Review: Yummy, yummy horror story...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 30, 2011
Yummy, yummy horror story. I hadn't realized how much I did miss horror stories until I read McCarty Griffin`s writing. Rich, descriptive, suggestive, McCarty Griffin`s world sweeps you off your feet, and you find yourself right there, in the middle of that forest, waiting for the non-romanticized monster to feed on you, instead of romancing you (the more popular outcome of meeting a were-thing). Don't get me wrong, I love it when the monster romances you too, but every once in a while, it's good for the bloodthirsty beast thingy to be just that, bloodthirsty. Puts things in perspective a bit, you know?The key element in any horror-related type of thing, be it movies, novels or images, is the mood setting, the atmosphere. This is the brilliant part of Monster Story, it sets the mood superbly. This, to me, was the strongest point of the read. From an easy, fairytale like scenery, morphing gradually into a horrifying scene, this world is quite captivating, despite some stereotypes that do float around, like the small-town related things for instance. But stereotypes, a much hated instrument for some, are effective in one thing, they capitalize on all previous suggestions, they're quite effective if you're not actively fighting them off, all the time, every time.I liked the way the plot developed; it could have gone any way, really. It could have become a classic paranormal romance, it could have become a truly horrific tale, or just a mild cautionary story. The buildup was there, and it could have been steered into any direction. When it did take a clear and final turn towards horror, it did so smoothly but effectively.Over all I can say I have enjoyed it quite a bit; I wouldn't say I'm in love with it, but I really did like it. If you're into thrilling horror, by all means give this a try, it's a beautiful exponent of the genre.