REVIEWS OF CHILDREN OF THE NEW DISORDER BY TIM LEBBON & LINDY MOORE, THIN THEM OUT BY KIM PAFFENROTH, R. J. SEVIN, & JULIA SEVIN, AND MARQUEE BY JOHN PAUL ALLEN

Happy 2009 to you all. The new year brings with it a bunch of new books and so I thought I'd start the year by bringing you news of three interesting new releases. The first book, Children of the New Disorder, is a novella co-authored by Tim Lebbon and Lindy Moore and is being published this month by R. J. and Julia Sevin and their Creeping Hemlock Press, in a deluxe leather-bound limited edition of four hundred and fifty copies ($35.00).

Children of the New Disorder is a fascinating and eminently readable story of a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in which an apparently man-made plague or virus has left human females incapable of bearing children. The cadre of "priests" (who mix science and religion) who represent the current governing power attempt to cure this potentially species ending catastrophe with a new medicine they've developed and seemingly successfully tested upon a handful of volunteer human female subjects. All major metropolitan areas are subjected to this new drug via aerosol application from airplanes.

Unfortunately, something goes very wrong. As a result, all human females now spontaneously and asexually reproduce virtually every night as they dream. They conceive, gestate, and give birth in a single night - to tiny inhuman, disfigured infant monstrosities. The story's protagonist, Chaylie, is a young woman who, as a child, had been born and raised on a tiny isolated island far from the origins and evils of the human-created plague. Yet, she eventually finds herself back in "civilization" and horribly scarred throughout her face and body after being caught in a new, highly corrosive and deadly form of acid rain that now has become a regular weather pattern and hazard with which humans must contend. As a result of her external disfigurement and its equally corrosive effect upon her internal psyche, Chaylie volunteers to become one of human civilization's most recent vital public service employees - a "baby burner." As a result of the failed "cure" almost all human females now give birth to monster babies almost nightly and their sheer numbers would, if not checked, overrun and destroy mankind - plus these infants are so monstrous that it is unthinkable that any should grow to adulthood. The innumerable monstrous infants must be collected every day, and then dumped into huge pits and burned with streams of highly corrosive acid via hoses each night by the "baby burners."

The baby burners work in teams of two, and Chaylie's partner is Ker, a handsome young man who is patient and kind to the emotionally wounded young woman, and who strangely seems attracted to her. Ker eventually reveals shattering secrets to Chaylie that will not only change her life, but also mean either the possible salvation or extinction of humanity.

Children of the New Disorder is very well written, is fast moving, and keeps the reader interested and guessing as to what will come next. Although, due to its comparatively short length as a novella, the authors necessarily write with somewhat broad strokes, they successfully create a unique and rather well developed fictional post-apocalyptic world that is not "just like all the rest" or something you'll think you've already read or are all too familiar with. Indeed, if this gem of a story can be said to have any fault, it is that the authors have created and presented such an interesting and unique setting and characters, that the story is one that is especially "ripe" for lengthening into a novel. One can always hope that the authors either do so, and/or revisit this world in subsequent stories. However, kudos all around to authors Tim Lebbon and Lindy Moore for their great story and the fascinating new world they've managed to create, and to publisher Creeping Hemlock Press for choosing to release the novella. Children of the New Disorder is a very satisfying read and will make a fine addition to anyone's collection.

Creeping Hemlock Press also recently released a fun new chapbook. The chapbook is titled Thin Them Out and is co-authored by Kim Paffenroth, the Bram Stoker Award winning author of Gospel of the Dead and the Dying to Live series, and husband-and-wife, R. J. and Julia Sevin, the owner/publishers of Creeping Hemlock Press. The saddle-stitched thirty-five page chapbook is signed by all authors and limited to two hundred and fifty copies ($6.00).

Author Paffenroth, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ionia College in New York, displays a true expertise in and understanding of zombies that transcends the efforts of most authors who try their hands at this sub-genre of horror fiction. This chapbook provides a rather nice and inexpensive introduction to the Professor's unique and "deeper" take upon both zombies and the effect that their existence and "invasion" would have upon humanity, and how this would impact and change both individual humans and humanity as a whole. The Sevins have successfully accomplished emulating Paffenroth's distinctive style to the extent that it is difficult to try and ascertain who wrote what. Thin Them Out consists of a series of interrelated vignettes written in alternating fashion from the respective viewpoints of humans and a zombie (!) and are extremely well executed and will keep the reader turning the pages as quickly as they can manage to read. The zombies here are far more than the mere shambling, mindless, eating machines so often portrayed. Here, the zombies have their own mysterious motivations and influences. Likewise, the humans presented are not mere cardboard stereotypes, and their own various motivations and he actions they take are presented in a far more realistic, if wry and pessimistic, manner. Ultimately, this chapbook is a terrific, entertaining and quick read that is well worth the very modest investment, and will most likely act to stimulate the readers' interest in Paffenroth's other works, as his zombie writings are not only entertaining but thoughtful and mentally stimulating works of superior talent. Yet another excellent and discerning release by Creeping Hemlock Press, and one which indicates a talent for writing in both of the Sevin's, in addition to their publishing acumen. I hope that we will soon be able to read more from all three authors.

Finally, Insidious Publications is about to release an absolutely stunning and brilliant inaugural volume in their handmade chapbook series titled Marquee. The author is John Paul Allen ( Gifted Trust, Monkey Love) and the extensive artwork is by rising star Tom Moran. The book will be presented as a 125 copy signed and numbered softcover limited edition ($17.99) and also a 26 copy deluxe entirely handcrafted leather-bound hardcover lettered edition with a bonus story ($135.00).

Marquee is just brilliant. It is a superbly written and executed supernatural ghost story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is further a sophisticated and captivating examination of one man's soul and of Mans' soul that will haunt you in another way long after you've finished reading the story. This is only January, but I can guarantee you that this will already be on my "Best Stories of 2009" List and I'll bet that I'm far from alone in such appraisal. As good as author Allen's story is, another equal star here is Tom Moran's artwork, and the very unique and visually stunning manner which Insidious Publishing has developed to present Moran's artwork. Not only is there numerous pages of full-page art of the highest caliber and exquisite detail, but this page is preceded by a clear acetate or plastic page upon which there is extra full-color art. Thus, while each set of two pages has wonderful art upon each page, when the semi-clear page is placed directly on top of the following printed paper page, the two pages and pieces of art combine to form a fuller, deeper, more complete and complex piece of art. Words (or at least my feeble efforts) don't adequately describe the actual visual effect and impact. However, they are well worth the price of the chapbook in and of themselves, which is not something that can be normally claimed for a horror chapbook.

Those who are familiar with Insidious Publications recent 2008 release of Brian Knight's 1200 AM Live will understand just how beautiful and unique the wonderfully designed and colorful softcover and fully handcrafted hardcover books that this press releases are. As good as the Brian Knight volume is, Marquee just blows it away in terms of the new way in which the artwork has been presented. Then again, author Allen's story is also pure genius and the combination is a true bargain for $17.99. I highly recommend Marquee, and that you order one while they remain available.

In closing, as great a year as 2008 was for horror genre literature, 2009 looks to be even better, with a number of new specialty presses and imprints being introduced, and other recent publishers really blossoming and coming into their own. I look forward to continue bringing these to your attention throughout the year to come.