Echoes of the Strange
Heather Beck
(Guest Reviewer - Amanda Collins)
2005 Sparklesoup LLC
ISBN: 1597489379

Four scary stories that will make you laugh & shiver.

Guest Reviewer Amanda Collins writes:

Sparklesoup has a new book series called Fable Farm which has made an impressive start. The series lives up to its tagline of: “Stories with Surprising Twists”. Echoes of the Strange, which consists of four scary stories, is jam-packed with adventures, scares, &, of course, unexpected endings.

The first story is “Revenge of the Mutant Fish” is fast paced & filled with adventure about a boy, Wolf Strickland, who visits his Uncle Gabe. However, this isn't any ordinary summer vacation. Wolf discovers a secret that his uncle was trying to hide from him -- about a mutant fish that wants revenge on its creators. The ending is brilliantly executed & will, ironically for a horror story, leave you laughing out loud.

The second story is “Troll Terror” -- a fairytale-like story that takes the reader to a magical place where trolls really do exist. Some are good while others possess not-so-nice qualities. The story's heroes & heroine have a hard time deciding which to trust. This magnificent tale kept me on my toes.

“Trapped in Sand” also takes you to another world where two friends, Noah & Shelby discover a secret civilization beneath a pyramid in Egypt. What they learn in this newfound utopia is awe-inspiring & beautifully depicted. What happens in the end is a complete shock.

After recovering from “Trapped in Sand”, relax a little with “Plant Sensations” about a sleepy hamlet with one major difference from your own hometown, For starters, your hometown doesn't have Dallas Dakota -- a man with a secret & an intense fear of plants. The plot is extremely well thought out & the writing is on the peak of perfection.

Echoes of the Strange is the best collection of scary stories I've ever read. Heather Beck is a creative genius with an eye for details. Her plots are as imaginative as any R.L. Stine & Stephen King. Her writing style flows so smoothly she makes it seem effortless & she's one talented writer you'll definitely want to keep reading.

Do catch Amanda's Interview with this author.

More from Heather Beck:
The Paradise Chronicles
Excursions and Extracurriculars(Fable Farm Vol. 2)

Watch for Amanda's interview with this author.
(06/04/06)

Guest Reviewer - Amanda Collins
2006©Amanda Collins