Heather’s Bookshelf: Red Hail
Author: Jamie Killen
Released: 1/21/2020
Genre: Dark Science Fiction
“You’re right.” Alonzo sighed. “We just have to keep going with this. Magic, possession, whatever—we keep researching it all. What other choice do we have?”
“Red Hail” is a dual time line intertwined storyline - one in 1960 and a second in 2020. The 1960 story follows Anza a young woman who finds herself in the middle of a community paralyzed by terror as their loved ones fall ill with a mysterious ailment. The 2020 story follows Colin, a sociology professor who studied the events of the “Galina Plagues” (original storyline) and met the love of his life, Alonzo, while interviewing the descendants of those that lived through it.
The 1960 timeline follows Anza as she joins Dove and Father Santiago in the investigation of what is happening in their town. While investigating the strange affliction they encounter racism and religious fanaticism. The three truth seekers must make some hard decisions if they are going to save themselves and their town.
The 2020 timeline follows Colin and Alonzo as they also investigate what happened in 1960 - in order to find out what is happening to them. Joining them is Sonia, a feisty and independent single mother who finds that both she and her son are experiencing the same symptoms as Alonzo. The trio soon learn that they are not the only descendants of the Galina Plagues to experience these symptoms and set out to figure out what and why this is happening to them.
This book has a seriously high creepy factor. The descriptions of the events and especially the Naming, Statuing, and Dancing Sickness are down right disturbing. There are a couple of scenes that made me cringe (in the greatest way). The dual time lines and points of view are done so well that you forget you are reading two entirely different stories- they are woven in seemlessly.
Fair Warning: This book contains a high creep factor, sexual situations, adult language, racism…it’s an adult novel- not graphic- but not for everybody.
Overall, I loved this book. It was so intriguing and so creepy that I fought with myself on if I should keep reading or put the book down so that I could sleep. The main characters were endearing and the depictions of their emotions and dilemmas was realistic and well thought out. The descriptions of the symptoms of the plague were vivid and disturbing. A sci-fi with horror elements that keeps you guessing.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A super creepy sci-fi that masterfully combines two storylines into one character-driven and thought-provoking thriller.
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