The Serpents of Eden (Running Wild Press)
by R.W. Goldsmith
Artist Clay Middleton lives in a very tiny town in the Southwest USA. After years of living as an eccentric recluse he’s suddenly caring for his grandson, Dylan. Dylan’s dad is missing and presumed dead; his depressed mother—Clay’s daughter—disappeared recently and he has been telling the kid she is getting treatment somewhere and does not know how to break the news that she’s just run off.
They find puzzling clues about his mother’s disappearance in a cave with ancient wall paintings. Then, in a swirl of blue light, three improbable beings show up, overpower him, and make off with his grandson. In another swirl of light they are gone, but they inadvertently drag Clay with them
Clay pursues them through various worlds that are deformed, sick ,and dying. I’m going to have to ask people not to send me horror to review because these worlds are pretty horrific, but he gets an ally in the first of these worlds—a person who, like in his home world, is a paranormal investigator and a geeky nerd. They follow the not-quite-human kidnappers through more worlds and the stakes slowly reveal themselves: if they don’t stop who sent the beast-beings, all worlds may cease to exist.
The Serpents of Eden held my interest even as it sometimes grossed me out (add a star if you love horror; I don’t). The dark humor and the heart in this book pulled me through to its satisfying conclusion! It’s long, but never drags. If you like dark fantasy, this book’s for you.
—Wendy S. Delmater