Book Reviews
The Doom that Came to Astoria Reviews
"There’s no shortage of relatable emotion expressed in this story. Every ounce of anxiety, fear, doubt, rage, and regret that these characters face makes the energy between the reader and the events endured that much more tangible.
And when it comes to energy, there’s an abundance within. It brews and builds consistently, working up to the arrival of what the title promises: doom."
Gillian Dowell, Author of Hello, Dove
"One thing I loved: Randall shines a spotlight onto men's mental health via the main protagonist. Charlie is a nest of anxieties, insecurities, and intrusive thoughts. He often questions himself & his purpose...and I found him relatable.
There's clear passion in the telling of the tale, and at times it feels personal and cathartic. You'll find mystery, intrigue, and lots of emotion within these pages."
Jeremy Megargee, Author of Old Hollow and Stained & Starless Places
"What I truly love about this book is that we rarely see characters in fiction who have realistic and well described reactions to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Craig Randall has done an excellent job at really making you feel Charlie struggle. Honestly, Charlie’s characterization is more of a draw for me than the plot (even though I enjoyed the plot) because I really related to some of the issues he’s experienced with his mental health and how he’s tried to manage them."
Dena Crawford-Nibler, Author of The Dead Ringer
The Doom that Came to Astoria
★★★★★ / BY STEVE QUADE / JULY 1, 2022
"A deeply chilling and tightly controlled psychological fiction novel."
For some people, life is more difficult than for others. Charlie West is one of those people. Plagued by compartmentalized memories from a tortured childhood, Charlie wears emotional scars every day as he struggles to exist within what most would consider normal parameters. A lifetime of panic attacks, mental torment and suppressed guilt has led him to develop a methodical routine, emotional paralysis and a dim view of the future. But a small seed of hope takes root when Charlie accepts his first real job, a teaching position in a different city. As he heads for Astoria, a fierce internal battle rages inside him, warning of an imminent danger that can be staved off only by staying home with his mom. But moving forward and living some semblance of a normal life is Charlie’s humble dream. And so he makes the terrifying, life-altering move. Hoping to escape echoes of his tyrannical father, learn how to interact normally with people, and maybe make some friends, Charlie has no idea that his fate has already been sealed before he even leaves for Astoria. There are powerful forces at play and Charlie could be the key that unlocks an ancient secret. However, a clandestine group looking to exploit Charlie may not be as big of a threat to him as his own thrashing mind.
Dramatic and evocative, The Doom that Came to Astoria is a deeply chilling and tightly controlled psychological fiction novel that shines a floodlight on mental health issues. Readers can’t help but feel for Charlie, a man who has faced a lifetime of obstacles, as he is sucked into a scheme he never asked for, one where his deepest worries come to life. Honest and transparent to his own detriment, Charlie’s heart is an open book, making it painful to watch his nascent optimism cruelly extinguished by one letdown after another. But there is so much lurking between the pages beyond one agonized man’s ongoing mental conflict. Like a pressure cooker mounted over a campfire, this deliberate novel builds fearsome intensity slowly and steadily, with a pace that refuses to be rushed or forced. Packed with subtle insinuations and grim implications, The Doom that Came to Astoria is a creepy, insidious novel where the reward for patience is dark, twisted enlightenment.
To Chase the Sun Reviews
"I've loved Craig Randall's work on Instagram for a long time. His mastery of and dedication to haiku is at times breathtaking. Here, I was pleased to see him break out of that format and show the same level of excellence.
His studied attainment of poetic structure interwoven with meaning is what sets To Chase the Sun apart from other looks at mental health, pain and struggle. His poem, Yearn, for instance, is carefully punctuated and formatted; his words are chosen with specificity so that you must read both stanzas over and over to glean the deepest meaning."
Brian Jasper, Co-Author of Bullets and Glass
"This is a book of healing, of honesty, and of finding the light even in the darkness. This is a book of hope and a book of self love in the face of our perceived failings. It's a short but emotionally resonant read with poems I've bookmarked to read again and again. This beautiful book of poetry will be accompanying me to the beach all summer because it has the perfect blend of raw heart and hope. An extra ray of sunshine I'll carry with me."
C.A. Farran , Author of Songs of the Wicked
"An epic collection of poetry centered around the process of healing through life's traumas and challenges. This is an essential read to break the taboo behind men's mental health issues. The introduction alone is truly inspiring for all."
Julie Kabouya, Author of Himaya
