Rating: 
Summary: Dark Corner
Review: Date Reviewed: December 5, 2003David Hunter, son of a famous writer and absentee father, found it strange when his father willed his entire fortune to him upon his death. This act sent David's mind spinning with questions about who his father really was and what secrets he may have kept of himself. The town of Mason's Corner, Mississippi, also dubbed "Dark Corner", was the kind of town where few things went wrong and few crimes were committed. As such, the town was policed by a small force headed by Chief Van Jackson. However, after the arrival of a mysterious man renting the town's haunted house, the mansion where the town's namesake was killed by his slaves, strange things started happening in Dark Corner. When David Hunter moved to the seemingly quaint town to find out the truth about his family by living in the home where his father lived before his disappearance, the last thing on his mind was waging a battle against superhuman beings. Nevertheless, that was what he found himself entrenched in when a force so unbelievably strong and ruthless awoke from a long and deep slumber. Consequently, David was deemed the "chosen one" and was forced to take on the most difficult challenge of his life: fulfilling his family's legacy. Massey masterfully creates his characters and binds them to your heartstrings. While David's character is strongly crafted, it was the secondary characters that truly brought DARK CORNER to life. This solid character lineup coupled with a riveting plot is, to me, what a book should be. DARK CORNER is a fine way to follow-up Massey's debut Thunderland. Many times, authors are nervous about their sophomore efforts, but Massey has no reason to be. This is his most innovative and chilling work yet, and I imagine it can only get better from here. Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Like Father...Like Son
Review: David Hunter never really knew much about his dad, so when his father died and left him a wealthy inheritance, he decides to venture to his father's home, the last place where he was seen alive....Mason's Corner. In the quiet town of Mason's Corner, also known as Dark Corner, David begins to unravel the mystery of his father's death. In doing so, he also uncovers a mystical and rather unnerving revelation -- the reason he was brought to Dark Corner. The mysterious clues point to his family's past...to great deeds by great men - all of them Hunters - and to a prophesy that he himself is the center of. They were called upon to enact great deeds...and now...it seemed...that it was David's turn. But David is not the only one in search of their paternal roots. Kyle Coiraut, spawn of an unnatural union of evil, seeks to unearth his own father, Diallo, an unspeakable malevolence that will threaten to devour Dark Corner and perhaps the world itself. This feral evil and David Hunter have a history...a history that is about to come to a shattering point of climax. David must now unravel and come to terms with the strange prophesy in time to figure out what heroic deed he is prophesied to carry through.
Applying the father-son relationship was an outstanding guide point for this supernatural thriller. Dark Corner is more than just a metaphysical vampire story. Gripping yet humorous at times, this novel was a pleasant read, with romantic interests and a bit of eroticism, touching all aspects of the literary fountain. Brandon Massey brings the ancient vampire to life with his own touch of horror and suspense which makes this a good read. T.L. Gardner, author of "Dark Soul", "Uncle Tommy's Cabin"
Flavah Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: On a par with Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Peter Straub
Review: After the father he has never really known dies, David Hunter inherits a fortune. He leaves his Atlanta home and travels to Mason's Corner, Mississippi to move into his father's home, hoping to find out more about the man who was responsible for his birth in the town the man obviously loved. At first, David likes the small town and the people who live there but evil is coming; David will be called on to destroy it, just as his ancestor had done. After almost two centuries of believing his father is dead, vampire Kyle Coiraut is on his way to Mason's Corner to revive his sire from the Deep Sleep. From the moment Kyle awakens Diallo from the Deep Sleep, the master vampire warrior from a pre blood bank age is determined to create a vampire army to take over the human world in revenge for the mortals that killed the only woman he ever loved. Diallo is determined to destroy David for it was his ancestor who almost killed the powerful vampire but he has an unexpected ally, a vampire who is as old as time, Kyle's mother. With skill and much luck, they might hopefully be victorious. Brandon Massey is destined to be one of tomorrow's superstars in the horror genre. His storytelling and characterizations are on a par with Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Peter Straub because he makes the audience believe what is happening is real. Hopefully DARK CORNER will have a sequel because the hero is too vibrant to be confined to only one novel as good as this one is. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Being from Mississippi....
Review: ....and a PROUD graduate of Jackson State Univeristy. I may be bias in my review. However, I think many would agree when I say this was a good book!!! I was looking for my first suspence/mystery book to read and I am glad I decided on this one. It through me off at first because I felt trying to implement the unreal (vampires!!) in a this book was not going to keep my attention span. Boy was I wrong!! Massey did a wonderful job on keeping you excited on what is going to happen next. Even though I have completed this book, I am still excited becasue I can not wait till his next book. Keep up the good work.
Rating:
Summary: VERY GOOD
Review: I had the opportunity to read Brandon Massey's DARK CORNER and I was impressed. The pool of Black Authors writing horror is indeed talented but very small. As an author I feel this book could have been GREAT, but it was just shy of that distinction. I did however enjoy it immensely and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: I think Brandon did a great job, It was A FUN BOOK, I enjoyed it and look forward to more books from him.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!! A Must Read!!!1
Review: After reading Brandon Massey's Thunderland, I knew I couldn't wait to read his second novel. Dark Corner is excellent. It will keep you on the edge of your sight and I would definitely like to see this turned into a movie. Brandon Massey is a great writer and I think he is right up there with Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Edo Van Belkom
Rating:
Summary: Vampires I can really sink my teeth into...
Review: Not only does Massey not play up the over romanticized angle, he changes much of the 'myth' that has been done to death - something a lot of writers have been doing lately in what is perhaps the best subcategory of the genre for pure creativity. The results? An action, horror book that just happens to have vamps in it...
The pace is a bit touch and go in areas and the book itself is big [479 pages!] so pace occassionally makes you feel you haven't gotten anywhere.. but then again, there is so much information and action that you are satisfied with 10 pages and feel that you've read 50. And it's that information and action - and that tiny hint of what's coming - that keeps you going!
Great characters that you can identify with. They are well defined without feeling like you've read a resume, and are easy to cheer or jeer for appropriately. Toss in some character development or destinies that twist in ways you don't expect and you have a group of people that bring you on a most intriquing ride.
Massey's style is amazingly easy to read itself, just the snags of pace and overload to slow you down occasionally. The atmosphere is very realistic, which only helps make things worse for your imagination. And the story itself is fresh, invigorating, and gives new life to the oldest of the undeads. I look forward to the next novel to crawl from the depths Massey's imagination!
Rating on this one is definately a 5 for vampire lovers - nonvamp lovers should check it out at on a 4 level [softcover]... and oh gee - it's a soft cover, so I guess that means everyone should check it out!! I mean come on... it has vampiric dogs in it!!
Rating:
Summary: Dark Corner
Review: I must admit that this was actually the first thriller novel that I have read and it was awesome! This book kept me up all throughout the night, and reading at stop lights. I actually had nightmares but I guess that's a good thing. I am looking forward to seeing some of characters appear in your future novels.
I also loved Thunderland as well and looking forward to reading Dark Dreams.
Brandon keep up the excellent work and GAAL Book Club looks forward to seeing you again at a meeting real soon. We love you!
Rating:
Summary: Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Brandon weaves a tale of vampires well because the gendre has been visited by many, but only a certain type of writer can pull it off. He does it with ease and his characters are honest and well thought out. You find yourself caring for them through every situation. This book offers a fresh breath of air for African American writers it is a step from the norm and I see great things to come for "AA" writers in the future.
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