At the eerie crossroads where horror fiction and marijuana meet, picture the most bizarre book club: a gathering where the tales are as twisted as the joints, and the only thing more chilling than the ghost stories are the cold sweats from running out of snacks. It's an unholy alliance where every puff might just summon something from the other side, proving that in this spooky soiree, the true terror isn't in the shadows, but in losing your lighter in the dark. Recently, we sent out our five standout recommendations that exemplify the unsettling fusion of marijuana and horror fiction and that was easily one of our most engaging emails to date. Since you all liked that so much, we decided to keep the discussion going by showcasing our favorite book from that email. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE FREE OFFER FROM OUR SPONSORS, DIET SMOKE. SCROLL TO THE END, YOU WILL NOT WANNA MISS IT!LET’S GET INTO IT In Zachary Ashford's horror novel Polyphemus, the complex relationship between marijuana use and the descent into horror is depicted with a nuanced understanding of addiction, camaraderie, and the supernatural. The story follows the journey of the band Polyphemus, particularly focusing on Stephen Oaks' struggle with addiction and his desperate attempts to rejoin his bandmates after a near-fatal overdose. The use of marijuana serves as both a catalyst for creativity and bonding among the band members and a gateway to Oaks' personal and collective nightmare. The novel masterfully portrays marijuana as a double-edged sword, enhancing the creative process and strengthening friendships, while also leading to darker paths of addiction and potentially opening doors to otherworldly horrors. Oaks' battle with his demons, both literal and figurative, is intensified by his substance use, illustrating the fine line between blissful escape and nightmarish reality. As the narrative unfolds, the band's attempt to navigate the music industry's pressures, their personal relationships, and their internal struggles with addiction and ambition is complicated by Oaks' bargain with dark forces. This supernatural element, combined with the realistic portrayal of substance use, creates a horror story that is as much about the monsters within as those lurking in the shadows. Polyphemus stands out in horror fiction for its authentic depiction of marijuana's impact on creativity, addiction, and personal relationships. It challenges readers to consider the consequences of our choices, the nature of addiction, and the power of music and friendship in the face of unspeakable horror. Through the lens of a metal band's tumultuous journey, Ashford offers a compelling exploration of how our vices can shape our destinies, for better or worse. ⚠️ All DarkLit titles can be found everywhere books are sold, including: BAM!, B&N, KINDLE UNLIMITED, AUDIBLE, BOOKSHOP, and more... 😱 SPECIAL OFFER FROM OUR SPONSORS 💨Meet your new favorite THC gummy from Diet Smoke. Try Diet Smoke for free today. From 10mg to 125mg per gummy, and everything in between. Delivered directly to your door in as little as 48 hours. Find out why Diet Smoke is loved by over 75,000 customers! 👉 Try for free now!📚 TAKE A BOOK, LEAVE YOUR SOUL!All of us at DarkLit Press are proud to host the LITTLE-FREE-LIBRARY OF HORRORS. This is a space for our authors to share stories that allow you, the reader, to get a taste for their writing. If you've read one of our books and desperately wanted more, you'll often find accompanying tales here, free-to-read. ☠ DEATH TO THE PROMOTIONS TAB ☠If you're like me then you hate finding out you missed an important email to the promo/social tabs in Gmail. Here's how to fix that. Settings > inbox categories > uncheck the "promotions" and "social" boxes > DONE We are a small press publishing company who strives to amplify underrepresented and marginalized voices in the #HorrorCommunity. |
