Review: Soultaker by Bryan Smith

Soultaker

Author: Bryan Smith

Every so often, I come across essays by well-meaning writers who attempt to bring legitimacy to horror fiction. All too often, these essays ignore the primary reason most people read horror - namely, people being menaced by monsters or madmen. These writers will argue that horror should not be a genre unto itself, and then talk about their favorite favorite works of horror. Invariably, they name-check some literary novel that deals with tragedy of some sort - the loss of a loved one, life-altering accidents, and things of that nature. This, they claim, is proof that horror can be found outside the "horror genre" proper, and that horror novels should be classed with non-genre fiction, alongside Irving and Joyce.

I bet the people who write those essays hate Bryan Smith.

You see, when those writers bring up the literary merits of the class acts of horror fiction, they go out of their way to dismiss the books out there that rely on cheap shocks and gore-on-the floor. And Bryan Smith, well... cheap shocks and gore-on-the-floor are his primary stock-in-trade. His books are the prose equivalent of an ultra-trashy grindhouse horror flick. Not film, but flick.

It's time for me to dust off the ol' Standard Disclaimer; in fact, Smith thanks me on the acknowledgements page. But as with all of my "reviews," I hope to let you all know why I enjoyed a certain book. You may agree with my opinion, or you may not, but I hope that you are able to make an informed decision whether or not something will be to your tastes after reading my posts.

Soultaker is about what happens when horror writer Jake McAllister returns to the town he grew up in when his brother Trey gets into trouble. And in a Bryan Smith novel, "trouble" is going to involve violence and deviant sex. The main antagonist here is Lamia, the predatory spirit of Greek legend. Many modern writers have retconned Lamia into vampire folklore, though Smith doesn't delve into this connection.

While Soultaker has the requisite scare tactics, it's also the best of Smith's novels that I have read to date. I chalk it up to stronger writing and better characterizations. Soultaker isn't as gonzo as The Freakshow, nor is it as apocalyptic as Deathbringer, but its improved writing and oddball cast makes for an entertaining read.

I guess the short version is, like Smith's previous novels, Soultaker is not a work of high art. But it isn't meant to be. Smith is, at heart, a horror fan like the readers his books appeal to. His self-awareness of this fact, along with his genuine love for the genre, brings a no-frills, unpretentious flair to his work that suits it perfectly. If you are looking for a book that is bloody, sleazy, but also a lot of fun... check out Soultaker. It's horror without apologies.