PUYB Tour Review: The Noctuary by Greg Chapman

Struggling writer Simon Ryan’s life has gone to Hell.

Shadows are pouring into his reality and his words are not his own anymore. He has been chosen to become a scribe for some of the worst creatures of the Underworld – the ones whose sole purpose is to torment human souls – The Dark Muses.

As Simon writes, he falls deeper into the abyss and before long he has no sense of what is real. With the help of another scribe, old and mutilated, Simon comes to discover that his writing can mould people and places –- that he can write things out of existence.

To become a scribe Simon has to pass a test and the Muses offer him a chance to rewrite his horrible past.

All he has to decide is how the story ends….

About the Author:
Greg Chapman is an emerging dark fiction author from Australia.

In 2009 he was selected in the Australian Horror Writers Association’s Mentor Program under the tutelage of Melbourne author Brett McBean.

Since then he has had short stories published in The Absent Willow Review, Trembles Magazine and Morpheus Tales and Eclecticism.

Damnation Books published his first novella “Torment” in March 2011 and will release his second, “The Noctuary” in December 2011.

Apart from his writing ability, Chapman is also an accomplished horror artist with publication credits in Midnight Echo Magazine and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. He is currently illustrating a graphic novel for horror authors Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, to be published by McFarland in early 2012.

My Review:
The Noctuary. Wow. Where do I start about this novella? Well, for starters, it’s C-R-E-E-P-Y. It’s fantastically written and filled with every creepy element that a well written horror story should have. Greg Chapman is an amazing author and fits into the horror realm perfectly.

Sitting down to read this, I was expecting great things from the sounds of the book. I wasn’t disappointed.  This is a novella that is best read at night, with ALL the lights on. It’s THAT deeply horrifying.

Simon isn’t Simon anymore. Someone is messing with his mind….or so he thinks. He’s writing stories, but somehow, those stories are becoming reality. Someone wants Simon for their Muse, in a deep, dark, terrifying underworld. Will Simon take the leap? His life is becoming filled with demons, filled with struggles that only HE can change. But, what will happen before he changes his life?

With amazing twists, amazing turns, and one horrific plot line, this story will suck you into the deep recesses of a demonic underworld. You’ll follow along side Simon and you’ll be looking over your shoulder at every noise. Every shadow becomes a demon as you sit there reading this 5 Book worthy novella. I can’t wait to read more of this awesometastically talented author!