Book Review: Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell

I have a hard time with horror. I love it, but I want to be creeped out—not just grossed out by shock-tactics of gore or inappropriate behavior. Murder and mayhem is fine, I love a slasher film, but there has to be more to it.

The prologue for Stolen Tongues reads as one of the best horror shorts I have ever read and with just those few pages I was absolutely sold on this book. Part cabin in the woods, part supernatural haunt, this book had that creep factor for me. It’ll have you straining to hear that voice outside, that scratch at the door or tap on the window.

It's not just a secluded cabin on a mountain with Native spirits book. It lingers, the ancient evil has a motive, and a life of its own beyond the desire to hurt. It manages to make open spaces claustrophobic, and the voices of loved ones terror inducing.

I was beyond pleasantly surprised by this one—I had recommended it to my family before even getting past the first few chapters. I knew right away and no one I’ve given it to has been disappointed. I will re-read the prologue whenever I want a mini-haunt. Carrot the parrot is one of the best uses of an animal in horror I’ve seen (and not-really-spoiler- he lives, so no worries from an animal-love standpoint!)

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