Reviews
As much as writers write first for themselves, we also feel good when readers enjoy the stories.
"Infinity Bottle" (in Brewtality)
As is typically the case with anthologies, some stories land better than others and while all stories are entertaining, few feel truly standout. The best (“Choked Up,” by the always reliable Ryan Harding, which manages to simultaneously surprise and disgust in equal measure in a genuinely shocking story, and “Infinity Bottle” by Dev Jarrett, boasting easily the books most over the top visuals) manage the fine balance of a strong story with the requisite shock factor.
--Richard Martin, IndieMuse
Loveless (novel, published by Blood Bound Books, 2013)
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
--Edwin L. Albright
5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put it Down!
--Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading
--Pete
5.0 out of 5 stars Southern horror to ease the spirit
--Kevin L. Hasty
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing debut novel
--Def Dave
(Click the links to read the entire reviews. All reviews posted on Amazon.com)
"Ambrosia" (in Horror Library Volume 5)
"Of the stories in this, the fifth volume of the series, several stand out... "Ambrosia" by Dev Jarrett - There are beings that walk among us who, although they appear human, are something else entirely. Particularly in their tastes, which as this story shows can be quite refined indeed.
--Whitt Patrick Pond (on Amazon.com)
"Songs of Goodbye" (in Morpheus Tales' Apocalypse Special Issue)
"Just keeping things plausible doesn’t mean you’re automatically onto a winner though, nor is the other way around true. A series of immense sinkholes follows the inexplicable draining of the oceans in the sweet little story “Songs of Goodbye” by Dev Jarrett. Do I believe that 326 million trillion gallons of water (I’m trusting Google there) can just drain into the Earth’s crust? Not really. But did I care when I watched a father and daughter share a moment together? Nope! Dev exhibits fine prose and great descriptive talent. The writer’s similies are flawless and keep the narrative jumping until the characters take over. This is probably my pick of the stories."
--David Brookes, in his blog "The Spinning Lizard"
"Screaming Monkeys"
...a remarkable story...
--Stanley Riiks, in his blog
"Monochrome Smile"
In Dev Jarrett’s Monochrome Smile, a space crew encounter a being of mind control, an entity able to hypnotise unwary humans. This unique alien consumes it victims’ bodies and produces a human facsimile, rendered in monochrome sand. This alien doppelganger retains the memories of its victims and an understanding of human emotion. The alien’s constant refrain is that it wants to be loved. In a nice touch, the people on Earth are thrilled at the discovery of an alien life-form, oblivious to the possible dangers. The story charts the struggle of Gregor, a member of the crew, as he strives to escape the alien and the potential catastrophic outcomes of this first contact.
--Deborah Walker, Skull Salad Reviews
"Nightmares of Humanity"
Hilarious! I loved it. Reminded me of Day of the Dead but with roles reversed.
After reading through some 30 stories, I have to say this is the best zombie short story I’ve ever read. Deftly written, poignant, something ingenious almost sprung from the pen of Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut or Rod Serling. Kudos, and BRAINS!!!
I agree...great job on the role reversal.
To be honest, the smart zombie notion isn’t something I like...but when I got to the father/son dynamic you hooked me. Well done!
Wonderful story. Your story really hooked me with all the gore presented as ordinary events (serving up the brain, etc.),
The twist with the father & son relationship was great. Fantastic story!
I’m not a fan of Zombie reversal stories...but this is one of the best, and best written, I have read.
I really didn’t like this as a zombie story, but loved it as just pure story telling. Wonderful internal conflict and rhetorical introspect. Made me reconsider even my own beliefs in things I hold important in my life. This story was just like a wonderful painting. It just made me sit, and think. You really gave the reader a gift with this, thanks!
--all of the above are comments from the "Tales of the Zombie War" website
"Reality Check"
This was a welcome antidote to the romanticizing of the vampire that we’ve been getting too much of.
--Sam Tomaino, SFRevu
As is typically the case with anthologies, some stories land better than others and while all stories are entertaining, few feel truly standout. The best (“Choked Up,” by the always reliable Ryan Harding, which manages to simultaneously surprise and disgust in equal measure in a genuinely shocking story, and “Infinity Bottle” by Dev Jarrett, boasting easily the books most over the top visuals) manage the fine balance of a strong story with the requisite shock factor.
--Richard Martin, IndieMuse
Loveless (novel, published by Blood Bound Books, 2013)
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
--Edwin L. Albright
5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put it Down!
--Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading
--Pete
5.0 out of 5 stars Southern horror to ease the spirit
--Kevin L. Hasty
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing debut novel
--Def Dave
(Click the links to read the entire reviews. All reviews posted on Amazon.com)
"Ambrosia" (in Horror Library Volume 5)
"Of the stories in this, the fifth volume of the series, several stand out... "Ambrosia" by Dev Jarrett - There are beings that walk among us who, although they appear human, are something else entirely. Particularly in their tastes, which as this story shows can be quite refined indeed.
--Whitt Patrick Pond (on Amazon.com)
"Songs of Goodbye" (in Morpheus Tales' Apocalypse Special Issue)
"Just keeping things plausible doesn’t mean you’re automatically onto a winner though, nor is the other way around true. A series of immense sinkholes follows the inexplicable draining of the oceans in the sweet little story “Songs of Goodbye” by Dev Jarrett. Do I believe that 326 million trillion gallons of water (I’m trusting Google there) can just drain into the Earth’s crust? Not really. But did I care when I watched a father and daughter share a moment together? Nope! Dev exhibits fine prose and great descriptive talent. The writer’s similies are flawless and keep the narrative jumping until the characters take over. This is probably my pick of the stories."
--David Brookes, in his blog "The Spinning Lizard"
"Screaming Monkeys"
...a remarkable story...
--Stanley Riiks, in his blog
"Monochrome Smile"
In Dev Jarrett’s Monochrome Smile, a space crew encounter a being of mind control, an entity able to hypnotise unwary humans. This unique alien consumes it victims’ bodies and produces a human facsimile, rendered in monochrome sand. This alien doppelganger retains the memories of its victims and an understanding of human emotion. The alien’s constant refrain is that it wants to be loved. In a nice touch, the people on Earth are thrilled at the discovery of an alien life-form, oblivious to the possible dangers. The story charts the struggle of Gregor, a member of the crew, as he strives to escape the alien and the potential catastrophic outcomes of this first contact.
--Deborah Walker, Skull Salad Reviews
"Nightmares of Humanity"
Hilarious! I loved it. Reminded me of Day of the Dead but with roles reversed.
After reading through some 30 stories, I have to say this is the best zombie short story I’ve ever read. Deftly written, poignant, something ingenious almost sprung from the pen of Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut or Rod Serling. Kudos, and BRAINS!!!
I agree...great job on the role reversal.
To be honest, the smart zombie notion isn’t something I like...but when I got to the father/son dynamic you hooked me. Well done!
Wonderful story. Your story really hooked me with all the gore presented as ordinary events (serving up the brain, etc.),
The twist with the father & son relationship was great. Fantastic story!
I’m not a fan of Zombie reversal stories...but this is one of the best, and best written, I have read.
I really didn’t like this as a zombie story, but loved it as just pure story telling. Wonderful internal conflict and rhetorical introspect. Made me reconsider even my own beliefs in things I hold important in my life. This story was just like a wonderful painting. It just made me sit, and think. You really gave the reader a gift with this, thanks!
--all of the above are comments from the "Tales of the Zombie War" website
"Reality Check"
This was a welcome antidote to the romanticizing of the vampire that we’ve been getting too much of.
--Sam Tomaino, SFRevu