The Island 2nd edition horror anthology is available on Amazon. For the first time, The Island is in paperback as well as on Kindle.
In addition to the original tales – The Island and One Autumn in Kane Grove – which anchor this highly-rated anthology, Padavona’s new slasher novelette Treman Mills is included in this 2nd edition special release.
What was Padavona’s motivation for re-releasing The Island with Treman Mills filling out this horror anthology?
“After completing the Dark Vanishing series,” Padavona said, “I hadn’t written a true dark horror story since I penned The Island after Storberry’s release. Though I’m proud of Dark Vanishings, my roots are deep in slasher and dark horror. It was time I returned.”
From the back cover:
The Island – A man and his son lost at sea take refuge on an uncharted island. As they struggle to find a way back to civilization, they discover disturbing sights: colossal webs that stretch across whole sections of jungle canopy, lack of insect life, and within a strange cave, an undiscovered, terrifying breed of spider. If spiders unsettle you, this story will have you squirming through the finale.
One Autumn in Kane Grove – Someone is stalking the dark passages of Kane Grove University, murdering its women. When the murdered disappear from their graves, some of the students whisper the word, “vampire”. Is something supernatural responsible for the grisly killings? Short and sweet, this foreboding tale has a chilling ending. Read it with the lights low.
Treman Mills – Hurrying to get home before dark, Rachel and Charlie take a shortcut through the dangerous section of Treman Mills, a town where five brutal, unsolved murders have occurred in the last year. When the Black Thorns gang catches them on the wrong side of town, Rachel and Charlie flee into an abandoned building. But they are not alone in the darkness.
“The Island” by Dan Padavona is a gripping tale of survival that delves deep into the primal fears of man. At its heart, it is a story about a father and son, stranded in an environment that is as alien as it is dangerous. While the vastness of the ocean is an ever-present threat, it is the seemingly idyllic island that becomes the true crucible of terror.
Padavona masterfully weaves a narrative where the natural beauty of the island is juxtaposed with the lurking dangers that lie just beneath the surface. The discovery of the colossal webs and the eerie absence of insect life serve as foreboding harbingers of the nightmares to come. Yet, it is the discovery within the cave that truly amplifies the horror, introducing readers to a new breed of spider, one that is as terrifying as it is fascinating.
Padavona’s writing style is atmospheric and suspenseful, effectively drawing the reader into the oppressive environment of the island. His meticulous detailing of the setting, combined with the slowly unraveling mysteries, makes “The Island” a page-turner. The relationship between the father and son adds an emotional depth to the story, making the stakes even higher.
The spiders, as the central antagonists, are not merely mindless creatures; they are symbols of the unknown and the uncontrollable elements of nature. Their presence serves as a constant reminder of the fragility of human existence and our vulnerability when confronted with the raw, uncharted territories of the world. For readers with a fear of spiders, “The Island” becomes an exercise in facing one’s deepest fears, and for others, it stands as a testament to the unpredictability and beauty of the natural world.
“One Autumn in Kane Grove” by Dan Padavona is a chilling exploration of fear, superstition, and the shadows that lie within academic halls. Set against the backdrop of the esteemed Kane Grove University, the story’s environment is rife with a juxtaposition of young intellects seeking enlightenment and the ominous darkness that is stalking them.
The unsettling occurrences of murders, followed by the mysterious disappearances of the dead bodies, weave a thick tapestry of suspense and dread. As rumors spread and whispers of “vampires” grow louder, Padavona cleverly blends elements of classic gothic horror with contemporary university life. The reader is left in suspense, questioning whether the true culprit is a sinister supernatural entity or something equally horrifying but grounded in reality.
Padavona’s narrative in “One Autumn in Kane Grove” is as atmospheric as it is compelling. He taps into the primal fear of the unknown, infusing the story with a sense of relentless dread that crescendos to its harrowing conclusion. By instructing readers to “read it with the lights low,” Padavona acknowledges the immersive nature of his storytelling, ensuring that the ambient setting amplifies the tension of the narrative.
The idea of a possible vampire at an institution of higher learning challenges the contrast between logic and superstition, rationality and fear, forcing readers to confront their own beliefs about the supernatural. The chilling ending, succinct yet impactful, ensures that the tale lingers in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned.
“Treman Mills” by Dan Padavona is a suspense-filled thriller that plunges its characters, and readers, into the very heart of darkness and danger. Set in the ominous backdrop of a town haunted by a series of brutal unsolved murders, Padavona masterfully crafts an atmosphere thick with dread.
At its core, the narrative revolves around the protagonists, Rachel and Charlie, whose simple decision to take a shortcut sees them caught in a whirlwind of terror. The Black Thorns gang, menacing and relentless, is but the tip of the iceberg. As Rachel and Charlie find sanctuary in an abandoned building, the true horror of their situation unfurls. The building, it seems, is not as empty as they had hoped, and the lurking presence promises dangers far more sinister than any gang.
Padavona’s “Treman Mills” brilliantly plays with elements of urban legends, societal fears, and the innate human dread of the unknown. The town’s haunting past serves as a constant, lingering threat, casting long shadows over the unfolding events. Every rustle, every silence, becomes an omen of the lurking menace.
Pick up this horror anthology now at Amazon.