For those who don’t remember or were too young to experience the decade first-hand, the 1980’s were rad.

Merely mentioning the Old West arouses near-legendary associations singularly embedded in the collective American consciousness. That era of Manifest Destiny, of painted vistas and unending horizons.

We’re all haunted by the past. Regrets and failings, the near-misses and might-have-beens. The trauma of abuse, too, whether it be emotional, mental, or physical, can linger long after the deeds themselves are done.

For what is horror, really, than a story about evil of one sort or other? —Halloween director John Carpenter, Fangoria magazine, March 2001

“I’m taking a ride With my best friend I hope he never lets me down again He knows where he’s taking me Taking me where I want to be I’m taking a ride With my best friend” — Depeche Mode, “Never Let Me Down Again”

Across the ages, many have tried to answer that fundamental question: What mysteries lurk within the human heart? Innumerable creative minds have attempted to satisfy the inquiry through literature, song, theater and film, but none more so than the humble poet.

The Problem of Evil is one that has perplexed philosophers and theologians since time immemorial. The question itself is simple—Why does wickedness exist?—but settling on a single solution isn’t as straightforward.

Winter. The word conjures snowball fights and sledding, Christmas displays and lazy days spent home from school. Yet grim shades lurk beneath those cheery wonderland joys. Winter is the time when daylight dwindles and skies darken with overcast gloom.

by Michael McKown

Dozens of books are reviewed here at Critical Blast each year. Given that the site was founded upon the principle of exposing independently produced genre works to a wider audience, most featured books are of a decidedly science fiction, fantasy, or horror nature.