I'm not the Crowvus writer who publishes horror. I've appreciated the brilliant books by Judith Crow, but I know it's not something I can write. The supernatural is different. People will - quite rightly - tell you that horror can encompass the supernatural, but the supernatural is not only confined to that genre. The supernatural, by definition, have their roots in the natural. In the case of ghosts, they were once alive, now having transcended from the natural (i.e. worldly) existence, into the supernatural on an unknown plain. The best ghost stories (my opinion only!) are the ones which unite the natural and the supernatural, looking at the shadows and imprints left on the natural world by those now occupying the supernatural one. In essence, when I read through the submissions for the Crowvus Christmas Ghost Story Competition , I'm looking for the human aspect of the story. I love the idea of ghosts trapped in time, I love the idea of ghosts trying to commune with ...
"Lifesong" by Julia Blake Book Review ☆☆☆☆ The first thing that struck me about this book was the beauty of the language. Each sentence has been exquisitely crafted to ensure it has the most impact and meaning on the reader. Although it was not my sort of book, I appreciated the artistic skill of the author and must congratulate her that she portrayed such a worrying concept so beautifully. One of the main things I look for in a book is the strength of its characters. The author developed all the characters well in the short time she had given herself, so I felt the characters’ concern and pain alongside them. I found the novella a little dark for my taste (this is purely a matter of personal taste) and I would have liked a little more hope in the story. The end seemed satisfactory – and not – at the same time. I acknowledge, however, that this is important for the message the story conveys. Blurb (from Goodreads) She came from a different place, a w...