This is the book I’ve been waiting for Brian Keene to write. I know that sounds a little condescending, but trust me, I don’t have visions of the guy wiping sweat from his brow and grinning in gratitude because he’s pleased me. The thing is, I enjoyed CASTAWAYS so much, I’d like to slap its author on the back, tell him “you really had me going this time, you bastard,” and then buy him a beer.
The novel’s setup is perfect: Would-be celebrities in quest of a million-dollar grand prize and the crew for a reality TV show called CASTAWAYS are on a small island in the bugfuck quadrant of an ocean somewhere. The program is a SURVIVOR clone. Contestants play a game that draws from them the worst elements of human nature: greed, duplicity, arrogance, insincerity and just plain ol’ screw-you meanness. Alliances form and everyone gears up for several weeks of backstabbing fun.
Then three things happen that put cast and crew in real danger — or, as it’s known in the trade, “create good television”: One of the contestants turns out to be a domestic terrorist in disguise; a full-throttle cyclone hits the island; and the place turns out to be crawling with sub-human Things with razor-like claws, sharp teeth, a taste for human flesh and a letch for human women.
Yes, it’s a rousing B movie of a novel. Think Sci Fi Channel on Saturday night, only with higher production standards and hairy monster penises. Toss in the way slasher flicks count down to Last One Standing by eliminating the supporting cast through memorably gruesome means of murder, and enjoy the pacing of a professional adventure story as Keene pushes the pedal to the metal and chortles gleefully as he runs over anyone who’s not quick enough to get the hell out of his way. You better hop on the running board when he catches up to you or he’ll mow your ass over and not give it another thought.
In an author’s note, Keene tells how this tale originated as a short story of the same title that was written as a tribute to the late Richard Laymon. The satire of reality television — which this in part is — wouldn’t leave him alone, so here is the expanded version. In addition to Laymonesque touches, you may see subtle references to H.P. Lovecraft, and even to some of Keene’s other novels. I caught a wink at TERMINAL, and there are some others as well.
I got a day off work this week due to an ice storm and spent it in my comfy chair reading CASTAWAYS. Much more rewarding than going to work. My recommendation is that you buy a copy of this book immediately, but don’t wait for a storm to blow in. Just phone in sick. Curl up. Enjoy. —Doug Bentin
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• THE CONQUEROR WORMS by Brian Keene
• DARK HOLLOW by Brian Keene
• DEAD SEA by Brian Keene
• GHOUL by Brian Keene
• KILL WHITEY by Brian Keene
• TERMINAL by Brian Keene
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I read and enjoyed THE RISING in a popcorn movie kinda way but really hated CITY OF THE DEAD. I gave it a few good tries before eventually tossing it. Not sure if I’m willing to give him another chance, though the concept sounds fun. Might just watch the similarly-themed GALE FORCE instead (Treat Williams and Michael Dudikoff star in a flick about reality contestants in search of $10 million on an island. If the approaching hurricane wasn’t bad enough, Dudikoff leads a team of mercenaries who want the money for themselves.)…
Good Lord, man, it’s “pedal,” not “peddle.”
That’s what you get with an editor who only has 10 minutes to get two things posted before running off to work.
I know, the editing on this site is lousy, innit?
This book was indeed an awesome read. I gulped it down in huge, animalistic bites; not unlike the hairy sub-human things did with their victims. An added bonus I got from reading the book, more than likely unintentionally, was that it reminded me of a forgotten 80s schlock “classic” called Attack of the Beast Creatures. Add me to that list of grateful readers eager to buy Keene a Thank You beer.
I so have to read everything else that Keene has written, especially The Conqueror Worms. That sucker is at the very top of my Must Get List.