March 2024 Indie Book Reviews

The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark

by Richard Holeman

If Dracula Had a Son…
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 stars

When the flying man visits Small Town USA, problems ensue. Plenty of murder & mayhem surround these doomed Midwesterners leaving the sheriff & his deputies powerless. Although this community has no shortage of human monsters already, no one can deny something’s off about the new boy, inhuman even. Wait until he grows up!

The similarity of these two names, Handsome & Hanson, caught me once or twice. Praiseworthy features & big wins: The flying man’s supernatural powers & limitations—the science & history of this demonic being—are introduced seamlessly. The happy accidents of astronomy & 3-D glasses. What deranged punks would dress up like the Flying Man for Halloween? Various threads tie in again & again for great overall continuity. About the ending, let me say, “Wow!”

The Binding by Victoria Clapton

New Orleans Romance, Paranormal Style
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 stars

Flavors, emotions & sometimes blood run hot in Louisiana when Sybella comes to town. Although her mother’s family side is an unknown variable as well as her magical tendencies & powers, the binding itself is even more so, trumping all other relevant mysteries including most of the vampire society’s rules too. The pathological violent vampire king who, through manipulations, also violates those rules (which prevent war between humans & vampires), pursues a grudge against the covertly benevolent yet very dour, reluctant Demien, the love interest vampire. Will Sybella, her incorporeal surprise roommate, a true-to-life fluffy kitty, and the talented shaman, voodooist & witch found family figure things out before it’s too late?

It's the first in a series of books & ends with to be continued. Praiseworthy features & big wins: New Orleans sights & sounds, atmosphere & flavors, and the delicious food—yummy, scrumptious—alone was enough to dream about! Cat aficionados will appreciate both Marie’s ample warmth & inscrutable aloofness. The overall smooth reading lets us rationally blame the binding itself instead of Sybella whenever she blunders, breaks a rule or endangers herself illogically. Billy Idol as a vampire? I’ve always had my suspicions! Also, the vampires’ uncanny powers (ex. their beauty/allure, speed & telepathy) & hierarchy entertained amply.