The “world’s most flammable author,” and the Wonderland Award winning author of I Will Rot Without You, Puppet Skin, and Moonfellows, is back with another tale! In Starlet by Danger Slater, we’re presented with a surreal and gripping story of Hollywood’s dark underbelly.
The Plot of Starlet by Danger Slater (No Spoilers)
We follow aspiring young actress Déjà Seawright. Like many who venture to Tinseltown, she’s in pursuit of fame and fortune.
Upon meeting A-lister Brandon Bowers (The Perfect Gentlemen himself!) she receives the golden opportunity: A chance to hang out with Hollywood’s elite in his mansion. What starts out as a promising situation soon turns into a David Lynchian nightmare.
It doesn’t take long before awful and terrifying secrets are revealed.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but there are scenes in this book that are not for readers with weak stomachs. The unsettling events that unfold are woven together with elements of both horror and satire, leaving to debate whether you wanna laugh, throw up, or do both of those things at the same time.
The dialogue and actions of the characters are just as thought provoking as they are chilling.
Déjà Seawright makes the perfect protagonist as her journey serves as a stark commentary on the often destructive nature of fame and the lengths some will go through to maintain their status at the top of the proverbial food chain. Speaking of food, you may want to hold off on your next meal before getting to the middle of this book.
Fame, Fortune, and …Jellyfish?
About the Jellyfish, I wondered if the author incorporated them intentionally to symbolize the fragility and venomous nature of the glamorous facade that mask the industries darker truths. If you’re reading this, Mr. Slater, I would like to know! The prose is just so evocative. I found myself mesmerized scene after scene of grotesque imagery.
I can’t imagine anyone wanting to chase their celluloid dreams after they see what’s at steak (meat pun intended) in Starlet‘s pages.
Going back to the David Lynch reference from earlier, I feel like I could recommend Starlet by Danger Slater as a pairing with a movie like Mulholland Drive. Several scenes here evoke the same creep factor as the thing behind the dumpster in that film (If you know, you know).
However, compared to a movie that’s over two hours, Starlet one is one is a short trip. Emphasis on trip! I’ve never done hallucinogens, but the descriptions of what some of the characters go through while they’re tripping made me feel like that’s as close as I ever want to come to that.
Overall, I just want to say that Starlet by Danger Slater is a bold and audacious novella that challenges the reader to look beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and confront the sinister forces that lurk beneath. It’s a must read for fans of horror and those interested in the darker side of the entertainment industry. Danger Slater has, once again, outdone himself and crafted a unique story that will give you something to think about long after you’ve turned the last page.
Danger Slater’s Starlet Will Be Available August 27th!
I would like to take the following time to thank the author and Danger Slater’s publisher, Ghoulish Books, for providing me with an advanced reader copy. I have been a fan of everything I’ve read out of that imprint before and highly encourage readers of all things weird and spooky to check them out.
Starlet by Danger Slater will officially release on August 27th 2024. As of right now, there’s still time to preorder it so that it gets to you on release day.
I will now post all information relevant to that below, and while you’re at it, be sure to check out Danger Slater’s other works. I promise you wont regret it! If that doesn’t entice you, here’s a picture of him:
Links to Get Your Own Copy of Starlet by Danger Slater
Publisher pre-order link: ghoulish.rip/product/starlet/
Amazon pre-order link: https://amzn.to/3ABgNo3 HorrorFam.com Affiliate Link – Using this link to order your copy of Starlet by Danger Slater helps support our content at no additional cost to you! 🙂
Images provided by AJ Spencer via Ghoulish Press. Starlet by Danger Slater’s cover art was illustrated by Matthew Revert.
