The Parasite War (1989) by Tim Sullivan- Book Review

The Parasite War
By Tim Sullivan
Avon Books

I recently revisited this excellent novel, so I thought I would post a short review.

The Parasite War is a 1989 novel written by novelist / filmmaker Tim Sullivan.  If you've been a regular reader of this blog, you may already know that I am a big fan of Sullivan's microbudget cinema, as well as his written fiction.  I did a write up of  his film, Vampire Femmes, and included his excellent Eyes Of The Werewolf, on a list of some of my favorite werewolf films.  I also covered the amazing Ron Ford film,  Dead Time Tales a.k.a. Things 3: Old Things a.k.a. Deadly Tales, which Mr. Sullivan had an acting role in.  

This pulpy, sci-fi / horror / action tale follows a group of societal outcasts, led by ex Vietnam combat veteran, Alex Ward, who battle a parasitic alien species called colloids.  The colloids invaded the Earth three years ago, infecting the human population, taking control of their minds, and ultimately devouring them from the inside out.  Now, Alex and the rest of the survivors must find a way to purge their planet of the gelatinous intruders from a far off planet.

The Parasite War is a book brimming with atmosphere.  With images of dank sewers, dark tunnels / alleyways, burned-out buildings, and desolate highways, Sullivan vividly captures the apocalyptic feel of planet Earth, after the alien invasion.  He fills this world with interesting characters, such as the mentally scarred combat vet, Alex Ward, the religiously fanatical, Samuel, and the schizophrenic doctor, Claire, to name only a few.  It is filled with many existentialist themes, such as humankind, and it's effects / responsibility to the planet it inhabits, and the individual's place in the scheme of things.  There are several interesting plot twists throughout, especially one that involves the two main characters, Alex and Jo, and their sexual intimacy.  I highly recommend The Parasite War.  That's just my opinion. Your's may differ.

Freddy Krueger's Tales Of Terror: Blind Date - Book Review

Freddy Krueger's Tales Of Terror: Blind Date (1994)

By Bruce Richards

TOR Books

I've been revisiting these books, and thought I would do a short review / write up of volume number 1.

Freddy Krueger's Tales Of Terror: Blind Date is the first novel in Tor Books six volume young adult horror series.  This one was unleashed in book stores in late 1994, shortly after the October 14, 1994 theatrical release of the seventh Nightmare On Elm Street film, Wes Craven's New Nightmare.

Evan Walker the outcast of Springwood high school, is bullied by football player Scott Martin and his friends.  Popular Alicia Norris is dating Scott, but disapproves of the way he and her friends treat Evan.  She feels sorry for the mistreated young man, and defends him.  After a mysterious car accident that leaves Scott disfigured and Alicia blind, Evan steps in to take care of her. Strange and deadly occurrences begin to befall some of her friends and acquaintances.  The question becomes, is Evan behind it all, or someone more sinister?   

Freddy Krueger's Tales Of Terror: Blind Date is, in my opinion, a very good first entry in the series, and is reminiscent of an episode of the Freddy's Nightmare television series, albeit the sex and violence is toned down a bit.  Having said that, there are several great gore scenes, which include ripped out eye sockets, a body crushed by a car, and a switchblade stabbed into the head of a character.

Some reviews online have said it takes too long to get the plot going, but I respectfully disagree.  I thought it allowed the reader to get a better sense of the characters, and the dynamics with one another, especially the relationship that develops between Alicia and Evan.  As the story progresses, we see how the two are brought together by their feelings of alienation.  There are also some atmospheric sequences, some of which involve a mysterious house, in particular it's basement.  I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just leave it at that.  In addition to this, I also enjoyed the book's sense of mystery involving the identity of the individual causing all the havoc.

This book was a breezy read at 156 pages, and is recommended for those who enjoyed the novels of Christopher Pike ( Monster, The Witch, Remember Me ), Lois Duncan (  Stranger With My Face, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Summer Of Fear ), or R. L. Stine ( Fear Street series, The Babysitter ).  Also fans of Nightmare On Elm Street films, but especially the Freddy Nightmares television series may find it of interest. That's just my opinion. Your's may differ.