Reviews for The Halloween Children by Brian James Freeman and Norman Prentiss

For those who missed out on The Halloween Children (which I co-wrote with Norman Prentiss), it looks like Earthling Publications still has a few copies, but I have a feeling that you might be running out of time to place your order.

Here are some of the reviews for this one in case you’re interested:

“This latest installment in Earthling Publications’ annual Halloween series recollects the macabre and gruesome events that befall a suburban apartment. Delivered through a series of journal entries and interview transcripts, The Halloween Children goes beyond the creepy kids and paranormal hauntings tropes to deliver a disturbing and thought-provoking look into family dynamics and our own changing imaginations.”
— Rue Morgue issue #149

The Halloween Children is a twisty funhouse ride through the minds of Brian James Freeman and Norman Prentiss, two enormously talented writers who have created an instant Halloween classic in this, their first collaboration. Much like Norm Partridge’s Dark HarvestThe Halloween Children is an expert distillation of the Halloween season, capturing that peculiar mix of excitement, dread and outright fear in its pages… From the great, early slow build of the book to the terrifying, satisfying payoff, The Halloween Children is a complete success. Freeman and Prentiss do a great job in blending their unique styles into one pure voice – like Stephen King and Peter Straub with The Talisman and Black House, you’ll try to guess who wrote what, and you’ll most likely get it wrong. Reading this was the perfect kickoff to the Halloween season for me, and I have a feeling it will be part of my permanent October rotation for a long time to come.”
— October Country

The Halloween Children is frankly one of the more disturbing books I have ever read. From page to page my opinion of who was the monster behind what was going on changed from husband to wife to the children and then back. I was shocked and startled, grossed out and horrified – and I enjoyed every minute of it. And in the end, I still wasn’t sure who was the craziest – myself included. Freeman and Prentiss have created a disturbing tale with images so vivid they leapt from the page into brilliantly colored pictures in the mind. This is one powerful book. Treat yourself to this one for Halloween but be warned – have plenty of candy on hand for The Halloween Children should come knocking.”
— The Baryon Review

“A beautifully-written, scary novel that is as much about the dark side of marriage as it is a savagely disturbing Halloween yarn.”
— Horror Drive-In 

“Smouldering novel with a deceptively subtle start before erupting into a charnel house of vivid horror. The Halloween Children is intelligent story-telling for the discerning, and most definitely the stuff of Halloween nightmares.”
— Simon Clark, author of Blood Crazy and The Night of the Triffids

“With sledgehammer imagery that hits you right in the subconscious, The Halloween Children takes a good hard look at unconditional parental love and the insidious nature of family.”
— Kaaron Warren, Shirley Jackson Award winner, author of Slights and Through Splintered Walls

“When we grow up, we forget the strange and frightening world that children can inhabit in their minds…and sometimes we forget it at our peril. Brian James Freeman and Norman Prentiss have brought this home in a highly convincing horror story for Hallowe¹en, told in a chorus of voices that give it an eerily 3-D sense of gradually-mounting dread. One scene in particular is unforgettable…you will never be able to look at a parakeet again without it seeing it and even smelling it.”
— Graham Masterton, author of The Manitou and Night Warriors

Order the Signed Limited Edition Hardcover from Earthling Publications while supplies last!

The Halloween Children

2 comments

  1. Thanks for posting this, Brian. I wasn’t able to get a copy earlier so when I saw that Earthling Publications still had some copies I rushed over and was able to snag a copy! 🙂 I had to contact Paul re: shipping costs as I live in Canada and he was incredible to deal with. I’d say if anyone is looking for a copy, especially in Canada, they should contact Paul as soon as possible. 🙂 Anyhow, I look forward to reading the book when I receive it. I’ve heard it’s quite disturbing and intense. That’s just what I like! Hahaha! If it isn’t enough that it’s written by you and Norm Prentiss the added bonus is the Glenn Chadbourne artwork! I just can’t wait!

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