Thunderland
Brandon Massey

Author: Massey, Brandon, 1973-

Surviving a tragic accident, teenager Jason Brooks awakes to find that his life has changed for the better when his mother stops drinking, his father attempts to mend the family, and he begins making friends, but danger is lurking.


New York: Dafina Books, c2002, 293 p.

Publishers Weekly Review: Massey's psychologically resonant but cartoonishly plotted supernatural thriller follows a bright, optimistic 14-year-old protagonist whose family life is in chaos. Jason's mother is a heavy drinker trying to stay on the wagon, while his philandering, workaholic father spends most of his time at his soul food restaurant to escape his fractured marriage. Jason has problems of his own, above all a recurring nightmare that produces a Freddy Krueger–like bogeyman from the boy's childhood called Mr. Magic. The demon's ability to conjure up a horrifying parallel reality terrifies Jason and his friends. One of Jason's pals is killed after crossing the line into the demon's realm, "Thunderland," and soon Mr. Magic is hunting down Jason's parents and the boy's other friends in a series of somewhat ludicrous chase scenes. Massey offers some engaging, well-constructed scenes, and he fills in Jason's family background convincingly. The plot, however, is heavily influenced by several popular horror films, as well as by the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. In spite of these illustrious sources of inspiration, Massey offers few surprises; the climax is both predictable and deflating, and Mr. Magic not a terribly compelling figure of evil. Massey's brisk pace and Jason's appealing voice keep the pages turning, but just barely. (Dec.)
— Staff (Reviewed November 25, 2002) (Publishers Weekly, vol 249, issue 47, p43)



ISBNs Associated with this Title:
0758202466
0758202474 : Paperback - Mass Market


Credits:
• Novelist/EBSCO Publishing
• Baker & Taylor
• Publishers Weekly, A Reed Elsevier Business Information Publication
• Added to NoveList: 20070320
• TID: 161711

Twisted tales
Brandon Massey

Author: Massey, Brandon, 1973-

This terrifiyng collection plunges readers into a nightmarish realm where nothing is what it seems as an elderly woman, obsessed with obituaries, finds herself unwillingly communicating with the dead, and a cheating husband gets what he deserves at the hands of his gorgeous new neighbor. Original.


New York: Dafina, 2006, 320 p.

Publishers Weekly Review: Award-winning horror writer Massey (Within the Shadows) offers an uneven but spirited collection of short fiction that largely concerns bad guys getting their comeuppance. Massey is best when giving himself the time to flesh out his characters, as he does in "The Sting," the story of an arrogant lawyer and his phobias; the lawyer's a jerk, but he's got authentic, identifiable motives that make the firecracker ending really pop. "The Secret Door," about a smart high school grad forced to work as a janitor in a building with a mysterious room, conversely features a likable, believable narrator with a hopeful fate. And when he's on a roll, Massey uses small details to infuse even minor players with life: "Mr. Green had an annoying habit of explaining matters with which his employees were already familiar." However, the book is rife with drunk, abusive stepfathers, grandmotherly doppelgängers, and victimized women getting their due. Massey plunges into his characters with gusto, but the repetition of themes and characters eventually starts to feel stale rather than cohesive. (June) --Staff (Reviewed April 10, 2006) (Publishers Weekly, vol 253, issue 15, p51)



ISBNs Associated with this Title:
0758213530


Credits:
• Novelist/EBSCO Publishing
• Baker & Taylor
• Publishers Weekly, A Reed Elsevier Business Information Publication
• Added to NoveList: 20060820
• TID: 145938