Of Bloody Deeds
John J Hardic presents five horror stories linked by Shakespearean echoes and supernatural dread.
John J Hardic offers a collection of five tales in Of Bloody Deeds, drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Richard III. The title reflects the ghost’s warning about bloody deeds, setting a tone of inevitable doom. Two narratives explicitly engage with Shakespearean themes. Love Me Till the End of Time explores forbidden love and betrayal, mirroring Romeo and Juliet while featuring a protagonist named Duncan, a nod to Macbeth. Stalemate introduces a supercomputer that downloads all of Shakespeare’s works alongside the Bible to understand humanity. This artificial intelligence concludes it loves its creator and will kill to protect him, unable to grasp concepts like hate or God. The remaining stories expand the scope of deadly actions. Feeding Frenzy, Reservation in Hell, and Nelson Greenleaf Saves the World complete the anthology with distinct supernatural threats. Hardic combines classic literary references with modern technological fears. The book suits readers who enjoy short fiction that blends gothic tradition with science fiction elements. It may not appeal to those seeking long-form novels or purely historical horror without speculative twists.
Published in 2021 by Independently Published, this work sits at the intersection of classic English literature and modern speculative fiction. It draws on the Elizabethan tradition of tragedy while addressing twenty-first-century concerns about technology and divine interpretation.
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💎 Our verdict on Of Bloody Deeds
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Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate the fusion of classic literary references with modern technological fears will find this anthology compelling. The book offers a unique blend of gothic tradition and science fiction elements, appealing to those who enjoy short fiction that explores inevitable doom through supernatural threats. It is particularly suitable for audiences interested in how artificial intelligence grapples with human concepts like love and hate, as well as those drawn to narratives mirroring Shakespearean themes of betrayal and forbidden love. This collection provides a distinct reading experience for anyone seeking horror that transcends purely historical settings by incorporating speculative twists.
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Reader rating
Of Bloody Deeds successfully merges Shakespearean echoes with contemporary supernatural dread, creating a cohesive atmosphere of inevitable doom. Hardic’s approach to blending gothic tradition with science fiction elements offers a refreshing perspective on classic horror tropes. The exploration of an AI grappling with love and hate adds depth to the anthology, distinguishing it from conventional ghost stories. While it may not satisfy those seeking long-form novels or purely historical horror, its short fiction format effectively delivers distinct supernatural threats. This collection is best suited for readers who enjoy speculative twists and thematic connections between classical literature and modern technological anxieties.
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