They Were Here Before Us: A Novella in Pieces by Eric LaRocca

 

They Were Here Before Us: A Novella in Pieces is a collection of six short horror tales by Eric LaRocca. It was published on October 21. 2022 by Bad Hand Books and weighs in at 102 pages.

I get a lot of ideas about what to read next from social media. I’d seen numerous people singing the praises of this novella. I was drawn in by the cover, especially since I am a bird lover. The strange details of the artwork cinched it for me.

I knew I was in for a real treat when the book started out with “A Word of Warning.” I felt somewhat rebellious and giddy after reading it, even more excited to dive into the stories. It was as if I was about to enter into a taboo universe, one that promised thrills and the possibility of rage and nausea. Within this book LaRocca takes us on a journey to discover the relationship between nature and love in a way I’d never experienced.

I don’t want to give away too much from these stories. As I read them, I delighted in discovering who or what the main characters were and their roles in the tales. I was fascinated by LaRocca’s creativity and ability to draw me in when many of the characters are not human. It was a fresh take on short horror, and I enjoyed it.

 

I appreciate the amount of pure imagination in the book, and I found myself wondering what inspired them. The amount of emotion they imparted on their characters was impressive and inviting. Also, the cover and interior artwork by Caitlin Hackett added another layer of beauty to this captivating collection. If you want a taste of the unordinary, grab a copy for yourself.


More books by Eric LaRocca:


Who is Eric LaRocca?

Eric LaRocca (he/they) is the Bram Stoker Award®-nominated and Splatterpunk Award-winning author of several works of horror and dark fiction, including the viral sensation, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke. A lover of luxury fashion and an admirer of European musical theatre, Eric can often be found roaming the streets of his home city, Boston, MA, for inspiration. 

***Taken from LaRocca’s website

 
 
 
 

Get to know Bad Hand Books

The best horror, dark fantasy, & crime fiction. Owned and operated by Bram Stoker Award-winner Doug Murano.

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