🩸 Horror Fiction

Black Magic

✍️ Russell James
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$15.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A magic shop in a dying town unleashes destructive dark arts upon its residents.

The narrative follows the slow unraveling of Citrus Glade after Lyle Miller opens his enigmatic store. Customers receive exactly what they want, but the cost is steep. Four boys buy party tricks that become dangerous tools. Their actions trigger subtle shifts in the town's atmosphere. Neighbors begin to notice the deterioration of their environment. Lyle uses these empowered individuals to further his Grand Adventure. This plan involves reducing the town and half the state to rubble. The story highlights how desire can be weaponized against a community. It offers a look at supernatural horror grounded in everyday settings.

Key Themes
small town decay dark magic consequences corrupted desires
Literary Context

This work is published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. It sits within the modern independent publishing landscape of 2013. The story reflects contemporary anxieties about economic decline in rural America. It uses the setting of a dying town to explore themes of isolation and vulnerability.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Clive Barker · Neil Gaiman
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2013 📖 412 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781542834377

📝 Description: Black Magic

Russell James presents Black Magic as a tale set in Citrus Glade, a town struggling with economic decline. The narrative centers on Lyle Miller, who opens a magic shop that appears to cater exclusively to the specific desires of its customers. This establishment brings unexpected consequences to the community, particularly affecting four boys who purchase ordinary party tricks without understanding their true nature. As these items are used, subtle but disturbing changes ripple through the town, causing residents to suspect foul play. The plot escalates as Lyle’s dark arts empower various townspeople to assist in his Grand Adventure. This scheme aims to destroy not only Citrus Glade but also half of the surrounding state. The story examines how hidden powers can corrupt a community and lead to widespread devastation. James, known for his photography, writes this fiction work with a focus on the tangible effects of supernatural influence. The book suits readers interested in small-town horror and the consequences of unchecked ambition. It may not appeal to those seeking historical accuracy or traditional fantasy structures, as it relies on modern magical realism rather than established mythologies.

💎 Our verdict on Black Magic

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
James delivers a potent exploration of dark arts rooted in everyday settings, offering a fresh take on the magic shop trope. The narrative effectively builds dread through the gradual deterioration of Citrus Glade, emphasizing tangible effects over abstract threats. The focus on four boys and their dangerous purchases creates an engaging core conflict that escalates into state-wide devastation. This approach suits readers who appreciate atmospheric horror and psychological tension. While it lacks historical depth or traditional fantasy structures, its strength lies in its modern magical realism and the chilling implications of desire. It is a solid choice for those seeking a grounded supernatural experience.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the slow-burn tension of small-town horror will find this narrative compelling. It offers a unique perspective on how personal desires can be weaponized, turning everyday objects into instruments of destruction. The story appeals to those interested in psychological and cosmic horror elements that blend seamlessly with realistic settings. By focusing on the consequences of unchecked ambition and the corruption of community bonds, it provides a chilling examination of human nature under supernatural pressure. It is ideal for fans who prefer grounded magical realism over traditional mythologies, seeking a tale where the horror emerges from subtle atmospheric shifts rather than overt monster encounters.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

James delivers a potent exploration of dark arts rooted in everyday settings, offering a fresh take on the magic shop trope. The narrative effectively builds dread through the gradual deterioration of Citrus Glade, emphasizing tangible effects over abstract threats. The focus on four boys and their dangerous purchases creates an engaging core conflict that escalates into state-wide devastation. This approach suits readers who appreciate atmospheric horror and psychological tension. While it lacks historical depth or traditional fantasy structures, its strength lies in its modern magical realism and the chilling implications of desire. It is a solid choice for those seeking a grounded supernatural experience.

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