A small town becomes obsessed with television—to the point of madness.
A cheerful innocent confronts the harsh reality of the world and is forever changed by the experience.
A struggling author begins receiving strange messages on the paper he uses to write.
A bullied, brilliant teen is put through the wringer of his high school and comes out the other side insane.
A detective of the future discovers he may be investigating his own untimely demise—and that of the world’s.
These and one more dark fable await you from the imaginative mind of the award-winning author Michael Thomas Perone. Part fractured fairy tales, part nightmare fuel, The Electric God and Other Shorts follows characters who struggle to remain sane in an insane world and features stories that will keep you up at night, wondering what might be lurking in the shadows.
Tense, dark, and thought-provoking, (The Electric God and Other Shorts is) a gripping exploration of blurred realities and fractured identities. …Perone plunges readers into disquieting worlds where the lines between reality, identity, and absurdity blur in unexpected ways. Perone’s characters grasp for meaning in chaotic worlds. His use of stream-of-consciousness heightens their disorienting journeys, while dark humor provides a balance of levity and gravity. This collection confronts the madness of modern existence with wit and heart, leaving readers unsettled—and hungry for more.
—The Prairies Book Review
Each story paints a powerful portrait of an unsettling life when things go just a bit too far. …The author’s introductory story and title’s namesake, The Electric God, is brilliant. …The Electric God is exaggerated but in a way that highlights Perone’s ability to write satire. This story hits home in so many ways and easily allows readers to imagine replacing their addiction to television with smartphones, tablets, or computers. The story Investigating the Future’s End is impressive. It is a dystopian sci-fi story that is very engrossing. The plot is tense with surreal twists, but Perone’s writing style is excellent throughout. The characters and their worlds are fully developed and three-dimensional, and the dialogue is authentic. …The Electric God and Other Shorts by Michael Thomas Perone is a brilliant collection that makes readers reflect on several issues. It’s a powerful read for those who enjoy dark, satirical writing with twists that make you think. 5 out of 5 stars.
–Reader Views
A smirking satiric impulse powers some entries, reflecting the perspective of a young person (rightly) outraged about the way things are going. …As readers might expect of a smart, media-saturated young writer from an era that prized extremity of expression, the collection at times has a vicious edge, indulging in adolescent power fantasy and exploring revenge, cruelty, and misery. But the closing story surprises with a small note of hope—even redemption—in an otherwise bleak and snarky collection of horror stories that revel in Doom Generation nihilism.
—Publishers Weekly
Perone is in complete control of his writing, creating clear, tightly formed sentences marking the work of an experienced professional. His style feels a little like a mix between Ray Bradbury and The Twilight Zone, focusing on outbursts of violence and humor. …The protagonists are generally relatable and mostly fit the role of being smart, awkward, and pushed too far. The collection’s dark turns, chuckles, and ability to relate will garner plenty of enthusiastic young fans.
—The US Review of Books
This book is a page-turner. Each story holds a unique premise, keeping me fully engaged and eager to see what came next. The language is accessible, the storytelling fluid and powerful. Michael Thomas Perone demonstrates incredible creativity in this collection. If you’re looking for something that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this book is a great choice.
—Sassy Reviews
…Perone deftly uses sci-fi and horror as vehicles to explore timeless themes, notably our complicated relationship with technology and societal norms. …Perone’s writing is smooth and suspenseful, with just the right amount of descriptive language to draw readers into each darkly imaginative scenario without bogging down the pace. …The Electric God and Other Shorts is an engaging, suspense-filled collection for anyone who enjoys speculative fiction and psychological horror. …(I)t offers a thought-provoking take on the dangers of technology and the darker sides of human nature. Michael Thomas Perone has crafted stories that are unsettling, darkly nostalgic, and reflective of our modern anxieties. If you’re a fan of The Twilight Zone, Bradbury’s eerie insights, or psychological thrillers, this collection will leave you pondering long after you’ve put it down.
—Kim’s Book Reviews
The Electric God and Other Shorts is a mesmerizing dive into the surreal and the darkly imaginative. Each of the six stories creates its own world, yet they are united by themes of human obsession, societal flaws, and the tenuous grip we often have on reality. The thing I liked most about this collection was how well it mixed biting humor with deep existential problems. The stories aren’t just fun to read; they make you think about what it means to be human, often in disturbing ways. …What sets this book apart is its willingness to delve into extremes without losing its grip on the larger picture. Perone does a great job of pointing out the silly things in modern life, like media addiction and the fight for creativity, while never ignoring how fragile people are. …This collection is for people who like science fiction and fantasy that isn’t afraid to take chances, change people’s minds, and give them both thrills and time to think. Everyone can enjoy The Electric God and Other Shorts, whether they like dark settings, psychological twists, or biting social criticism. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to read it again and again after you finish it. 5 out of 5 stars.
—The Book Revue
The Electric God and Other Shorts now available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon:
Michael Thomas Perone 