Review of Tales from the Gray Area

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 25 Jun 2021, 16:57

[Following is a volunteer review of "Tales from the Gray Area" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Did you love watching The Twilight Zone? Then you must read this book that brings an homage to the classic anthology that inspired and provoked the author to start writing. This excellent collection contains seven intriguing sci-fi stories with a twist. You will discover that the ending is just the beginning because it opens the path to many new possibilities.

One of my favorite stories was Sorceress, where an ambitious journalist accidentally discovered an authentic fortuneteller. She was part of Romadu, a secret sect of gypsies that lived in an isolated village in Romania. Bottom Dwellers painted a terrifying scenario. A research vessel accidentally brought to the surface a species of voracious marine creatures. Besides being mysterious or frightening, some stories also had a touch of humor. In Vacation from Hell, I discovered a devil that found the value of being a good person. Alien Addiction presented a powerful alien that came to a rehab facility in California; his roommate introduced him to the glamorous movie industry.

Curtis Stephen Burdick had an expressive writing style that kept me curious and engaged throughout the entire book. The plot twists of the stories were hard to predict and left me wanting more. I would love to see a movie or a series based on this book! I also appreciated the characters; I was amazed how the author created such complete and credible protagonists using so few pages. As I said before, the subtle humor present in some tales complemented the unique experience of the reader. In Vacations from Hell, I discovered that Lucifer (Lu for the friends) looked like Vladimir Putin and spoke with a Russian accent.

The only thing I disliked about the book was the open ending in one or two stories. That was what the author intended, to leave the door ajar for the reader’s imaginations. However, Reincarnated left me a little frustrated. Nevertheless, there was always a kind of closure at the end of each tale.

Tales from the Gray Area by Curtis Stephen Burdick is a remarkable book that deserves a perfect rating of four out of four stars. Readers who love science fiction novels will relish the stories about aliens. Some stories will appeal to supernatural or mystery enthusiasts. People that like a drop of dark and quirky in their book will enjoy the collection. A delicate audience should be aware of some violent scenes and racism. However, they will not encounter an excessively violent or dark book.

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Tales from the Gray Area
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Asma Aisha Ansari · Post by **Asma Aisha Ansari** » 26 Jun 2021, 10:28

I'm the intended audience for this book. I love reading short stories and sci-fi (also fantasy) books. The supernatural element is an added bonus. All the stories that you have summarized here are amusing and enthralling.
I've added this book to my 'want-to-read' list.
Thanks for this fantastic review

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 26 Jun 2021, 14:57

Mindful Wordsmith wrote: ↑26 Jun 2021, 10:28 I'm the intended audience for this book. I love reading short stories and sci-fi (also fantasy) books. The supernatural element is an added bonus. All the stories that you have summarized here are amusing and enthralling.
I've added this book to my 'want-to-read' list.
Thanks for this fantastic review

Thank you for your lovely comment, and I can't wait to read your opinion after you read it!

SamaylaM · Post by **SamaylaM** » 26 Jun 2021, 21:59

I do enjoy sci/fi books and after reading your review, I would love to give these mysterious, frightening, and humorous stories about aliens and the supernatural a try. Thanks for your wonderful work!

The frant1c reader · Post by **The frant1c reader** » 27 Jun 2021, 00:22

I've read this book and am glad that you enjoyed it as well! The best thing I think about this book would be the vast potential it provides to the readers to think and come up with their very own versions of the stories ! Excellent book and equally great review!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 27 Jun 2021, 10:50

SamaylaM wrote: ↑26 Jun 2021, 21:59 I do enjoy sci/fi books and after reading your review, I would love to give these mysterious, frightening, and humorous stories about aliens and the supernatural a try. Thanks for your wonderful work!

I hope you will enjoy them at least as much as I did! Thank you for your comment!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 27 Jun 2021, 10:51

The frant1c reader wrote: ↑27 Jun 2021, 00:22 I've read this book and am glad that you enjoyed it as well! The best thing I think about this book would be the vast potential it provides to the readers to think and come up with their very own versions of the stories ! Excellent book and equally great review!

Indeed, it was amazing how they provoked your imagination! Thank you so much for your feedback, I appreciate it a lot!

28 Jun 2021, 01:30

"You will discover that the ending is just the beginning because it opens the path to many new possibilities." - While this entices readers, it can at times cause frustration because you expect that by the time you reach the end, pieces of the puzzle will be complete only to find that you haven't even touched the surface. Lovely review Raluca!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 28 Jun 2021, 02:22

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 01:30 "You will discover that the ending is just the beginning because it opens the path to many new possibilities." - While this entices readers, it can at times cause frustration because you expect that by the time you reach the end, pieces of the puzzle will be complete only to find that you haven't even touched the surface. Lovely review Raluca!

It brings closure, and yet leaves you wanting. A wonderful combination

. Thank you so much for your feedback!

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 28 Jun 2021, 12:24

I like completely unexpected twists in the plot. This is one of those books that makes us feel guilty if we haven't read it in one breath.

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 28 Jun 2021, 13:50

markodim721 wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 12:24 I like completely unexpected twists in the plot. This is one of those books that makes us feel guilty if we haven't read it in one breath.

Indeed, it;s hard to put the book down once you start to read a story! Fortunately, there are 7 tales, so we can breath between them

. Thank you for your comment!

Wesusa · Post by **Wesusa** » 28 Jun 2021, 14:35

This looks wildly interesting. I will definitely read this next. Thanks for this brilliant review. I especially liked how you referenced The Twilight Zone, one of the greatest shows of all time. It opens it with my already wanting to read this book.

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 28 Jun 2021, 14:55

Wesusa wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 14:35 This looks wildly interesting. I will definitely read this next. Thanks for this brilliant review. I especially liked how you referenced The Twilight Zone, one of the greatest shows of all time. It opens it with my already wanting to read this book.

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I am sure you will enjoy it very much

.

Wesusa · Post by **Wesusa** » 28 Jun 2021, 14:58

Raluca_Mihaila wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 14:55
Wesusa wrote: ↑28 Jun 2021, 14:35 This looks wildly interesting. I will definitely read this next. Thanks for this brilliant review. I especially liked how you referenced The Twilight Zone, one of the greatest shows of all time. It opens it with my already wanting to read this book.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I am sure you will enjoy it very much .

Of course. I will try to read it as soon as I finish what I'm reading at the moment. Thank you very much for the review.