One of six monster vs monster novellas edited by Josh Reynolds and James Bojaciuk as part of a series called Cryptid Clash, David Annandale’s The Thunder of Madness offers a dark, unsettling throwdown between the Beast of Dean (a dirty great boar) and a tatzelwurm (a horrifying cat/lizard hybrid). It’s 1917 and while the Great War is engulfing continental Europe, in Gloucestershire two brilliant women – Miriam and Ingrid – are preparing to tap into the powerful ley lines running through the Forest of Dean. Meanwhile in Austria, Edgar Richter sets out on a perilous journey to bring a tatzelwurm into England. When it arrives, blood will flow and sparks will fly.
It’s a simple premise, watching two monsters of legend duke it out in a massive scrap, but thankfully there’s a lot more here than just one big fight. The actual scrap doesn’t happen until a good way through the story, so there’s plenty of time to get to know the characters first – Miriam and Ingrid, one bringing esoteric knowledge and the other engineering genius, and Edgar, whose resigned distaste at his mission soon turns to something much more sinister. This is a fairly short novella, so there’s only so much character development possible, but Annandale does a good job with what time he does have. Miriam and Edgar in particular are coming from very different directions but are both dealing with the unforeseen consequences of letting these powers loose.
There’s a simple pleasure in watching the slow reveal of two great monsters, as they gradually pick up narrative speed and head inevitably towards an epic showdown. While the true purpose of Edgar’s mission isn’t ever overtly mentioned, Miriam and Ingrid’s motivations are made much clearer, and make for quite a compelling (if not exactly original) reason for their actions even if the actual mechanics of it are a little daft. But this is a Cryptid Clash story, and the focus is on an entertaining monster romp first and foremost. Hardcore monster fans might actually be a touch disappointed that the headline stars don’t go head to head for more of the story, but the rest of us can enjoy a nicely paced and balanced tale with a little of the expected Annandale horror influence creeping in. It’s well worth checking out, and sees Annandale on top form.
Look out for more Cryptid Clash content coming soon to Track of Words!
