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James M. Thaxton

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The Breach Audiobook By Nick Cutter cover art

Another FANTASTIC novel by Nick Cutter!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-15-22

Others have been quick to mention that this novel was their least favorite, everyone's a critic [roiling my eyes].
While the tone is classic creepy, truly scary in its narration, "LITTLE JUG" - - - oh yes, fantastic narration including some rather unsettling voice effects that gave me the chills SEVERAL TIMES throughout the book. It just added to my love for the style of Nick Cutter's way of creeping the hell out of me.
While this novel is a bit shorter than his others, it is VERY EFFECTIVE in delivering what I've come to love and expect from the writing style of Cutter.
That is to say, pure horror that doest try to hold back, although not some cheesy gore fest, but rather his unique styled approach, which I imagine might be the stuff that he knows, he would want to read himself.
About this novel itself. Folks have so easily thrown around words that liken the style to some Lovecraftian theater piece.
I read that a little, but the buck ends there IMO - simply having to do with this, "contraption" which may or may not remind you of an ability to breach another dimension. Really, the buck stops there, as far as I'm concerned, w/ the admired otherworldliness of good 'ol H. P. Lovecraft.
The rest, is pure Cutter. Strange and wickedly horrific in the best of ways, of course. Honestly, ever since I came across his 1st novel as, Nick Cutter' entitled, 'The Troop'. Which I finished with hook, bait, and sinker....such an amazing experience had taken place that, "holy shit, I can barely believe it". My faith had been restored in the horror genre.
Of course I still had my few authors whose ouvre were pretty much devoted to the genre of horror exclusively, (Clive Barker and Steven King). Those two really have different styles of prose, and honestly I really felt like they were lacking in ways that would truly scare me as I read, or listened to their works.
This was the case, unfortunately like I said previously,. Until I read, 'The Troop', then I felt truly unnerved and scared as I listened to a brand new voice in horror. Having, Steven Kings backup quoted on the cover, didn't hurt one bit. So yes, 'The Troop " was a pure slam-dunk.
Subsequently, not too long after reading the troop, I was ready for another Cutter novel. Like, in a bad way.
SO, I stumbled upon,' THE DEEP'. Having not a CLUE what this was about, I dove head first and allowed myself to slowly sink to the bottom [pun intended].
Okay, I will wrap this review up by saying. Everyone is a critic and to judge a book by its cover or simply some piss poor ratings hear and there, especially in this digital world we find ourselves in, is surely an egregious mistake. Possibly even one of the highest order.
Bottom line is that Cutter's most recently published novel, 'The Breach' may be a mere 6 hrs long, but the narration is top of the line, and believe me - down right spooky if not as my own experience, it was freaking scary when it was needed or called for.
The combination of Novel, Narrative effects, etc., turned this audio book into one vivid, picturesque, unnerving, and unrelenting experience. WELL WORTH THE CREDIT OR SIMPLY THE PURCHASE.
To close, I wanted to quickly share my experience Cutter's, 'THE DEEP'.
By far and wide, this unique, hard hitting, no holds bars, balls to the wall chunk of time consuming novel is, HANDS DOWN, the SCARIEST book I've ever been exposed to.
I mean this from the depths of my soul. I almost struggled to keep my sanity somehow. Whether it was getting a little too intense or the simple fact that I was fearful of genuine nightmares, which I will tell you that I often dream weird stuff as it is. However, the ideas, the insanity of it all [the story] was something I literally, and viscerally felt so vividly...I could see it creeping into my dreams.
So, yes. Do read or better yet listen to 'The Breach', "LITTLE JUG!", then if you dare, and I mean to be literal, you should challenge yourself to sink your teeth into the deepest part of the ocean. Where things just go wrong, no matter how much anyone tries to makes sense of things.
Is it the character whose sanity is in peril? What if you are actually lucid, and this nightmare at thousands of feet below the surface IS A REALITY, DESPITE ITSELF or seemingly impossible Plausibility?
I guarantee, you will not only become the main character; experiencing the same fright, confusion and frustration as you bump into the small laboratory and otherwise staff in this tin can that constantly fights the immense pressure of the deep ocean, being reminded of the fact, with the threatening sounds of collapsing walls.
Either way, between the staff you run into at various times, you wonder what has been going on down here. Because, surely they are not acting normal and soon you will be questioning your own sanity.

Nick Cutter's - THE DEEP - WILL SCARE YOU SHITLESS. AS I MENTIONED - IT'S AN ASSAULT TO YOUR SENSES, REALITY, eventual paranoia, and inevitable FEAR for your own sanity.

Keep them coming [pen name] Cutter, Nick.
As a horror nut for books, movies, etc. We're only two years apart in age. I understand where you are coming from, generationally. Not to mention that I have finally found a source of entertainment, possibly the most imaginative, being interpretation of my minds eye, with your aid...something that genuinely scares me. At 44 years old. Before I read your Cutter Opus, I honestly thought I would no longer have those wonderfully emotional moments of true fright or downright TERROR!

THANK YOU FOR THAT6.

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The Scarlet Gospels Audiobook By Clive Barker cover art

Clivew Barker! Complex proses, and PINHEAD.

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-03-16

While I've yet to finish listening to the complete reading of this book, I'd have to say that I've been waiting years for the Gospel's fruition. With that being said, regardless of criticisms, I couldn't be more thrilled with the material thus far. A little confession, for thus I must speak. I've yet to read any books, concerning the main protagonist Harry. In ANY OF Mr. Barker's novels.

I realize he is a magician dealing in the Supernatural, and has his own powers and supernatural abilities. as I mentioned before there has been criticism. they've been of a nature regarding the lack of, or shall I say USE of, the more mysterious of characters... PINHEAD, and the order of the Gnash (or is it Gash?).

I WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR THIS. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS HINDERED MY TIME AT LISTENING TO THIS AUDIO BOOK, IS THE FACT THAT I AM A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND I AM STRUGGLING TO FIND THE TIME.

HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES, I'LL BE FINISHING THIS TIMELY AWAITED BOOK. WHETHER IT TAKES A FEW MONTHS, AND UTILIZING TWO HOURS A DAY, I'LL STILL TAKE GOOD CARE, TO ENSURE ALL THE WORDS DO COMPOUND IN THE END!

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