Review: Follow the directions of the voice!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 13, 2013
I first read this short story back in 2010 when it was published as a single story. I noticed a new edition with two additional short stories included, and decided to read it again.The prologue piques your interest about what caused the annihilation, who the survivors are, and why they've forgotten their identities.The chapters take you back and forth between the happenings at John and Marie's Fourth of July party and the experiences of the survivors as they begin to follow the voice. This back and forth kept me feeling as confused as the characters did, while they try to figure out what had happened. As the voice guides them, you are kept in suspense as the truth is slowly revealed to the characters and the reader. I enjoyed the twists, turns, and surprises as the author developed the story. I sat and thought about the ending, then read the story again. I enjoyed it even more that time. It would be interesting to see the story continue and what comes next for these characters.Shotgun is set in a future time. The plot is tense, and may be difficult for some to read, due to similar events in our current time. It was short, but had a good twist ending.In Stromboli High, Gabriel and Anthony are sitting by the lake... as Gabriel rolls a joint for Anthony... not the usual kind of joint... a joint with consequences attached. Anthony awakes confused at his job; not understanding how he got there. He chalks it up to black outs, but does not feel high. The fear from what he sees in his Uncle Gino's Music Store and Pizzeria horrifies him. It may sound strange to say, but seeing how Anthony comes to "learn his lesson" made me giggle.The three stories in this book are all different, make you think, horrify you, and can make you smile--an enjoyable way to spend the day.