Bad Juju: Volume 1

R Van Saint has created a collection of stories that will want you coming back for more. Bad Juju is hopefully the first of many from the author (i think there is a second volume on the way). I have read and reread this collection a few times now since picking it up and every time it leaves me smiling.

“The faster you run” is by far my favourite story and it really has me wanting more (please expand this story). R Saint has proved in this collection that she can write dark and macabre tales but also beautiful and deep descriptive stories such as “A Coda”.

For a small price you are getting a book full of depth and character, this is a must for any fan of the likes of king, Barker and Herbert. I have said it once in this review but I will say it again….More please!

Ro Van Saint captures the readers' attention within the first anthology of short stories. The stories each possess their own "writing voice," which sets the author apart from others. Endings were unpredictable, just the way I like them. Once I started each short story, I could NOT put the book down until I had finished the story. My lust for horror mixed with sci-fi was met within the stories. My imagination was set free to expound on the stories with vivid details. Word play was masterful. Descriptions were original - no unsightly cliches to be found. Originality - if I had to compare Bad Juju - I would say it's a cross between Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Bad Juju: Volume 1
Ebook By R. Van Saint
$2.99
Published: Dec. 20, 2010

review based on PDF version converted to epub for Kobo.

R. Van Saint has given us readers a grand collection of stories. The scope and style of writing will grab you by the coat tails. Most of these stories have a twist. I dare say the first story and the last two are the best of this collection, although the others do not pale in comparison. Each story is lined up perfectly which is something you don't see very often in single author collections and each story moves smoothly from one onto the next.

I do however have one grumble and that is with the tale, The Secret of Mothers, it took too long to get into the story and that none of the characters were likable (maybe that was the point?). R. Van Saint also tells several of the stories in an omnipresent point of view, a lot of authors who use this style fail (including me) but R. Van Saint nails it on the head. This is how she pulls you into the stories and makes you a witness to the oncoming action.

We get to see several sides of humanity strung together in this volume and R. Van Saint's storytelling ability is smooth and will hook you in. Most of these stories fit in the spec-fic genre and one is definitely Bizzaro and even if you don't like these genres you will enjoy these tales. The tales are simply captivating and the book, although short, is well worth the price of a download.

A guaranteed fun ride. Perfect for a cold or wet day inside, not so perfect for a short train or car ride as once you start the story, you won't want to stop.