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Marked - Stuart Park
Venus and her sister planet concludes their 3,000 year cycle. Stargazers amass to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event, but not Mark, his life is about to change.
Mark's chance encounter with the cold but intangibly-carnal Kiko sets him plummeting into free-fall. Kim, his emphatic but emotionally-charged wife moonlights with a shadowy organisation whose intentions are far from transparent. She needs to blame someone for the disappearance of their daughter twenty years ago. No solace is offered by her egocentric therapist who's engrossed in his own agenda.
Plagued by visions, Mark struggles to maintain his grip on reality and descends into a vividly-violent web of darkness. As Mark's world spirals beyond his control, it's quite possible this cycle will not end smoothly.
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The people that made this book possible
Clare Robertson for her proof-reading, the chapter page (turtle) illustration and support.
Willemijn Barker-Benfield for her proof-reading and feedback.
Miho Tse for her translation advice.
Jorge Wiles for his cover illustration.
Justin Park for his proof-reading, support and guidance along this journey.
Not forgetting the now famous Trevor Kent for his quote, which became the concept for the whole book.
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| Release: 6th August 2016 |
| Publisher: Sinister Horror Company |
| ISBN-10: 0993592694 |
| ISBN-13: 978-0993592690 |
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Reviews
"Marked is a mix of horror, fantasy and sci-fi. In layman’s terms this book will make you feel like your subconscious produced a demon and it’s now coursing at high speed through your brain planting a proper trippy nightmare."
"Every page is a surprise and up yours overused tropes and unoriginal plots."
"He knows how to capture you into the story’s web and keep you in the environment, no matter how much you squirm and try to get free. The sounds, the images, the feelings- they’re all so crystal clear. So very clear. If I was to ever write a book, I would want to have Stuart’s skill in painting a picture with words. Brilliant."
Full review: Cover to Cover
"I couldn't help but think that if this story was on the big screen, Mark would be played by Bruce Willis. It had the sort of psychedelic atmosphere to it that would befit one of his movies. You know the ones I mean. The ones where only Bruce could do them justice. Twelve Monkeys or The Fifth Element style of film."
"The writing is fluid and intelligent. It makes it very easy for the reader to follow the story."
"I was intrigued from start to finish and to be honest, I still am. Maybe there is more to come in this story that will explain all. I don't know, but I hope so."
Full review: Confessions of a Reviewer
"The narrative actually works really well and makes you pay close attention to the story."
"If you enjoy a challenging read then this is the novella for you. It's a little like being inside a washing machine and it took me out of my reading comfort zone, but, after all, isn't that what we want dark fiction to do?"
Full Review: Beavis The Bookhead
"This, for want of better words is an absolute head fuck of a book that will tie your brain up in Gordian knots trying to decipher what it is all about."
"It is disorientating and disturbing whilst also being hypnotic and seductive."
"There's a certain point where I thought that maybe Park is just fucking with my head and the little details that pointed towards some sort of explanation were just red herrings and the answer is staring me straight in the face."
"Marked for me was really quite a startling and disorientating book. What I would suggest is that you do keep your eyes open for more of Stuart Park's writing, it's really rather good."
Full Review: Ginger Nuts of Horror
"Park's kept his eye on the ball as far as keeping the roaming storyline fresh, energetic and engaging – delivering a tight and utterly compelling read which draws you in with an assassin like stealth."
"Think David Lynch meets 'Falling Down' (1993), with a strange Japanese underworld twist on the whole thing. Yeah - it's that much of a damn quirky read."
"Even though the pace might be galloping along at a hundred miles a minute, if you don't keep your wits about you throughout the unfolding madness, you're likely to miss a key ingredient to this wonderfully elaborate cocktail."
"However, it's not all thought-provoking Lynch-esque strangeness that's crying out for deciphering. Park's also injected in a healthy dose of dry wit – often laced with a smart social commentary – into the mix."
"There's so much to see, to feel, to experience, if only you can keep swimming deeper into the abyss. But of course eventually you need to come up for air, and when you do, you realise how utterly mystifying it all is. But you can't help but want to dive in again for some more of that truly wonderful madness."
Full Review: DLS Reviews
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Links |
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The Sinister Horror Company is an independent UK publisher of genre fiction founded by Daniel Marc Chant, Duncan P Bradshaw and J R Park. Their mission a simple one – to write, publish and launch innovative and exciting genre fiction by themselves and others.
For more details please visit: Sinister Horror Company
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