It’s Monday again and the month of May is almost over! How did that happen so quickly?
Chandra and I absolutely LOVED reading KIN by Kealan Patrick Burke, so we continued with more of his books. We decided on two novellas – quick horror reads you can finish within an hour.
BLANKY – Kealan Patrick Burke
SOUR CANDY – Kealan Patrick Burke
You can see our reviews for KIN here!
Chandra’s Thoughts:
BLANKY – 4/5 stars
Grief works in mysterious ways. Anyone who has lost someone deals with the sadness and emptiness left in their own way. No way is more right than another. Time actually does not heal all wounds and that gaping hole left by the person who is no longer with us feels endless.
The author takes us on Steve’s journey after the death of his 11 month old daughter and that damn Blanky she seemed to adore. Why does this keep showing up? They DID bury her with it, right?
This is one of those novellas that leaves you wondering what actually happened within the story. Whose perspective is correct and just how far would your grief take you – or are you the sole cause of your own grief and you can NEVER EVER run away from THAT?
I love that this is set in Ohio and Burke’s referencing the true nature of an OSU Buckeyes fan! Little details like this are ones that really get to me sometimes. So thank you, Kealan, for that since I lived in Ohio for 16 years and TOTALLY get it.
Again, he packs a lot of story into a short amount of book and is clearly a master of storytelling. Do yourself a favor and pick up some of his work. Any horror fan would be smart in doing so 😉
SOUR CANDY – 5/5 stars
After reading Kin, I knew I needed more Burke. So I immediately purchased just about everything he wrote. Jack & Jill blew me away and I’m typically not huge on novellas and short stories. Burke manages to pack SO much into 67 pages and it’s mind blowing. Right from the beginning, there’s a sense of dread and it just increases page after page.
This book certainly deters me even further from children, Walmart and sour candy. There’s really not much creepier to me than children – I don’t know what it is but **shiver**. The word “Daddy” certainly takes such an ominous tone in this read. I couldn’t imagine having my life completely put upside down that I begin to question my own sanity. Just to have it flip flopped on me again… and AGAIN! He certainly brought in an element that I was NOT expecting and that was a nice surprise.
Seems he can do no wrong in his novella writing and I’m eager to devour the rest of his work. Burke has managed to spark my love for the novella again.
Remember folks, don’t take candy from strangers… and NEVER EVER take them from children.
My Thoughts:
BLANKY 4/5 stars
After reading KIN by Kealan Patrick Burke I couldn’t wait to pick up more of his work. I started with his novella, BLANKY. I’m amazed that he could turn such an ordinary and unsuspecting item into some terrifying. With the novel being just under 80 pages, I don’t want to give away too much information on it. We follow a husband and father that has endured every parents’ worst nightmare – losing their infant child in the middle of the night. Events begin to spiral as the missing baby blanky reappears, what really happened that night?
If you like novellas and horror found in everyday situations or items, then this is a perfect one to fly through!
SOUR CANDY – 5/5 stars
Immediately after finishing BLANKY, I continued with SOUR CANDY by Kealan Patrick Burke. This one I liked a little more simply because of the uniqueness of the plot. A mysterious child, sour candies, and a man withering away. What hold does this child have on him? Is he a menace or a protector? This was another story that was just under 80 pages and I think you need to go into it with as little info as you can. Keeps the suspense and eeriness up!
Another quick horror story that you’ll flip through in less than an hour.
What is your favorite Kealan Patrick Burke story?
–Jess
Jessicamap Reviews 
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