Review - Into the Mist by Lee Murray

As a reviewer one of the greatest pleasures I have in life is when I discover the work of someone new that blows me away. So when I first read the blurb and pre-order information for Into the Mist I was excited. Another military thriller/horror from the amazing Cohesion Press... by the relatively unknown (at least to me) Lee Murray... shut up and take my money! 

Six weeks later the book dropped, and now I'm sitting here writing this review after reading it in one marathon sitting. 

Into the Mist can bascially be summarised by one word. 

Extraordinary. 

I loved everything about it. Yes, everything.

Into the Mist is a perfect military horror novel in every way, shape, and form. From it's ragtag group of scientists and military guardians through to the terrifying monster stalking them, Into the Mist smashed through my expectations and went higher than I could ever imagine. 

This book is the epitome of what works when trying to write a scintillating military horror. It has fascinating and varied characters, a world that feels both real and unreal, tension riddled scenes and breathtaking action sequences. It also doesn't pull its punches. You are genuinely mentally assaulted over and over again by primordial and sphincter clenching scenes of terror and dread throughout this story. And fuck me it's glorious! Imagine, for a moment, being stalked and hunted by something that goes bump in the night. Now turn that something into a creature the size of a small bus... with a tendency to bite things in two. Yeah, see what I mean? 

Into the Mist is so creepy and enthralling that, as the creature picks the soldiers and contractors off one by one, my wife actually expressed concern for me as I was reading it (apparently I had a look of deep worry on my face). I was so enamoured with Murray's ability to weave a magnificent and cinematic story that I also forgot all about going to bed until I had actually finished the book. 

But that's not all that impressed me with Into the Mist. I was also blown away by Murray's inclusion of Maori culture and myths within this story. I adored reading about the Taniwha, and the parts that touched on other facets of Maori culture and magic were both hauntingly beautiful and fascinating. One of the everlasting emotions that this book left me with was that Maori culture should be further explored, honoured, and celebrated by speculative fiction. 

I really didn't have any issues with this book, and the ending was a fitting conclusion to what was an evocative and action packed story. Into the Mist resonated with me on so many levels, and was one of the best military horrors I've read since Greig Beck first released Beneath the Dark Ice seven years ago. 

Creepy and addictive, Into the Mist is an irresistible tapestry of military action, dark myths, and an ancient and terrifying horror.

A must read for speculative fiction fans. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Review - Leviathan's Blood by Ben Peek

Two things immediately become apparent when you have read Leviathan's Blood. 

One... Leviathan's Blood is a bloody awesome name for a book. 

And two... Leviathan's Blood is arguably one of the best modern fantasies to come out in years. 

I must admit I some mixed feelings about reading Leviathan's Blood. Sequels usually struggle to reach the heights set by their predecessor, and I was worried that this book would follow in that common tradition. Peek's first book (The Godless) had been one of my favourites when it was released, and it still sits proudly on a shelf in my bedroom. So when Leviathan's Blood was announced I was excited, yet concerned. Would it continue to build upon that rich and expansive world that Peek had created in The Godless? Would it further take the genre of epic fantasy in new and exciting directions? And would it further cement Peek as someone whose work is a must buy for me? These questions all played across my mind as I opened the cover and started reading a couple of weeks ago. 

Well, after finishing it I'm happy to say that my worries were unfounded. Peek has not only exceeded my expectations with this book, he has smashed them out of the park. 

Leviathan's Blood is one of those books that has layer upon layer for you to appreciate. From it's vividly beautiful world building and dynamic societal examination through to it's diverse and wonderfully cast melting pot of characters, Leviathan's Blood is the book that just keeps on giving to its reader. There is literally something here for everyone. Love magic? Peek has you covered. Adore intricately woven plots and political clashes? Peek's got your back. What about scintillating action and wide ranging conflict? It has it in spades. How's about characters with agency that make you want to laugh, cry, and scream at the sky? Yeah, you get the drift. 

I literally could not find any major faults with this book. I could be extremely picky and note that in some places the pacing felt a little off (I can attribute this to the non-linear styling of Peek at times), but that would be me picking at hairs. Overall I consumed Leviathan's Blood with gusto, and fell in love with characters like Ayae and Zaifyr all over again. I was genuinely disappointed when I turned to that final page. Up until that point I had become so enthralled with the story that hadn't noticed it was drawing to a close. That's the sign of a good and well told tale! 

And now, as I write this review a couple of weeks after I finished it, I still find myself pondering the wonderful ways that Peek is reinterpreting the genre of epic fantasy. Peek can hold his head high amongst that group of fantasy writers (others include Staveley, Sanderson, Abraham, and Hurley) who are redefining the borders of epic fantasy and taking it to new places filled with excitement and uniqueness. What will the future hold with Peek on the scene and continuing to write brilliantly conceived fantasy? I have no idea. But damn, I'm excited to find out! 

Leviathan's Blood is one of the most unique and enthralling epic fantasies that I have read in recent years. Peek's vision and execution are wonderful, and his deft and creative touch with this series a joy to behold. If Peek continues to write to this standard he will go down in history as a master of the genre. 

Highly recommended. 

4.5 stars out of 5.  

The Evolution of a Reader.

Fifteen years ago I wouldn't have even glanced sideways at the horror section in a bookstore. 

I would have marched directly into the shop and headed straight for the fantasy section without a single deviation in my stride. 

And that was ok. At the time fantasy was (and to a certain extent still is) my jam. I just couldn't get enough of it. Lord of the Rings, check. Game of Thrones BEFORE it became a worldwide phenomena (yes people... the books started coming out in the nineties), check. The epic and wonderful sagas from our very own Sara Douglass. Check. 

Nothing else existed in my minds eye. I lapped up the heroes and heroines, the wizards and warlocks, and the knights and the magical creatures over and over. 

Since then, however, I have changed. I'm older and fatter. I have less hair, and the hair that I do have is rapidly fading to salt and pepper before my very eyes (when I can in actual fact see clearly out of my eyes, must remember to make that appointment at the optometrist). 

I also, in this time, met my partner and fell in love. We moved a couple of times, bought and sold a house or two, and had a wonderful daughter who brought a light into our lives that I never knew could exist. 

So naturally, my reading tastes have changed as well. I'm wiser then I was fifteen years ago (nineteen year old me was a shit really), and less tolerant of books that spin out the same old fluff over and over. As I have aged I have started to explore the other genres that all were filed loosely under the umbrella term 'speculative fiction' by readers and writers. 

I still remember the day when I discovered the unearthly works of Stephen King. King opened my naive eyes to well written and fascinating horror, post-apocalyptic fiction, and weird westerns. Following this trend I dabbled in the crazy adventures of Hap and Leonard, as Joe R. Lansdale showed me just how fucking great characters could be when writing a tale. Excitedly, I even went backwards in time (not in a literal sense, never fear) and purchased the works of writers like Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. Anything just to get a glimpse at something other than traditional fantasy. 

Ultimately, however, what changed me the most as a reader was overcoming my introverted nature by starting a blog. Suddenly I was befriending fellow readers, writers, and social media commentators working within the industry I loved. I was tossed head first into the rich and tasty melting pot of recommendations and discussions on Reddit, and I was able to chat with fellow travellers about what they enjoyed and were reading at the time. My TBR pile grew astronomically, and my credit card balance got more precarious looking (funny that). I chipped away at that pile, and I was drawn into the gritty works of Joe Abercrombie, the fascinating steampunk worlds of Cherie Priest, and the clearly defined and incredibly unique magic systems of Brandon Sanderson. 

And I'm still changing! Over the past few months I have started heading off in reading directions I never even imagined I would go. Weird westerns are still very popular, but I've found myself now reading a hell of a lot more horror. I have purchased and consumed all of the military horror anthologies from publishers like Cohesion Press, and Laird Barron has drawn me into his dark web and subsequently blown my mind with his tales from the Crone mythos. I've even started reading Clive Barker, on the recommendation of a author friend whose opinion I respect. 

Now when I walk into a bookstore I tend to look at the horror section first, followed by the fantasy and science fiction sections. I'm sure in a few years time I will have changed yet again... that's just the way things are with getting older and reading. 

I'm excited to see what the future brings... maybe I will get into paranormal romance? Yeah... that's not going to happen. 

Be nice to each other, and keep on reading!

Matt

Interview - Lee Murray

Hey Everyone!

I'm delighted to bring you yet another instalment in our ongoing interview series with up and coming new authors. This week I had the amazing opportunity to chat with the incredibly cool Lee Murray. We chatted about a variety of topics, from her upcoming novel Into the Mist right through to moles on her back! I hope you enjoy the interview! 

Lee Murray, welcome to Smash Dragons!

First up, tell us a little bit about yourself and your upcoming novel Into the Mist?

Thanks, Matthew. 

Into the Mist, my monster thriller, is to be released by Cohesion Press this April. The book introduces Sergeant Taine McKenna, a veteran of the New Zealand Defence Force, whose team is sent on a babysitting mission escorting a mining expedition into New Zealand’s Te Urewera forest. Covering 2127km2 of unspoiled native bush, the mist-filled forest is the spiritual home of the proud Tūhoe tribe whose history is steeped in controversy. A local matakite (seer), and a solitary pig hunter warn the party off, but the team’s officious leader, Dr Christian de Haas, ignores them, insisting they push on into the forest. Naturally, that’s a bad idea. 

Something about me…? Born and raised in New Zealand, I live in the capital where I write mostly dark speculative fiction in my office on the porch. I’m married to David, who only reads science articles and software manuals, and we have two almost-grown kids: one Hufflepuff, one Slytherin, both Browncoats. When I’m not injured, I like to run, and forest trails are a favourite.

What sparked this particular story? Did it ferment in your head for a long time or was it a ‘light bulb’ moment? 

My first book was Battle of the Birds, a children’s time travel fantasy adventure set in the New Zealand bush. Published by Taramea, a small New Zealand press, the book was well received locally and went on to gain the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Youth novel. The success of Battle of the Birds proved to me that the New Zealand bush was the perfect setting for dark adventure novel, but how could I engage a wider readership, an adult readership, bringing a New Zealand that wasn’t just MiddleEarth to the rest of the world? So I set out to write a New Zealand thriller, set in deep in the bush and embedded in our culture. The taniwha thundered into my head as the perfect antagonist. I remember when it came to me; I was running through Tauranga’s McCardle’s Bush track with my best friend Ross Steele and our local MP, Simon Bridges (now Minister for Energy and Resources) and I mentioned the idea to them. Ross said the idea was ‘cool’ and Simon, who’d been reading Dame Judith Binney’s book, Encircled Lands agreed that the Ureweras, with its mists and mythology, was a great setting for a story. Plenty of political controversy, too. I went home and opened a file which I flippantly gave the name, Global Blockbuster, and the story grew from there. 

What was it about writing a military horror story that appealed to you?

It wasn’t so much about writing military horror, but more about writing an authentic New Zealand thriller incorporating the dark aspects I love, and with all the atmosphere of the bush and people who live there. 

What challenges did you face whilst writing Into the Mist? 

Writing it. I’m a horribly slow writer, so it’s taken me ages to complete. Plus, I knew nothing about the military and even less about guns. However, I was lucky enough to be given a personal tour of the weapons store at Trentham Army Base by the then NZDF Senior Weapons Officer. Being a civilian I had to be signed in twice, and then the two of us were locked in the armoury, sans rounds, while my guide explained how the various weapons operated. I got to look down scopes and assemble and disassemble parts, even pull the trigger on a few. I was shown antiques and new additions, from handguns right up to long range missile launchers. It was a sensitive time to be carrying out this research because there had been a spate of college killings in the United States, so my visit was both sobering and fascinating. 

Tell me more about the Taniwha (without, of course, spoiling your story). What are they? 

The focus of many local legends, taniwha are supernatural creatures of New Zealand. They take on many forms such as sharks, lizards, or amphibians, and can be either friendly or threatening. The term taniwha was also used by Maori as a metaphor for a great chief. Readers interested in learning more will find a good starting point at The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand.  

You mentioned wanting to bring a New Zealand that wasn't Middle Earth to a wider readership with this book. Can you tell us about (apart from yourself) some other New Zealand authors working in the speculative fiction field we should maybe check out? 

Oooh you ask the hard questions, Matthew! I recently read and enjoyed Phillip Mann’s Arthur C Clark-nominated book, The Disestablishment of Paradise, for a sci-fi ‘Lord of the Flies’ try Darusha Wehm’s Children of Arkadia (Bundoran Press). If you’re a fan of short reads, then check out Darian Smith’s Shifting Worlds, or Grant Stone’s collection Everything is Fine. Of course, Juliet Marillier is one of ours. And Marty Young. And Helen Lowe. Look for anything by Dan Rabarts, Octavia Cade, and Andi Buchanan…. and I haven’t even started on the YA writers yet. I recommend heading to SpecFicNZ where New Zealand speculative fiction writers hang out. Or SFFANZ for the latest Sir Julius Vogel Awards finalists. 

How did it feel to get such a great blurb from best-selling author Greig Beck? 

I might have stopped breathing. There was some wild flailing of arms. Disbelief. Delirium. Phone calls to family members. It was an amazing thing to think Greig, one of my all-time favourite writers of pacy intelligent thrillers, had read my book and loved it. For a writer, this is equivalent to winning a Golden Globe. Naturally, I sent Greig a message with my thanks, and he replied, saying he’ll be looking out for what I write next. Cue more hyperventilating. So now I’m scrambling to write that next thing, and it’ll have to be good. Because, I mean, Greig Beck!

 

Tell me about the cover. Did you have much input in its design and composition?

The cover is gorgeous, isn’t it? I had very little to do with it other than providing the scenario. Geoff and I had talked briefly about how I envisaged the cover, including an idea around a carved bullroarer, but there were copyright issues associated with using a carver’s unique artwork so we abandoned that idea and left the overall concept to Dean Samed, which was exactly the right decision because the man is a genius. I love the way Dean has paid attention to the detail of the story: the mist, the soldiers in their bush hats and carrying Steyrs. He did a great job with the physiology of my monster stalking the Te Urewera forest, too. I couldn’t imagine a better jacket for Into the Mist. 

Did you always envisage yourself becoming a writer? 

I’ve always written, journaled, blogged (before there was such a thing as blogging), scribbling ideas in notebooks as far back as I can remember. But in primary school, I joined the St John Ambulance cadets, which opened up biology for me and, not realising it was the blood that fascinated me, I went on to become a research scientist instead. It wasn’t until much later, when my children were in school, that I considered making writing my career. 

You touched on some of the research you did (weapons inspection) whilst writing Into the Mist. I'm curious, what was your favourite tidbit of research that you stumbled across? 

Te Urewera is the name of our national park and the spiritual homeland of the Tūhoe tribe. It is also the Māori term for “burned penis” after the war chief Murakareke, who rolled over in his sleep one night, rolling into the fire where he singed his family jewels!

Tell me a random fact about yourself. 

I have a dark mole on my left shoulder. I’m not particularly superstitious, but my mother is Chinese so I’ve always been aware that these are a sign of great burden and responsibility, and the darker they are the heavier the burden, sometimes bringing bad luck to the entire family. Many Chinese recommend having these unfortunate moles removed, but it’s not on my agenda because it’s a great fall back: anything goes wrong, I can blame it on that little mole.  

Hypothetical question… if you were selected to be among the first colonists of Mars what three hardback books would you take? (You can only take 3 due to payload restrictions).  Why? 

As it happens, I applied but didn’t pass the selection criteria for that trip: I’ve had my children, my science degrees are decades old, and tight spaces make me nervous. I can’t cook either, which further limited my chances. Nor do I like the cold and they informed me there would be a few years of uncomfortable cryo-sleep involved. But if, hypothetically, they were to change their minds and a space came up for an archivist or a chronicler or someone to read to the kids when they wake up, then the books I would take are:

Contest – by Matthew Reilly. A timely reminder of what makes us human as we set out for other worlds.

Beneath the Dark Ice – by Greig Beck. For a pure heart-pounding survival adventure. 

New Zealand ‒ by Craig Potton. Photographs of home, because I’m told the landscape on Mars is lacking a little green. 

How did you link up with Cohesion Press?

Polish those pitches, peeps, because my involvement with Cohesion was through the normal query process. I was already in a few Facebook groups with Geoff Brown, and had seen some of the great work Cohesion was putting out, including stories by some of my favourite writers. At that time, Cohesion was closed to submissions for anything other than military monster thrillers, and since the fit was good, I sent them a query for Into the Mist with Military Monster Thriller in the subject line. It worked. Geoff replied warning it would take at least 6 weeks to get back to me, so I was surprised when he replied within the week requesting the full manuscript. Three days later he offered me a contract. There’s no mucking around with Cohesion. 

Best part of being a writer? Worst? 

The best part of being a writer is the community. Writers are amazing people. They’re all aware of how hard it is to make it in this industry, how even the very best writers get nowhere without discoverability, and that to get ahead we need to forget we’re individuals and work together. Most genre writers, I’ve found, are willing to share a post, write a blog, provide a review, or beta a story. Some will go even further. The Baby Teeth project, for example, was a group of writers who banded together to produce great work to promote children’s literacy. Likewise, Steve Dillon’s The Refuge Collection is a current dark fiction charity project involving some gifted writers and artists, all willing to give up their time and skills in support of refugees. 

Also, I like working from home, sometimes in my pyjamas.

The worst part about being a writer in New Zealand that our market is small which has meant all the big players have essentially pulled out, leaving only work by the literary old guard being published or funded. I’m absolutely thrilled that Cohesion has picked up Into the Mist, but at the same time I’m disappointed that I’ve had to cross the ditch to find a publisher for my story. 

Favourite beverage whilst reading?

Tea.

Standard cliché question… best tip for people starting out with their writing? 

Grow a carapace. 

Lee Murray, thank you so much for stopping by! 

For more information about Lee and her work check out her website details below. And I implore you all to go now and pre-order Into the Mist here. It's going to be a cracking read by the sounds of it! 

Lee Murray writes fiction for adults and children. She is a five-time winner of New Zealand’s Sir Julius Vogel Award for science fiction, fantasy and horror, and holds an Australian Shadows Award (with Dan Rabarts) for Best Edited Collection for Baby Teeth: Bite-sized Tales of Terror (Paper Road Press). She is proud to have co-edited six anthologies, including four by New Zealand intermediate and secondary students, as well as At the Edge, a collection of antipodean speculative fiction to be released in June 2016. 

Lee's Website

Lee's Facebook

Cohesion Press Website and Pre-Order Details

Review - Blurring The Line

For awhile now I've been trying to push myself outside of my reading comfort zone. Whilst I generally love all things fantasy, lately I've found myself drawn to things that, in the past, I wouldn't have even taken a look at whilst browsing the bookstore. And that's a good thing... because it has opened up my eyes to a whole raft of new genres, authors, and experiences. So when Blurring the Line popped up on my radar I jumped at the chance to read it. An anthology that explores the grey areas between what is real and what isn't... hell yes! 

From its opening pages Blurring the Line blew me away. From Piccirilli's insightful and poignant Our Doom is Nigh through to the dark and horrific Nita Klune by Rena Mason, Blurring the Line is a wonderful and gripping exploration of the horror (both real and imagined) of our world. Each and every story enthralled me in different ways, from the insanely freaky How Father Bryant Saw the Light by Alan Baxter through to the fascinating and dark take on the riddle of Schrodinger's Cat by Steven Lloyd Wilson (Miskatonic Schrodinger). There are no weak stories in this book, which is a credit to both the editor (Marty Young) and the authors themselves. The non-fiction pieces scattered throughout the anthology are also interesting and creepy (and never detracted from the pacing of the book for me, unlike some others who have read it). I loved reading about the real life inspirations behind so many of our legends and monsters, and it served as a sobering reminder that the fiction we read, and the stories we tell to each other, had to come from somewhere. Those monsters that terrified us as kids (and as adults!) and the urban legends we told around a camp fire, spawned from that grey area between the real and imaginary that Blurring the Line lovingly basks in. This book is not for the faint of heart. It challenges you to think about the potential darkness within yourself and around the world, whilst also shining a light on that darkness where it has been fulfilled. 

Blurring the Line made me uncomfortable (in a good way), and it pushed me through a range of different emotions as I read it. To me that is the litmus test of all good storytelling, where a book can consume you to a point whereby it echoes in your thinking and emotions weeks and months later. Even today, as I write this review, I'm still pondering the questions posed by the book and sorting through the feelings it evoked. 

Blurring the Line is one of the best anthologies I've read in years. It is a fascinating and gritty melting pot of ghost stories, witchcraft, human oddities and monsters. It will challenge you to not only examine the world around you in a different light, but also to examine yourself. Even if you aren't a fan of horror you will still find something wonderful in this book. Blurring the Line is an incredible tome that works its tendrils into your soul.

4 stars out of 5.   

Review - The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

What can I say about The Bands of Mourning that will even come close to describing just how good it is? 

A must read? Another brilliant example of why the Sanderson phenomena continues to explode? Perfect speculative fiction?

All of the above are true. The Bands of Mourning simply continues Sanderson along that upward trend he has been on since the beginning of his career. 

So what did I love about the sixth instalment of Sanderson's Mistborn series? Everything. 

The Bands of Mourning tells the story of Wax, Wayne, and their associates. Following a foiled assassination attempt on Wax and Steris at their wedding, the group are drawn into a mystery and conspiracy involving a pair of mythical metalminds created by the Lord Ruler (the Bands of Mourning). From this frantic beginning all hell subsequently breaks lose. The shadowy organisation known as the Set reappears, and Wax and Wayne set off on a journey to the roughs where they are confronted by a mystery that will change the face of the world. 

The Bands of Mourning is a perfect example of great storytelling. It combines brilliant and fascinating protagonists and antagonists in a world filled with originality and wonder. The plot itself starts at a blistering (yet controlled) pace and never relents until the final page. Sanderson layers mysteries within mysteries in this latest book, yet also answers some of the key questions that fans have been debating since the Shadows of Self was released. 

Wax and Wayne are as loveable as they have always been in this instalment. I adored their continued development, with Sanderson going a long way to flesh out the emotional journey that Wax has undertaken since the Shadows of Self. The humorous wit and banter from these two characters has also improved (Sanderson in general has improved a lot in this regard), with both providing many laugh out loud moments for me. I also adored the growth of Steris in this book. She has gone from being an annoying side character to an integral part of the team, providing many amazing moments throughout the book. 

The world building is, as you'd expect, top notch. Most of the action takes place on the fringes of the Basin in a place called New Seran, which Sanderson brings to life almost easily. Filled with gushing waterfalls, rock formations, and panoramic views, New Seran provides a fascinating expansion to the world of the Mistborn books (there is more, but I won't go into it due to spoilers). The action is also brilliant, with magical battles, gun fights, explosions and... FLYING MACHINES. Throw in a train robbery, and a secret base infiltration, and you have barely scratched the surface of the action. Sanderson has always been a master of writing off the hook action scenes, but in the Bands of Mourning he has levelled up yet again! 

Finally, Sanderson delves further into the Cosmere mythos in this book. Hoid makes an appearance, and mysteries that been looming about the Shards and Odium are further explored. Sanderson continues to stun me with his ambition and scope in regards to the Cosmere, and sleuths looking for clues will find plenty throughout this tale. 

All in all The Bands of Mourning is a brilliant adventure fantasy told within an original and breathtaking world. I loved everything about it, and can't wait until the next book in the series comes out. 

Highly recommend for all speculative fiction fans. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Publisher Spotlight - Cohesion Press

I woke this morning to the some amazing news. Local publisher Cohesion Press announced that they had acquired the rights to the new collaborative monster novel Primordial from Alan Baxter and David Wood.

Monsters... Adventure... Nazis... 

Holy shit. 

*Initiate Kermit Flail*

After I pulled myself together and calmed down (just a little) it got me thinking. Cohesion Press are a local publisher that just keep going from strength to strength, but you still don't hear much about them from local media. So, in order to do my small part I decided to write this post, and shine a light on a local press that are arguably one of the best operating in this country right now. 

So who are Cohesion Press? 

Cohesion Press are a small publisher (but growing rapidly!) based on Beechworth, Victoria. They specialise in publishing military fiction and speculative fiction (horror, dark fantasy, military horror), and have successfully published some of the biggest names in the industry worldwide (Jonathan Maberry, Greig Beck, James A. Moore, Weston Ochse and Kaaron Warren). 

Who runs Cohesion Press? 

The owner and editor-in-chief is Geoff Brown. Geoff is an awesome bloke, and incredibly friendly and approachable. He is also surrounded by other amazing staff members, who can be found here. Together they have formed a dedicated and talented group.  

What makes them special? 

Cohesion constantly strive to not only give their authors the best possible deal in terms of pay, but also are one of the few publishers to give unknown authors a fair and decent crack at the industry. 

Cohesion are also incredibly fan friendly, and try to offer the best prices on their releases. And did I mention the work itself? Cohesion is dedicated to publishing the best writers from the industry, along with an assortment of amazing newcomers. They literally have published the best military horror I've ever read... period.

How can I support Cohesion Press? 

Basically... in a nutshell... buy their books. Not only are you helping them grow, you're giving the big name authors they have published a reason to come back. Buy their books... pre-order them... review them online... tell your friends... plead with your libraries to buy copies for their shelves... and again... BUY THEIR BOOKS. 

What's coming up for Cohesion Press?

Along with the amazing work they have published in the past (see their SNAFU books, American Nocturne, and Blurring the Line) they have some cracking titles coming up. Here are some examples (with links to Amazon if they are available)... 

Into the Mist by Lee Murray.

SNAFU: Future Warfare featuring Weston Ochse and other assorted authors.

Jade Gods by Patrick Freivald. 

SNAFU: Unnatural Selection featuring Michael McBride and other assorted authors. 

Man with the Iron Heart by Mat Nastos. 

And check out these amazing looking covers... damn they are rocking! 

Excited yet? I know I am! If you want to know more, head on over to Cohesion's website. You can find links to their social media accounts there as well... because stalking is ok when it's about books... right? Right?!? 

Geoff also runs a book editing service, and owns an asylum that runs ghost tours and horror movie screenings (how fucking cool is that!?!). I plan on visiting Beechworth once I've summoned up enough courage (don't look at me like that... ghosts are fucking scary!)... and you should too (all details and prices are on the website linked above). 

So yeah, in a nutshell, Cohesion Press are one to watch in the future. They are going places fast, and I implore you all to get on the bandwagon and keep Cohesion bringing us the finest quality speculative fiction and military horror.   

Until next time peeps, be nice to each other and keep on reading. 

Matt