Written by Danger Slater
Some horror stories take a subtle approach to their storytelling, creeping into the reader’s head insidiously. They take a less is more approach, with the subject matter lingering as it builds slowly to the horrors. Starlet, the new novella by author Danger Slater, is not one of those books. It’s a book that easily be summarised in just a couple of words: messed up, and you can easily replace the “messed” with an expletive of your choice.
The term “messed up” will no doubt conjure various ideas about the various things you can find in Starlet. Of even less doubt, however, is it will either pique your interest, or turn you right off. If you’re part of the latter camp, feel free to back out of this review. I’m not here to tell you the subject matter is presented in a way that will make the trauma you endure making your way through the book worth it; it won’t. If, however, like me, you’re the type of reader who sees a book described as “messed up” and is curious about how it pushes the boundaries of taste, you’ll be in for a wild ride.
The blurb (as it currently stands; with the book not out for another three months, the published copy change) doesn’t provide a great deal of detail about the plot. This works to build mystery, so I’ll only discuss the plot at a high level. The titular starlet is the wonderfully named Déjà Seawright, an aspiring actress strugglinh to catch her big break in Tinseltown. Following a chance encounter with A-list actor Brandon Bowers, Déjà is mesmerised by not just him, but his money, success, renown, and most importantly, what appears to be her golden ticket to join the Hollywood elite. This is no meet cute leading to a happily ever after after a series of innocent misadventures; all is not what it seems, which is where the story really kicks off.
Whilst, at the beginning of this review, I mentioned the book is a horror, it is also firmly a comedy. It isn’t a case of one genre overpowering the other; the two work in concert with each other to create a joyously transgressive tale. It contains some truly horrific moments, parts of which are as difficult to read as they are humorous, and the story is told against a backdrop of the Hollywood system where people are desperate to get ahead and stay there.
The setting works wonderfully for the book, which not only provides the book with some great character, but also provides the backdrop for a tale skewering Hollywood. Starlet gleefully satirises Hollywood and the film industry, celebrity, what people will do to attain it, and what people will do once they’ve gotten there. Although a lot of the novella’s humour comes from this satire, it also results in the weaker aspects of some of it. The book includes a number of references to, and jokes about, the film industry and specific films, and comes across as thinking it’s more clever than it actually is. As a film buff, I understand the references throughout the book, but people less addicted to film might find themselves unnecessarily lost.
One of the more entertaining ways Starlet parodies Hollywood is through excerpts of film reviews. Each chapter is introduced by one such excerpt that, as the book continues, chronicles the highs and lows of Brandon’s career. It’s an entertaining device that tells a background story in a unique way, but is also sharply funny. The prose follows these excerpts’ lead and oozes wit throughout. Slater’s writing is sharp and punchy, and draws the reader into the book’s world and story. The prose will have the reader chuckling away at the humour, then suddenly shocked by a horrific moment, while ensuring they keep laughing. Some of this laughter will be uncomfortable as the book takes a turn into the obscene; yet that is exactly what it aims to accomplish.
At only 140 pages in paperback (or an estimated 125 pages on your favourite eReader), the book is going to have to take a lighter touch on some elements. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a humorous horror story, Starlet has a lighter touch on its characters. As the protagonist, Déjà is a reasonably well-rounded character, and the book provides more of an exploration of her than readers would likely expect. The other characters largely serve to either drive the plot forward or add to the book’s colour. Regardless of their purpose, each character entertains, and is anchored by dialogue that ensures the conversations pop.
Starlet is anything but subtle, but its transgressive blend of humour and horror works in its favour. Comedic horror stories are anything but new—there’s always something funny to be found in the macabre—yet Slater has crafted a story that feels entirely unique. Although many readers will be turned off by the book’s subject matter, those who aren’t so easily dissuaded will find a darkly humorous story that will make them both laugh and cringe.
Favourite Passage
Brandon took Déjà’s hands into his and pulled her close. “Shhhh. There, there. No need to fret, little darling. Like I said, it’s naturally sourced. Everything you’re feeling is perfectly natural. Dr. Fish says it’s supposed to sting a bit. That just means it’s working.”
The drug set the tempo, her heart was a punk rock show, a mosh pit of sensations that threatened to claw her apart from the inside out. She had no choice but to give into the melee. To become one with the chaos inside her as the Reno took hold.
And for the briefest of moments, Déjà found the euphoria Brandon had promised, unburdened and full and content and free. What had once been a hidden light now shined upon her from within. She saw the shape of her own soul and was awed by the splendor it was able to contain. It was like God Himself parted the seas and the earth and the skies to baptize her with His holy and unimpeachable decree: You are special, Déjà Seawright. You are better than everyone else. You were born to feel this way. And you deserve all the love and good fortune that will one day betide you.
Starlet, Chapter Three: “A Dark Turn”
Starlet was provided by BookSirens for the purpose of an honest review.
Starlet will be available in paperback and eBook from retailers, including—but not limited to—to Amazon, from 27 August 2024.
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Note: I do not post scores on reviews on this website, but do post them on my Amazon and Goodreads reviews:
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Interested in purchasing Starlet?
Please find a link below; please note I do not collect any proceeds from the sale.
Starlet
wastanley.com 