Dreams for the Dying by Adam Light

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


DREAMS FOR THE DYING
Adam Light
Corpus Press
July 7, 2021
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello regular readers, it’s your old pal Skull with a great read from Corpus Press, Dreams For The Dying by Adam Light. Not only that, but we’ve got a little surprise at the end of this review in honor of #LibraryShelfieDay. So read on my friends, read on!

If you’re a fan of speculative fiction and more specifically HORROR then you’re probably familiar with Corpus Press, home of Adam and Evan Light and also the producer of some pretty badass horror anthologies. I’ve reviewed quite a few of their releases, but I’ve got to admit that Dreams For The Dying truly scared the shit out of me. These are tales that will linger in your brain long after you’ve read them and show up when you find yourself on a lonely road some dark night or at 3 a.m. when you’re trying to sleep but can’t even though all the lights are on, and you’ve sucked down enough booze to make a mule stagger. Yes, Adam Light has put together a truly fear-inspiring collection of horror fiction. Trigger warning: If you are someone who’s easily freaked out, this book is going to push you out of your comfort zone. Many people enjoy the escape of that happening, but if you don’t, please consider trying something else.

After kicking off the action with a solid forward by Duncan Ralston, we arrive at the first story with a bang. Taken is a groovy little piece about “Jack and Dianne” But it ain’t that Jack and Dianne poking at the mean old world with a stick and chuckling grimly. No, in Adam Light’s story, Jack is the kind of long-haul truck driver that you pray your daughter never crosses paths with at a highway rest stop. Because Jack likes to steal things, abduct beautiful women for the love of his life, Dianne. But when Jack kidnaps a sexy little truckstop waitress, the sweats come and nerves too. He’s about to learn that women can be a lot more powerful than one’s assumptions. And Dianne? Well, she’s…sorry you’ll have to read the story to find out about her.

See what I mean though? Dreams For The Dying is no walk in the park. And in Vengeance By The Foot, the main character can’t walk at all because he’s lost a foot and part of his leg to diabetes. It’s actually a whole lot worse than that because Grant is in some major ass denial about the situation. I’ll let Adam fill you in on the exact particulars because he does a fine job at it. More importantly, he shows the toll the serious illness and caretaking has taken on Grant’s better half, Lucy. When people take those vows of marriage, it’s never really expected that either partner is going to end up as whiny dead weight, dragging the healthy person through a manure pit of a dairy farm. This story really resonates with me because I’ve been through some major health issues, including diabetes, and put my partner through hell before I realized what a mess I was. Grant doesn’t ever make that realization, and it costs him big. That vengeance is most fitting.

I’m going to talk about one more story here and leave the rest for you to discover without your old pal Skull narrating from the sidelines. Now this is the story that gave me nightmares. No bs, or fake buildups here. A writer of Adam Light’s caliber doesn’t need any hype to impress people, his work speaks for itself. What makes Ghost Light Road so scary is that it could happen to any of us. Especially those eager to seek out ghosts and the places they haunt. Billy is a horror fiend who’s spending Halloween night alone and bored out of his mind. Luckily, his kid sister calls and changes all that. Monica and her friends want to go check out a local legend, but they need a ride. Still, Billy’s just not feeling it until the offer of some high-octane booze to erase his blues enters the picture. Not only that, but one of his sister’s friends is a real babe by the name of Cassie. Maybe the night’s looking up after all! In that semi-happy cloud, they’re off to Ghost Light Road to satisfy their jones to see something strange and unexplainable. But things get creepier with every mile they drive away from civilization and into the bowels of nowhere. Soon fun takes a hike and fear grabs the wheel, when what looks like salvation turns into a supernatural slaughterhouse. One thing’s for damn sure, no one who makes it home from this horrible place will ever be the same. Trick or Treat!

Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer gives Dreams for the Dying a rating of FIVE BLOODY STARS. If you’re looking for a short horror collection that terrifies, Adam Light and Corpus Press have just what you need. There are a total of eleven great tales in here, including the bittersweet Tommy Rotten, and the super intense Serving Spirits that shows how a father’s love can transcend all boundaries through the dark forces of voodoo. Adam Light’s stories paint vivid pictures in your head that linger and may just haunt you for the rest of your life. Highly recommended!

In honor of #LibraryShelfieDay I’m giving away a copy of this excellent horror collection! The contest starts today and ends at midnight on Tuesday, February 1st 2022 with the winner being announced on Friday, February 4th on my blog www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com I will also be sharing this on my Twitter @skullsnflames76. Good Luck and be sure to check out www.corpuspress.com



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