The Scary Reviews

Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

It’s as easy getting settled into this story as your favorite chair, but don’t count on it being nearly as comfortable. Erik Hofstatter quickly sets a tone of unease, uncertainty and struggle for young boy in a new country. Aleš, and his mother Irena are strangers in a strange land. Aleš learns the hard truths and differences that exist from being an outsider. I could feel Aleš’ angst and I was shocked at how fast I found myself caring about this little thirteen year old boy that I’d only met him 10 pages ago! Every encounter he had gave me a shutter of anxiety. I didn’t know if he would be victim to some horrible event while his mother tried to get them settled into their new life. I forgot what it was like to learn the lessons of love and heartache that we all went through at this age. Sadly, it doesn’t get any easier and Erik made the point come through in vivid color and detail. The world is cold, hard and crushing, but it’s nothing compared to the feelings of love. These are hard facts to learn, especially at thirteen. This was a great read with great characters and it was so well told.

Book Info

Length: 100 Pages

Publisher: Parallel Universe Publications

Release date: November 12, 2017

To Purchase The Crabian Heart Click Here

Irena and her thirteen-year-old son Aleš are refugees living in a lonely seaside town of Dover, England. Aleš has never seen an ocean, let alone one that glows purple when he’s nearby. On a local beach, he befriends the ostensible Mother of Crabs, an amputee with rigid demeanour and unequivocal warnings. Soon, purple crustaceans crawl behind his every step and women with pincers threaten to recondition his sensitive heart.

Erik Hofstatter, biography

Erik Hofstatter is a dark fiction writer and a member of the Horror Writers Association. Born in the wild lands of the Czech Republic, he roamed Europe before subsequently settling on English shores, studying creative writing at the London School of Journalism. He now dwells in Kent, where he can be encountered consuming copious amounts of mead and tyrannizing local peasantry. His work appeared in various magazines and podcasts around the world such as Morpheus Tales, Crystal Lake Publishing, The Literary Hatchet, Sanitarium Magazine, Wicked Library, Tales to Terrify and Manor House Show. Other works include The Pariahs, Amaranthine and Other Stories, Katerina, Moribund Tales and Rare Breeds.