Book Review: The New Death and Others

   Admittedly most of the books I read are part of a series.  I love getting sucked into a story and following characters across several books and mourning the fact that a series can’t be 30 books long.  But that being said, its refreshing to read something short and conscience. 

   The beauty of a short story is that while it may only be a few pages long it can leave more of a lasting impression on you than a novel that is several times longer.  The very first story in this collection The God of the Poor is only a few paragraphs long but I found myself thinking about it for days after I read it.  So if you are a fan of horror and dark fantasy and are looking for a collection of stories that will make you laugh or make you stop and think than you’ll love James Hutchings The New Death and Others.  Teh topics of Hutchings stories range from the birth of reality TV, to demons, to a story about a sorceress who craves the magic of the Gods.  My favorites were Everlasting Fire, with Lily the demon who enjoys punishing supermodels by feeding them and dines at McDonalds (the only restaurant in Hell).  And although a little gruesome, I loved the endings to How the Isle of Cats got its Name.  Hutchings poetry was also very enjoyable.