Week Twenty-Eight - July 9th - July 15th

Title: Chupar

Author: MaskedParkers

Genre: Paranormal

Number of Chapters: 8

Completed? Yes

Link (Added as an in-line comment):

Blurb:

When Catalina Delgado discovers that her family's livestock has been viciously attacked during the night, she enlists the help of a notorious outlaw to track down the animal that did it. But as they soon find out, this animal is the thing of legends and something out of their worst nightmares.

Goose's Thoughts:

It's Week 28 and we are diving into a short, yet horrifying and heart-breaking story full of the paranormal!

For a story that's only eight chapters long, there is a lot to unpack here. In those few chapters, Masked does an amazing job at playing into fear and creating such a haunting, breath taking atmosphere that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat from the first line to the last. There is something hauntingly brilliant about the simplicity of this story and the way Masked is able to create such a dark atmosphere.

The descriptions throughout the story are incredible. It almost feels like a Western movie unfolding on the screen with each line. She does an amazing job at playing into the dark atmosphere of Catalina's experiences and the descriptions really help to play up the fear. Masked uses quite simple locations throughout the story but the descriptions elevate them to a much great level that you almost forget they're simply in the desert. 

Catalina is a great main character. I love her determination to go out of her way to find this animal despite not knowing anything about it. She's a strong character but that strength does waver several times and in the final chapter, the defeat and pain just oozes off the screen in search a heart-breaking way. Masked really plays into Catalina's emotions and helps to create such a powerful ending to a heart-racing story.

Not only is Catalina an interesting character, but her companion, the Viper, is just as intriguing. We know next to nothing about this man for most of the story and the air of mystery surrounding him gives a stark contrast to Cataline. What I love is that the Viper comes across as such a cold, harsh man, but there are moments of fear and defeat. By the end of the story, it's clear just how much he cares for Catalina despite the two of them having only known each other for a few days.

If you're looking for a short, but face-paced, action-packed, and heart wrenching story, then this is one for you. There is something hauntingly captivating in the simplicity of the story and Masked's writing throughout is incredible. I am going to warn you, though, the end will rip your heart out.

Thank you for writing such an amazing story, Masked!

-Goose