Speculative Fiction Junkie

Cherie Priest

My journey to Cherie Priest's latest novella, Those Who Went Remain There Still, was a series of "wow" moments. First, I learned at some point that a book entitled Those Who Went Remain There Still was being published. I unequivocally believe that this is the greatest title for a book ever (ever!). Then, I saw the cover art by Mark Geyer and again was wowed (seriously, how cool is that cover?!). Then I read what the book was about and I knew that I had to read it as soon as possible.

The story begins with Daniel Boone and others cutting a trail through the Cumberland Gap. As they progress, an unknown bird-like creature stalks the party and starts picking men off one by one in the dead of night. Eventually, they manage to severely wound the beast near a cave and proceed on their way thinking it dead.

Meanwhile, as Boone's story progresses, another unfolds. This second storyline takes place in roughly the same place but years later. A descendant of an original member of Boone's party dies and his descendants--who have since split into two bitterly feuding factions, the Coys and the Manders-- gather to learn who the property has been left to. Instead, they're informed that the will has been placed in a nearby cave and that a party consisting of both Manders and Coys must be sent in to retrieve it. This is the same cave near which Boone left the wounded creature a century before and the stage is thus perfectly set for a terrifying encounter.

This is the first time I have read anything by Mrs. Priest and I came away pretty impressed. If it isn't obvious by now, the first thing that really struck me about Those Who Went Remain There Still was the recipe: trailblazing across the American wilderness with Daniel Boone; evil creature stealing men in the night; feuding family factions; dead ancestor with a missing will; spelunking into dangerous caves. With a setup like that, I was already halfway sold on this story before I'd read the first page (Actually, if I had to pick something to criticize about this book it would be that such a promising premise deserves a book that exceeds novella length). Once I did begin to read, however, I found that Priest's storytelling skills did not disappoint. Those Who Went Remain There Still is told in a no nonsense style with relatively straightforward and unadorned prose. The result is that there is nothing to get in between the reader and the story, nothing to dilute the terror that is evoked as the plot unfolds.

And this story is terrifying. The straightforwardness of the prose, along with the way that Priest has chosen to reveal things to the reader, allows this to sort of sneak up on the reader, though. When I first started reading, I had expected that the thing that stalked Boone would be revealed to the reader rather slowly as the story progressed. Instead, we get a good idea of what the creature looks like fairly early on, and with all the cards thus on the table, so to speak, I was left wondering how much potential for fright remained. I need not have worried. Once the party enters the cave this story goes from one of dark foreboding to one of visceral terror extraordinarily quickly. Those Who Went Remain There Still is a fantastic, well written horror story.

Rating: 8/10

The True First

Those Who Went Remain There Still will be published by Subterranean Press in a few days in two editions. The first is a trade hardback edition. 200 signed copies of a second, limited edition will also be published. This limited edition will also contain a chapbook that will contain "additional exclusive material."

[Note: even though I'm posting this review in 2008, I'll consider it to have been read in 2009 for purposes of creating my Top 5 Reads of 2009 post.]

[This review was based on a review copy]