Review: A True Gem
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 17, 2012
This novella starts out fast and doesn't let up.  Lots of action, good characters, terrifying monsters.  After reading this story, you will wonder why Hollywood does not take notice of the good horror that is in books these days.The story begins with Rooster finding himself in a pinch with some Cuban gangbangers.  He hijacks an airboat filled with tourists on their way to see the Everglades.  After being overpowered by some ass-kicking twin sisters, the boat loses control and everyone ends up lost in the Everglades.  Soon the group discovers there are more dangerous things out there than alligators, poisonous snakes, and Cuban gangbangers.This is my favorite story from Hunter Shea.  Just a fun read.  It never gets boring, even when there are no skunk apes in the picture.  The character dynamics work very well to keep the story moving from bloody scene to bloody scene.  Shea also was able to tap into the oppressive environment of Florida (so well that it brought back memories of a horrible family vacation 15 years ago).  There will be points when you will want to laugh or cheer.The icing on the cake for me is when the skunk apes cause our merry band of swamp travelers to come out of a tree that they are hiding in by throwing alligators at them.Great stuff.