LOGAN VS ECHOES OF THE FORGOTTEN: BLACKWOOD

Logan digs up Angel R. Sanchez’s entry into Broken Spines’ Echoes of the Forgotten collection, BLACKWOOD, and asks if it needs to be buried.

TITLE: Echoes of the Forgotten: Blackwood

AUTHOR: Angel R. Sanchez

GENRE: Folk Horror

PAGES: 246

FORMAT: E-book/Paperback

PRICE: $10.99 paperback, $2.99 e-book

Have you ever thought about your heritage? Where do you come from? What secrets may there be? Have you ever thought what repercussions may come from your ancestors? Especially, when you don’t truly know who they may have been, and what evil they may have messed with. What did they conjure? 

This is the basic premise of Blackwood by Angel R. Sanchez. This book is part of the larger Echoes of the Forgotten collection by the Broken Spines collective of Authors. Each story plays with the idea of what may be forgotten or lost in the past. The premise of the collection is something I enjoy and explore in my own work. Angel knocks this trope out of the park. 

We are introduced to Jess and Kathy, who are returning home after the death of their father. However, Blackwood Hollow has been waiting for them, and they are the last remnants of a Bloodline. Leaving them alone to deal with a curse they never knew existed. 

Returning home should’ve been simple, all they needed to do was deal with their dad’s estate. They were even contemplating one of them living in the house, but of course that was not destined. Not to mention the sisters were not on the best of terms. As they move through their memories, and Jess is confronted by dreams of the burning of a witch. The question becomes, what’s real and what’s not?

Angel does a fantastic job creating the strife between the sisters. Showing their reunion is not a happy one. Both blame the other for the past. Which mimics how real interpersonal relationships can fall apart.

The townspeople also exist to be more than just there, they serve a purpose, even if it is simply to give information the sisters need. “Don’t go in the woods.” Is the sentiment given to the sisters, but as always happens in horror one of them doesn’t listen. Thus, and adventure begins to prevent the vengeful spirit of the witch from getting what she wants. Which seems to be revenge. 

The pacing is impeccable, jumping from moment to moment quickly, while also stopping long enough to get those great character-building moments every book needs. The beginning may be slow to some, but truly it is a fantastic, unique read that not only explores the echoes of a collective past, but a world of vengeful supernaturalism that feels like it really exists. 

Grab this book today! Or she will find you.

Logan Patrick has earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association, and author of The Disappearing of Three Forks, and has been included in the Horrorzine. As well as a collection, Marked: Tales of S.T.A.N.G.E., Logan has a background in theater, from acting to directing. As well as a play that is still in development.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.

Leaves rustle beneath my feet as I attempt to leave our visit to Blackwood. Something screamed in the night, and four fires rage around me. In a poof, my heart stops. No pain, No screams. 

I’m just,

Gone.