The Lamb of God and Satan's Hairy Scrotum by Scott Crowder

The Lamb of God and Satan's Hairy Scrotum, Scott Crowder. self-published: r[E]volution Press, 2013. e-book, 23 pps.


This one is not for the faint of heart and not for believers either. Or for anyone who is not a legal adult.

The Lamb of God and Satan's Hairy Scrotum is a pretty disgusting but deeply creative story. To those who object, please note that what various religious groups have perpetrated in the name of their particular chosen deity or deities is far worse.

sapphoq reviews says: A bit of horror for your Sunday morning breakfast. I liked this one. Not safe for Christians but highly recommended for the irreligious.

Helpless by Rosie Lewis

Helpless, Rosie Lewis. London: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., 2013. e-book, 26 pps.

Rosie Lewis, a specialized foster carer, relates a story about a newborn that she cared for during the first six weeks. 

sapphoq reviews says: This short but true tale of a fostered newborn will appeal to those who like syrupy stuff. It was not my cup of tea. 
     The larger story is about babies who are born with drugs in their system and their birth mothers who were unable to or unwilling to stay clean [including the drug alcohol] during their pregnancies.
     Read it if you want to. [Free].

Hackers Anonymous by A.H. Wetherington

Hackers Anonymous, A.H. Wethering. city not found: Paper Lake Press, 2012. e-book, 43 pps.

This short story addresses what happens within a community when someone is cajoled into working for the perceived enemy. I've seen this happen. 

There is a certain former member of the hacktivist collective Anonymous who now is hiding under the 'ninja' umbrella on one social media site. I love ninjem and I love Anonymous but I don't love him.

This certain fake ninja plea-bargained his way into becoming a turncoat. I clearly remember him on the channels trying really hard to get people to incriminate themselves. Note to Feds: Please instruct your informants in the art of being not so frigging obvious. Supposedly, the man is currently in San Francisco making a living as a sort of painter of pictures-- I think he calls himself a street artist now-- and whatever else he does to hustle for a living I don't really know. The ego-fag in him attracted a certain amount of ill-gotten 'fame.' The Feds perceived of him as a sort of leader of Anonymous. He was willing to be a self-set up spokesperson which in itself is bullshit. And so he got sucked into the machination of social justice and is now working for the enemy.

There are other Anons who refuse to become snitches. For them I have the utmost respect. Contributing to their legal defense funds is one way to let them know that we appreciate their integrity. Writing to them in prisons and publicizing their plight are two other ways of letting them know that they are certainly not forgotten. Because they are not forgotten.

The short story primarily tells a tale of a teen hacker who is quite good at what she does and her parents who don't truly understand her. Dad is a detective in the local police agency. He wants to spend time together as a family. Mom wants teen to enlarge her social circle from two best friends to being a sort of social butterfly.

By and large, that sort of wish is frustrated by the hackers and aspies among us. Technology is for playing with in order to improve both the security and the product. I still remember the olden days when one could call up a company and point out their security flaws. But nowadays, all hackers have become vilified. There is no longer a distinction made by organizations or by law enforcement between hacking as a form of social protest and pen-testing a site without having been asked to versus the loose mafioso-like shadow
companies that are in the business to rip people off.

sapphoq reviews says: A.H. Wetherington has written a short story which is suitable for teens. It was okay. I'm not sure that the message it intended to portray [according to the advertisement blurbs] is the one that teens will get from reading this story. Mom and Dad seem a bit too typical-fifties for my taste. I liked the main character but not the dialogue. Neither recommended nor un-recommended. 

Trick-or-Treat by Eduard Joseph

Trick-or-Treat, Eduard Joseph.  self-published, Smashwords, 2013.  e-book, 19 pps.

http://eduardjoseph.webs.com

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/eduardjjoseph

https://twitter.com/TheEduardJoseph

@TheEduardJoseph is an indie author and I've grown quite fond of his writing.  I reviewed the novel God's Gonna Cut You Down previously.  Today's review is on a short story that he wrote.  Since Sam Hain is around the calendar corner, I decided to review Trick-or-Treat.

Trick-or-Treat is a fabulous 19 pages of what a pain it can be dragging a little brother around on Hallowe'en when you'd much rather be at a party down the road with the bigger kids.  The conversation is very realistic.  I feel like I was there.  The characters were true-to-life.  The story is quaint and has a twist.

sapphoq reviews says:  Eduard Joseph has done it again.  An enjoyable story for the season designed to run chills up and down your spine without being ghoulish.  A definite winner!

The Transfer by Veronica Roth

The Transfer: A Divergent Story, Veronica Roth.  New York:  Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins, 2013.  e-book, 35 pps.

@VeronicaRoth on Twitter
http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/ 

Fans of Veronica Roth [like me] who have read Divergent and Insurgent [like me] and who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Allegiant [like me] in October will be thrilled to learn that one of the short stories about Toby Eaton a.k.a. Four arrived on September 3rd [as I was] if they don't already know it and haven't already read it.

Those of you who haven't-- if you are reading the series-- really ought to download The Transfer and sign up for the next three shorts after this one.  I won't say too much here.  Just that The Transfer is a bit of the back story about Four, how he got his nic and a bit of his childhood memories.  His dad coached him on how to answer the test questions but Toby didn't exactly obey.  Nuff said.

sapphoq reviews says:  If you haven't gotten The Transfer yet, you should.  If you haven't read Veronica Roth's first two books of the series yet, you should.  Especially if you like tight writing with action, rebellious teens, and an interesting but shadowy sort of dystopia.  Highly recommended, as is anything that Veronica Roth writes.  Yes, I'm a diehard fan.  I appreciate excellence in the written word.

Two Lines by Melissa Marr

Two Lines, Melissa Marr.  New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2011.  

In this short story authored by Melissa Marr, Eavan is a young woman caught up in a world not of her choosing.  Her mother is a glastig and her dad is human.  Eve is human and wishes to stay that way.  For a hobby, she is chasing a human fellow named Daniel around.  He is an evil dude who turns women into zombies.  Eve wants to stop him.  She does rescue a woman from time to time and then dumps them on her hawt bisexual glastig friend Muriel.  Eve's granny Nyx is a bit put out by her granddaughter's behavior.  Glastigs are supposed to live together in a communal heap but Eve refuses, and furthermore is resistant to the idea of losing her humanity.  If Eve has sex and makes a kill within a month, she will become what she considers to be a monster.

sapphoq reviews says:  I found Two Lines to be a very satisfying short story.  The characters have personality and spunk.  The predator Daniel operates like predators do.  Eve is resourceful and finds a way to do what must be done.  Those readers who are in early stages of recovering from sexual assault may find this offering to be too triggering.  Recommended.  Fans of Melissa Marr's gothic fantasy style will especially love this and will want to read more of Eaven in the future.  I know that I certainly do.

Phoenix, by Chuck Palahniuk

Phoenix, Chuck Palahniuk.  San Francisco: Byliner Fiction, 2013.  e-book, 27 pps.

 I first became aware of Chuck Palahniuk when my buddy Walt recommended that I read Fight Club.  I read it and I liked it, finding the writing to be edgy and satisfying.  I am definitely a Chuck Palahniuk fan.

Phoenix is a delightfully evil little short story about a jilted wife named Rachel who had plotted revenge on Ted, her crappy husband and his cat Belinda Carlisle.  As a result of Ted's refusal to give up his greasy feline, Toxoplasma gondii was transmitted to their offspring April as a fetus and she was born blind.

Interspersed between the telling of the tale of revenge, Rachel-- who is away from Seattle on business in Orlando-- becomes increasingly concerned over the well-being of April.  April has been refusing to speak to her mother on the phone all week.  There is possibly a dog.

sapphoq reviews says:  I enjoyed Phoenix.  It is an excellent taste of Chuck Palahniuk's brusque and raw style.  Highly recommended to all but the most wussy and genteel readers. 

Love Struck by Melissa Marr

Love Struck, Melissa Marr.  New York:  Harper Teen (Harper-Collins Publishers), 2011/ 2008.  e-book, 53 pps.  [previews of two novels begin on page 28].

Melissa Marr can be found on twitter as @melissa_marr .

Love Struck is a delightful short story about a high school student named Alana.  She lives near the beach with her mother.  Alana is at a beach party when a hot stud puts the make on her.  She refuses the offer of his jacket and just wants him to go away.  Spooked, Alana leaves the party and walks by the ocean.  There is a hawt surfer guy out in the waves who speaks to her.  His name is Murrin.  Very quickly, but not quickly enough, Alana realizes what Murrin is.

sapphoq reviews says:  Love Struck is a cute romantic short by Melissa Marr.  The imagery was satisfying and I was able to insert myself into the goings on.  Although considered to be for teens, this one is bound to satisfy any woman who likes the ocean and who is not looking for hot adult sex action.  Highly recommended.

   

Accident Man by Shane Griffin

Accident Man, Shane Griffin.  self-published:  2012.  previously published: 2002.  e-book: short story.  16 pps.

Shane Griffin has written a slew of short stories, all within the realm of soft sci-fi/fantasy.  Accident Man is the one I shall review, but know that if you are taken with one Griffin short, you will be taken with the rest.  

The third person narrator of Accident Man is all-knowing.  The voice contributes to the tale's darkness.  In the first pages, we are introduced to Mr. Smith, a singularly unremarkable man except for a singularly remarkable implant.  It is through this implant that Mr. Smith makes a living.  The reader journeys with Mr. Smith through a typical mundane workday to a twisted and fun ending.

sapphoq reviews says:  Accident Man, like all of Shane Griffin's writing, excels in atmosphere.  Every word contributes to the short in a masterful way.  Highly recommended.

Swift, Brutal Retaliation by Meghan McCarron

Swift, Brutal Retaliation, Meghan McCarron.  New York: Doherty, Tom Associates, L.L.C., 2011, 2012.  e-book, 58 pps.

Sinead and Brigid are two sisters who are grieving their brother Ian's death.  Dad is a drunk and Mom withdraws from the family.  Ian's classmates bring over a bunch of lasagna.  Sinead and Brigid run into Ian's spirit who actually is not a nice sort of ghostie at all.

sapphoq reviews says: This particular short story would appeal most to Junior High readers.  Although it lacks a bit of sparkle, the description of a family in mourning is quite realistic.  Swift, Brutal Retaliation exhibits some unique twists.  Because of the twists, this short story is recommended for pre-teen readers, especially any who are curious about the craft of writing and different ways to write a story.

The Finite Canvas by Brit Mandelo

The Finite Canvas, Brit Mandelo. New York: Doherty, Tom Associates, L.L.C., 2012.  e-book: 87 pps.


Molly is a doctor working at a clinic on the old Earth when a stranger comes to the door seeking assistance.  The stranger's name is Jada.  Jada had fallen on hard times.  Jada offers Molly a story in return for her services.

sapphoq reviews says: The Finite Canvas is an exquisite and haunting short story.  Both main characters are believable.  Jada especially reminded me of someone that I used to know.  The setting is an integral part of the telling.  Worth a read, and maybe several.  Staying power.  Highly recommended.

Clockwork Fagin by Cory Doctorow

Clockwork Fagin, Cory Doctorow.  [free sample from] Steampunk ! ed. by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant.  Somerville Mass: Candlewick Press, 2011.  e-book, 35 pps. 

Clockwork Fagin is a dark steampunk story about kids disabled by machinery, a twisted Master Grinder, Saint Agatha's Home for the Rehabilitation of Crippled Children, and a folk hero by the name of Monty.  There are a few ineffective nuns and a couple of night watchmen and a bobby or two that make appearances.  The real glory belong to the children.

The first two nights at St. Aggie's involve being beaten to a pulp by Grinder and then sent to a solitary cell with the rats.  The stripping of any rights such as the right to free association, the right to safe housing and schooling, the right to have competent medical treatment are reminiscent of what happens at some present-day teen torture facilities immediately upon admission.  The other kids are compliant because they have to be in order to survive.  Monty is not.

Monty blows up the order of things and seizes the power that the Grinder had over the crippled kids for far too long.  He starts a revolution and momentum is built as the other kids join in.  People in positions of some authority outside of St. Aggie's are dupped.

sapphoq reviews says: This is a dark steampunk short story that works.  The steampunk setting is integral and crucial to the telling of the tale and not some post script.  Anyone who speaks out publicly against D.R.M. has my vote as a decent human being.  Doctorow has been a steady vocal activist against the craziness threatening to overtake us all by the Intellectual Property Monopoly.  His writing is most excellent.  Some freebies can be had by perusing his website: http://craphound.com/   If you are not familiar with Cory Doctorov, you owe it to yourself to check him out.  @doctorow on Twitter. Clockwork Fagin is most highly recommended.

The Day My Mother Snapped by Jeff Graham

The Day My Mother Snapped, Jeff Graham.  No identifying data as to year or publisher, probably self-published.  e-book, 5 pages.

I was quite taken by The Day My Mother Snapped.  The young boy in the story is named Andrew and one day his mother goes bonkers.  She suddenly believes that he is an imposter of her young son Andrew.  She is diagnosed with Capgras Syndrome [also called Capgra's Delusion in a few places on the Internet].  There are consequences for the young boy as a result of his mother's illness.

sapphoq reviews says: To my knowledge, I've never met anyone with Capgras.  The websites that I looked up all reference Capgras occuring along with a primary disorder such as schizophrenia or brain damage.  Although the writing in The Day My Mother Snapped is not the work of a professional, I was startled by this short story.  I am looking forward to more by Jeff Graham.  Recommended.