This book is a zoo! And I mean that in a good way.

In Jason Brannon’s THE CAGE, a collector of all creatures cryptozoological brings his traveling show to a family zoo, hoping to showcase some of his sick wares for big bucks. Among other things, Captain Jack Omaha has actual merfolk, a Wendigo, Bigfoot, El Chupacabra, The Jersey Devil (think horned horse and awfully mean), The Dragon of Bone Island and a little somethin’ somethin’ called The Beast of Exmoor.

However, he has the extremely poor timing of meeting with the uninterested zoo as a tornado approaches, which results in his exhibits getting out of their cages, making for a feeding free-for-all – one not limited to zoo animals.

Of course, this has all the makings for Worst Vacation Ever for the Peters family, still trying to heal the wounds left by the recent infidelities of its matriarch. They happen to be among the visitors at the zoo when all the chaos strikes. At least they have hope in crooked cop Teddy, who’s going a-huntin’ for some mythological varmints, with the help of a mute, telepathic nun.

If all that sounds crazy good – or just plain crazy – just what until you get to the decapitated lion. Appreciatively slim and sleek, Brannon’s novel reads like a feature-length episode of TALES FROM THE CRYPT or an update of the 1970s animal-attack film, told with vim, vigor and viscera.

Its structure may be perfunctory, but its setup is genius; after all, who among us isn’t intrigued by perusing its all-star monster lineup? Initially, I was reminded of another recent sideshow slaughterfest – Bryan Smith’s THE FREAKSHOW – but Brannon’s book is the superior one. Whereas Smith’s just seemed to start and not explain anything, Brannon builds suspense and drops just the right amount of hints as the chase gets underway.

With the ol’ game of hide-and-seek comprising roughly two-thirds of the book, things could get routine, but Brannon’s dark sense of humor keeps it devilishly delicious. To wit: “‘I think that guy’s moving.’ And he was, only not in any conventional sense. The man’s head dropped from his shoulders as he slid off the wall and hit the floor with a loud thud.”

Some of the dialogue between the family members rings false – especially when Son asks Mom if she enjoyed doing other guys besides Dad – but all that’s just biding time between the beast battles. And that’s what THE CAGE has locked up. It’s too much fun for horror hounds to let go ignored. –Rod Lott

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• WINDS OF CHANGE by Jason Brannon