I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of youths must rally together to stop an unstoppable evil in author Seth Voorhees’s “The Interim.”
The Synopsis
In Cooper, South Dakota, the so-called “interim” lasts from October 20 at 10:05 p.m. until November 1 at 5:42 a.m. To Cooper’s residents, this chosen span of time makes sense as 10:05 was the time of the monster’s capture and 5:42 was the time of his death. Now, they are haunted by said creature, but only over the span of the interim.
The rest of the year in Cooper is utopia, but it’s paramount that its citizens remain isolated in their homes during the interim in accordance with rules over a hundred years old. All that is about to change. On a hot day in July of 1999, five children—Randy Larkins, Ty Thomas, Vin Dellowinsk, Darlene Ren, and Betty Clammin—form a bound.
Living in Cooper, their struggles are something more than those of the average adolescent. Due to social engineering, they’ve lived their lives in line with the threat of a terrible beast. With the interim looming, they band together. The children have had enough of the old ways. It’s time for the young to stand up and face the curse and defeat the monster that haunts their town.
THE REVIEW
Instantly, I was drawn to the rich characters and haunting world-building. In the wake of Stranger Things’ incredible finale and the need to fill the void it left behind, this story does an excellent job of capturing the dynamics that bring these young people together to face an overwhelming and terrifying force. The atmospheric nature of the evil these kids face, Leopold, and the way this small town became a character in its own right made the story feel vibrant and alive on the page, even in its deadliest and most haunting moments.
The relationships between the core cast of characters and the rich mythos the author builds for this small rural town, and Leopold was the true heart of the novel. The way these characters came together after facing a life on the fringes and found not only a bond but also a will to face unimaginable horror and stop a centuries-long horror that preyed upon their town was both enthralling and heartfelt, allowing readers to bond with these characters throughout the novel. The use of history and experimentation also gave the reader a chance to see how these kids’ minds worked and how far they would go to protect the town, its people, and each other.
The Verdict
Haunting, compelling, and entertaining, author Seth Vorhees’s “The Interim” is a must-read horror novel. The vibe and atmosphere of the novel, a Stephen King’s IT meets Stranger Things meets 30 Days of Night, will send chills down the reader’s spine, and each twist and turn of the story will have the reader on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next shoe to drop. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Seth Voorhees is a Black Hills Author. Living in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He enjoys drawing from his experiences as a social worker, particularly in adolescent development and mental health, to shape his characters and their journeys through human morality and challenges. He identifies himself as a dark fiction author because his writing spans over several genres. He resides in Rapid City with his partner and stepdaughter. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in sociology and psychology from Black Hills State University.
