Who Knew Going to Hell Could be So Much Fun? A Review of Julie C. Day’s The Rampant

The Rampant (2019)
Written by: Julie C. Day
Genre: YA Fantasy/Horror
Length: 138 pages (Novella)
Publisher: Aqueduct Press

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the novella for free in exchange for an honest review.

Why I chose it: I’m new here at Speculative Chic, and I’m trying to find my groove. Figure out where I fit in. As a reader and writer of speculative fiction, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute here in a variety of ways. There never seems to be a shortage of things to write about. The only foreseeable problem for me personally is that I’m going to have to get better at saying “no” when ARC reviews are offered. I get so excited about reading new books and sharing my ideas, that I often forget there are only so many hours in the day. All that being said, I’m glad I didn’t say “no” to this ARC.

The premise:

It’s ten years since the hordes of old-world Sumerian gods arrived in Southern Indiana to kick off the end of the world, but things have not gone to plan. A principal player decided not to show. Now humanity is stuck in a seemingly never-ending apocalypse. Sixteen-year-old Emelia Bareilles and Gillian Halkey are determined to travel into the lands of the dead and force a change.

No spoilers!


Discussion: I love a good Apocalypse story and have come to realize that most of my understanding about The Bible comes from interpretations of verses from the Book of Revelation I’ve read about or seen in horror fiction. No matter what you believe in, The New Testament has some amazing horror stories about the end of the world. In fact, most apocalyptic fiction is based on these stories, which is one of the reasons Julie Day’s The Rampant is so interesting.

Rather than taking the easy route and relying on the standard Judaeo-Christian version of the end times, as so many writers do, Day incorporates Babylonian and Sumerian religion and mythology to create a unique telling of the end of the world. I have to admit, I found myself Googling certain references, which may be a turn off for some readers, but I love learning new things while reading fiction. I wasn’t familiar with this mythology and enjoyed reading about new characters and archetypes that are similar, but different from what most of us are accustomed to reading about from the Judaeo-Christian perspective. This unfamiliar landscape made the horror a little more unsettling and the feelings of disorientation experienced by the characters as they travel through the underworld more believable.

YA fiction isn’t always my first choice, but I tend to prefer stories told from the POV of strong, young female protagonists. The Rampant does not disappoint. Gillian Halkey is a sixteen-year old girl who is tired of waiting for the world to end. She’s been promised an apocalypse that never came and rather than finding herself in a situation where she’s doubting her faith, she embraces the visions she’s had in her dreams and accepts a demi-god’s invitation to travel to the Netherworld. I know, sounds crazy, right? But isn’t that the point of speculative fiction? To take an agreed upon idea, like the end of the world, and turn it on its side. Gillian and her best friend, Emelia (Mel) Bareilles, have studied the religious teachings, attended church camps to learn self defense against the monsters that roam the Earth, and decide that it’s up to them to bring about The Rapture.

So, as is the case with strong female characters in YA fiction, they put their lives at risk to save the world. They embark on a journey into what is essentially the bowels of Hell carrying only food, water, flashlights, and of course, Pabst Blue Ribbon. I found it hilarious that PBR is an acceptable offering to the gods, and little details like this make The Rampant an enjoyable journey through Hell.

Joined by shared tragedy and an uncanny optimism about the end of the world, our two young heroines find strength within themselves and the bond of friendship between them. A friendship that blossoms into romance. Gillian and Emelia seem capable of facing any challenge when they stand together.

In Conclusion: If you enjoy unique apocalyptic horror and strong female characters who face seemingly insurmountable odds while maintaining their values and laughing at themselves, then you’ll love Julie C. Day’s The Rampant.

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