Eric A. Shelman

My original Scabs audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Scabs: The Gemini Exception is something lacking in the apocalyptic fiction world; it's intense, small scale, and very personal.

The two protagonists in Eric A. Shelman's novel are twin brothers Scott and Warren Walsh. After being separated by a divorce they've grown up and started their own adult lives, and are well adjusted, reasonably happy men when the book starts. They share a hobby for messenger pigeons (it helps them stay in touch over long distances), which becomes a crucial part of the story's plot.

The book begins with a bizarre period of intense, smothering white light that permeates the world. Everything for no discernible reason becomes illuminated by an indirect, otherworldly light. It kills shadows, mutes the night and causes tremendous disruption to the world. At the same time people who are injured stop healing.

Like, any injury will no longer heal. You're stuck with it for life, which as we find out for most, won't be much time at all.

When the light suddenly disappears those who are hurt begin to have their wounds scab over. But the scabs quickly get out of hand, covering their entire bodies like a terrible growth, encasing them in a chrysalis that they emerge from as monsters. Mutations of the highest degree become the rule of the day, and when they are set free from their prisons, they seek out anything still human to feed, and to destroy. The only people spared this fate are twins, leaving Warren and Scott to protect their families, and seek out answers and safety.

First off, Eric's narration of his own novel is fantastic. His production values are on par with the finest studio productions, and his voice (voices really, as he bounces around with different accents and cadences) is easy to listen to. I can easily say this is a top three audiobook that was read by the author. Kudos to him for a wonderful job.

Story-wise Scab's greatest strength lies in the intense, slow burn reveal of the apocalypse. It's a simmering story that unfolds one tiny revelation at a time, building and building the impending terror until it's unleashed in its full horror in the third act. Oddly for me, I thought the huge reveal of the full terror would be the highlight of the story but I was wrong. The build up turned out to be the most satisfying part of the story, and one I think others will enjoy in the same way.

Scabs features a reasonable cast of characters that isn't overwhelmingly large, but also well varied, as well as a good amount of action, and a bucketload of proper apocalyptic tension. Scabs: The Gemini Exception is a very welcome addition to the science fiction genre, and a must read for fans of Robert McCammon or the like.

Audiobook was provided for review by the Author.… (mais)

ABR's original The Camera: Bloodthirst audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

I was first exposed to Eric A. Shelman as a writer with the first Dead Hunger that I reviewed a couple years ago. This was an audiobook that I did not really care for, even though it was in my preferred genre. So of course I had some hesitation before I began listening to The Camera.

However, I always try to go into a new book with an open mind and as few expectations as possible. I am so glad that I was able to do that and that Shelman was willing to give me another chance to connect with his writing. Because this audiobook is pretty creepy and different. Starts off with a serial killer, for lack of a better term, abducting a woman in the dark morning hours and an amateur photographer. Other than being very stressful to listen to there was nothing that seemed special about this particular camera. It turns out that if the camera photographs a recently dead person, that person will come back to life. Not necessarily as a zombie, but a monster that has an insatiable hunger for flesh and calling to find their killer. That is all I am going to say about that.

Shelman was able to pull me in to his world were the dead walk the earth again. Full of all the violence, blood, gore, humor and disturbing scenes that make a good horror story. Because of this unique story line I am now looking forward to listening to more by Shelman.

These days I am very very weary of listening to an audiobook narrated by the author. Unless you are Neil Gaiman or a professional voice actor I would generally say don’t do it. I am very happy to report that Eric A. Shelman did a very good job with the narration of The Camera. He obviously understands what audiobook listeners are looking for, especially with a horror story. Good characterizations, he went all out while speaking as one of the “monsters”. While he could use some additional polish to make his performances really great. The main negative that I heard, now I could be mistaken. But it sounded like during some of the pauses Shelman was taking a drink off water or something. Because he would pause and when he started speaking again it sounded like there was still something in his though and the tone of his voice changed slightly.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.… (mais)

According to Amazon, I purchased this wayyy back in August. Yes, my To Be Read list is that huge. I am a fast reader and still, it took that long to reach this one. I want to add that prior to even reading this book, I was enamored with this author. I saw his name popping up on mutual friends Facebook posts and Goodreads lists, and of course with any author that’s new to me…I stalked him a little. Because really, it’s a lot more enjoyable to read a book by someone who is not a dick. I have met authors that were not very friendly and it can ruin a good read. But, he checked out; nice guy, funny as hell, tons of reviews-mostly good…I even friended him and participated in his contests on Facebook before I even read page one of this book. Yeah, he really is that cool. My first impressions of the book were not totally awesome though, I will admit. The main character is Flex Sheridan, along with his girl Gem, later joined by a scientist named Hemp. Sounded like the start of some bad 70’s porn. But I would not be dissuaded by my often-proved-wrong pre-judgment. So I read…and I was hooked. Yes, Flex has a porn-stars name…it really stops being weird by page five. Because the character is so well-fleshed and such a cool dude that you want to be his friend. He steps right in to the zombie apocalypse in situ when he runs to rescue his sister who is exhibiting strange behavior. I was fully engulfed in the story, movie playing in my head as I read along and when Gem joined the show, well, I liked her too. She is just the right mix of ass-kicker and girl….bravo to you for that rare, perfect mix Shelman. The two along with Flex’s niece Trina, move out into the zombified world; looking for survivors and eventually finding Hemp, the gorgeous, brainiac scientist, and Charlie, deadly with a crossbow way before Daryl was cool, and she’s a girl making her character even cooler. The situations feel real, the suspense is nail-biting and the emotion is gut-wrenching. Eric Shelman writes like he’s taken the TARDIS tardis to another dimension and actually experienced it all. Its THAT good. Read it. Then read everything else he wrote. Now.

Then friend him on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CreateYourFate?fref=ts

Check out his page: http://www.ericshelman.com/

He’s also a crazy-good singer: https://www.youtube.com/user/ericandlindashelman

and I hear he likes to hang around this place: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AllThingsZombie/… (mais)