Category Archives: Reviews
HELLNOTES calls THE SHADOWS BEHIND “incredibly smart writing”
Hellnotes, a major reviewer of horror fiction, film, and art, has reviewed my latest short story collection, The Shadows Behind, and given it a rave! Reviewer Elaine Pascale has written: “The stories within tell of lingering loss via imaginative and incredibly smart writing. Schoonover writes of grief and regret that follows like a shadow, and the stories in this collection will remain like a shadow for some time after you finish reading…the writing is intelligent and the themes transcend genre. Add this book to your summer reading list.”
I am SO EXCITED about this! You can read the full review here: https://hellnotes.com/the-shadows-behind-book-review/
You can get your copy of The Shadows Behind here: http://bit.ly/shadowsbehind. Or, if you want a signed copy, reach out to me through my Contact Page or in the comments and I’ll get in touch with you about making arrangements.
A trip through time: The Bronx Zoo’s DINOSAUR SAFARI
I think this is hilarious. We’re being chased by a Tyrannosaurus and we look like we’re on a cruise.
I’m going to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, because nothing ruins an adventure like knowing every damn little thing about it beforehand (it’s really not an adventure if that’s the case). However, I’m going to include a couple of my favorite photos and share some details, so if you’re planning on visiting the Bronx Zoo’s Dinosaur Safari this summer and want to stay completely in the dark, I’d advise skipping the rest of this post (except scroll down to “A word on buying tickets.” That stuff you’ll want to know). Read the rest of this entry
Join the DARK DISCUSSIONS crew in Mystic, CT, July 26 – 28!
The crew and fans of the DARK DISCUSSIONS podcast get ready to see THE MEG at the Regal Cinemas Waterford 9 in Waterford, CT at our annual meet-up in August of 2018. From left: co-host Abe, listener Kevin, listener Leo Pond (also host of THE DORKENING podcast), co-host Eric, co-host Phil, me, listener Pam and co-host Mike.
Wanna watch a movie and attend a taping of Dark Discussions? Now’s your chance! Read the rest of this entry
DARK DISCUSSIONS pays tribute to George Romero
Montage by Philip Perron
Dark Discussions pays tribute to George Romero in the wake of his passing. We discuss his life, his work, and the controversies that sometimes surrounded him, and some of our thoughts might surprise you! You can listen in on Stitcher, iTunes, and here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_297.html
Volcano, by Yvonne Weekes
I couldn’t put this down. Beautifully written and wrought with an overwhelming sadness, Weekes’ memoir about Soufriere Hills, a dormant volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat which roared to life in 1995, packs much into few pages.
If you’re looking for Read the rest of this entry
VISIT SUNNY CHERNOBYL: Vivid, entertaining, witty
Visit Sunny Chernobyl, by Andrew Blackwell/320 pages/Rodale Books, 2013
Visit Sunny Chernobyl isn’t what I expected. This vividly-written, highly entertaining, and occasionally witty narrative is not a rant about the dirtiest places in our world and how we’ve destroyed (or are destroying) our environment, but rather an exploration of the dirtiest places of our world and what it’s like to be there, live there, and breathe there. This isn’t a book that passes judgment; this is a book that lets you see things through Blackwell’s eyes and make up your own mind.
For those of us who like to armchair travel, Read the rest of this entry
Russell’s SEA OF TREES is a sea of problems
Where this book excels is in the vignettes of those who suicided in Aokigahara Jukai forest: we see the last moments of these people’s lives in chilling, haunting portraiture. Similarly, the world of the forest is brought to life; the writing itself is clear, yet peppered with poignant phrasing. The first person present-tense is sound and is a good match for this type of piece. The tension between the two characters is fantastic, as there is push and pull but neither gets what’s desired. It’s also an easy read (although the lack of commas where there should’ve been drove me crazy; I’m not sure if this was an editing fail or if it’s some style I’m not familiar with).
Despite all of that, however, I’d only be able to recommend Sea of Trees to those who are deeply interested in the forest.
Although the stories of those who suicided Read the rest of this entry
Shed light on scary movies with REVIEWS FROM THE SHADOWS
Craft and subtlety exist in both good and bad horror movies! On the new Reviews from the Shadows podcast, the Paranormal Eh? Radio Network’s Terry Konig and I talk story (strong or not!) and bring those little things you might have missed to light in two horror movies each month.
You can listen in on the first three episodes of Season 1 below! Read the rest of this entry
UP ALL NIGHT gives THIS POISONED GROUND a rave!
It’s always nice to get surprised. Up All Night Horror Fiction Review gave “This Poisoned Ground” a great review. You can read it here: http://www.upallnighthorrorfictionreview.com/up-all-night-horror-fiction-review/this-poisoned-ground-by-kristi-petersen-schoonover
Still haven’t picked up your copy? It’s available from Dark Alley Press at the following links:
THE SMOKING POET: BAD APPLE sends “shiver of delightful creepiness up and down the spine”; interview sheds light on book’s real locations
The Smoking Poet, which published my short story “Incident at Dark Acres” in its Winter 2010-2011 Issue #17, has given Bad Apple Read the rest of this entry
