BOOK REVIEW: MASTODON BY STEVE STRED

9/5/2022

I received a free copy of this novel from Steve in return for an honest review. It is the second book by Stred that I have read and it wasn’t what I expected in a number of ways.

Mild Spoiler Alert!

First off, I found the story difficult to get into, I had to persuade myself to keep reading until Tyler entered the forest. I enjoyed Tyler’s trek through the forest, particularly his navigation and survival struggles and his interactions with the mysterious and large animals that inhabited it. I particularly enjoyed when the perspective switched to the animals curiosity at what it considers to be a strangely territorial animal (Tyler). A moment that reminded me of the creature in Frankenstein, in a good way.

Over all, I do not feel like the amazing creatures and the Mastodon in particular were utilized by the narrative anywhere near enough. I was also not keen on the narrative of the inside of the base and that the creatures turning out to be the result of grizzly capitalist, war based experiments. I thought Stred could have done something more interesting and original. I also found the ending a let down, although it was probably what would happen in real life. But after all, this is fiction, I wanted fire, furry and revenge. I wanted Tyler to ride back to the compound on the back of a fire breathing over grown house cat human hybrid and cut Mr Adams head off with a chain saw. I wanted a Mastodon stalking through the trees, picking of soldiers one by one by throwing them into the booby trapped fields which were never explained. I wanted to see it destroy the compound and let the mutants free to slaughter their former tormentors. I wanted Tyler to find his mutated parents and them all go home to live with his grandfather. I wanted to read about them all sat around a dinning room table eating cereal and flies as the ground shakes under them. It didn’t need to end like I suggested just now, but for me the creatures and the Mastodon could have been used far better to build the story and contribute to the plot. I also didn’t understand why the soldiers had killing fields that lured animals into them. I don’t think it was explained nor made much sense in the narrative.

One of the best things about the narrative was the growing relationship between Tyler and Carlson as they worked together to find the truth about what happened to there respective families. I found it refreshing and interesting to read about two likeable characters working together against seemingly in surmountable odds. I liked Tyler and his perspectives and preparations and the description of the hikes through the wilderness. All in all, although it turned out not to be my cup of tea, I found it a tense read that I am sure other readers will appreciate more than I did.

MASTODON
BY STEVE STRED

"An old-school creature thriller told with crisp pacing and kick-ass set pieces, Steve Stred's Mastodon is a monster-in-the-woods tale with some choice surprises and plenty of rampaging fun."
- Andrew Pyper, author of The Residence, The Damned and The Demonologist

17 years ago, Tyler Barton was born in the Rocky Mountains, while his parents were on a hike.

On that day, his mother disappeared, never to be seen again.

Now, history repeats itself.

On the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, Tyler’s father is flying home when the plane he’s on disappears – in the same area where his mother was last seen.
Undeterred by officials, Tyler decides to hike into the area in search of his father, hoping to find him alive and bring him back to safety.

But there’s a reason that area is prohibited to enter and even though Tyler doesn’t care, he’ll soon find out that the wilderness can hide some of the deepest, darkest fears known to man.

From the author of ‘Incarnate,’ ‘The Window In the Ground’ and ‘Ritual’ comes a new novel that’ll make you rethink your Summer hiking trip.