Alright, we’re taking a brief break from the #LOHFReadathon to bring you an ARC that I committed to reviewing. And I am so glad that I did – Hunger Pangs is all kinds of good!
Synopsis:
“Thinking is like life, some insatiable hunger you’ll never quite satisfy.”
1959: A grieving lawman bargains with darkness to reunite his family.
1960: A traveling exorcist takes a case where the traditional means of expelling evil have failed.
1969: A haunted widower picks up a hitchhiking hippie.
1985: Siblings flee their horrid past, and the curse in their blood.
2020: An immortal longs for her life in the sun.
In his debut collection, Scott J. Moses presents thirteen tales of supernatural horror and everyday woe.
Edition:
Paperback ARC – Thanks to the author Scott Moses for the review copy!
My Thoughts:
First off, we should talk about that cover. I. Love. Daniele Serra‘s work. He is such an unbelievably talented artist whose work I would like to own en mass. If you’ve been with me for a while, you may recognize the style from a previous review:
Serra’s work will kind of automatically generate my interest in any given title. This one was no exception.
These stories cover themes from loss, change, illness, depression, and many a sailboat on turbulent seas.
The Stories:
Nowhere, Louisiana
This story is about the astounding lengths one man will keep love alive.
I absolutely loved it. What a solid opening story!
A Haunting
This bit of micro-fiction is about a haunted ghost who haunts a house.
It’s a haunted haunting sort of situation that I really enjoyed.
Cruel, Baying Adolescence
Two young adult siblings deal with their family’s burden in the only way they know how.
Another really strong story. He’s 3 for 3 now – that’s practically unheard of!
Blues Exorcist
Set in 1960, this is a tale of Southern exorcism.
A thoroughly interesting take on an exorcism where traditional methods fail.
Questioning the Professor
A man questions the existence of God while sitting in a hospital waiting room.
This one is maybe a bit of a thinker, and again, really well told.
Adelaide
A funeral is held for a detective who died solving an off-the-books case using his unique set of skills.
She Walks
In a book filled with strong stories, this one was particularly good. It’s told as a fable, and the story centers around the Girl Aflame.
What’s in Your Name
A young man inadvertently invites a malignant presence into the world.
The Scent of Souls
A man discovers that he has wasted his life on career ambition.
The imagery in this one is particularly divine.
Of Turbulent Seas
A man comes to terms with what addiction has cost him.
This one didn’t resonate with me quite like the others. Although it was still very good, I left feeling unsure if I understood quite what was going on.
There’s No Going Back to Absit Gorge
A police raid interrupts something unsavory and a grieving deputy will do whatever it takes to see his daughter again.
Warning Plumes of Frostbitten Air
A starving, injured wolf is fleeing from a seemingly unbeatable predator.
This is a beautifully written metaphor for depression.
Hunger Pangs
An immortal thinks about what life was like before.
Overall Rating:
I honestly can’t believe that this collection is Moses’ debut. We should all be absolutely chomping at the bit for any future releases from him. A few of these stories have been published previously, but this is his first time releasing anything on his own, and I WANT MORE. Hunger Pangs is a collection of haunting tales that will stick with you long after you put it down.
If you’re the type who only wants to read extremely graphic horror, this collection isn’t going to be for you (but seriously, you should consider branching out. Don’t be so boring – there’s a whole wide world out there filled with new concepts, ideas, and methods of storytelling), but to absolutely everyone else – seriously, give this book a shot. Buy it. Request it from a library. I don’t care. Just get your hands on it. I promise you won’t regret it.
About the Author:
Scott J. Moses is a Baltimorean writer of horror and dark fiction. His short fiction has appeared in STORGY, The Cabinet of Heed, Coffin Bell, & elsewhere. His debut collection Hunger Pangs was published in 2020.
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It looks like it is currently pre-orderable only from the Online Retailer Who Shall Not Be Named, but if that changes, I will certainly update it here.
Hunger Pangs By Scott J. Moses Self Published Expected Publication: October 2, 2020 Paperback, E-book 209 Pages Author's Website
