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Thunderland »

Book cover image of Thunderland by Brandon Massey

Authors: Brandon Massey
ISBN-13: 9780970807540, ISBN-10: 0970807546
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Dark Corner Publishing
Date Published: October 2010
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Brandon Massey

Brandon Massey is the award-winning author of several suspense thrillers, including Dark Corner, Within the Shadows, and The Other Brother. He lives with his family near Atlanta, GA.

Book Synopsis

The stunning debut novel from the award-winning author of Dark Corner and Within the Shadows, now back in print . . .

Days after a devastating gale rips through his town and nearly takes his life, young Jason Brooks wakes up to a whole new world. His mother--once a neglectful, angry drunk--has given up the bottle to spend more time with him. His father--largely absent for most of Jason's life--is making an honest effort to mend his troubled marriage. And shy, self-conscious Jason has made friends--at last. The whole family is well on the way to recovery--and to finding the happiness that in the past has proved so elusive.

But then the nightmares start . . .

The stalker creeps into the bedroom. He bends down, slowly lifting the bedspread. He lifts it higher . . . and Jason wakes up screaming, his heart thudding in his chest.

And strange things begin to happen . . .

Cryptic messages appear on the bathroom mirror. Clothing flies about the room. The bed rises in the air . . . and thumps back to the ground. And always, in the distance, thunder roars . . .

Because someone--or something--is coming.

For Jason . . .

Publishers Weekly

Massey's psychologically resonant but cartoonishly plotted supernatural thriller follows a bright, optimistic 14-year-old protagonist whose family life is in chaos. Jason's mother is a heavy drinker trying to stay on the wagon, while his philandering, workaholic father spends most of his time at his soul food restaurant to escape his fractured marriage. Jason has problems of his own, above all a recurring nightmare that produces a Freddy Krueger-like bogeyman from the boy's childhood called Mr. Magic. The demon's ability to conjure up a horrifying parallel reality terrifies Jason and his friends. One of Jason's pals is killed after crossing the line into the demon's realm, "Thunderland," and soon Mr. Magic is hunting down Jason's parents and the boy's other friends in a series of somewhat ludicrous chase scenes. Massey offers some engaging, well-constructed scenes, and he fills in Jason's family background convincingly. The plot, however, is heavily influenced by several popular horror films, as well as by the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. In spite of these illustrious sources of inspiration, Massey offers few surprises; the climax is both predictable and deflating, and Mr. Magic not a terribly compelling figure of evil. Massey's brisk pace and Jason's appealing voice keep the pages turning, but just barely. (Dec.) Forecast: Massey first published this book with iUniverse, then self-published a revised version before it was picked up by Kensington. That he's one of a handful of African-American horror writers may help Kensington find a commercial niche.

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