Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Crime Fiction
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Linda, Paranormal Romance Guild
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Back 2 OmniPark, edited by Ben Thomas and Alicia Hilton and published by House Blackwood, is an anthology of horror short stories that explore the mysterious backstory behind OmniPark’s creation.This anthology features brand-new exclusive stories by some of the biggest names in the horror genre - including Jonathan Maberry, Laird Barron, Hailey Piper, Brian Evenson, Kristi DeMeester, John Palisano, A.C. Wise, Gwendolyn Kiste, and many more award-winning masters of the macabre.
Each story in this anthology reveals more of OmniPark’s secret and terrifying history.
How did globe-trotting oil billionaire Dalton Teague meet his wife and co-founder Evelyn - and what did they get up to on their clandestine travels to hostile deserts and jungles? What went on in the top-secret VIP area known as the “Realm Between the Realms?” What was it like to work with the original team of Technosophers? How did the Realm of Mind go so disastrously wrong? What is the true and ultimate purpose behind OmniPark?
The Review
I am a huge fan of anthologies, since it gives me a chance to read stories from authors I am unfamiliar with. This is an anthology of horror short stories, and I will rate each story so that readers can become familiar with new authors.
One is the Only Number: Hailey Piper – 4****Stars
Alonzo is working on the new theme park OmniPark and when he uses his pickaxe to dig holes, he sees a face staring back at him from the hole. Alonzo decides to enter the hole to find the man whose face he saw and discovers something that sets his heart on fire.
Chimera: Alicia Hilton – 5*****Stars
Gwen and Denise are high school students and in love. Both girls were naked and ready for some loving when Gwen’s dad came into the room telling Denise to get dressed, he would drive her home. Denise was found dead, and Gwen was sure her father did it, so she went to a psychic to learn how to find the killer. What resulted from her visit was scary and not something I will discuss; it must be read.
Eat the Rich: Angela Yuriko Smith – 4****Stars
Richard works for Giselle Worthington in The Realm of the Deep exhibit. Giselle is a woman with no tolerance or sympathy, and she takes her anger out on any one around. Richard is convinced that she is doing more harm than good for the fish, but she doesn’t listen. She wants him to increase the heat in the water and he tries. Going against the rules he lights a cigarette near the water and when it lands in the water flames erupt bringing the water to the temperature she wants. Happy with how everything is going she offers Richard a huge bonus, but will he collect it.
The Nebula Quest: Laird Barron – 3.5 Stars
Ace pilot Shaw disappeared, and his daughter was now without the funds he helped her with. Her acting career was over with, and she was penniless hounded by bill collectors. She answered an ad for a Navigator with acting experience for the Nebula Quest event at OmniPark theme park. Their first mission led to meeting aliens and the death of the entire crew except for H Shaw. I am not a huge fan of sci-fi other than TV and movies so take my rating with a grain of salt.
Fossils of Us: John Wiswell – 4****Stars
A story of accepting our past. Teague has sent Erasmus Haymer to meet with Wilma who is supposed to have something to bring back to the park but instead he is almost attacked by a giant monkey and a nudist. He learned to accept our past and teach others who come to the park at the Realm of Man.
Incarnate: Kristi DeMeester – 4****Stars
Jo and her husband Perry moved into a house next door to a house with a reputation of being haunted. When Jo was four years old her little sister disappeared and now, she is convinced her sister is in that house. Teague tore down all the houses for his new theme park except the one Jo is convinced her sister is in.
The Supplier: Kaaron Warren – 4****Stars
Three men went to retrieve a sunken ship and only one returned. They discovered amber panels which brought danger and death.
Blurred Omnipotence: Maxwell I Gold – 4****Stars
Discovering the world has seven realms.
Above and Beyond: John Palisano – 4****Stars
Kate Kelly has come up with a new idea for a ride called Above and Beyond, making someone angry and jealous. Anthony wants to show he is as smart as her, but he fails and that leaves him with only one solution. Bullying in the workplace is as bad as bullying in school but this bullying could result in more than hard feelings.
The Realm Between the Realms: Brian Evenson – 4****Stars
The Realm Between the Realms is experiencing trouble people are coming out transformed from different ears, noses, hands and more. There is danger.
How to Survive a Birthday Party at the Dragonfly Dining Terrace: Gwendolyn Kiste-
Rachel, Anna and Sylvia all work that OmniPark. Rachel works as a waitress at the Dragonfly Dining Terrace, and all are ready for the one-year birthday of the Park. They are all given vitamins, or so they are told until the truth is revealed.
What You Can Do for the Park: Brad Kelly – 4****Stars
A murder at the Park in the Realm of Dreams an exhibit shut down but kept secret when it was still working by underhanded men. What is real and what is a dream?
The Technosopher’s Ball: A.C. Wise – 4****Stars
Hank and Julia are going to Realm of the Stars for the Ball where Hank intends to propose to her. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned but it is the OmniPark Theme Park where things always have a strange way of turning out.
Angel of the Prairie: Brent Winter & Jesse Bullington – 4****Stars
The Realm of Dark where anything can happen.
How I Spent My Summer: Dennis Payne – 4****Stars
Denny is in the fifth grade and has finally gotten to OmniPark. He wanted to go a few years ago but his mother got sick and died and now he is unhappy with the experience.
And What I Saw There Saw Me: Jonathan Maberry – 4****Stars
Mr. Teague has convinced Professor Liz Collier to try the past, so she and two other men go back in time. Going back in time is a scary prospect and can lead to unimaginable chaos and death.
Letter From Evelyn:: 4****Stars
Evelyn Teague writes letters to her husband talking about OmniPark and their hopes for it. She lets out all her feelings.
Eighteen authors contributed to this analogy so there is bound to be something for everyone. Stories about a theme park like no other and not Disney.
4 stars.
The Reviewer
I am an avid reader the mother of 3 sons and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Since retiring I have been doing more reading while volunteering as a CASA worker. CASA is an organization that works with the family court system to ensure that children are in the best living situation. There are way too many children that get overlooked in the foster care system and I visit homes and make visits to the parents. I was born and raised in New York and my husband of 50 years and I live in Upstate New York.
The Paranormal Romance Guild was established in 2009 by 8 Indie Authors and one Reviewer to be a constant help for authors. You can be a free author member, submitting your work for review OR become a Premium Author Member for a small yearly fee and enjoy many extra services including Free Beta Reads, Author Giveaways and many others. Your reviews are posted on our 3 FB Sites, Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram. WE REVIEW ALL GENRES LGBTQ+ welcome.
Check out our website: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/
FB: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/
