Hunter Shea is one of my go to horror authors for fun romp and chomp type cheesy horror, but Creatures is not like that at all. I feel it’s hard to wrap my fillings around this one because it’s personal to the author and so I don’t want to make light of it in any way.

It’s about Kate who has a bunch of autoimmune diseases plus some other things. Every day is a trial and full of pain. Her husband Andrew who is working a mundane job just so they can have the proper medical care. She feels bad for her husband and often wonders if he should just leave her and have a better life.

One day he surprises her with a trip to their dream cabin in Maine, it’s a way to recoup during the summer after she had a horrible round of shots that are just really shocking her system and causing a lot of pain. She is so happy to be going away and hopes that maybe they can have a good time while there.

While they are there though she doesn’t get to have many good days and on top of that she starts hearing strange noises. Andrew hears them to so at least she knows it’s not just her. They start to get worse and worse to the point that they thought about leaving. Then Andrew surprises her with bringing her brother and his wife to the cabin for the fourth of July.

Things start to ramp up then and in the end it becomes the type of books I expect from Shea with a bunch of action and gore, but that is only the last like maybe 30% of the story.

The rest of the story is all about Kate and Andrew dealing with the disease that has ripped their lives apart. I am not a huge fan of reading about hard to deal with real life things. It’s hard for me to connect with the characters. I know she is fighting hard disease but I just wasn’t a fan of hers. I much more liked and maybe even sympathised more with Andrew. This story has more depth of character than I am use to which is probably a lot of my problem as I am more of a plot person and I like a fast moving plot. So I found myself very bored throughout the whole book till we get to the fast moving action packed gorefest at the end.

I really liked Andrew and feel like his devotion to his wife is what made me enjoy the story. Everything he goes through to try and keep his wife safe and with him, etc. He is a very strong character and I think it takes a strong person and a strong love to be able to deal with and take care of a spouse who has such a horrible disease. I also loved Kate’s brother Ryker he was pretty awesome!

I know I feel like I have said a lot but not said anything at all and I think it’s because I feel if I do say more about the story it could spoil things. So I rambled. 🙂

Now after saying all that I didn’t totally hate Creatures by any means it was just not what I normally expect from Shea as most of the books of his I have read have been very action filled and to the point. I also don’t want to make light of any of the content because it’s a very close subject for the author and very personal to him.

I think this is a story that you are better with just trying it out and seeing if you liked it because most of my friends liked it better than me which makes me think I just lack a lot of empathy when it comes to touchy subjects.

3.5 stars

Monsters come in different shapes

Kate and her husband, Andrew, live in New Jersey where Kate has been "living" with two terrible auto immune diseases for years. And Andrew is her caretaker. Kate is in terrible pain - both from the diseases and also from the treatments.

They are both getting worn out - and angry. And sad. And so many conflicting emotions. Andrew decides to rent a cottage on a lake for the summer in Maine to see if that change is beneficial for both of them. He takes unpaid leave from work and they head north, along with their dog.

And they find they aren't the only ones there.

I'm used to Hunter Shea writing monster books and I've enjoyed many of them. I did not expect this book or the impact it would have on me. I too suffer from more than one debilitating diseases and Shea wrote a deeply personal book with CREATURE. It's told from the perspective of both Kate and her inner pain, turmoil, and suffering, and it's also told from the perspective of Andrew, her caretaker and it takes into account the suffering the caretaker goes through too. Physical pain, emotional pain, anger, rage, grief, disillusionment and so much more from both parties is shown.

I felt like this book echoed so much of my life over the last many years. It was very moving. And because it's written by Hunter Shea it's creepy, gory, and scary too.

Thank you, Mr. Shea for writing this book.

I received this book from Flame Tree Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

I couldn’t help but notice the high amount of praise from the horror community regarding this particular Shea novel, so I was quick to jump aboard that train and request it myself. What immediately became apparent was how disturbed I felt right from the get-go, but not in the typical sense that relates to the genre. Rather, it was the very real and disquieting portrayal of Kate that provoked such a response. To have such a chronically ill main character was almost a shock to the system; I can’t say I’ve witnessed something to that extent during my travels into the dark. Her every waking moment was a challenge, and I couldn’t help but feel that this was, potentially, a very personal topic for the author – it was the in-depth, almost intimate account of Kate’s suffering. Upon reaching the end, I discovered I was correct, in that autoimmune diseases are a very familiar antagonist in Shea’s life. No wonder the writing held such passion.

First and foremost, let me state that the plot put an incredible amount of emphasis on the relationship between Andrew and Kate, which very much included the hardships and struggles that frequented their day to day life. I was warmed by their tenacious bond – something most of us yearn for, yet their marriage wasn’t without its share of problems. The painfully realistic and unwanted thoughts that often plagued their minds were a relatable aspect that only padded out their already authentic depiction. It was fairly easy early on to discern just how dependable this book was on characterisation and atmosphere; the first fifty percent was rather uneventful in terms of monsters and gore. I’m not saying there’s no horror, because there was a great deal of it, but some of it required a deeper look into what was presented. As for the creature itself when it came into play, well, it certainly got my mind theorising as to what exactly it was and its origins. At first I believed it to be something typical, but I was surprised to discover it wasn’t as obvious as I initially assumed. I favour a good, creative approach to any plot, and this was no different.

This being my first experience with Shea’s work, I was thrilled by the reckless abandon in which he penned his violence. There’s something special about carnage that has no boundaries in terms of who’s going to end up as a corpse, and I felt that spark of excitement whilst anticipating the brutality that would come next. It was worth it – to follow these very real individuals into chaos.

I can honestly say that this proved to be great read, and it nearly reached five stars. My hesitation however lies in the ending and my lack of emotion at what ultimately transpired. By the life of me I can’t explain why I didn’t feel much of anything, but I do massively rely on my feelings to dictate the final outcome. It’s a shame, considering my attachment up until that point. Perhaps I found it too abrupt; the fate of those that survived probably would have proved more satisfying.

In conclusion: I became quickly engrossed in this undeniably character-driven tale. I felt connected to the characters and their relationship, and it was as if I was a member of their family. The straight-forward prose was able to convey the harshness of their reality, which induced a lot of emotion within me. It was the ending that I became detached, but in the scheme of things it mattered little when I thoroughly enjoyed the journey to get there. Oh, and Buttons was a hero.

Notable Scene:

Andrew grabbed the doorknob and was about to twist it when he stopped, suddenly unsure. He took a deep, steadying breath and tried again, heart thudding, skin crawling, at war with himself but knowing deep down he had to see. More than anything, he had to see what was out there.

© Red Lace 2018

Creature by Hunter Shea is a fantastically creepy read that kept me awake far into the night. Kate is under siege by her own body. Afflicted by lupus and another disorder that causes dangerously loose joints, she spends the majority of her time in excruciating pain. Pain and medicine cause extreme fatigue, resulting in Kate sleeping at the drop of a hat except for the bouts of night-time insomnia). Making matters worse, if she's not careful her joints pop out, amplifying the pain until they can be popped back in place.

After a particularly horrid treatment regimen, Kate's husband Andrew books a cottage in the Maine woods for a three month vacation hoping a change of pace will help her. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't improve Kate's health. Indeed, her 'bad feels’ are joined by 'microwave feels’, where her body feels like it's burning up inside. Add to this the creeping stress of loud noises in the night. When Kate’s brother Ryker comes to visit the creepy activity escalates. A creature is stalking the cabin, a beastie born of pain, and anger. A creature with a unique link to Kate.

I've had the pleasure of reading several of Shea’s books thus far. Most fall into the 'cheesy’ light horror that I love. Creature was a different kettle of fish altogether. I empathised with Kate so much. I suffer from an autoimmune condition myself, and grokked the fatigue, the insidious ever-present pain leaching joy out of life, the plethora of pills to be taken daily. Shea did a marvelous job of getting across just what it's like to suffer from conditions like these. Likewise, Andrew’s inner conflict and frustration was written with depth and truth. It can be difficult faced with a loved one who suffers from a chronic debilitating illness that can only be managed, not cured.

The creature itself was interesting. Or rather, the circumstances of its creation. I felt it was akin to a tulpa or an egregore, albeit one accidentally created by an unconscious metaphysical Frankenstein. Without clearly delineated instructions regarding protection, the creature acted on its instincts. It could also be personified Shadow aspects, distilled from Kate’s illnesses and her feelings around them, and her inability to function normally. Either way, the creature, and the book itself, is a great metaphor for exactly how monstrous these types of illnesses can be, how they can consume a person, and their caregivers alike. Highly recommended.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

CREATURE! It. Knocked. My. Socks. Off.

Kate and Andrew have certainly been tested. Her health, (a horrible litany of problems due to auto-immune diseases and problems arising from the treatment of them), and his care of her, has tested the strength of their marriage at every turn. Now with Kate trying an experimental treatment, they are in for their biggest test ever. In an attempt to alleviate the tension and bring some relaxation to their lives, Andrew rents an isolated cabin in Maine for the summer. Instead of being the serene, quiet time they had both hoped for, their cabin becomes the target of <i> something</i> in the woods. Will they return from their vacation relaxed and refreshed? You'll have to read this to find out!

This is not the book I expected from Hunter Shea. What I expected was a creature-feature, (one of those words is right there in the title after all), and it sort of was. But what it mainly was, was the story of a strong marriage and how chronic disease attacks every component of your life-and this is a tale I recognize from my own life. I had a period of years with an un-diagnosed disease, which in the end WAS diagnosed as an auto-immune condition. I know what it is to be frustrated, to have my patience tested, to be told it's all in my head, and to be poked, prodded, and experimented with like a lab rat. So, when Mr. Shea wrote about Kate's inner thoughts I totally understood and I recognized the pure truth of them.

What Mr. Shea did with Kate's thoughts is another thing entirely. It was brutal, yet beautiful at the same time. The imagination and creativity here was astounding. It was also frightening and spellbinding. I read the last 40% of this book straight through, because that was what the story demanded of me. I loved these characters, each and every one of them, and I rooted so hard for them all-I simply could not leave them at the height of their struggle.

Now, I find myself almost speechless, (and if you know or follow me, you know that's rare!). I want you to understand that this is a powerful tale, about so much more than what it appears to be on the surface. I hope that if you've ever trusted a review based solely on a reviewer's word, that you choose this one to trust. You will not be disappointed.

CREATURE gets my <b>highest</b> recommendation!

*Thank you to Flame Tree Press via NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*

I have been a fan of Hunter Shea for a few years now. I believe I have read most if not all of his work. I can usually count on his books to remind me of lazy Saturdays as a kid reading through my horror comics or watching the creature double feature on my old TV that got 3 channels back in the 80s. I've often described his books as "a fun read."
Creature is a whole other level of horror than I was expecting. It's much more dark and serious. It feels real. If you have ever suffered chronic pain you are going to find an instant kinship with Kate. It will take you back to your darkest days. If you have not known this kind of pain you will at least feel sympathy for her and her husband Andrew, who due to her debilitating illnesses has had to become her caretaker yet somehow remained a real husband. Kate and Andrew despite everything have remained madly in love. Not that fake romance novel type love either, I mean the real kind where you sometimes get on each other's nerves to the point that you can't stand to be in the same room together but before you walk out you still make damned sure they have everything they need, and you know you're coming back. Andrew would do anything for Kate, and it is in that spirit that he takes her to a lake house for the summer where he hopes she can find some relief and some happiness before her next horrible round of doctor appointments in the fall. This was a 5 star read for me.

I am an admitted creature feature addict. I loved this book, it was exceptionally original and thrilling! Being a person with a immune system deficiency myself, I find it refreshing to have a different type of protagonist that is not perfect and whose fatal flaw is running in high heels and tripping over her own feet. That being said, I want take a moment to sing the praises of Hunter Shea, an amazing author. The pace of writing never lagged, I was never bored.

Kate Woodson suffers with autoimmune disease. Her health problems are slowly killing her. As an escape from her mounting physical problems and the subsequent damage to their relationship, her husband Andrew rents a cottage in Maine for the summer and takes a 3 month leave of absence from his job. They both need a break from their day-to-day lives. But, in the woods surrounding the seemingly idyllic cabin lurks something so horrible, something so monstrous it might just destroy them both. The Creature....it lurks, it waits, it knows them.....

I love Hunter Shea's books. I love horror stories with monsters and Hunter Shea always delivers! He has creeped me out with everything from legendary beasties like the Jersey Devil to urban rats. This book hits close to home for me as I deal with physical and health issues on a daily basis. I identified with Kate Woodson and her husband. Physical pain and limitations have a direct and sometimes destructive effect on daily life and relationships. I wanted them to enjoy their summer in the backwoods of Maine.....and the downward spiral their attempt to escape took was horrifying in itself. I let myself get pulled totally into this story, reading it on my front porch in a comfy chair.....at night....in the dark....all alone....dark woods right across the street..... Even the cup of hot, sweet, caramel flavored coffee sitting next to me wasn't enough to keep me from getting very much creeped out as the Woodsons started hearing leaf-crunching, branch breaking, heavy footsteps circling their cabin.....then rocks being thrown on the roof.....and a snuffling, roaring beastie standing just outside the door. The realization that the monster could bust through the glass patio doors at any time terrified not only the Woodsons, but me too. Perfect! I was immersed in this story from start to finish. I love how the plot relates to Hunter Shea's real life. I think that is why the story seems so real and grabbed my interest so thoroughly. Loved it!

Hunter Shea is the author of several other horror novels including The Montauk Monster and Jurassic Florida. Any lover of creature features or monster tales will love his books! This book gets full stars from me because of the personal connect I had with the characters and the totally creepy experience! Can't wait for his next book!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. No monsters were harmed in the writing of this review, although I did suffer quite a scare when my cat hopped on my lap while I was reading it in the dark. No permanent injuries to either of us. Luckily.**

Firstly, many thanks to Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm particularly grateful as this was the first time I had read anything by this author, but, definitely won't be the last.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the slow build of tension. Kate is really ill (she suffers from auto immune disease and a host of related health problems) and her husband Andrew is her saviour. It's heartbreaking to read about Kate's illnesses and you must, must, must read the author's 'Afterword' at the end of the book as you then fully understand the reasoning for his in-depth knowledge. The detail is incredibly moving and you do feel such empathy for both characters and their relationship.

This isn't a typical horror story, although, I'm sure fans of Stephen King and James Herbert will enjoy.

It is a slow burn and, in my opinion, the better for that. There were elements I didn't like (and I'm cautious here as I don't want to spoil anything) suffice to say, it's a visceral read that gets gruesome and for me, a little silly at times. However, that did not take away from my overall enjoyment and fixation with this fascinating, heart wrenching read.

This isn't the first or second time of read books by Hunter Shea ,in fact his one of my authors I go to for a really good and creepy horror story when I want or need to read one, but his also on of those authors that are and is a hit or miss with me and unfortunately this one is a miss, unlike his The Montauk Monster and Jurassic Florida which was both a hit with me and I could actually see those stories come to life , this one I didn't like any thing about it, it didn't reach out and grab me and pull me in, it didn't give me goosebumps or make me want to stay up and read it all night . But I do have 2 more of his books to read which I'm looking forward to read. With that said I want to thank Netgalley and Mr.Shea for giving me the chance to read and review it in change for my honest opinion. .

Hunter Shea does it yet again. The man is a writing machine, pumping out great tales left and right. He has already perfected the art of the novella. This was my first time reading one of his novel-length stories. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed at all.

CREATURE is a slow burner that's packed with several scares. There are books that satisfy the horror hunger that dwells within us all. CREATURE is one of those books. It has an old-school vibe, but it delivers a modern fright for the ages. More importantly, the book felt real, like Hunter Shea had firsthand experience with some of the things that happen in the book.

The character building is superb. I would love to spend more time with Kate and Andrew Woodson. Kate is in chronic pain, and she has numerous autoimmune diseases. Andrew is working for the medical benefits that help keep Kate alive. The Woodsons need a change of scenery, so Andrew rents a lake cottage in Maine. All seems well until it isn't.

The atmosphere and foreboding will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hunter Shea paints a scenery that you get lost in. You are right there with the Woodsons in the lake cottage. You feel and hear what they do. You can sense something bad is going to happen.

The creature is everything. I'm talking its rock throwing and the aftermath it leaves behind. The creature tries luring the Woodsons out of the cottage with its screeches and other loud noises. I have goosebumps just thinking about it all.

You know you've read a great book when you are smiling after you turn that last page. I don't know how Hunter Shea keeps churning out terrifying stories that feel original, but I want more.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

5/5 stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first book for me from Hunter Shea. Heard it was quite spooky, which I love, and I wasn't disappointed.
A loving couple, Kate and Andrew, are dealing with Kate's illness and all her medications. Prone to sleeping a lot and not getting out of bed, she still had the love of her husband.
The story goes into a lot of background around the couple and Kate's, illness, which is great, as it set's up the setting when moving forward in the story.
Andrew leaves his job and they move to Maine, to a lovely cottage, which sounds like a wonderful place and a good place for Kate to have some respite, apart from what is "there".
Kate is terrified after the cabin is inundated with dead animals and rocks hitting the walls etc. This is the beginning and the books just gets spookier, but hooks you in and with your heart thumping, keeps you wanting to read on.
I won't go on further as I don't wish to spoil the story for anyone, but I just want to say that this book is a MUST read.
It's heartbreaking, and scary at the same time.
I started this book with only a short amount of knowledge on the story, but so glad that I didn't know more.
I am looking forward to reading more from Hunter Shea in the future and appreciate the opportunity to receive the book for a review.
5 stars and more.

Creature
Hunter Shea
Publication date – September 6th 2018
Flame Tree Press

“Yep, better it was a figment of her imagination, a bit of spoiled gruel. If the shadow wanted to stay in the kitchen, let it”

What can I say about ‘Creature’......
It’s never a good idea to go to a cabin in the woods now is it.
Amazing book! I was totally enthralled from the start, the characters, the setting, the relationships, and of course, the monster; all wonderfully knitted together in this fantastic book. This was a thrilling read from start to finish. Exciting, emotional, intriguing – The dream sequences especially.
I found myself very involved, I felt like I was there, part of the family. The relationship between Kate and Andrew, Kate with her illness, and Andrew taking care of her, it was really something. It brought up quite a lot of emotion within me, I really felt for them, really cared for them. They are such a beautiful couple.
Andrew wants to do something perfect for his wife Kate, so he surprises her by taking a leave of absence from work and whisking her away on a summer vacation in her ideal lakeside cottage in Maine, surrounded by beautiful woodland and the neighbours a good few miles away. They won’t be disturbed, not by the neighbours anyway.
I really loved that this book wasn’t so much about the horror, and more, a lot more about the characters, specifically Andrew and Kate. The daily struggles of balancing home and work life. Andrew, working a job he hates (we all know that struggle) so much to pay the bills and take care of his wife. And Kate, suffering with a debilitating autoimmune disease (Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos), struggling every second with her pain, not just physically, but emotionally. She has a constant battle with her inner demons as they manifest themselves into her reality. It was the little things, the tenuous relationship with her mother, who favours her brother Ryker, as well as her close bond with Ryker and his wife Nikki. I loved the little nicknames they have for each other, Andrew referring to Kate as ‘Crip’ was adorable I thought.
I appreciated how deep into their personal lives we were taken, the anger Andrew feels at times towards Kate for being ill, and then at himself for feeling that way. It really hit home how difficult it must be living in a situation like that, how frustrating and crushing it must get. How helpless you must feel sometimes when all you want is for the person you love to be well and happy, and how terribly difficult it must be to see them suffer. And it goes without saying, how much of a waking nightmare at times it must be for the person suffering.
The part of the book I found most disturbing was not the monster and the carnage it created, but Nikki, Kate’s sister in law. For me, she was the most terrifying aspect; her change in personality was truly shocking. The nastiness and hate that came from within her when her husband was killed was horrific. What was even more frightening to me was how true this is, after such a traumatic experience, seeing her husband die in such a way, I could very much understand her anger and resentment of Kate.
I am very grateful I was given the opportunity to read this book prior to its release date. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
5/5 – I’d struggle to give it anything less
Lesley-Ann (Housewife of Horror)

4/5 stars

I thought that Creature by Hunter Shea was a very well executed psychological thriller. It did a fantastic job in character development for Kate and Andrew. We got to know every inch of them, their weaknesses and their strengths. The most interesting character would have to be Kate, who has been ill from diseases for the most part of her life. Reading her thoughts on the way others treat her and think of her was fascinating, especially when her thoughts were directed to her husband Andrew who tries to make everything as normal as possible for her.

This is a very, very slow burn novel. Expect about 70% to be just the character development, with a bit of the creature thrown in to help create both psychological tension and emotional difficulties between the couple and secondary characters. However once the creature decided to stay for long periods of time, things really start to become more heart pounding, wondering what will happen to everyone. The reveal in the later parts rally makes you wonder how it could be, but also realizing that it makes sense given the situation. The explanation included was handled well, not spoon feeding the reader but still giving us vital information.

Creature is definitely more character centered and not so much fast-paced horror as the summary may lead someone to believe. It's a slow burn novel that would probably work best to be read over long periods of time, although the slowness may lead people to break it up into smaller chunks to get through the first half. In the end, I thought it was a greatly executed psychological thriller that I feel many people suffering from some type of illness, or closely related to someone who does, would find relatable or interesting. As someone who falls in neither category, I found it to be a great read. I would definitely recommend this novel.

These thoughts are solely my own and is in no way biased in any way, shape or form. ARC provided to me for free by the publisher through NetGalley.

Hunter Shea is responsible for bringing a LOT of monsters into the world, and that's a wonderful thing. His stories of legendary beasts and Nature-gone-mad are always a lot of fun, typically highlighted by some twisted humor and plenty of blood-spattered goodness.

CREATURE is a rather stark departure from the Saturday matinee creature-feature type tale I've come to know from Mr Shea.

There IS plenty of horror here, powerful and intimate horror. CREATURE is particularly scary because the terror is REAL and inescapable. I found myself caring deeply for the married couple in this book, and the escalating fear that consumes their lives was absolutely gut-wrenching, at times.

Though quite different from Mr. Shea's other work, CREATURE is a damn good story, and it demonstrates a writer at the top of his game. Give it a read, but be prepared for some seriously strong "feels".

When Andrew suggests a get away to a wood cabin by the lake, Kate is excited to spend some time away hoping it will distract her from her life of pain and health professionals trying to cure her host of autoimmune diseases. But something is lurking outside of their idyllic cottage...

Creature certainly is an unusual concept for a horror novel and is refreshingly very character driven. The main characters are indeed interesting; Kate is an unwell woman, almost bedridden by a host of auto-immune diseases that are eating away at her from the inside and Andrew is her doting husband who is trying his best to look after and support his wife but has anger issues and a drink problem. Kate’s portrayal in particular is heart breaking and a unique point of view. Although they are both interesting, the characters both feel a little two dimensional at times which makes the first part of the book feel a little repetitive before the supernatural elements kick in.

The second half of the book feels almost too fast paced by contrast. I found myself having to go back over certain parts as I missed vital information that was buried and skipped over in a previous paragraph. The supernatural element, although interesting, confused me greatly and left me with more questions than it answered. I actually thought I had guessed what was going to happen two thirds into the book and was a little disappointed that my guess was better than the actual outcome, in my opinion!

One thing I feel I have to mention is the incorrect first aid which is given in this book which annoyed me greatly. This doesn’t give away any spoilers but when Kate is having a seizure we are assured that Andrew knows exactly how to deal with it and has done so many times before. He then proceeds to stick a book in her mouth and enlist someone’s help in holding her down – two things you must NEVER do to someone having a seizure. Although this is a small point I do feel that putting misinformation in books like this can be dangerous as a reader may subconsciously remember it and then try to use it at a later date harming the person they think they are helping. The treatment isn’t essential to the plot and so could easily be changed or gotten rid of completely.

Overall Creature is an interesting concept for a horror novel but I feel it fell a little flat in being slow and repetitive in its beginning and conversely too fast paced and confusing in its ending. Unfortunately it hasn’t impressed me enough to break my 3 star max on horror genre books which seems to be the trend at the moment for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Creature" was a bit of a departure for Hunter Shea, this author usually writes fast paced and trashy monster novellas which are loaded with big action sequences and laced with humour. This book was not like this at all, and has a much, much slower pace than these creature features. If anything it was too slow. A couple rent a big house on a remote Maine lake to get away from the city and to try and deal with the wife's long-term, potentially fatal illness. She has lupus and other autoimmune diseases meaning she is sick and in pain most of the time. The novel is seen from both points of view, with the husband trying his best to deal with the invalid wife.

All of the first half of the novel deals with the illness stuff and the "Creature" part of what lurks in the woods, or the psychology behind her illness and its manifestation of her illness just take too long to get going. I was not even sure they gelled together very well? It is always interesting to see an author explore a different area of writing, but this particular book did not convince me and by the time the creature stuff kicked in I was struggling to finish the book.

CREATURE, by Hunter Shea, is--in my opinion--his strongest, most focused, "heaviest" (in terms of theme), and character-driven novel to date.  This is a novel that incorporates many sub-genres of horror:  psychological, human suffering, suspense, visceral, supernatural, and fear-inducing, among many others.  If you're like myself and normally have a couple of books going at all times, you'll soon discover that this is simply not a book that can be read "lightly".  CREATURE is a tale that demands your undivided attention and focus at all times.

We start with a couple, Kate and Andrew Woodson, who have the misfortune of Kate living with a host of autoimmune diseases, including Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  While this obviously makes Kate's physical existence a challenge in and of itself, its affect on Andrew is no less potent.

"She'd forgotten what it was like to wake up and not be in agony . . . "

The strength of their union, their love and dependance on one another is the backbone of this story.  Through their everyday thoughts and actions, the reader is "shown" just how close Kate and Andrew are, without the need for obvious statements.  We can feel them--the pain and frustration that each deals with in their own ways.

". . . what they had survived made them different from most people . . . "

I cannot stress enough how REAL these two characters are to me.  I feel like they are people I actually know in life, such is the power of Shea's words.

". . . Her body might be weak, but her will could break a football lineman in half . . . "

Deciding that they need a break form everyday life, Andrew arranges for them to take the summer off, and vacation at a remote lakeside cottage in Maine.  Along with Kate's constant companion, an older beagle named Buttons, they set out.

". . . she waved goodbye to their house, a house that doubled as a hospital and prison . . . "

While the main focus overall is on the characterization, once they reach Maine, the atmosphere comes more prominently into play, as well.  The beauty of this quaint cottage nestled in the woods, with a gorgeous lake beyond, and only a few "neighbors"--too far away to be seen--is an excellent contrast to the pain raging throughout Kate's weekend body.

"Promise me we can stay here forever?"

Of course, neither could have predicted that something . . . else . . . might be inhabiting those very same woods.

While Kate's battles with her own body are always present, there are so many other intrusions that begin to enter into their world--some subtle, some less so.  This is where Shea showcases just how "real" he can make his novels.

". . . the woods were nothing but shadows, and the only things that didn't belong were themselves."

In addition to the spectacular characterization, he begins to build up the apprehension and unease for each in a myriad of ways.  Yet all of it rings true for the reader.  Some of the most horrific discoveries are things they choose to keep to themselves, for reasons that make complete sense to us, as it concerns each personality.

"How could she be a part of their lives when she couldn't even partake of her own?"

Some are purposely left ambiguous so that even the reader wants to question "Is this real"?  Other things are brought to light in such a brutal manor that it is impossible to deny something is amiss.

". . . her dream lake cottage.  Yet here she was . . . trapped in more ways than one . . . "

This is what a great horror novel is all about.  Shea is able to bring out those feelings of despair and fear that we have all experienced to some extent, making these scenes ring so true in our minds.  Once our undivided attention has been captured, even more problems and terror begin to bombard us at every turn.

"He's my husband . . . If anyone's going to stab him repeatedly, it should be me . . . "

No matter how "improbable" the scene, at this stage our minds are open to any and every possibility out there.  In addition to the internal battles, the external threat and carnage heat things up to an explosive level.

". . . when there was nothing left to lose, there was no reason to hold back . . . "

Overall, a remarkable, unforgettable novel in so many ways!  The raw emotion of the characters, the physical problems both within and without the cottage, and the ultimate questions of "what, why, and how", will leave you hanging on every written word.  As I stated in the beginning, this is not a "light" story, but it is one that will reel you in so that you can practically feel every moment of it right up until the final, unpredictable, end.  Without question, this is one of my top reads of the year.

Highly recommended!

Kate has many health problems. She has almost died several times and she gets worse everyday. Andrew, her husband loves her very much and is afraid of Kate dying. Together they have faced so much. Andrew takes Kate to a cabin on the lake in Maine, to spend time away from all the painful treatments that she will need to start again in a few months. Kate wishes that they would never have to go back home. Kate hears things outside the cabin. It's probably just the medications she is on. One night, Andrew hears it and it is frightening especially when rocks are thrown on the roof of their cabin. Ryker, her brother is a motivational speaker and is trying to teach her how to meditate and let go of her pain. Ryker and his wife Nikki come for a weekend visit. Andrew talks to Ryker about what is happening and about all the dead animals he has found in the woods. The sounds get worse. A large creature is seen on the porch. They decide to leave, but the creature attacks and Ryker is injured. Is it Sasquatch or something else? Will they be able to get away with Kate so sick and the creature watching them? This is a must read. It's a tale of love,horror and death. It's a different take on monsters. It's a scary, scary story in more ways than one. If you love horror, it's the one for you. I received this book from Net Galley and Flame Tree Press for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

Once again Shea delivers on his ability to write horror and make you actually feel terrified. Shea has quickly become one of my go to and favorite authors. This story was both scary and sad. and I adored the main characters relationship.