Reviews

Body Shocks by Ellen Datlow

jesteralexa's review

I didn’t enjoy enough of the stories, sometimes there wasn’t enough explicit explanation of events for em to keep up with what was happing within the stories. Didn’t enjoy enough to continue 

the_bookroyal's review

challenging dark tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

melosamatic's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.5

homomilky's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

nikkitaylor19's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

godlizza's review

3.0

Some of these were good and icky, some of these were good stories, though I wouldn't necessarily consider them body horror, and some of these were just plain boring and forgettable. I guess that's bound to happen in an anthology with 29 different stories! The one with the tooth-stealing serial killer was probably the best in terms of achieving that spine-tingling shudder you want with body horror. I also really liked Seanan McGuire's story. And that's all I really have to say lol.

pdestrienne's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

3.75

the more authors, the more opportunity for stories that are so-so. and the narrators were just okay. but it definitely held my attention for the whole 14 hours

joshgauthier's review

4.0

Like any anthology, some of these stories are better than others. But with authors including Nathan Ballingrud, Seanan McGuire, and Cassandra Khaw, Body Shocks keenly displays the ability of body horror not only to disturb, but to offer powerful commentary, reflection, and insight. With a wide range of styles and themes, Body Shocks is not for the faint of heart, but there's definite treasure here for any horror fan with stories that will linger--both for what they have to say and the images they contain--all carefully curated by the highly accomplished Ellen Datlow.

full_of_flowers's review

dark mysterious tense

4.0

A large variety in the era, voice, and style of these stories, which is both a bug and a feature. Anyone interested in body horror is likely to find some they really like here, although they'll likely find others ranging from "meh" to "dear lord." My personal favorites were ones that effectively used their creepy imagery to make relevant connections to our everyday lives, whether they examined beauty standards, class inequalities, or the ways in which we define humanity.

The Travellers Stay: 2.25
Toother: 2.75
Painlessness: 3.25
You go Where it Takes you: 4.75
A Positive: 4.5
La Beauté Sans Vertu: 4.0
Subsumption: 4.0
Spar: 3.75
It was the Heat: 3.75
Atwater: 4.0
The Transfer: 3.5
Welcome to Mengele's: 3.0
Black Neurology: A Love Story: 0.0
Cuckoo: 4.25
Cinerous: 4.75
The Truth that Lies Under Skin and Meat: 4.5
Natural Skin: 4.75
The Lake: 4.75
I'm Always Here: 4.75
The Look: 4.5
The Old Women Who Were Skinned: 5.0
Spores: 4.5
Sweet Subtleties: 3.75
Elegy for a Suicide: 3.0
Skin City: 3.0
A True Friend: 2.5
What I Found in the Shed: 4.0
Fabulous Beasts: 4.5
Tissue Ablation and Variant Regeneration: A Case Report: 4.5

mb918's review

3.0

Like with most anthologies, some of these stories were fantastic, and some were boring as hell. A couple were way too similar for my taste, but there were a few EXCELLENT and unique body horror concepts and gruesome descriptions that definitely satisfied my horror craving.