Full Throttle Review

Disclosure: I was provided with an advance copy of Full Throttle by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start off by saying this.  Joe Hill is a master of his craft.  Much like his father, he has the skill to not only write a massive novel, but to create amazing short stories as well.  The leap in quality from 20th Century Ghosts to Full Throttle is much like the leap from Heart Shaped Box to NOS4A2.  It's that good.

Full Throttle compiles 13 short stories, 2 of which are exclusive to this collection.  The stories range from touching to downright terrifying and everything else in between.  The standout of this collection is "Late Returns".  It's the story of a man who's job puts him in contact with the deceased, all while dealing with losses of his own.  It's a heartfelt tale of coming to terms with losing loved ones.  "Dark Carousel" and "Throttle" are particularly brutal tales.  The former being the better of the two, while the latter is co-written with Stephen King.  Another standout in the collection is "In the Tall Grass", the second story co-written with Hill's father.  This one is absolutely terrifying.  It's also worth noting that this story is being adapted for streaming as a netflix original.  I also really enjoyed "Mums" and "Twittering from the Circus of the Dead".  One thing that all of the stories in the collection share is that Hill is so good, he makes the fantastical seem plausible.

Full Throttle is another Home Run for Joe Hill.  There are a few standout stories, but the entire collection is so good, I'm hard pressed to find one I could do without.  Full Throttle represents a master craftsmen elevating his game to the highest level.  If you're a fan of Joe Hill, you'll love this one.  Those of you who aren't, prepare to fall in love.

5 out of 5 mortar rounds.  A must buy.