Wow, Dave. Wow… Wow… Wow… When It's a Dark Ride arrived in the same package as A Dark World of Spirits and the Fey (reviewed in issue #144 of The World of Myth magazine) I thought that it was one book, and a very chunky book at that. Quite quickly I worked out this was not the case, and upon reading the stories from Dark World, and Dark Ride, I discovered they are equal in their quality and yet so very different in their content.
They say (and who truly are they?) you should write about what you know. Without the introduction from the author in this case I would not have believed that this was indeed the rule which was followed to a T. I'd have made the mistake of assuming the other rule of, if you don't know then consider what if, as this is the rule I thankfully need follow each time I try my hand at horror. Perhaps it is this experience, the upbringing in a very religious household (fire, brimstone, and the constant threat of damnation), the exposure through his occupation as a medical professional in an intensive care unit later in life, and then his interest in horror films (both the classics and the modern day) that has jumbled all together to produce this macabre collection. Within said pages of It's a Dark Ride, a compilation of David K. Montoya's most horrific tales, we get fourteen succinct visions of terrific terror, thirteen stories and one poem. Be it a wish come true that is less than desirable as we find in the opening tale Sweet Dreams Are Made of This, an upcoming rock star's run in with "lucky" Luci in The Gift, or even a pair of scientists seeking solutions but only managing to create monsters, as can be found in Chronicling the End p"Observation Unit" we discover that when this author writes about the darker side of human nature, of belief, of life in general, Dave knows his stuff and writes with utter authenticity.
For those of us who are familiar with earlier issues of The World of Myth magazine, Horrotica magazine and the two anthologies that were born from The World of Myth magazine, some of these stories (like Circus, Circus) would already read as "old friends". Other stories however are brand new, a discovered jewel, a favorite to linger upon and savour, a reason to light a candle in thanks to those ancient gods of literature. For it seems this author has seen it all and has the skill and expertise honed from years of story writing to take we, the reader, down one dark path after another, with every story different, painting a picture of humanity's worst and most frightful experiences, and yet each tale is told in such a way that you want… No… You need to read the next and the next until you arrive at the finale, the title story It's a Dark Ride, when you wonder what awaits all of us after the ride is over and then the author's plea Take Me Home the perfect finish that just leaves one feeling eerily at peace.
If I suggested that this is David K. Montoya at his finest, that would be an absolute lie. This author has here discovered himself in his element, but his writing only gets deeper, darker, and more delightful as his career careers onward and upward.
Five beating, blood dripping hearts out of five for It's a Dark Ride. Perfectly titled, incredibly well written. For fans of horror, human suffering, and for those of us who just love quality writing. Do yourself a favor. If you have not got your hands on a copy of this book yet head to mythmart.com and remedy this fallacy immediately. There you will find the Anniversary Edition with a new cover and bonus features. You will certainly NOT regret deciding to wander this dark path with such a talent. Dave is the perfect guide.