The Talosite - Weird, Alternate History That's Hard to Forget
I hit a run of some really good books in February and March of this year. I always have said that books sometimes have to find a person at the right time. When I was a junior in high school, I wasn’t ready to read The Haunting of Hill House. I didn’t like it back then, but it’s become an all time favorite book for me now.
As I read more, I can usually tell what kind of book I’m in the mood for before I start reading. I knew I was in the mood for something weird, dark, and haunting when I picked up The Talosite by Rebecca Campbell and I got all of that and more.
I’m always a sucker for historical horror stories and this scratched that itch too. Set during World War I, Anne is the daughter of a famous neurologist who is following in her father’s footsteps. Ned is a soldier on the battlefield and when he sees a solider on the opposing side that is much too large to be a human, their worlds collide. Anne is trying to make a new soldier made from the remains of the dead ones and Ned begins a search for more of these massive undead soldiers.
The setting for this book is dark and dreary and really adds to the atmosphere. Every scene felt as though it was taking place somewhere in low light where everything was just a little bit dirty. This added a lot to the overall feel of the book.
I know I can always count on Undertow Publications to deliver and when I’m in the mood for something very weird like this, I know I can pick up one of their books.
Campbell has created an incredible alternate history of World War I and I can’t recommend this book enough.
