Ever wondered how Little Red Riding Hood would grow up after her traumatic experience with the wolf? Ever wondered how you might react when you wake up in someone else's body? What happens when a man shares a night of passion with a woman from his dreams and a neurotic comes face to face with his fears personified? The tales inside explore these concepts, and more, in the first collection of short works by young British author Matthew Rowe. It is a mix of horror, comedy and traditional fantasy with an imaginative twist or two that includes the short 'Don't Fear The Reaper', winner of Dark Fiction's monthly horror competition. Don't worry though, not all of them are about zombies.
I really enjoyed the writing style; the wording and imagery are excellent. This writer has good wit and refreshing honesty about himself, and the publishing world as well. --
Darren G. Burton, Lulu Writer, April 20th, 2008What impressed me most about this collection was the variety of styles that the author utilises. The tales range from straightforward fantasy and science fiction genres to a multitude of personal impressions, sometimes from the monster's point of view. Mr Rowe also manages to get into the female psyche without patronizing the women he's writing about. I think this collection would appeal to a wide range of readers, not just science fiction and fantasy fans. If you enjoy a twist in the tale kind of plot, this is the short story collection to buy and read. Mr Rowe's pacing for each story is good with splendid swash-buckling fight scenes and breathless chase sequences. Though if you are a prude like me, be prepared to be shocked at the explicit sexual descriptions in Au Naturale. But that's no reason not to read it because it is one of the best twist-in-the-tale stories in the collection and has a really funny ending!
There's no shallow plots or gratuitous violence here. Each story holds its own, though sometimes I wish the story would go on - 'Redbird and Eleanor', for instance. I particularly enjoyed his exploration of werewolves in 'Harry'. That's saying a lot because personally I dislike werewolves nearly as much as I dislike vampires. Mr Rowe's writing draws you in and hooks you. You have to read on to find out what happens.
It is difficult to say which were the best stories. They're all so good. My personal favourites however include the following:
Guardian: an excellent take on the eternal guardian of a forgotten treasure tale. The story is from the point of view of the guardian and is just beautiful.
Redbird and Eleanor: OK, it's my sort of genre - fantasy. But this tale isn't just swords and sorcery. The plot is excellent with magical encounters and a lovely fight with bandits. The characters are real and have an excellent sense of humour. I think that Mr Rowe could expand this and maybe write a whole novel about Redbird.
Selling Liberty: the first short story in a collection always makes an impression. Again it's fantasy and extremely funny with a very personable female narrator.
Different people will like different stories in the collection. That's what's so good about Mr Rowe's prolific writing - there's something which will appeal to everyone. Don't be timid, buy it now and enjoy the collection for yourself -- Anna Brock, Ghost Writer and Critic, April 27th, 2008
Don't let the humorous summary fool you. This collection of short stories can be serious, and is definitely dark in places such as the edge-of-your-seat short, "Selling Liberty."
If short reads are your thing, then you definitely should buy a copy of NOT ALL OF THEM ABOUT ZOMBIES. -- Randy Hudsucker, Lulu Writer, 10th June 2008
I really enjoyed the writing style; the wording and imagery are excellent. This writer has good wit and refreshing honesty about himself, and the publishing world as well.
-- Darren G. Burton, Lulu Writer, April 20th, 2008
The stories had a recognizable theme or plot: Yes
The settings are described enough to provide mental pictures: Yes
The settings are essential to the storylines: Yes
It is clear who the protagonist(s)/antagonist(s) are: Yes
The dialogue is easy to read and flows well: Yes
The grammar and punctuation are accurate: Found only a couple of typos. Nothing to deter from the rating this book will receive.
Do the stories have a conflict that needs to be resolved? No
If yes, please explain.
There is a notable climax to the stories: Yes
The points of views were consistent and easy to follow: Yes
Please write the review:
`Not All of Them about Zombies' is an appropriate title for Matthew Rowe's collection of short stories. Some of them are bizarre and ludicrous but then the endings will surprise you each and every time. For the reader of the bizarre this is an exciting book. Au Naturale is exactly the type of story that you'd expect from its title so don't be shocked. Each and every story will keep you interested and reading to find out the surprise endings. A great read.
4**** -- Mind Fog Reviews' Anastasia Cassella-Young, 2nd July 2008
What impressed me most about this collection was the variety of styles that the author utilises. The tales range from straightforward fantasy and science fiction genres to a multitude of personal impressions, sometimes from the monster's point of view. Mr Rowe also manages to get into the female psyche without patronizing the women he's writing about. I think this collection would appeal to a wide range of readers, not just science fiction and fantasy fans. If you enjoy a twist in the tale kind of plot, this is the short story collection to buy and read. Mr Rowe's pacing for each story is good with splendid swash-buckling fight scenes and breathless chase sequences. Though if you are a prude like me, be prepared to be shocked at the explicit sexual descriptions in Au Naturale. But that's no reason not to read it because it is one of the best twist-in-the-tale stories in the collection and has a really funny ending!
There's no shallow plots or gratuitous violence here. Each story holds its own, though sometimes I wish the story would go on - 'Redbird and Eleanor', for instance. I particularly enjoyed his exploration of werewolves in 'Harry'. That's saying a lot because personally I dislike werewolves nearly as much as I dislike vampires. Mr Rowe's writing draws you in and hooks you. You have to read on to find out what happens.
It is difficult to say which were the best stories. They're all so good. My personal favourites however include the following:
Guardian: an excellent take on the eternal guardian of a forgotten treasure tale. The story is from the point of view of the guardian and is just beautiful.
Redbird and Eleanor: OK, it's my sort of genre - fantasy. But this tale isn't just swords and sorcery. The plot is excellent with magical encounters and a lovely fight with bandits. The characters are real and have an excellent sense of humour. I think that Mr Rowe could expand this and maybe write a whole novel about Redbird.
Selling Liberty: the first short story in a collection always makes an impression. Again it's fantasy and extremely funny with a very personable female narrator.
Different people will like different stories in the collection. That's what's so good about Mr Rowe's prolific writing - there's something which will appeal to everyone. Don't be timid, buy it now and enjoy the collection for yourself -- Anna Brock, Ghost Writer and Critic, April 27th, 2008
