Review: Overall, Worth the Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 29, 2012
Like many reviewers out there, I am a huge fan of the free products offered on Amazon, and the ability to download books for free does "color" my reviews somewhat.  Like I said, I am not unique in the approach, but in the spirit of full disclosure the "free" label does make the difference when the book is a 3.5.  I am likely to be much more critical if I had to pony up the bucks out of my own pocket.  I'm just sayin'...Disclosure now on the table, this book is a 3.5 arching toward a 4.  Out of the 10 stores, several are average (Money Well Earned, Bug House, The Thing in the Woods), a few are mediocre attempts (From Hamlin to Harperville, Bus People, Survivors).Two stories, however, deserve highlighting.  "Goat Boy" is amazing from the sheer content and style of the writing.  The story itself is disturbing, and I had to read the first page more than once to make sure that I was tracking the words correctly, and then just went along for the ride.  I love authors that take the chance with new styles and propositions, and this story has it in spades.  I can't say that I actually liked the story, but sometimes that is not the point.  The story got in my head and is still there, and in my eyes that is a feat in itself.The story I really want to elevate is "The Hounds of Love" by Scott Nicholson.  This story is so far and away better than any story in the compilation that it belongs in the category of "award winning."  Simply amazing story telling; the story drew me in, caused me to both love and loath all the characters, caused me to think long after the story was finished.  Not to go too crazy here, but the story goes on my list of one of the best short stories I have ever read.  Horrific, poetic, both a parable and a warning.  Simply wonderful.  I recommend buying the book simply to read this one story.