New Book Alert: Horn(y): A Shadow Spark Publishing Anthology by Erika McCorkle, Kaitlin Corvus et al; Sexy Sultry Sinister Erotic Anthology
By Julie Sara Porter
Bookworm Reviews
Warning: This review contains mature themes, particularly sexual content and is very upfront about such terms. Reader discretion is advised.
Spoilers: If you title an erotic anthology, Horn(y), it damn well better be.
Luckily This Shadow Sparks Publishing Anthology by various authors is very. It is also sexy, sultry, sinister, and even satiric at times. The authors concocted an interesting blend of Supernatural Horror and Dark Fantasy Erotic novellas that mostly involve affairs between mortals and supernatural beings. These are stories that will spice up any late night reading and fulfill many a dark subterranean fantasy.
The stories are:
“You Cannot Serve Both God and Mammon” by Erika McCorkle
One of my favorite books that I read last year was McCorkle’s Merchants of Knowledge and Magic, a Science Fiction/Fantasy set in the Pentagonal Dominion's, which seemed to consist of characters and settings that came from every Reader's fever dream. It was a creative unique experience with a lot of fascinating touches. Among them is the distinct lack of human or humanoid characters. There are subtle hints that Earth exists in this universe but does not play a large role and by the same token neither do its residents.
According to McCorkle's novella, “You Cannot Serve Both God and Mammon,” Earth isn't as far away from the Pentagonal Dimensions as originally thought. In fact, we learn that Earth is the old stomping grounds of Simon Williford, the Demon of Ignorance, the god-like being that is often on hand to aid the likes of the novel’s protagonists, Calinthe Erytrichos and Zakuro “Pom” Rathmusen.
Turns out that Williford had a prosaic beginning. He was once a typical Christian man who made a deal with the Devil for immortality, devilish magic powers, charming good looks, and an, ahem, little big friend that wouldn’t quit. The results of this deal are that he turned into a low level demon. Williford’s Earth Christian origins explains much of his behavior in the rest of the series such as why he is familiar with Welsh slang and seems more human as compared to the other characters.
Most of “God and Mammon” consists of Williford getting used to his new surroundings and abilities, particularly coming between Lucognidus, the Conqueror God, and the Demon Lord, Emberdyme. The power plays between the various deities become a comedy of errors from another dimension where the characters use magic, demonic possession, shape shifting, and the power of their own sexuality to ally alongside of, compete with, or outdo each other. This pantheon makes the gods and goddesses from Greek Mythology look like a well adjusted loyal happy family. Of course what do you expect from gods with titles like Ignorance, Selfishness, and Insanity?
Williford emerges as a well formed character more than the weird deus ex machina guide that he was previously. We learn about his past life on Earth, even his former girlfriend, Julie, and how he adjusted to his new normal by allying with more powerful gods and demons, including sleeping with the gay, Emberdyme. But he finds the ultimate test from Mammon, the Lord of Greed, who has one important card to play against the new deity on the block. Reading this story gives more drama and depth to a character who had previously been a comic relief guide. Turns out by the end, Williford is as cunning, manipulative, powerful, and sexually charged as the rest of the pantheon and will fit in fine in the Pentagonal Dominion.
Because of the layer of familiarity and depth to this world and the transformation of one of its supporting characters turned protagonist, this story is my favorite in the anthology.
“Mirror, Mirror” by Kaitlin Corvus
From another fantastic dimension to a more Earthly subgenre, the Gothic Dark Fantasy, “Mirror Mirror” owes a large debt to works like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and Dracula where there is a creepy manor and sinister potential supernatural goings on occur.
Inside Vesper Manor, Amber Strong senses a strange presence watching her and speaking to her through a mirror. This presence is part of a curse that has haunted the manor for generations.
She senses that the presence is evil but mesmerizing. If it's covered by a black shroud, whatever it is can't come through. One day, after her chores, Amber's curiosity gets the better of her and she uncovers the shroud. Through it appears a demonic figure named Rasp.
Amber's fascination with Rasp turns into lust and then obsession. When Rasp wants to get rid of strangers in the house, including Amber's cousin, Katya, Amber is mind raped to comply.
The relationship between Rasp and Amber is practically one of abuse. Rasp violates Amber and leaves her longing for more to the point of isolating her from others and sacrificing the people around her.
One could say that this is a metaphor for domestic violence and how the abuser appears charismatic and charming on the surface but upon further investigation, the abused sees a monster who dominates, manipulates, and isolates them.
While many of the romances and pairings in this anthology are the right kind of sexy and sultry by opening up desires and passions that the characters never before experienced, “Mirror Mirror,” shows the dangers when one is opened up to that passion by someone who wants to use and exploit them. It is not an equal partnership but instead becomes an imbalance where one of the parties controls the other. Amber reverts to becoming Rasp’s servant, ready to bring a body to him and continue the family curse at Vesper Manor.
“Me and My Demon King” by Reyna Faith
This puts new meaning to the sexual term “I want you inside of me.” In this case, the Demon King needs a vessel or a body to inhabit. Many candidates have been unworthy and are violently murdered. The King's Army is heading straight for Serpens Way, home of the narrator, Csilla and her lover, Arylia. If a vessel is not found, disaster would befall everyone. Rather than stick around to witness the violent graphic finish, Arylia suggests that she and Csilla run away. However, the approaching hoofbeats and falling bodies suggest that it's already too late.
While this story is as erotic as the others, there is also an emphasis on violence and suspense. The failed sacrifices’ deaths are particularly bloody and nightmarish. This is a Demon King that does not play nice. It is also a story that asks difficult ethical questions of its characters. Do you throw others under the carriage for the chance to live another day? Would you sacrifice yourself so those you love can survive?
Once the decision is made, it becomes an emotional tug of war between the new vessel and the friends and lovers that they once knew. They also realize that not all is as it seems and there is more than one villain at play in this sacrifice scenario. The twists are too numerous to get into but they definitely make this story worth reading until the end.
The main sexual biplay is between Csilla and Arylia, two characters who are devoted to each other. It is less of lust and fulfilling desires than it is a declaration of love no matter what form that they take with each other.
“Oh Hell Yes” by Eric Avedissian
This novella is more than tongue in cheek. It is a brilliant satire which shows that even in Hell, there is plenty to laugh at.
From the first chapter when the innocent hitchhiker/creepy driver trope is turned on its head, the Reader knows that they are in for a devilish good time. This is the type of story in which Hell has a torture game show and one of the levels is playing “The Floor is Lava” with a literal lava floor and the grand prize is…a lesser torture. Where Lucifer's daughter, Ruby, goes out to Earth to capture wayward demons and still complains that she's bored so she gets a new job of torturing people.
“Oh Hell Yes,” is the type of story that is less interested in plot and more interested in atmosphere. Avedissian definitely had some wild ideas about how Hell would be depicted and wanted to show it off. It definitely has a fun grim savage sense of humor. One of Ruby's torture victims, Fausto, wants to order a pizza but since he knows it's Hell, he’ll stick with pineapple toppings.
Another great moment is when Fausto winds up possessing the body of a deceased occultist, Jasper Pryne, and Ruby has to find him. She is not appalled by the occultist's use of magic to summon her father or that his wife tried to murder him. She is upset that Pryne used various spells from Gardnerian Wicca to Leveyite Satanism with no clear direction on which path or how to use them. It's one thing to summon demons but to do it in a sloppy manner, now that's just wrong.
Of course where there are demons from Hell, there is always going to be the opposition and it comes in the form of Rev. Atticus Jeffords and his followers. They are after not only Jasper but the demon who possessed him. Ruby and Fausto have a time interrogating the not so good Rev. who is certainly a hypocrite who cares more about the bottom line but hey if Fausto can get out of Hell, he will join the Hallelujah chorus if need be.
However, the denizens of Hell have their own way of dealing with religious hypocrisy.
The sexual tension between Fausto and the demons, particularly Ruby, is insurmountable as they go from hating each other, to understanding one another, to punishing and rewarding each other. The sex serves as magic to bind them to one another for all eternity. It's a strange union that somehow works.
“Incubusker” by Benjamin Langley
Already this is an interesting concept based on the title alone. It is a portmanteau of incubus, a male demon who drains human females of energy and busker, a musician who performs on the streets, bus stops, subway stations, and other urban areas for money. So we already have a hint that we have a potentially charming seductive demon with musical talent.
Stephanie Parris just broke up with her former fiance and is in the process of burning his stuff. Getting rid of the remnants of her ex, Stephanie is hypnotized by a busker that plays a guitar late at night. The music arouses her and gives her sexual orgasmic energy. She becomes obsessed with seeing him again and even hears his music when he isn't near her. It's almost like the busker has some power over her. When she sees him again and he smiles with a forked tongue, it becomes clear that he is not a common ordinary street musician.
While Stephanie tries to live a normal life, dating regular men like Eric, she also finds herself torn between the reality of men like Eric and fantasy of the busker. Men like Eric give her the usual date and questions on whether this relationship is going anywhere. It's almost painted by ordinary numbers.
The busker represents her darkest fantasies. It's no coincidence that she gets aroused and explores her body after he plays. The busker awakens feelings inside her that she never before felt. These passions spill over onto the other men as they mysteriously disappear.
When Stephanie and the busker finally meet each other, it becomes a release of tension and turns the fantasy into reality. The busker has a name, Gus, and has a more normal appearance. He might never have been a demon. But there is something sensual and sinister about him. He delights in controlling and maintaining a hold on Stephanie.
It's not too long before she realizes that she ended one troubled relationship and embarked on another, one that as passionate as it is, needs to end before she loses herself entirely.
“Tell Me Where It Hurts” by Azshure Raine
And we’re back in Hell. This time we get into the inner workings of Lilith. The infamous demoness runs her domain like a dominatrix and CEO who is all about business and that business is pain.
During her time of doling out punishments and discipline, she gets an odd request from Gabriel. Yes, that Gabriel from Heaven, Angel of Annunciation, and has a way with a trumpet. He needs to work out his “kinks.”
This encounter shakes Lilith. What begins as a game of erotic one-up ship from one enemy to another becomes more internal than Lilith perceived. She tries to return to her former life like having sex with willing subordinates and sparring/making out with her ex, Lucifer. But she is definitely shaken. Gabriel’s touch wakes something within her.
Love between an angel and demon is nothing new, most recently explored in Good Omens. This story gives it a slight edge as Lilith questions the underworld around her and why if she's a demon, she possesses such emotions or why she is even capable of feeling them.
It's a nice reversal of gender roles with the female character as the more dominant and guarded and the male as the more vulnerable and emotional but since Lilith is a demon and Gabriel is an angel, it makes sense. In her dungeon, Lilith is used to being in control, leading everyone around her. But Gabriel opens up parts of her that she thought never existed.
With Gabriel, Lilith opens herself to things like dates and romance, concepts that are foreign to her. She is confused when he says that she is brave and in her own way, she keeps Hell’s citizens happy. After all, those who go to see her want to be there. In his own way, Gabriel is dominating her.
Things come to a head when Lucifer gets involved and he is not a demon who will take no for an answer. This leaves Lilith to make a decision between her life in Hell and her own demonic heart.
“But I Have a Boyfriend” by Salem Wolfe
The life and loves of a succubus can be difficult, just ask Emily. This novella reads almost like a sitcom from another dimension where Emily works at a bookstore and hangs out at a record store that sells Hell’s best or worst music and a pizza place. She also avoids her mother’s succubus classes and flirts with locals like one she dubs “Cute Demon.” It turns out “Cute Demon” has a name, Steven and he and Emily have a lot of chemistry. Emily is just like any young twenty something…except she is a demon who sucks the life out of mortal men. But hey, we all have hobbies.
Instead of horror, this one is more lighthearted than the others. There is a dark humor when the characters talk like the cast of Friends and then throw in a reference to remind you that they are demons. (“Does Sara like me? Oh yeah, and did you see that guy get thrown in the River Styx? That was awesome!”)
It's more like life if you were a regular run of the mill demon, working 9 to 5 tempting mortals, and going to the bar for a literal Blood of the Virgin. It's a cute and silly concept but somehow works.
Unfortunately, Emily has to investigate her love life when her relationship with Steven increases. She can’t have open sex with multiple partners because she has a boyfriend. Well, that's just a disgrace to her succubus forebears.
Emily's moments with Steven are surprisingly sweet as though they were any other couple. Their relationship filters out into other characters making Hell a surprisingly romantic place.
It's a peculiar final story that ends an anthology that is hot, steamy, sexy, and funny, and surprisingly sweet.
