Iced magic bledstone is a rare and powerful crystal that holds immense magical properties. It is known for its unique ability to harness and manipulate cold and ice-based magic. The stone itself is naturally formed in extreme cold environments, such as deep within icy caves or frozen tundra. The name "iced magic bledstone" comes from the stone's distinctive appearance. It has a deep blue color that resembles frozen ice, and its surface is often covered in intricate frost-like patterns. The stone is quite large and heavy, making it difficult to transport and handle without proper equipment.
“Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. Read it.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking and Ghost Eaters
Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. The writers always have to come up with some fresh way to explain why the slasher is coming back from the dead and incorporating different elements, you know, whether it s like a telekinetic teenager or a new location like Manhattan.
The stone is quite large and heavy, making it difficult to transport and handle without proper equipment. In terms of magical properties, the iced magic bledstone is highly sought after by wizards, sorcerers, and other magic users. Its primary use is in casting ice-based spells and enchantments.
Curse of the Reaper: A Novel (Hardcover)
Scream meets The Shining in this page-turning horror tale about an aging actor haunted by the slasher movie villain he brought to life.
Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper , Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
About the Author
Brian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter who has worked on everything from family sitcoms to horror films. He received his MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia University and he teaches at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, where he currently resides. Curse of the Reaper is his first novel.
Praise For…
In Praise of CURSE OF THE REAPER
"McAuley excels at balancing the psychological against the supernatural, but he’s even better at satirizing the Hollywood machine. The author puts his experience of the screenwriting game to good use in a biting commentary on horror fandom, franchise culture, and thespian hubris. You’re never sure whether to root for Howard as a bastion of standards in a degraded creative industry or to pity him as a man whose self-regard is at odds with his body of work. Curse of the Reaper is a very funny book with some of the best “bad scriptwriting” ever committed to page. But when McAuley turns to horror in earnest, he goes hard." Esquire (Best Horror Novels of 2022)
"At times deliriously fun and delightfully gory. Its blood-filled heart, however, is its main characters and their personal struggles. Both actors, in their own ways, strain under the unrelenting pressure of others’ expectations. To give the Reaper life, McAuley shares snippets of fictional movie screenplays that show the Reaper is just as deadly and entertaining as Jason or Freddy. This book is a must for fans of the slasher genre, but it also offers a sickle-sharp critique of the expendability of actors fed into the Hollywood machine." — Library Journal
“Curse of the Reaper is the best kind of horror—one that’s equal parts psychological nightmare and bone-crunching bloodshed. McAuley’s novel is a grim amalgam, retelling the inner-struggle of a modern day Jekyll and Hyde and blending it (on high!) with every great 80’s slasher movie ever made. Reaper tackles madness, addiction, the costs of stardom, and the innate servitude of every artist whose soul is chained to the growling, hungry beast within. A wonderful, terrifying, thrilling novel not to be missed.”—Philip Fracassi, author of A Child Alone With Strangers
“In Curse of the Reaper, Brian McAuley carves a grinning specter from our cultural addictions to fandom and nostalgia, gleefully ripping through the boundaries between method and madness, pure scares and pitch-perfect schlock. With vividly wounded characters and a true fan’s eye for the horror show, Curse of the Reaper is an unmissable glimpse behind the screen.”—Gordon B. White, author of Rookfield and As Summer’s Mask Slips and Other Disruptions
“The purpose of horror is to access the unconscious fears of the reader and exploit them. Brian McAuley does just that in Curse of the Reaper. An homage to the horror films of the 80's, he delivers horror in a way that will have you clutching the edge of your seat while whipping through the book until the very end. And I enjoyed every single page of it.”—Tracy Cross, author of Rootwork
“Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. Read it.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking and Ghost Eaters
“A love letter to slashers, and a nod to our addictions. To drugs, to fame. To the memories of who we once were.” —Jamie Flanagan, co-writer of Netflix’s Midnight Mas s and The Haunting of Bly Mano r
“McAuley's Curse of the Reaper is a clever and creepy romp through the slasher genre, reveling in how it haunts and delights us, and how the real horror never, really ever ends.” — Kate Maruyama, author of Harrowgate and Family Solstice
- Fiction / Horror
- Fiction / Thrillers / Supernatural
- Fiction / Noir
- Fiction / Psychological
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
When the stone is activated, it channels the user's magic and amplifies it, creating a more potent and intense effect. One of the most notable applications of the iced magic bledstone is in the creation of ice barriers and shields. When combined with the user's magic, the stone can generate a strong and impenetrable wall of ice, capable of protecting against attacks and projectiles. This makes it a valuable asset in battles and conflicts. Furthermore, the bledstone can be used to manipulate and control ice and cold in its surroundings. It can lower temperatures, freeze objects, and create ice-based constructs. This makes it incredibly versatile in various situations, such as creating pathways across frozen landscapes or immobilizing enemies. However, the iced magic bledstone is not without its drawbacks. Due to its immense power and association with ice, it is highly susceptible to being corrupted by dark magic. If exposed to dark energies or used for malicious purposes, the stone can become tainted and unleash destructive and unpredictable forces. Because of its rarity and the dangers associated with it, acquiring an iced magic bledstone is a challenging task. It requires a skilled and experienced mage to locate and safely extract the stone from its natural habitat. Additionally, there is a limited number of these stones, making them highly valuable and sought after in magical circles. In conclusion, the iced magic bledstone is a remarkable and coveted crystal that possesses incredible cold and ice-based magical properties. Its ability to amplify and manipulate magical energies makes it a powerful tool for those skilled enough to wield it. However, its rarity and susceptibility to dark magic make it a double-edged sword that must be handled with caution and respect..
Reviews for "Iced Magic Bledstone and its Influence on Astrology and Horoscopes"
1. Jack - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Iced Magic Bledstone". The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary twists and turns. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and filled with grammatical errors, which further detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I found the reading experience to be frustrating and would not recommend this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"Iced Magic Bledstone" was an absolute mess. The pacing was all over the place, with slow and boring sections followed by rushed and confusing ones. None of the characters felt believable or relatable, and their dialogue was cringe-worthy at times. The world-building was poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. To top it all off, the ending was unsatisfying and left me feeling like I wasted my time. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Mark - 2 stars
"Iced Magic Bledstone" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story had an interesting concept, but it was poorly executed. The writing was dull and lacked any sense of excitement or urgency. The characters were forgettable and lacked development. The plot twists felt forced and predictable, making the story lose its appeal early on. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to others.