He often uses a slow - burn approach. For example, in 'Carrion Comfort', he gradually reveals the true nature and extent of the characters' powers, keeping the readers in suspense about what will happen next.
One of his best horror novels is 'Carrion Comfort'. It has a unique take on vampires where they use their mental powers to control and feed on others in a very disturbing way.
His short stories are more concise. They often focus on a single idea or theme, while his novels may have multiple plotlines. For instance, a short story might explore just one aspect of a future society, whereas a novel could cover various aspects of that society and different characters' experiences within it.
Also, 'Song of Kali' is quite famous. It's set in the chaotic and exotic backdrop of India. The horror in this novel is deeply intertwined with the cultural and religious aspects of the setting, creating a very atmospheric and disturbing read.
The settings in his novels are often very effective. For example, in 'The Terror', the Arctic setting creates a sense of desolation and isolation that intensifies the horror. There's no escape from the unknown terrors in that frozen wasteland.
His use of complex themes makes his work stand out. For example, in 'Hyperion', he delves into deep philosophical questions about humanity, religion, and technology. This adds layers of depth to his stories that many other works in the genre lack.
Hyperion contributes by expanding the scope of world - building. It creates a universe that is both familiar and alien at the same time. This gives other science fiction writers new ideas on how to build their own fictional universes.
Transformation in horror stories creates suspense mainly by introducing the unknown. When a character starts to transform, we don't know what the end result will be. This uncertainty makes the reader or viewer on edge. For example, if a person's eyes start to change color and their body trembles, we wonder what hideous form they will take. Also, it can disrupt the status quo. If a previously normal situation suddenly has a character transforming, it shatters the sense of safety and makes us anticipate more bad things to come.
Conflict creates suspense by making the reader wonder who will win. For instance, when the hero is facing a powerful demon in a horror story, we don't know if they will survive. This uncertainty builds suspense. If there's an internal conflict like a character trying to resist the urge to open a cursed box, we're on the edge of our seats waiting to see if they'll give in.
In a revelation horror novel, suspense is often created by slowly uncovering the unknown. For example, the author might drop small hints about a lurking evil at the beginning. As the story progresses, more details are revealed bit by bit, like peeling off the layers of an onion. This keeps the reader on edge, constantly wondering what will be revealed next.
One of the best is 'Hyperion'. It weaves together multiple stories of different characters on a pilgrimage to the Time Tombs on the planet Hyperion. The Shrike, a menacing and mysterious figure, adds to the allure. Another great one is 'The Terror', which is based on the real - life Franklin Expedition. It combines horror, historical elements, and survival in the Arctic. It's a really immersive read.