Down Paperback – June 9, 2012

Down by Nate Southard was the story of an up-and-coming rock band whose plane crashed somewhere in the woods between Texas and New York. After the plane crash, the survivors find that there is something in the woods stalking them. This was a fun, quick-paced read by Southard, with interesting characters the reader quickly comes to be invested in. The supernatural ending went a little over the top, and at times, the last 1/4 of the story didn't feel like it went with the first 3/4, but overall, I enjoyed this fast paced story by Southard.

Down is a well written book with a Lovecraftian bent that seems to be lost on some readers. The characters are extremely well done. The story transitions from scarey to full tilt horror with a deft subtlety that will scare you silly if you can keep up.This is a great read for any horror fan, especially Lovecraft fans who understand and appreciate the ancient horrors and the art of story telling.But be aware that this is more graphic than any Lovecraft!

Don't let the negative reviews dissuade you. I loved the second half of this book just as much as the first half. It comes at you from left field, a complete surprise. The detail in the writing is sure to sneak into your dreams at night!

Southard's most underrated work, and that's from the author's own admission.To begin, some backstory on the publisher. Sinister Grin Press is a publisher of limited edition, high quality horror fiction. They deal only with authors with cult status and an already established audience. They have worked with Jack Ketchum, Monia O'Rourke, Wrath James White, Brian Keene, etc.Down is the horror genre's answer to Lost. No golden waterfalls or research stations here, though. The characters who crash on this island don't get to shower and eat candy bars (what utter nonsense!). Some are paralyzed, most die either from their injuries or at the hands of a mysterious, primitive force that occupies the isolated isle. Addiction is given no leeway as the junkie bandmate is disposed of halfway through for the self indulgent weakling he really is.Southard is a resonant presence in horror literature and recently broke into the crime fiction genre with Pale Horses. His star can only rise from here. I look forward to interviewing him on the Surreal Grotesque podcast Saturday, November 23!

Didn't work for me at all. None of the characters were appealing and I didn't care what was happening to them. The story was just weird stuff thrown at a wall hoping something would stick. None of it did. I want my money and time back.

While some folks didn't like the direction of this novella, I really dug the concept. No, not everything is perfectly explained, but that's what makes it intriguing.If you liked the series Lost, you'll really like this work.

Nate Southard's short novel, DOWN, is a strange, mixed tale. I loved the first half or so, with its relentless action and unknown creature attacking the group's survivors; but once the story dipped into the supernatural, with the introduction of the sinkhole and its mysterious denizens and no reason why they were there or where they came from, it became too bizarre and left me completely flat. A solid five-star start crumbles like the dirt in the sinkhole to a pitiful, one-star resolution. Overall, then, it works out to around a three-star rating. A little more believability in the resolution could have lifted this tale to at least four-stars.

This was my first Nate Southard novel and it will not be my last. He built intriguing characters so well that I found myself genuinely wanting to see their journeys. The quickly-paced story pulled me right in and I didn't pull the novel down once - finished it the same night it was delivered! Highly recommend!