Post by Dreadlocksmile on Jul 29, 2009 14:35:38 GMT
Dreadlocksmile Review:
First published back in 1984, Guy N Smith's pulp horror novel `Crabs' Moon' was the fifth instalment into the Crabs series. Only one final full length crabs novel followed; the 1988 crabs finale `Crabs: The Human Sacrifice'.
Although this is the fifth crabs novel to be released, it finds itself slotted in alongside `Night of the Crabs' in the storylines sequential order. Indeed, on the inside title page, underneath the books title, it declares this with the subtitle `Night of the Crabs 2'. If that wasn't enough to whet the appetite of any good crabs fan, then I don't know what will.
Just before the novel kicks off, Smith has inserted a quick passage to explain exactly where this instalment falls within the chronology of the crabs series. Smith's statement is as follows:
"In the summer of 1976 the giant crabs first attacked Mankind on the Welsh coast. Part of that was told in Night of the Crabs; the remainder is told in this book - GNS".
So there we have it, `Crabs' Moon' has its place already in the story of the crabs, the scene is already set and the crabs are ready for the inevitable blood shed.
The novel starts off with a return to Shell Island. Whilst Irey Wall's husband shoots off on a fishing trip with his mates, Irey is sent off to the Blue Ocean Holiday Camp with their two children. Irey soon meets up with musclehead Keith Baxtor, who decides to take Irey on a secluded picnic, with the obvious intention of seducing the poor lady. Baxtor's raunchy plans don't get very far, when out from the sea pop our gigantic crustacean friends.
With a newfound hunger for human flesh, the crabs begin their invasion of Shell Island. At this point Smith inserts the first part of Chapter One from `Night of the Crabs' into the novel. This excerpt is taken word for word from the book and forms the entirety of the third chapter to `Crabs' Moon'. Although this seems like a slightly bizarre approach to writing a new crabs novel, it is somewhat necessary in order for the reader to clearly follow where this instalment fits in with the other crabs novels, as well as allowing it to stand as a complete story within itself.
Anyway, back to the plot. The crabs have now unleashed all hell on the community of Shell Island, including those staying within the Blue Ocean Holiday Camp. One of whom is the holiday camp rep (referred to as a `Greencoat') Gordon Smallwood and his girlfriend Jean Ruddington who is also a Greencoat. Jean doesn't hang around long once the first gigantic crab homes into view, and subsequently scarpers off to look after her sister. Gordon now finds himself almost singlehandedly attempting to protect the holiday makers from the advancing crustacean army.
Bournmouth have their own war with the crabs on their hands (Night of the Crabs) and so with a few brief mentions of good old Cliff Davenport, the army turn up in the vain attempts at protecting the civilians at Shell Island.
Guided by the full moon and their King Crab leader, the crabs show their unforgiving hatred for humanity as they hit the people of Shell Island again and again, whenever the moon is full.
Smith's `Crabs' Moon' is a curious instalment into the crabs series. It does fill a gap that was present within `Night of the Crabs', adding a further insight into the repeated and horrific wars that took place between the crabs and mankind at Shell Island.
Smith delivers the usual high death count with buckets of bloody gore thrown in at every possible opportunity. Detailed depictions of the crabs haunting levels of violence are crammed into the book, leaving little room for any properly thought out storyline.
Somewhat limited by the events and final outcome from `Night of the Crabs', Smith decides upon the simple (and relatively safe) option of simply delivering a novel bursting with crab action. Fast paced as it is, the novel still comes across to the reader as shallow without any real substance to the overall plot.
Instead of adding any further insight into the crabs, or indeed developing more on the principals set down within the other novels, `Crabs' Moon' sits purely to bring the reader another 284 pages of gory crab action and little more.
The ending to the novel is extremely weak, leaving the reader somewhat unsatisfied by the conclusion. Smith does however end on the following author's note:
"Following the attack on the Blue Ocean Holiday Camp the giant crabs moved back to Barmouth where they demolished the viaduct over the estuary and more lives were lost. It was Professor Cliff Davenport who finally defeated them, matching strength and cunning with ingenuity, and rid the Welsh coast of danger. This story is related in Night of the Crabs".
So there you have it. All in all, `Crabs' Moon' is an enjoyable read packed with fast paced action and page to page blood spill. It's a novel purely for fans of the crabs series, with little else in the book to satisfy any other criteria. This is a shame, but hopefully not enough to put anyone off reading the book. Just make sure you have the other crabs books under your belt beforehand.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2OD7CUCQUD7QW/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm