| Sha'Daa Tales of the Apoccolypse Author Michael Hanson |
When Static Movement reviewed Michael Hanson’s Sha’Daa: Tales of the
Apocalypse, Editor Chris Bartholomew absolutely praised the book. I had to see
why.
I am SO glad I did!
As a publisher of fiction for Liquid Imagination, and as Editor in Chief of 2M
Magazine, I have a lot of different things on my plate. I also have a private web
office of 290 writers, editors, poets, artists and script writers. I read fiction. I
write fiction (with over 40 acceptances in various publications). I edit and publish
fiction. I understand the concept of good storytelling, of good openings intended to
HOOK readers. I love literary fiction and I love speculative fiction. I’ve seen both
genres merging slowly through large and small press. I think I know a good and
enjoyable book when I read one. However, I discovered something different in
Hanson’s Sha’Daa that I haven’t seen in a while.
Let me explain.
Remember when you were at camp with twenty children sitting around a
campfire? A young child began a story with Once upon a time. Then the next child
continued: And in these very woods a man named Clubfoot started killing people.
The third child adds a sentence until the story goes around the entire circle of
children. In the end a complete story forms.
Remember those days?
In today’s writing offices, writers attempt these same types of collaborative
stories. One writer begins with a sentence or a paragraph, and another writer
follows, until six or ten or twenty writers finish the story. When done right the
results can be astonishing. When done wrong… well, let’s just forget the bad ones
and move on, shall we?
In Sha’Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse has this same type of concept yet WITHOUT
the loose structure that tends to ruin potentially good stories (as in the example in
the proceeding paragraph). Michael Hanson wrote the entire outline of Sha’Daa
from beginning to end. He asked writers to join him in this unusual anthology of
creative genius, sending the outline to these writers in order to guide them. It is
creative freedom that allows writers the room to express themselves fully, while
maintaining the story from beginning to end; it’s a relatively ) new way to tell a
tale and I loved it!
In the book we hear of Sha’Daa, a moment in time in which the barrier between
demonic worlds and our reality weakens. This happens once every ten-thousand
years. Challengers from the demon-world confront the most unlikely heroes and
saviors from our world, and they’re the ONLY ones standing in the face of
worldwide annihilation. The demons signed an ancient pact, and they cannot
invade Earth without beating our world’s champions.
Simple, right? Wrong!
The demons are so powerful and numerous that one cannot help but remember
Lovecraft’s nightmarish monstrosities. Those who stand in the way of this demonic
onslaught—our unlikely heroes—need a little help.
And help is on the way!
Enter Johnny the Salesman. He’s in almost every story written by different
authors. As the veil between worlds weakens in various locations throughout our
world, Johnny comes to make a trade, for the present Sha’Daa is upon us (and
God help us all!). For me, Johnny was the most fun because I found it interesting
to see how different writers introduced him within the framework of their stories.
As the veil weakens in Russia, Johnny wishes to make a “fair trade.” He also
appears in the sewers of New York as well as other locations throughout the world
where the veil thins. In almost every story a different author introduces the
Salesman who is more than what he seems. And the seemingly “mundane
objects” he trades with Earth’s champions are more than what they seem, too.
Personally, I love anthologies because they introduce varying styles of storytelling,
and Sha’Daa is no different. However, this anthology IS different from most.
While it certainly has the same reoccurring theme anthologies have come to be
known for (zombie theme, Armageddon theme, vampire theme, etc.), each
chapter (note I said “chapter”) continues the story as demonic infestation threatens
our world. Not only is there a reoccurring theme in each chapter (or story), the
reoccurring appearance of Johnny throughout the book is just plain FUN! The
reader begins looking for the Salesman to pop up throughout the book. Besides
Lovecraftian-type terror filling our skies, oceans and land, we have believable
characters with real wants, weaknesses and strengths—characters you will fall in
love with.
The character I loved most, however, is Johnny the Salesman! With news that a
sequel entitled Sha’Daa: Last Call is in the works, all I can say is, “LONG LIVE
JOHNNY!”
Three In/Three Out:
What would want to make a reader want to read this book?
1) Beyond a shadow of a doubt, readers will fall in love with the eccentric
Salesman (friends call him Johnny).
2) Hanson smoothes the storyflow between chapters/stories with interludes,
enhancing clarity and direction for readers. The end-result is a FUN and enjoyable
read that is probably unlike any book you’ve bought.
3) If you enjoy anthologies, this book is a must.
What would make a reader NOT want to read this book?
1) If you don’t like anthologies, this book may not be for you. Some readers
may find that once they get used to one author’s writing style, it changes (like
anthologies often do) with the next chapter and author (the same reason some
readers will enjoy the book).
2) While all the stories were FUN, each chapter is a story unto itself. As such,
it’s still more anthology with one central character running threads through the
entire book, weaving the chapters together. So while it HAS chapters like an
ongoing full-length novel, it’s still more anthology.
3) Each chapter (or story) is basically the same thing over and over. Demons
try to invade Earth. There is a champion or opposing Earth force helped by the
Salesman. While the scenes, characters and monsters are COMPLETELY different,
it is still the same storyline for each chapter (demons vs. Earth’s champions).
Conclusion: Publishers will want to read this book for story ideas; readers will want
to read this book for the pure enjoyment of it. It’s refreshing to read something
different, and this book is it! While each chapter (or story) is basically repetitive
(see the 3rd “out” above), it really is no different from any other anthology. For
example, a vampire anthology will have vampires in every single story; this just
happens to have demons trying to invade Earth and bring on Armageddon in every
story.
The real beauty here is the stunning idea to use one centralized character to weave
all the stories together. This allows each writer to stretch their abilities in a free-
flowing manner, thus enhancing the book, while keeping readers following a plot
that could possibly be so convoluted that clarity would be lost. Fortunately, the
Salesman (AKA: Johnny) is one of the most unique characters in fiction, and he ties
the chapters together from beginning to end with his eccentric demeanor and
mysterious purpose until the very end. For me personally, Johnny sells the book.
The strange denizens and monsters are fantastic, too. William Marsh’s particular
tale uses humanoid sea monsters that made me fondly remember the Creature
from the Black Lagoon (my favorite classic horror movie). But in the end, readers
will want to check out Sha’Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse as well as the sequel, Sha’
Daa: Last Call (forthcoming). Hanson came up with a unique method to tie all the
stories of this anthology together, and that “method” is Johnny the Salesman.
I want more Johnny! I want more Sha’Daa!
Apocalypse, Editor Chris Bartholomew absolutely praised the book. I had to see
why.
I am SO glad I did!
As a publisher of fiction for Liquid Imagination, and as Editor in Chief of 2M
Magazine, I have a lot of different things on my plate. I also have a private web
office of 290 writers, editors, poets, artists and script writers. I read fiction. I
write fiction (with over 40 acceptances in various publications). I edit and publish
fiction. I understand the concept of good storytelling, of good openings intended to
HOOK readers. I love literary fiction and I love speculative fiction. I’ve seen both
genres merging slowly through large and small press. I think I know a good and
enjoyable book when I read one. However, I discovered something different in
Hanson’s Sha’Daa that I haven’t seen in a while.
Let me explain.
Remember when you were at camp with twenty children sitting around a
campfire? A young child began a story with Once upon a time. Then the next child
continued: And in these very woods a man named Clubfoot started killing people.
The third child adds a sentence until the story goes around the entire circle of
children. In the end a complete story forms.
Remember those days?
In today’s writing offices, writers attempt these same types of collaborative
stories. One writer begins with a sentence or a paragraph, and another writer
follows, until six or ten or twenty writers finish the story. When done right the
results can be astonishing. When done wrong… well, let’s just forget the bad ones
and move on, shall we?
In Sha’Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse has this same type of concept yet WITHOUT
the loose structure that tends to ruin potentially good stories (as in the example in
the proceeding paragraph). Michael Hanson wrote the entire outline of Sha’Daa
from beginning to end. He asked writers to join him in this unusual anthology of
creative genius, sending the outline to these writers in order to guide them. It is
creative freedom that allows writers the room to express themselves fully, while
maintaining the story from beginning to end; it’s a relatively ) new way to tell a
tale and I loved it!
In the book we hear of Sha’Daa, a moment in time in which the barrier between
demonic worlds and our reality weakens. This happens once every ten-thousand
years. Challengers from the demon-world confront the most unlikely heroes and
saviors from our world, and they’re the ONLY ones standing in the face of
worldwide annihilation. The demons signed an ancient pact, and they cannot
invade Earth without beating our world’s champions.
Simple, right? Wrong!
The demons are so powerful and numerous that one cannot help but remember
Lovecraft’s nightmarish monstrosities. Those who stand in the way of this demonic
onslaught—our unlikely heroes—need a little help.
And help is on the way!
Enter Johnny the Salesman. He’s in almost every story written by different
authors. As the veil between worlds weakens in various locations throughout our
world, Johnny comes to make a trade, for the present Sha’Daa is upon us (and
God help us all!). For me, Johnny was the most fun because I found it interesting
to see how different writers introduced him within the framework of their stories.
As the veil weakens in Russia, Johnny wishes to make a “fair trade.” He also
appears in the sewers of New York as well as other locations throughout the world
where the veil thins. In almost every story a different author introduces the
Salesman who is more than what he seems. And the seemingly “mundane
objects” he trades with Earth’s champions are more than what they seem, too.
Personally, I love anthologies because they introduce varying styles of storytelling,
and Sha’Daa is no different. However, this anthology IS different from most.
While it certainly has the same reoccurring theme anthologies have come to be
known for (zombie theme, Armageddon theme, vampire theme, etc.), each
chapter (note I said “chapter”) continues the story as demonic infestation threatens
our world. Not only is there a reoccurring theme in each chapter (or story), the
reoccurring appearance of Johnny throughout the book is just plain FUN! The
reader begins looking for the Salesman to pop up throughout the book. Besides
Lovecraftian-type terror filling our skies, oceans and land, we have believable
characters with real wants, weaknesses and strengths—characters you will fall in
love with.
The character I loved most, however, is Johnny the Salesman! With news that a
sequel entitled Sha’Daa: Last Call is in the works, all I can say is, “LONG LIVE
JOHNNY!”
Three In/Three Out:
What would want to make a reader want to read this book?
1) Beyond a shadow of a doubt, readers will fall in love with the eccentric
Salesman (friends call him Johnny).
2) Hanson smoothes the storyflow between chapters/stories with interludes,
enhancing clarity and direction for readers. The end-result is a FUN and enjoyable
read that is probably unlike any book you’ve bought.
3) If you enjoy anthologies, this book is a must.
What would make a reader NOT want to read this book?
1) If you don’t like anthologies, this book may not be for you. Some readers
may find that once they get used to one author’s writing style, it changes (like
anthologies often do) with the next chapter and author (the same reason some
readers will enjoy the book).
2) While all the stories were FUN, each chapter is a story unto itself. As such,
it’s still more anthology with one central character running threads through the
entire book, weaving the chapters together. So while it HAS chapters like an
ongoing full-length novel, it’s still more anthology.
3) Each chapter (or story) is basically the same thing over and over. Demons
try to invade Earth. There is a champion or opposing Earth force helped by the
Salesman. While the scenes, characters and monsters are COMPLETELY different,
it is still the same storyline for each chapter (demons vs. Earth’s champions).
Conclusion: Publishers will want to read this book for story ideas; readers will want
to read this book for the pure enjoyment of it. It’s refreshing to read something
different, and this book is it! While each chapter (or story) is basically repetitive
(see the 3rd “out” above), it really is no different from any other anthology. For
example, a vampire anthology will have vampires in every single story; this just
happens to have demons trying to invade Earth and bring on Armageddon in every
story.
The real beauty here is the stunning idea to use one centralized character to weave
all the stories together. This allows each writer to stretch their abilities in a free-
flowing manner, thus enhancing the book, while keeping readers following a plot
that could possibly be so convoluted that clarity would be lost. Fortunately, the
Salesman (AKA: Johnny) is one of the most unique characters in fiction, and he ties
the chapters together from beginning to end with his eccentric demeanor and
mysterious purpose until the very end. For me personally, Johnny sells the book.
The strange denizens and monsters are fantastic, too. William Marsh’s particular
tale uses humanoid sea monsters that made me fondly remember the Creature
from the Black Lagoon (my favorite classic horror movie). But in the end, readers
will want to check out Sha’Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse as well as the sequel, Sha’
Daa: Last Call (forthcoming). Hanson came up with a unique method to tie all the
stories of this anthology together, and that “method” is Johnny the Salesman.
I want more Johnny! I want more Sha’Daa!
| Buy Sha'Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse at Altered Dimensions Press! |