What do you think?
Rate this book
It Came From the Trees: and Other Violent Aberrations
Tree planters on the run from parasitic insects. A physicist who has become the target of a murderous airline. Teenagers trapped in a museum with an eldritch horror. An escaped pit fighter thrust into a desperate stand at a sagging mountain fortress. And a luckless cowboy sailing across a sea of grass to the bloody resurrection of an elder god. Welcome to Joel McKay's It Came from the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations, a collection of five page-turners as strange, disparate and bloody as their titles suggest.So, grab a stiff drink, turn the lights down low, settle into your favorite reading nook and enjoy this brief but memorable collection of tales from one of the newest voices in Canadian pulp fiction.
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2024
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Joel McKay
6Ìýbooks11ÌýfollowersJoel McKay is an award-winning writer and economic development professional. His day-time job is leading a rural development organization for Northern B.C., and his night-time passion is writing fiction. His fiction includes the novella Wolf at the Door, and the shorts Number Hunnerd and Hands. He lives in Prince George, B.C. with his wife and two daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 17, 2024
I was really excited when McKay announced this collection of stories and they didn’t fail to deliver; a foray into the strange and twisted with connections throughout to BC. I enjoyed all of the stories but ‘A 21st D.B. Cooper� and ‘The Warrior’s Task� really stood out for me with their intriguing characters and thought provoking themes. McKay has a knack for throwing you straight into the depths of a story as though you’ve known the characters for a lifetime whilst also exploring concepts and ideas that leave you pondering long after you have closed the book. A thoroughly enjoyable collection that I would definitely recommend!
April 14, 2025
I ask again, is it a Canadian thing to feel the need to add a little bit about how and why you wrote a story after it? I love that stuff, it's just odd that so far I've only seen Canadians do it for collections.
I came across this book while looking for another book by a similar title and had no expectations when I picked it up. I was pleasantly surprised by how polished the stories came across as and by the variety of themes. The titular story was particularly up my proverbial alley with the body horror. There's one story that was more fantasy oriented than horror but with it being so short it didn't have time to get on my nerves. All in all, solid little collection.
I came across this book while looking for another book by a similar title and had no expectations when I picked it up. I was pleasantly surprised by how polished the stories came across as and by the variety of themes. The titular story was particularly up my proverbial alley with the body horror. There's one story that was more fantasy oriented than horror but with it being so short it didn't have time to get on my nerves. All in all, solid little collection.
March 27, 2024
IT CAME FROM THE TREES AND OTHER VIOLENT ABERRATIONS by JOEL MCKAY, tells the tale of several horror stories. It Came From the Trees was based on tree planters on the run from parasitic insects. A 21st Century D.B. Cooper was about a physicist who has become the target of a murderous airline. The Silent Screamer was about teenagers trapped in a museum with an eldritch horror. The Warrior's Task tells the tale of an escaped pit fighter thrust into a desperate stand at a sagging mountain fortress. To mention but a few.
I'm a big fan of horror content and books, and this book was no disappointment. The author displays mastery of his craft and storytelling, adequately describing each scene and event while holding the reader's attention. I have to confess, the stories were quite scary but interesting nonetheless. I enjoyed the first story, It Came From the Trees, a recount of the horrific event by Rod Harlan, one of the tree planters.
The book was well proofread. I found no errors or typos while reading. After each tale, the author reveals his detailed notes and inspiration behind each story. Though I enjoyed the book, I was not thrilled by the ending because there was none. With the exception of the second story, A 21st Century D.B. Cooper, where Joel McKay highlighted what happened to the main characters via his notes, every other story left me on a cliffhanger after each short, thrilling tale. I hope he decides to release a full novel for each book soon.Ìý
I would rate this book, 4 out of 5 stars, withholding one star for being left on a cliffhanger. I would love to believe this book is a sequel to the main stories coming out soon. That would make me one of the happiest person on earth.
I would gladly recommend this book to young adults and lovers of horror and/or thrill novels. I'm very sure they'll enjoy it. The author's descriptions were detailed and explicit; some scenes were too gruesome to imagine; and almost every short story left me with goosebumps. I had to sleep with the lights on and on high alert for any critter or insect near my abode. But if that's not the fun of horror movies and books, I wonder what is. Kudos to Joel McKay for this piece. I anticipate more publications from you in the near future.
I'm a big fan of horror content and books, and this book was no disappointment. The author displays mastery of his craft and storytelling, adequately describing each scene and event while holding the reader's attention. I have to confess, the stories were quite scary but interesting nonetheless. I enjoyed the first story, It Came From the Trees, a recount of the horrific event by Rod Harlan, one of the tree planters.
The book was well proofread. I found no errors or typos while reading. After each tale, the author reveals his detailed notes and inspiration behind each story. Though I enjoyed the book, I was not thrilled by the ending because there was none. With the exception of the second story, A 21st Century D.B. Cooper, where Joel McKay highlighted what happened to the main characters via his notes, every other story left me on a cliffhanger after each short, thrilling tale. I hope he decides to release a full novel for each book soon.Ìý
I would rate this book, 4 out of 5 stars, withholding one star for being left on a cliffhanger. I would love to believe this book is a sequel to the main stories coming out soon. That would make me one of the happiest person on earth.
I would gladly recommend this book to young adults and lovers of horror and/or thrill novels. I'm very sure they'll enjoy it. The author's descriptions were detailed and explicit; some scenes were too gruesome to imagine; and almost every short story left me with goosebumps. I had to sleep with the lights on and on high alert for any critter or insect near my abode. But if that's not the fun of horror movies and books, I wonder what is. Kudos to Joel McKay for this piece. I anticipate more publications from you in the near future.
January 17, 2024
This book is a collection of five short stories and notes. The first tells a horror story about the experiences of friends with mountain pine beetles. The second story explores Dr. Leonard Nussbaum's experiment with Dick, his assistant. The third tells the story of two teenagers, Tad and Franny, who bust into a London museum and get more than they bargained for. The fourth story takes place in an unnamed fantasy world where warriors led by Marion try to save Mutt's life. The fifth story explores John Hawes' predicament and highlights the dangers of irrational behavior and the importance of a strong sense of loyalty.
The author explores various themes such as adventure, family love, heroism, bitterness, and friendship. The length is perfect and allows readers to understand the content without losing track of the storyline. The choice of diction is apt, vivid, and unambiguous, and it helped in my appreciation of the book. The use of imagery in the novel creates a mental connection between the reader and the story, thus making it a captivating and engaging read. For instance, the narration by Rod to Dr. Summer, an etymologist, about his and other campers' (Regan, Omar, Eric, etc.) horrific experience with beetles created vivid imagery.
Also, I applaud McKay’s ability to explore the use of suspense throughout the novel. I could barely take a break and was engrossed with the events until the end, eagerly anticipating the outcome of the events. I could point out many instances of suspense, from the first story down to the last story. But that would result in many spoilers.
Despite its beauty, the novel lacks a definite ending for each story. The author's failure to provide a clear conclusion made the book feel partially written and incomplete. I kept wondering about the fate of some characters.
Notwithstanding the foregoing criticisms, the novel is an interesting, educational, insightful, and engaging read. Hence, it deserves 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for all lovers of horror, adventure, suspense, and thriller collections.
The author explores various themes such as adventure, family love, heroism, bitterness, and friendship. The length is perfect and allows readers to understand the content without losing track of the storyline. The choice of diction is apt, vivid, and unambiguous, and it helped in my appreciation of the book. The use of imagery in the novel creates a mental connection between the reader and the story, thus making it a captivating and engaging read. For instance, the narration by Rod to Dr. Summer, an etymologist, about his and other campers' (Regan, Omar, Eric, etc.) horrific experience with beetles created vivid imagery.
Also, I applaud McKay’s ability to explore the use of suspense throughout the novel. I could barely take a break and was engrossed with the events until the end, eagerly anticipating the outcome of the events. I could point out many instances of suspense, from the first story down to the last story. But that would result in many spoilers.
Despite its beauty, the novel lacks a definite ending for each story. The author's failure to provide a clear conclusion made the book feel partially written and incomplete. I kept wondering about the fate of some characters.
Notwithstanding the foregoing criticisms, the novel is an interesting, educational, insightful, and engaging read. Hence, it deserves 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for all lovers of horror, adventure, suspense, and thriller collections.
February 6, 2024
Joel McKay's It Came from the Trees and Other Aberrations is similar to Stephen King, but with shorter stories that read more quickly. They have all the same darkness, suspense, and terror as Stephen King's novels. I liked how different the stories were. Every story reads like a Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. You can sense the mood growing tight and dark, but you're not sure exactly what to expect when you get there. All that will exist is terror, anxiety, and gloom. Just when you think you understand the tone of the plot, Joel Mckay introduces another sinister turn reminiscent of the books and flicks Goosebumps. It was simultaneously bizarre, terrifying, and crazy. Joel McKay has a talent for language. After reading them, readers will be plagued by a succession of gruesome incidents that linger far into the night.
The novel lacks a definitive conclusion for each story, despite its beauty. The lack of a definitive ending by the author gave the work the impression of being half-written. I couldn't stop wondering what would happen to some characters.
Despite the aforementioned complaints, the work is a thought-provoking, entertaining, instructive, and informative read. Thus, it is deserving of four stars. I suggest it to everyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, horror, and adventure books.
The novel lacks a definitive conclusion for each story, despite its beauty. The lack of a definitive ending by the author gave the work the impression of being half-written. I couldn't stop wondering what would happen to some characters.
Despite the aforementioned complaints, the work is a thought-provoking, entertaining, instructive, and informative read. Thus, it is deserving of four stars. I suggest it to everyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, horror, and adventure books.
November 17, 2023
It Came from the Tress and Other Aberrations by Joel McKay is like Stephen King but in short enough stories that one can get through faster. They are just as dark, fearful, and suspenseful as Stephen King's books. I enjoyed the variety of tales told. Every tales reads like Edgar Allan Poe's Tell-Tale Heart story. You know it is building up into this dark tense atmosphere and yet you do not know exactly what you will find once there. Only that there will be horror, fear, and darkness. Just when you think you got the feel of the story, Joel Mckay adds another dark twist similar to Goosebumps's novels and films. It was crazy, strange, and horrifying all at once. Joel McKay has a way with words. His words are a series macabre events that will haunt readers long into the night after reading them. Overall, I highly recommend reading this collection if you are 18+ years of age and maybe with a light on...because the dark vivid scenes will come alive.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
December 13, 2023
The Review
This collection of stories did an incredible job of simultaneously capturing the essence of terror and pulp fiction. Each tale expertly weaves the haunting atmosphere the author’s writing evokes with the mounting tension that the genre is infamous for.
The creepy settings and the horror-filled narratives perfectly complement the rich characters that populate these stories. The way these characters are thrust into these evolving bouts of terror and the unsettling nature of the horrors they face brings to mind the works of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and the horror classic The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen.
The Verdict
Chilling, atmospheric, and engaging author Joel McKay’s “It Came From The Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations� is a must-read horror and pulp fiction collection. The cosmic horror setting and the grounded character development will keep readers interested and invested in the author’s work now and in the future.
This collection of stories did an incredible job of simultaneously capturing the essence of terror and pulp fiction. Each tale expertly weaves the haunting atmosphere the author’s writing evokes with the mounting tension that the genre is infamous for.
The creepy settings and the horror-filled narratives perfectly complement the rich characters that populate these stories. The way these characters are thrust into these evolving bouts of terror and the unsettling nature of the horrors they face brings to mind the works of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and the horror classic The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen.
The Verdict
Chilling, atmospheric, and engaging author Joel McKay’s “It Came From The Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations� is a must-read horror and pulp fiction collection. The cosmic horror setting and the grounded character development will keep readers interested and invested in the author’s work now and in the future.
October 15, 2024
Anthologies are a great way to get a few stories together. They are normally of the same genre—which they are—but they aren’t. Yes, they were all creepy, but they ranged in time period, character attributes, and type of horror. It was an extremely diverse array of stories.
My favourite thing about anthologies is getting to the scary stuff without much preamble, and Joel Mckay did not disappoint. The first story is super creepy with the perfect twist ending. It quickly became my top read, but don’t stop reading there; they are all intriguing.
The final story (ranking as my second favourite) is an interesting combo of creep and cowboy. I didn’t think those two things could go together, but they were perfectly meshed.
This collection’s brief explanation of why the author wrote each story was unique, and it was interesting to see where he got some of the inspiration.
If you like creepy, you need this book.
My favourite thing about anthologies is getting to the scary stuff without much preamble, and Joel Mckay did not disappoint. The first story is super creepy with the perfect twist ending. It quickly became my top read, but don’t stop reading there; they are all intriguing.
The final story (ranking as my second favourite) is an interesting combo of creep and cowboy. I didn’t think those two things could go together, but they were perfectly meshed.
This collection’s brief explanation of why the author wrote each story was unique, and it was interesting to see where he got some of the inspiration.
If you like creepy, you need this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.