Ten percent. That’s the number of the population deemed unfit to belong. In Fear the Reaper (Macabre Ink) by David Simms, this frightening novel recounts the American Eugenics Movement in the 1930s, a dark secret in our country’s history. What is scary as hell about this novel is that the American Eugenics Movement was real, during the early 20th century, The Movement formed groups such as The Race Betterment Foundation, The Euthanasia Society of America, the American Breeder’s Association, and the Eugenics Records Office. Funded by a society of American millionaires, powerful leaders of industry, and public officials, the program’s goal was to eliminate the most unfit 10 percent of the population. The New York Times even published articles to gain the support of the American people and make The Movement mainstream. Across America, The Society earmarked people who poisoned the American population—those withdisabilities, people with lower intelligence, criminals, and even those whose only crime was poverty. Because they believed these characteristics were passed from one generation to the next, sterilization and euthanasia were logical remedies. Horrifyingly, The Movement was also a model for Hitler’s Aryanization program. Fear the Reaper brings to life this disturbing era in American society, one I didn’t know existed. As the world learned from Nazi Germany, “when a man plays God, the glint of the devil shines in his eyes.” We all know of Hitler’s appalling acts, but that was far away, across an ocean. In this novel, Simms gives us evidence that the same can happen on American soil—it already did. This book hammers home a reminder: Americans must vigilantly protect every person’s right to equality and freedom. We must always Fear the Reaper.

In Dark Muse, Simms uses story, setting, classic music, and characters to weave a powerful and well-structured lyrical fairy tale fraught with danger, choices, and young innocent love amidst the realities of prejudice and broken families. The unconventional “special needs” characters prove their strength and resilience as they use their musical ability and instruments to battle murderous creatures in a legendary world.

I started this book on a Tuesday and was so engrossed in it I finished it by Wednesday morning. If you play music or just like listening to music (classic rock for this tale) , I definetely recommend it. Through mere words you hear the music in this tale. I am patiently trying to await the sequel.