Review of Tales from the Gray Area
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Lisa Grimaldi
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Review of Tales from the Gray Area
[Following is a volunteer review of "Tales from the Gray Area" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]
Tales from the Gray Area: A Shadowy Realm of the Imagination that Defies Reality is a set of seven novellas by author Curtis Stephen Burdick. These novellas are creepy, otherworldly, and cerebral. If Rod Serling, Indiana Jones, and Stephen Spielberg were to all get together and contribute ideas for novellas, this amazing book would be the result.
In “Reincarnated”, an archeological dig unearths tablets written in a long-lost language. Eighty-three years later, babies are born with curious birthmarks on their necks that more than resemble letters from this extinct language. Could this be a message about the proof of reincarnation? In “Bottom Dwellers”, a vessel laying fiber optic cable at the bottom of the ocean churns up unthinkable creatures that should never have been disturbed. In “Vacation from Hell”, one outcast angel takes a vacation from torturing souls in Hell. He is placed in a human body and discovers all that he was missing in terms of life and love. In “Discovery at River View”, one man strives to fight city hall and save an historic bridge from destruction. When an archeological dig unearths a peculiar finding, he just may win the battle but lose the war. In “Sorceress”, a journalist tasked with writing a fluff piece about fortune tellers may just have discovered the real thing. In “Alien Addiction”, an alien general finds that the best place to hide from intergalactic warriors who want to kill him may just be in a rehab facility on Earth. And finally, in “Sanctuary “, a small band of Army personnel get lost in the Alaskan wilderness only to find sanctuary with aliens who hold the secrets to everlasting life.
Each of these stories is imaginative, tense, and thought-provoking. I did not want to stop reading for one moment, anxious to see what path the author would take me down and what I would find when I got there. Many of the endings are a bit open-ended, leaving the reader to imagine what may happen next. While some readers may find this frustrating, I found that the stories were so well-written and compelling that I was satisfied.
This book was exceptionally and professionally edited. I could not find one error. For that reason and for its craftsmanship and intellect, I enthusiastically give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
These novellas would be a perfect read for science fiction fans, fantasy fans, or anyone who enjoys a well-crafted novella. These novellas would not be a great fit for anyone looking for a light, fluffy, cozy read. Come ready to be enthralled; leave ready to ponder deep thoughts.
******
Tales from the Gray Area
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Tales from the Gray Area: A Shadowy Realm of the Imagination that Defies Reality is a set of seven novellas by author Curtis Stephen Burdick. These novellas are creepy, otherworldly, and cerebral. If Rod Serling, Indiana Jones, and Stephen Spielberg were to all get together and contribute ideas for novellas, this amazing book would be the result.
In “Reincarnated”, an archeological dig unearths tablets written in a long-lost language. Eighty-three years later, babies are born with curious birthmarks on their necks that more than resemble letters from this extinct language. Could this be a message about the proof of reincarnation? In “Bottom Dwellers”, a vessel laying fiber optic cable at the bottom of the ocean churns up unthinkable creatures that should never have been disturbed. In “Vacation from Hell”, one outcast angel takes a vacation from torturing souls in Hell. He is placed in a human body and discovers all that he was missing in terms of life and love. In “Discovery at River View”, one man strives to fight city hall and save an historic bridge from destruction. When an archeological dig unearths a peculiar finding, he just may win the battle but lose the war. In “Sorceress”, a journalist tasked with writing a fluff piece about fortune tellers may just have discovered the real thing. In “Alien Addiction”, an alien general finds that the best place to hide from intergalactic warriors who want to kill him may just be in a rehab facility on Earth. And finally, in “Sanctuary “, a small band of Army personnel get lost in the Alaskan wilderness only to find sanctuary with aliens who hold the secrets to everlasting life.
Each of these stories is imaginative, tense, and thought-provoking. I did not want to stop reading for one moment, anxious to see what path the author would take me down and what I would find when I got there. Many of the endings are a bit open-ended, leaving the reader to imagine what may happen next. While some readers may find this frustrating, I found that the stories were so well-written and compelling that I was satisfied.
This book was exceptionally and professionally edited. I could not find one error. For that reason and for its craftsmanship and intellect, I enthusiastically give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
These novellas would be a perfect read for science fiction fans, fantasy fans, or anyone who enjoys a well-crafted novella. These novellas would not be a great fit for anyone looking for a light, fluffy, cozy read. Come ready to be enthralled; leave ready to ponder deep thoughts.
******
Tales from the Gray Area
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Final Notice by Van Fleisher
