, especially with how short the story is. Moving into Monica's perspective and then Trent's (who felt cartoonish in his personality) changed the story for me. It made it more about the abuse in a relationship, which is horrific in its own right, rather than Eric's unsettling experience in the wood.
But other than that, the story was great. I really love how there's this nagging fear. Goodwin did a great job showing that, especially with Eric.
Here are my favorite quotes:
It could taste the bitter smokiness that mingled with the man's blood.
The animals knew something that the man did not.
Check this out if you like graphic horror!
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com